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2023-12-31-accounts

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Empowering Individuals on the Autistic Spectrum

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12 Merrial Street Newcastle-under-Lyme Staffordshire ST5 2AD

Annual Report 2023 Prepared by CEO Louise Zandian

The charity has had a successfully year with funding from the Post code Lottery which Dom Fletcher was able to get to provide outreach work and administration support. This has allowed the charity to meet an increasing demand for its services. We hope to in the next year apply for the Big Lottery to support further development of the charity. Liam Jones has also been successful in gaining grants for activities in the community for clients of the charity and people who have been risked assessed by Janet Robson Trustee to ensure safeguarding for our client group drop in on Tuesday and activity.

The charity is finding an increase in referrals mainly via the NHS well- being service which has given the charity a 6 months’ waiting list. There is still no care pathway or therapy for our client group, and this has been raised with Commissioners and flagged at various NHS forums. The charity is proposing for Lifecoaching to be funded via the Integrated Care Board but not has not made any headway in this area to date. The charity is providing Lifecoaching which clients are definitely benefiting from, but it needs to be funded, and the charity is looking for further funding for this area.

The charity is actively looking for volunteers and is finding it difficult to recruit people but has manage to recruit one excellent volunteer to help with ADHD clients. Lifeworks continues to provide training to Keele University students and staff providing placements for 7 students this year. Further training was given to the North Staffs Soroptimist society, Brighter Futures and Women Institute in Newcastle.

The carers group in Stoke continued to receive funding from the North Staffs Carers and has operated in all areas of North Staffs including at Middleport Matters, Hazel Trees with the funding for Stoke-on-Trent, Northwood Garden Centre, Trentham and @21 in Leek. These groups are run By Sue Gibson, Rosemary Robinson both Trustees and Judy Gregg Volunteer @21 group.

The charity had funding, raised through a performance at the Repertory Theatre in Stoke which is greatly appreciated and received donations from clients and others to support the charity. The charity continues to link with other organisation including Support Staffordshire, VAST and Middleport Matters.

The current issues that clients are facing is the migration to Universal Credit from Employment Support Allowance which requires an online journal which are not properly managed by the DWP which means people can be sanctioned and lose benefits even though they have written on their journal. The charity is advised clients to have a telephone account and a journal and to receive letters by post.

The charity is finding that Personal Independent Payments are being heavily scrutinised and a lot of people are being knocked off the benefit. We are advising clients to ask us to fill the forms in for them as they are not wording things correctly to score points. The charity took the decision to no longer do reconsiderations for anyone whose initial form has not been filled by us as it creates too much work. We can signpost to the Citizen Advice Bureau or Disability Solutions.

I would like to thank all Trustees, Staff and Volunteers in supporting the charity and in helping to continue the good work that we are doing in supporting this much marginalised group in society.

Tel: 01782 615222 Email:info@lifeworksstaffordshire.org.uk www.lifeworksstaffordshire.org.uk Reg Charity No. 1120803

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Lifeworks Staffordshire (Registered charity, number 1120803) Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

Page Contents
2 - 3 Trustees’ annual report
4 Independent examiner’s report
5 Receipts & Payments Account
6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
7 Notes to the Accounts

Lifeworks Staffordshire Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

Full name Lifeworks Staffordshire

Registered charity number 1120803

Principal address

12 Merrial Street Newcastle-under-Lyme Staffordshire ST5 2AD

Trustees

Janet Robson Roy Gregg Linda Shenton Roger Fitz-Herbert Margaret Kathleen Edwards Rosemary Robinson Susan Mary Gibson

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer

Bankers

Co-operative Bank

Independent examiner

Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD

Governance and management

The charity is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 2 March 2007 as amended 13 July 2007 and 6 November 2009.

The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meetings. Nomination forms are sent out ahead of the AGM, which are assessed by the committee beforehand. Knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Conditions and managerial roles are preferred.

