Registered company number: 04722577 (England and Wales) Registered charity number: 1112342 Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 for Worcester Community Trust WORCESTER COMMUNITY TRUST RD Accounting Limited Chartered Certified Accour)tants 12C Two Locks Hurst Business Park Brierley Hill DY5 IUU Worcester Community Trust Charity Reference and Administrative Details For the Year Ended 31 March 1024 Charity reglstration number 1112342 Company registration number 04722577 Trustees George William Davidge - resigned 2810912023 Claire Louise Thornpson Richard Alfred Soper Bridget Lee Brickley - Chair Philip Fowler Jas Cartwright Danny Spears Reglstered offlce The Green Centre Gresham Road Dines Green Worcester Worcestershire WR2 5QS Independent Audltor RD Accounting Lirnited 12C Two Locks Hurst Business Park Brierley Hill DY5 1UU Management personnel CEO- Jon Newey Head of Skills & Training & Deputy CEO- Helen Davis Head of Finance & Resources~ Mary-jane Bayllss Director of Development- Sarah Mackay (resigned June 2023) Head of Health and Targeted Services- Jo Jefferson Head of Finance & Resources- mary.jane Bayliss Head of Community Based Services- Jenny Gage- Appointed July 2023 Customer Service & Facilities Manager- Ross Styles Appolnted Feb 2023 Bankers Lloyds PLC 4 The Cross Worcester Worcestershire WR1 3PY Worcester Community Trust Charity Reference and Administrative Details For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Page Charity Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Annual Report 2-16 Auditors Report 1&20 Statement ot Financial Activities 21 Balance Sheet 22 Statement of Cash Flows 23 Notes to the Financial Statements 24 Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees who are also directors of the charity forthe purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity forthe year ended 31 March 2024. The trus- tees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)"Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is, therefore, govemed by a memorandum and articles of association (incorporated 3 April 2003)- The Articles were amended in March 2010 to define the'area of benefit" as Worcester City. Objectives and activities defined in the Trust's Memorandum and Articles the objects of the charity are- To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Worcester City ("The area of Benefit") in line with The Equality Act 2010, Wlthout distinction of age, sex, sexual orientation. disability* marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, religion or belief, matemity and pregnancy, by associating to- gether with the inhabitants and the local authorities. voluntary or other organisation in a common effort to advance education, relieve poverty and sickness and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants in the area of benefit. To establish or secure the establishment of community facilities and to maintain and manage the same whether alone or in cooperation with any local authority or other person or body. Ensuring our work delivers our aims The Trust will be locally driven, owned and controlled thus encouraging community voice, ownership and democratic participation. How our actlvlties deliver public benefit Worcester Community Trust (WCT) manage 6 community centres in Worcester and run 3 range of commu- nity projects, which aim to change the lives of people every day. The community centres are in the areas which face greatest inequality but offer great facilities for social, leisure and sporting activity for the local community. The community projects we run include community empowerment activities, Debt and Energy Support, Job clubs, youth services, lunch clubs and services for older people and those that feel socially iso- lated, support to those experiencing domestic abuse and skills and training development, including construc- tion skills. Community work is the core of all centres, providing an outlet and 'safe haven, for residents nearbyi operated by people they trust and who understand their problems and needs. The trustees have had regard to the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit. Measurement of achievements and performance We measure our achievement and perforniance by the number of people we reach and those who are in- volved in activities within their communities. We also Ltse qualitative outcome measurement tools such as Outcome Stars to understand the impact we have on the lives of individuals. Projects 3150 have their own set outcomes as defined with funders, which are assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure projects are on track and delivering. Executive sumrnary 2023124 has been a positive yearforWorcesterCommunityTrust (WCT) againsta backdrop of managingthe effects of the cost-of-living crisis on people's lives and continued inflation affecting the running costs of the charity. This year we directly supported 3373 people, we have implemented Year 1 of our 3 Year business plan (2023124- 2025126) focusing on strengthening the organisation to withstand the volatile economy and expand on the complex support that the people we work with require to live happier, healthier lives. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 The hubs have moved to a new structure of management and along with additional online promotion and tidying of the hubs this has resulted in the highest recorded level of room hire income. From external book- ings this is a 6% increase on the pre covid record. Including intemal bookings this was a 41% increase. There has been continued reflection and renewal in ourorganisations structure to make sure we are the best form to manage the wide range of services, contracts and support that we deliver. The Joy project saw funding from Public Health Worcestershire help expand the service across the county. DAWN has increased its support to victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse (DA) through its 1-1, group and partnership work. Closer to home with the support or Worcester City Council we have employed 2 commu- nity builders to further our activity in Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). Our biggest expansion into new services have seen Skills and Training thrive under its partnership with Cadent Gas, to deliver Debt and Energy Support that works symbiotically with our Lottery funded Wellbeingjob Clubs. Our hubs continued to provide safe and welcoming spaces for our loc31 communities, and we have fulfilled strategic objectives around income, managing increased costs and investing in the assets. As part of the Towns Fund Community Skills Project, we have been working closely with Worcester City Council to develop the designs for reception refurbishments at Horizon, Dines Green and Ronkswood and additional new leam- ing spaces at Tolly, Ronkswood and Building Block 2 at Dines Green. We are very proud of what has been achieved across the past 12 months. Our projects continued to provide vital support to those who needed it most and they developed new and innovative ways of delivering ser- vice5 for local people. WCT remains well placed, in the hearts of our comrnunities, with the support of our local partner5. to chal- lenge disadvantage and inequality, to make a big difference to the lives of people across the city and work towards our vision to create a city where people feel connected, supported, and empowered. Thank you On behalf of all staff, trustees and volunteers. Worcester Community Trust (wcn would like to thank our partners, funders, supporters, and friends who have supported us to deliverour services over the past year; without whom, we would not have been able to achieve what we have and supported our communities to the Same extent. Our core values at WCT highlight our ambition to work collaboratively with local people and partners to achieve more, welcoming diversity and innovation and driving a dynamic and visionary or- ganisation. WCT and partners have truly delivered against these values and oursocial objectives through the past 12 months. Message from our Chair Once again, this Annual Report demonstrates 311 the hard work the staff within Worcester Community Trust have undertaken over anotheryear to support residents of Worcestercity. WCT continues to deliver a wide range of services, particularly for those citizens who face financial and emotional challenges, and this year it has touched the lives of over 3000 people, a thousand more than the previous year. Jon and the senior leadership team have worked hard to build a more sustainable organisation this has in- cluded restructuring the Hub-team so that we are better able to meet the increasing demand in use for our centres and increase revenue. This is an important step towards making us morefinancially independent. In addition, mandatory training has been introduced and the pay structure has been reviewed to ensure it is more equitable across the organisation. