DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
Company registration number: 05587535 Charity number: 1112065
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers | 1 - 2 |
| Trustees' report | 3 - 12 |
| Independent examiner's report | 13 |
| Statement of financial activities | 14 |
| Balance sheet | 15 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 16 - 27 |
DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Trustees | Mr S Bramley |
|---|---|
| Mrs E Cook (resigned 1 December 2022) | |
| Mrs A Eddy | |
| Mrs D Forwood | |
| Dr B Greene (resigned 18 April 2023) | |
| Dr K Gutteridge | |
| Mr D Hobster | |
| Mrs D Jones | |
| Dr E Morris | |
| Mrs J Plumb MBE, Chief Executive | |
| Mr R Plumb | |
| Mrs D Crohn (appointed 21 March 2023) | |
| Company registered number 05587535 Charity registered number 1112065 Registered office JYW House Bridge Road Haywards Heath England RH16 1UA Chief executive Secretary to the Trustees Mrs J Plumb MBE Mr O Plumb Independent examiner Janice Matthews, FCA Menzies LLP Chartered Accountants Centrum House 36 Station Road Egham Surrey TW20 9LF |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Bankers
CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
HSBC 40 South Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 4LA
Nationwide Building Society Kings Park Road Moulton Park Northampton NN3 6NW
Charity Bank Fosse House 182 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE
Patrons Dr Chris Steele MBE Sir Nicholas Soames MP Mr James Roby
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Introduction from the Chair and Chief Executive
We are delighted to present to you the 2022 Report & Accounts for Group B Strep Support, which showcases our charity’s progress and achievements in the past year. Our dedication and hard work have resulted in a small surplus in the financial year 2022, and we are proud to share this accomplishment with our supporters and stakeholders.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have made significant strides in our efforts towards preventing Group B Strep (GBS) infection in babies. Our unwavering commitment to raising awareness, providing information and support to affected families, and advocating for better prevention, testing, and treatment protocols has continued throughout the year.
We resumed external fundraising events, and our second annual virtual conference for health professionals was a resounding success, with world-class experts presenting to 568 delegates and rave reviews from attendees. We also resumed face-to-face training, speaking at key events and exhibiting at conferences.
Our media coverage reached national and local outlets, and we successfully led a grassroots campaign asking people to email their MPs to encourage their local maternity hospitals to participate in the GBS3 Trial. This work has resulted in hitting our target for sites taking part by the end of 2023.
Our prudent management of funds donated by our supporters allowed us to keep a close eye on expenditure and increase our income. We extend our thanks to our supporters, partners, Legal Panel members, and testing and pharmaceutical firms who continue to support us.
Looking ahead, we are encouraged by the progress of the GBS3 Trial, which is well underway and expected to report in mid-2025. We are also excited about the prospect of a GBS vaccine and the World Health Organization's focus on GBS as a key cause of meningitis.
Despite our successes, the heartbreaking reality remains that on average, two babies a day develop GBS infection in the UK, and one baby dies and another is left with a long-term disability every week. This highlights the continued importance of our work in raising awareness, supporting families, and campaigning for change.
We extend our gratitude to our staff members, supporters, donors, partners, trustees, members of our Parent Advisory Panel, and Medical Advisory Panel. Their unwavering support has allowed us to continue delivering our life-changing and life-saving services.
........................................... ...................................................................... Dr E Morris, Chair Mrs J Plumb MBE, Chief Executive Date: Date: 19-Sep-2023 19-Sep-2023
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. The financial statements comply with statutory requirements, including the Charities Act 2011, the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (FRS 102), and the charity’s governing document requirements.
Structure, governance, and management
Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is a charity registered in England and Wales and incorporated on 10 October 2005 as a company limited by guarantee, continuing the activities of an unincorporated charity of the same name formed in 1996. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The strategic direction and policies of the charity are determined by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Chief Executive. The implementation of the business plan is delegated to the Chief Executive. Progress is reviewed at board meetings, held five times yearly. In 2022, the meetings were held on February 19, May 14, July 23, September 24 and December 3.
The Trustees continued to implement the recommendations of the strategy review it had carried out in 2021.
The charity makes its supporters and networks aware of the opportunity for suitably skilled persons to join the Board of Trustees. We benefitted throughout the year from the valuable guidance of our Board and Parent Advisory Panel.
The Trustees operate several committees for greater efficiency, including finance, fundraising; governance; communication and external affairs; and diversity and inclusion. Trustees lead each with members of the Parent Advisory Panel each joining at least one committee. The committees have proved a success.
