2022-12-31-accounts - Yourstory Ltd

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

YourStory Ltd

Report and Accounts

Year ended 31 December 2022

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Legal and administrative details

Trustees/Directors:

Qasim Bashir

Purabi Chatterjee-Das

Timothy Hunter Chairperson Timothy Hunter Secretary Principal address: 125 Lambeth Walk London

SE11 6EE

Registered Charity: 1115367 Registered Company No: 04631388 Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

The Directors, who are also directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the financial statements of YourStory Ltd (The Company) for the year ended 31 December 2022. The Directors confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Company comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Company’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

YourStory Ltd was founded as a charitable company limited by guarantee and without a share capital incorporated on 8 January 2003, under company number 04631388. It was also registered as a charity on 17 July 2006 under registration number 1115367.

The Company is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, which established the objects and powers of the organisation. A copy of the governing document is available at the principal address of the Company.

Operational decisions are taken by the Chief Executive and staff. Strategic decisions are made by the Board of Directors in consultation with staff. The Chief Executive, who is also a trustee, attends all board meetings and other staff members are also invited to attend.

Recruitment and Appointment of Directors

Directors are recruited from the members of the charity and from the wider local community. The Directors at the date of this report are set out on page 1. All Directors served throughout the period except as noted below.

Director Retirements during 2023

Adrian Jones Retired on 10[th] August 2023 Cathryn Parker Retired on 7[th] September 2023

Induction and Training of Directors

The induction programme for new Directors includes:

Written information on YourStory activities
A meeting with existing trustees and directors
An invitation to attend YourStory’s activities in the community
Attendance at a Board meeting

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Objectives of YourStory as set out in its governing document

1 To promote by all charitable means the mental, spiritual, moral and physical development and improvement of young people and others who live in London or other parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to provide opportunities for them to develop their full capacities and enable them to become responsible members of society so that their conditions of life may be improved; and
2 To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving conditions of life.
OBJECTS

The objects (the "Objects") for which the Charity is established are:

(A) to promote by all charitable means the mental, spiritual, moral and physical development and improvement of young people and others who live in London or other parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to provide opportunities for them to develop their full capacities and enable them to become responsible members of society so that their conditions of life may be improved; and
(B) to provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving conditions of life.
POWERS ANCILLARY TO OBJECTS
4.1 Powers
In addition to any other powers it may have, the Charity has the following powers in order to further the objects (but not for any other purpose):

(A) To advance in all respects the education, training, employment, self-development and selfexpression of children and young people and those members of society of all ages who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged and who live in London or other parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, regardless of gender, ethnic background, physical or mental ability, religion, race or sexuality (the "Beneficiaries");

(B) to directly or indirectly develop, and/or provide to the Beneficiaries, positive and responsible education, training, employment, self-development and self- expression:

(i) networks;
(ii) consulting, mentoring and other services; and
(iii) guidance and assistance,

in each case in· order that the Beneficiaries are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in their community and society in general;

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

(D) to provide advice;
(E) to publish or distribute information;
(F) to make grants or loans of money and to give guarantees;
(G) to enter into contracts to provide services to or on behalf of other bodies;

(H) to raise funds. In doing so, the Charity must not undertake any taxable trading activity and must comply with any relevant statutory regulations;

(I) to buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and to maintain and equip it for use;

(J) to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property belonging to the Charity. In exercising this power, the Charity must comply as appropriate with sections 36 and 37 of the Charities Act 1993;

(K) to borrow money and to charge the whole or any part of the property belonging to the Charity as security for repayment of the money borrowed. The Charity must comply as appropriate with sections 38 and 39 of the Charities Act 1993 if it wishes to mortgage land;

(L) to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies, statutory authorities and other organisations and to exchange information and advice with them;

(M) to establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for any of the charitable purposes included in the Objects;

(N) to acquire, merge with or to enter into any partnership or joint venture arrangement with any other charity formed for any of the Objects;

(O) to set aside income as a reserve against future expenditure but only in accordance with a written policy about reserves;

