THE AUTUMN DAYCARE CENTRE CORBY DIRECTORS & TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1st APRIL 2023 - 31st MARCH 2024 The Autumn Centre Limited Company Registered Number: 05397008 Registered Charity Number: 1110164 The..4vtsJ]nll Cr.ntr¢ l.ITtJiknxl (-.omEwii Limir=d M. &iarmteel % i<1..p() PAGE I ndex Legal & Administrative information Directors Report: Executive Summary Structure, Governance & Management Staffing: (i) Staffing Structure (li) Volunteers & Members (iii) Proposed New Staff Posts - Future Years 7 Potted History (2002 - 2024) Covid 19 - Staying Vigilant Objectives & Activities Activities Financial Pressures Restricted Fu nding Sustainability for the Future 11-12 Working Groups 13-14 Fundraising InitiativeslEventslGrant Strategy 14 MarketinglPromotion & Website 14 Evolving 5 year Business Plan 14-15 Transport 15 Notable Achievements 15-16-17 DonationslGrants/Fundraising Future Plans and Hopes Desired Future Capital Programme Financial Transparency Reserves Policy Benefit with Testimonials (a) Testimonial 1 (b) Testimon ial 2 (c) Testimon ial 3 (d) Testimonial 4 Thanks to organisations & individuals 9-10 10-11 18 19-20 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 24 PAGE Trustees Responsibilities 25 Independent Examiners, Report 26 Statement of Financial Activities 27 Balance Sheet 28 Accounting Policies 29 Notes to the Accounts 30-32 TKe Auiuynll ('¥nir¢ l.ImjlLxI IA Cotnp8llj ￿￿￿Ted try liUiir.thLeel Legal and Adrninistratlve information: Company Registration Number.. 05397008 Charity Registration Number 1110164 Registered Office.. The Autumn Centre Counts Farm Road Corby Northants NN18 8BH Directors￿ rustses: M Bissett- Chair J. Sheldon - Vice-chair L. Coupland M. Craig Dianne Floody P. Floody MBE P. Hulme M. Palmer S. Sorrie S. Tew N, Bhatia Company Secretary.. P. Floody MBE Treasurer.. P. Floody MBE Bankers: Co-operative Bank Delf House Southways Skelmersdale WN86 Independent Examiner., Brenda Peers-Ross 29 Drift Road Selsey Chichester West Sussex P020 OPW The Ajmmn [.￿￿L￿ I ITJiitiN4IA Cornpsny by c1￿￿￿llEe£ )IKI (-.TO The trustees present their report, together with the financial statement of the Charity (See Appondix l) for the year ended 31, March 2024 Executive Summary 27th August 2024 Over the past ￿e1ve months as a charity we have delivered a host of services within the local senior community and have continued to develop and grow. We are so grateful to so many who have accompanied us on our journey and have collectively faced many hurdles but thankfully we have overcome them all thanks to our amazing in-house team of dedicated staff, members, volunteers and board of trustees. Towards the end of March 2024 we were made aware cf our Annual Grant from CBC l North Northants Council (NNC) I being reduced from a historical £37,000.00 to just £8,800.00 a massive blow just days before the commencement of the 2024125 financial year. We had to restructure the budget with this alarming cut in mind and were forced into forming a collaborative to be included in the grant proGess. A very recent opportunity has arlsen allowing us to look forward more positively working together with Public Health (PH), NNC and Northampton University to support us to become a "Centre of Excellence The new "Orchard Project will enable a study to be undertaken aimed at people living with dementia and also allow for early stage Inte￿entiOn, The Centre will also benefit from a Capital Programme at the Gentre with a £199K capital investment from PH (this may enhance our desired programme as detailed in the report). As a charity, we are very excited with this concept, and are really looking forward to making an even bigger difference for our senior and wider community in the future. Thc Autunw C￿￿tre I,l ( i1tny..￿1. I IllJiEed b1.