i/ Financial statement for the year ended 30 April 2024 Women's Association for Networking and Development Email.. info@wanduk.org Website.. https:Ilwww.wanduk.orgl St Charles, Centre for Health and Wellbeing Exmoor Street London W10 6D
TABLE OF CONTENTS Directors, (Trustees,) annual report Governan and Management Our services at a glance Our impact Our stories Aims and objectives Highlights from our Work in 202312024 Supporting our volunteers NebNorking with other organisations Women's association for networking and development trustees, report 10 11 12 16 Independent examiner's report 18 Statement of financial activities (including the income and expenditure account) 19 Balance sheet 20 Notes to the accounts 21
The Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual report together with the accounts of WAND UK for the year ended 30 April 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordan with the accounting policies outlined on page 21 and comply with the charity's governing document, applicable laws, and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued in 2019. Full name Women's Association for Networking & Development Other names by which the charity 18 known WAND UK Registered charity number 1111925 Registered company number 5427536 Prlnclpal addre88 St Charles, Centre for Health and Wellbeing Exmoor Street London W10 6DZ Dlrectors (Tru8tees) Eman Osman Asha Singh Katherine Laurenson Gladys Jusu-sheriff Alicia Harrison-obafemi Banker8 Barclays Bank plc Leicester LE87 2BB Independent examiner Ade Adebambo, MBA, ACMA, CGMA, ACG, London Accountancy Practice 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL
Governance and Management The charity is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charrty. It operates under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association, dated 18th April 2005. It has no share capital, and the liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1. The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees are by advertisement. WAND UK is a London-wide women's charity committed to working with marginalised and vulnerable women and girls, with a special focus on supporting women facing mental health challenges, domestic violence, and those who are refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, lone parents, unemployed, low-educated, affected by HIV, or from low-income families. WAND operates in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Camden, Hackney, and Islington. WAND UK prioritises holistic approaches that encourage the prevention of crisis points and help build resilience. Its work is community-based and takes into account social and cultural contexts to ensure that changes in women's lives are sustainable. WAND UK also serves as an anchor for women in the community by promoting and signposting them to other relevant services of which they may be unaware. Our Vl8ion: A world free from discrimination and oppression, where diversity is respected and valued, and where every woman and girl enjoys her human rights, with the opportunity to reach her highest potential. Our Mission: Our mission is to contribute to female empowerment and enablement by supporting women to become agents of positive change for themselves, their families, their communities, and society at large. Our Value8: Equality & Fairness.. Our activities and services are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs and specificities of women and their families. Inclusion: We value the importance of diversity and equality. Holistic & Person-centred., WAND UK'S support considers all aspects of women's lives, including their physical, emotional, social, and economic wellbeing.
Highlights: Over the past year, the UK'S cost-of-living crisis has intensified, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Inflation rates peaked at 10.70/0 during 2022-23, with the poorest households experiencing rates up to 12.60/0, exacerbating financial strains on low-income families (ifs.or Despite a 10.1 % increase in working-age benefits in April 2023, real-term values remain below pre-pandemic levels, offering limited relief {natcen.ac.uk Moreover women constitute 69 % of low-paid and insecure jobs, limiting their capacity to cope with rising living costs, (unison.or . uk) Additionally, women are more likely than men to experience poverty, have lower savings, and bear the brunt of cuts to social security and public services (wb .or and often shoulder the majority of unpaid care responsibilities, limiting their capacity to engage in paid work and increase their income. (committees. arliament.uk Despite these challenges, our dedicated staff and volunteers remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting those in need. Our work stands out because of this deeply ingrained, shared desire, to listen, believe, and empower vulnerable women and girls, providing the highest quality services possible. Our team's passionate and authentic determination ensures that we can provide essential support to those who need it most, and we remain profoundly grateful for their expertise and dedication towards helping us meet the increased demand for our services. Additionally, the resilience, tenacity, compassion, and determination of the entire team at WAND have been