(P) to employ and remunerate such staff, agents or advisers (whether unpaid or paid) as are necessary for carrying out the work of the Charity. The Charity may employ or remunerate a Director only to the extent it is permitted to do so by clause 6 and provided it complies with the conditions in that clause;

(Q)

to:

(i) deposit or invest funds;
(ii) employ a professional fund-manager and/or financial adviser; and
(iii) arrange for the investments or other property of the Charity to be held in the name of a nominee;

in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the trustees of a trust are permitted to do

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

by the Trustee Act 2000;

(R) to employ or engage or make arrangements with a professional fund-raiser in accordance with the requirements, from time to time, of the Charity Commission;

(S) to provide indemnity insurance for the Directors or any other officer of the Charity in relation to any such liability as is mentioned in sub-clause 4.2 of this clause, but subject to the restrictions specified in sub- clauses 4.3 and 4.4 of the clause;

(T) to insure the property of the Charity against any foreseeable risk and take out other insurance policies to protect the Charity when required;

(U) to pay out of the funds of the Charity the costs of forming and registering the Charity both as a company and as a charity;

(V) to establish or acquire such subsidiary companies as the Directors may determine for such purposes as they may determine (including but not limited to the conduct of trading activities that the Charity is not permitted to conduct) and the Charity may invest monies in such a subsidiary by way of loan or otherwise on such terms as the Directors may determine, so long as in each case to do so is in the best interests of the Charity; and

(W) to do all such other lawful things as are necessary or desirable in the view of the directors for the achievement of the Objects.

Risk Management

The Directors have reviewed the major risks to the charity. The cost-of-living crisis has presented significant challenges, financial uncertainty to YourStory and mental, health and emotional wellbeing risks to our staff, young people and families we work with. The unstable economy in 2022, had a major impact on the financial investments of grant funding organisations and Trusts, which had the knock-on effect of reduced size of grants available in the future or more cautious approach to announcing funding rounds. At the same time, we experienced greater needs and higher rates of vulnerability amongst our young people and their families throughout the cost-ofliving crisis.

We had five grants ending in 2023 and 3 new multiyear grants starting in 2023. These grants helped and will help us to grow and expand our reach of work in the community with children, young people and their families.

We continue to work with an independent VCSE consultant who is providing in-kind strategic fundraising, IAG and capacity building support. This support is vitally important as due to post COVID and the cost-of-living crisis there is ever-increasing competition for grant opportunities, in a continued difficult financial market.

Progress has been made in identifying suitable funding and contracts within the public and voluntary sectors and entering partnerships with private sector and larger voluntary organisations. Project delivery in terms of staff and beneficiary personal safety are ever-more challenging and it is imperative we continue to invest in our infrastructure, health and safety precautions and governance.

The nature of a large proportion of grants is that they are focused on project delivery, which does not allow YourStory to sufficiently build our reserves or invest towards building infrastructure and capacity

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

to reach more young people and their families. Our longer-term aim is to secure and maintain the required financial reserves.

We are a going concern. The Directors consider that adequate insurance is held with RSA. The Company has continued to benefit from the Health and Safety and Human Resources expertise provided by Peninsula Advice Service. We have increased our processes and procedures ensuring compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, young people and visitors to YourStory. The full risk assessment document is available from the YourStory office.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Our Vision

A world where every young person has the direction, the support and the knowhow, to realise their ambitions.

Our Mission

Through listening, YourStory’s expert mentors are able to understand an individual’s ambitions, the support they need, and the challenges they face. They are then able to match them with YourStory’s network of businesses and organisations to help them succeed.

Our Values

Integrity: We are honest, consistent and show an unwavering dedication to our moral and ethical values
Trustworthy: We can be relied upon to have what is best for an individual at the heart of everything we do
Supportive: We are dedicated to providing encouragement and emotional help
Passionate: We love what we do and believe in the good that it creates 5. Dedicated: We are devoted to creating positive change for the individuals we support
Approachable: We are always friendly, welcoming, and open minded
Responsive: We strive to be there for individuals whenever they need us, as we understand crisis can happen at anytime

What YourStory Does

Challenge, Inspire and Support

Help individuals create a sense Sense of direction for themselves

Have Positive Effect

On an individual’s ability to envision and control their future

People

The attitudinal shift that people have when they take part in YourStory mentoring. E.g. feel able to articulate and action their ambitions.

