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2023-08-31-accounts

HOPE’S PLACE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 AUGUST 2023

Company Number 05134542

Charity Number 1105139

Registered Office: The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol. BS48 1UR

www.hopesplace.org.uk

email: info@hopesplace.org.uk

tel: 07982 161 760

HOPE’S PLACE

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Contents Pages
Trustees’ Annual Report 3 - 12
Reference & AdministrativeInformation 13
Independent Examiner’s Report 14
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16
Notes to the financial statements 17 - 22

HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 August 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS 102) Accounting and Reporting by Charities in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

1. Objectives

The charity’s main objectives are the advancement of education and promotion of the health of young people. Specifically, we work to raise their self-esteem and encourage resilience i.e. the capacity to overcome adversity and cope with challenges without manifesting mental health or behavioural problems.

2. Our work

We work through the provision of specialist support (facilitators) to secondary and increasingly primary schools in the Bristol area. They provide gender specific courses of weekly sessions over 8- 10 weeks with an average of seven young people per course. Course content focuses on mental health and wellbeing and is adapted to meet the needs and age profile of each group. The content is reviewed regularly to ensure effectiveness and relevance. Pupils attending are identified by school staff, who best know their individual needs and attend on a voluntary basis.

We also continue to offer our Aspire course. This comprises workshops, usually for a whole class, to enable children in their final year of primary to make the move to secondary education feeling wellinformed, confident and enthusiastic.

The facilitators are independent of the school which allows the young people attending courses to speak frankly and with a refreshing openness and honesty, surrounded by a small group of peers often facing similar challenges. As a consequence of the challenges faced, the young people are often failing to reach their potential due to low confidence, emotional problems, social withdrawal, relationship difficulties and/or challenging behaviour. This often manifests itself in a lack of hope, of aspiration and of the confidence to make the most of opportunities available to them. In some instances, this can lead to extreme behaviour including self-destructive behaviour. Hope’s Place works with these young people to raise their self-esteem and encourage resilience.

It is a Hope’s Place requirement that facilitators maintain a close relationship with school staff, ensuring they have a good understanding of the young peoples’ educational and pastoral needs and interests. They provide detailed feedback to schools and understand their duty to keep school staff informed of any safeguarding concerns. Concerns regarding a particular young person sometimes necessitates additional meetings with staff to ensure consistency of approach and the essential sharing of information. A member of school staff is required to be available throughout Hope’s Place sessions.

3. Public benefit

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives. All our charitable activities are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

4. Achievements and performance

Demand for courses throughout the 2022-23 academic year continued to increase, reflecting the significant impact of the pandemic and subsequent school closures on young people’s mental wellbeing and engagement with school and learning.

Hope’s Place educational facilitators have been busy delivering our ten-week courses ( Man Up? and ID) to seven boys’ groups and eighteen girls’ groups. In addition, facilitators have run six of our Aspire courses (transition to secondary education) for coeducational groups.

Interest in our courses grew as the academic year progressed; we ran seven courses between September and December, nine from January to March and fifteen from April to July.

Three hundred and forty-seven young people attended the thirty-one courses we ran over the year. This was an increase from two hundred and fifty-two last year. Facilitators worked in a combination of schools that had used our services previously and schools seeking our support for the first time.

As a charity with Bristol City Council approval/recognition, Hope’s Place support was sought by the Council’s Safer Options team who assist young people deemed to be victims or at risk of sexual and/or criminal exploitation. As in 2021-22, Hope’s Place delivered courses in schools in which Safer Options had identified particular concern for girls’ wellbeing. Throughout the year, we delivered sixteen girls’ group courses for Safer Options. It is testament to the success of these courses that Safer Options have lent their support to a further seventeen courses next academic year (2023-24).

Feedback from the young people attending Hope’s Place courses has been encouraging. Comments on the 10-week courses ( ID and Man Up?) feedback forms include:

Areas of most improvement

“I’m happy to be myself even if that means being a bit different to everyone else.”

“I know what healthy friendships and relationships look like.”

