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2021-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 5485321 Charity registration number: 1111171

Home-Start West Berkshire

(A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

E J Business Consultants Limited The Rectory, 1 Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 1DY

Home-Start West Berkshire

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 5
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 15

Home-Start West Berkshire

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

Pat Gooch Rachael Lorman Tigist Kebede Alan Stark, Chair Mike Samuels Claire Carless Sunaina Mc Donald (Resigned 28 May 2020) Karen Atalla Janet Sugden Taylor Beavis, Treasurer

Senior Management Team

Principal Office

Grace Green, Scheme Manager Broadway House, 4 - 8 The Broadway, Newbury Berkshire RG14 1BA

The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. Company Registration Number 5485321

Charity Registration Number

1111171

Independent Examiner

E J Business Consultants Limited The Rectory, 1 Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 1DY

Page 1

Home-Start West Berkshire

Trustees' Report

Introduction from the Chair

As 2019-20 came to a close, the shock of an unfolding global pandemic was swiftly replaced with action.

Home-Start West Berkshire has been responsive to the needs of the local community for 23 years and we were determined to maintain our commitment to supporting families when they need it the most. We worked rapidly to move our essential support services online, staying connected to over 100 families at any given time and supporting 243 families with 310 children under 5 and 173 children over 5 throughout the year.

The first few months were frightening for many of our supported families whose lives were already made difficult by mental health issues, social and rural isolation and financial hardship. Many families were unsure of how they were going to cope in the longer-term with additional pressures of having children at home, home-schooling and less money coming in.

Our team of staff and volunteers played an important part in the local community response, delivering essential supplies such as Babybank toys, clothes or equipment or groceries from the Foodbank. Our aim was to relieve some of the stresses and strains of financial hardship by supporting families to make ends meet or reduce the loneliness and isolation lockdown brought with a doorstep chat or a virtual call.

Our group services were adapted to run online providing a weekly lifeline to families cut off from any other usual forms of support. Postnatal Peer Support Group mothers identified feelings of fear of the virus, increased anxiety and loss for the birthing experience and maternity leave activities they were meant to have. As the lockdowns eased and restrictions were lifted, we adapted to outdoor support, returning to virtual sessions as numbers of cases increased and lockdowns were reintroduced.

As a charity, we have been grateful for the flexibility of our funders who have given us the ability to be agile in our service delivery, allowing us to adapt our provision the best way we see fit to help the families we support given the rules of the lockdown and the needs of the family. We have been thankful to all our supporters who have given their time and donations which have enabled us to remain strong throughout this crisis and have put us in a good place to continue to make a difference in our community next year, whatever the year brings.

Alan Stark

Chair of Trustees

Page 2

Home-Start West Berkshire

Trustees' Report

Introduction

The board of trustees presents its report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the requirements of a director’s report as laid down by company law, and the Statement of Recommended Practice- Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Purpose

Home-Start West Berkshire was set up in 1997 with its charitable objects as set out with the Charity Commission, for the relief of children or parents in despair and distress and the prevention of emotional, physical and mental abuse of such children. Home-Start believes that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play a key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them to achieve their full potential.

Vision

For every parent to have the support they need to give their child the best start in life.

Mission

To provide volunteer-led support, friendship and practical help to families with young children across West Berkshire.

Our story

A child’s earliest years are irreplaceable. Without a stable, loving and nurturing environment, a very young child will not develop the foundations they need. Home-Start is there for parents when they need us the most, because childhood can’t wait. Our local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helps families with young children through their challenging times.

Why we do it

The earliest years make the biggest impact. Home-Start makes sure those years count so that no child’s future is limited.

How we do it

Home-Start offers no judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and support. Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. Today and everyday across West Berkshire, Home-Start volunteers are working alongside families, helping them change their lives for the better.