The charity actively participates in various UK-wide committees and working groups relevant to GBS. These committees and working groups operated online throughout 2022. Charity employees worked partly in the office and partly from home.
Risk policy
The Trustees regularly assess and manage the risks the charity faces that might impact its ability to pursue its charitable objectives. We review these risks in advance of each Trustee meeting. We monitored our financial position carefully throughout the Covid pandemic and will continue to do so. The Trustees are confident that these actions will enable the charity to continue operating. Therefore, it is the Trustees’ opinion that the going concern basis of preparing the accounts continues to be appropriate.
Public benefit
All of the charity’s purposes and activities are for the public benefit. The board confirms that it has complied with the duty set out in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission..
Vision and mission
The charity’s vision is to eliminate group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection in babies in the UK.
The charity’s mission is to provide high-quality information and support relating to GBS to all new and expectant families and health professionals in the UK and to campaign for improved national GBS prevention strategies.
Strategic objectives
The charity’s strategic objectives are:
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Families: To relieve the suffering caused by GBS by making help, support and information available to those affected by GBS in the UK.
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Education: To advance the education of the UK medical profession and the general public about GBS and its implications for the family.
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Research: To support organisations promoting research into GBS and to publish the useful results of such research.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Achievement and performance
Group B Strep is still the leading cause of severe infection in newborn babies and meningitis in babies under three months. On average, in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, every month 66 babies are diagnosed with group B Strep infection
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56 babies make a full recovery
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six babies survive with long-term physical or mental disabilities
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four babies die from their group B Strep infection
The charity’s overarching objective is to reduce the pain and suffering caused by group B Strep infection in babies and their families. Our aims show how we work towards achieving that:
Family support and information about GBS in the UK
At the core of our charity lies the stories of families who have been affected by group B Strep. Through a range of channels, including social media and our helpline, we strive to be a compassionate and informative presence for everyone seeking our help. Whether this is a concerned parent seeking more information on GBS or someone whose baby has experienced the harrowing effects of GBS sepsis or meningitis, we are available to listen and support them every step of the way.
We provide the latest guidance on GBS prevention and treatment, so that pregnant women and people, and new parents can make informed decisions about their and their babies’ health. We offer a variety of resources, including online information, phone support, and printed materials, to empower families to work collaboratively with their healthcare providers and make the best choices for themselves and their babies.
The GBSS Helpline
At the forefront of our charity's support network is our highly valued Helpline, which has become a popular resource for families across the country. Whether people reach out to us by phone, email, online, or even by post, we are here to provide a listening ear, valuable information, and unwavering support to families affected by or concerned about GBS. In fact, in 2022 alone, we received almost 2,500 enquiries, demonstrating just how vital our services are.
Our Helpline has become a trusted source of information for new and expectant parents, as well as health professionals who rely on us for the latest guidance on GBS. Families often find us through word of mouth or internet searches, and health professionals frequently signpost the families in their care to us. In addition to offering information to families, we also provide health professionals, maternity units, neonatal units, and GP practices with essential information materials on request.
The impact of our Helpline and information services cannot be overstated, and we are proud to have received countless expressions of gratitude from those who have used our resources. Best of all, thanks to the donations and funding we received, everything we offer, from our Helpline to our information materials, is completely free of charge to families and to NHS health professionals, and NHS organisations.
Raising Awareness of GBS
Our efforts to raise public awareness of GBS have been highly successful, with coverage secured across a range of national and local media outlets, including some of the most respected names in journalism such as BBC Panorama, ITV News, The Guardian, and The Independent. We are proud to have shared our message with audiences across the UK, from The Mail and Mail Online to The Mirror, The Sun, and Wales Online, and countless regional and local news outlets.
Throughout the year, we participated in a variety of national and international awareness campaigns, including World Meningitis Day, International Day of the Midwife, Volunteers Week, Baby Loss Awareness Week, and our own Group B Strep Awareness Month. These events provided a platform to share moving stories of families affected by GBS and to thank the incredible midwives and volunteers who support our mission.
Our Group B Strep Awareness Month in July was a particularly significant success, with a range of activities designed to raise awareness and help pregnant women and people understand the importance of testing for GBS. Our #BumpItOn theme was a big hit, encouraging everyone to share their knowledge of GBS with pregnant women and people to help them make informed choices about their care.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Our online presence grew significantly in 2022, with more visitors to our website and social media platforms than ever before. We are delighted that so many people are looking to us for information and guidance on GBS, and we remain committed to providing the latest information and resources to help families feel empowered to make informed choices about their care.