“I believe the bad stuff in my life isn’t necessarily my fault.”

“I feel like a loveable person.”

“I know how to cope when my feelings overwhelm me.”

“I feel like I deserve to be loved, accepted and respected.”

What have you found helpful? Have you learned anything new?

“That not everyone is going to like you but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, it’s just the way of life.”

“I feel less overwhelmed. I can be more myself.”

“Being in a group where people understand you, feeling less overwhelmed, feeling good about myself and who I am.”

“I have learned a few new things like not everyone has to be the same it’s ok to be different.”

“I have found it helpful when Anna tells us that we are enough.”

“I have found the safe space really helpful! I love the fact that I feel like I can be open.”

“I found that being able to talk about things people wouldn’t usually bring up has been very nice.”

“Being able to talk about similar experiences and not being awkward.”

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

“To realise how good life can be later on in life / finding out what I want for the future.” “The stuff about my future and understanding other people’s feelings.” “It’s been helpful chatting about things you can’t normally without getting in trouble.” “Learning about other people.” “Talking about manliness and stuff.” “Getting to know things ad know more about people.” “Talking about life and stuff as you grow up.” “Learning about relationships and how good and bad ones look like.” “Things about just general life and other useful things.”

“I like the fact sir listen to us and talk about anything and discuss stuff.”

“Talking to … about life and social challenges.”

“The social challenges and how to act around people.”

“How to accept others.”

“Not everyone thinks the same as you.”

Feedback on the two-week transition to secondary school course ( Aspire ) has been similarly positive. Comments include:

“I found out so much stuff about secondary school that I didn’t know before.”

“I learned that I can be brave.”

“I really enjoyed learning what it will be like. It made me confident. Thank you.”

“I was confused before. Now I’m not.”

“I found everything helpful because I did not know anything.”

“No matter what happens, it’s important to look after yourself and ask for help if you need it.”

“I really found it helpful to be able to ask questions and learning that it’s better than it’s said to be.”

“It made me feel less scared and nervous knowing that it isn’t that bad.”

“I found out a lot of things about secondary school and I’m really excited now!”

At September 2023, all our facilitators will, for the first time, be working to capacity and consideration will be given to the recruitment of a second boys’ group facilitator.

We were aware that one of our girls’ group facilitators would leave us in December 2022 because of increasing family commitments. Initially it proved difficult to recruit her replacement (thanks to our existing girls’ facilitator for taking up the slack) but it was our good fortune that the role was subsequently taken by a well-respected and well-experienced previous facilitator who was willing to re-join us. Also in late 2022, our boys’ facilitator left after eight years’ service in order to increase his hours with another of his part-time jobs. We were delighted to find his replacement quickly, indeed there was a short period of handover which proved most useful. We are greatly indebted to both facilitators who left during the year. Their expertise and skilled delivery have been of benefit to many, many young people and to our charity.

Both newly appointed facilitators have embraced their roles and have received very positive feedback from young people and school staff.

The pandemic and resultant increased security and school closures had prevented trustees from visiting facilitators in school. It is pleasing to report that trustee visits have now resumed. A written report is produced after each visit, focusing on learning, relationships, successes and ways in which aspects of the courses might be improved.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The impact of pressures on young people is well-documented and seemingly increasing. In response to this, Hope’s Place courses are constantly being modified to meet the needs of young people generally and of specific groups and individuals. Our new boys’ group facilitator has undertaken considerable research and has produced numerous fresh resources to aid course delivery, whilst the girls’ group course has a wealth of resources, created over many years, which are subject to continuous review. Facilitators meet regularly to review all courses and resources.

This year, facilitators have undertaken further training, focusing upon topics which included safeguarding, self-harm and Child Protection.

It is anticipated that demand for Hope’s Place courses will continue to grow as young people’s mental wellbeing is likely to be further threatened as families face considerable economic hardship and the impact of lockdowns on the school attendance and social development of young people becomes more apparent. Undoubtedly, there are many young people and schools that would benefit from the support Hope’s Place offers. This greater need is reflected in the interest shown when we approach schools.

