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← Oxfordshire Community And Voluntary Action

2024-03-31-accounts

Report and Financial Statements

31 March 2024

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Contents

Trustees’ annual report
Reference and administrative details 3
Introduction from the Chair 4
Introduction from the Chief Executive 5
Structure, governance and management 6
Objectives and activities 7
Achievements and performance
Financial review 12
Financial review 12
Plans for future periods 13
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities 14
Independent examiner’s report to Members of OCVA 15
Financial statements
Statement of Financial Activities 16
Balance Sheet 17
Statement of Cash Flows 18
Notes to the financial statements 19
Member organisations of OCVA 26

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with Charity Law and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Reference and administrative details

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action is a registered charity number 1108504 and a company limited by guarantee number 5363946, registered in England and Wales. It also uses the name Volunteer Centre Oxfordshire.

Trustees

The Members holding office as at 31 March 2024 and changes in the year were:

David Agnew - Chair Matthew Mycock - Treasurer Robert Buckeldee Tanya Hameed Paula Coutts Damon Boughen (resigned July 2023) Lucian Ashbourne (appointed February 2024)

The Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting from those who are nominated by member organisations or who are individual members.

Chief Executive

Laura Price

Registered office and principal address

The Old Court House, Floyds Row, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1SS

Independent Examiners Legal advisers UHY-Ross Brooke Blake Lapthorn Suite I Seacourt Tower Windrush Court West Way Abingdon Business Park Oxford OX14 1SY OX2 0FB

Bankers Unity Trust Bank Triodos Bank Nine Brindley Place Deanery Road 4 Oozells Square Bristol Birmingham BS1 5AS B1 2HB

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Introduction from the Chair

As we reflect on another year of impactful activity at Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, I am filled with pride in what we have achieved together. This past year has been one of transition and transformation, where we not only continued to serve and support our communities but also strengthened the foundations of our organisation for the future.

I would like to take a moment to recognise the dedication of our current Board of Trustees. Their commitment and guidance have been instrumental in driving our work forward. At the same time, I want to extend my thanks to those trustees who stood down during 2023/24, their contributions have left a lasting mark on OCVA, and we are grateful for their service.

One of the year’s key milestones has been the successful agreement of our new strategy. This strategy lays out our vision for the future, and we are already seeing the impact of these aspirations in our dayto-day work. While we celebrate these successes, we remain mindful of the ongoing challenges we face—challenges that resonate across the wider voluntary sector.

The issues of short-term funding and increasing demand on our services, while our resources remain limited, continue to require careful navigation. We know that the only way to address these challenges is by staying true to our core mission while remaining flexible and open to new and innovative ways of working. Partnerships remain at the heart of our approach, and it is through collaboration that we will continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. We thank Oxfordshire County Council for their ongoing investment in our work and our close partners in infrastructure support, Community First Oxfordshire.

As we move forward, I am confident that, together, we can continue to build a future where OCVA is well equipped to serve those who rely on us.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment.

David Agnew Chair of Trustees

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Introduction from our CEO

Looking back at 2023/24 allows us to take a moment to pause and celebrate our achievements – too often we are so caught up in the here and now that we don’t take the time to look back on the journey. Last year saw the OCVA team deliver a phenomenal amount of activity - ranging from one-to-one support for community groups and organisations to successfully hosting large events including the Volunteer Awards and our Volunteer Fair. The energy and enthusiasm of our staff and the support of the Board of Trustees has enabled us to shape a vision for the future of OCVA that is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and most importantly, impact for Oxfordshire’s voluntary and community sector.

Our mission to “Enable a diverse voluntary and community sector to flourish in Oxfordshire” guides our core work of providing information and advice to the sector, supporting volunteering , delivering high-quality training , fostering networking and collaboration across the county and advocating on behalf of the sector.

We have continued to deliver a range of carefully chosen projects that support both our charitable objectives and our broader mission. Our partnership with HMP Bullingdon to deliver the Community Connections project, is just one example of how we are working with others to create tangible, positive change in communities and individual lives. Meanwhile, Well Together, our flagship health inequalities programme delivered in partnership with Community First Oxfordshire on behalf of the local NHS Integrated Care System, has brought £1 million into Oxfordshire for grassroots community activity, recognising the contribution that the VCSE can and does make to health and wellbeing.

Our core values - Inclusive, Empowering, Proactive, and Collaborative - were agreed as part of our new three-year plan. These values guide our actions and reflect our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire.

The great thing about being an infrastructure support organisation is that our successes are shared achievements with our members and the communities we serve. As we look ahead, with a growing team and a clear direction, I know we have what it takes to continue making a real difference, together.