We continue to advocate for more reliable statistics on the rate of GBS infection and mortality across demographic indicators. We firmly believe that understanding the scale of the problem is crucial to tailoring our support to the needs of different and diverse communities, and we are pressing the NHS to collect and publish this information. We are hopeful that the GBS3 trial results will provide us with the insights we need to make a real difference.
Sharing stories:
GBSS shares the stories of babies and families affected by group B Strep.
Heath: Mum Amy writes, “My son Heath was born on 12.12.22. I was luckily swabbed for group B Strep at 37 weeks of pregnancy due to my local hospital, Derriford in Plymouth participating in a trial.I had not heard of GBS and was very disappointed to find out that I tested positive and could no longer go ahead with my planned homebirth. I felt that the risks involved were too high and felt it was better to be at the hospital.
During my labour I was given antibiotics, but my labour was too fast and I didn’t receive the full amount required, so I was informed my baby would have to stay in for 12 hours of observation. Shortly after Heath was born, the midwife noticed his breathing wasn’t quite right and he was immediately taken for an X-ray, which revealed a slight cloud over one lung. Due to the circumstances, we stayed in hospital for 5 days so Heath could have antibiotics to fight whatever infection he had.
Although we don’t know for sure what infection Heath had, I’m just glad I knew about GBS beforehand so we could prepare for it. If we had not known about GBS who knows what might have happened. I’m very grateful to the hospital for participating in the trial and for their quick action and care for our son. Heath is now 6 weeks old and he is perfect. I want other mothers out there to know that whilst the concept of having GBS is scary and worrying; it is 100% better to know whether you have it or not.”
I’m so glad I found the GBSS website when I was pregnant. It has provided me with lots of information and I just wanted to thank you for your charity and support. So often we hear the horror stories and awful circumstances that families find themselves faced with due to this not being publicised enough in pregnancies today.”
Eleanor: parents, Jane and David write , “Our daughter, Eleanor died at two days old from sepsis caused by a group B Strep infection. She was our third child, having had no previous issues with our other two children. GBS was not raised in any of my maternity appointments and whilst it was something I was vaguely aware of, testing was not discussed with me and I did not ask questions about it.
Eleanor was born at full term and there were none of the other risk factors connected to infection, so we were sent home after six hours following a straightforward birth. With hindsight, Eleanor had started to become unsettled whilst we were in the hospital and when at home continued to be so and started to refuse to feed. She also had a strange cry. All of this was flagged explicitly on three phone calls to the maternity triage line expressing our concern, but we were told to wait at home for a midwife on her standard day one visit. When the midwife arrived at home, she called an ambulance immediately, but the damage done to Eleanor by the infection was too great and she died the next day.
Today, 6th December 2022 should have been Eleanor’s first birthday celebrating her first milestones with friends and family but instead we are left with just those photos from the first two days and a massive hole in our lives. We will miss her forever.
Early- onset GBS infection should not be underestimated, in the first hours when you are getting to know your baby it is hard to know if there have been changes in their behaviour or skin colour because you do not know what normal is. Please be alert to the signs of sepsis in your newborn and if you have any concerns head to hospital. Whilst it is uncommon and we know we were unlucky, one baby a week dies from something that if caught early enough can be cured by simple antibiotics.”
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Education and Training
Annual GBS Conference
Our hybrid conference on 12 and 13 July was a resounding success, bringing together over 568 delegates from across the globe to hear from 40 expert speakers on all aspects of group B Strep. Whether attending in person or online, delegates had the opportunity to learn from leading voices in the field, gaining insight into the latest developments in GBS detection, treatment, and prevention.
The conference was chaired by two eminent figures in the world of GBSS, Eddie Morris, the Chair of GBSS, and Kathryn Gutteridge, a GBSS trustee and midwife. Over the course of two days, the speakers covered a range of topics, including updates on the development of GBS vaccines, insights into how GBS testing is working in practice, and the latest information on the prevention and treatment of GBS.
One of the highlights of the conference was the announcement that Dr Carol J Baker, widely known as the godmother of group B Strep prevention, had agreed to become GBSS's Global Vaccine Engagement Adviser, a move that was met with enthusiasm from attendees.
The feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive, with 94% of attendees indicating that they would recommend the event to colleagues, and 99% reporting that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the conference content. Delegates praised the conference as "informative and relevant to practice," "a wealth of knowledge and experience about Group B Strep presented in an accessible manner," and "extremely well organised and executed."
