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← The Blackthorn Trust

2023-12-31-accounts

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

Registered number: 05964574 Charity number: 1117979

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2023

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative details of the charitable company, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 6
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 7 - 9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance sheet 11
Notes to the financial statements 12 - 24

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charitable company, its Trustees and Advisers For the year ended 31 December 2023

Trustees Hazel Christine Adams
Maureen Bortolozoo (resigned 6 July 2023)
Andrew James
Jonathan Shaw, Chairman
Justine Sloover
William Mangar (resigned 6 June 2023)
Kevin Moule
George Perry
Company registered number
05964574
Charity registered number
1117979
Registered office
St Andrew's Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 9AN
Company secretary
Denise Thursby
Key Management Personnel
Emma Halpin
Susanna Odin
Nathalie Belmas
Denise Thursby
Independent auditors
UHY Hacker Young
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditors
Thames House
Roman Square
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME10 4BJ
Bankers
National Westminster Bank PLC
3 High Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1HJ
CAF Bank Limited
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Solicitors
Brachers
Somerfield House
59 London Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 8JH

Page 1

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report For the year ended 31 December 2023

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, are pleased to present their report and the financial statements for the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The Blackthorn Trust is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charitable company was incorporated on 12 October 2006 as The Blackthorn Trust. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.

Organisation

The Board of Trustees is made up of people with expert knowledge and life experience, including local people. It meets a minimum of six times per annum. It is aided and informed by a Management Group led by the Chief Executive to whom the day to day management of the charitable company is delegated.

Trustee induction and training

All serving trustees understand the methods and purpose of the charity. When new people are appointed to the Board, a programme of familiarisation with the charity and its work is put into effect, and advice for trustees published by the Charity Commission is provided. As new guidance is notified, it is made available at Board meetings. Board members have free access to all members of staff, enabling them to be fully aware of the charity’s activities and ways of working.

Trustees

The Trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) who served during the year are stated on page 1.

Risk Management

The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

Alongside on-going systems to identify and manage non-financial risks within the areas of safeguarding, health & safety and environmental health, greater focus on financial risk has been necessary in recent years. In particular, the changing commissioning environment and the general economic context has led to a greater degree of uncertainty, requiring regular and detailed attention to the potential impacts of these developments and necessary contingency plans to mitigate them.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal Activity and Objectives

Blackthorn’s stated objectives are “for the public benefit to relieve sickness, promote good health, advance the education and selfdevelopment of people with severe and/or chronic illness or disability (either physical or mental) by providing medical, educational and rehabilitation services, developed out of the perspective of Anthroposophy (see (1).

The Trust works with individuals with long term mental health, or chronic physical health, conditions such a .pain , fatigue, insomnia, stress and anxiety. Specialist therapies and training placements in social enterprise workshops such as (cooking, café, woodwork, craft and gardening), alongside one-to-one mentoring support are offered to help people back into employment, education or volunteering.

Many individuals who come to Blackthorn are leading isolated lives and are facing multiple health and social disadvantage. Most have not responded to mainstream interventions. Blackthorn aims to help people take up the challenge of their condition by reducing or moderating their symptoms and encouraging purposeful activity. The combination of therapy, work and community on offer maximises the individual’s chances of achieving long term improvement, thus helping them to find their potential in life and optimise their ability to work and integrate in the wider community, with all the individual, social and economic benefits this brings.

(1) The anthroposophical approach (Gk. Anthropos human being, Sophia wisdom) seeks an understanding of each person’s spiritual, soul and bodily constitution in relation to health and illness, and thus to enhance what may be achieved by way of additional interventions (medical therapeutic, social and occupational) alongside essential conventional ones.

Page 2

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023

Public Benefit

The Trustees have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing their aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular the trustees consider regularly how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Volunteers

The Blackthorn Trust's work would not be possible without its dedicated and loyal group of regular volunteers, who provide significant support to the staff in running the wide range of social enterprise training workshops that take place on-site, and with clerical and fundraising tasks. There is an ongoing need for experienced and skilled volunteer support from the local community which is managed by a volunteer coordinator.