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 There have also been some challenges and difficult decisions, one being the need to outsource the Building Block. This was not made lightly. WCT is extremely proud of how Building Block evolved over the years, through the dedication of its project lead. However, as it grew the challenge to make it viable also increased and sadly it reached a point where to remain financially viable, we had to look at an alternative delivery model. As hard as this was the WCT also see this as an opportunity to build new partnerships so that we can continue to ensure that there is first class training forthe residents of Worcester alongside people who use our services. Whilst there are new challenges ahead, with contracts for serwces, such as DAWN coming up for re-procure- ment and the sector wide challenge of recruitment, WCT are in a strong position. Evaluations of our initia- tives show we deliver, and our business plan looks towards greater sustainability. We are grateful for the support of partners and funders. Without their contributions many of the projects we deliverwouldn't take place. However, byfar out biggest asset is our staff and volunteers. Without their commitment and profes- sionalism, we would not be able to deliver these important services as effectively as we do. So, my biggest thanks goes to them. Our Vlslon and Mlssion Vlslon: Worcester: A City where people feel connected, supported, and empowered. Mlsslon: Bringing Communities Together by delivering services and activities for all. Soclal Oblectlves To provide social activities for children, young people families and for those in later Ilfe. To provide specialist services for individuals affected by domestic abuse. To provide quality training and support for local people seeking to enhance their skills. 4. To offer professional support and activities to build good mental health and wellbeing. Values & Behavlours: We Colloborote-working together with local people and partner5 to achieve rnore. We are Inclusive- Access for all, welcoming diversity, and valuing unlqueness. We areAmbltlous- We value innovation and creativity, driving a progressive, dynamic, and vislonary organi. sation. Delivering Excellence - Investing In our staff, volunteers, and infrastructure to provlde quality and profes- sional services. Introductlon In 2023124 Worcester Communtty Trust (WCT) saw an increase in demand for its services. As a response to the cost of living we have developed new areas such as Debt and Energy support and see continued demand from this work. We have gone from directly supporting 2053 individuals across our many services in 2022123 to 3373 individuals in 2023124. This increase has been through the high level of support offered through our Welfare activity and through the increase in Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) work in Dines Green. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 To support the strengthening and sustainable management of the hubs, we have reviewed and altered the staffing structure of the hubs to have 2 Full Time managers that manage 3 buildings each, which offer in- crease pay for the role, more accountability and line management structure to cope with the range of loca- tions and building needs. We have worked with Worcester City Council (WCC) to renegotiate their support in the forni of a management grant and a contribution to building maintenance support. The management grant has been agreed into WCC budget for a 5-year period with WCT becoming ioox responsible for its maintenance tapered overthe same timeline: Year 0 2022123 25% WCT (75% WCC) Year 1 2023124 40% Year 2 2024125 55% Year 3 2025126 70% Year 4 2026127 85% Year 5 2027128 100% Dawn has seen a continued demand forits services, andwe were supported by Public Health to extend WCTS main contract with them for a further 18 months until March 2025. This brings it in line with the end other Domestic Abuse (DA) contracts, where all contracts will need to be retendered. We secured new funding to expand our DA work from Garfield Weston, and through a partnership with West Mercia Women's Aid we have developed a community led training practice called DA Champion5 that reached $5 different hidden communities. We have commissioned and independent review of this service, which will be delivered in early 2024125, We have worked innovatively with for profit organisations such as Cadent Gas, who fund our Debt and En- ergy supportworkers and have also distributed lowenergy cookingequipmentand lowcost cookingtraining to 900 people this year. In the latter part of the year we have also been developing a partnership proposal with local training provider GLP, who aim to take on the delivery of our construction skills school from April 2023124. We have progressed in the delivery of theAdvanced Towns Fund in completingthe Building Block extension and are underway with the planning of the new training spaces at Ronkwood and Tolly Hub, the Building of a second skills and training facility in Dines Green 'Building Block 2, and a renovation of the receptions at Dines Green, KGVand Horizon. Through these newfacilities, contracts and partnerships we have all the com- ponents to reach a large number of people with the least educational attainment and furthest from the jobs market in improved opportunities. As part of our strategic objective'Devolved Power to Communities. we gained support from WCC to embed two Community Builders to develop more ABCD approaches within Dines Green and Wamdon Hubs. These have enabled us to have over440 community conversations in thefirst6 months of the contract and enabled the communtey deliver of a range of new projects frorn Food Projects to Seasonal Events. As always WCT staff have been attheforefront of leading ourservices, developing newand exciting projects to support local people and have once again shown strength, detemiination and resilience in the increasing number of complex challenges people are facing. WCT have built new relationshlps with a range of partners, that has assisted in enhancing our existing ser- vices, enables the charity to create new opportunities and increased accessto community-based servicesfor our residents. Worcester Community Trust support in numbers WCT has supported residents across the whole of Worcester City and Worcestershire County. We have sup- ported 3373 directly in 2022123 through our different projects, not including the estimated 60,ooo+ people who access the variety of events and activities that take place at OLÈr hubs. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Governance We started this 2023124 Wlth a Trustees Skills and Demographic Audit to make sure WCT continues to be representative of the people who use ourservices and also to have the range of skills to manage the breadth and complexity of the organisation. We recruited a new trustee as treasure that came with a breath of ex- perience as a financial controller for a locally based, national sports centre and health provider. We have sought further applications for new trustees to bring in local knowledge of areas close to our hubs, which we are moving currently inviting to obseNe WCT'S governance processes. Within the operational team we have made some changes to the structure of the organisation. The hubs have seen an overhaul, moving from a flat structure of 1 person line managing 13 people across 6 locations, to something more structured that sees 2 multi-hub managers overseeing the operation of 3 hubs each with a team of supporting staff. The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) have seen Sarah Mackayi Director of Development (Youth and Commu- nity) move on to a new job, so we took the opportunity to review the areas of responsibility and titles of this tSer in WCT. We have moved from the title of 'Director of,, to 'Head of, to reflect a less fornial and more widely understood language within our sector (VCSE) and to put us more in line with the pay 5caleslexpec- tations when advertising externally to recruit into these roles. The previous Director of Development had too broad a remit to get effective oversight on all elements, so we restructured the responsibilities as fol- lows: Head of Community Based SeNices- Hubs, Asset Based Community Development Head of Skills and Training - Welfare, Employment, Skills. Training Head of Health and Targeted Services- Domestic Abuse, Men's & Women's Services, Youth Head of Finance and Resources- Finance. HR, Legal, Physical Assets Forthe new role of Head of Community Based Services. wewelcome in Jenny Gageto take on this new remit. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is primarily responsible for the business responsibilities with Marketing and 3 newly created Trust and Grants Fundraiser role, which we seek to recruit for in 2024125. Internally we have implemented a mandatorytraining process and brought all staff members and volunteers up to an agreed upon standard of accredited training in some key areas, including but not limited to General Data Protection Regulation (CDPR), Safeguardin& Health & Safety etc. WCT continued to deliveran annual staff conference which presented a balance of widerorganisational bu5i- ness and strategic objectives alongside a celebration of the individua15 and projects that make up WCT as a whole. The staff Survey for this year saw 75% of the staff complete the feedback with an overall high rating (80-100%) around WCT being a positive place to work, understanding what was expected of them, ability to excel and feeling supported. Areas where we scored lower in the 50-80% approval were overall communica- tion and workplace benefitslpay. WCTS Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023124 took place in September 2023 and moved quickly from the formal proceedings into a community celebration event. This focused in on individual storles of people who benefit from WCT and used catering from local companies who been supported and developed through the WCT lob clubs and business support services offered by WCT. Worcester Communlty Trust's Servlces WCT continues to develop and deliver community-based services to meet the demands of our local commu- nities. The following map represents residents across Worcester City who have accessed our services over the past 12 months. Following a concerted effort to engage partners and communities across the whole city, the following map demonstrates how we have reached communities way beyond those who live close to our hubs. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report Forthe Year Ended 31 March 2024 Citywide /x.-..&lrD Saint￿ry s Ic Asiw(w)d"Ceme Rlk4 L YPPA*I HANFORI BAR8OURNr PAI Jo n's Campjs Pnchcroft iorteSTer •I￿ry and Kluwjm Ponkswo Hill Meado¥* .Local N3 e Hi¥e IR.-rps .tershii• I HD5Prt81 VILiikne51er Royil'.Hwptt .Worce6t ' U'Prim ef Cai Woo er Bowl Igq P'P. ry W(x>d plex. slei Sixth Imcoll 489 M3PS Countywide 'Dffton Piiors Birmingham Merid ow A￿ECTrU1¢h ferten Te Welbs IL Inkkn Bro ar Str8rf(x￿AVvm1 e￿f￿U￿.AV0n Kér. Lowei h Ownton Mglv lAiCk￿n. Iwic *l￿d IZI *-¥ Ship¥lLYI Broaov18y. -tN IBlo¢kley.- Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2014 Health and Targeted Services Youth & Play 2023124 sawthefinal year our 5 year contract end with Worcestershire County Council in August 23 to deliver youth and play activity across our hubs. We were successful in obtaining the successive 5-year contract, which will take us until August 2028. Built into this contract was the need to work in partnership and we worked with Perdiswell Young Peoples Leisure Club, Onside, YMCA and Vesta Tilleyto support this cross-city delivery. This did result in a reduction of WCT'S direct delivery funds from this contact from 186k pa to £36k pa. To work more effectively and to mitigate this reduction in fundsWCT developed an approach to delivery Open Access in 3 larger catchments (East, West and Central) ratherthan at each hub. Afterthe implementa- tion of the contract, we are successfully reaching all previous neighbourhoods through this approach. Our Young Leaders activity at Horizon as part of the #lwill Worcestershire Cornmunity Foundation funded project has seen the Young People be involved in the delivery of a Shelterin the neighbouring park, an uplift on the Multi Use Games Area to the front of the hub and raised their own funds through a carwash to take themselves on a trip. We are in the 2. year of the consortium led by Young Solutions Youthscape project providing open access youth, outreach and detached work and targeted youth and life skills support. This project will run until Sep- tember 2025. DAWN- Domestlc Abuse Speclallst support DAWN provides a domestic abuse (DA) service tailored to the needs of the individual, with an emphasls on individual bespoke support. Nationally there were over 1,453,867 million reported cases of domestic abuse related incident5 in the year ending March 2023 (ONS). Statistics also show that 1 in 4women, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. In the past year we have had 369 referrals into DAWN forcing us to close the waiting list collectively for 10 weeks across the year to manage the demand This has been managed as best possible by a team of 8. Funding from Public Health, Community Safety Partnershipi Police Chief Crime Commissioner and West Mercia Women's Aid fund5 this. Through the WMWA funding we deliver a Community Champions training programme that helps increase awareness of Domestic Abuse and the awareness of available services within their communities. This year saw an increase from the training of 18 DA Champions in 2022123 to $5 in 2023124. In the past year DAWN supported 296 service users. 449 children were reported to be living safer lives, with 33 Children being stepped down from Child Protection to Child in Need plans. 196 clients left an unsafe rela- tionship, and 174 individuals completed the Freedom programme in a group or 121 setting. In early 2024125 we will have completed an independent evaluation of these services. The JOY Project The Joy project is a female and female identifying wellbeinggroup which provides support to enable women to gain a variety of skllls, enhance their confidence and empower them to make their own informed deci- sions. This year it has expanded across all 6 districts taking this service countywide with the support of Public Health and a range of local district-based partners and venues. Joy supported 350 individualsfrom 475 households. 74% of the people engaged in this project live alone. 29% of the people engaged with Joy have a registered disability or learning difficulty and 42% have a diagnosed mental health condition. It reaches 21% from ethnic minorities, with a further 26Z preferring not to say. 350 people have accessed trainingthrough this programme. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 JOY also worked in partnership with Sevem Arts to create and installation for Light Night Worcester and National Trust to co - create a sculpture for Croome Court. Aongside this it welcomed informal talks by partners including NHS Sexual Health, NHS CancerAwareness, Girls Run the Shire running expert, Cadent on Carbon Monoxide alarm service, St Richards Hospice Bereavement Support and Benefits of Sound Therapy. CORE- Male Network In February this year, we were able to launch CORE, which is 3 network for men and male identifying individ- uals, providing information, advice and guidance to enable connection with others, and engagement within the community. It provides infomation about support bases, wellbeing services, and opportunities to con- nect with other like minds, whilst allowing men to gain a variety of skills and enhance their wellbeing and confidence. The project was created following the ongoing success of the women'sjoy Project, and aims to deliver a similar se￿ice to men. Community-Based Services Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Community activities have once again proved popularwith residents, but the focus has been to take a com- munity led, asset-based approach to support local people to deliver the activity themselves. Through a Worcestercity Council contract, we now hove a Community Builderworking in Dines Green and one working in Warndontrolly. These roles are to make connections, start conversations and find out about people's in- terests, capabilities and aspirations forthemselves and theirlocal area. They then work to see how they can connect them to other assets, resources, people, skills in the area to make things happen. After a year of WCT struggling to make the food surplus project work, we applied a community led, asset- based approach, which has seen a small cohort of local residents take on the roles wthin this project, ena- bling it to become more sustainably run. We also took a period to reflect on the more traditional Trips and Activities we had run in previous years. Although they were very popular, the trips thernselveswere far more expensivethan the donations and fees that were given to instigate them. Things such as coach hire have tripled over the past few years, and this hadn't been considered. We have looked at how we can enable people to deliverthese community activities themselves. The first of these was a hugely popular Christmas event that saw the local people use the food project to cook for over 80 people, and the residents co-ordinated and stewarded the event. Underpinning this activity is the financial, expertise and volunteering support from local councillors, Platform Housing and Freedom Leisure, Community and Hope Church. Community Connectors Community Connectors provides a range of social and wellbeing group activities, to 5UPPOrt people who may be experiencing either social isolation or low-level stress and anxiety. We help individuals raise their self- esteem and confidence by accessing 3 range o* leaming, social and volunteering opportunities. Throughout the year, 165 local people accessed the Community Connectors Project through targeted, group and 121 sessions, a decrease of 14% on the previous year. In part this is due to the increasing complex needs of the clients this project and the referrals coming in from stretched external mental health services. This has resulted in working more in depth with people in crisis, rather than supporting people with low level mental health to delivertheir own services. Across the project we saw 540 hours of volLJnteercontributions, taking on a variety of roles within the sessions. To help address the cost-of-living crisis and to increase sus- tainability awareness theteam ran a winter coat sale, which also raised moneytowards community projects. Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Connectors is in it5 final contractual year (Oct 23 - Sept 24) and the project will focus on supporting the groups to self-sustain their activity beyond the funding where appropriate and possible and move others on to available supported services where needed. The PLUS Service 2022123 was the final year of delivery on the PLUS project. This service continued to provide vital support to those over 18 years experiencing loneliness and we have supported 91 clients in the past 12 months. Community Skills and Training Debt and Energy Advice There year has been a focus on developing ourcommunity Skills and Training at WCT. This activity is to sup- port our communities with additional, relevant training, support and coaching, specifically for those with low educational attainment, those turthest from the jobs market and those facing the highest level of con- sequences from the cost-of-living crisis. Last yearwe secured £173,000 of funding from Cadent Gas over 2 years to deliver a project that has been funded by Cadent Gas to help support people with Debt, Benefits, Fuel and Carbon Monoxide awareness. This year Cadent have helped us expand this with £42,000 additional funding to provide an additional sup- port worker. This project is in high demand and has reached 900 people in the year, with collectively over 2700 people in the affected households. Wellbeing Job Coaches We gained support from the Reaching Community National Lottery Grant of £433,000 over4 years which will support local people to access specialist job support. The focus of this project is to deliver weekly well- being job clubs to improve mental health and wellbeing and confidence to help residents closer to the job market. This has reached 160 people this year, with 480 in their respective households. .