2023-03-31-accounts - Home-Start Watford And Three Rivers

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Annual Report 2022/23

Our mission. Every parent has the support they need to give their children the best start in life. Because childhood can't wait.

Home-Start Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere helps local families with at least one child under 5 years old deal with the challenges they face.

We intervene early to support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

Our core services

HOME-VISITING SUPPORT

Trained volunteers provide weekly one-to-one parenting support in the home.

SUPPORTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT Playing, listening, fun, skills, outings & friendships.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Empowering parents to manage & resolve problems.

PRACTICAL HELP

Budgets, nutrition, cooking & home safety.

EMPOWERMENT Supporting families to have their voice heard.

SIGNPOSTING

Linking local health, community & educational services.

COUNSELLING

Working with parents living with a mental health difficulty.

OUTREACH/FAMILY GROUP WORK

Helping isolated families become more involved in their community.

Our work

We are a highly respected organisation with over 30 years of experience supporting families and truly embedded in our local community. Referrals come from every corner of the community including GPs, family support workers and health visitors. We accept self-referrals too.

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Family Support Worker
Health Visitor
Self referral
Other
0 10 20 30 40%
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Complex needs

On referral, we find that most families are experiencing multiple or complex needs. Over 63% of our families present with 3 or more complex needs.

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55% 55% 52% 39%
Mental health Social isolation Stress/anxiety Lone parent
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Where we work

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Families Supported
Watford 46%
Three Rivers 22%
Hertsmere 32%
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How we help

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Activities with children
Emotional support
Practical support
Support to use other services
0 25 50 75%
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Introduction

The past year has been one of progress and transformation. Whilst our home-visiting service remains the backbone of our service, our Counselling Service has expanded into new locations, our Family Groups have grown and become an ever increasing hive of activity and we have created more partnerships with other local community organisations, further strengthening our community ties.

Through prudent planning we have continued to ensure that our services have been fully funded. Particular thanks go to the Fundraising Committee who have worked hard to obtain funding allowing us to develop new and exciting projects to support our families. After almost 10 years dedicated to the charity we said farewell to Emma Power as our CEO. She led Home-Start with great passion, commitment, skill and sensitivity and we are thankful for her significant contributions to the charity. We were delighted for Sophie Linington to take on the role of CEO in August, having lived in our community for 20 years and bringing with her extensive charity experience.

July saw the departure of another long serving member of staff, Rachel Allen. Her role has been superbly filled by our highly experienced Volunteer Coordinator, Michaela Foster Osborne. In response to the growing number of referrals, we recruited three additional Volunteer Coordinators. After a short period settling in they have become an effective team and have worked hard to substantially reduce our referrals waiting list. Karen Watkin has assumed the newly created role of Business Operations Manager and we have had the benefit of an additional fully funded Administrator in Karen Stretch. Together with Amanda Busby they have helped streamline and strengthen our administration and reporting abilities. As well as expanding our staff team, we have recruited several new Trustees who bring with them a range of highly relevant skills, experience and diversity.

Over the past year we touched the lives of more than 100 families across Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. We have expanded our counselling provision, increased attendances at our playgroups and held several successful events for families. We have continued to increase our social media engagement across all platforms as well as increasing the content and reach of our vibrant and informative newsletter.

On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to thank our CEO, Sophie Linington, the whole staff team and all our volunteers for their energy and dedication.

We are committed to growing and developing our services to meet the ever increasing need to support families across our communities in this hugely challenging time. We will continue to innovate and diversify our activities whilst developing new fundraising strategies to optimise our service. We look ahead with the confidence that we have a strong team at every level to ensure that we can enable our families to thrive and not just survive.

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Simone Collins, Chair
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Trustee Board - Roles & Responsibilities

Simone Collins, Chair Bernadette Coleman, Vice Chair John Robinson, Treasurer Kam Johal Community Fundraising Volunteer Rep & Data Staff Rep & Fundraising Projects & Strategy Health & SafetySimon Boulcott Staff Rep & Human ResourcesClaire Buckland Sarah JoyFamilies Nicola MillberySafeguardingSafeguarding

Glen Saffery Nicola MillberySafeguardingSafeguarding Fundraising

Trustee Board as at 31.03.23

Our Objectives & Values

To safeguard, protect and preserve good physical and mental health of children & their parents. We:

Reassure parents that difficulties bringing up children are common. We encourage enjoyment in family life. Encourage the parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their children. Support parents to develop long term coping strategies for every day challenges and life’s ups & downs. Develop a relationship of trust with the family. Our approach is flexible and tailor made. Challenge disadvantage, injustice and social exclusion.