5. Evidence of Need

Research highlights that young people’s mental wellbeing is of increasing concern nationally and locally. Lockdowns, necessitated by the pandemic, social pressures and economic hardship are having a detrimental effect on the mental health of young people.

Nationally 1 in 6 children experience mental health difficulties, rising to 1 in 4 for young people aged 17–19. (Mental Health in Children and Young People 2022). Over 400,000 children and young people are treated for mental health and wellbeing problems every month in the UK. Research has illustrated that half of mental health issues develop by the age of fourteen and the childhood mental wellbeing is the foundation for health outcomes, social outcomes and educational attainment throughout an individual’s life. JSNA 2021

There is also clear evidence that children and young people’s mental wellbeing is deteriorating. In 2021, 39.2% of children and young people aged 6 to 16 years had experienced a deterioration in mental health since 2017. Mental Health of Children and Young People, NHS Digital Sept. 2021 There are clear indications from the results of the Bristol Pupil Voice survey, for both primary and secondary school pupils, that Bristol young people’s mental wellbeing has worsened between 2019 and 2022.

In addition, school absenteeism, both nationally and within Bristol has worsened. Attendance data from the Dept. for Education has revealed that absences in the spring term 2023 were still 50% higher than before the pandemic, while in 2021-22 more than one in five secondary pupils were deemed to be “persistently absent” i.e. missing 10% or more of sessions. The Local Government Association concluded that “Anxiety and mental health concerns are the most significant drivers behind the recent increase in persistent/severe absence from school” (April 2023).

In Bristol 55% of primary pupils and 51% of secondary pupils said they had been absent from school in the last month. These figures are significantly higher than pre-pandemic (Bristol Pupil Voice Survey 2023) and strongly suggests an increasing number of students are disengaged from learning and school.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The Institute for Fiscal Studies predicts that this lost learning will continue to impact on young people into adulthood resulting in lower incomes, higher inequality and social ills. Many of the students attending Hope’s Place courses have a very poor record of school attendance and one of the aims of the courses is to help students recognise the value of schooling for future wellbeing and to raise aspirations.

Public Health England recognises that “…educational settings play a key role in promoting important knowledge and skills which are protective factors for mental and physical wellbeing throughout the whole life course.” Public Health England 2020. Hope’s Place is able to offer support in areas recognised by Public Health England as crucially important: resilience, social skills and healthy living.

A significant cause of poor mental health is economic deprivation. Bristol is a vibrant, growing city whose population is among the most diverse in the country, yet a third of young people grow up in poverty and homelessness and poor mental health are more prevalent than the national average (Voscur, the development agency for Bristol's Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, 2023).

Bristol has a high proportion of young people who belong to groups that are vulnerable to poor mental health and children and young people in Bristol have higher than national rates of hospital admissions for mental health conditions and for self-harm (JSNA 2021-22) . There is a strong association between self-harm and mental health conditions such as depression. It is also a key risk factor for suicide.

Data from the 2022 Bristol Pupil Voice survey suggests that Bristol secondary school pupils continue to be offered a wide range of illegal drugs and e-vaping is on the increase. 5% of secondary school boys and 11% of secondary school girls who responded to the Bristol Pupil Voice survey said that they harm or cut themselves as a means of dealing with their problems.

Common topics of worry overall were family, crime, war/terrorists, moving on to secondary school, staying safe at home and outside school, being bullied and the environment. Falling out with friends was a greater source of concern to female pupils (43%) than male pupils (32%), as was being bullied (female 29% vs male 18%).

Worrying about the way you look, which was recorded at its lowest level in 2015, has grown considerably as an apparent source of worry since then.

21% of secondary pupils reported that there was shouting and arguing at home in the month before the survey that worried them. 6% of pupils responded that there has been bullying/controlling behaviour at home in the month before the survey that worried them and 8% of secondary pupils responded that there was violence at home in the month before the survey. The proportions of pupils reporting these behaviours in the home were higher in the 2022 survey than those found in the 2019 survey. Pupils witnessing any of these issues in the home were more than twice as likely to report self-harming behaviour.

