**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06517841 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1124031** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 FOR FORTALICE LIMITED** 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

**CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 to 15|
|Report of the Independent Auditors|16 to 18|
|Statement of Financial Activities|19|
|Balance Sheet|20|
|Cash Flow Statement|21|
|Notes to the Cash Flow Statement|22|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|23 to 36|
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities|37 to 38|





## **FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015). 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Objectives and aims** 

The overall objectives and aims of the Charity are 

**-The relief and protection of those who have been gravely or persistently maltreated by the partner with whom they are or have been living or any member of their immediate or extended family and of the children of such people** 

**-Providing refuge accommodation in Lewis House for women who have been gravely or persistently maltreated by the partner with whom they are or have been living or any member of their immediate or extended family and of the children of such women** 

**-Providing programmes, including early intervention, to raise awareness of domestic abuse and related issues** 

## **-To facilitate and assist programmes in partnership with those dealing with perpetrators** 

The Charity's mission statement is: 

**'To provide emergency accommodation and a range of support services to assist women, children and young people who have, or are, experiencing domestic abuse and to raise personal and public awareness of the issues relating to domestic abuse and its impact on society'.** 

## **Ensuring our work delivers our aims** 

The Business plan 2020-2025 has been developed and identifies targets and objectives to ensure continuity, improvement and further development of the services we provide for women, men, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. The business plan includes an emphasis on Covid 19 and the issues this is presenting for the organisation ensuring it meets the needs of the victims we work with. 

We regularly consult with service users and stakeholders and use this feedback to review services offered by the organisation.  We do this through focus groups, questionnaires, weekly house meetings and individual stakeholder feedback.  We also have an abundance of cards, letters and feedback forms expressing appreciation and advocating the services offered across the organisation. 

## **Public benefit** 

We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our objectives and activities and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set through the use of funds, and we are satisfied that the criteria for public benefit are comprehensively achieved. 

## **The focus of our work** 

Fortalice has successfully continued to provide a highly effective service for women, men, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. 

1 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **The priorities for the year have focused on;** 

## **Strengthening services and support for resident women, children, young people and families with complex needs both within our refuges and the Outreach Support Centre** 

loped our network of working working in partnership 

- with health, education and other multi agency services. We have also expanded a small proportion of our work into Bury. 

We have purchased a new children and young peoples centre in order to meet the demand for services. 

Two specialist workers provide support for women in refuge who have additional needs in terms of mental health or drug/alcohol misuse or both. We have seen changes in complexity of need with victims, which has meant a considerable amount of additional work for all staff and partner agencies to ensure that victims with complex needs have the right services and support in place. We have also invested in further training for staff to ensure they are equipped with the right skills for the work we are now undertaking. 

We have secured funding for one independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) enabling us to meet the needs of victims and survivors using the service. 

The Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) and Identification and referral to improve safety (IRIS) services have also been expanded to meet the capacity needs of victims and survivors. 

Through the generosity of a grant from the Albert Gubay Foundation we were able to build a summer house in the grounds of the refuge to give the women and children we work with a space away from the refuge building to do specific pieces of work such as art therapy or counselling. We also opened a memorial garden in memory of Gay Wharton to provide some quiet reflective space for our residents. 

We secured funding for a pilot to work directly with police officers and victims. This will help provide a more effective service for victims where they can access the right services at the right time for them. 

## **Developing strategies to ensure the sustainability of the organisation for the future** 

- Continuous applications for grant and trust funding and tenders has been ongoing this year in order to sustain and 

- develop all services in line with emerging trends. 

We continue to develop strategies for enhancing the workforce by offering student placements. We have been successful in recruiting new volunteers into the service enabling us to resolve some capacity issues due to increased demand. 

- In order to secure further funding we started to make changes to our fundraising strategy which will come into 

- force fully during the next financial year. 

- Our training offer will be reviewed with the potential to add an online training portal as well as continuing to 

- further develop all of our training packages. 

Working in partnership with other organisations to build a more streamlined holistic approach for victims has been ongoing and will help sustain our services. 

We have held an event to promote our services and celebrate our 45[th] birthday. We would like to thank the University of Bolton for hosting this event for us and for all the support they give us as Patrons of Fortalice. 

In order to meet the challenges of our work we have recruited new trustees enabling us to continue to develop the organisation by using new and existing skillsets to drive the strategy forwards. 

## **Securing funding for the continuity of specific projects and core services** 

Due to a lack of capacity for bid writing, Fortalice continue to use the service of a bid writer during the year, to sustain existing projects, to fund projects that were previously unfunded and to develop new services. The contract for the Refuge IDVA and IRIS have all been extended. 

The Healthy Relationships project is currently predominantly self-funded by the schools themselves and we continuously research funding streams to secure funding to ease the pressure on stretched educational budgets. We have seen an increase in the demand for the project delivery during this last financial year. 