Beneficiaries

We provide a place to change for people with significant life struggles due to long term physical or mental health challenges. Given the opportunity to engage with the social, therapeutic support and training enables each person to find their way to re-engage fully with life, work and their community. Our ultimate goal is that our beneficiaries have the resilience to live a fulfilling life and achieve their goals.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Annual Report

Introduction

The Shaw Trust - Live Well Kent

The Live Well Kent mental health contract awarded in 2022 for 3 years, has seen Blackthorn exceed client numbers. Blackthorn will continue to compete for additional funding for innovation projects released by Shaw Trust each year.

Involve (Kent County Council Funded) Actively Involved for Over 55’s or Under With Complex Health Conditions

Despite concerns over KCC funding, Involve have funded Blackthorn to run this support programme for another 12 months from September 2023. Blackthorn runs 6-week groups in craft and gardening which develops skills and combats loneliness.

Multiply (Kent County Council Funded)

Multiply (Skills for Life) is a programme of fully funded Maths courses, which aim to help people improve their ability to understand and use Maths in daily life, at home and at work. The skills training workshops offered at Blackthorn all include entry level maths skills which are integrated with wellbeing and support. A contract was awarded in July 2023 until the end of March 2024 with an invitation to tender in January 2024 for the next phase of funding. The programme is running up to the end of March 2025.

Frequent Attenders Pilot Project 2023-2024 (Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Funded)

In partnership with the NHS primary care network, Blackthorn Trust is piloting a 12 week support programme for 48 patients that attend multiple appointments a year with their GP due to anxiety. A contract has been awarded starting in September 2023, early evaluation is outstanding with the NHS Trust indicating further funding will be available later in 2024.

Kent Adult Education, (KAE) Community Learning and Skills, (Kent County Council Funded)

Response Programme funded by the Community Learning element of the KAE budget from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) until August 2024.

Blackthorn is supporting 50 learners to be able to access 2 taster sessions (equivalent to 1 day of learning) in any of Blackthorn training workshops dependent on their interests and preferences.

Blackthorn Trust Pain Programme (NHS Integrated Care Board)

This contract was funded until 31 March 2024.

Self -Pay Therapies and Therapeutic Services

During 2023, Blackthorn has developed a service which allows patients to purchase additional therapy at the end of a funded placement or to try a therapy for the first time. 12-week placements in training workshops have also been developed, all requiring a referral process, patient agreement and terms to be agreed.

Blackthorn Career, Learning and Development Programme ‘Next Steps’ What does my Future look like?

This service, facilitated by a registered career development professional, helps each participant to identify the skills and attributes they have that can then be taken forward to their individual goals for the future. The course runs for 8 weeks and is attended towards the end of a placement to support the individual to transition away from Blackthorn’s support. This work is funded from grants with the intention to include it in future contracts.

Page 3

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities on page 5 shows an overall deficit for the year of £187,690 (2022: deficit of £23,661).

Whilst income from charitable activities (note 4) increased to £241,735 (2022: £231,978), the level of general grants and donations did not reach the levels from the prior year, and consequently total income for the year fell to £488,304 (2022: £598,966). At the same time expenditure rose by 8% to £675,994. Staff costs rose to £410,879 and were once again the charity's main expense at 60% of total expenditure. Repairs and maintenance expenditure was high during 2023 at £66,945 (2022: £22,799).

Deficit strategy

The deficit for 2023 was not unexpected, and the Trustees and management continue to work hard to ensure that financial performance improves and returns to a sustainable level.

Our financial situation over the past few years has been distorted somewhat as a result of a large legacy (£273k). We were able to recognise the legacy income in the 2021 financial year, when we were notified about it, and the 2021 accounts reported a surplus of £158k. The legacy income was not received until October 2022 – close to the end of our 2022 financial year.

The legacy income was naturally extremely welcome, but it has affected our ability to fundraise from grant making trusts; funders reviewing the 2021 accounts (submitted with applications between September 2022 and July 2023) saw that we had a large surplus and assumed our need for funding was not as great as other charities. Consequently we did not meet our Trust target for the 2023 financial year, and we had to use some of the legacy income to fund our running costs.

Alongside the impact the legacy has had on our accounts, we had a number of unplanned expenses for maintenance of our aging site during the last 12 months. This included a replacement commercial boiler for the GP surgery building, car park resurfacing and electrical safety inspection essential upgrading. This work totalled £70,000.

The reduction in grant income in 2023 meant we developed new partnerships, most recently with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, piloting a support service for frequent attenders to GP surgeries as a result of anxiety and loneliness.