Of particular concern was the responses of 7% of boys who felt that hitting a partner was acceptable as “They probably deserved it.” Students who said there was violence at home were more likely to agree that someone hit by a boy/girlfriend ‘probably deserved it’. Healthy relationships are a key focus of the Hope’s Place courses.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Young people in Bristol face a myriad of challenges and when those surveyed were tested, 14% of students had a low score on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) an increase from 9% in 2019.

Hope’s Place supports those facing particularly challenging circumstances and seeks to address many of the concerns that young people have and the impact these have on their mental wellbeing.

6. Impact

Hope’s Place continued its evaluation of the impact of courses, based on a set of questions answered by the boys and girls at the start and end of the courses. Each question measures an attitude based on a ten-point scale, covering such issues as positive relationships, emotional intelligence, resilience and self-image. Improvements in such attitudes are difficult to measure and schoolchildren are liable to make quite fluctuating self-assessments, but a general trend does emerge. The girls showed a statistically significant average improvement of 8.6 points, while improvement per boy was less marked, but still positive.

What cannot be measured so easily are the personal responses to the courses, made by pupils and teaching staff. Feedback from school staff has been encouraging and include:

“This is the first intervention I’ve come across that’s actually had a lasting impact.” (Deputy Head Teacher)

“Thank you once again for another amazing group. The girls have absolutely loved it and I have seen them grow so much in confidence through their sessions with you.”

7. Funding

We started 2022/23 with unrestricted reserves slightly above our budget level of spend for the year such that our fund-raising activity has been, with one exception, minimal.

The one exception was an application, Spring 2023, to the Bain Capital Children’s Fund Europe (who previously awarded us a grant in year 2020). Our application (£30,000 for a 3-year grant) was to fund one of our facilitators both in her school support work and additionally in a newly paid role to administer our courses as well as to monitor the effectiveness of Hope’s Place courses, resources and facilitators. This new role was for many years previously that of a volunteer trustee who for personal reasons stood down from the work at the end of the academic year.

We are delighted to report that our application was successful with receipt of the grant in June 2023. As a 3-year grant toward the payroll cost of a specific role, we report it as ‘restricted’.

Other sources of income are the fees charged for each course (a £75 minimum per course, unchanged for almost 10 years) as well as a few personal monthly donations. The latter have been regular donors for many years for which we express our continuing appreciation.

Our unrestricted reserves at year-end equate to more than half of relevant spend during year 23/24, such that fund-raising activity will continue as minimal during the early part of the year. However, given the time taken to make new funding applications, which may or may not be successful, we plan to resume this activity early in 2024. We are grateful that our part-time fundraiser, who of late has spent little time on our behalf, nevertheless is ready to resume work with us at the time.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

8. Financials (figures in italics are prior year)

During Autumn 2022, our Finance Trustee, who had acted as our treasurer since 2014, stepped down from the work (to become Chair of Hope’s Place). We initially sought another volunteer as a replacement, but this was unsuccessful. We therefore advertised this as a paid role leading to the appointment of a local firm of accountants in early 2023. Changes were made at the time to a number of our processes such as ledgers, payroll and banking. The handover went smoothly.

As reported under Funding, the year’s income consisted primarily of a single grant supported by course fees and personal donations.

Total spend over the year was £25,823 (2022: £28,362) most of which relates to the payroll costs of facilitators. On-going accountancy fees increased during the year, due to the appointment of the external accountancy firm were no significant ad hoc costs during the year (prior year included an ad hoc training cost of £2,025).

Mainly due to the Bain funding, reserves increased by £8,885 (2022: deficit of £20,576) during the year from £43,488 to £52,373 (of which unrestricted reserves were £22,373).

It should be recognised that the four trustees continue to give freely their time and are actively involved in the management of Hope’s Place.