In addition to providing valuable education and networking opportunities for medical professionals and students, the conference also helped raise much-needed funds for GBSS's ongoing work. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters, including Cepheid, Irwin Mitchell, and Leigh Day, who generously supported the conference as Silver Sponsors, and to Pfizer, whose educational grant enabled us to offer bursary places to student midwives and relevant health professionals in low- and middle-income countries.
Training
Throughout the year, the charity and its passionate volunteers showcased their dedication to raising awareness about GBS by presenting and exhibiting at several healthcare educational meetings, webinars, and conferences. Whether it was inperson or virtual, these events provided a platform for obstetricians, midwives, and other health professionals to engage with the latest evidence and information on GBS.
The CEO of the charity, Jane Plumb MBE, is a respected figure in the charity world, and her expertise extends beyond GBSS. She continues to serve as the Chair of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations and as a Trustee of MRF, both of which have much common interest with GBSS. Her tireless efforts in the field have undoubtedly made a significant impact in the field, and her continued involvement with these organisations is a testament to her unwavering commitment to promoting public health.
Supporting research into group B Strep
GBS3 trial of routine testing for GBS
The charity has been actively supporting the £4.2m GBS3 trial, which aims to test routine testing for GBS. The trial team initially faced difficulties in getting enough participating hospitals, but the charity's advocacy and supporters' efforts paid off, and the trial is now underway with 71 participating hospitals. The trial will include 320,000 pregnant women and their babies and will compare the current approach to preventing early-onset GBS infections with testing all women for GBS carriage, either at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy or the start of labour.
The charity is committed to supporting ethical research into GBS and is involved providing patient and public involvement representatives on several GBS research studies and policy development committees.
The charity continues to encourage hospitals to use the best test for detecting GBS, the ECM test, and our CEO has met with senior NHS leaders to increase the proportion of hospitals using it.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
In 2023, the charity will fund up to £15,000 of the costs of the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit to conduct an enhanced surveillance survey of invasive GBS disease in babies under 3 months. This survey will provide a more accurate reflection of the number of GBS infections in babies aged 0-90 days and will be the first external research project funded by the charity.
These efforts are all part of the charity's mission to raise awareness and improve outcomes for babies and families affected by GBS. Through its support of research, advocacy, and education, the charity is making a significant impact on the prevention and treatment of GBS.
Fundraising
At Group B Strep Support, we are truly grateful for the support of our dedicated and passionate community of fundraisers who have continued to show their unwavering commitment to our cause over the past year. Despite the challenging circumstances we have all faced, our supporters have rallied together to organise a variety of events to raise vital funds for our charity. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Digital Fundraising:
As part of our digital fundraising strategy, we have continued to develop our Facebook Challenge virtual events to engage with our supporters and create a sense of community around our cause. Throughout the year, we focused on maximizing efficiency and delivering the best value for our resources while providing fun and engaging experiences for our participants.
In March, we launched our Walk 100K challenge, encouraging our supporters to walk 100 kilometers throughout the month. This was followed by two more virtual events later in the year, which together raised over £40,000 for our charity. Our team is excited about the potential for growth within this area going forward.
The feedback we received from our virtual challenges has been overwhelmingly positive, with one participant stating, “I loved having a reason to get outside and how much everyone on the Facebook page supported each other throughout the whole month,” while another shared, “It was amazing, and it really helped me feel less alone about my son's infection.”
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our team of volunteer champions who helped to manage the Facebook group and support our participants. Our volunteers are a crucial part of our charity, and without them, we would not be able to reach as many people, raise as much awareness, or funds. As Lois, one of our volunteers, put it, “I’m a teacher, so I recognise that knowledge is power. These challenges help raise funds that will help save babies' lives.”
Community Fundraising
Ange’s 16 swims in January
Supporter Ange shared the success of the fundraising event she held in memory of her daughter, Daisy.
“On the 2nd of January 2022, our youngest child Daisy would have celebrated her 16th birthday. We felt we needed to do something special to mark the occasion and with this in mind, we decided we would like a new challenge to raise funds and awareness of group B Strep. Having started sea swimming in early 2021 we decided to do 16 sea swims/dips in her honour during the month of January.
Our first swim began on her birthday with just three of us going into the chilly waters of Eastbourne seafront! Over the course of the month with swims at sunrise and sunset, being joined by kids, pets, and various home-baked delights and the odd G&T our swimming group grew very quickly, the most we had swimming at one time was 20 people, and raised £2,115.
We also noticed that a lot of people were also looking into group B Strep as most had never heard of it before so more awareness has been raised and will hopefully help to save tiny lives.”