Our ongoing fundraising strategy includes increasing our income generation in multiple ways:-

Reserves Policy

The Trustees continue to believe that the Charity should aim to build financial reserves because:

Page 4

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023

Going concern

The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next year. The Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements, and the accounting policy in respect of going concern, which sets out the basis and assumptions made, is disclosed in accounting policy note 1.2.

Investment Powers

Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity's funds have been spent in the short term so there have been few, if any, funds for long-term investment.

Property assets

The Trust has established a significant asset base of £765,598 through the purchase over the years of a major proportion of the land upon which it operates as well as a portfolio of buildings including the Medical Centre, Café, Garden Room training kitchen, craft studio and office building. All of these buildings support continuity and stability of our activities, as well as bringing ongoing income to the Trust.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

The Shaw Trust

Blackthorn has worked closely with the Shaw Trust to develop the relationship engaging with the navigators employed by Shaw Trust and the senior leadership team. This has resulted in an increase in funding for additional clients during 2023. Innovation funding is made available throughout the year and Blackthorn is well placed to apply for new projects during 2024.

NHS Pain Management Contract - funding terminating 31st March 2024

This contract is to support 35 patients with chronic pain referred by their GP. Whilst this contract terminated on 31 March 2024, in late 2023 the Trust secured a grant from Hollands-Warren of the full contact amount to cover this work for a further 12 months until 31 March 2025. This gives The Blackthorn Trust an opportunity to develop this work and seek alternative funding.

Frequent Attenders Pilot Project 2023-2024 (Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Funded)

This pilot project started in September 2023, early evaluation is outstanding showing patients have significantly reduced their GP visits with the NHS Trust indicating further funding will be available later in 2024 to continue this work.

Multiply (Kent County Council Funded)

We have been successful in achieving the outcomes for this project and are tendering for the next phase of work April - November 2024. Early indications are that, if successful, this will be a larger contract.

Self -Funded Therapies and Therapeutic Services

During 2023 Blackthorn developed a self-pay option for the first time, enabling people to have additional treatment once a funded placement ends or try it for the first time. Now the procedures and processes are in place targeted advertising is planned to raise awareness of the service to the local community and health care professionals.

Mental Health Services for young people

Following the end of the Colyer Ferguson 3-year funded project, Blackthorn have worked to create a direct referral route with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS). The statistics show the huge number of young people who do not transition to adult services once they reach 18 because they do not meet the adult services thresholds for support. We also know that referrals for anxiety in young people have increased from 150 to 500 a month. Blackthorn is well placed to support young people and is working with CAMHS in partnership to apply to Colyer Ferguson for additional funding to continue and develop this work.

Involve (Kent County Council Funded) Actively Involved for Over 55’s or Under with Complex Health Conditions

Involve have funded Blackthorn to run this support programme for another 12 months from September 2023, awarding the full contract amount of £20,250. Blackthorn runs 6-week groups in craft and gardening which develops skills and combats loneliness.

B-Well NIHR Funded Research Project

Following the very successful DWELL (Diabetes & Wellbeing) European Funded Project, which ended in December 2022, Blackthorn has joined a new partnership of Kent-wide organisations, including the NHS and Public Health, to develop the model specifically for diabetes and mental health. Funding is being sought from the National Institute of Health Research for the delivery and research of this work. Blackthorn would be delivering this work, which is hoped will start in September 2024.

Grant Funding

The Trust is awaiting a decision on numerous grant applications.

Page 5

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2023

Employment Services and Blackthorn Career Learning and Development Program 'Next Steps'

The Next steps program has been funded again from September 2022 to run two separate 8 week courses to service users from all programs. This service helps to identify all the skills and attributes each person has that can then be taken forward to their individual goal for the future.

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are also directors of The Blackthorn Trust, for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 for that year. In preparing these financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees are required to:

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

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

Auditors

UHY Hacker Young were appointed auditors to the company and a resolution proposing their reappointment will be put to the Annual General Meeting .

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

................................................ ................................................ Jonathan Shaw - Chair Justine Sloover - Trustee

Date: 7 June 2024

Page 6

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Blackthorn Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Blackthorn Trust (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions 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 least 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 relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' 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 information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 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 themselves. 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.