Aims and objectives

To further such charitable purposes for the benefit of people 14+ with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, (referred to as ASC'S) with or without a formal diagnosis and associated family, carers, professionals, and significant others. ln particular but not exclusively by:

a) Providing or assisting in the provision of funding/services to enable people with ASC'S to have a sustainable lifestyle in adulthood.

b) Educating all sectors of the community in the needs of adults with ASC'S.

c) Providing a person-centred approach to rising adults (14+) and adults with ASC'S through assessment of need, a profile of service user, social interpretation, advocacy, social and life skills coaching and mentoring in work.

2

Lifeworks Staffordshire Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2023

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit

Lifeworks Staffordshire was established in September 2006 and is the only registered charity in the county which provide a one stop shop approach to providing services that are specifically tailored for high functioning people, post fourteen, with ASC'S working towards a sustainable future life.

This is done through initial assessment and profiling by qualified assessors to identify needs, including direct referral for a diagnosis in some cases, an allocation of a volunteer outreach worker (where pertinent), mentoring and information giving to develop strategies to improve an individual’s ability to cope with everyday life. Providing risk assessment and documenting personal information which is accessible to our client’s. We may keep in contact through a range of media including via Facebook or text depending upon client needs. We give advice from our helpline or 1 to 1 support to gain housing, benefits, work experience, jobs, support to gain direct payment and employing a personal assistant and home visits.

Our aim is to enable our clients to develop a sustainable rewarding lifestyle by providing help for example with gaining and retaining medical, dental intervention, education, benefits, housing, work or work experience, hobbies, interests, through support and networking with families, involved professionals and other third sector organisations.

Lifeworks are always looking for people to help, whether that this may be by making a donation, organising a fundraising event or offering a work placement. As a charitable organisation we are actively seeking funding to enable us to develop our unique service for more information please look at the website – www.lifeworksstaffordshire.org.uk.

Public Benefit

The trustees of the Charity are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity.

The charity’s policy on reserves

The charity holds £7,000 in reserve to pay any bills or redundancy in the event of the charities closure.

Main risks

Lifeworks actively search for funding and apply monthly even for small pots of funding. Volunteers are made up of parents, carers, and clients. This gives them work ethics for possible future employment of volunteer positions. We are currently looking toward corporate sponsorship for sustainability of Lifeworks.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

26/06/2024 Signed ______ Date _ Janet Robson Chair

3

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Lifeworks Staffordshire for the year ended 31 December 2023

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 7.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees of Lifeworks Staffordshire, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of Lifeworks Staffordshire accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of Lifeworks Staffordshire as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts to not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

11/07/2024 Signed ____ Date _______ Daryl Denson ACMA VAST

4

Lifeworks Staffordshire Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Receipts
Grants & Donations
3
Fundraising
Sundry
Total receipts
Payments
Rent
Wages
Travel Expenses
Insurance
Subscriptions
Refreshments
Activities
Telephone
Stationary
Equipment & Renewals
Professional Fees
Payroll Expenses
Utilities
Accounts
Sundries
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments)
Transfers between funds
Cash funds at start of this period
Cash funds at end of this period
Restricted
Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
33,501
13,334
-
2,688
40
122
33,541
16,144
66
5,000
8,660
14,550
1,200
263
-
907
439
112
394
133
4,177
43
648
-
413
266
515
174
-
1,212
-
675
498
464
-
600
167
73
17,177
24,472
16,364
(8,328)
-
-
8,854
27,148
25,218
18,820
2023
Total
£
46,835
2,688
162
49,685
5,066
23,210
1,463
907
551
527
4,220
648
679
689
1,212
675
962
600
240
41,649
8,036
-
36,002
44,038
2022
Total
£
20,851
499
-
21,350
5,571
14,207
1,439
934
778
-
843
822
498
521
103
342
219
-
1,089
27,366
(6,016)
-
42,018
36,002

5

Lifeworks Staffordshire Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023

2023
£
Cash Assets
Cash in Bank
42,585
Petty Cash
1,453

44,038
2022
£
35,276
726
36,002

These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:

Signed _____ Dated _____
26/06/2024
Janet Robson
Chair

6

Lifeworks Staffordshire Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context “cash” includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due. For the purposes of understanding a statement of assets and liabilities at the year-end has been included.

2. Trustees’ remuneration

Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this year.