vital to our success. The cost-of-living crisis, following the COVID-19 pandemic, has placed additional pressures on everyone. In the face of these challenges, our staff and volunteers continue to demonstrate a passionate and authentic determination to support women and girls who need our help. Our work stands out because of this deeply ingrained, shared desire to listen, believe, and empower vulnerable women and girls, providing the highest quality services possible. We remain profoundly grateful for the immense support and expertise our volunteers bring. They have been instrumental in helping us meet the increased demand for our services. Additionally, the resilience, tenacity, compassion, and determination of the entire team at WAND have been vital to our success. For WAND, securing core costs to support the infrastructure and growth of the organisation remains a challenge. Over the next three years, WAND UK must invest in and further develop priority services that address the most pressing needs of its beneficiaries to maintain focus and build a case for ongoing funding. In this regard, the charity is consolidating its work under the following overarching service strands:
Aim ofthe Servi strand: Free advice and support Service Strands.. Service strand 1.. STRATEGY Community-based education Advice & Advocacy Service strand 2.. Improve health and well being Increasing theirself- esteem. Lifelong Learning Service strand 3.. Our services at a glance: Dance Reflexology Young Girls, Project Community food distributlon Advice & information 1 .1 Dlgital Ilteracy support Beauty & self<are Educatlonal excursions VAWG helpline and workshops Green Shots Gardenlng Multillngual telephone befr endlng Personal financial grants Happy Healthy Famlly Club Holiday Activities & Food Programme (HAF)
Our Impact: The past twelve months have been a period of improvement, challenges, and increasing diversity of needs among our service users. The rising cost of living has been associated with redUd wellbeing, heightened anxiety, and worsening mental health, particularly for those already on lower incomes. Sessions delivered during the reporting period Advice & Advocacy 144 Lifelong Learnlng 265 Health & Wellbeing 132 WAND UK continues to support women facing significant barriers, WAND contacted housebound women, including the elderly, domestic violence victims, refugees, asylum seekers, and women with health and mental health challenges. Beneficiaries were linked to activities such as gardening, reflexology, coffee mornings, telephone befriending, online dance classes, beauty sessions, and self-care workshops. Many of the beneficiaries reported feeling confident about accessing help in the future, feel more connected to their community, and their wellbeing has improved since receiving our weekly telephone calls. Additionally, many beneficiaries were supported with housing, home repairs, benefits, access to health and social care serrfices, rights, and entitlements.
WAND UK works in close partnership with local and national organisations, delivering its services through volunteer-led inteNentions. Client-centric The voices of the women WAND UK serves will inform decision-making, and we will take proactive steps to ensure that WAND UK continues to be an organization where everyone is welcome and can thrive. Our stories "It is so comforting that at least WAND feeds me on a weekly basis. It is like one less bill to pay. Elfleda (Pensioner)
"Food support takes a huge pressure off us as we know that, even if we ran out of money, we would not go hungry." Esam T
WAND UK engages with women, both individually and in groups, to support them to take control over their own lives, improve their health and well-being, increase their self-esteem and to make their voices heard. WAND UK strives to reach out to the most vulnerable women in communities by putting the individual at the ntre of its interventions. Through its 'You Are Not Alone, (YANA) project, WAND UK'S aims are: To provide infomation and signposting to greater numbers of marginalised women in need To support women and girls, empowerment through cultural and educational projects and activities To encourage and collaborate with other BAME and women-focused organisations where possible To promote girls, health and wellbeing and increase their participation in their communities To increase women's voices To increase women's ability to coritribute to society on their own terms
Highlights from our Work in 202312024 Supporting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: WAND UK is committed to equality and non-discrimination. We ensure that the activities and services we provide are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs and specificities of women and their families. Safeguarding: We have a legal and moral responsibility to protect everyone who encounters our organisation, including beneficiaries, trustees, staff, and volunteers, from harm, Reviewing the safeguarding policy remains a central priority on the Board of Trustees, agenda to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Performance: Throughout this year, our strong and resilient team of staff and committed volunteers worked together to deliver impacfful services, resulting in positive outcomes for local residents