Our service is universal, to all families, whatever their background or need.

Integrity We lead with integrity to deliver a professional and reliable service.

Community We foster a sense of community and ensure our service is available to all.

Support

We work to support, enable and inspire by being responsive, friendly and kind.

Respect

Everyone feels valued, respected, listened to and included.

Chief Executive

I joined the Home-Start team at the end of August 2022, excited to be taking on the role of CEO, after the departure of Emma Power in May. Emma and I worked together when I was a Trustee, and I want to start by recognising her fantastic legacy here; she saw Home-Start through the toughest of times during the pandemic and built a strong, well respected service and team despite challenging social and economic circumstances.

We also said goodbye to Rachel Allen after 8 years, so this year has been another year of change for the team. We’ve grown in size, skills and experience, strengthening our Volunteer Coordinator, Family Engagement and Business Support Teams and expanding our delivery, all with the central aim of supporting more families at the times they need us.

I’m very much looking forward to continuing to deliver our high quality support, working alongside such a committed and motivated team – none of which would be possible without local support; businesses, funders and individuals who support our work week after week and ensure we can stay at the heart of our community.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2023, we know that our services are needed now more than ever and we remain committed to supporting our families, where and when they need us.

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Sophie Linington, CEO
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Funders

We are delighted to have worked with a range of national funders over the last year. Their significant and continued support has allowed us to expand our Home-Visiting and Counselling Services, deliver an additional Family Group, and launch a brand new Peer to Peer Programme.

We are also grateful for the continued support from the following local funders:

Lives touched

Home-Visiting

What have we achieved this year?

volunteer preparation courses completed 3 new home-visiting volunteers trained, through our new, more accessible 28 hybrid course

volunteers gave up their time 67 home-visiting support provided to 6,978 local families

hours of home-visiting support provided to local families

"Olivia was referred to Home-Start to provide support with her self-esteem and her physical and mental wellbeing. Olivia was feeling very low as she had recently left her relationship with her child’s father due to domestic abuse. Olivia was diagnosed bipolar 10 years previously and had been managing well with medication. The domestic abuse had dented her confidence and she was finding life with a child hard to manage, lonely and isolating. She had a limited support network and no real friends. Olivia found this hard and increasingly isolating.

Our home-visiting volunteer, Andrea, quickly became part of the family. She visited the family once a week for six months, providing a listening ear, support with playtime, help to find and liaise with a solicitor and IDVA, assisting with obtaining a non-molestation order, help to pack up the flat for moving and emotional support through Isabel’s hospital visits. Andrea also worked with Olivia to help Isabel develop independent play strategies and be less clingy to her.

Since being matched with Andrea, Olivia looks and sounds like a different person – her confidence has increased enormously and she has become more self-assured and independent. She organised a non-molestation order and found a supportive solicitor to assisting her in establishing visitation time for Isabel’s father, developed a social network and regularly attends the Home-Start Family Group with Isabel. She feels her life is now under control and she can face trouble steadily .

Olivia was so happy with her volunteer. She felt she had been amazing - so supportive, kind and always ready to listen. Olivia said that Andrea had helped her in so many ways, especially with developing the ability to face problems calmly and to not get so stressed when things go wrong – but now she feels ready to face the world independently ."

Laura, Volunteer Coordinator

Home-Visiting

Better outcomes for families and their children

On average, 95% of our families make positive progress in at least 3 of the 10 areas when being supported by a volunteer.

Parent wellbeing

Social networks

Boundaries & behaviour

Education & learning

Meeting emotional needs

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86%
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81%
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69%
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62%
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60%
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Family Groups

What have we achieved this year?

well-attended weekly Family Groups 3 families supported per week 53

parents and children supported 153 over the year

New Family Group Assistant to strengthen delivery of the groups

Delivered our first Group Volunteer training session and support group

Structured sessions with healthy snacks and activities based around Early Years Foundation Stages

Lives touched

"Nadia, who has been attending our Hertsmere Family Group since 2021, has set up her own Parent & Toddler group in Brookmeadow (Borehamwood). She has been telling me since we first met that setting up her own group was one of her goals as she noticed how many Family Groups had been closed in the community after lockdown. Her confidence was also low, and she struggled with anxiety. She wasn’t sure how this dream would be achieved.