Page 7

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Blackthorn Trust (continued)

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, 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 internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 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 going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the 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.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' 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 non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the charity and the wider not-for-profit sector in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to possible acts by the charity which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations including fraud. We also considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements and considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management’s possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to revenue recognition and management bias.

Audit procedures performed included a review of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, enquiries of management, testing of journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the Trustees that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures were also performed on the government grants received during the year for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, due to its material nature and potential for fraud.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.

Page 8

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of The Blackthorn Trust (continued)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

UHY Hacker Young

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Thames House Roman Square Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4BJ

Date: 21 June 2024

UHY Hacker Young are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 9

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 December 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities:
4
Rental income
NHS pain management contract
Sales in garden, cafe and craft shop
Other trading activities
Investments
5
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward
15		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
149,690
72,421
98,747
70,567
5,072
2,983
-
399,480
47,361
538,501
585,862
(186,382)
1,112,091
(186,382)
925,709		 Restricted funds
2023
£
88,824
-
-
-
-
-
-
88,824
-
90,132
90,132
(1,308)
2,500
(1,308)
1,192		 Total
funds
2023
£
238,514
72,421
98,747
70,567
5,072
2,983
-
488,304
47,361
628,633
675,994
(187,690)
1,114,591
(187,690)
926,901		 Total
funds
2022
£
344,537
78,456
96,377
57,145
3,985
560
17,906
598,966
44,698
577,929
622,627
(23,661)
1,138,252
(23,661)
1,114,591

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 12 to 24 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 05964574

Balance sheet As at 31 December 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one
year
14
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
15
Total funds		 1,583
49,931
213,020
264,534
(55,263)		 2023
£
765,598
209,271
974,869
(47,968)
926,901
1,192
925,709
926,901		 1,884
102,463
369,783
474,130
(56,646)		 2022
£
768,230
417,484
1,185,714
(71,123)
1,114,591
2,500
1,112,091
1,114,591

The entity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the entity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. However, an audit is required in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Jonathan Shaw, Chair Justine Sloover, Trustee

Date: 7 June 2024

The notes on pages 12 to 24 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

1. General information

The Blackthorn Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Its registered office is Blackthorn Medical Centre, St Andrews Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9AN.

The nature of the charity's operations, and its principal activity is to relieve sickness, promote good health, advance the education and self-development of people with severe and/or chronic illness or disability (either physical or mental) by providing medical, educational and rehabilitation services, developed out of the perspective of Anthroposophy.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective March 2018), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Blackthorn Trust 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.

The currency used in the financial statements is Pound Sterling.

2.2 Going concern

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements.

The trustees have carefully considered whether the charitable company will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, by reviewing both income and expenditure and cash flow projections for the coming twelve months. They have concluded that these indicate a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue as a going concern for year ahead from the date of approval of these financial statement, and that it therefore remains appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charitable company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the charitable company has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the charitable company, can be reliably measured.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

Page 12

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charitable company to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charitable company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Government grants

Grants are credited to the Statement of financial activities as the related expenditure is incurred.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

At each reporting date the charitable company assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method. Land is not depreciated.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Permanent buildings - 50 years straight line
Temporary buildings - 10 years straight line
Specialist equipment - 10 years straight line
Plant and machinery - 3 years straight line
Fixtures and fittings - 5 years straight line

2.7 Debtors

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

Page 13

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charitable company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.9 Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charitable company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charitable company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

3. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Legacies
Grants
Analysis of funds for 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
36,360
2,000
111,330
149,690
189,969		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
-
88,824
88,824
154,568		 Total
funds
2023
£
36,360
2,000
200,154
238,514
344,537		 Total
funds
2022
£
39,100
8,476
296,961
344,537

Page 14

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

4. Income from charitable activities

Medical, educational and rehabilitation services
Analysis of funds for 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
241,735
231,978		 Total
funds
2023
£
241,735
231,978		 Total
funds
2022
£
231,978

5. Investment income

Bank interest
Analysis of funds for 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
2,983
560		 Total
funds
2023
£
2,983
560		 Total
funds
2022
£
560

6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Medical, educational and rehabilitation services
Analysis of funds for 2022		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
538,501
383,809		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
90,132
194,120		 Total
2023
£
628,633
577,929		 Total
2022
£
577,929