and communities. Despite ongoing challenges, WAND has successfully maintained its service delivery, enabling significant benefits for its beneficiaries. WAND continued to focus on its three key services to improve and sustain women's health and mental well-being.. Food Bank: Our weekly food bank supported families and housebound individuals Well-being Services: women benefited from reflexology therapy, well-being, and self-care services. We delivered advice sessions, educational workshops, peer and group support, one-to-one emotional and practical support, and online physical activities BAME Women's Health: WAND prioritised improving and maintaining BAME women's health and well-being, including a workshop on diabetes awareness and prevention, facilitated by Diabetes UK, and cancer screening, detection, and protection, in partnership with RM Partners. Holiday Activities: During school holidays, we organised Holiday Activities and Food programmes for children aged 7 to 13, supported by the Holiday Activity Fund, from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC), This funding enabled us to provide snacks, hot lunches, and a range of activities, including dance, arts and crafts, cooking, trips, and gardening. 10
Christmas Support: With assistance from the Anglican Church in Marseille and the Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), WAND provided over 150 Christmas hampers and 50 £10 gift cards to vulnerable families in three schools, service users, and volunteers. Collaborative Work: WAND continued to collaborate extensively with other groups to promote the welfare of our beneficiaries. This included increasing knowledge and skills to challenge the wider determinants of health, prevent isolation, build confidence, improve skills, set goals, and transform lives. Through its networking role, WAND has been a major support to women and community organisations. We facilitated joint activities, advocated for policy changes, and amplified BAME women's voices. Feedback and evaluation reports from seNice users have confirmed that WAND'S activities significantly impacted individual women's lives and their families, strengthening their sense of belonging. Supporting Our Volunteers: Our cohort of 32 volunteers play a vital role in the charity's continued success. Of these volunteers.. 66 % assisted primarily in the weekly community food bank, which received generous donations from The Felix Project, City Harvest, Neighbourly, Fabrique, and Bloody Good Period. 34 % contributed to other services, including reflexology therapy, massage, haircuts, social media, accounting and administration, outreach, and digital literacy support. To celebrate and motivate our team, WAND hosted a Celebratory Barbecue in July 2023, bringing together staff and volunteers to recognise their efforts and inspire continued dedication to our cause. 11
Networking with other organisations WAND works with the followin or anisations: We work in close partnership with local and national bodies and deliver our services through volunteer-led interventions. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council Kew Gardens Domestic Violence Intervention Pro ect Islington Refugee Forum Women's Resource Centre St Michael Church Imkaan One Westminster Voluntary Action Islin ton Refugee Council Voluntary Action Camden Hackney Council for Voluntary Services Libraries in Islington, Hackney, Westminster, Camden, K&C Neighbourly Royal Kensington Palace CAS WLCCG Metropolitan Police Victim upport Community Language ser4ices- Islin ton Grenfell NHS Black female Doctors Elgin Resource Centre HTB (Love Your Nei hbour Felix project Hammersmith and Fulham Volunta Sector Network Job Centre Plus North Kensington Hammersmith BME health Forum Musawa Community Bloody Good Period City Harvest Eventsl Particlpatlonl Tralnlng Russell Cooke Good Governance training sessions Voluntary Action Islington Camden Voluntary Action Islington Council Kensington and Chelsea Social Council SMART SOBUS NHS England The Growth Company BME Health Forum Kensington & Chelsea Social Council One Westminster NCVO Women's Resource Centre MIND Hammersmith & Fulham Kensington & Chelsea Volunteer Centre CAB Hammersmith & Fulham The Foundation for Social Improvement 12
Key Metric8 Our key metrics will continue to be the number of women supported, our success rate, and the cost of delivering our seniices. Future Activities In light of the challenges presented by the rising cost of living, WAND will remain focused on achieving the charity's established objectives, which have been reviewed and will remain aligned with the 2022-2025 strategic plan. The organisation will continue prioritising financial sustainability, working with external partners and grant providers to further the charity's mission. WAND UK will persist in driving diversity and breaking down barriers to ensure that women and girls have a positive experience from the outset. The charity will focus on implementing its recommended Theory of Change and embedding its standards of conduct across staff, volunteers, and trustees. We will continue to adopt collaborative information technology, explore new ways of working, and invest in enhancing our digital capabilities. Organi8ational Development Trustees: The trustees reviewed and approved all policies and adhered to the three-year strategic plan for 2022-2025. Trustees met quarterly throughout the year and held an Annual General Meeting. Trusted Charity Accreditstion: WAND UK remains committed to continuing the "Trusted Charity Mark" accreditation process at Level 2. Safe Minimum Practlce Standards: The organisation is working towards achieving the Safe Minimum Practice Standards accreditation. Upshot System: WAND UK utilises Upshot to collect and manage data, monitor progress, measure impact, and document success stories. Policies Comprehensive policies are maintained in all relevant areas, including.. Safeguarding Adults at Risk Safeguarding Children Data Protection Health and Safety Conflicts of Interest 13