Towards the end of 2022, David Goulding (previous Community Engagement Officer at Hertsmere Borough Council) came to listen to our parents at our Hertsmere Family Group. After hearing from Nadia how she wanted to set up a group, he went away, found funding for her and put her in touch with a local church. Since then, they have received subsidised hiring fees for a church hall, a shed in their garden for storage, and extra funding from the BECC for resources. The group opened in March and has seen great attendance.

This is an example of how we empower our parents. With consistent support and encouragement from our volunteers and the wider team, Nadia has built the confidence to follow through with one of her big goals ."

Georgia, Family Group Coordinator

Counselling

What have we achieved this year?

Lives touched

"Jenny, a single parent with 3 children, was struggling with feelings of anxiety and isolation and referred herself to Home-Start for support. She wanted to access mental health support alongside her home-visiting volunteer support.

counselling locations across our districts 4 hours of counselling support with free 84 childcare provided to local families improvement in 100% psychological wellbeing

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CORE-10 Psychological Wellbeing
mild 11-15, moderate 16-20, moderate/severe 21-25, severe 25+
Mild Moderate Moderate/severe
25
20
15
10
5
0 Start End
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Home-Start’s Coordinator signposted Jenny to our counselling service. She explained to Jenny that this service is offered for free, although we encourage clients to pay a weekly donation at their sessions based on what they can afford. Jenny was surprised to hear that clients are offered up to 26 weekly sessions, with childcare alongside and breaks for school holidays. This made a huge difference, as her older child is of school-age.

Our Counsellor offered Jenny space and time to explore her thoughts and feelings and to understand herself better. As she became more connected to her emotions, she felt more confident to share these with trusted friends and family. Jenny noticed her emotional responses when she considered taking her children out and about, and used her counselling sessions to explore her fears and worries .

Although her life circumstances continued to be challenging, Jenny was generally feeling better able to cope. Jenny and her Counsellor acknowledged that change isn’t always linear, and sometimes we can still have a difficult day. The sessions gave her a space to explore these feelings and to notice when she felt that her worries were spiraling.

When Jenny and her Counsellor approached the end of the block of 26 sessions, her Counsellor suggested that they reflect on what ‘endings’ have been like for Jenny in the past. This gave Jenny a chance to experience a planned ending and to consider what strategies she might want to have in place to help her to sustain the improvements that she had seen in her life since starting her counselling sessions."

Azka, Counselling Coordinator

Community Activities

What have we achieved this year?

additional enrichment activities for families 10 parents and children fed at Hot Lunch Clubs 47

parents and children attended 180+ over the year

meals served at Hot Lunch Clubs 423

Lives touched

"Clare, a mum of 2 boys under the age of 2, has struggled to connect with parenthood. She is supported by Home-Start as well as the perinatal mental health team and has a complex home life. A particular struggle for Clare is her confidence being a parent. Engaging her with Home-Start's other services has been difficult in the past, but she signed up for our Forest School training session with Groundwork.

Clare said she felt a connection to nature and really wanted to share this with her sons. After spending the afternoon outside and learning lots of new activities to do with little to no resources, she shared that she felt really confident to do this with her children and was excited to implement these new skills into her life as a parent .

This shows us how our Back to Nature pop-ups have positively impacted families’ mental wellbeing through being outside and connecting with nature, and how this approach has engaged families who wouldn’t usually get involved ."

Laura, Family Engagement Team

Social Prescribing

What have we achieved this year?

GP Surgeries supported by our team of 5 9 referrals per year 500+ hours of support delivered to clients 6,344

Examples of issues we have supported:

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Social Mental health Carers support
isolation
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Support Debt, finance Long term health at home and benefits conditions

Lives touched

"Leela, a mum of a 2-year-old, was referred to her GP for financial support and mental health issues. She had a traumatic childhood including time in care owing to her parents’ mental health and addiction issues. At the time of referral, she was paying rent on two properties while her father was in prison. She is experiencing severe anxiety due to her financial situation and her father’s imminent release from prison, and she was socially isolated.

The Link Workers were able to refer her to:

Mental health services Energy bill support Family Centre services Financial support and grants for her father Home-Start for social isolation, emotional and parenting support

We called the client each week to provide emotional support until she let us know that she was feeling stronger and happy to wait for mental health and Home-Start referrals to begin support.

