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2024-03-31-accounts

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Trustee Annual Report and Accounts

Financial Year 2023-2024

Supporting children, young people and their families living in North Devon and the Torridge area who have experienced the death of someone close to them.

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Contents Page
Note from the Chair 3
Report of the Trustees 4
Statement of Public Benefit 6
Report of the Independent Examiner 17
Statement of Financial Activities and
Notes to the Accounts
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Note from the Chair

This year has been one of significant transformation for FiG. We were delighted to welcome our new CEO, Naomi Jefferies, in May 2023. Naomi has adeptly guided us through numerous changes in staff, office and service operations. We are optimistic about a period of stability in 2024/2025.

One of the most notable changes was our relocation in September 2023 from Bideford to Castle Lodge in Barnstaple. The lodge required extensive renovations, but thanks to the generous contributions from local businesses, the dedication of our volunteers, and the hard work of our staff and their families, we now have a welcoming office space. This new office allows us to better support families and young individuals, providing a base for support, meetings and daily operations.

In June, we bid farewell to Abi Mandeville, our FSO, who embarked on her travels. We welcomed Etelka Moon as our new FSO in September, along with Jo Bradford as our new administrator. Both have brought invaluable expertise and skills to our team.

Our profile in the community has grown through various fundraising initiatives, training events and Clare Maynard’s excellent communications work. This increased visibility is crucial, as it ensures that those in need are aware of who we are, what we do, and how to reach us. Our referral rate has risen by 35% and continues to grow.

In response to feedback from the children and families we support, as well as other charities, and due to the increasing complexity of referrals, we reviewed our support offerings. After a six-month pilot of different bereavement support methods, we conducted a thorough review. Moving forward, we will continue group support for primary children and parents and expand our services to include support in schools (primary, secondary, and college settings), art workshops for creative grief exploration, and outdoor sessions for bereaved young people to connect through shared activities. We will keep adapting and evaluating our support to best meet the needs of those we serve. This has also led us to review our staff skills to ensure we provide the highest quality support for bereaved families in Northern Devon.

Our incredible staff team has risen to these challenges. I want to express my deepest gratitude for their hard work and dedication in managing these changes. We are confident that these service improvements will greatly benefit our bereaved families, and we are immensely grateful to our team for making this possible.

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful volunteers. Your endless hours of fundraising and family support, utilising your skills and talents, are invaluable to FiG and the families we support. You are truly amazing. Thank you.

Tracey Elliott Chair of Trustees Families in Grief (FiG)

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Families in Grief - Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1st April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

Charity name: Families in Grief (FiG)

Charity registration number: 1116474

Our approach

Our overarching mission is to ensure that all bereaved families in North Devon and Torridge receive the support they need, when they need it – free of charge and tailored to meet the developing needs of the children, young people and adults in their family.

Our work has two strands – direct bereavement support work with families, and education and resources for the professionals and agencies supporting them so that they have the skills and understanding to help when needed.

Objectives and Activities

SORP
reference
Summary of the purposes of the
charity as set out in its governing
document
Para 1.17 The purpose of Families in Grief (FiG) is to:

Provide a credible and high-quality bereavement
support to service to all grieving families in need of
our help.

To better educate and support professionals who
come into contact with bereaved children and
young people.

To improve family relationships after a member of
the family dies, to reduce bereaved families’
feelings of social isolation, and to improve a child
or young person’s engagement with school.

To ensure all families and professionals working
with families in north Devon and the Torridge area
are aware of FiG’s services.

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Summary of the main activities in Para 1.17 During the last financial year, FiG has piloted and and 1.19 relation to those purposes for the evaluated new support initiatives in conjunction with public benefit, in particular, the traditional bereavement support groups. These activities activities, projects or services have aimed to bring bereaved children, young people and identified in the accounts. parents/carers together – as a family or as part of a wider group with the commonality being the experience of bereavement.

The purpose being to reduce loneliness, support the understanding of and moving forward within grief, improve family relationship and foster engagement with school/college and the wider community.

Main direct bereavement support activities:

Main training and support for professionals working with bereaved children, young people and families in FiG’s locality:

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Para 1.18

The trustees of FiG confirm that they have had due Statement of public benefit regard to the guidance issued by the Charity confirming whether the trustees Commission on public benefit. Throughout the year, have had regard to the guidance we have diligently ensured that our activities align issued by the Charity with these guidelines, focusing on delivering tangible Commission on public benefit. benefits to the community we serve. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the well-being of our beneficiaries remains at the forefront of our operations.