Complaints Handling Privacy Policy for Clients Equality and Diversity Charity Policy on Reserves The trustees aim to maintain unrestricted and undesignated reserves equivalent to a minimum of 25% of annual expenditure. This ensures the organisation can meet contingent liabilities and continue operating during challenging funding periods. Representation WAND UK served on the management committees and boards of the Islington Centre for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants, and the BME Health Forum. Donors WAND UK expresses its gratitude to all donors for their financial and moral support during the year under review. Public Benefit The trustees adhered to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefits when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and planning future activities. This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, applicable to companies subject to the small companies, regime. Financial Review The charity reported an income of £144,613 for the year, with an expenditure of £86,055, resulting in a surplus of £58,558, Unrestricted reserves were £34,639, and total reserves amounted to £104,464. Rl8k Management The trustees continue to identify and manage the primary risks faced by the charity. 14
AOVICFI4ADVOt4cy %(£ESs RNIATKJ14A WG &V•DER IÈHMCES WCREASE XNQYIEDGFOF& CE15VJC(thSPL SY5TEMg WAND UK- Theoryofchange .vERIENcESOF VAWG IWEWISI I(WEOAHILriY . IkPkntsAccp55 .1 HEDU¢ÉDFlNA4 PRESSURE ££0{01¢ LEAVI Ens EALFJII WELL•¥IIIG IPICfiEAIED . nRtE8VDFEE A11% IMPROVEOACtPS%T OTrIFRWJ4D QVEDPWI$ PITKWALT BLACK&AFnKAN MI¢RANTWOMEN CIRLS I.IVÉ HAPPY, HEALTHY.ANO INFOAMEOLIV£$' WITHQUTBARRIEHI MRIY AQVED LFAW¢CY C(A4NEr noN bEivJrf+4s¥iwEPI PMPINT MIERW &IlATIoN WPROVity EAIID lNCRsFDfffI11s VÉIrnMINT THllkl.oTrwfiF IW.RIASED KwJvrtÉtsGEPFMLF IWROVfllPER PII¢MDAniLI oFiriiw*lt4¢A4 15
Women's association for networking and development Trustees, report for the year ended 30 APRIL 2024 The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2024. Principal Activity The objective of the WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT is to work with marginalised and vulnerable women and girls, with special interest in working with women with mental health issues, domestic violen victims, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, lone parents, unemployed, low level educated, women affected by HIV, and low-income families. WAND UK operates in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith& Fulham, Westrninster, Camden, Hackney and Islington. WAND UK operates within the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Camden, Hackney, and Islington. See WAND UK separate Trustees Report. Financial Ravlew The total income for the organisation for the year ended 30 April 2024 was £144,613 compared with £58,097 in the previous year with a surplus of £58,558 in 2024 and the total funds retained at the end of the year are £104,464 out of which unrestricted funds are £34,639 and restricted funds are £69,825, Ra8erve8 Policy The Charity Commission requires charities to determine and explain their policy for free reserves. The trustees are in the process of reviewing their reserves to make sure adequate funds are available in case of any downturn in income. The trustees agreed to target unrestricted reserves to cover 3 - 6 months of activities. Based on the current expenditure, the unrestricted reserves should cover over four and half months of expenditure, 16
WOMEN'SASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30APRIL 2024 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are required to prepare flnanclal st8tements whlch glve 8 true and falr view of the state of affairs of the project and the Income 8nd expendlture of the project for that period. In preparing those flnanclal Statements, the Trustees are required to: select sultable accounting policies and apply them con8lStontly; mal(e judgementJ 8nd estimates that are r6a8onable and prudent; prepare the flnancial statements on the going concern basls unless It Is Inapproprlate to presume that the project wlll contlnue In operation. The Trustees are re8pon8ible for keeping proper records which disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any timo the financlal p08ition of the project. They are also responslble for 88feguardlng th8 8ssets of the prolect and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detectlon of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the Board on ,IAJ-.¢'llA.qii. behalf by 2025 and signed on its Slgn.,.....