London Landmarks Half Marathon
In April, our team attended the exhilarating London Landmarks Half Marathon where we had 13 runners who bravely took on the 13.1 miles around London’s most iconic landmarks. With breathtaking views of Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, and the Tower of London, our runners felt the buzz of London’s rich history and celebrated the city’s vibrant heritage.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
We are thrilled to share that our runners raised over £8,000 to support Group B Strep research, advocacy, and awareness, and we couldn’t be prouder of their remarkable achievement. We were on the sidelines cheering them on with all our might and the positive feedback from the event was overwhelming. One runner, Jasmine, shared with us that the experience of running for Group B Strep Support was "truly meaningful, worthwhile, and honestly a day I will never forget."
July’s Group B Strep Awareness Month
In July, Group B Strep Support had a busy month raising awareness and funds for their #BumpItOn campaign during Group B Strep Awareness Month. Families across the country showed their support through various activities such as trike rides and garden parties.
One inspiring individual, Aimee, who uses a wheelchair and cannot sit, stand, walk or talk, did a sponsored trike ride and raised an impressive £225 for GBSS. Her mother, Charlotte, said “Group B Strep Support has been a massive help in raising awareness of group B Strep and supporting me through those first few days when Aimee was ill. I will be forever grateful for them.”
The TCS London Marathon 2022, 2 October 2022, marked a special
The TCS London Marathon on October 2, 2022, was a significant event for the charity, with nine runners participating and raising over £18,000 for GBSS. Among them was Peter Morris, inspired by his father (and Chair of the GBSS Board of Trustees), Dr. Edward Morris. Peter raised £2,650 for the cause. Volunteers from GBSS were stationed at mile 17, providing cheering, wine gums, support and motivation to the runners.
These events were crucial in raising awareness and funds for GBSS's mission to prevent group B Strep infections in babies. The charity is grateful to all the supporters, runners, and volunteers who helped make these events successful.
Baby Loss Awareness Week
During Baby Loss Awareness Week, Group B Strep Support created a dedicated MuchLoved page to provide a shared space for families to honour and remember those who have lost their lives due to group B Strep infection. This page allowed families to share their stories, pictures, and thoughts, while also providing an opportunity to donate to the cause.
Debbie, whose baby daughter Ada died, shared her experience with us: "It has been a great comfort to us to raise money for GBSS through MuchLoved in memory of our daughter Ada, creating something positive out of the tragedy of her death. I love that we can use it as a central place to gather memories of her, that we can come back to year after year."
The MuchLoved page has served as a beautiful and meaningful tribute to the babies who have sadly died, while also raising awareness and funds for GBSS.
The Big Give
We are thrilled that thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we achieved our ambitious target of £50,000 in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022. This fundraising campaign was a huge success, with donations being matched by the Women and Girls Match Fund, resulting in a phenomenal total of £50,000.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who donated, shared, and supported our cause. The funds raised will make a tangible difference in expanding and improving our information and support services for women and families affected by group B Strep. With these resources, we can work towards preventing, spotting, and treating these infections in babies, ultimately saving more lives.
Thank you to all of our supporters for making this possible. Your kindness and generosity will help us continue our vital work."
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Medical Advisory Panel
At Group B Strep Support, we take great pride in ensuring that all of the information we provide is of the highest quality and accuracy. To achieve this, we rely on the expertise of our distinguished Medical Advisory Panel, which includes renowned medical professionals including Professor Philip Steer, Dr Alison Bedford Russell, Dr Guduru Gopal Rao OBE, Mrs Philippa Cox, and Dr Sonali Kochhar.
Their vast knowledge and experience in the field of group B Strep infection is invaluable to us, and we are grateful for their ongoing commitment to providing us with outstanding advice and support. Their contributions play a crucial role in enabling us to deliver the most up-to-date and reliable information to the families and health professionals we serve, and we thank them for their dedication to our cause.
Financial review
During the year, income of £382,098 was received (2021: £374,126). The expenditure was £349,093 (2021: £353,936). The surplus was £33,005 (2021: £20,190).
We also reviewed our financial controls, which we do annually as part of good governance.
Reserves policy
The charity is funded primarily by volunteer fundraisers’ participation in events and by donations, which are volatile. The Trustees have set the reserves policy accordingly. The Trustees aim to maintain unrestricted and undesignated reserves to cover six months’ expenditure. On 31st December 2022, the charity’s free reserves represented 3.4 months’ (2021: 5.37 months’) expenditure: £98,710.
The charity’s aim to broaden our income streams and increase income has been quite successful in a sometimes challenging economic environment. We expect to continue this diversification in the coming years.