THRIVE funding has been awarded through the bid process, this enables us to work with Children and Young people who are suffering with poor mental health as a result of the effects of Domestic Abuse and Violence (DAV). The THRIVE partnership has proved to be hugely successful in identifying different ways of working and providing a diverse range of services for children and young people. THRIVE will continue to be developed to meet the diverse needs of children and young people. 

The Adult Counselling Service continues to be funded in partnership with 1Point. We have developed different ways of working to ensure we can meet the needs of our clients. 

2 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

The Children's counselling service continues to be funded through the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). We have continued to see a rise in the demand for this service. 

- We have secured further funding for a family cohesion worker after successfully running a pilot. This continues 

- to offer a more holistic service for the whole family. 

Funding was secured for an ISVA post until 2025 both in the Refuge and the local community. This service has been in high demand and continues to develop to meet client need. 

## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities** 

Our main activities and who we to aim to help are described below. All our charitable activities are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit. 

## **Who used and benefited from our services** 

## **Refuge Accommodation** 

The local demand for services is high and although priority is given to referrals in Bolton and surrounding districts, we have provided temporary accommodation and services for women and children from many areas throughout the Northwest and further afield. 

We received a total of 150 referrals which was a decrease on last year and accommodated 59 individual women and 80 children in Lewis House, the average length of stay being 27 weeks. A proportion of the referrals were unsuitable for refuge as they were found to be more in line with some housing difficulties, they were referred to housing for support. The complexity of need for a high proportion of our victims has greatly increased over the last year which has meant more in-depth work needing to be completed daily. Move on this year has also been difficult, due to the national housing crisis, especially where there is a lack of housing options for our larger families. This has meant some people have been with us for slightly longer than usual. This has given us more opportunities to work with the families for longer helping them develop more skills before they move on, gaining further improved outcomes. Lack of move on has equally meant we been able to offer as many victims Refuge but have worked with them in the local community to keep them safe, this has had an impact on our outreach service for which we have little funding. 

Occupancy levels averaged 98.7% for the year with the main reason for the voids being the turnover of residents and occasional re decoration and cyclical maintenance of the flats. 

Support needs have varied from low to high with a further increase in the number of women needing additional support in relation to mental health, alcohol, and substance misuse.  All residents are allocated named DAV Recovery Workers and lead with their worker on developing individual person-centred support plans. A number of women have taken advantage of counselling and group work during their stay. All residents are encouraged to work with their support worker to ensure they are able to develop skills to enable them to live independent lives following their stay in the Refuge.  They are invited to join in additional activities run by specialist workers and / or volunteers to build their confidence, recover from the trauma they have suffered and increase their skill set. We have seen an increase in the presenting issues and complexity of need for children entering the Refuge and have had to increase the input with children, some children have presented with suicidal ideation, behaviour issues and self-harm. We have also increased our work around the whole family approach to help stabilise the families we work with particularly where children were in the safeguarding arena. 

On leaving, 46% secured their own tenancies with Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords or Private landlords, 11% went into other short-term supported accommodation, 27% went to stay with friends or family members, 15% returned to their previous address as it was safe to do so and 1% had no forwarding address. 

The substance misuse recovery role has been in place for just over 10 years. This post was put in place to support women who were not only subject to domestic abuse, but who also had issues relating to alcohol or the taking of both illicit and legal substances.  The role has developed, using different styles that support recovery, including motivation interviewing, mindfulness, artwork, and relaxation including meditation.  Personalised one to one work with residents, partnership work with local outside agencies such as Bolton Integrated Substance Misuse Service and peer support all contribute to the recovery process. 

Working closely with the Substance Misuse worker, the Mental Health Co-ordinator has been in place for just over 7 years.  Together, they structure support to meet the needs of those residents with additional complex issues.  Residents are assessed on admission to the refuge and are offered one to one sessions to ensure their mental health is consistently 

3 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

monitored and their wellbeing is worked with on a daily basis. These posts are currently unfunded, but we recognise the need to maintain these posts and will continue to apply for funding to ensure the posts are an integral part of the service. In order to help improve mental and emotional wellbeing for residents and those leaving the refuge, the Mental Health Co-ordinator carries out research regarding bio-psychological community resources. 

This ensures the resident has a prescribing GP and pharmacy in place, notifies relevant services as applicable and where possible, the resident is provided with a guide and information on local support resources. 

Due to the educational programmes that are now delivered within the refuge once again we had a number of women and young people who have gone on to find jobs in the Community or have accessed Further Education courses in order to sustain their own futures. 

The diverse range of additional activities which is currently in place for residents or children enables them to develop new skills and start to rebuild their lives. 

## **Outreach victim advocacy support** 

- Services were provided to 574 new clients, including 42 existing clients, totalling 616 clients, this included 39 male victims 

- 1,857 telephone advice calls (a 66% increase) were made plus 90 contacts made via the webchat/get in touch services 

- 94% of the new referrals were from Bolton with the remaining 6% originating from surrounding areas within Greater Manchester and Lancashire 

- Referrals for services come through a variety of sources, with 53% self-referrals, 9% from family, friends or work colleagues, 7% by GMP, 3% from other Fortalice projects, 2% from Social Workers and 3% from Mental Health Services.  The remaining 23% were from various professionals and support groups within the community. 