Laura Price, CEO, OCVA

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Structure, governance and management

The governing document of OCVA is the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company. The OCVA Board of Trustees comprises not less than five nor more than 15 members. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations are made in writing before the meeting. All Board members must be over 18 years of age and be a member or a representative of a member organisation of OCVA. At each AGM one third of the Board Members, made up of those who have served the longest, are required to retire. However, a Board Member who retires may, if willing to act, be re-elected for a maximum of three consecutive terms. The Board may from time to time appoint any member of the Charity to be a member of the Board provided that the maximum is not exceeded. Any such Board Member holds office only until the next Annual General Meeting but is then eligible for re-election.

All Trustees are given an induction pack containing copies of relevant Charity Commission publication and key information about OCVA including the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Trustee minutes, the current business plan and budget, a staff chart and employment policies and procedures. Trustees are required to sign a Declaration re any conflicts of interest, a company director form and a Trustee Declaration. Role descriptions are in place for Trustees and for the Chair and Treasurer.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no personal benefits from the organisation. Any expenses reclaimed are set out in Note 6 to the accounts. The Trustees are financially and legally liable for OCVA but their liability is limited as defined by the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the limited company. The Trustees agree any delegation of their powers. Such delegations include those to the Finance and General Purposes Committee, elected annually and comprising at least two Trustees with the Chief Executive in attendance. This deals with the details of budget setting and financial management as well as staffing matters and reports and making recommendations to the Board for decision unless any decision is explicitly delegated to that committee by the Board. The committee’s terms of reference are reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees.

The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board and is responsible for advising the Trustees and for carrying out the policies and implementing the plans of OCVA. Other staff are appointed by the Chief Executive. Job descriptions and contracts of employment are in place and a staff appraisal scheme is in operation.

Since 2004 OCVA has cooperated with the other members of the Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA) to plan and implement improvements to infrastructure support for voluntary organisations and community groups in Oxfordshire.

Risk management

The Trustees have identified the risks facing the Charity. They review them regularly and put systems in place to mitigate these risks.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Our strategic objectives

At the start of 2024 OCVA staff and trustees, using feedback from the sector, agreed a new 3-year strategy, which will run until 2026. We committed to our mission of:

Enabling a diverse voluntary and community sector to thrive in Oxfordshire

We achieve this through 5 key areas of work:

We support the delivery of this work by focussing on 7 key operational enablers:

All our work is guided by our values, which have been agreed as part of our new 3-year plan.

Inclusive

Diversity, equality, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. As a membership body, we strive to listen, engage and foster belonging with the diverse people, groups, and communities we serve.

Empowering

We learn, experiment, grow and take responsibility for our actions. Our relationships are built on mutual trust. We enable each other and the sector to achieve their objectives.

Proactive

We use our deep knowledge of the sector to proactively identify opportunities and anticipate challenges, sharing information and developing skills to enable communities to benefit.

Collaborative

We passionately believe we are stronger when we work together. We help build relationships, understanding, and connections across the sector, and with statutory partners, bringing Oxfordshire together.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Our Year in Numbers

Group support and development

“Thank you for all you offer at OCVA – we couldn’t do what we do so well without your support”

1021 contacts with groups

442 in-depth advice and support conversations

1563 people receiving Pulse, our weekly newsletter

Over 114,000 website views

4 Oxfordshire Chairs’ Network meetings

Hosted 3 The National Lottery Fund drop-in sessions

Hosted 3 ‘First Stop’ sessions in partnership with Charity Mentors

Hosted NHS Health Checks service for staff working in the VCSE sector

16 Training courses delivered to over 120 people

Supporting and promoting volunteering

692 new volunteer registrations on Oxfordshire Volunteers

83 new provider registrations on Oxfordshire Volunteers

Handled 25 Corporate Volunteering requests

Hosted 12 Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Forums, including 3 in-person sessions

Reviewed and circulated 50 trustee positions through the Oxfordshire Trustee Leadership List

Our Christmas Volunteering online calendar was viewed 932 times

23 Charities represented at our Westgate Volunteer Fair

Project Spotlights

Oxfordshire Communities of Practice

"I want to know what's going on in the local area so that we can support our residents and I can pass that information to my team, so that we know what's going on locally, we can make referrals and

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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support people better."

Communities of Practice member

The Communities of Practice (CoPs) bring together people who work with adults in the community. They are a way for staff and volunteers from the community and voluntary sector, social services, primary care, housing associations and more to come together, discuss, learn, and collaborate. This initiative is funded by Oxfordshire County Council as part of its commitment to delivering and embedding ‘The Oxfordshire Way’.

During 2023/24 the Communities of Practice have continued to develop, increasing the number of active participants and delivering a wide range of training and sessions. Speakers this year included:

A highlight of this year’s training offer was an in-person Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice workshop held in October 2023, which attracted over 40 people from across the community and voluntary sector, county and district councils, housing and primary care.