<￿[￿re¢l Trustees Report 1st April 2023- March 31st 2024 Structure, Governance and Management. The Company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and recruitment and appointment of Trustees is through election at our Annual General Meetings. If a vaGanGy exists we can consider future trustees with specific skills who are recommended tc the board, The trustees meet on the last Tuesday of the month to discuss business on behalf of the charity and to take any decisions required by the trustees as an acbve and inclusive process. All trustee meetings are minuted and sent out to all trustees to be agreed at the next rnonthly meeting along with any matters arising l amendments before proceeding with that month's agreed agenda, The ( LTitrel.iiwicd1.4 CompanN' l.iJniird by iwaiaikfeel Staffing The Autumn Centre used to employ 8 members of staff including our Manager who runs the Centre on a day to day basis in partnership with the users, volunteers, staff and the Board of Directors (Trustees who are all members of the charity). This number rose to 9 members of staff from May 2022 as we appointed an additional carer for the Dementia Suite as the need was clearly developing with increasing pressure to accommodate more new mernbers living with dementia, We were hoping to employ an additional carer later this year but the grant reduction of £28,200 from NNC has made this impossible in the short term. This left the trustees and staff feeling a bit confused after all the positivity we were hearing frorn North Northants Council Officers & Elected Members regarding our high quality and much needed service provision. We had 2 members of stsff leave over the last 12 months and this allowed us to promote from within and appoint new health workers to fill the vacant posts. This also gave us an opportunity to restructure the allocated hours to suit our Gurrent operational needs to the benefit of both staff and members. We are where we are today because of our amazing dedicated Staff memberJ. As they all say this is not a job, it is a way of life" and this is so obvious as they all go well beyond their individual job descriptions. The care and support they give to all our members is what creates the "Autumn Centre Caring Environmenr and why we continue to attract new members. Staffing Structure 1 x Manager l Level 5 Health & Social Care l Leadership & Management 1 x Deputy Manager l Level 3 Health & Social Care 4 x Health ca￿ Assistants l All Level 3 Health & Social Care 2 x Catering Staff 1 x Caretaker Cleaner Volunt•ers & Members. Our staff are supported in a big way by our band of volunteers who help us to deliver a higher quality of service as they have brought and gained so many skills to ensure all our members are looked after in our"Family Environment" and every one is cared for, respected and also given the opportunity to become part ofthe team, Proposed new staff posts in futur? y•ars. Intergenerational Officer Additional Health ca￿ Assistants Coordinator for Business Development Site Supervisor (depending on increased hours of opening) We can also boast a variety of related qualifications within the "Team" such as First Aid, Fire Wardens, OTAGO, Assistant Yoga Teacher, Mental Health Well- Being Co-ordinator, Activities Co-ordinator - keep fit and stay active. Tralning for Stafl I Volunteers, Students & Trustees We invest heavily in our staff training to ensure compliance and CDntinual development. To this end we have substantially increased our training budget to ensure funding is always available to top up training requirements. Utilising a training matrix with over 70 site specific courses for staff, trustees and volunteers, this includes dementia awareness which is proving invaluable. The training is coupled with regular individu81 supeNision sessions be￿een staff and our Manager to ensure any issues are addressed earfy. It is very important to us that all the staff and volunteers enjoy coming to work. To this end we al80 updated the Employee's Handbook with all terms I conditions produced by both staff and trustees along with all our policies and procedures. We also work closely with the local Gollege to allow students studying Health and Social Care to take up work placements at the centre to allow them hands-on experience. We carn also boast one of the placements is now one of our full time members of staff working in our dementia suite. Potted History {2002 . 