Clients presented with a wide variety of issues ranging from physical, emotional and sexual abuse to legal, housing, child contact and health issues. Clients also presented with a diverse range of mental health issues including panic and anxiety, stress and depression. Where these issues needed specialist help, we were able to signpost to relevant agencies. We referred 14 clients to MARAC for further support and risk management and assessed a further 24 clients who did not reach the threshold for referral. 

Demand for The Freedom Programme is high. The benefits of these core services are widely recognised and acknowledged as having a significant impact in relation to women taking steps to escape abusive relationships and to move forward to living a life free from abuse and violence. The Freedom Programme delivered 104 sessions with 139 individual women attending. There were no Next Step sessions or Recovery Tool Kit sessions due to capacity issues and a lack of specific funding, we aim to put these back in place in the next year. 

## **Outreach Support Centre** 

## **Adults Counselling** 

The Adult Counselling Service continues to operate to a high standard with the majority of referrals coming through 1Point, a Community Benefit Company. Our Chief Executive is a Director of 1Point which enables some excellent partnership working. 1Point assesses potential clients for talking therapies prior to them going into therapy with a counsellor at Fortalice or one of the other members linked to 1Point. At the year end, we had 29 counsellors, 13 of which were qualified and 16 were students on placement.  1,110 appointments were attended. 

## **Training, Development and Awareness Raising** 

We have delivered 99 training courses to 941 individuals. We currently have 18 courses: including supporting victims of (Domestic Abuse and Violence) DAV with a learning difficulty, working with victims experiencing DAV through technology, Working with Teenagers Engaged in Abusive Relationships, Stalking Awareness and How to Work with DAV and a Trauma Informed Approach. We have developed new course: Non-Fatal Strangulation 

Awar for Social Workers. and we successfully delivered one DAV Champion module. In addition to the Social Workers training they completed follow up sessions which included the use of pets to abuse and modern day slavery. We continue to provide training for Castle H 

4 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

We deliver bespoke training packages for Schools, Colleges and Universities and private and voluntary sector providers. 

Training is now mainly delivered face to face with a small number being delivered remotely. All sessions have been updated, with information and activities. 

We have been delivering a new project, **Internet Safety** , Keeping Children Safe Online for children/young people (CYP) and parents/carers. 

## **Crisis (DAV) Car** 

The new pilot for next year where we work in partnership with the police going to out to see victims to provide a more effective quicker access into services if required will be developed. The review will assess its effectiveness with the potential of gaining further funding if it is proven to be effective. 

## **s projects at the Outreach Support Centre** 

own reserves, has meant that we s financial period. 

have a total of nine s financial period. Together, these projects have created individual safety plans to ensure children and young people (CYP) know what to do in the event of an emergency/domestic abuse incident, have provided group work, educational modules and one to one support. 573 individual CYP have been supported and accessed 1,527 sessions. We also have a Family Cohesion Worker based at the Outreach Support Centre, working with both children and parents as part of a progression pathway. 

## Children in Need 

Dedicated to Overcoming Violent Experiences (D.O.VE.) is a community-based service for children who have been exposed to domestic abuse and violence. This funding allows Fortalice to complete individual assessments on children directly affected by domestic abuse and prov 

both one to one support and therapeutic group activities.  This project covers both Refuge and the community. D.O.V.E. funding enabled 93 individual CYP to be supported. 256 one to one sessions took place and 64 Breaking Free sessions were delivered to a further 36 CYP. 

## Thrive 

This project offers a range of activities through Breaking Free and Recovery Toolkit deliveries.  These aim to help children and young people express their feelings and provide them with an opportunity to share their experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. As we are part of the THRIVE partnership, we are able to offer a more holistic progression route for children and young people enabling them to sustain the skills and confidence they gain through the Fortalice activities they have attended. There are three elements to Thrive: Thrive Plus worked with 141 individual CYP providing one to one sessions and signposting to other services. GMICP, formerly CCG funding, enabled us to support 32 individual CYP who accessed 208 one to one sessions. These support and guidance sessions are offered to 8- 19-year-olds, both in school, college and at the Outreach Support Centre. Thrive Emotional Health and Well Being funding enabled 62 CYP to receive support, advice and guidance by accessing a total of 411 one to one sessions, our support sessions are up to 12 weeks. This project offers support to young people aged 5-11 who have witnessed and/or been exposed to domestic abuse and violence in Bolton. The support is offered through one-to-one support with the child and worker either in School or at our Outreach Support Centre. 

## Helping ME 

The Helping Me project provides a service for young people aged 12-19 years with the aim of recognising and managing feelings, using healthy coping strategies, and recognising healthy and unhealthy relationships. The project also supports young people to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem through community-based sessions, tailored to their needs and interests. 