At the end of March 2024 membership of the Communities of Practice stood at 347.

Our 2024 Spring survey said:

76% of respondents strongly agree or agree that the Communities of Practice help them to feel more connected locally

82% strongly agree or agree that they know more about what is available locally

76% strongly agree or agree that they understand more about the work of colleagues in other sectors.

Connected Communities Fund

For the second year running we have delivered the Connected Communities Fund in partnership with Community First Oxfordshire (CFO) on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. This innovative approach of accessible funding alongside ongoing support from the OCVA and CFO teams allows communities to develop activities in their local area that help to achieve the countywide ambition of creating places that “support the people of Oxfordshire to live well in their community, remaining fit and healthy for as long as possible”.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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In 2023/24 a total of 62 projects received a share of the £175,000 fund with grants ranging from £450 to a maximum of £5000, increasing opportunities for social connections across the county.

Funded group The Valentine Club, a social club in Cherwell for people over 60, shared the impact of their sessions:

“It gives people a purpose. I live on my own and I look forward to meeting friends and meeting new people.”

“It was OK when my husband was alive but it’s different now”

“It’s important for socialising as I live in the middle of nowhere”

Organiser Richard Preston says:

“It’s a lifeline for people to make friends and its somewhere to meet others. It removes isolation and makes people feel that they belong.”

Well Together

Delivered in partnership with Oxfordshire Community First (CFO), Well Together is a funding and community development programme, funded by the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, which recognises the essential role community and voluntary organisations play in addressing health inequalities at a local level.

The programme invests in community-led health and wellbeing activities and projects for all ages – children, young people, and adults.

Up to £100,000 has been made available to 10 priority areas across Oxfordshire and a dedicated Well Together team are working in collaboration with local communities to distribute the funding. Initial allocations were made as the financial year came to a close and will continue into 2024/25.

“what I loved about the process is the community feel and engagement. …holding meetings in community venues and providing such lovely spaces for us to network” Well Together applicant

Bullingdon Community Connections

We continue into the second year of this project, funded by local philanthropy, to support residents of Bullingdon Prison to make meaningful connections with communities on release, with the aim of reducing re-offending. A dedicated prison officer works from OCVA alongside our team to build relationships with the voluntary sector and facilitate greater access to the prison for appropriate charities. Working with the project steering group we have recently secured £200,000 from The Dawes Trust to continue the project for a further 2 years from November 2024 and extend support across the Thames Valley.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Age UK Oxfordshire

In 2023 we joined forces with Age UK Oxfordshire to support the delivery of two pieces of work; the delivery of the Oxfordshire Good Neighbour Scheme in partnership with Volunteer Link Up and the development of a collective space to encourage closer working and greater collaboration between groups across Oxfordshire who provide information, advice and support.

Working closely with Volunteer Link Up and their dedicated GNS co-ordinator we have supported wider promotion of the role of Good Neighbour Schemes, updating promotional materials and looking at opportunities to share details of how to get involved. The start up grant has been made more accessible and adapted to support both new and existing schemes with their operations and we held our first inperson get together.

To explore the potential for greater collaboration for those working in the space of community information, advice and support we initially researched other local and national models, before convening an in-person get-together to allow organisations to explore challenges and opportunities. This was followed up by a survey of priorities, which we will use in combination with the workshop outcomes to shape a programme of support.

Oxfordshire Vision for Volunteering

July 2023 saw the publication of our Oxfordshire Vision for Volunteering report. Community First Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action set out to understand the experience of volunteering in Oxfordshire, how volunteering has been changed and shaped by recent events, and what partners, systems, stakeholders and citizens need to do together to ensure a thriving, inclusive, sustainable future for volunteering in our county.

Coinciding with Oxfordshire County Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy and the national Vision for Volunteering, this was a much needed and timely piece of work, funded by Oxfordshire County Council.

We wanted to hear from as many people as possible and particularly from groups who are doing new and different things, or operating in a new way, or who have traditionally been overlooked. Over 350 people from across Oxfordshire, volunteering with more than 470 different organisations, contributed information for our Vision for Volunteering.

Using a combination of the themes and the key findings, we were able to develop 10 core principles for our Vision for Volunteering.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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  1. Include everyone

  2. Keep it personal

  3. Value the person

  4. Nurture relationships

  5. Offer flexibility

  6. Make it enjoyable

  7. Training and support matters

  8. Create space for experimentation

  9. Fund it

  10. Build community

We are now using these 10 core principles to shape a series of workshops to share best practice and galvanise action, which will culminate in an in-person gathering to share and celebrate volunteering in Oxfordshire.