We are tackling some of the big issues facing families today, with more families than ever coming to us because they are struggling with:

Page 3

Home-Start West Berkshire

Trustees' Report

Principle activities

Home Visits

Our volunteers are highly valued and respected providing the core of our service delivery. Due to restrictions, home-visits have not been possible through most of the last 12 months however, they have video called, phoned, texted, stood on the drive and walked parks and fields to keep families going. Our training course was reconfigured to provide online modules and virtual training sessions to continue to recruit volunteers and we welcomed 14 new volunteers to the Home-Start family.

Family Groups

Our three family groups continued virtually, outdoors and indoors when restrictions allowed. We supported 52 families with 68 children under 5. The group identified that many of the children attending group find communication difficult and need support to reach their milestones. All the staff and volunteers have received training in this period in supporting Early Years Language and Communication skills.

Perinatal Peer Support Groups

Lockdown restrictions have particularly been difficult for new parents who gain reassurance from their peers when they have anxieties about their baby’s behaviour, health or wellbeing. The second lockdown renewed feeling of isolation experienced the first time around. The weekly online check-ins helped new mothers come to terms with their feelings. The project supported 46 new mothers during this period. One mother said “The pandemic has made life very isolating and difficult for many people and when you are also struggling with depression, and the stress that having a new-born as well, on top of a pandemic, the support from the volunteers has been brilliant.”

Financial Review

The summarized financial numbers for this year are:

Incoming resources of £227,750

Resources expended of £192,969

Restricted reserves of £60,366

Designated reserves of £17,324

Unrestricted reserve fund of £91,017

The trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom 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 for that period. In preparing these financial statements the trustees should follow best practice and:

Page 4

Home-Start West Berkshire

Trustees' Report

Structure, Governance & Management

Home-Start West Berkshire is governed by the Home-Start UK Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association which establish its objects and powers. The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 20th June 2005.

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees, Scheme Manager and other advisors form the full Management Committee and meet a minimum of 6 times a year.

Trustees are responsible for Strategic Decision Making, while day to day Operations procedures are delegated to the Scheme Director. The trustees have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Home-Start West Berkshire is affiliated to Home-Start UK and adopts their policies and processes while being independently funded.

Risk Management

The Trustees and Scheme Director annually review the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and ensures appropriate systems are in place to mitigate those risks. This is reflected in the Strategic Plan. The Scheme has received Charity Commission endorsement of their Standard of Practice.

Reserves Policy

Home-Start West Berkshire has a Reserves Policy to enable it to maintain the service of its core activities in periods of foreseeable difficulty. These reserves are made up of unrestricted funds and aim to maintain the charity for a period of 6 months of operating costs.

Principle Funding Sources

Home-Start West Berkshire’s funds are obtained from grants such as the Big Lottery, Henry Smith, Children in Need and Greenham Trust and donations from Town Councils and other local and national funders. Home-Start West Berkshire has corporate sponsor, Helix Ltd.

The annual report was approved by trustees of the charity on ……………………. And signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………………………….

Alan Stark

Chair

Page 5

Home-Start West Berkshire

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Home-Start West Berkshire for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. 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 affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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

Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Alan Stark Trustee

Page 6

Home-Start West Berkshire

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Home-Start West Berkshire

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021 which are set out on pages 8 to 15 .

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the 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:

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 as 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:

have not been met; or

...................................... E J Business Consultants Limited ICAEW

The Rectory, 1 Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 1DY

Date:.............................