5 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## Teams around Schools (TAS) 

This is a multi-disciplinary model with resources and expertise from a range of services drawn together into a hubbased model to support schools with early identification, positive change, proactive planning and delivery of early intervention for children, young people and their families. Workers go into schools and work with individuals predominantly on a one-to-one basis but can complete small groups too. 188 individual children and young people were accepted into the service during TAS meetings with schools. Out of the 188, 60 children and young people were referred on to wider services either within Fortalice or external agencies. 576 one to one sessions were provided both in school and at our Outreach Support Centre. Two groups of Breaking Free were held over the summer holidays, 12 group sessions were delivered in order to help the children develop more resilience and work through their traumas in a safe setting. 

## Bury Anchor Project 

This is a new partnership, commissioned by Bury GMICP. We are partnered with Talk Listen Change (TLC), SafeNet and the Bury Domestic Abuse Partnership.. As part of our offer, we work with resident Bury children and young people (CYP) or Bury cared for children in an out-of-borough placement. We can offer up to 8 one-to-one support sessions to CYP aged 5-19 years old who have witnessed domestic abuse or who are in an unhealthy relationship of their own. We work to help children overcome the trauma of domestic abuse and/or unhealthy relationships while sharing their experiences with others in a similar situation. 

## Family Cohesion 

Supports children, young people and parents for who, due to the domestic abuse and violence they have experienced within their homes, the parent child relationship has been affected.. They are often struggling to work cohesively as a family and have  the ability to recover from their trauma.. There is a mix of individual and family unit sessions to enable both parent and children to understand the impact their behaviour, words and actions has on others in the family. The work helps facilitate effective communication and stronger relationships. In the first year of delivery 36 parents and 84 children and young people were supported to understand how to work effectively as a family unit. 

## **Children's Counselling** 

The children's counselling service funded through NHS England and commissioned by the local CCG continues to be in high demand.  We have 4 qualified Children's Counsellors and 3 qualified Play Therapists providing Play and Talking Therapies for children and young people aged four to seventeen and believe this to be a unique service within Bolton. The demand for this service is high with referrals coming through a variety of sources where there is a professional working with the family.  This year, we have provided 990 therapy sessions for 205 individual children and young people. 

We started the iThrive project for 11 to 19 year olds in April 2022. The counselling service enables us to engage with young people who are experiencing low mood, and mental health problems, because of their exposure to or being the victim of domestic abuse and violence. Many have severe trauma and difficulty in processing information, most are living with a single parent, who themselves can be stressed and suffering from mental health issues, there are usually additional prevailing problems such as poverty. Truancy is a big issue and self- harm and suicidal thoughts. A high proportion of this work is carried out in schools and community centres. 

6 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS)** 

The purpose of the project is to deliver domestic abuse training to clinical and administrative staff within Bolton based GP practices and to work in an advocacy role with any patient who has disclosed domestic abuse.  Since the project began, we have trained staff from all the 49 doctor's surgeries across Bolton on our Clinical 1, Clinical 2, Clinical Refresher and Reception and Administration sessions.  We have trained 489 staff this year across these 49 surgeries. domestic abuse research or legislation changes. We have received 336 client referrals this equesting support from the IRIS team, 44 of these have been identified as high risk and referred to MARAC. Once a patient has received a referral from their GP into the IRIS project they are able to access ongoing support, patients continue to self-refer back to the service for continued support rather than asking to be re-referred by the GP, this will continue to take some pressures of GP surgeries. 

## **IRIS Enhanced** 

In November 2022, we commenced the enhanced IRIS project which extended our services to Out of Hours GP providers including the GP Federation and BARDOC. Since the introduction of IRIS to out of hours providers we have trained 43 of their clinical and administrative staff, with the aim of increasing referrals for the out of hours service. One of the new referrals from this service was deemed high risk and it was stated without this referral route this client would not have received crucial intervention and support. 

## **Independent Domestic Violence Advisory (IDVA) Service** 

The Independent Domestic Vi supporting those at highest risk and advocating on their behalf. We currently have four IDVAs on our specialist team and a Service co-ordinator who work at the Outreach Support Centre and in the community. 

The aim of an IDVA is to keep the victim and any immediate family safe and reduce the risk of further abuse by providing short to medium term crisis intervention. By supporting the empowerment of the client and assisting them in recognising the warning signs of Domestic Abuse, we aim to help them regain control of their lives for positive long term outcomes. 

During the financial year, the IDVA service received 1057 referrals for 887 individual clients, with all cases heard at MARAC. During the first quarter, the IDVAs were still supporting 155 victims that were referred during the previous financial year. 

There continues to be an increase in the complexity of the cases referred during the last 12 months, particularly around mental health, substance misuse and the severity of abuse. 

The IDVAs are also supporting more clients in court and during Police interviews, as well as attending an increasing number of safeguarding meetings. Whilst all of these have a further impact on the capacity of the team, they are key times of support for victims, particularly with regards to them supporting prosecution. 