Makespace

In 2022 we partnered with Makespace through their Meanwhile in Oxfordshire initiative, to open up under-utilised spaces across Oxfordshire to support social-purpose activities. Makespace re-imagined our Old Mortuary building and the result was ‘The Source’ – a space in central Oxford for global majority-led enterprises, and organisations supporting people from the global majority community. This has enabled a number of small VCSE organisations to have a place to call home and it’s been a joy to see the amount of activity happening on our doorstep.

Financial review

Overall resources at the end of the year were £512,092. Core income was received from Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council, to fund our strategic aims. Income was also earned from membership fees and the provision of training courses, and sale of bespoke services. For details of restricted funds see note 10.

It is OCVA policy not to engage in public fundraising because this could put us in competition with our members.

Finance policy

The annual budget is prepared and approved by the Finance and General Purposes committee and recommended to the trustees. It covers both income and expenditure. Bids for new funding are prepared by the Chief Executive, or by other members of staff, in which case they are approved by the Chief Executive. New funding received during the year is reported to trustees and if appropriate, new budget headings are put in place. Financial performance is measured against budgets at each meeting of the Finance and General Purposes committee and the Board using quarterly management accounts provided by the Finance Officer and Chief Executive.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Reserves policy

Restricted funds: these are earmarked for particular projects and are carried over for expenditure from year to year as appropriate. Details of restricted fund balances at the end of the year are shown in note 11.

Designated funds: A total of £15,000 had been designated to cover winding up costs including staff redundancies. There is a balance of £34,089 in the buildings contingency fund and a balance of £15,000 in a general contingency reserve.

Unrestricted funds: OCVA aims to build up its unrestricted reserves to six months in order to cope with any unexpected downturn. The surplus brought forward at 31 March 2023 was £2,286 which increased to £39,821 at 31 March 2024. This, together with the staff contingency reserve and contingency reserve represents reserves equivalent to just over three months’ budgeted unrestricted expenditure.

Plans for future periods

Our 3 year strategy continues to guide the focus of our work into 2026. We will deliver and develop our support to Oxfordshire’s Community and Voluntary Sector through our 5 key areas: Information and Advice to the sector, Support for Volunteering, Training for the sector, Networking and Collaboration, and Advocacy on behalf of the sector .

In partnership with Community First Oxfordshire we will work to re-secure core infrastructure funding from statutory partners while also pursuing funding from non-statutory sources to ensure that we have the right staff capacity and resources. We will use research and co-production methods to be responsive to the needs of the sector, using feedback to shape our activity.

We will continue to deliver our current funded projects to a high standard and will look for future projects which match our mission and complement our core work. Developing our membership offer and increasing our support to members will be an ongoing focus in 2024/25, with a dedicated team member.

Our review of facilities and IT systems will enable us to find more efficient and effective ways of working, and we will look for opportunities to contribute to environmental sustainability, through our own building, our staff policies and our collaborations with others.

We will carefully increase our staff team to provide the skills we need, particularly in relation to communications and impact measurement. Equality, diversity and inclusion will sit at the heart of everything we do, from our recruitment processes through to our external communications and community development work.

A lack of long-term funding is a feature of the voluntary and community sector, but we will continue to advocate for a more sustainable approach to funding for the sector as a whole.

Approved by the Trustees on 19/11/24 and signed on their behalf by:

David Agnew

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

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

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Oxfordshire Voluntary and Community Action

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 16 to 25.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

As the charity 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 company’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

Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

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 that in any material respect:

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

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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

Name of examiner: Caroline Webster FCA

Name of firm: UHY-Ross Brooke

Address: Suite I Windrush Court Abingdon Business Park OX14 1SY

Signed: Date: 04.12.24

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Statement of Financial Activities

Total Total
Note Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies 2 375 35,600 35,975 2,785 70,000 72,785
Charitable activities 3 290,323 655,068 945,391 190,708 364,472 555,180
Other trading activities 6,548 - 6,548 4,258 - 4,258
Investments 1,756 - 1,756 341 - 341
Total income 299,002 690,668 989,670 198,092 434,472 632,564
Expenditure
Charitable activities 4 261,222 537,022 798,244 232,853 251,479 484,332
Total expenditure 261,222 537,022 798,244 232,853 251,479 484,332
Net income/ -expenditure 37,780 153,646 191,426 - 34,761 182,993 148,232
Transfers between funds - 245 245 - - - -
Net movement in funds 37,535 153,891 191,426 - 34,761 182,993 148,232
Investment gains/(losses) - - - - - -
Net movement in funds 37,535 153,891 191,426 - 34,761 182,993 148,232
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 66,375 254,291 320,666 101,136 71,298 172,434
Total funds carried forward 103,910 408,182 512,092 66,375 254,291 320,666

Income and Expenditure Account is included for the year ended 31 March 2024

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action

Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Balance Sheet

31 March 2024

Company number: 5363946

Note 2024 2024 2023 2023
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 8 28,901 37,611
Current assets
Debtors 9 9,714 21,832
Cash at bank and in hand 530,831 323,234
540,545 345,066
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year		 10 - 57,354 - 62,011
Net current assets 483,191 283,055
Net assets 512,092 320,666
Funds
Restricted funds 11 408,182 254,291
Designated 12 64,089 64,089
Unrestricted funds general 13 39,821 2,286
Total charity funds 512,092 320,666

For the year ending 31 March 2024 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.