-@ilitaled Skills and Training at the Hubs. Across our hubs we work with a range of partner organisation5 and facilitate outside clients in delivering training trom within our communities. Heart of Worcestershire college delivered 42 courses from our hubs attended by 334 participants, and we estimate that a further 192 leaners accessed training from number of training providers across our 6 hubs in 2023124. This includes things such as first aid, cooking classes, CPD leaming for Teachers and other chari- ties for theirtraining days. We took 113 people through online training many o* which have had no previous qualif ications-, 71 people gained Level 2 training, 9 people gained level 3 and 33 people gained an unaccred- ited certificate. Snack & Chat Snack & Chat provides a healthy, freshly prepared 2 course meal and social opportunity for people over the age of 50 who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. This year we reached 117 regular diners with 87% being over 65 years old. This plays a vital role in combating social isolation and loneliness, both for people living alone and those living with others. Living alone is a key indicator of social isolation and potential lone- liness and especially affects older people - social interaction with others has been proven to improve the quality of life for olderpeople, keeps them well and connected to others. 79% of the diners at Snack and Chat live alone. WCT partners with Platform a couple of times a year to deliver food to supported living accom- modation, which reaches a further 100+ people each year. In 2023124 we provided 3659 meals an increase of 21% from the previous year. Alongside Snack & Chat we also provide seated exercise classes run by Active Always at Dines Green and Ronkswood. These classes help participants with their strength and balance enabling them to stay mobile in their later years. 100% of the 30 participants were overthe age of 65. 10 Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Towns Fund - Community Skills Project The Accelerated Towns Fund Building Block extension and landscaping at Wamdon is now finished. Thls means alongside the construction skills main centre; we now have a teaching facility that is more suitable for electrical training with the addition ol a meeting room and examination space. The main Towns Fund investment is also underway with architects, Askew Cavanna appolnted byworcester City Council. The RIBA stage 2 designs went out to public consultation both online and in person at KGV and Dines Green with over 200 people participating. Thi5 Capital investment will create 4 additional new multi- use training spaces, 2 at Ronkwoods 1 at Tolly and the development of a Building Block 2 at Dines Green. It will also enhance the reception areas to Horizon, Dines Green and Ronkswood to create digital access and more informal community training. To support this capital investment we have secured a 12 month contract from UKSPF that will enable us to recruit a digital skills tutor and an additional job coach starting in April 24. Building Block 2, at Dines Green has been designed, received planning and as the year ends the tenders are being assessed to appoint a contractor in early 2024125. An internal training program for staff and volunteers has been implemented to make sure the core general skills and awarenes5 relative to our activity is available and present in all staff. We have also initiated quar- terly training to support management level needs around HR, leadership and line management. Our e-learn- ing platform is also on offer to volunteers, and beyond the mandatory training both staff and volunteers are able to access a large range of accredited training. This year 66 people have completed 188 courses that are either Level 2 to 3 of Accredited training on the platfom. In 2022123 we benefitted from over 3840 hour5 of volunteer time across all projects which equates to a con- tribution to the organisation of L60,979 (based on Office National Statistics median £ph U K 2023). This is drop of a 44% in volunteer hours and is mainly a result of pausing Building Block activity in Dec 23. Bulldlng Block Building Block has a great reputation. It functions as both a training school and as an informal wellbeing drop in space and a positive destination for many community members and clients from otherWCT projects such as Dawn or Job Clubs. Many of these clients became volunteers supporting the running of the classes and the space. It sustains itself f inancially through a mix of paid for training to people who can afford it and training to local businesses such as Platfomi Housing and obtained small grants to support the costs of cli. ents accessing courses. Overthe past 7 years, when considering overheads such as staff salaries, the project has nevercovered costs and was subsidised by the reserves of WCT. At the start of 2023124, we began to monitor performance look- ing at increased trading, learners, enquiries, location of learners, young person participation etc. Despite efforts to deliver a more cost-effective service, due to increased delivery costs, reduced spending income from people attending courses, a more competitive funding environment and contractual restrictions on current staff. As part of the Towns Fund agreements WCT has targets to move from approx. 240 learners per year from the construction skills activity to over 1000 leamers per year. The capital project of Building Block 2 also comes with the challenge of not having supporting revenue funds, doublingthe 1135k pa delivercosts of thls project to £27ok pa. In Q3, having looked at all the options, a proposal was put to forward to WCT and WCC subcommittees to sub-Lease building block to a loc31 specialist skills and training provider GLP. This partner- ship offered WCT reduced risk contractually, financially and in relation to H&S. 11 Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Against the backdrop of an ongoing volatile economy, WCT has stayed very steady finishing the year with surplus of £104,728, which contributes to the build-up of a 4-month running cost reserve. This yearWCT have continued to come out of longer-temi energy contracts which has seen this expenditure on energy go from £42,000 pa in 2022123 to £108,000 pa in 2023124. The hubs have moved to a new structure of management moving from 6 hub managers to 2 managers over- seeing 3 hubs each. The team have focused this year on updating contractual agreements with clients, up- dating T&Cs, reviewing discounts and more effectively managing intemal bookings. This along with addi- tional online promotion and tidying of the hubs has seen the highest recorded level of room hire income on on record. From external bookings this is a 4X increase on the pre covid record. Including internal bookings this was a 41% increase. We have been supported by 24 different grants orcontracts this yearrangingfrom £264,000 pa forour Public Health Contract forjoy to £5,000 for our#iwill grant from WCF that supports our Horizon Boys young Lead- ers activity. Overall, we budgeted for £624,625 of new income from Grants and Contracts and exceeded this target by over £250,000, and an increase overall of grant income of 29% from the previous year to £1.2m. There have been ongoing challenges with recruitment, which has been felt across all sectors. WCT has con- tinuously worked on how it advertises its roles, both in the language and forniat ol the adverts, but also the forums we promote on and the budget we invest in this. We have used local agents Headturner Search for the recruitment of Senior Leadership Team roles. There has been a high volume of work this year in supporting the management and HR of the organisation. We have delivered a series of internal training to support managers and have utilised our employer insurance DAS for regular advice and guidance. John Goodwin have undertaken valuations to make sure we are adher- ing to our obligations relating to the rental of property and market rates and have taken on the services of HCR solicitors to support with activity relating to underleases, superior leases and new business models for manging the high volume of small projects we deliver here at the WCT. Minimum Wage saw a further 10.9% increase in April 2023, which as a flat organisation (in relation to pay discrepancy between highest and lowest), has significant knock on effects. In April 2023 WCT implemented the minimum wage increase + a 5% pay increase to the rest of the staff at a cost of £51,000 pa. It was an- nounced that in April 2024 the minimum wage would increase by a further ioxto £11.44. We have been work- ing this year to align ourselve5 With the National Joint Committees (NJC) pay scales to move us away from market-based rating of pay grades. We have adopted the NJC pay scales to be fairer and oblective. This will take place over the next 2 financial years to manage this alongside the minimum wage increase. The cost of this alongside minimum wage is an additional £41,528 pa. NB: Notional Jolnt Council is a body that develops fromeworks for pay and condltions for local authoritles and is made up of 70 individuals, 72 representing the employers. 