2024) The town used to boast three day centres from 1970's180's & 90's (Central Day Centre, Arran Way Day Centre and Darley Dale Day Centre) but all three were merged in 2002 into what we have today "The Autumn Centre. as it was proving difficult to sustain three centres in one town, and all three were funded by Northamptonshire County Council and Corby Borough Council (now merged into North Northants Gouncil) With the merger of the three facilities it greatly reduced the funding needed from the Gouncils and has saved the authorities many, many hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past 22 years witr better facilities and services all under one roof. The.4utunu] ( c￿lr¢ l.Imitca 1.4 CoD)i)alli' LI￿1¢¥￿ h5, (JttAI￿￿CL1 The building is owned by NNC (previously Cort)y Borough Council) and it had for many years agreed to retain landlord's responsibility but the lease is up for renewal (expires August 2025) and negotiations are scheduled to Commen￿ in July 2024 to review the terms and conditions of any new lease. Being aware of the reduction in the grant from April of this year (2024) we are not as confident for the same level of support as we received over the last 22 years regarding the terms and conditions of a new lease. Covid 19 Staylng Vigilant staff are very aware that Covid has greatly reduced but also aware it has not fully left us. A number of the local community are still contracting the disease but thankfully the Covid Jabs have redU￿d the number and severity of people still contracting it.we will continue with various implemented practices and remain vigilant as most of our members will remain in the high risk bracket. We were unable to hold an AGM In 2020 cr 2021 owing to CovSd 19 but thankfully we have held AGM'S in 2022 12023 and cur most récent in March 2024. Objeotiv•s and Activities The Charity is very focused on its objective to improve the quality of life for our seniors in Corby and across the North of the County . We also have some younger members of the community either living with dementia or a variety of disabilities or life long illnesses. We have many members living with a variety of health conditions including: Members living with early and mid stages of diagnosed dementia Vvheelchair bound or unable to walk unaided Mental Health Heart Disease Non Communicative Diabetes Heart Conditions Visually Impaired Learning Conditions Asthmatic Activitles To this end the Gharity provides a host of activities as agreed I requested by the users to improve health I mobility I fighting loneliness l isolation I reducing the impact of dementia on individuals and their families and staying fitter longer giving many the Chan￿ to retain horne independence The activities of the centre are always aligned with key outcomes required by Public Health l NNC through the Well Being Programme for vulnerable adults. We have been inspected by officers from North Northants Council and our service comfortably met their high bar criteria for quality of services. This has given the t8am a real boost and is a very encouraging message going fo￿ard. We are the only Day Care Centre in Corby, freely accessible, operating 5 days a week Monday to Friday- 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p m. offering a variety of services I aGtivits-es including-. Special Events Christmas Parties, Burns Suppers, Hallowe8n Fun, New Year Celebrations, St Patrick's Day, St Andrews Day, Summer Inclusive Programme: Ra￿ Days (on the big screen), Easter Celebrations, Indian Food Experience, We also held a series of events to Celebrate the King's Coronation in 2023. Tribut• AGts Stage Entertainers bring a fantastic feeling to our members and we include variou8 tributs acts such as Elvis and Neil Diamond, and have groups such as Andante who have a wide repertoire entertaining the members at many special events. The members love these events as they bring back wonderful memories to the members with rnany having a really good sing along. Aotivitles Floor projector interactive play, Virtual Reality Headsets, personalised individual playlisls along with OTAGO in falls prevention plus Get up and Go, seated dance, aerobics, exercise sessions, smoking cessation, weigh-ins, along with many other health initiatives. We have our very own "Body Rockers" who love doing all the exercises and have their own motif tee shirts, We have Virtual Reality Headsets to allow our members to visit the world, go on walks while still at the centre, all through embracing modern technology. Pet therapy, TV & Films, darts, quizzes, table top ping pong ( brilliant for stimulating the brain), board games, arts & crafts, bingo, Ukulele band. Food-market, members can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables for a small donation. We previously purchased a floor