9. Trustees

After eight years with the same four trustees, as previously mentioned our Finance Trustee (Robin Williams) stepped down for personal reason from the role in early 2023, albeit continuing as a trustee as Chair (previously vacant). It is to be noted that for a brief period, his successor was also appointed as a trustee but as a paid role, this appointment was cancelled soon after. Our new treasurer attends board meetings solely for matters ‘financial’.

All volunteer their time not just at formal meetings but also to provide a number of support services to include the management of our facilitators. Some services are however now having to be boughtin such as accounting and facilitator administration (the latter funded by the Bain grant).

Trustees are in regular informal contact with each other between meetings as well as with our facilitators.

Six formal meetings were held across the year, a mix of virtual and in person meetings. A draft agenda is issued beforehand with draft minutes published within a few days of each meeting. Additionally, during April 2023 Trustees met to review primarily our Governance and our Public Profile. A number of actions were identified (particularly around Governance), some of which are still live in Autumn 2023.

Three policies were reviewed, updated as necessary and formally approved during the year - Safeguarding and Child Protection, Complaints and Health & Safety. Other polices will be similarly reviewed during the coming year.

Trustees have undertaken safeguarding training, in line with Hope’s Place policy and best practice. Trustees and facilitators will attend a cyber security course planned for the near future.

A ‘Central Register’ is maintained for all trustees as well as other staff. This includes current data as to (e.g.) individual DBS certificate numbers.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

10. Risk Assessment

Once more, it is pleasing to state that the principal risk to Hope’s Place (unsuccessful funding applications causing cash-flow problems) continues to be mitigated by the relatively high level of reserves.

Risk however continues with our current four Trustees who, having retired from their professional lives, have all been in the role for many years. The difficulty to recruit additional (let alone to replace) trustees continues despite ‘best efforts’ e.g. word of mouth and ‘Trustees sought’ advertisements in local publications. As already mentioned, roles performed by volunteer trustees are increasingly becoming paid roles.

One other risk is the difficulty we find to recruit facilitators, either to replace a leaver or else to meet the growing demand for our work. Whilst there has been success during the past year, we have an undoubted exposure to identify suitably qualified candidates, particularly a boys’ facilitator. This is due to both the need for relevant qualifications and experience as well as the need for a facilitator to offer the flexible working hours which the role necessitates.

11. Reserves Policy

This continues to be defined as to maintain free reserves to cover, at least, the projected next six months of expenditure, this amounts to £12,912. Unrestricted reserves of £22,373 at end 2022/23 are consistent with this, the 2023/24 budget spend being set at £36,772. Any excess reserves at end of the budget year will be used in future years.

12. The year ahead

Whilst Hope’s Place will continue with its challenges and risks, in many ways it starts the year 23/24 in a strong position, probably as strong as it has ever been in over 20 years existence. We are currently blessed with three excellent facilitators who, whilst they work at different schools, also work well together as a team. We have a sound financial base and dedicated trustees.

Safer Options (Bristol City Council) have requested that we run twelve ten-week courses for girls facing extreme challenges including being a victim or at risk of exploitation. In addition, demand for boys’ courses is on the increase and we are considering employing a second facilitator for the boys’ groups. Facilitators have undertaken extensive training over the past year, targeting the areas of most concern for the young people who attend our courses.

Following the success of the “Aspire” course and the excellent feedback received, we intend to promote “Aspire” vigorously by approaching more primary schools.

As the work of Hope’s Place develops/evolves, it is important that our website reflects changes and is fit-for-purpose, enabling visitors to find the information they require easily. During next year a review and revamp of the website will be undertaken.

We shall continue to seek new trustees of Hope’s Place to ensure continuity and the future development and health of the charity.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

13. Governing Document

Hope's Place was incorporated in May 2004 as a company limited by guarantee and registered with the Charity Commission in July 2004. The charity's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. As previously mentioned, this document is being professionally reviewed with the intent that Trustees will formally approve an updated version during early 2024.

14. Recruitment and appointment of trustees

New trustees invited to join the board are selected on the basis of their experience and skills. A role profile has been written for potential new trustees. The induction process includes an invitation to attend a board meeting, the provision of the appropriate governing documents for review and discussions with existing board members. The personal networks of existing trustees have in the recent past proved adequate in identifying potential new trustees although other sources would also be considered if required.