Pay and Expenses
The directors consider that the charity’s Trustees, including the Chief Executive, comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity daily. Except for the Chief Executive, all trustees give their time freely, and none received remuneration in the year. Similarly, the Medical Advisory Panel is not remunerated. Although Trustees can claim their travelling expenses to attend Board meetings, none were claimed during 2022 for the one in-person Board meeting.
The pay of the Chief Executive is reviewed annually against the mid-point of pay levels for similar roles in other small organisations. The Trustees have recommended each year since 2009 an increase to the Chief Executive’s net pay. Each time, the Chief Executive has declined to accept any salary increase or rebated any increase back to the charity.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Plans for 2023
GBSS will:
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continue to work with the Royal Colleges and other professional bodies to ensure our information materials are
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appropriate for their members and the families in their care
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continue to engage with our Parent Advisory Panel on how best to support affected families, and act accordingly
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develop and improve the support we offer to families; through our Helpline, social media platforms and other online
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services
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press for all pregnant women to be provided with information about GBS so they can make an informed choice about
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testing and treatment
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improve GBS training and awareness for obstetricians, midwives, health visitors and GPs and encourage more
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hospitals to use our leaflets and posters so that expectant and new parents are fully informed about GBS and able to make informed decisions about their care
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continue to encourage ethical research, support it whenever possible, and be involved as patient and public
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involvement representatives on GBS research studies and policy development committees. We will look to accelerate the pace of research and vaccine development where we can
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support the GBS3 trial and other clinical trials that will lead to better GBS prevention, identification and treatment > campaign and engage with politicians, government bodies and other decision-makers across the UK to ensure GBS
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is a top priority and all babies are given the best start in life
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work tirelessly to stop GBS infection in babies and to support families who have been affected
We are excited to be organising a conference on Group B Strep in Pregnancy and Babies in May 2023. It will be an entirely virtual conference, aimed chiefly at health professionals, though we know that some families will also be interested.
Our services are needed more than ever, and we are determined to continue to provide them, and improve them.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity 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:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ Mrs J Plumb MBE, Chief Executive
Date: 19-Sep-2023
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Group B Strep Support ('the Company')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of (enter body here), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 22-Sep-2023
Janice Matthews, FCA Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants Centrum House 36 Station Road Egham Surrey TW20 9LF
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Investments 4 Other income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 84,166 237,897 2,145 - 324,208 28,560 320,533 349,093 (24,885) 424,595 (24,885) 399,710 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ 57,890 - - - 57,890 - - - 57,890 - 57,890 57,890 |
Total funds 2022 £ 142,056 237,897 2,145 - 382,098 28,560 320,533 349,093 33,005 424,595 33,005 457,600 |
Total funds 2021 £ 134,272 238,416 696 742 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 374,126 | ||||
| 30,082 323,854 |
||||
| 353,936 | ||||
| 20,190 | ||||
| 404,405 20,190 |
||||
| 424,595 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 16 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 05587535
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Current assets Stocks Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 13 Unrestricted funds 13 Total funds |
1,280 53,016 418,493 472,789 (21,779) |
2022 £ 6,590 6,590 451,010 457,600 57,890 399,710 457,600 |
1,145 15,345 417,613 434,103 (17,923) |
2021 £ 8,415 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,415 416,180 |
||||
| 424,595 | ||||
| - 424,595 |
||||
| 424,595 |
The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................
Mrs J Plumb MBE, Chief Executive
Date: 19-Sep-2023
The notes on pages 16 to 27 form part of these financial statements.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Group B Strep Support meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
1.2 Company status
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the company.
1.3 Going concern
The Trustees regularly assess and manage the risks the charity faces which might impact its ability to pursue its charitable objects. The coronavirus pandemic created significant uncertainty and the charity was not immune to this although, at this stage, it is not possible to reliably forecast what the long-term impact of this may be. The trustees are confident, however, that the charity will be able to see through any further uncertainty as we work to develop new income streams. We are taking action to control costs where appropriate and we will continue to monitor the position carefully. The trustees believe these actions will enable the charity to continue in operational existence. Therefore, it is the trustees’ opinion that the going concern basis of preparation of the accounts continues to be appropriate.
1.4 Income
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.5 Expenditure (continued)
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Company to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.6 Government grants
Government grants relating to tangible fixed assets are treated as deferred income and released to the Statement of financial activities over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned. Other grants are credited to the Statement of financial activities as the related expenditure is incurred.