projector that the members can Interact with such as walking through meadows, resting their feet in a stream with electronic fish swimming in and out, making it a living experience, plus a host of other activities all projected on the floor for many members to enjoy all at the same time. This has proven to be an excellent provision for members. Thi.knNuJlli Cel￿t Llluil&d IA l iftiiLedb%' ￿arant¢ll Yo a classes scheduled to Gomrnence Jul 2024, As an organisation we encourage new ideas from within the membership and where new requests are made we try hard to deliver new and exciting acts"vities. As can be seen from above there is normally a wide list of activities and this is expanding year on year. This programme of events suffered badly during the pandemic but we have bounced back stronger and fitter than ever before. Visits by local dignitaries, sponsors, local and NNC councillors, health representatives, local schools and prospective clients are regular attendees to the Gentre. Intergefierational Offioer (One for the Future). The Trustees of the Autumn Centre have never lost sight of the fact that we are not just a Day Care Centre but have the desire to become a "Community Hub To this end we have a long-term objects.ve to promote interaction between our older Gommunity and the younger community bringing them together to explore common ground where all members of the local community can benefit and enjoy the Cent￿ for interactive opportunities. Outside the centre we have a Multi Activity Games Area (MUGA) that could be utilised to organise joint and mixed activities across the age spectrum This could include different activities being led by different age groups but Ilnked to something for all. To achieve this ambitious proposal we would love to create a future post of an Intergenerational Worker whose role would be to explore, create and deliver an interactive development programme for all the members of the community regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability, ra￿ or religion. Over recent years we have seen the demise of youth provision and It is with this in mind we want to reach out and welcome the younger generation to feel the centre has s0rn8thing for them and they also can have the feeling of ownership with respect for the centre, their peers and all different generations in a positive, rewarding, and inclusive programme. Much of the future programrne could operate outside the hours of our current daily service provision. Financial Pressures (Our biggest threat!) All charities face continual financial challenges and as already mentioned earlier in the report regarding the huge reduction of our annual grant and our lease expiring in 2025 we Gould face even greater pressures as a result of this. With the government increasing the National Minimum Wage from April 2024 and we as a caring charity always pay our junior members of staff the enhanced living wage, adding a considerable increase in our salaries budget. 10 Th¢.{Vnin￿ Centre Liiuiied IA l.1¥np..￿ l.inutyJbi' GHarothL%￿I This among other costs has forced all staff, trustees and members to be even more proactive in fundraising, sponsored activities, grant applications, chasing donations, and of Course our structured income streams from our users in Tiers 1. 2 & 3 service prDVlSiOn. An improved training budget agreed to pursue accreditation for the Charity to become recognised as a Centre of Excellence" Plus all the other related increases in utilities, various Gontracts, food stuffs etc are all rising pressures and rnany charities have gone under and this is something we are working tirelessly to avoid. Restricted Fundlng (£6SK +£5K =£60K) Specific Projects. We have recently set aside some Restricted Funding as we have been very successful in bringing in new monies either through grant applications or donatsons. These are of course to be used for specific elements of our future plans and often in compliance with specific grant applications compliance I donats'on requirements, We were given a donation of £66K and it is presently restricted for the building of an additional 50 sq metre activity hall from the executors for the will of Jeff Ward. Jeff passed away and had been living with dementia. The executors came to the centre and were so impressed by our services they thought they would be giving