Page 7

Home-Start West Berkshire

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2021 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investment income
5
Total Income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total Expenditure
Net income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investment income
5
Total Income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
13		 Unrestricted
funds
£
26,926
-
729
27,655
(13,319)
(13,319)
14,336
(20,827)
(6,491)
114,832
108,341
Unrestricted
funds
£
8,457
15,022
186
23,665
(9,738)
(9,738)
13,927
37,610
51,537
63,295
114,832		 Restricted
funds
£
-
200,095
-
200,095
(179,650)
(179,650)
20,445
20,827
41,272
19,094
60,366
Restricted
funds
£
-
171,945
-
171,945
(173,669)
(173,669)
(1,724)
(37,610)
(39,334)
58,428
19,094		 Total
2021
£
26,926
200,095
729
227,750
(192,969)
(192,969)
34,781
-
34,781
133,926
168,707
Total
2020
£
8,457
186,967
186
195,610
(183,407)
(183,407)
12,203
-
12,203
121,723
133,926

Page 8

Home-Start West Berkshire

(Registration number: 5485321) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
12
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
13		 2021
£
-
-
171,826
171,826
(3,119)
168,707
168,707
60,366
108,341
168,707		 2020
£
2,351
1,155
133,538
134,693
(3,118)
131,575
133,926
19,094
114,832
133,926

For the financial year ending 31 March 2021 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

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

The financial statements on pages 8 to 15 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Alan Stark Trustee

Page 9

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

1 Charity status

The charity is a charity limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Investment income

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Page 10

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees’s meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Furniture and equipment 33% straight line

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals		 Unrestricted
funds
Other
£
26,926
26,926		 Total
2021
£
26,926
26,926		 Total
2020
£
8,457
8,457

Page 11

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

4 Income from charitable activities

Big Lotto
Children in Need
Other
Resilient Families
Maternal Mental Health/Henry Smith
GT Transport
Preventing Poverty
5
Investment income
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits		 Restricted
funds
£
68,073
9,837
-
50,498
56,496
3,691
11,500
200,095
Unrestricted
funds
Other
£
729		 Total
2021
£
68,073
9,837
-
50,498
56,496
3,691
11,500
200,095
Total
2021
£
729		 Total
2020
£
85,779
18,985
15,022
26,457
37,000
3,724
-
186,967
Total
2020
£
186

6 Analysis of governance and support costs

Governance costs

Other governance costs
Allocated support costs		 Unrestricted
funds
Other
£
3,521
702
4,223		 Total
2021
£
3,521
702
4,223		 Total
2020
£
2,763
702
3,465

7 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

8 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Page 12

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries		 2021
£
150,136		 2020
£
133,698

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2021 2020
No No
Charitable activities 5 5

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

Page 13

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

9 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

10 Tangible fixed assets

10 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2020
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2021
Net book value
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020
11 Debtors
Other debtors
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors		 Furniture and
equipment
£
12,337
12,337
9,986
2,351
12,337
-
2,351
2021
£
-
2021
£
2,001
1,118
3,119		 Total
£
12,337
12,337
9,986
2,351
12,337
-
2,351
2020
£
1,155
12,337
9,986
2,351
12,337
-
2,351
2021
£
-
2021
£
2,001
1,118
3,119
2020
£
1,938
1,180
3,118

Page 14

Home-Start West Berkshire

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021

13 Funds

Unrestricted funds
General
Unrestricted income fund
Designated
Preventing Poverty
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Big Lotto
Children In Need
Maternal Mental Health/Henry
Smith
Resilient Families
Prevening Poverty
GT Transport
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2020
£
114,832
-
114,832
7,502
(3,803)
-
15,395
-
-
19,094
133,926		 Incoming
resources
£
27,655
-
27,655
68,073
9,837
56,496
50,498
11,500
3,691
200,095
227,750		 Resources
expended
£
(13,319)
-
(13,319)
(88,209)
(14,227)
(47,980)
(27,808)
-
(1,426)
(179,650)
(192,969)		 Transfers
£
(38,151)
17,324
(20,827)
12,634
8,193
-
-
-
-
20,827
-		 Balance at
31 March
2021
£
91,017
17,324
108,341
-
-
8,516
38,085
11,500
2,265
60,366
168,707

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
124,636
(3,119)
121,517		 Restricted
funds
£
47,190
-
47,190		 Total funds
£
171,826
(3,119)
168,707

Page 15