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.

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on

…………………………………. and are signed on their behalf by: 19/11/24

David Agnew, Chair

Matthew Mycock, Treasurer

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes
Cash used in operating activities
16
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends and interest from investments
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
Purchase of fixed assets
Cash provided by (used in) investing
activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year
Total cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the year		 2024
£
207,851
1,756
-
- 2,010
- 254
207,597
323,234
530,831		 2023
£
99,960
341
-
- 1,600
- 1,259
98,701
224,533
323,234

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting policies

a. Basis of preparation of accounts

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and the requirements of the Statements of

Recommended Practice 2019 (SORP 2019), ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action meets the definition of public benefit entity under FRS102.

b. Donations and other forms of voluntary income

These are accounted for on a cash basis

c.

Tangible fixed assets

All fixed assets are stated at historical cost less depreciation. Assets under £2,000 are not capitalised unless this is a requirement of the funder.

Depreciation is provided on these assets at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over its expected useful life as follows:

Leasehold buildings 4% per annum on a straight line basis Portal licence 33.33% per annum on a straight line basis All other assets 25% per annum on a straight line basis

d. Income

Income is generally included on a receivable basis. The only exception to this is where the donor has specified that the amount is to be expended in a following financial year in which case the amount that relates to the following financial year is deferred and included in creditors.

e. Grants payable

Grants payable are accounted for when awarded.

f. Expenditure

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and includes irrecoverable VAT.

The overheads of the Charity are allocated wherever possible to the relevant funds.

Where expenditure cannot be allocated specifically, this is apportioned between funds on an estimate of usage.

g. Fund accounting

Restricted funds are those where the donor has imposed restrictions on how the money can be spent. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustees for specific purposes.

h. Pensions

The charity operates a money purchase (defined contribution) pension scheme. Contributions payable to this scheme, or appropriate scheme of the employee’s choice are charged to the profit and loss account in the period to which they relate. These contributions are invested

separately from the charity’s assets. Pension arrangements are in line with auto-enrolment requirements.

i. Taxation

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action is a charitable institution with exemption from UK taxation under section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1998.

j. Roundings

The information in the accounts is accurate to the nearest £1. This may cause rounding differences throughout the accounts.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Donations
375
35,600
375
35,600
3. Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Contractual
payments
-
655,068
Training fees
9,935
-
Membership
income
3,613
-
Contract Fees
3,000
-
Provision of
services
- 3,425
-
Other income
277,200
-
290,323
655,068
4. Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Direct costs
Consultants and
partners
77,850
129,492
Grants given
831
289,755
Training and events
3,392
1,608
Other direct costs
5,599
1,408
Staff costs
71,636
104,533
159,308
526,796
Support costs
Indirect staff costs
39,647
-
General overheads
55,929
8,926
Governance costs
6,338
1,300
101,914
10,226
Total expenditure on
charitable activities
261,222
537,022		 Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Donations
375
35,600
375
35,600
3. Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Contractual
payments
-
655,068
Training fees
9,935
-
Membership
income
3,613
-
Contract Fees
3,000
-
Provision of
services
- 3,425
-
Other income
277,200
-
290,323
655,068
4. Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Direct costs
Consultants and
partners
77,850
129,492
Grants given
831
289,755
Training and events
3,392
1,608
Other direct costs
5,599
1,408
Staff costs
71,636
104,533
159,308
526,796
Support costs
Indirect staff costs
39,647
-
General overheads
55,929
8,926
Governance costs
6,338
1,300
101,914
10,226
Total expenditure on
charitable activities
261,222
537,022		 Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Donations
375
35,600
375
35,600
3. Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Contractual
payments
-
655,068
Training fees
9,935
-
Membership
income
3,613
-
Contract Fees
3,000
-
Provision of
services
- 3,425
-
Other income
277,200
-
290,323
655,068
4. Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
£
£
Direct costs
Consultants and
partners
77,850
129,492
Grants given
831
289,755
Training and events
3,392
1,608
Other direct costs
5,599
1,408
Staff costs
71,636
104,533
159,308
526,796
Support costs
Indirect staff costs
39,647
-
General overheads
55,929
8,926
Governance costs
6,338
1,300
101,914
10,226
Total expenditure on
charitable activities
261,222
537,022		 2024
£
35,975
35,975
2024
£
655,068
9,935
3,613
3,000
- 3,425
277,200
945,391
2024
£
207,342
290,586
5,000
7,007
176,169