58 representing trade unions. They negotiate annually pay scales inconsideration of lob roles related to social Cdre environments. In total we ralsed £14,000 in financial business donations, and £51600 through donations from local Cllrs. We have refreshed the WCT Brand bringing all logos into a similarformat an updating the logos in our Dawn and Joy projects. The profile of WCT continues to increase online with increased visibility across all accounts. Facebook continues to be WCT'S main platforni for engaging with the local community, communicating the work of the Trust and opportunities to get involved with 3 3.8% increase reach from our main page, but we have also utilised Instagram and Linkedln to promote our work with Instagram seeing a 138% increase in reach. Overthe yearwe saw our audience for Facebook increase by 417 and Insta by 152. A new WCT website was launched in in Oct 2023. 12 Worcester Comrnunlty Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Collaborations and Partnerships WCT has developed relationships with a range of new partners this year. WCT could not have delivered and achieved what we have without working collaboratively and innovatively with our colleagues and partners across the County and beyond- Abbey Medical Practice Age UK Hereford and Worcestershire Bloom Housing Action for Children Beryl Bikes 8rethertons Solicitors Active Hereford5hire & Worcestershire Birniingham Repertory Theatre Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN) Bromsgrove District Housing Trust(BDHT) Cadent Gas FCASS Catch Caring for Communities and pe￿ Children First Early Help Family Support, ple Malvem Cit12ens Advice Bureau City and County Community Builders Community Police Corbett Medical Practice Citizen Housing Community Councils forvoluntary Services (CVS) Covercroft NHS Cranham School Cranstoun Crown House Family Assessment DARO, West Merica Pollce Unit, Malvern Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) DWP Disability Services Evesham Unitarian Church Families First Family Support WorkerWCF Freedom Leisure Getsafe team Glaisyers Solicitors HCR Law Health & Justice Partnership Healthwatch NHS Healthy Minds Herefordshire & Worcestershire Recovery HMP Eastwood Park Prison College Housing Solutions Crime5toppers Children First Eady Help Famlly Support Family Front Door GCF Primary Care Network Health visitor Hey Girls Housing Caseworker Cltizens Advice Housing support Officer Worces- Heart of Worcestershire College ter City Council Job Centre Plus The King's School, Worcester Parkinson Wright F8 Worcester Malvern Cube Malvern Hills Dlstrict Business and Com- Bright Kids Nurseryi Evesharn munity dept, Men's Sheds IFCA Kempsey Primary School (Headmistress) Ludvic Studios Malvern District Housing Worcester Municipal Charities Mental Health Services secondary Moving Forward CVS- Droitwich NHS care (inc Crisis & H￿TeaMS} NHS Health visitor Onside Advocacy PCN Pershore Wellbeing Hub West Mercia Police National Trust Croome Oasis Community Hub, Warndon Parkinson Wright solicitors Pershore Town Council No Interest Loan Scheme Out2gether Perywood Primary School Platfomi Housing Protecting Vulnerable PeopleTeam (PVP) WM police Rooftops Housing The Rotary Club of Worcester South Worcestershire Children Westlands Primary School First SEETEC Simply Limitless PLUS Perdlswell Young People's Leisure Club Recovery United Network (RUN) Safer Neighbourhood Teams Severn Arts Seven Angels Housing Social Worker Crown House Family As- sessment Unit Malvem St Martin's Gate Surgery, Worcs Starting Well Partnership South Worces- tershire St Johns House Medical Surgery St peters parish council St Josephs Primary School St Richards Hospice Worcester Community Trust Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 MaTch 20Z4 Tackling Loneliness Partnership WCC The Arts Society Malvem Hills TheFoundary (TASMH) Vale of Evesham School Wallace House, Evesharn Three Counties Hoisitic Services Vesta Tilley Vale Primary Care Network Worcestershire County Council Safe- guarding & CARM Services West Mercia Police3 Whatley Recordon Solicitors, Malvem WIPUK (Women in Prison UK) WM DARO WM police PVP team (protecting WM Women's Aid IDVA vulnerable people) WMP WMRSASC WMWA Children & YP courses CO•ordina- WMWA Independent Domestic Wi- Women's Aid Yung persons DA preven. tor olence Advisor tion officer Worcester Cathedral Worcester Children First Worcester City Council Worcester City Council . Detached Youth Worcester Environmental Group Worcester Foodbank Team Worcester Housing Worcestershire Children First Westlands First School Wick Care Farm WM police WMWA (WEG) Worcester Mums Network Worcestershire County council Worcestershire Adult Social Care Worcestershire County Council Suicide Prevention steering group Worcs Primary Care MH team Worcestershire County Council Tackllng Worcs Children Fi￿t Loneliness Steering Group Word Press CIC Young Persons Pathway Worker Wychavon Housing Young Solution5 YMCA Worcester Community Trust Trustees, Report Year Ended 31 March 2024 Our Funders and Supporters: WCT would like to share our deepest thanks to all our supporters overthe past 12 months. This year we have devel- oped new relationships with new funders and our local business community has been extremely generous in their support and donations. Thank you to the following: Aldi Winter Fund Black Pear Joggers- Snack and Chat Cadent Gas- Debt & Welfare support CAF Bank Ci>op- ongoing 5UPPOrt and donations of food Department of Work & Pensions Eveson- Snack and Chat Holy Trinity and St Matthews Church- Ronkswood Hub Lasletts Charities - Youth clubs Les Filles Sauvage savage choir Monocle Consulting- Lockerfor learners National Lottery Community Fund- Community Connectors & JOY & Wellbeing Fund Neighbourhood Kitchens Nunnery Wood Pre-school-Ronkswood Hub Ombersley Dramatic Society-JOY Onside Ltd- Delivery of the PLUS project Onside- marathon funds Platform housing group Skipton Building Society-Business Development St Peters Parish Council- Social @ 60 group Sutton Croft- Holiday Activity & Food progrdmme West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner- DAWN West Mercia Women's Aid Federation-DAWN Weston Garfield- DAWN Worcester City Council - Management Grant Worcester City Council - Councillors f unding Worcester City Parish Relief In Need Worcester Community Foundation DAWN Worcester Municipals Charity- Consolidated fundingforyouth and Play support Worcestershire County Council- DAWNI Positive Activities Young Solutions- Youthscape Financlal review The main contributorto unrestricted funds this year has been a contribution of grants and lettings income. Lettings income has increased by £20,783 to £271,082. General unrestricted reserves had a surplus of £109,558. We have focused on steadily increasing the income gener- ated trom room hire, with the aim of generating 100% of the costs incurred froTn the management of the buildings by 2027128. This was a total of £271082 2023124, against the pre covid peak of £261,209 in 2019120. Restricted funds remain at a similar level to last year with a small deficit of £41830. Whilst the level of unrestricted reserves has increased. the charity is developing its projects in line with demand. Salary costs are seeing a significant rise. and this has increased the calculation of monthly running costs. Ongoing quarterly meetings monitor scenarios and reassess spending and forecasts. Worcester Community Trust Trustees, Report Year Ended 31 March 2024 Investment policy and objectives In September 2023, WCT developed an investment policy. Part of our reserves has been designated as long-term re- serves, while the rest is kept as short-term reseNes to handle unexpected cash flow needs. The long-term reserves are invested with the goal of Erowing in line with inflation. The short-term reseNes are in- vested to ensure their value remains stable. Our aim is to achieve the best financial returns within acceptable risk levels. For long-term reserves, we focus on gen- erating returns to support WCT'S long-term activities. For short-term reserves, our goal is to maintain their capital value with minimal risk, ensuring quick access if unexpected cash flow needs arise Reserves policy Worcester Community Trust IWCTI needs short-term reserves to handle funding or cash flow setbacks. It also require5 long-term reserves to mitigate risks from external factors and to manage advance commitments to expenses before securing all necessary funding. Reserves are essential to ensure wcr can meet its obligations if the expected funding falls short. Additionally, reserve5 might be needed to fulfil financial obligations, such as paying staff and creditors, if the company were to dissolve. Worcester Community Trust 2023-2024 accounts show reserves at the end of March 2024 of £650,457 (excluding fixed assets). This equates to just under 4 months running costs plus redundancies, which is just below our reserves tar- get of £550,000 running costs and £161,542 redundanry and notice The calculation of the required level of reserves is an integral part of wcfs planning. budget and forecast cycle. The Finance Sub-committee consider and recommend the level of reserves both short and long term, to the full Board of Trustees for approval based upon the following criteria as recommended by the Charities Commission SORP1State- ment of Recommend Practicel-. Risk assessment.. against each category of income and expenditure Future activity level.. likely requirements on reserves Organisational commitments Current reserves level In 2023124 we invested in more business development to support the increasing number of funded projects we are delivering, and some investment has been made within our community buildings. We expect the reserves requirement during the financial year 2024125 to increase as our commitments develop for some of our longer-term projerts. Going Concem At the date of approving these financial statements the Twstee's believe the charity to be a going concern and management accounts are being prepared on a quarterly basis to monitor the charities reserves position to ensure this is appropriate. Fund.raising standards infonnation The charity does not undertake any significant public fundraising activities however our trustees and management have been made aware of the relevant regulations and code of funding raising practice and we are registered with the fundraising regulator. 