Additional information (optional)

Contribution made by volunteers

SORP
reference
Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 FiG have 30 trained volunteers who support the work of
the FiG staff team. Volunteers have a range of
professional skills and experience, which they offer
through engagement in the following activities:

Delivering training to school staff and trainee
GPs

Attending information and fundraising events
and running informal activities for children

Front-line bereavement support through
bereavement support groups, well-being walks,
art workshops, outward-bound activities and
bespoke work with families

Baking cakes/creating prizes for fundraising
events

Helping organise and run fundraising events

Support with grant writing

What our volunteers say…

“I was buzzing after helping with the outdoor activity teenager group. Just seeing how they grew and connected as the weeks progressed was like golddust. The more mud and the more time outside – the better!”

“Lovely to attend the FiG training [on supporting parents]. It was so helpful to listen to the experiences of others and share. Lovely to meet new faces too”

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Bringing impact to life – Case Study 1

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Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.
Para 1.20 FiG has achieved success in three main
areas during this financial year:

Providing effective, tailored
bereavement support to an
increasing number of children,
young people, parents and carers
within North Devon and Torridge

Ensuring professionals working
directly with bereaved children,
young people and parents/carers
have the skills, knowledge and
access resources necessary to best
provide support

Increasing the profile of Families in
Grief within the community
The first benefit of this has been to ensure
there is an accessible face-to-face
children’s, young person’s and families’
bereavement support in place within the
North Devon and Torridge area. Secondly –
that the support is effective and meets the
specific needs of the service users and
thirdly that a wider range and number of
people are aware of the service and how to
access or refer to this when bereavement
support is needed.
During the financial year 23-24:

115Referrals were received

155Families received direct support

773Supportive phone calls/emails
were made to families

8,656Downloads of support
information from the FiG website

150Professionals were
supported/trained

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set
Para 1.41 The key objective set by trustees during
this financial year was to evaluate the
effectiveness and impact of the traditional
bereavement support services, in respect
to the changing needs of the client group
post covid.
A 9-month pilot phase was implemented
trialling arange of newand adapted

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support activities and evaluating these in
relation to the charity’s 4 main objectives.
A cost-benefit analysis was undertaken and
focus groups run to obtain and explore
feedback. As a result, the support offer has
been revised to best meet changing need
and increase accessibility.
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set
Para 1.41 Trustees agree that during the financial
year 20% of funds would be raised through
direct fundraising and donations generated
by the work of the staff team and
volunteers.
This target has been met and succeeded,
with 27% of the total charity income being
generated by fundraising and donations
during the financial year 2023-34.

Ilfracombe Round Table raised £10,000 for FiG at the Ilfracombe Beer Fest, May 2023

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Bringing impact to life – Case Study 2

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Financial Review Page 11

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period
Para 1.21 During the financial year 23-24, a total
income of £149,483 was generated through
grants, fundraising and donations.
FiG’s total expenditure was £130,107.
£19,376 was carried over to the next
financial year to support projects scheduled
for the summer period.
At the end of the financial year, in line with
the Trustees policy to hold approximately 6
months costs in reserve, the charity
reserves were set at £77,000.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held
Para 1.22 It is Families in Grief’s policy to hold a
minimum of 6-months necessary on-costs
(including salaries) in reserve. These are
held to ensure there is time for staff and
trustees to seek additional funding, should
there be a decrease in funding or when a
major grant comes to an end. This provides
security for staff and is important to enable
the recruitment and retention of staff. This
also provides a margin for additional costs
that arise due to unexpected factors out of
the charity’s control e.g. rising utility costs.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 For the financial year 2024/25 the Trustees
have set the reserves at £88,000 in line
with anticipated increases in expenditure
and income growth.

Additional information (optional)

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)
Para 1.47 Families in Grief is funded primarily by
large to medium grants including a three
year National Lottery continuation funding
grant alongside other major funders such
as BBC Children in Need, the Royal
Masonic Trust, Trusthouse and local
funders such as councillor grants, town
councils and local supermarkets.
Alongside grant funding, the charity has
increased income from fundraising and
donations.
In the financial year ending March 2024,
27% of income was raised through non
grant sources of funding and Trustees
anticipate that this percentage will increase
in the current year with key fundraising
events scheduled and an increase in
donation income through greater
community awareness of the charity’s work.