Service

Providing a service for organisations who need YourStory’s expertise to fulfil their objectives or do not have the capacity to help individuals themselves.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

What taking part in YourStory mentoring entails

We know what it’s like

Since 2003 our mentors have been in the same situation as the young people we serve. We know what it’s like, where you are coming from and what it takes to create a future for yourself.

We have a network of businesses and organisations who can help

YourStory is not just about mentoring, we have a network of businesses and organisations who, once you have worked out where you want to go, can help get you there.

Look at how others have succeed

Don’t just take it from us that we are good, check out the experiences of others from your area.

YourStory is here to listen to you. We know what it’s like to feel unsure of how to get where you want to go. We have mentors who have been in your position and we offer opportunities which can help you achieve your ambitions.

You’re in safe hands

We are not the authorities, you can trust us. We are made up of individuals from all walks of life, some of us have been in exactly the same situations as you. We want the best for you and others like you – that is why we set up YourStory in the first place.

We can save you time

YourStory has a small but highly effective team who have years of experience dealing with individuals without direction, helping them to set and achieve their goals. By partnering with us to work with the individuals who need extra attention, you will save your own time and thus, be better able to focus your energy on the areas you are expert in.

We can help you fulfil your objectives, with a proven track record

YourStory is a multi-skilled organisation which is able to adapt to the individual needs of any funder. We have delivered multiple projects over 19 years with excellent results.

We get results

The sense of purpose and belonging individuals get when taking part in the YourStory programme will help them envision a better life, and also give them opportunities to achieve their ambitions.

We provide excellent value for money

We are able to create efficient projects which create the largest impact due to our expert staff, knowledge of delivering projects with young people and extensive partner network.

We’re here to listen, not judge

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

We know how hard things can be, the challenges families face on a daily basis. We are here to listen to your problems; understand your issues and help you find solutions.

Activities undertaken for the public benefit

YourStory works with vulnerable young people and their families to raise their emotional, mental and physical well-being. Working across South, Central, North and West London we provide mentoring, career development and support on vocational programmes, as well as working to reduce the impact of long-term health conditions, offending behaviour and increase well- being. We help equip them with the skills and confidence needed to take control of their lives and to develop to their full potential.

Working in partnership with schools raising school attendance rates, we improve behaviour and maximise attainment. We help young people to increase their engagement in learning, personal development and career planning. In particular we support and engage those living with long-term health conditions, at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) towards further education, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment.

We have continued to recruit staff who are local and understand the challenges our young people face. Our staff are vibrant, inspiring, professional and in touch with the young people, their families and the local community. They are from a variety of backgrounds and cultures bringing varied, rich experiences and skills which widen young people’s horizons, to introduce and support them into new opportunities.

YourStory has built a history and track record of delivering activities for young people across established school and council partnerships. We have increased our activity in helping young people access further education, apprenticeships and employment, especially in South London.

We actively work with families, schools and social service agencies to build appropriate, positive relationships with young people and disadvantaged groups in society. We work in partnership with voluntary, private and statutory sector organisations to provide better opportunities for our young people.

Young people benefit from being able to develop positive, responsible, self-development networks in society for themselves and their peer groups. To help facilitate this process, we and the young people themselves review and comment on policies and procedures that may affect the quality of life and opportunities for other young people and disadvantaged groups of society.

We look to the service users themselves on ways to counter discrimination, as they often identify and have to address forms of discrimination on a regular basis. Our service users guide us immensely and we often access particular health, physical and learning activities as requested by young people.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Relationship with The Hampton Project

In 2012, the Chair and Chief Executive of YourStory Ltd took over the management of The Hampton Project Ltd, after Hampton Project Trustees declared they were standing down for personal reasons and wanted the charity to continue. The YourStory Trustees agreed to maintain The Hampton Project as a separate charity and legal entity as it had a long history of serving the community and working with young offenders with a strong reputation in Lambeth.