## **IDVA+ (medium risk) project** 

This service commenced in October 2022. The Medium Risk IDVA service is based within the Integrated Front Door (IFD) at Bolton and referrals are received via the cases heard at Daily Risk Meetings, which are all incidents that have been attended by Police where there are children within the household. Some high risk cases may also be discussed at the meeting. The Medium Risk IDVA prepares all the research for the meeting with regards to the victim and whether they are known to domestic abuse services within Bolton. They attend the multi-agency meeting and will contact victims to offer support after the meeting. 

From October 2022 to the end of March 2023, 401 cases were discussed at the Daily Risk Meetings. 

7 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

Basing the Medium Risk IDVA service within the Integrated Front Door means that they are available to Social Workers, Health and Police to share their expertise with regards to domestic abuse and provide guidance to professionals as well as supporting clients. They are able to accompany social workers on home visits to help promote engagement and provide dedicated support to victims of domestic abuse. They are also able to feedback to the high risk IDVAs all of the information from the meeting and be available to attend strategy meetings if the allocated IDVA is not available. 

## **Independent Sexual Violence Advisory (ISVA) Service** 

The Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) provides practical and emotional support to victims of sexual abuse or violence, supporting victims through the criminal justice process, and advocating on their behalf. It is also the role of an ISVA to support victims who have decided not to report to the police, or whose cases are no longer in the criminal justice process. 

We currently have one ISVA who supports clients, both in the refuge, and in the community. The benefit of the ISVA role is to provide ongoing continuity, advocacy and impartial advice and information to a victim of sexual violence. 

The demand for support through the ISVA service has continued to steadily increase. Since its launch, the ISVA service has received 283 referrals: 51 in the last quarter. This number is expected to continue to rise with an eventual expansion of the ISVA service highly likely to take place. 

Notably, the impact of Covid and the lockdowns is now beginning to filter through, with recent clients disclosing the increased effect that the social isolation had upon the abuse that they suffered. We expect this trend to continue, and we will strive to adapt to meet the unique needs of every individual that has been affected by sexual abuse and violence during the pandemic. 

## **SAV Counselling** 

We have developed a SAV counselling offer which has enhanced the ISVA service enabling clients to move into the most effective service for them at the appropriate time. 

## **Healthy Schools Project** 

The aim of the project is to educate children on safe and healthy relationships, raise awareness of domestic abuse and other impacting factors which affect relationships. The interactive sessions have clear aims and objectives which are demonstrated in the schemes of work and lesson plans. The delivery is mapped to the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum. Staff who deliver the project have a teaching background or have experience working with children and young people. 

Children's emotional well-being and safety remains at the forefront of all of our deliveries and we aim to offer flexibility to meet both the needs of schools and the individual needs of children. 

This year we have educated 2,850 children (62% increase), in 95 classes across 52 schools in Bolton and Bury on Healthy Relationships. We also delivered to a High School and reached approximately 300 children across 10 classes. 

The programme has been adapted once again to reflect the needs of the schools as we moved out of the constraints that the pandemic placed on classroom deliveries. The sessions have received excellent feedback from head teachers, teachers and pupils. As a result of the programme some schools have reported that children have been sharing more information about their home lives and seeking out additional support from school staff and other services such as the 

## **Children Services (Refuge)** 

80 individual children and young people have accessed services at Lewis House during this year. Services include play sessions, after-school, computer and youth club sessions, school holiday activities, family sessions including family activity days, and school-ready and individual one-to-one support sessions. 

We are still seeing a significant number of children with support plans who are subject to child action or protection plans, these children need additional support from our team of workers on a one-to-one basis. 

8 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

The services provided are creative, innovative, structured and supportive, addressing the individual needs of those in their care. The team are continually monitoring demand which enables them to respond to the diverse range of Children's needs in a continually changing environment.  To keep abreast of emerging trends, demands and needs staff have forged links with many other agencies and service providers, locally and nationally. 

Our children's services are registered with OFSTED and meet the standards required. Over the last 12 years the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Leadership 

the delivery model for the Early Years Nursery, this resulted in achieving an Outstanding grade at inspection in June 2019 which we will strive to maintain.. We work strategically by further developing services to meet the needs of Bolton children, Fortalice is a member of Bolton Together and our Chief Executive is a Director on the Bolton Together Board. 

Facing the Future provides emotional and practical support for children and young people who are moving from our Refuge settings in Bolton and Bury into their new co children/young people for up to 3 months promoting stability by helping them successfully adjust to their new lives on the next phase of recovery. The project seeks to minimise the risk of families leaving a place of security and safety and becoming vulnerable by giving them transitional support enabling them to develop confidence and support links in the local community. 

The Worker has supported children on a one to one basis for up to 12 weeks during their transition from Refuge to the community, guiding to support their emotional well-being and challenging behaviours. The project has supported 31 children in this financial year.  The project follows a Whole Family Approach, with support being offered to the parent around their own emotional wellbeing and routines, boundaries, relationship building and general parenting in order to build some stability for the family moving forwards. Referrals have also been completed for our internal Family Cohesion Project to continue support for the family beyond 12 weeks, were required. 