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A
description
of the principal risks facing
the charity
Page 12
Para 1.46 The CEO and Trustees maintain a dynamic
risk register which covers key risks across
governance, finance and operational
aspects of the business. This is reviewed
formally on a quarterly basis and updated
in the intervening period as and when risk
factors change.
This is in accordance with guidelines
issued by the institute of Risk Management
and the Charity Commission.
The principal risk facing the charity is threat
to medium/long term income due to
increased competition for funding both from
grant funders and from direct fundraising
activities.
Families in Grief is not supported by any
statutory funding or on-going trust or legacy
funding and relies 100% on fundraising and
grant donations.
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity
Para 1.46 The CEO and Trustees maintain a dynamic
risk register which covers key risks across
governance, finance and operational
aspects of the business. This is reviewed
formally on a quarterly basis and updated
in the intervening period as and when risk
factors change.
This is in accordance with guidelines
issued by the institute of Risk Management
and the Charity Commission.
The principal risk facing the charity is threat
to medium/long term income due to
increased competition for funding both from
grant funders and from direct fundraising
activities.
Families in Grief is not supported by any
statutory funding or on-going trust or legacy
funding and relies 100% on fundraising and
grant donations.

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Bringing impact to life – in their own words

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Structure, Governance and Management Page 14

Description of charity’s
trusts:
The FiG constitution as revised on 26/1/23
outlines the structure, governance and
management of the trustee board. FiG is
administered by a board ofelected trustees.
Type of governing document
Para 1.25
Trust deed
How is the charity
constituted?
Para 1.25 Registered charity
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
Para 1.25 FiG’s constitution states that at any one time
there shall be at least three trustees. Every
trustee is appointed for a period of two-four
years by a resolution of the trustees passed
at a special meeting.
Trustees are selected through a robust
interview process.
The skillset of potential trustees is assessed
in relation to anticipated skill gaps/areas for
development and selected Trustees must
have regard to the skills, knowledge and
experience for the effective administration of
the charity.
Appointment of a new trustee requires the
majority vote of the current trustee board.

Additional information (optional)

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees
Para 1.51 Every new Trustee receives in-house
induction, a trustee pack and training as a
new volunteer including the areas of
safeguarding and GDPR.
Ongoing training is assessed annually and
provided (or in-between if a need is
highlighted). Training such as GDPR,
safeguarding, safer recruitment, etc.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works
Para 1.51 Families in Grief has six trustees – four of
whom have official roles:

Chair

Vice Chair

Treasurer

Safeguarding Lead.
There are five employed part-time members
of staff working directly for Families in Grief:

CEO

2x Family Support Officers

Administrator, finance officer and
volunteer coordinator

Communications and Fundraising
Officer

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Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Families in Grief
Other name the charity uses FiG
Registered charity number 1116474
Charity’s principal address Castle Lodge,
North Walk,
Barnstaple,
Devon
EX31 1DF

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not
for wholeyear
Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee(if any)
TraceyElliott Chair Families in Grief trustee board
Alison Smith Vice Chair
Acting Treasurer
since April 2024
Families in Grief trustee board
Maureen Elsom Safeguarding Lead
Trustee
Families in Grief trustee board
Karen Hutton Families in Grief trustee board
Nicola Geddes Families in Grief trustee board
Nichola Rose Joined June
2024
Families in Grief trustee board
Toby Slater Treasurer until April
2024
Until April 2024 Families in Grief trustee board
Lesley Rolfe Until August
2023
Families in Grief trustee board

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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Naomi Jefferies – CEO (appointed 2/5/23) ~~Pe~~

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Alison Smith Full name(s) Tracey Elliott Position (eg Secretary, Chair of Trustees Vice Chair of Trustees Chair, etc) Date 16/9/2024 ~~|~~

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Families in Grief: Year End Accounts 2023-2024

Receipts Unrestricted Restricted Total 2022-2023
Grants 5 £106,920 £106,920 £77,933
Donations £31,769 £31,769 £17,766
Fundraising
Other
Total Receipts:
6 £8,250
£2,545
£42,563
soe
——
£106,920
£8,250
£2,545
£149,483
£5,037
£629
£101,365
Payments: Unrestricted Restricted Total 2022-2023
Salaries 7 £6,622 £97,496 £104,118 £82,750
Venue Hire, Resources, Activities £1,210 £2,662 £3,872 £3,229
ITandCommunications £969 £2,894 £3,863 £4,092
Training £500 £581 £1,081 £1,096
Travel £691 £2,479 £3,169 £1,484
Fundraising Costs £164 £335 £500 £707
Advertisingand Marketing £496 £640 £1,136 £670
Office Costs £810 £4,277 £5,086 £4,336
Rent
Insurance
£0
£1,187
£2,517
£500
£2,517
£1,687
£2,700
£1,532
2024WinterCharity Ball costs £676 £0 £676
Memberships and Subscriptions £180 £238 £418 £302
DBS £200 £373 £573 £153
BankCharges £36 £30 £66 £72
Sundries —_ —_
£13,741 £115,020 £128,762 £103,124
Asset Purchases:
Equipment £1,160 £186 £1,345.60 £2,605
Fixturesand Fittings —_— —_— ae
Total Payments: £14,902 £115,206 £130,107 £105,729
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2022-2023
Net receipts /Payments £27 662 -£8,286 £19,376 -£4,364
Cash funds broughtforward £124,873 £22,938 £147,811 £152,175
Cash funds carried forward: £152,534 £14,652 £167,186 £147,811
Cash at bank and in hand:
Cash Account £43,514 £14,652 £58,166 £75,802
Gold Account (Reserves) £109,015 £109,015 £72,004
PettyCash £5 £0 £5 £5