YourStory and The Hampton Project both work with young people who are not in school and need intensive mentoring. Whilst the backgrounds and challenges of these young people are different, our staff are experienced in working with a range of different needs in young people. The Hampton Project developed its vocational provisions and YourStory were able to benefit from this through regular referrals and projects for young people. In order to match the young person with the best member of staff to help them we sometimes used staff across the two companies.

In 2013, significant time was spent by YourStory management on Hampton Project and it was determined that it would be fair to make a charge for this as all of the relevant costs were being borne by YourStory Ltd. Whenever staff were shared their time was recharged to the other organisation at cost. Therefore, annual management charges were made to reflect costs incurred. Both charities had limited risks incurred by the other.

In early 2018, The Hampton Project was given notice to leave its premises by the landlord Lambeth Council from 1 April 2018. Whilst both entities continued to operate out of the Hampton Project premises until the end of the summer term, YourStory Ltd were only charged £5000 for the final term.

After this, during the summer of 2018, The Hampton Project ceased delivering services to young people, as it no longer had a vocational workshop provision to offer young people. As a result, The Hampton Project changed its registered address to the 204 Young People and Family Community Centre, a building leased by YourStory from Lambeth Council.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Projects Serving Young People and Their Families

Our mentoring work with young people is based around helping them understand their mindset and things that will help or hinder them in reaching their full potential.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Keeping S.A.F.E by Strengthening Families through Character Education Funded by The Walcot Foundation 2018 – 2022 (Year 3 programme, extended due to COVID)

Overview

YourStory believe that parents and guardians play an important role in their children's education and that a strong partnership between parents/guardians, children and schools enriches the learning experience of the children/young people involved. Keeping S.A.F.E by Strengthening Families through Character Education is an intensive school reintegration and family support programme for young people (aged 11 – 16) and their families. The programme focused on two main categories:

S.A.F.E Mentoring Young People

Social Attitude Family Environment (S.A.F.E) Positive with Young People

Provided intensive 1:1 mentoring and nurturing group programmes for young people identified through their lack of school engagement and high risk of school exclusion

SFCE Family Support

Strengthening Families through Character Education (SFCE) supporting Families

Provided support for parents/guardians to address issues facing their children, family dynamics and to develop positive relationships with schools

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Core Costs Grants Funded by Impact On Urban Health May 2022 – July 2023

Overview

Grant to support the ongoing delivery of services. We work with pupils identified by their schools as struggling with their mental health, and / or carrying a particular burden due to themselves or a family member living with multiple long-term conditions. This supports the aims of our Long-Term Health Conditions programme, whilst aiming to relieve some of the burden on the NHS of tackling mental health issues and, specifically, on CAMHS services, and is therefore in furtherance of limb 2 (the purposes of the health service (as described in section 1 of the NHS Act 2006 or any statutory modification of that section) and limb 4 (securing improvement in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental illness of the people of England).

Mentoring Young People

Intensive weekly 1-2-1 mentoring supported 48 young people from Primary to Secondary School and those returning to secondary school after COVID lockdown.

Core Benefits

Development strategy to engage more young people and families living with Long-Term Health Conditions
Develop newpartnerships with referring agencies, delivery partners and social investment enterprises
Guaranteed income allowing to plan and develop the organisation
Enhanced the ability to retain and develop staff team
Revised staff structure, policies and procedures for key processes and training

Digital Skills & Mentoring Project Funded by Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit’s Stronger Future Programme October 2021 – August 2022

Overview

YourStory worked in partnership with Find Your Feet CIC to provide a Digital Marketing project for 80 young people aged 10 – 18, meeting once a week, underpinned by intensive one to one mentoring support over 12 weeks. There was 4-weeks aftercare support for young people to continue accessing help when and if needed, around Digital Marketing and Mentoring. In total every young person had a 16-week course experience, helping them to find alternative avenues to use Social Media and Technology, whilst diverted away from offending behaviour and to positive lifestyles.