Unrestricted
£
2,785
2,785
Unrestricted
£
-
6,160
4,675
165,000
240
14,633
190,708
Unrestricted
£
54,506
-
5,051
5,232
64,862		 Restricted
£
70,000
70,000
Restricted
£
364,472
-
-
-
-
-
364,472
Restricted
£
45,628
118,389
450
-
75,441
239,908
-
11,571
-
11,571
251,479		 2023
£
72,785
72,785
2023
£
364,472
6,160
4,675
165,000
240
14,633
555,180










2023
£
100,134
118,389
5,501
5,232
140,303
369,559
39,647
65,337
9,789
114,773
484,332
526,796 686,104 129,651
-
8,926
1,300		 39,647
64,855
7,638		 39,647
53,766
9,789
10,226 112,140 103,202
537,022 798,244 232,853

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

20

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

5. Governance costs

Independent
Examination fee
Accountancy,
bookkeeping and
payroll fees		 Unrestricted
£
1,350
4,988
6,338		 Restricted
£
-
1,300
1,300		 2024
£
1,350
6,288
7,638		 Unrestricted
£
500
9,289
9,789		 Restricted
£
-
-
-		 2023
£
500
9,289
9,789

6. Staff costs and key management personnel

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs (see note 15)
Staff travel and subsistence		 2024
£
196,152
11,436
6,460
1,768
215,816		 2023
£
165,598
9,052
5,000
300
179,950

The average monthly number of employees is as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
8.8 8.1

No employees’ emoluments exceeded £60,000 in the period.

Key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £42,873 (2023: £41,544).

7. Trustees emoluments and related party transactions

No trustees were reimbursed for any expenses (2023: nil). No trustees received any remuneration (2023: nil).

There were no related party transactions (2023: nil).

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

21

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

8. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
Cost at 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the period
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Leasehold
buildings
£
221,620
-
-
221,620
186,162
8,865
-
195,027
26,593
35,458		 Equipment
£
14,793
2,010
- 6,637
10,166
12,640
1,855
- 6,637
7,858
2,308
2,153		 Total
£
236,413
2,010
- 6,637
231,786
198,802
10,720
- 6,637
202,885
28,901
37,611

9. Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Less: provision for doubtful
debts		 2024
£
9,714
-
9,714
-
9,714		 2023
£
15,299
7,033
22,332
- 500
21,832

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
Other taxes and social security
Other creditors		 2024
£
45,665
3,405
1,260
5,828
1,196
57,354		 2023
£
32,078
15,250
554
13,085
1,044
62,011

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

22

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

11. Restricted funds

Capital grant
ESF – grant management
Community Ambassadors
MAD week
Age UK
OCC fund (COMF)
Oxfordshire County Council
Connected Communities
Oxfordshire County Council
Connected Communities (2)
Communities of Practice
Oxfordshire County Council
Children's Centres Training
Oxford City Council
Community Champions
Well Together
Bullingdon Community
Connections
Community Research Fund		 Balance
at 31
March
2023
£
35,456
920
385
2,570
-
23,569
87,472
-
48,829
-
4,462
-
50,628
-
254,291		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
22,000
-
-
214,000
47,054
-
-
371,103
35,600
911
690,668		 Expenditure
£
- 8,865
-
-
- 46
- 12,210
- 24,725
- 64,644
- 205,274
- 39,369
-
- 4,380
- 134,954
- 42,555
-
- 537,022		 Transfer
(to) / from
unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
1,156
- 18,750
-
-
18,750
-
-
-
- 911
245		 Balance
at 31
March
2024
£
26,591
920
385
2,524
9,790
-
4,078
8,726
56,514
18,750
83
236,149
43,673
-
408,182

Notes on restricted funds

Capital Grant

This represents the net book value of the charity’s leasehold buildings (see note 7)

European Social Fund – Management

The funding received provided all the back up support for the administration of the grants allocated to organisations directly from Surrey Community Action, including administration, contract monitoring, resources, staff time and expenses and organisational overheads.

Community Ambassadors

This fund is for expenses for the Community Ambassadors, who are OCVA’s volunteers.

Mad Week

Fund to cover staff and volunteer expenses during the delivery of activities for Make a Difference Week

OCC Fund

COMF funding to review the state of volunteering in Oxfordshire, create a vision and develop an action plan. This fund was slightly overspent during 2023-24 and was topped up from general funds.