Page 15

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Medical, educational and rehabilitation services
Analysis of expenditure for 2022
Analysis of direct costs		 Direct costs
2023
£
498,118
443,625		 Support costs
2023
£
130,515
134,304		 Total
funds
2023
£
628,633
577,929		 Total
funds
2022
£
577,929
Staff costs
Depreciation
Purchases
Co-workers and volunteers
Training and recruitment
Medical therapists materials
Publicity and events
Other staff costs
Repairs and maintenance
Rates and water
Light and heat
Cleaning, security and waste
Insurance
Technology
Printing, postage, stationery and telephone
Bank charges and interest
Sundry		 Total
funds
2023
£
263,816
46,362
41,378
2,735
4,221
20
1,615
6,486
66,945
(297)
10,709
16,347
10,407
10,604
12,539
3,278
953
498,118		 Total
funds
2022
£
249,419
44,406
43,822
8,984
4,015
509
1,211
5,815
22,799
2,893
12,265
14,204
8,818
9,612
10,623
3,123
1,107
443,625

Page 16

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Staff costs
Light and heat
Insurance
Cleaning
Audit and accountancy
Legal and professional		 Total
funds
2023
£
99,702
831
1,014
237
11,534
17,197
130,515		 Total
funds
2022
£
97,030
684
1,146
265
16,999
18,180
134,304

8. Auditors' remuneration

2023 2022
£ £
Fees payable to the charitable company's auditor for the audit of the charitable company's
annual accounts 3,560 3,470
Fees payable to the charitable company's auditor in respect of:
All non-audit services not included above 5,850 11,710

9. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 December 2023, expenses totalling £ 198 were reimbursed or paid directly to 1 Trustee (2022 - £213) . The expenses were for various ad hoc miscellaneous office items, including refreshments and stationery.

10. Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 2023
£
373,357
30,040
7,482
410,879		 2022
£
354,015
30,225
6,907
391,147

Page 17

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

10. Staff costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the charitable company during the year was as follows:

Operational charitable activities
Management and administration		 2023
No.
15
3
18		 2022
No.
14
3
17

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

Key Management Personnel

During the year, gross salaries, social security contributions and pension contributions made to these staff amounted to £147,063 (2022 - £141,729) . No other benefits were provided to these employees during the year.

11. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 Freehold
property
£
1,442,934
-
(18,859)
1,424,075
699,913
35,760
(18,859)
716,814
707,261
743,021		 Plant and
machinery
£
87,811
29,882
(32,981)
84,712
81,676
5,754
(32,981)
54,449
30,263
6,135		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
217,261
13,848
(116,838)
114,271
198,187
4,848
(116,838)
86,197
28,074
19,074		 Total
£
1,748,006
43,730
(168,678)
1,623,058
979,776
46,362
(168,678)
857,460
765,598
768,230

Included in land and buildings used for direct charitable purposes is the part of the property used by The Blackthorn Centre medical practice. The trust and medical centre share facilities and staff, and work in an integrated way that achieves the aims of the charity and are indistinguishable for this particular purpose.

Page 18

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

12. Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2023
£
36,263
9,378
4,290
49,931		 2022
£
32,189
6,768
63,506
102,463

13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Other loans
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
£
24,041
10,520
1,933
18,769
55,263		 2022
£
24,041
6,717
2,188
23,700
56,646

The prior year figures include deferred income of £6,035, in relation to rent received in advance. This has all been released during 2023, and there was no deferred income at 31 December 2023.

Page 19

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

14. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

2023 2022
£ £
Other loans 47,968 71,123

The aggregate amount of liabilities payable or repayable wholly or in part more than five years after the reporting date is:

2023 2022
£ £
Payable or repayable by instalments - 3,077

Other loans:

  1. A Bounce Back Loan (BBL) from NatWest Bank plc. The loan term is 6 years but includes a 12 month capital repayment holiday at inception. The BBL scheme is 100% government backed. The interest rate is fixed at 2.5% per annum. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2023 was £29,884.

  2. A loan from the Edna Linnell Charitable Trust, secured over the trust freehold land and buildings. The loan is interest free and repayments made by monthly instalments. The loan is due to be repaid in full by May 2031 and the latest date the loan can be repaid by is 1 January 2034. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2023 was £36,677.

  3. An unsecured loan from Francis and Sarah Salway. The loan is interest free and repayments made by monthly instalments. The loan is due to be repaid in full by September 2024. The amount outstanding at 31 December 2023 was £5,448.