Mentoring Young People

88 young people received intensive weekly 1-2-1 mentoring over 12 weeks

Benefits

Increased awareness of how to safeguard themselves and those of others on social media Increased self-confidence

Reduced the risk of becoming a victim of youth crime

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Mayors Violence Reduction Unit Teachable Moments Programme Court Diversion & Knife Crime Prevention Orders Dec 2021 to March 2023

One to one mentoring for Y.P. 10 to 24 years of age who have a court order or are at risk of offending and working with over 100 young people in Secondary Schools around knife awareness, reporting and extracting yourself from dangerous situations or peer groups.

Mentoring Young People

Engaged young people with intensive weekly 1-2-1 and group mentoring

Benefits

Increased community cohesion Increased education, training and employment opportunities Increased awareness of how to safeguard themselves from criminal activity Increased self-confidence

Reduced the risk of becoming a victim of youth crime

A partnership funded by IOUH to improve communication, collaboration and engagement between school, staff and parents.

Parent Listening

Giving parents a voice - a say on school matters and involvement in decision-making on issues that affect them - enables schools to meet the needs of the communities they serve more effectively. Most school policies have a direct impact on families and so those families' views should be considered to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Benefits

Increased family and school cohesion Increased opportunities for parent voices to be heard Increased awareness of how mental health assessment process Increased knowledge of school structures, including Board of Governors

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Court Ordered Mentoring (.COM) Weavers Foundation May 2021 - April 2023

Grant to provide young offenders aged 10 - 24, with intensive 1-2-1 mentoring throughout their court order in the community. The aim was to prevent young people from re-offending, whilst working on key life strengths and improving their involvement with education and employment.

The programme worked with a broad range of young people from across London who have offended and may receive a Court Order. We worked alongside Magistrates Courts, Youth Offending Services (YOS), creating support packages targeted at reducing re-offending amongst young offenders. Referrals direct from Courts and YOS were low, so YourStory engaged directly with the Metropolitan Police. Through this, we secured a greater number of referrals and support packages for young people. Once contact was established between young people and the mentor good progress was made by the young person.

Mentoring Young People

Engaged young people with intensive weekly 1-2-1 mentoring

Benefits

93% success rate of no re-offending

Increased community cohesion

Increased education, training and employment opportunities

Increased awareness of how to safeguard themselves from criminal activity and self-confidence Reduced the risk of becoming a victim of youth crime

----- Start of picture text -----
Number of referrals by age Reasons for Offending
10 Group offence
8
Firearms
6
4 Knife attack/offence
2
Knife possession
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
----- End of picture text -----

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

Volunteers

Our vision is to help vulnerable young people, through emotional, mental and physical well-being support to engage successfully in education, career and life opportunities. We have volunteering input throughout the organisation, on different levels and intensity including financial management, teaching assistants, group workers, administration and project development.

As always, we would not be able to achieve as much with our young people without the valuable contribution of time, energy and expertise of our volunteers and we are actively working to secure stronger links with the volunteer workforce.

Financial review

Reserves and Investment Policies

The Company continued its banking facilities with Barclays Bank Plc. The Company’s financial reserves are limited, and all funds held earn interest tied to the bank’s base rate. The Company does not have an investment policy. The Directors will review both this and the reserves policy when the Company’s cash reserves increase.

Reserves Policy

The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the Company and to meet its obligations in the event of a significant drop in funding. The Company needs sufficient reserves to maintain a reasonable level of activity on any programme, including the continued employment of the relevant member(s) of staff in the event of a gap in the provision of income. I t often takes time for grant making bodies to respond to requests and payment of grants does not necessarily follow the Company’s financial year. We also need sufficient funds to meet our legal obligations to staff in the event of termination of an employment contract and meet ex gratia payments approved by the Directors or to fund temporary staff in the absence of permanent staff (e.g. sick leave).

We have worked hard to meet the Board’s aim for reserves to be between three and six months’ recurrent expenditure and to cover any necessary redundancy payments to the company’s staff. Working with the current level of expenditure, reserves need to be maintained between £55,000 and £70,000. Our reserves improved from recent years, though are still below the required level. We expect to see better results in the next 24 months as we target work to provide unrestricted income.

At the end of the year the company held reserves of £17,815.