16 Worcester Community Trust Trustees, Report Year Ended 31 March 2024 Trustees, responsibilities The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company forthat period. In preparing these financial state- ments, the trustees are required to: select 5Ultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102)" make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures dis- closed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the chari- table company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible forkeeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the firsancial posltion of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements com- ply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the asset5 of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of f raud and other irregularities. In so far as the trustees are aware: there is no relevant audit infom)ation of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware. and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information. In approving the Trustees, Annual Report, we also approve the Strategc Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors. on . Iz. Il...Lq and signed on the board's behalf by: Bridget Brickley Chair of Trustees 17 Worcester Community Trust Independent Auditor's Report Year Ended 31 March 2024 Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of Worcester Community Trust (the 'charitable company,) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, cash flow statementand notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicabSe law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Finan- cial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom GenerallyAccepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fairview of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024, and of its In- coming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the yearthen ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Prac- tice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basls for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are f urther described in the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of ourreport. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, includlng the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Concluslons relatlng to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the goingconcern basis of accoLbnt- ing in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have perfornied, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or con- ditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at 5east twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the rele- vant sections of this report. other Inforniatlon The other information comprises the information included In the trustees, annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditorfs report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other infomiation and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express anyform of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility 15 to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other infomation is ma- terially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially mi55tated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements them- selves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other Information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 18 Worcester Communlty Trust IndependentAuditor's Report Year Ended 31 March 2024 Matters on which we are required to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Re- ports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion. the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees, report. or the charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responslbilltles of trustees As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement at the end of the Trustees Report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such inter- nal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation o* financial statements that are f ree from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a goingconcern, disclosing, as applicable, matter5 related to going concern and usingthe going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Audltor's responslbllltles for the audit of the flnancial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regu- lations made under section 154 of that Act. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whetherthe financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to Issue an auditorfs report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non028 Ip74lp476 Expendlture on: Charltable actlvltlos Net Income l (expendlture) 1,284120 28,821 75.907 104,728 (30.638) Tr4nsfers between funds Net movement In funds 109•558 {4,830) 104.728 (30.638) Roconclllatlon of funds: Total funds brought forward 16 547.709 181,315 7281934 759.572 Total funds c4rrled torward 16 .26 728, 8 ,661 ￿34 21 Worcester Community Trust Balance Sheet Year Ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrkted funds Restrkted lunds 2014 Totsl funds 2023 Total funds Note Flxed •ssets Tanglble èssetS 11 6.810 6.810 7.020 Current •ssets Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 12 41.103 92.652 13>855 119.399 801.120 920,510 723.221 186.590 1,0091811 Credlt¢)r5: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 13 (72.764) (110.195) {182.959) (198.596) Net current assets l (Ilabllltles) 650.457 176tr395 B26.852 721,914 Total assets le55 cU￿¢￿t Ilabllltks 657.267 176.395 83>662 7281934 Net •5sets l (Ilabllltles) 657.267 t￿.)95 83>662 7181934 Ch4rlty Funds Restrlcted fvnds Vnrestmcted funds 16 6*395 657.267 181.225 547,709 16 Total ch•rlty tunds 16 8J>662 728.934 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trnstees on.. signed on its behalf by: 12-11.1 . and were Bridget Bickley - Trustee Daniel Spears - Trustee Company Registration Number. 04722577 22 Worcester Community Trust Cash Flow Statement Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Cash f low from operating activities Cash generated from operatlons 771676 108,247 Net Cash flow from operatlng activities 77•676 108.147 Cash flow from Investlng actfvities Payments to acqulre Intangible flxed assets (2,840) (9.360) (2,840) (9.360) Net Increase In cash and cash equivalents 741836 98.887 Cash and cash equfvalents at the start of the reportlng perlod 801.120 702.233 Cash and cash equtvalents at the end of the reportlng perlod 875.956 801,120 Reconclliation of net Incomel{Expenditure) to net cash flow from operatlng activities:. 2024 2023 Net Incomel(Expenditure) for the reporting perfod (as per the statement of financial activities) 1041728 (30,638) Adlustments for. Depreciatlon charges (Increase) I decrease In debtors Increase l (decrease) In credltors Increase l (decrease) In provlslons 3.050 (141465) (15,637) 2,340 36.720 99,825 Net cash provlded by (and used in) from operatlng actfvttles 771676 108,247 23 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the FinancTal Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 COMPANY INFORMATION The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The member5 of the company are the Trustees named in the Report of the Trustees. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per memberof the charity.The address of the registered office isgiven in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statemersts. ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PREPARATION The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been pre- pared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice ap- plicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (as updated through Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016), the financial Reporting Standard applicable in the Unlted Kingdom and Re- public of Ireland (FRS 102), the Chartties Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Ac- counting Practice. The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis underthe historical c05t convention. The financial statements are presented in stertingwhich 15 the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. INCOME RECOGNITION All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the f unds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Income received in respect of rentingthe charities facilities is recognised as income once the event has taken place. Grants are recognised when entitlement, certainty and measLtrement conditions have been met. Donations are included as and when received. EXPENDITURE RECOGNITION Liabilities are recognised a5 expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classFfied under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. SUPPORT COSTS ALLOCATION Most expenditure is allocated directly to the fund to which it relates. General overheads are recharged to funds via a management fee which is detemined by the trustees, dependent on the project. TAX The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pa5S the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for U K corporation tax purposes. 