Families have been supported practically on an individual needs-led basis, with support given to secure school places, the families build links within their local community. School visits ensure that children are settling in well and on track with development and learning, as well as giving the teacher opportunity to share any concerns or positive feedback. 

9 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

This period has again been successful with the Charity generating a surplus of £180,370 compared with a surplus of £12,357 sed loss on investments of £25,599 (2022 unrealised gain £16,000). 

## **Principal funding sources** 

The principal funding sources for the Charity are currently by way of grant and contract income from Bolton Council (BC). The two main sources are: 

- Adult Services accommodation based housing related support services - Housing Benefits 

Funding received from Bolton Council in relation to accommodation based housing related support services and Housing Benefits represents 10.59% (2022 13.45%) and 23.45% (2022 29.04%) respectively of total incoming resources from charitable activities. 

## **Investment policy and objectives** 

The investment objective of the Charity is to make investments which will provide an overall return on the portfolio, while maintaining the real purchase power of the portfolio over time and providing reasonable growth. 

Under the Trustees Act 2000, the trustees have the same full and unrestricted powers of investing and transposing investments as if they were beneficially entitled thereto. 

The investment funds held yielded income of £15,155 (2022 - £12,071) and as at 31 March 2023 they had a market value of £495,598 (2022 - £520,623). Details are shown in note 14 to the accounts. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The trustees review the Charity's requirements for reserves annually, in the light of the major risks facing the charity. 

As agreed at the management meeting on 30[th] April 2019, the trustees consider that in order to ensure the continuous provision of the Charity's services, they aim to maintain a general fund equal to 9 months of budgeted expenditure. However, to ensure a continuous delivery of services and remove possible constraints, the Trustees have agreed a general fund of between 6 and 9 months of budgeted expenditure with the intention to stay as close to 9 months as practical. 

At the year end the Charity's unrestricted and undesignated reserves stood at £972,833 which represent just over 6 months of budgeted expenditure. During the year a new building was purchased at a cost of £298,215, this will increase our office space and will be (CYP) hub, offering a focused base for CYP services and training delivery. The purchase of this building has impacted upon our level of free reserves, the finance and investment sub-group is mindful of reserve levels and will endeavour to keep them within policy. 

The net book value of tangible fixed assets is included in the designated fund, these assets are used by the charity in the furtherance of its objectives and are not free reserves. 

## **Future plans** 

The Business plan continues to be influenced by reduced funding and an increase in demand for services. Fortalice has continued to develop highly effective ways of working to meet the emerging trends and the needs of the diverse range of victims, children and families affected by domestic abuse. 

10 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

In line with the business plan, we will continue to further develop our core services to meet the ever changing needs of the victims, families, children and young people who access services at the Refuges and Outreach Support Centres. This will include recruiting new volunteers and further developing new ways of working with our team of highly skilled volunteers. 

In conjunction with Management, we will monitor and continuously develop the Business Plan 2020 ~~2~~ 025. 

To secure funding for core services, new projects and projects where funding is due to end to ensure continuous delivery of services. 

To further develop services at the Outreach Support Centres and in the Community which will include developing new group work sessions, increased opportunities for women, men and children to attend counselling, support and advice sessions and early intervention programmes. To develop a programme of work to be delivered in the Community working with families who are suffering the effects of domestic abuse or relationship issues. 

The objective of further developing our services will be to reach a more diverse range of communities and varying issues around domestic abuse. This will include identifying and working with a range of partners to achieve our goal. 

To develop more proj expand the num work with our children and young people to develop a Youth Council specifically relating to domestic abuse and the issues it raises for children and young people. We will also enable our CYP staff to further develop their skills to meet the ever changing complexities of the CYP we work with. 

To work with Bolton Together and the THRIVE partnership in providing and securing a broader range of services for children and young people in Bolton. 

To continually and develop our education programmes in Schools and in the community, reaching more children with the aim of breaking early cycles of domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships. This development will be done through educational settings. 

Working with the IRIS national team to identify new projects and more innovative ways of working to enhance the delivery, specifically appertaining to more effective ways of delivering training to the GP surgeries enabling easier access for them. This will ensure patients have appropriate routes into DAV services to keep them safe We will participate in a new research piece of work, named IRIS plus which will commence in 2024. 

The IDVA project will be continually developed maximising opportunities to keep all high risk victims safe and to contribute to the local DAV strategy through feedback from Victims. 

To market and further develop our training packages and online hub to be delivered nationally thus creating further income generation for the organisation. 

To develop new partnerships with the aim meeting the domestic abuse bill enabling a more diverse service to victims and survivors who need domestic abuse services. 

Our fundraising strategy needs to be further developed with the aim of assisting the organisation in achieving its fundraising target in meeting the shortfall.  The Chief Executive will work with the Finance Director, bid writer and fundraiser to identify specific funding for projects. 

premises are currently being developed with input from CYP team and the children and young people. Our aim is to open by 31[st] December 2023. 