Leela was urgently re-referred in crisis following a change in circumstances, feeling too anxious to leave the house for food or prescription collection. We were able to collect her prescription, refer her for free food delivery, and liaise with her GP to monitor her situation.

She has made significant steps towards gaining more choice and control in her life and improving her family's health and wellbeing , including:

Improved financial situation Confident in attending GP appointments Successfully liaised with the Housing Association to replace mouldy windows in her flat Studying for a course in Health and Social Care"

Kate, GP Link Worker, Social Prescriber (Supervisor)

Our Impact This Year

121 families, and 206 children supported by our service

6,978 hours of support to local families from 67 home-visiting volunteers

3 weekly Family Groups, and 10 additional enrichment activities

84 hours of counselling support with free childcare

Treasurer's Report

I am pleased to be able to report a further year of significant progress for Home Start Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere during the financial year ending on 31st March 2023.

In the year under review, there was a further 23% growth in the income of the charity to £457k, representing a tremendous effort at fundraising during the year. The donations and individual fundraising grew substantially as life returned closer to normal and the effects of Covid began to dissipate. Significant new longer-term funding came from new funders and traditional funders alike and the level of donations from individual trust funds remained at a historically high level in 2022/23.

Costs remain primarily employment costs and 22/23 saw a growth in the staffing establishment to provide the services enabled by the higher level of income. By March 2023 the charity was fully staffed with a new Chief Executive after the challenges of the Covid period.

It continues to be encouraging to see a healthy balance sheet and an increasing proportion of longer term funders which gives the Board the encouragement to plan further initiatives to aim to address the changing and increasing needs of our service users.

		Financial	Summary
	2021-22		2022-23
	Income	£370,376	Income	£457,388
John Robinson, Treasurer	Expenditure	£366,075	Expenditure	£453,288

Thank you to all our supporters and fundraisers!

TRUSTS, FOUNDATIONS & FUNDS

Bugler Foundation Four Acre Trust Home-Start Lottery Home-Start UK One Great Day The Big Give The Christopher Laing Foundation The Dewan Foundation Ltd

COUNCILLORS

Caroline Clapper Mark Watkin Morris Bright Nigel Bell Peter Taylor, Watford Mayor Phil Williams Stephen Cavinder Tim Williams

CHARITY PARTNER Teachappy Ltd

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Abbots Langley Good Neighbours Association Ash Logistics Ltd Asvina Cassiobury Court Cathartic CIC Clean Herts Community Everyone Active Watford Fresh Ego FC Groundwork Herts Valley CCG Jackson Jewellers Watford Lush Watford Metro Bank Watford Old MacDonald’s Day Nursery Latimer Project Shoebox Herts and Bucks Ryans Construct Ltd Watford FC CSE Trust Wenta West Herts Golf Club West Watford Golfing Society

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Atria Watford - Savills Beaverbrooks Berkeley Group Camelot Co-op Costco Fairview New Homes Ltd Morgan Sindall Construction Mothercare Global Brand Murrill Construction Sigma TK Maxx and Homesense Foundation Veolia VWV Solicitors Waitrose & Partners Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Wenzel's the Bakers Ltd

DONATION STREAMS

Amazon Smile Easy Fundraising Facebook Birthday Fundraisers People's Fundraising

FUNDRAISERS

Alan Underdown Andria and Terry Moffatt Ash Walsh Charlott Saunders Georgina Sturmer Greg Holt Home-Start Lottery Players Jane Rose John Robinson Karen Stretch Lloyd Willingham Marcus May Nikki Goncalves Sayed Daniel Perry

SCHOOLS

Beechfield School Watford Girls Grammar School, Year 7

Our amazing individual fundraisers have included...

Lloyd running his own marathon in August, raising over £1,800 Ash and Sayed running the Royal Parks Half in October, together raising over £2,000

Alan, Greg and Marcus running The Big Half in September, together raising over £2,800

Karen, our Team Administrator, selling her crocheted creations , raising over £300

Adrian from Teachappy Ltd, our Charity Partner, donating £1 per each Teachappy Tee sold , raising £5,000

The Barn, 1 Watford House Lane, Watford, Herts, WD17 1BJ 01923 248010 enquiries@home-startwatford.org.uk home-startwatford.org.uk

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS

DIRECTORS’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Company Registered Number 5385393