15. Organisation

Hope's Place has, at August 2023, four trustees, all active. The board which administers the charity formally met on six occasions during the year to 31 August 2023.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Hope's Place for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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HOPE’S PLACE

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

09 April 2024 Approved by the trustees on …………….………..… and signed on their behalf by

………………………… Robin Williams (Chair)

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HOPE’S PLACE

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

TRUSTEES Mrs A Bath
Mr R Williams
Mr A Richards
Mr J G Sykes
Ms N Hancock (appointed 10 November 2022 and resigned 1 May 2023)
SECRETARY Mr R Williams
REGISTERED OFFICE The Clock Tower
5 Farleigh Court
Old Weston Road
Flax Bourton
Bristol BS48 1UR
COMPANY NUMBER 05134542
CHARITY NUMBER 1105139
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Joshua Kingston,BSc., ACA
Burton Sweet Limited
The Clock Tower
5 Farleigh Court
Old Weston Road
Flax Bourton
Bristol BS48 1UR

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HOPE’S PLACE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2023.

.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  3. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  4. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  5. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Joshua Kingston BSc., ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR

Date: ………………… 09 April 2024

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HOPE'S PLACE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023 2022
Note £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 2 2,174 30,000 32,174 1,211
Charitable activities 3 1,900 - 1,900 6,125
Other Income 100 - 100 428
Investment income 534 - 534 22
Total income 4,708 30,000 34,708 7,786
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 4 23,173 2,650 25,823 28,122
Raising funds - - - 240
Total expenditure 23,173 2,650 25,823 28,362
Net income/expenditure and 5 (18,465) 27,350 8,885 (20,576)
movement in funds
Total funds at 1 September 11 40,838 2,650 43,488 64,064
Total funds at 31 August 11 22,373 30,000 52,373 43,488
----- End of picture text -----

The Charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above

All of the activities of the charitable company are classed as continuing

Comparative Statement of Financial Activites are shown in note 8

The notes on pages 17 to 22 form part of these financial statements

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HOPE'S PLACE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

HOPE'S PLACE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023
Company Registration Number 05134542		 Company Registration Number 05134542 Company Registration Number 05134542
Note
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank		 2023
£
550
54,863		 2022
£
850
45,007
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
10		 55,413
(3,040)		 45,857
(2,369)
Net assets 52,373 43,488
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
12
Restricted funds
12		 22,373
30,000		 40,838
2,650
Total funds 52,373 43,488

For the year ended 31 August 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

09 April 2024

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on .......................... and are signed on their behalf by:

………………………….. ………………………….. Robin Williams Amanda Bath (Trustee) (Trustee)

The notes on pages 17 to 22 form part of these financial statements

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HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention (except where otherwise stated in the accounting policy note) and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

There are no material uncertainties casting doubt on the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation and allocated to the same fund as the original donation.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Designated funds are funds set aside by the Trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash & cash equivalents

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2 Donations and legacies

Donations
Grant Income
Gift Aid		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,211
-
963
2,174		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
30,000
-
30,000		 Total Funds
2023
£
1,211
30,000
963
32,174		 Total Funds
2022
£
1,211
-
-
1,211

Income from Donations in the prior year was unrestricted.

17

HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

3 Income on Charitable activities

Fees Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,900
1,900		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total Funds
2023
£
1,900
1,900		 Total Funds
2022
£
6,125
6,125

Income from charitable activities in the prior year was unrestricted, except for £2,650 of Fees which was restricted.