1.7 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
1.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Fixtures and fittings - 33% Office equipment - 33%
1.9 Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.
1.10 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Corporate Individual Regular individual Gift Aid Honorarium/research In Memory Charitable Trusts & Foundations and Government Grants Trusts and foundations Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 20,123 7,305 15,971 13,843 317 18,933 7,674 84,166 134,272 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - 25,190 - - - - 32,700 57,890 - |
Total funds 2022 £ 20,123 32,495 15,971 13,843 317 18,933 40,374 142,056 134,272 |
Total funds 2021 £ 1,555 17,130 31,561 28,500 1,583 6,222 47,721 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134,272 | ||||
3. Income from charitable activities
| General fundraising Sponsorships Merchandise income Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 126,705 110,589 603 237,897 238,416 |
Total funds 2022 £ 126,705 110,589 603 237,897 238,416 |
Total funds 2021 £ 149,662 87,464 1,290 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 238,416 | |||
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
4. Investment income
| Investment income Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 2,145 696 |
Total funds 2022 £ 2,145 696 |
Total funds 2021 £ 696 |
|---|---|---|---|
5. Other incoming resources
| Other income Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ - 742 |
Total funds 2022 £ - 742 |
Total funds 2021 £ 742 |
|---|---|---|---|
6. Expenditure on raising funds
Costs of raising voluntary income
| Website trading Merchandise Other fundraising costs Total 2021 |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 3,277 352 24,931 28,560 30,082 |
Total funds 2022 £ 3,277 352 24,931 28,560 30,082 |
Total funds 2021 £ 2,894 13,557 13,631 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,082 | |||
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Expenditure Total 2021 |
Support costs 2022 £ 320,533 323,854 |
Total funds 2022 £ 320,533 323,854 |
Total funds 2021 £ 323,854 |
|---|---|---|---|
Analysis of support costs
| Activities 2022 £ Staff costs 215,172 Depreciation 5,007 Premises, rent and stationery 21,306 Office running costs 6,358 Awareness 57,699 Entertainment and travel 1,994 Bank charges and interest 379 Management and professional fees 9,059 Trustees expenses 659 Governance - independent examiner's fee 2,900 320,533 Total 2021 323,854 8. Independent examiner's remuneration Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent examination of the Company's annual accounts |
Total funds 2022 £ 215,172 5,007 21,306 6,358 57,699 1,994 379 9,059 659 2,900 320,533 323,854 2022 £ 2,900 |
Total funds 2021 £ 202,628 3,526 18,534 7,308 66,485 103 140 22,505 - 2,625 |
|---|---|---|
| 323,854 | ||
| 2021 £ 2,625 |
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
9. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes |
2022 £ 194,323 15,305 5,544 215,172 |
2021 £ 183,652 13,797 5,179 |
|---|---|---|
| 202,628 |
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Administration | 6 | 6 |
| The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: | ||
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| No. | No. | |
| In the band £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | 1 |
During the year, one trustee received emoluments (including pension contributions) of £73,775 (2021 - £73,527) for acting as Chief Executive. No remuneration is paid for acting as trustee. Authority for these payments is contained in the memorandum of association. The Chief Executive is considered to be the key management personnel of the charity.
During the year, there were no trustee expenses claimed (2021: There were no reimbursed costs during the year).