A key focus for all our work will be early intervention, high, middle and low tier domestic abuse, working with adult victims and children. 

11 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

The Management Committee together with the Chief Executive and Finance Director will support the above priorities whilst maintaining a high standard of service and will monitor through a series of sub- groups ensuring policy and working practices comply with and surpass the quality standards of regulating bodies and funders. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document** 

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 28th February 2008 and registered as a Charity on 13th May 2008. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.  In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees and management committee** 

There is a broad mix of knowledge and skills represented on the management committee to reflect the client group we serve and to provide the management skills required for the smooth running of the organisation. The Directors are also committee members and hold official positions as Chair, Secretary and Treasurer for the organisation. 

All members of the Management Committee, apart from the Chief Executive, give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.  Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in the notes to the accounts. 

Diane Hawkins, Gill Smallwood, Lucy Lee and Jennie Smith retire by rotation and offer themselves for re-election. 

## **Organisational structure** 

Fortalice is headed by a committee of 12 directors and management members who meet on a regular basis to monitor and give guidance and direction in respect of the services provided by the organisation. 

The full committee meets quarterly with additional sub group meetings addressing specific issues in relation to Business development, finance and investment, HR, monitoring and evaluation, health and safety and marketing and publicity. 

Day to day service delivery is managed by the Chief Executive reporting back to full committee meetings. 

Services are provided across the organisation by three teams: 

## **Adult Residential Services** : 

-Providing services, support and temporary accommodation at the refuges in Bolton and Bury. **Outreach Services:** 

-Providing a range of non-residential support services and domestic abuse training programmes, interventions and outreach at the Outreach Support Centre and at external venues within the local community **Children's Services:** 

-Providing early intervention, crisis intervention and support services; education on healthy relationships and support for children the refuge, the Outreach Support Centre and at external venues within the local community 

The teams comprise of 62 paid part-time and full-time workers and a contingency of volunteers working in all areas across the organisation. 

Volunteers play a significant role within the organisation and their contribution greatly enhances the quality of services we are able to offer.  This creates 'added value' to the service and clearly demonstrates efficiencies in terms of cost and value for money.  In return, we offer a high level of training and opportunities to improve skills, knowledge and expertise to enhance their own personal and professional development. Unfortunately, the majority of volunteer roles were put on hold for over two years due to Covid however, we have started to integrate them back into the organisation during this financial year. 

Fortalice has provided an increased number of placements for student counsellors, social work students and work experience placements, all of which have gained knowledge and expertise through their time with the organisation. 

Our quality assurance processes ensure that we are effectively monitoring and reviewing our working practices, this has ensured that we consistently meet the needs of the client base and work within the constraints of our financial budgets. The continuous evolving working practice with residents has enabled us to measure the success of the service against specific outcomes. 

12 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **Induction and training of new trustees** 

A Trustee induction programme is in place and subject to review through consultation with the management team. All members are required to undertake training relevant to their adopted role and to increase their own awareness and knowledge of issues relating to domestic abuse and its effects within society. 

All Trustees and committee members are encouraged to visit the project to become familiar with the staff team and the day to day work of the organisation. 

## **Related parties** 

Services provided by Fortalice respond to both local, regional and national strategies and we continue to be a key member of strategic partnerships within Bolton and the North West. Our association with other voluntary organisations through collaborative partnership working continues and we have undertaken joint training and aim to develop and strengthen the association further in the immediate and long term future. 

We have strong established links with mental health and social care agencies to enhance the support we offer to service users to ensure additional needs are addressed and met and the risk of re-victimisation is greatly reduced. 

Through training we are able to raise awareness of the effects domestic abuse has on society and this year we have responded to the additional demand for training to a number of agencies throughout the borough. 

## **Risk management** 

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurances against fraud and error. 

There are strict internal controls in relation to financial transactions and an annual review of external factors that may affect the Charity's viability. 

We continually review our policy and procedures in relation to risk factors at all levels and health and safety controls are in place throughout the organisation. 

24 hour on-site staff cover at the Refuge sites and minimum staffing levels in all areas has been achieved at all times throughout the year. 

Clients are consulted on risk and contribute to the annual assessments. 

Policies and procedures are in place to safeguard all clients and in addition to stringent security checks at the point of recruitment; we undertake induction training with all paid staff and volunteers in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. 