4 Expenditure on Charitable activities

Direct costs
Staff costs (Note 6)
Staff supervision
Materials and other costs
Training
Establishment costs/meetings
Travel
IT
Professional fees
Insurance
Other
Governance Costs
Accountancy fees
Prior Year
Direct costs
Staff costs
Staff supervision
Materials and other costs
Training
Establishment costs
Travel
IT
Professional fees
Insurance
Other
Governance Costs
Accountancy fees
Trustee insurance		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
£
15,124
121
220
54
626
2,175
1,613
640
610
552
1,438
23,173
Unrestricted
Funds
19,338
390
618
2,185
(16)
1,329
1,400
764
583
515
936
80
28,122		 Restricted
Funds
2023
£
1,730
14
25
6
72
249
185
73
70
61
165
2,650
Restricted
Funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total Funds
2023
£
16,854
135
245
60
698
2,424
1,798
713
680
613
1,603
25,823
Total Funds
2022
19,338
390
618
2,185
(16)
1,329
1,400
764
583
515
936
80
28,122

18

HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

5 Net income for the year

This is stated after charging:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Independent examiner's fee:| |for current year preparation of statutory accounts|-|187| |for current year independent examination|1,008|749| |Staff costs and numbers| |The aggregate payroll costs were:| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Salaries and pension contributions|16,707|19,197| |Social security costs|-|57| |Employer's pension costs|147|84| |16,854|19,338|

----- End of picture text -----

6 Staff costs and numbers

Key management personnel of the Charity are the Trustees. No benefits were paid either in the current or previous years.

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.

No Trustees have been remunerated or reimbursed for their out of pocket travel expenses or waived any expenses (2022: Nil)

During the year, donations of £nil (2022: £120) were received from trustees and related parties.

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for eligible employees. The average weekly number of employees during the year was as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2023|2022| |No.|No.| |Facilitators|3|3|

----- End of picture text -----

7 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

19

HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

8 Comparative Statement of Financial Activites

Income from:
Donations (Including Gift aid)
Charitable activities
Fees
CJRS Scheme
Investment income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Raising funds
Total expenditure
Net income/expenditure
Total funds at 1 September
Total funds at 31 August
9
Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
PAYE
Trade Creditors
Wages/Pension payable
Accruals		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,211
3,475
428
22
5,136
28,122
240
28,362
(23,226)
64,064
40,838		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
2,650
-
2,650
-
-
-
2,650
-
2,650
2023
£
450
100
550
2023
£
1,059
715
258
1,008
3,040		 Total Funds
2022
£
1,211
6,125
428
22
7,786
28,122
240
28,362
(20,576)
64,064
43,488
2022
£
750
100
850
2022
£
663
-
-
1,706
2,369

20

HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

11 Movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Bain donation
Bristol CC, safer options
Total funds
Movement in funds - prior year
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Bristol CC, safer options
Total funds		 At
01-Sep
2022
£
40,838
-
2,650
43,488
At
01-Sep
2021
£
64,064
-
64,064		 Income
£
4,708
30,000
-
34,708
Income
£
5,136
2,650
7,786		 Expenditure
£
(23,173)
-
(2,650)
(25,823)
Expenditure
£
(28,362)
-
(28,362)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-		 At
31-Aug
2023
£
22,373
30,000
-
52,373
At
31-Aug
2022
£
40,838
2,650
43,488

Restricted funds

Bristol CC, Safer Options - these are funds received from the council to run our education courses in designated Bristol schools during the year 2022/23.

Bain donation - During the year, Hope’s Place successfully applied to the Bain Capital Fund for £30,000, being 3 years funding for the role of Senior Facilitator. This new role includes responsibility for liaison with schools, previously performed by one of our (volunteer) trustees.

21

HOPE'S PLACE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

12 Analysis of funds

As at August 31 2023
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Restricted funds
As at August 31 2022
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Restricted funds		 Bank
Balances
£
24,863
30,000
54,863
Bank
Balances
£
42,357
2,650
45,007		 Net
Current
Liabilities
£
(2,490)
-
(2,490)
Net
Current
Liabilities
£
(1,519)
-
(1,519)		 Total
£
22,373
30,000
52,373
Total
£
40,838
2,650
43,488

13 Company limited by guarantee

The charity is a company limited by guarantee having no share capital. Every member is liable to contribute £1 towards the costs of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the charity in the event of the charity being wound up.

14 Company limited by guarantee

There were no related party transactions in the year or the prior year.

22