Charity Number 1108847

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS
A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
CONTENTS	PAGES
Company Details	1
Report of the Directors:	2-4
Structure, Governance & Management
Risk Policy
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
Activities
Pay Policy
Future Plans
Report of the Examiner	5
Statement of Financial Activities	6
Balance Sheet	7
Notes Forming Part of the Financial Statements	8 - 19

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Directors: Simon Boulcott Bernie Coleman, Vice Chair Simone Collins, Chair Sarah Joy - appointed 19.08.2022 Kam Johal Sophie Linington - resigned 25.08.2022 Julian Lipton - resigned 21.09.2022 John Robinson Nicola Millbery - appointed 01.01.2023 Claire Buckland Glen Saffery

Secretary Sophie Linington, Chief Executive Officer - appointed 26 .07.2022

Registered Office The Barn, 1 Watford House Lane, Watford, Herts, WD17 1BJ

Safeguarding Advisor Nicola Millbery

Independent Examiner David M Green FCA, Gowers Limited The Old School House, Bridge Road, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, Herts, WD4 8SZ

Bankers Lloyds TSB, Intu Centre, Watford, Herts, WD17 2UB

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022. These financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity’s governing document.

Structure, Governance & Management

Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers (HSW&TR) is a registered charity - No. 1108847 and a Company Limited by Guarantee - No. 5385393, registered in 2005. The charity has no share capital and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The policy, strategy, and general management of HSW&TR is directed by the Board of Trustees who are the Directors of the Company and who meet at least every two months recognising that they are required to meet no fewer than four times in each financial year. The Board of Trustees is supported by professional Advisers with an interest in the welfare of families and young children. The day-to�day management is delegated to a Chief Executive Officer who supports and supervises a team of salaried staff. The Objects of the Charity are carried out by staff and trained volunteers, who are parents, offering regular support, friendship, and practical help to families under stress, primarily in their own homes, and sometimes in support groups, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown. Volunteers are supported by the team of experienced staff.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association require the Board of Trustees to comprise between 4 and 12 Trustees who are formally appointed by the membership at AGMs. Trustees may co-opt other Trustees who will only stand in office until the following AGM when they must be formally put forward for election if they wish to remain in office.

The Trustees holding office in the year to 31st March 2022 are detailed on Page 1. The Trustees of the Charity have no interest in any contract with the Charity nor do they receive any remuneration for their service.

Membership of HSW&TR is open to any individual or organisation interested in promoting the charity’s Objects who applies to the Charity in the manner required and approved by the Trustees. HSW&TR has a comprehensive equal opportunities and diversity policy, which ensures that all staff and volunteers are recruited regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, gender, or sexuality. We also strive to accommodate those with physical difficulties. Families are supported regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, gender or sexuality of the parent(s). A regularly monitored community profile ensures that volunteers are proactively encouraged from all sectors of the local community.

Although HSW&TR is an independent charity, as a Home-Start organisation we are affiliated to the national body, Home-Start UK; a Charitable Trust founded in 1973. Over 200 Home-Start schemes may be found throughout the UK, each an independently registered charity, funded and managed locally. Home-Start UK supports local schemes by providing services such as training, information and legal and safeguarding advice. Home-Start UK also defines quality standards for service provision. Each scheme works within Home-Start UK Standards and Methods of Practice, which are audited every three years against a set of rigorous criteria covering all aspects of governance, management, and financial controls.

Risk Policy

The Trustees conduct regular reviews of the major risks to which the Charity may be exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate and minimise identified risks by implementation of procedures, including authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

compliance with all statutory requirements including, employment law, health and safety of staff and volunteer, and data protection. A Safeguarding Policy is in place and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out on all volunteers and employees who are likely to come into contact with vulnerable children or adults.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the 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 financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the profit or loss of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then to apply them consistently;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will stay in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and that enable them to ensure that the statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and accounting statement FRS102. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Activities of the Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers Charity

The Trustees of HSW&TR with the support of its staff aim to ensure that: the scheme has adequate funds to support current activities and envisaged future expenditure;

trustees are inducted, DBS checked, trained and supported to enable them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities;

staff are recruited, inducted, trained, supported, supervised and developed in accordance with good employment practice;

home-visiting volunteers are recruited from all sectors of the community, are DBS checked, undertake the scheme’s comprehensive preparation course and receive ongoing training, support and supervision;

trustees, staff and volunteers are actively encouraged to develop their skills and to support each other to meet the needs of HSW&TR and individual needs; the scheme develops additional activities and services as need is identified and where adequate funding can be obtained;
recruitment campaigns and regular preparation courses are run to maintain a team of trained volunteers able to meet the numbers of appropriate referrals within a reasonable waiting time;

the service provides best practice in safeguarding;

volunteers are carefully matched to families to provide an appropriate service for each family’s needs;
the scheme maintains positive links and partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies;
the scheme maintains a high profile within the local community;
all activities, feedback from volunteers and families and training are monitored and evaluated;
the offices and facilities of HSW&TR and other venues used for training or functions provide a safe, healthy and appropriate environment for staff, volunteers and visitors;