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE TRUSTEES OF WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT (A company limited by guarantee) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 l port on the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 April 2024, which are set out on pages 19-21. Raspectlve re8pon8lbilitle8 of trustees and examlner The trustees (who are also the directors of th8 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 14412) 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 Commisslon under section 145{5} Ib) of the 2011 Act., and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba818 of Indopendent examlnerf8 report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Dlrections 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 evldence that would be required in an audit and consequenlly 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 examlner's Statsment In connectlon 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 386 of the Companies Act 2006., and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities 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. s'rk Fi AdeAdebambo, MBA, ACMA, C MA, ACG London Accountancy Practice 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL 18
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 2024 Total Fund 2023 Total Fund Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund INCOMING RESOURCES Donations, Grants and Legacies Incoming resources from generaled Other Income Total Incoming Resources 118,645 118,645 0 25,458 54.741 3,356 25,458 510 25,968 118,645 144,613 58,097 Co8t of generating funds: Charitable activilies 7,285 78,770 86,066 86,100 Total Outgolng Resourc•8 78,770 86,055 85,100 Net IncomitMJ Resources 18,683 39,875 58,558 -27,003 Balance Brougm Forward Fund Balance Carrièd Forward 15.956 34,639 29,950 45,906 69,825 104,464 72,909 45,906 19
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT BALANCE SHEET AS AT30 APRIL 2024 Notes CURRENTASSETS 2024 2023 Cash at Bank 105,964 45,906 105,964 46,906 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors & Acciuals 1,500 104,464 46,906 FINANCED BY Unresirided Fund RelIcted Fund 34,639 69,825 15.958 29,950 104,464 46,906 For the perlod ended 30 April 2024 the Comp8nywas entitl6d to exemption from audlt under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 rel8tlng to small ¢ompanle8. Dlr8ctor8' re8pon8ibilitie8: the members have not requlred the comp8nyto obtaln an audlt of its accounts forthe year in questlon in 8ccordanco wlth sectlon 476, the directors acknowledgo their r8sponsibilitles for complying wlth the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts. these account8 have been prep8red in 8ccord8nce with the provlsion appllcable to companies Subject to thg Small companies, regime. The financial 8tatement8 on pages 19 to 21 were approved bythe board of director8 on and Signed on its behalf by Sign. Director 20
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparation of Financial Statements The financial statements are prepared under the historic cost convention and include the results of the charity's operations which are described in the Report of the Trustees all of which are continuing. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statements of Recommended Practice for charity accounts. The charity has taken advantage of the exemption of Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirements to produce 8 cash flow statement on the grounds that it qualifies as a small charity Incoming Resources Revenue grants are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate to a specific future period, in which case they are included on the Balance Sheet as deferred income to be recognised in the future accountlng period. Grants received for speclflG purposes are accounted for as restricted fLJnds in the Statement of Financial Activities. Restricted Funds Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets thesoe criteria is identified to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs, Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted funds are donations and other incomes received or generated for the objects of the organisation without further specified purpose and are available for general funds. Designated Funds Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Management Commlttee for particular purposes. Resources Expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. TANGIBLE ASSETS The organisation keeps a register of assets CREDITORS 2024 Accountancy fees 21