Families in Grief 2023-2024 Accounts

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Notes to the Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024

1. Preparation of the accounts:

These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis.in accordance with section 133 of the

2. Reserves Policy:

The Trustees annually review the charity's need for reserve funds in line with the guidance issued by

Amount currently held in reserves: £77,000

3. Risk Policy:

Families in Grief has completed a risk register covering Governance, Financial and Operational matters as part of the overall business plan. This is in accordance with guidelines issued by the institute of Risk Management and the Charity Commission and is available to view in the Families in Grief office.

4. Depreciation Policy:

Tangible fixed Assets costing more than £100 are capitalised with depreciation commencing in the first full year of ownership using the straight-line method over a5 year period.

FixedAssetopening Balance: £4,572
Purchases £1,346
Total: £5,918
Less Depreciation charge forthe year: £1,596
ClosingNBVofFixed Assets: £4,322
Fixed Assets by Category:
~~~
Amount
Equipment

£4,288
Fixtures and Fittings
£34
Total:
£4,322
aGL

Families in Grief 2023-2024 Accounts

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5. Restricted Funds:

Restricted Funds are received for a specific purpose within the objects of the charity & have been accounted for separately. All income has therefore been shown as restricted where the donor has stated it can only be used for a specific purpose:

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Funding Body: Opening Received Expenditure Closing
Balance Balance
Lottery £7,404 £84,100 £91,504 £0
Awards for All £9,021 £0 £6,955 £2,066
Norman Family Trust £1,453 £0 £1,453 £0.00
Northam Town Councll £750 £0 £750 £0
Barnstaple Town Council £500 £400 £900 £0
Albert Hunt Trust £2,000 £2,000 £2,000 £2,000
Morrisons £1,810 £0 £317 £1,493
Masonic Charitable Trust £0 £5,000 £5,000 £0
Northbrook £0 £6,000 £0 £6,000
DCC Councillor Grant £0 £640 £390 £250
Griffith £0 £500 £294 £206
Screwfix £0 £5,000 £5,000 £0
NDDC Locality grant £0 £500 £143 £357
DCPA police grant £0 £2,380 £500 £1,880
Asda grassroots £0 £400 £0 £400
Total: £22,938 £106,920 £115,206 £14,652
Grants are restricted to help with the following projects:
Funding Body: Restrictions
Lottery , Director | Admin & Comms | FSO Salary c
Awards for All Group Costs
Norman Family Trust Family Journeys
Northam Town Council Family Joumeys
Barnstaple Town Council Group Costs
Albert Hunt Trust Operating Costs
Morrisons Training (Co-ordinator or similar)
Masonic Charitable Trust Operating Costs
Northbrook Group Costs
DCC Councillor Grant Garden and outdoor work at new office
Griffith Resources
Screwfix Office relocation
NDDC Locality grant Beach run promotional materials
DCPA police grant Children's book resources
Asda grassroots Resources
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Government grants received in this financial year:

4

Families in Grief 2023-2024 Accounts

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6. Other Income:

Other Income for the year is as follows:

6. Other Income:
Other IncomeIncome for thethe year is as follows:
OtherIncome Unrestricted Restricted Total
Training £250 -— £250
Gift Aid £93 £93
Bank Interest
Total:
i
£2,202
£2,545
wooe
a
£2,202
£2,545
eean
  1. Salaries and associated costs: Salaries and associated costs for the year is as follows:
Salaries
Salaries
Unrestricted
£5,333
Unrestricted
£5,333
Restricted
£93,997
Total
£99,330
Employer's NI Contributions
EmploymentAllowance
£1,134
——
£6,770
-£5,000
£7,904
-£5,000
Employer’s Pension Contributions £155 £1,459 £1,614
Payroll Charges
Total:
gee
et

£6,622
£270
£97,496
EO

Signed on behalf of the Trustees by: |CU List Dates: 28] | 2024

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eo (
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Tracey Ellio tk '
CHAIR of TRUSTER
AUS SMITH
TREASURER ,
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Families in Grief 2023-2024 Accounts

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