us a £20K donation but after the tour they loved what we We￿ doing at the centre and made the donation up to £50K to build something as a lasting legaGy in memory of Jeff which was a lovely gesture. This was later made up to £55K If we wish to have a change of use we will need to go back and speak with the executors. We also have recently received a £6K grant from Groundwork for a Grow I Cook & Eat project which is also restricted for this project. We have put all the above on hold to ensure maximum opportunity with the recent announcement from Public Health for a large Capital Grant to make improvements to the building. Sustsinability for the Future Delivery of our 3 Tler Daily Experience April 2021 was the start of the implementation of our'Going Forward ' strategy with the implementation of our new ' 3 Tler Dally Experleno•° pricing structure. In the past pre Covid and being paid for delivering 3 x Public Health Contracts (Value £54K per annurn} which Geased in MarGh 2021 , we had to restructure our complete service delivery to give the charity any chance of survival in the coming 'Ih¥.4uiuhtrJ C'￿1￿￿ Lirnited IA IAmitcd ￿ tiKiaraLlteel years (which thankfully we have managed to do) as we are still looking to go forward after that huge financial blow three years ago. Our "3 Tier Dally Experience" pricing structure included for all ts'ers-. Three Course Meal (inGluding specific dietary requirements). All beverages Health Exercises: Wellness Checks, OTAGO, YOGA (from July 2024). Bingo I singalongs quizzes l Arts & Crafts, Table Top Games plus others. Support from staff with showering, meals, hydration, toileting, barber services, shaving, manicures, weighing I blood pressure checks, Opportunity to meet new people and forge new friendships. A comfortable, warm, safe welcoming environment. If any member is unable to attend through ill health a freshly cooked meal can be delivered to their home, Tiers 2 & 3 include more personal care with various fijnctions such as assisting members with toileting and meals, often One to One interaction and Tier 3 being for members living with Dementia. The pricing structure (April 2023 - March 2024) reflects this being as below.. 3 TIER DAILY EXPERIENCE Tler 1 £11.00 wittt increase to £12.00 from April 20241 more able bodied) Tler 2 = £30.00 with increase to £35.00 from May2024 ( early diagnosis of dementia, additional care required) Tior 3 - £50.00 with increase to £55.00 from April 2024 ( members living with dementia / continual additional care ) For all financial information please refer to our examined accounts (Appendix l). As pointed out above we wi11 have to increase our prices substantially from April 2024 and all the members I their families are on board and understand the reasons for the increase and our quest for financial sustainability. This has become essential for our very existence especially with the cut from April 2024 in our usual local authority annual grant. The Dally Experience has proven to be of significant importance in various degrees to our many members and their families. In some instances it has given an element of life back to certain family member8 as all know their loved ones are in good hands and are treated as part of "Our Family" but with high levels of professional support I care linked to their individual needs. All our meals are freshly cooked daily on site by our own in-house catering team with individual requirements and needs built into any care I support packages. We also have the facilities to ensure any member not wishing to eat all three courses at lunch time. lh8 courses not eaten, can be taken home, packed up in catering packaging to keep fresh, for eating later. Many of Tier 2 & Tier 3 are referred through Adult Social Services with some Tier 1 also being referred but most Tier 1 are here because they choose to be as it supports their quest of staying healthy longer, retaining independenGe and 12 AutubJn CentreLittlltAI IA l iiniLc Ihe memb8rn hgv8 not required th8 ctynpgny to obtain en auclit ol Its &c￿U￿￿ fcr the ar in 91￿StIon in accorilancg with Section 476. lil) Ihw dirgc4or¥ 8ckn(Mlo¢lge their re8FX5n¥ibilitieB for ￿MplyIng r•qulrements of Ad wlth rs8P*Ct tc¢ arLounling record& the pwp&ratJon of accourrts. (Illl theEe aco)unts have b•en prepered in grA)Jrrlgne• tho provis￿n3 applicabl? to elicy