Oxfordshire County Council Connected Communities

Grant fund for distribution to community and voluntary groups on behalf of adult social care with ongoing support and advice. This fund had incorrectly been amalgamated with funding for Children’s Centres Training, which has been disaggregated by a transfer between funds.

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

23

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Notes on restricted funds (continued)

Communities of Practice

To co-ordinate and develop 6 local networks of Communities of Practice for Adult Social Care bringing together the VCS, Health and Adult Social Care

Oxford City Council Community Champions

To support the Oxford City Community Champions with volunteering and training advice and support

Oxfordshire County Council Children’s Centres Training

To help fund training for Children’s Centres.

Well Together

To support a community development programme funded by the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, which recognises the essential role community and voluntary organisations play in addressing health inequalities at a local level.

Bullingdon Community Connections

Hosting a dedicated prison officer to provide connections to the local VCSE sector to promote prisoner rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.

12. Designated funds

Staff contingency fund
Buildings contingency
reserve
Contingency reserve		 Balance
at 31
March
2023
£
15,000
34,089
15,000
64,089		 Income
-
-
-
-		 Expenditure
-
-
-
-		 Transfer
(to) / from
unrestricted
funds
-
-
-
-		 Balance
at 31
March
2024
£
15,000
34,089
15,000
64,089

The Staff contingency fund was set up to cover the estimated redundancy and winding up costs which would be required to be paid if the company were to cease its activities or have its funding withdrawn. This has been reduced slightly to reflect a different mix of staffing and a reduced estimate of the redundancy costs.

The Buildings contingency fund is held against repairs to the premises.

The Contingency reserve is to protect the organisation against predicted reductions in funding.

13. Unrestricted funds

Designated funds
General unrestricted funds		 Balance
at 31
March
2023
£
64,089
2,286
66,375		 Income
-
299,002
299,002		 Expenditure
-
- 261,222
- 261,222		 Transfer
(to) / from
unrestricted
funds
-
- 245
- 245		 Balance
at 31
March
2024
£
64,089
39,821
103,910

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

24

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2024

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Net current assets		 Restricted
£
26,591
381,591
408,192		 Unrestricted
£
2,310
101,600
103,910		 Total cost
£
28,901
483,191
512,092

15. Pension contributions

The charity made employer contributions to a defined contribution scheme totalling £6,460 (2023: £5,000). Outstanding employer contributions payable at the year end were £1,195 (2023: £1,044).

16. Reconciliation of net movement of funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/expenditure for the
year (as per the Statement of
Financial Activities)
Add back depreciation charge
Investment income
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Decrease (increase) in stock
Decrease (increase) in debtors
Increase (decrease) in creditors
Net cash used in operating
activities		 2024
£
191,426
10,720
- 1,756
-
-
12,118
- 4,657
207,851		 2023
£
148,232
10,215
- 341
-
-
- 11,168
- 46,978
99,960

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

25

OCVA Member Organisations as at March 2024

13th Theatre Company Abbeyfield Oxford Society Ltd Abingdon Breakaway Club Abingdon Carousel Abingdon Good Neighbour Scheme Abingdon Green Gym Abingdon Music Festival Association ACE Training & Consultancy Ltd ADHD Oxfordshire Aesop Arts and Society Ltd African Families in the UK (AFiUK) CIC Against Breast Cancer Age UK Oxfordshire Agnes Smith Advice Centre Archway Foundation Asian Cultural Centre Aspire Oxfordshire Community Enterprise Limited Assisted Reading for Children Asylum Welcome Banburyshire Citizen Project Barnes Memorial Trust and Hall Beacon Centre Be Free Young Carers Bicester Green Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground Bookfeast BORIEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (BEFSA) Bridewell Organic Gardens Bullingdon Community Centre Charlbury Day Centre Charity Mentors Oxfordshire Cherwell Theatre Company CHF Oxford Chinnor Good Neighbours Scheme Chinta Kallie Chipping Norton Green Gym Church Cowley St James Primary School Citizens Advice NOSN Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire Clear Sky Children’s Charity Climate Outreach Cllr Timothy Hallchurch, MBE Cluster Care Day Centre Cluster Care Group Combe Mill Society Community First Oxfordshire (CFO) Connection Oxford