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
10. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2022 Depreciation At 1 January 2022 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 December 2022 Net book value At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 |
Fixtures and fittings £ 10,766 812 (6,986) 4,592 10,610 178 (6,986) 3,802 790 156 |
Office equipment £ 35,925 2,369 (20,042) 18,252 27,666 4,828 (20,042) 12,452 5,800 8,259 |
Total £ 46,691 3,181 (27,028) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22,844 | |||
| 38,276 5,006 (27,028) |
|||
| 16,254 | |||
| 6,590 | |||
| 8,415 |
11. Debtors
| Due within one year Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2022 £ 4,836 48,180 53,016 |
2021 £ 100 15,245 |
|---|---|---|
| 15,345 |
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
12. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2022 £ 158 4,226 345 17,050 21,779 |
2021 £ 213 5,110 - 12,600 |
|---|---|---|
| 17,923 |
. Deferred income
| Deferred income brought forward Amount released to income Amounts deferred during the year Deferred income at 31 December 2022 |
2022 £ 9,000 (9,000) 13,830 13,830 |
2021 £ 7,950 (7,950) 9,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,000 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
13. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Running costs reserves Information products update IT services fund GBS Research impact fund Covid recovery Fund Website and internal IT review fund Conference Fund General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Sussex Community Foundation Big Give Campaign Total of funds |
Balance at 1 January 2022 £ 121,000 50,000 25,000 35,000 35,000 - - 266,000 158,595 424,595 - - - 424,595 |
Income £ - - - - - - - - 324,208 324,208 7,000 50,890 57,890 382,098 |
Expenditure £ - - - - - - - - (349,093) (349,093) - - - (349,093) |
Transfers in/out £ (9,500) - - - (35,000) 62,000 17,500 35,000 (35,000) - - - - - |
Balance at 31 December 2022 £ 111,500 50,000 25,000 35,000 - 62,000 17,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301,000 | |||||
| 98,710 | |||||
| 399,710 | |||||
| 7,000 50,890 |
|||||
| 57,890 | |||||
| 457,600 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
13. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Running costs reserves Information products update IT services fund GBS Research impact fund Promotion/dissemination of non- English language leaflets Covid recovery Fund General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds National lottery funding Total of funds |
Balance at 1 January 2021 £ 90,000 20,000 29,000 35,000 21,000 - 195,000 208,758 403,758 647 404,405 |
Income £ - - - - - - - 374,126 374,126 - 374,126 |
Expenditure £ - - - - - - - (353,289) (353,289) (647) (353,936) |
Transfers in/out £ 31,000 30,000 (4,000) - (21,000) 35,000 71,000 (71,000) - - - |
Balance at 31 December 2021 £ 121,000 50,000 25,000 35,000 - 35,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 266,000 | |||||
| 158,595 | |||||
| 424,595 | |||||
| - | |||||
| 424,595 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F6E5F3E8-5C87-4C74-98E0-15D0C5E5C433
GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
13. Statement of funds (continued)
Designated Funds:
The designated reserves for 2022 are:-:
Running costs reserves
The running costs reserve was set up to safeguard against major fluctuations in income or significant short-term funding issues.
Information products update
The Information Fund includes producing, promoting and disseminating key GBS information in English and other languages.
IT Services Fund
The IT services fund was created to cover the costs of integrating a new database with the IT system and website, and to improve the website particularly in the light of the new trial of GBS prevention strategies which will increase traffic to the site. The funds will also be used to cover the costs of additional updates to helpdesk, including monitoring and evaluation, and replacement of IT equipment to allow for agile working.
GBS Research Impact Fund
The GBS research impact fund was created to cover additional costs associated with the new trial of GBS prevention
strategies which will increase use of the charity's existing information materials (particularly the leaflet co-written with
the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists), creating new information materials and the need to provide additional support via the charity's helplines and forums. The pandemic forced the delay of the trial by 12 months.
Website and internal IT review fund
A review of our IT infrastructure is long overdue and has been on hold since the start of the pandemic. A hybrid of home and office working is now the norm. Increasingly our beneficiaries are expecting to be able to access all the information they need when they need it, and using multiple platforms. We need to adapt the charity’s services and ways of working to address these changes.
Conference Fund
Our virtual conferences in 2020 and 2021 have been very successful. For 2022, we want to build on this success, and offer bursary places to student midwives in the UK, plus to midwives and other health professionals involved maternity and neonatal care from low and middle income countries. We will approach potential funders for this particularly the international element, but will set aside funds for UK student midwives. This will increase knowledge and education about group B Strep among midwives, one of the targets highlighted in our strategy refresh in 2021.
Restricted Funds :
Sussex Community Foundation
The charity received £7,000 from the Sussex Community Foundation towards our Helpline services, including targeted work to reach families in Sussex with information and support around GBS.
Big Give Campaign
The charity raised £25,000 from public donations (matched by £25,000 of funding from the DCMS Tampon Tax fund) towards the running of its Helpline service, providing information and support to families affected by GBS.
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GROUP B STREP SUPPORT (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
14. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 6,590 414,899 (21,779) 399,710 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - 57,890 - 57,890 |
Total funds 2022 £ 6,590 472,789 (21,779) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 457,600 |
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 8,415 434,103 (17,923) 424,595 |
Total funds 2021 £ 8,415 434,103 (17,923) |
|---|---|---|
| 424,595 |
15. Operating lease commitments
At 31 December 2022 the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| Amounts payable Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years |
2022 £ 16,514 8,394 24,908 |
2021 £ 16,514 24,908 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,422 |
16. Related party transactions
Oliver Plumb, the son of Jane Plumb (a trustee), is employed by the charity. During the year he received remuneration of £32,930 (2021: 34,083). He also received employer pension contributions of £958 (2021: £945). Oliver received no other expenses or benefits from the charity in either year.
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