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

relevant news and information is circulated to staff, volunteers and trustees; appropriate administrative and recording systems are in place;

Fundraising Activities

The Charity’s fundraising activities are community based and have been operating at pre-pandemic levels in the community, post-Covid.

Pay Policy for Senior Staff

The Board of Trustees and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of the Charity, in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Charity on a day to day basis. All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees’ expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 13 to the accounts.

The key management remuneration policy is set by the Trustees and is reviewed on an annual basis as part of the budget setting process.

Future Plans

Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers is proud of the support we give to many local families. In order to ensure our long term future we continue to seek new multi-year sources of funding. We are grateful to the effort of all staff, volunteers and donors who continue to support us.

We will continue to strive to meet our core aims and move towards the objective of reaching sustainability over the medium to long term, thus enabling us to attract and train qualified staff and volunteers, to support more families and children in our catchment area.

The Charity has a well-developed and robust strategy going forward.

The Directors’ Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 27th September, 2023

Signed for and on behalf of the Trustees

Simone Collins, Chair Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers 27th September, 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS

A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS OF HOME-START WATFORD & THREE RIVERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st March 2022, which are set out on pages 6 to 18.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of FRS102 and the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

David M Green Gowers Limited

Date 6th October, 2023 The Old School House, Bridge Road, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8SZ

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

1. Company limited by guarantee

Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers is a company incorporated in England limited by guarantee No. 5385393 and is a registered charity No. 1108847. The extent of the liability of the members of the company on a winding up is limited to a maximum of one pound each

2. Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items that are considered material in relation to Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers.

2 (a) Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)”.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

2 (b) Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

2 (c) Investment resources

Incoming resources are accounted for on a receivable basis deferred as described below where appropriate. Grants are all included in incoming resources from charitable activities on the SOFA.

2( d) Investment income

Bank interest is included in the income and expenditure account on a receivable basis.

2 (e) Recognition of Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised on the accruals basis in accordance with normal accounting principles, modified where necessary in accordance with the guidance given in the Statement of Recommended Accounting and Reporting issued by the Charity Commissioners for England & Wales.

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

2 (f) Resources expended

All costs are allocated to those categories to which they relate. Where this is not possible, then they are suitably apportioned on the basis between costs of activities in furtherance of the charity’s objects and costs of generating funds 80:20 respectively. All costs are accounted on an accruals basis, inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.

2 (g) Governance costs

All costs incurred by the Charity other than direct charitable expenditure are included in governance costs and are accounted for on an accruals basis.

2 (h) Fixed Assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation.

Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets (less their expected residual value) over their useful economic lives. Office Equipment 25% straight line

2 (i) Taxation

As a registered charity, the company is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the company, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.

2 (j) Fund accounting

The Charity maintains a general unrestricted fund which represents funds which are expendable at the discretion of the Directors in furtherance of the objects of the Charity. Such funds may be held in order to finance both working capital and capital investment. Where conditions are such that funds received cannot be expended during the accounting period, any such monies are held as income in advance.

Restricted funds have been provided to the charity for particular purposes, and it is the policy of the Board of Directors to carefully monitor the application of those funds with the restrictions placed upon them.

2 (k) Gifted assets

Gifted assets received are included at valuation if material.

2 (l) Volunteers

The Charity relies on the support from volunteers who are unpaid. The value of volunteer’s time is not included in the SOFA.

2 (m) Pension Contributions

Pension costs relate to contributions to individual employee scheme and are charged to the SOFA as they fall due.

2 (n) Winding up or dissolution of the charity

If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remains any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the reserves shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
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HOME-START WATFORD AND THREE RIVERS

A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore, the company is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per annum (payable monthly)

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 January 2025 applies.

Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £794.9m, liabilities of £926.4m and a deficit of £131.5m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions

From 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2025: £11,243,000 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each on 1st April)

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.