24 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes costs directly attributa- ble to making the asset capable of operating as intended. A55ets with a value of less than £1,000 are not capitalised. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write ott the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows: Fixtures and fittings 25% on cost DEBTORS RECEIVABLE AND CREDITORS PAYABLE WITHIN ONE YEAR Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recogni5ed in expenditure. The charity does not hold any complex financial instruments. CASH & INVESTMENTS Any cash held in bank accounts that is accessible within one month is not considered to be an investment and is therefore recognized as cash on the balance sheet. LEASES Rentals payable and receivable under operating leases a￿ charged to the Sofa on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The charityoperates a defined contribution planforthe benefit of itsemployees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable. DONATED GOODS, FACILITIES OR SERVICES Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognized as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic ben- efit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognized and refer to the trustees, annual report for more infomiation about their contribution. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognized on the basls of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognlzed in expenditure in the period of receipt. The trustees consider that the rental market value of the community centers and other properties provided to the charity at a peppercorn rent cannot be measured accurately due to thelrunique purpose and locatlons. There are therefore no donated facilities transactions recognized in respect of these facilities. Please see the trustees report for further details. FUNDS Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in f urtherance of the general oblec. tives of the charlty and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost 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. GOING CONCERN Please referto the going concem note in the report of trustees on page 5. 25 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2024 2023 General donatlons Counclllor Donations Just Glvlng- Varlous Worcestershlre Ambassadors Co-operatlve - COOP Share ALDI - wlnter Fund CAF Donatlon Monocle Consultlng Black Pear Joggers Donatlon (Snack & Chat) Laslett's {Hlnton) Charfty Platform Houslng Worcester Muslc Festlval Slmon Azzopardl- Falr5hare Holy Trlnlty and St Matthews Church Amold Clarke st Mark In Cherry Orchard Church Tolladlne Mlsslon 41867 5.535 Ip589 14.326 2,397 31533 1.176 1,000 1.000 500 942 4.500 4,832 2.200 5.612 1,700 1,250 1.000 1,000 4.284 580 11785 26.942 38,665 26 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Charitable activities income is wholly made up of grants and service contracts, broken down as follows:_ 2024 2023 Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire Big Lottery- Awards forall After school clubs Big Lottery. Community Connectors Big Lottery-job Coaching Big Lottery- Well-Being Club Big Lottery.The Communityorganisations Cost of LNing Fund Big Lottery- JOY CADENT- Centres ForWarTnth Prolect Garfield Weston - DAWN Funding Community Housing Group- Community Renewal County Councillors funding- Coffee& cakefor Bedwardine Ward Laslett's (Hinton) Charity Onside Ltd- PLUS Loneliness Project Platform Housing Group Sutton Croft Ltd-youth & Play The Eveson Trust- Snack & Chat Salarles The Henry Smith Charlty- Holidaygrant The Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charity West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner- DAWN West Mercia Womens Ald Federation- DAWN Western Power distrlbution- Holiday Hunger Fund WIPUK (Women In Pri50n UK)-JOY Worcester City Councll-vaccine volunteer Worcester CityCouncS1- ABCD Funding Worcester CityCouncil- Building Block Salaryfunding Worcester Citycouncll-commun￿Y Frldge Worcester City Councll- Crlsis Pot Worcester City Council- IWILL Worcester City Councll- Management Grant Worcester CStyCouncil- Youth Consultation Worcester CityCouncil-Towns Fund Worcester Cttycouncll-other small grants Worcester City Council- Severn Arts funding Worcester Citylcounty Council- DAWN Worcester Councillor's Grants l Funding Worcester CityCouncil- Hopmarket Grant Akl Worcester County Council - YouthlPosttive activlties Worcestershire Community Foundation- DAWN Worcestershire CountyCouncll- Youth Voice Focus Groups Worcestershire CountyCouncil- JOY Worcestershire Countycouncli - Small Measures Young Enterprise- Youth Worker Young Solutions-youthscape 7,500 10,000 126,524 144,668 121,289 31057 97,771 75,000 14,187 29,097 1051071 20,000 56,550 5,500 760 28,280 1,150 45,727 5,457 241559 500 151972 20,000 1,420 15,007 43,772 36,581 2,500 3,000 250 53,852 10,000 2,574 4,894 5,000 79,180 2,000 50,000 42,121 45)522 58,612 60,468 841080 50,000 2,560 51000 153ft528 162,915 12,084 7,000 84p721 6,000 97,936 2,000 66,167 5,000 1,000 10*466 264.667 219749 1,374,710 1,137,542 27 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES 2024 2023 Room Hire Subscriptions and Activrties 2711082 629775 250,299 96,760 333,857 347,059 EXPENDITURE All expenditure is undertaken for charitable purposes and is surnmarised as follows: 2024 2023 Premises costs Staff costs (including training I consultants) Direct costs of activities Professional fees Depreciation Fees, Licences & Insurance IT, Telephone & Office costs 1731277 1,206,070 148,624 13,103 3,050 45,642 46,984 113,600 1,127,596 202,375 12,795 2,340 35,928 61,100 1,636,748 1,555,734 Expenditure allocated by fund is shown in note 16. 28 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) Net incomel(expenditure) is stated after charging: 2024 2023 Depreciation - owned assets 3,050 2,340 AUDITOR'S REMUNERATION Fees payable to the chartty's auditor for the audit of the chartty's annual accounts is £5,040 (2023: £4,500) and preparation of management accountsi payroll and general supportlmeetings of £8,063 (2023- £7,648). TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS The trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration or other beneftts during the year ending 31 March 2024 (2023: £Nil) TRUSTEES EXPENSES There were no trustees, expenses paid forthe year ending 31 March 2024 (2023- £Nil) Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 10 STAFF COSTS The average monthly number ol employees throughout the year was 76 (2023: 69). The average full-time equivalent throughout the year was estimated to be 36 (2023- 37) The total staff costs and employee benefits were as lollows: 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Employer National Insurance Employer Pension costs 1,048,245 74,365 18,245 1,006,745 74,735 17,357 1,140,856 1,098,837 The above pension costs represent the total employer contributions into defined contribution schemes for the year. Total remuneration paid to key management personnel during the year was £169,1888 (2023: £141,994). This excludes employers pension contributions. Employers pension contributions paid to key management per- sonnel during the yearwas £4,239 (2023: L2,914) No employees received total employee benefits of more than £60.000. 11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures and f ittings COST At 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2024 142,475 2,840 145,315 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposals At 31 March 2024 135,455 3,050 138fft505 NET BOOKVALUE At 31 March 2024 6,810 At 31 March 2023 7,020 30 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 12 DEBTORS 2014 2023 Trade Debtors Prepayment5 and accrued income Other tax and social security 12&654 7fr201 112,570 1,820 5,000 1331855 119,390 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Trade creditors Other tax and social security De+erred income Accrued expenses 26p498 211496 103,923 31,042 18,770 160,071 19,755 182•959 198,596 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Ststements Year Ended 31 March 2024 14 DEFERRED INCOME 2014 2023 Brought forward Received during the year Amounts released to income 160,071 2941502 (350,650) 36,359 364,848 (241,136) Carried forward 1039923 160,071 Incoming resources are deferred in accordance with section 5.24 of the Statement of Recommended Prac- tice (FRS102) whereby income is subject to perfomiance-related condition. The above relates to Cadent (£82,245), Big Lottery Community Connectors (£8,833) and PLUS Loneliness (£2,357) restricted funds, Lottery Well-Being Club (£8,888) and Room Hire (£1,600) unrestricted funds. 15 LEASES Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 2024 2023 Not later than one year Later than one and not later than five years The Trust leases the following properties in orderto carry out its purposes: The Tolladine Community Centre The Horizon Community Centre The Wardon Commcunity Centre The KVG Community Centre The Ronkswood Community Centre The Green Centre Dines Green Youth and Community Café (DG Den) The Trust CU￿entlY rents these properties for£1 per annum. The 2023124 annual budgeted service charge payable is £24,000 per annum across all centres. Each lease commenced on 1 October 2010, apart from DG Den which commenced in 2015, all fora temi of 30 years. 