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

26

Contented Dementia Trust Court Place Farm Allotment Association Cowley Road Works Creative Dementia Arts Network Crisis Skylight Oxford Cutteslowe Community Association David Agnew Daybreak Oxford Dean Court Community Association Deddington Windmill Community Centre Ltd Didcot, Abingdon & Wantage Talking Newspaper (DAWN) Didcot Railway Centre Didcot Volunteer Centre Donnington Doorstep Dorchester Abbey Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee Earth Trust East Oxford Good Neighbour Scheme EMBS Emmaus Employment Action Group Enrych Oxfordshire Eynsham Day Centre FairPlay Fairtrade at St Michael’s Family Links Fellowship Educational Society Fernham Village Trust Film Oxford Fleet Meadow Community Association Flexicare Flo’s – The Place in the Park FND Hope UK Footsteps Centre / Foundation Friends of Hook Norton Community Library Full Circle Global Canopy Good Food Oxford Grove Day Centre for the Elderly Guideposts Trust Ltd Harwell Village Hall Health Watch Oxfordshire Healthy Abingdon Helen & Douglas House Hill End Centre Hinksey Sculling School Ltd Homeless Oxfordshire Home-Start Banbury & Chipping Norton Home-Start Oxford Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary JACARI

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

27

Jennings John McLaughlin Katharine House Hospice Kidlington & District Information Centre Kiera Bentley-Mouat Kingwood Leys CDI Life at No.27 Ltd Making Families Count Mates N Dates Maureen Elliott Maymessy CIC MEET in Oxford MENCAP South Oxfordshire Montala Ltd Museums Volunteers Service Nai’s House Nomad Youth & Community Project North East Abingdon Community Association Nuneham Courtenay Sports & Playing Fields Association OASIS One-Eighty Open Door OSWA OVADA Oxfordshire Visual Arts Development Agency Oxford Afghan Community Oxford Against Cutting Oxford & District Mencap Oxford Citizens Advice Bureau Oxford Civic Society Oxford Diocesan Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Oxford Friend, LGBT Helpline Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project Oxford International Women’s Festival Oxford Nepalese Society Oxford Office Furniture Oxford Poetry Library Oxford Quakers Oxford Ramallah Friendship Association Oxford Sea Cadets Oxford Swahili Community Oxford Swans – Swimming Club for Disabled People Oxford United in the Community Oxford Wood Recycling 19/11/24 Oxfordshire Association for the Blind Oxfordshire Breastfeeding Support Oxfordshire Chinese Community and Advice Centre Oxfordshire Community Foundation Oxfordshire Community Land Trust Ltd Oxfordshire Credit Union Oxfordshire Family Support Network Oxfordshire M.E. Group for Action

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

28

Oxfordshire MIND Oxfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Oxfordshire NPC Group Oxfordshire Outdoor Learning Trust Oxfordshire Parenting Forum Oxfordshire Play Association Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre Oxfordshire South & Vale Citizens Advice OXNAV OXPIP OXTRAG OYAP Trust Paula Coutts Peeple Pendon Museum Quest for Learning Rainbow House Project Red Kite Family Centre Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse Refugee Resource Regal Community Centre Relate Resolve Mediation Berkshire and Oxfordshire Restore Rethink Mental Illness River Thame Conservation Trust Riverside Counselling Service Romy Briant Root & Branch Westmill Royal Voluntary Service Rt Revd Bishop Colin Fletcher SAFE! Sandford Talking Shop Ltd Sarah Buxton Shed Oxford SeeSaw Simon Payne Sinodun Players Six Counties Kidney Patients Association Sobell House Hospice Charity Ltd South Oxford Community Centre (and Association) South Stoke Community Shop Spelling Limited St Ethelwold’s Fellowship St Matthew’s Church Oxford Standlake Care Scheme Stroke Association Sunningwell School of Art Sunrise Multicultural Play Project Susan Ralphs Syrian Community in Oxford and Oxfordshire SYRCOX

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

29

Tandem Mental Health Befriending Tetsworth Memorial Hall Thame Barns Centre Thame Players Theatre Company Thame Town Council The Abbey Sutton Courtenay The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare The Children’s Allotment The Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children The Chinnor Village Centre The Comfort Trust The Ethical Property Company The Fellowship of Reconciliation (England) The Florence Park Community Association The King’s Centre The Listening Centre The Maple Tree The North Wall Trust The Real Farming Trust The Valentine Club The Village Hall, Littlemore The Wallingford Sports Trust The Ways & Means Trust Tim Stevenson Thuppoko Thebe Limbu Society UK Thursday Lunch Club Trinity Learning UDAYAN Universify Education Villager Community Bus Services Visit Banbury Community Interest Company Volunteer Link Up West Oxfordshire Wantage Independent Advice Centre We Own It Ltd (CIC) Wendy Spray Coaching Wesley Memorial Oxford Methodist Church West Ox Arts West Oxford Community Association Where The Fruit Is Wilts & Berks Canal Trust: West Vale Branch Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank Witney Buttercross Scout Group Witney Talking News Wolvercote Young People’s Club Word Fountain Christian Ministries Workers Educational Association Yellow Submarine Young Dementia UK Youth Challenge Oxfordshire (YoCO)

Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Company registration number: 05363946. Charity reference number: 1108504 Annual report and accounts 2024

30