Future Plans

We will recruit and support Criminology, Forensic Criminology undergraduates and graduates onto 30 days to 150 days work placements, working with vulnerable young people and families. The young people and families are from households surviving below the low-income poverty line. Those on placements will develop better understanding of socio-economic structures, reducing offending / increasing community cohesion practices and delivery methods, through 1-2-1 Mentoring, supporting Group Workshops, co-facilitating Focus Groups and Family Forums.

We will continue to develop our strategic business plan, with a focus on financial return in line with quality of services provided. We continually assess our progress in securing funding and contracts within the public and voluntary sectors and entering partnerships with private sector and larger voluntary organisations. A significant proportion of income secured will allow us to invest resources to develop strategic partnerships with other organisations, sharing resources, whilst enhancing outcomes for beneficiaries.

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YourStory Ltd Directors’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2022

YourStory are actively working towards diversifying our income generation activities. We are looking for reduced reliance on grant funding and expanding into more commissioned services from local governments and statutory services. We will increase support across a broad range of donations, sponsorships, corporate and high net worth individual income.

At present we cannot fully measure and communicate the huge financial return on investment against the work that we do around reducing offending and/or re-offending, and the correlating cost savings to the criminal justice system, statutory services and public health. Therefore, we will look more closely at data insights and an economic evaluation of our services which will support us to secure more commissioned work by demonstrating significant savings across education, social services, training, employment, criminal justice, statutory services and public health.

Strict budgetary discipline is still required to ensure that services are relevant, appropriate and client centred and that our services reflect value for money. We shall maintain full accountability to our clients, funders and other stakeholders. The Board actively and continuously reviews the conclusions, findings and recommendations of strategic reviews.

Responsibilities of the Directors

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Company as at the balance sheet date and of its income resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Directors should follow best practice and:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Company will continue on that basis.

The Directors are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

– This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with the special provision of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities.

This report was approved by the Directors on 29[th] September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Purabi Chatterjee-Das Tim Hunter Trustee Trustee

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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of YourStory Ltd

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 charity’s trustees of the Company (and also 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 your charity’s accounts as 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

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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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
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.

Anthony Epton BA FCA CTA FCIE Goldwins Chartered accountants 75 Maygrove Road West Hampstead London NW6 2EG

16 October 2023

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YourStory Limited

Statement of financial activities

(incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 December 2022

Unrestricted £ 433 80,949 - 92	Restricted £ - 141,813 - -	2022 Total £ 433 222,762 - 92	2021 Total £ 360 173,755 19,460 8
81,474	141,813	223,287	193,583
76 74,999 75,075 6,399 - 6,399 11,416 17,815	140 141,673 141,813 - - - - -	216 216,672 216,888 6,399 - 6,399 11,416 17,815	216 186,003
			186,219
			7,364
			-
			7,364
			4,052
			11,416

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

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YourStory Limited Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2022

2022 £ 47,043 150,266	2022 £ -	2021 £ 51,161 115,697	2021 £ -
	- 45,315		- 48,916
197,309 151,994		166,858 117,942
17,815		11,416
	45,315 27,500		48,916 37,500
	17,815		11,416
	- 17,815		- 11,416

	17,815		11,416

The attached notes form part of these financial statements.

For the year ended 31 December 2022 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. No Member of the Company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the Company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the Company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 for Small entities Section 1A.

Approved by the trustees on 29 September 2023. and signed on their behalf by:

Purabi Chatterjee-Das Trustee

Tim Hunter Trustee

Company registration no. 4631388

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YourStory Limited Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The charitable company 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 or note.

b) Reconciliation with previously Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP)

In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 a restatement of comparative items was required. The transition date was 1 January 2014.

c) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.

d) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Income received in advance for the provision of specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

e) Donations of gifts, services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit 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), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis 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 recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

f) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

g) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

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YourStory Limited Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Accounting policies (continued)

h) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds comprise of trading costs and the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services, exhibitions and other educational activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

i) Operating leases

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

j) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Office equipment

33%

k) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

l) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

m) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

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YourStory Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2022