32 Worcester Communlty Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 16 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Balance at i Aprll 1023 Balance at 31 March 2024 Income E¥penditur• Transfers Unrestrtcted 547,709 418A48 {35Zy541) 33,651 6571267 5471709 428A48 (352D541) 33,651 657,267 8alance at I Aprrl 2023 Balance at 31 March 2024 Income Expendlture Transfers DAWN ABCDFund Afterschool Clubs Bedwardlne and Battenhall Colfee Mornlngs CADENT Community Connector5 Communlty Renewal Fund Dlgltal Skllls Tutor WCC Garfleld Weston (DAWN) Hollday Hunger {WesteTn Power Dlstrlbutlon) WILL b Coach JOY {fornierly ASHA) The Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund Lonellness Projert Positive Actlvltles Severn Arts Sm311 Measure5 Snack and Chat Salarfes Towns Fund Way Outreach work Well-Belng Club- Blg Lottery Youth and Play Youthscape 265.6 60,582 34 (258.241) (74,831) (568) (IOIOTA) 27)412 127 (4)310) (15,826) (10,247) 16,090 131162 407 41310 1051805 1221509 (881518) (1211151) (33,190) (162) (20,000) {192) (31750) (288) (243,885) (75.000) (251528) (126,644) (3,589) (2,674) (33,668) 137A17) 30,488 201 9090 331190 (162) zo.000 807 31750 (&5) 3,057 265A41 75,000 241559 90A77 5,000 {2,769) (7,650) 34339 50,145 969 35,198 271412 26,443 IA11 4a50 (11576) 1,732 {IZyS83) 43A39 50,000 11,503 97.Tn 6ID929 21y748 (70,763) 27p014 3A44 (7,242) (26,199) (4016) 1,225 1th313)028 {1,284y207) (33,651) 1761395 TOTAL FUNDS 7281934 1741A76 (1,631748) 8339662 33 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 16 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued UnrestrTCted funds - comparative Balanreat i Aprn 2022 Balance it Ji Marth ioi) Expmdlture Transfers Vnrtstrkttd 458.rf•8 5>&706 (504.095) 64￿30 547•709 458.168 518.706 {504.095) 64*930 5471709 Restricted funds - comparative Balan(e at • 8alan(e at 31 March 1033 1022 Inc(rfne Expendltwe Transfffs DAW14 Communlty Conne(tors Youth and Play {formerly Plays(heme) JOY {formerly ASHA) Job Coach After School Club5 Snack and Chat Sa13f*s Way Outreach work My Home Helper Sport5 Partnershty Giant Lonellnoss Prolect Homework Club Horizon Cornmunity Renewal Fund Llvlng Room pro1￿t Bedwardkne and Battenhall Coffee Morning5 Holiday Hunger Iwestem Poyrn Distrbuth>n) Posltive ActFvit*s Youthscape CAOENT Crlsis Fund Small Measures IWILL Towns Fund 51937 30.480 48,985 44rt70 146,433 129.930 69,289 87.091 141.830 1%545 10•306 (313.638) (143.570) (73,661) (93.102) (146.ts38) (171?46) (10.610) (61330) 18p732 91090 31444 36p339 17•7yI) (4t.169) (2.621) 31108 2.108 4•063 330 407 6,151 {1000) 185 2%025 1.353 491468 {185) {54191) (1.353) (631468) 181571 21595 56k550 (>360) (i.ooo) 33,190 {190) {2.293) {70•524) 41310 807 271412 10,407 29,027 3*100 971936 10.467 9.097 (70) (4.8y) 4.250 (1.150) {36.w6) 3p750 (13.084) 301,404 996p390 (1•051,639) (041930) 181,215 TOTAL FUNDS 7591572 Ip515.096 11.555.734) 7281934 34 Worcester Communlty Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 17 FUND DESCRIPTIONS DAWN (Domestic Abuse Working Network) The DAWN project supports women who have experienced orare experiencing domestic abuse in the ommunity. It provides individual support to enable and empower people to make informed decisions to ef- fect their own changes. This year DAWN was funded by the Hopmarket Charity and the Police and Crime Commissioner. COMMUNITY CONNECTORS A large-scale project connecting people who are socially isolated, have low level rnental health problems or long-temi health conditions, to professional seniices and to each other. Helpi SUPPOrt and training is provided in the community to make positive lifestyle changes to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. This project is funded by Big Lottery, Reaching Communities, from November 2017. YOUTH AND PLAY (PLAYSCHEMES) Funding provided to deliver holiday playschemes in our communities. Supported by Worcester Municipal Charities and the Bransford Trust along with other smaller grant funders in this year. JOY (formerly ASHA) Funded by the 8ig Lottery's Reaching Communities program to support vulnerable and disadvantaged women to gain the skills and confidencethey need to move into volunteering and employment opportunitles. JOB COACH Funding provided to employ a job coach under a national scheme called Building Better Opportunities. The scheme has a specific focus on those who are out of work, including those that may be clalming JSA, ESA, Universal Credit or Income Support. AFfER SCHOOL CLUBS The grants received from Worcester Municipal Charities and Laslets is to support Children's after school clubs across our centers. LONELINESS PROJECT This is the Reconnections project that has run through previous years. This was a pilot and has now been commissioned through Worcestershire County Council (Public Health)to support anyone aged over 18 years. A pilot project funded through a social investment bond, led by Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and delivered by a partnership of local volunteers, includingwcT leading inworcestercity. The se￿iCe brings together people's skills and experience from within the community to provide mutual support for older, is lated individuals. SNACK AND CHAT SALARIES Separate fund created for payment of the Catering Manager salary, funded by Eveson. WAY OUTREACH WORK Funding following closure of WAY towards outreach work with Young people to reduce ASB and homeless- ness and improve mental wellbeing. COMMUNITY RENEWAL FUND locally based skills training for those furthest away from the labour market, by offering support groups and pathway training for those with barriers to education and employment 8EDWARDINE AND BAThENHALL COFFEE MORNINGS To set up a coffee morning from a church hall to bring togetherresidents and engagethem withWCTservices. HOLIDAY HUNGER (WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION) Support low income households access food through the holidays. 35 Worcester Community Trnst Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 POSITIVE ACTIVITIES Open Access youth delivery to the young people of Worcester across 6 hubs. YOUTHSCAPE Partnership application to increase the provision of support for young people through an offer of outreach, Targeted youth support, open access youth work across Worcestershire. CADENT i-l and Group welfare and energy support to support residents through the cost of living crisis. SMALL MEASURES Supporting people to access small items to improve energy efficiency in homes or to help them keep wami through the winter. IWILL Increase social action in young people who access ouryouth provision. TOWNS FUND Revenue funding to SUPPOrt the delivery and outcomes of the strategic citywide capital programme to im- prove access to community skills and qualification5. ABCD Asset Based Community Development - community led, asset-based approach involving community builders developing the skills of local residents to utilise local resources ,skills and people to meet their needs DIGITAL SKILLS TUTOR WCC Supporting those in the community that are digitally excluded, sessions will support training in accessing online activities such as Dr5 , form filling ,DWP . Also includes awareness of online safety GARFIELD WESTON support towards our DAWN service; A confidential, non-judgmentsl service for individuals experiencIn￿have experienced domestic abuse. SEVERN ARTS Contribution towards Light Night Artists 'Shine a Light WCC, WELL-BEING JOB CLUB- BIG LOThERY Reaching Community National Lottery Grant. Deliver individual support and weekly wellbeing job clubs to improve mental health and wellbeing and confidence to help residents c105er to the job market. THE NATIONAL LorrERY COMMUNITY FUND- COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS COST OF LIVING FUND Support to tackle the impact of the cost of living -to cover the increase in statting, insurance and utilities within the Trust 18 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS There were no related party transactions forthe year ended 31 March 2024, nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 36 Worcester Community Trust Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 FUND TRANSFERS The fund transfer undertaken for the year are expSained as follows: Fund Transfer (£) (10,072) 27,412 Explanation Transfers to split the different funding streams To cover expenditure not covered in prior years To cover small, overspend To cover staff salaries supporting the coffee mornings DAWN ABCD Fund After School Clubs Bedwardine and Battenhall Coffee Mornirjgs CADENT 127 (4,310) (15,826) (10,247) (615) (2,769) (7,650) 969 35,198 (1,576) 1,732 (12,583) (7,242) (26,199) Project Manager salary and Slow Cookertraining courses To cover Project Manager salaries To clear small fund balance To collate split funds for original project Contribution to Training and senior statt salary To cover small, overspend Contribution from Youthscape and Youth & Play To cover expenditure not covered in prioryears To cover small, overspend Contribution to senior staff salary Corstribution to Posltive activities for youth Contribution to Positive activities for youth Community Connectors Holiday Hunger (Western Power) Job Coach JOY (fomierly ASHA) Loneliness Project Positive Activities Small Measures Snack and Chat Salaries Towns Fund Youth and Play Youthscape 37