Page 20

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

15. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Medical centre
Maidstone Horticultural Society
Jan prior workways
Eurythmy fund
General funds
General income fund
Tangible fixed assets
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
DWELL
The Shaw Trust
KCC Multiply
KCC Combined Member Grant
Edward Gostling
Colyer Fergusson
Cobtree Charity Trust
Biographical Gardening
Total of funds		 Balance at 1
January 2023
£
1,011
2,057
285
674
4,027
339,834
768,230
1,108,064
1,112,091
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
-
1,000
2,500
1,114,591		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
355,750
43,730
399,480
399,480
(697)
38,020
30,001
1,500
15,000
-
5,000
-
88,824
488,304		 Expenditure
£
Balance at 31
December 2023
£
(1,011)
-
(2,057)
-
(285)
-
(674)
-
(4,027)
-
(535,473)
160,111
(46,362)
765,598
(581,835)
925,709
(585,862)
925,709
697
-
(38,020)
-
(30,001)
-
(1,308)
192
(15,000)
-
(1,500)
-
(5,000)
-
-
1,000
(90,132)
1,192
(675,994)
926,901		 Expenditure
£
Balance at 31
December 2023
£
(1,011)
-
(2,057)
-
(285)
-
(674)
-
(4,027)
-
(535,473)
160,111
(46,362)
765,598
(581,835)
925,709
(585,862)
925,709
697
-
(38,020)
-
(30,001)
-
(1,308)
192
(15,000)
-
(1,500)
-
(5,000)
-
-
1,000
(90,132)
1,192
(675,994)
926,901
-
160,111
765,598
925,709
925,709
-
-
-
192
-
-
-
1,000
1,192
926,901

Page 21

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

15. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Medical centre
Maidstone Horticultural Society
Eurythmy fund
Other designated funds
General funds
General income fund
Tangible fixed assets
Total Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Grants and donations
DWELL
The Shaw Trust
KCC Strategic Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
Edward Gostling
Colyer Fergusson
Cobtree Charity Trust
Biographical Gardening
Total of funds		 Balance at
1 January 2022
£
1,696
-
-
1,175
2,871
328,958
804,923
1,133,881
1,136,752
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
-
-
1,500
1,138,252		 Income
£
-
3,651
-
-
3,651
433,037
7,710
440,747
444,398
215
59,733
30,080
9,417
9,948
25,000
10,000
10,175
-
154,568
598,966		 Expenditure
£
(408)
(1,594)
-
-
(2,002)
(382,102)
(44,403)
(426,505)
(428,507)
(215)
(99,285)
(30,080)
(9,417)
(9,948)
(25,000)
(10,000)
(10,175)
-
(194,120)
(622,627)		 Transfers in/out
£
(277)
-
674
(890)
(493)
(40,059)
-
(40,059)
(40,552)
-
39,552
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
40,552
-		 Balance at
31 December
2022
£
1,011
2,057
674
285
4,027
339,834
768,230
1,108,064
1,112,091
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
-
1,000
2,500
1,114,591

Page 22

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
765,598
263,342
(55,263)
(47,968)
925,709		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
1,192
-
-
1,192		 Total
funds
2023
£
765,598
264,534
(55,263)
(47,968)
926,901

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
768,230
471,630
(56,646)
(71,123)
1,112,091		 Restricted funds
2022
£
-
2,500
-
-
2,500		 Total
funds
2022
£
768,230
474,130
(56,646)
(71,123)
1,114,591

17. Pension commitments

The charitable company contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charitable company to the fund and amounted to £7,482 (2022 - £6,907). At the balance sheet date contributions of £1,249 (2022 - £1,482) were payable to the fund and are included in creditors.

Page 23

DocuSign Envelope ID: 210534E4-D884-47CC-AAC6-A039E53286CD

The Blackthorn Trust

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

18. Operating lease commitments

At 31 December 2023 the charitable company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 2023
£
4,368
2,652
7,020		 2022
£
4,060
6,343
10,403

19. Related party transactions

During the year the charitable company received two donations from related parties which together amounted to £1,045. In accordance with the Charity SORP, since neither donation had any conditions attached there is no requirement to disclose the individual amounts or the names of the related parties involved.

Page 24