3. Grants and donations

During the year £16,143 (2022: £14,448) was received in unrestricted grants and donations and £33,541 (2022: £6,902) in restricted grants and donations.

4. Funding analysis

Restricted Funds
Groundwork UK - Tesco
Door/Ramp Fund
Staffordshire Fire
Severn Trent Recovery Fund
SCC Recovery Fund
Computer Club
Doing Our Bit
Magic Little Grant
Richardson Foundation
Community Champion Grant
Together Active
EMRF
Ornua Food UK
North Carers Fund
BART
BT
EMR
LCF
NHS
PCL
SUSU
RBF
BG
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds
Opening
Balance
£
821
2,000
4
861
24
80
650
223
590
900
471
1,000
240
990
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,854
27,148
36,002
Receipts
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
-
-
1,080
500
1,000
160
2,021
3,200
25,000
540
-
-
33,541
16,143
49,684
Payments
£
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
-
(540)
(160)
(883)
(508)
(687)
-
(1,075)
(500)
(1,024)
(337)
-
(528)
(8,993)
(514)
(507)
(915)
(17,175)
(24,473)
(41,648)
Transfers
Closing
Balance
£
£
-
821
-
2,000
-
4
-
861
-
24
-
76
-
650
317
-
-
430
-
17
-
3
-
313
-
240
-
995
-
-
24
-
177
-
-
2,021
-
2,672
-
16,007
-
26
507
-
915
-
1,940
27,160
(1,940)
16,878
-
44,038

7

Lifeworks Staffordshire (Registered charity, number 1120803) Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

Page Contents
2 - 3 Trustees’ annual report
4 Independent examiner’s report
5 Receipts & Payments Account
6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
7 Notes to the Accounts

Lifeworks Staffordshire Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

Full name Lifeworks Staffordshire

Registered charity number 1120803

Principal address

12 Merrial Street Newcastle-under-Lyme Staffordshire ST5 2AD

Trustees

Janet Robson Roy Gregg Linda Shenton Roger Fitz-Herbert Margaret Kathleen Edwards Rosemary Robinson Susan Mary Gibson

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer

Bankers

Co-operative Bank

Independent examiner

Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD

Governance and management

The charity is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 2 March 2007 as amended 13 July 2007 and 6 November 2009.

The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meetings. Nomination forms are sent out ahead of the AGM, which are assessed by the committee beforehand. Knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Conditions and managerial roles are preferred.

Aims and objectives

To further such charitable purposes for the benefit of people 14+ with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, (referred to as ASC'S) with or without a formal diagnosis and associated family, carers, professionals, and significant others. ln particular but not exclusively by:

a) Providing or assisting in the provision of funding/services to enable people with ASC'S to have a sustainable lifestyle in adulthood.

b) Educating all sectors of the community in the needs of adults with ASC'S.

c) Providing a person-centred approach to rising adults (14+) and adults with ASC'S through assessment of need, a profile of service user, social interpretation, advocacy, social and life skills coaching and mentoring in work.

2

Lifeworks Staffordshire Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2023

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit

Lifeworks Staffordshire was established in September 2006 and is the only registered charity in the county which provide a one stop shop approach to providing services that are specifically tailored for high functioning people, post fourteen, with ASC'S working towards a sustainable future life.

This is done through initial assessment and profiling by qualified assessors to identify needs, including direct referral for a diagnosis in some cases, an allocation of a volunteer outreach worker (where pertinent), mentoring and information giving to develop strategies to improve an individual’s ability to cope with everyday life. Providing risk assessment and documenting personal information which is accessible to our client’s. We may keep in contact through a range of media including via Facebook or text depending upon client needs. We give advice from our helpline or 1 to 1 support to gain housing, benefits, work experience, jobs, support to gain direct payment and employing a personal assistant and home visits.

Our aim is to enable our clients to develop a sustainable rewarding lifestyle by providing help for example with gaining and retaining medical, dental intervention, education, benefits, housing, work or work experience, hobbies, interests, through support and networking with families, involved professionals and other third sector organisations.

Lifeworks are always looking for people to help, whether that this may be by making a donation, organising a fundraising event or offering a work placement. As a charitable organisation we are actively seeking funding to enable us to develop our unique service for more information please look at the website – www.lifeworksstaffordshire.org.uk.