2 Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities

£ 433 433 Unrestricted £ 77,893 3,056 - 80,949 Unrestricted £ 92 Unrestricted	2021 Unrestricted £ 360 6,225 19,460 8	2021 £ - 167,530 - - Restricted	2021 Total £ 360 173,755 19,460 8 193,583 216 186,003 186,219 7,364 - 7,364 4,052 11,416 £ 360 360 Unrestricted £ - 6,225 - 6,225 Unrestricted £ 8 Unrestricted	2021 Total £ 360
	26,053	167,530
	- 18,689 18,689 7,364 - 7,364 4,052	216 167,314 167,530 - - - -
	11,416	-
	£ - - £ 29,112 - 112,701 141,813 Restricted £ - Restricted Restricted	2022 Total £ 433 433 2022 Total £ 107,005 3,056 112,701 222,762 2022 Total £ 92 92
				360
				2021 Total £ 86,460 6,225 81,070
				173,755
				2021 Total £ 8
92	-		8	8

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YourStory Limited

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

6 Analysis of expenditure

Analysis of expenditure
Raising funds Staff costs Contractors Training Running costs Equipment & Resources Travel Expenses Rent & Rates Insurance Software support Telephone Mobile phones Premises expenses Depreciation Provision for doubtful debts Bank charges and interest Management fee Governance costs	Unrestricted Funds £ 76 54,642 3,971 178 3,808 1,317 781 2,714 1,682 1,482 602 667 1,541 - - 492 - 1,122	Restricted Funds £ 140 103,437 7,518 326 9,384 2,411 1,310 4,553 2,823 2,486 1,009 1,119 2,586 - - 828 - 1,883	Year ended 31.12.22 Total Funds £ 216 158,079 11,489 504 13,192 3,728 2,091 7,267 4,505 3,968 1,611 1,786 4,127 - - 1,320 - 3,005	Year ended 31.12.21 Total Funds £ 216 113,730 19,238 1,488 7,539 3,531 1,476 9,096 3,513 4,798 1,487 1,576 13,985 994 - 875 - 2,677
	75,075	141,813	216,888	186,219

Of the total expenditure, £75,075 was unrestricted (2021: £18,681) and £141,813 was restricted (2021: £166,942).

6a Analysis of expenditure (prior year)

Raising funds Staff costs Contractors Training Running costs Equipment & Resources Travel Expenses Rent & Rates Insurance Software support Telephone Mobile phones Premises expenses Depreciation Provision for doubtful debts Bank charges Management fee Governance costs	Unrestricted Funds £ - 18,681 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Restricted Funds £ 216 95,049 19,238 1,488 7,539 3,531 1,476 9,096 3,513 4,798 1,487 1,576 13,985 994 - 875 - 2,677	Year ended 31.12.21 Total Funds £ 216 113,730 19,238 1,488 7,539 3,531 1,476 9,096 3,513 4,798 1,487 1,576 13,985 994 - 875 - 2,677	Year ended 31.12.20 Total Funds £ 216 104,933 15,948 - 9,811 3,564 1,143 16,154 3,395 3,419 1,424 2,084 1,303 1,000 - 333 - 1,400
	18,681	167,538	186,219	166,127

Of the total expenditure, £18,681 was unrestricted (2020: £38,472) and £166,942 was restricted (2020: £127,655).

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YourStory Limited Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

7 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

This is stated after charging / (crediting): Operating lease rentals: Property Depreciation Auditor's remuneration: Independent examination	2022 £ 6,975 - 3,005	2021 £ 8,953 994 2,677

8 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Staff costs were as follows: Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs	2022 £ 146,832 7,333 3,914	2021 £ 108,164 2,719 2,847
	158,079	113,730

No employees received more than £60,000 employee benefits (excluding employer pension) during the year. The total employee benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel were £41,353 (2021: £32,622).

One of the trustees was paid £40,558 in respect of his executive role in the company (2021: £31,992).

Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was as follows:

Charitable activities

2022 No. 8	2021 No. 7
8	7

9 Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

6,370 - - Plant & Machinery	7,843 - - Furniture & Fixtures	£ 16,556 - - Office Equipment	Total £ 30,769 - -
6,370	7,843	16,556	30,769
6,370 - -	7,843 - -	16,556 - -	30,769 - -
6,370	7,843	16,556	30,769
-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-

10 Tangible fixed assets

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

11 Debtors

Trade debtors Other debtors and prepayments Amounts owed by related companies	2022 £ - 5,662 41,381	2021 £ - 10,320 40,841
	47,043	51,161

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YourStory Limited Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals Deferred income Bank loan Deferred income Balance at the beginning of the year Amount released to income in the year Amount deferred in the year Balance at the end of the year	2022 £ 4,006 1,278 20,973 117,340 8,397	2021 £ 1,684 21,609 10,253 75,999 8,397
	151,994	117,942
	2022 £ 75,999 (213,264) 254,605	2021 £ 116,786 (106,286) 65,499
	117,340	75,999

Deferred income includes £10,971 from the Walcot Foundation (2021: £14,379), £4,500 from FORE Foundation (2021: £4,500), £Nil from the Postcode Lottery (2021: £1,000), £14,707 from Impact on Urban Health (2021: £37,097), £23,866 from the Violence Reduction Unit (2021: £7,523), £13,500 from the Weavers Benevolent Fund (2021: £6,500). £14,835 from the Drapers Benevolent Fund (2021: £Nil) and £29,961 from the Peter Minet Foundation (2021: £Nil)

13. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

In July 2020 the Company obtained a loan from its Bank (Barclays) under the Bounce Back loan scheme. The loan was for £50,000, the Government has set the interest rate for the loan at 2.5% per annum and the repayment term is fixed for six years. No repayments were due during the first twelve months. The Government covered interest payable in the first twelve months.

Repayments have been made monthly from August 2021. £8,397 has been included in Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (2021: £8,397) and £27,500 has been included in Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (2021: £37,500).

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets Net current assets Long term liabilities Net assets at the end of the year	General unrestricted £ - 45,315 27,500	Designated £ - - -	Restricted £ - - -	Total funds £ - 45,315 27,500
	17,815	-	-	17,815

14a Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)

14a Analysis of net assets between funds (	prior year)
Tangible fixed assets Net current assets Long term liabilities Net assets at the end of the year 15 Movements in funds Restricted funds: Impact on Urban Health Violence Reduction Unit Postcode Lottery Walcot Fund Other grants Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds: General funds Total unrestricted funds	£ - - - - - At the start of the year	General unrestricted £ - 48,916 37,500	Designated £ - - -	Restricted £ - - -	Total funds £ - 48,916 37,500
		11,416	-	-	11,416
		£ 2,840 111,701 1,000 22,830 3,442 Incoming resources & gains	£ (2,840) (111,701) (1,000) (22,830) (3,442) Outgoing resources & losses	Transfers £ - - - - -	£ - - - - - At the end of the year
	-	141,813	(141,813)	-	-
	11,416	81,474	(75,075)	-	17,815
	11,416	81,474	(75,075)	-	17,815

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YourStory Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2022

Restricted funds:

Restricted funds relate to grants received and utilised during the year which are required to be spent on activities agreed with the grant funder. These are described in more detail in the trustees report and all involve working with young people and their families to help them in difficult circumstances.

£ - - - - - - At the start of the year	£ 47,903 42,528 38,542 15,498 14,781 8,278 Incoming resources & gains	£ (47,903) (42,528) (38,542) (15,498) (14,781) (8,278) Outgoing resources & losses	Transfers £ - - - - - -	£ - - - - - - At the end of the year
-	167,530	(167,530)	-	-
4,052	26,053	(18,689)	-	11,416
4,052	26,053	(18,689)	-	11,416

Restricted funds:

16 Operating lease commitments

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Less than 1 year 1 - 5 years	Property 2022 £ 12,700 26,800	2021 £ 26,000 124,000
	39,500	150,000

17 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Each member is liable to contribute a sum not exceeding £1 in the event of the charity being wound up.

18 Related party transactions

The Hampton Project is a related party of the charity as it is a charity with a common trustee during the period which is managed by the same chief executive.

During the year the charity increased its loan to The Hampton Project by £540 (2021: £Nil) Note 10).

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