is to mainlatn sufficient cash flThY for known comrnitmeftty, and the feplacement of repla¢amenl of Certain assets. Not all grartslincome are received al the beginning Df the financial ygar other arè received in arreary, Rlsk The director811rusteeg do not believe the organi8ati¢n is subject lo any 8ubstantsl risk b8yond those disclo￿ in the Annual Report and Accounts. Thè organisatton has ern￿oyer and public liability in8urancè to proteLt il in the case of a claim. THEA MN CENTRE LTD IA Gompany Limited By Guarantee) Pag• 30 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Unrnstricts Restrlcted 2024 2023 Not•8 I Ch•Tliabl• actlviti09 NNC GroundwoTk NCF 38,500 48.270 5,000 3,000 41,500 5,000 46,500 Café income Tier 112 Tier 3 Hall hire Transwrt Aclivrties raffles etc. Fawttare 40 118.892 56.222 23 96,164 21,780 118,892 58.222 19,095 2,191 535 19.095 . 2,191 535 243.505 3,773 649 171 179 2 Charltabl• actfvitl•s Employment ccsls Trfiining course8 and activities ststionery, prinlirtra, postage, et¢ Telephon88, inlemet Equipment , alam) etc Repairs. minlenarn¢e and renewals Rent, Tates, heat and light Transp)rtation Storage unil Sundri8s Cleanin9 and hygiene colts mark￿ing. wblicity ProviBions IMurnnc8 Govgrnanco Prof8ssional f888 Independent Exarnination Depreciation Total oxpenditUKO 150.ce8 T,028 745 1,680 150,C68 132,807 7,026 4.202 745 628 1,680 S65 3,481 9,649 21,787 3.484 2,007 1,585 2,220 22,418 571 5,865 6,505 8.671 3,481 9,849 21,767 2,007 1,585 2,220 22,418 671 3,016 1,537 17,418 565 2,759 2,759 456 22 2,401 22 230.481 188,859 3 TrU8t￿ and Efflploymwt Costs Gro8S 8818ries Empbyer N I ER Pension Voluftteer Exw)ses DBS CI 142,431 5,074 2.449 142,431 5.074 2.449 127,285 3,225 2.297 114 150,088 114 150,068 132,807 THE AUTUMN CENTRE LTD (A Company Limited By Guaran￿) Page 31 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS There are no employ* beirvJ paid in excess of £60,000 par annum. The average number of employees by h8#d count during thè year wa8.. 8 (2023.'81 During the yearthe Irustees recefvéd £nil in remun6ralion. 12023.. £nil) The lotal expenditure r#imburs8d to Iru8t888 amounted to £Tril 12023.. £nlll 2024 2023 4 Tan9ible kngets Tanglblo Tanglblo Cost Balance 01.04 23 Add". Addilion$ during the yaer 15.612 15,612 15,612 15,812 Doprgci•tion At 1 April 2023 Charge in year At 31 March 2024 15,524 22 16,494 30 15524 N•t Book V•lu• Al 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 88 2024 2023 Debtor• Oiher Prepayman 5,$45 502 305 305 X124 2023 6 Cr•ditors . Amount• f•lllng du• wlthin on• yellr Sundry creditor¥ Accruals <9141 10 924 11441 51D THE AUTUMN CENTRE LTD (A Company kn'rnrted By Gu8ranlee) Page 32 NOTES TO THE Accoup4rs Openlng Transfer Balance Mov•m•nt Movement between 2023 In Out nds Balance 2024 7 Unrestflctod rnsgrv•s Fixerj Assets Urnregtricted Designa￿.. Fumi¢ure replacement De5ignaled' Equipment replacement D8slgnated.' Redocoration etc. Designat￿.. IT equiprnent Des5gnated.' Covid-19 Goneral Roserve 88 27,287 248,574 4,500 1,500 4,000 1,605 601 103085 142 6fj6 248 574 {221 (230,4591 111,5541 33,848 4.500 1,500 4,000 1.605 {801) 10 155 113240 81 The Trusle85 have dosignated r888rv8s for reptacement pf fvmilurg, e4uipm8nt and IT equipment bas￿ orn a cycl8 of replwM•nl. Thè Cénlre i# now responsiblo for irtwnal r&Jgcorallon and is trying to build a fund ovor the nexl fav y8ars. Trustee8 have allc¢*d a ￿neral reserves lo en8uro adgquate cesh tlow to m8et liabilitiej. grants and othèr in¢ome are not aNYays received in adv8ncg. The aim 89 part of the Tru6tee'8 good gov6rnaf)¢o is lo build 8 general r9¥9rvo lo cover six months operating costs, based on cuThent ¢081 that amounts lo £152,240 8 Rejtrklod Ftsnd8 Op•Dlng Tr•n•for 8alanc• Movement M*)vwn•Trt bgtween 8alanc• IQ23 In Out fund• 2024 Grant Grounoknrk Legacy froFn Jeff Ward David Cc(k Foundation 5,000 55,000 5,000 55,000 2,000 Groundw(wk - lund$ are a contribution towards"Grwn, Cook, Eot projoct. The Legacy r8ceivod from Jeff Wade is for ¢8pil41 expendiluro and profe88lonal fee8, Oawd Cock Foundation is for the Grry4V. Cod(. and Eat projact. 9 Woffrtfor¢• p•noion The Autumn Canlte ¢yrate 8 NEST Ponsion Schem 10 Uttlmat• Controlling Party The Ch￿rIable Com￿nY is under th8 ultimat8 control of its tru6to0s, who ara 818C the dlrector8, Jnd whose name$ arg at th8 front of the financlal slaternents.