Public Benefit

The trustees of the Charity are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have had regard to it in their administration of the Charity.

The charity’s policy on reserves

The charity holds £7,000 in reserve to pay any bills or redundancy in the event of the charities closure.

Main risks

Lifeworks actively search for funding and apply monthly even for small pots of funding. Volunteers are made up of parents, carers, and clients. This gives them work ethics for possible future employment of volunteer positions. We are currently looking toward corporate sponsorship for sustainability of Lifeworks.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

26/06/2024 Signed ______ Date _ Janet Robson Chair

3

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Lifeworks Staffordshire for the year ended 31 December 2023

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 7.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees of Lifeworks Staffordshire, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of Lifeworks Staffordshire accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of Lifeworks Staffordshire as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts to not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

11/07/2024 Signed ____ Date _______ Daryl Denson ACMA VAST

4

Lifeworks Staffordshire Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Receipts
Grants & Donations
3
Fundraising
Sundry
Total receipts
Payments
Rent
Wages
Travel Expenses
Insurance
Subscriptions
Refreshments
Activities
Telephone
Stationary
Equipment & Renewals
Professional Fees
Payroll Expenses
Utilities
Accounts
Sundries
Total payments
Net receipts/(payments)
Transfers between funds
Cash funds at start of this period
Cash funds at end of this period
Restricted
Unrestricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
33,501
13,334
-
2,688
40
122
33,541
16,144
66
5,000
8,660
14,550
1,200
263
-
907
439
112
394
133
4,177
43
648
-
413
266
515
174
-
1,212
-
675
498
464
-
600
167
73
17,177
24,472
16,364
(8,328)
-
-
8,854
27,148
25,218
18,820
2023
Total
£
46,835
2,688
162
49,685
5,066
23,210
1,463
907
551
527
4,220
648
679
689
1,212
675
962
600
240
41,649
8,036
-
36,002
44,038
2022
Total
£
20,851
499
-
21,350
5,571
14,207
1,439
934
778
-
843
822
498
521
103
342
219
-
1,089
27,366
(6,016)
-
42,018
36,002

5

Lifeworks Staffordshire Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023

2023
£
Cash Assets
Cash in Bank
42,585
Petty Cash
1,453

44,038
2022
£
35,276
726
36,002

These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:

26/06/2024 Signed _____ Dated _____ Janet Robson Chair

6

Lifeworks Staffordshire Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023

1. Receipts & payments accounts

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context “cash” includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due. For the purposes of understanding a statement of assets and liabilities at the year-end has been included.

2. Trustees’ remuneration

Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this year.

3. Grants and donations

During the year £16,143 (2022: £14,448) was received in unrestricted grants and donations and £33,541 (2022: £6,902) in restricted grants and donations.

4. Funding analysis

Restricted Funds
Groundwork UK - Tesco
Door/Ramp Fund
Staffordshire Fire
Severn Trent Recovery Fund
SCC Recovery Fund
Computer Club
Doing Our Bit
Magic Little Grant
Richardson Foundation
Community Champion Grant
Together Active
EMRF
Ornua Food UK
North Carers Fund
BART
BT
EMR
LCF
NHS
PCL
SUSU
RBF
BG
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds
Opening
Balance
£
821
2,000
4
861
24
80
650
223
590
900
471
1,000
240
990
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,854
27,148
36,002
Receipts
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
-
-
1,080
500
1,000
160
2,021
3,200
25,000
540
-
-
33,541
16,143
49,684
Payments
£
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
-
(540)
(160)
(883)
(508)
(687)
-
(1,075)
(500)
(1,024)
(337)
-
(528)
(8,993)
(514)
(507)
(915)
(17,175)
(24,473)
(41,648)
Transfers
Closing
Balance
£
£
-
821
-
2,000
-
4
-
861
-
24
-
76
-
650
317
-
-
430
-
17
-
3
-
313
-
240
-
995
-
-
24
-
177
-
-
2,021
-
2,672
-
16,007
-
26
507
-
915
-
1,940
27,160
(1,940)
16,878
-
44,038

7