There are procedures in place giving clients the opportunity to raise issues either independently or as a group at house meetings and concerns or complaints can be raised formally or anonymously with a record kept of each issue and outcome. Consultations are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure the resident's needs are met. Residents also help to evaluate the service through questionnaires and discussion groups. 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

**Registered Company number** 06517841 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1124031 

## **Registered office** 

43 Bradford Street The Haulgh Bolton BL2 1HT 

13 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **Trustees** 

Mrs D M Hawkins Dr (h.c.) G Smallwood MBE Ms H J Eastham Mrs S Swain Mrs J Smith Ms L Lee Mrs A Brown Ms S Collier Mrs S White (previously Martin) Reverend I Hepburn Mr R Jackson Appointed 16.05.2022 Cllr C L Thomas Appointed 01.09.2023 

## **Company Secretary** 

Mrs S Swain 

## **Auditors** 

Cowgill Holloway LLP Regency House 45-53 Chorley New Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 4QR 

## **Bankers** 

National Westminster Bank plc 24 Deansgate Bolton BL1 1BN 

## **Solicitors** 

KBL Solicitors LLP New Mansion House 63-65 Chorley New Road Bolton BL1 4QR 

## **Investment brokers** 

Chartered Wealth Management The Lightwell 61/63 Brown Street Manchester M2 2JG 

14 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of Fortalice Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The _Financial Report Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (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 period.  In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 

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: 

- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and 

- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 

## **AUDITORS** 

The auditors, Cowgill Holloway LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 


Mrs D M Hawkins Trustee 

15 



**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Fortalice Limited for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities including the income and expenditure account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and the notes to the financial statements, 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: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **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 A of the financial statements section of our report.  We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FR 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 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 trustees are responsible for the other information.  The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our au thereon.  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. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information.  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. 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

In our opinion, based on work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

- The information given in the trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

- The trustee has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements 

16 



**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trust port. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit. 

- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees 

## **Responsibilities of the trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees Responsibilities set out on page eleven, 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 they 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 Charity y 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 Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative to do so. 

## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

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 auditor's 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: 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience, and through discussions with the directors (as required by auditing standards) and discussed with the directors the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably. 

Firstly, the company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation and taxation legislation. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items. 

Secondly, the company is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, Health and Safety at Work Act and Employment Law. 

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Through these procedures we did not become aware of any actual or suspected non-compliance. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material 

17 



**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF FORTALICE LIMITED** 

misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards.  For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of nondetection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations. 

- We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined below to detect material misstatement due to fraud: Matters are discussed amongst the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud 

   - Identifying and assessing the design and effectiveness of controls that management have in place to prevent and detect fraud 

   - Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud following discussions with management and enquiring as to whether management have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. 

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 the auditor's report. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members 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 the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Alex Hesketh FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Cowgill Holloway LLP Regency House 45-53 Chorley New Road Bolton Lancashire BL1 4QR Date: 



18 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>179,862<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre<br>476,077<br>Other trading activities<br>74,505<br>Income from investments<br>15,155<br>**Total**<br>745,599<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre<br>600,426<br>**NET INCOME BEFORE INVESTMENTS**<br>**GAINS/(LOSSES)**<br>145,173<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>(23,339)<br>**NET INCOME**<br>121,834<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>**Total funds brought forward**<br>1,503,898<br>Transfers between funds<br>-<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>1,625,732|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>1,102,938<br>-<br>-<br>1,102,938<br>1,044,402<br>58,536<br>-<br>58,536<br>117,139<br>-<br>175,675|31.3.23<br>Total funds<br>£<br>179,862<br>1,579,015<br>74,505<br>15,155<br>1,848,537<br>1,644,828<br>203,709<br>(23,339)<br>180,370<br>1,621,037<br>-<br>1,801,407|31.3.22<br>Total funds<br>£<br>88,810<br>1,284,607<br>42,136<br>12,071<br>1,427,624<br>1,436,544<br>(8,920)<br>21,277<br>12,357<br>1,608,680<br>-<br>1,621,037|
|---|---|---|---|



## **CONTINUING OPERATIONS** 

All incoming resources and resources expended arise from charitable activities during the period. 

19 



## **FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **BALANCE SHEET At 31 March 2023** 

|Notes<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>15<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>16<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**<br>**LIABILITIES**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**||31.3.23<br>£<br>636,892<br>495,598<br>1,132,490<br>125,816<br>766,202<br>892,018<br>(223,101)<br>668,917<br>1,801,407<br>1,801,407<br>1,625,732<br>175,675<br>1,801,407|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||793,087|
|||||1,621,037<br>1,621,037<br>1,503,898<br>117,139<br>1,621,037|
||||||
||||||
||||||



These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on . and were signed on its behalf by: 


Mrs D M Hawkins -Trustee 



Ms H J Eastham -Trustee 

20 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

|Notes<br>**Cash flows from operating activities:**<br>Cash generated from operations<br>1<br>**Net cash provided by operating activities**<br>**Cash flows from investing activities:**<br>Investment income<br>Purchase of investments<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Movement in fair value of investments<br>**Net cash used in investing activities**<br>**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the**<br>**reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of**<br>**the reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the**<br>**reporting period**|31.3.23<br>£<br>475,905<br>475,905<br>15,155<br>-<br>(341,411)<br>25,026<br>(301,230)<br>174,675<br>591,527<br>766,202|31.3.22<br>£<br>(177,896)<br>(177,896)<br>12,071<br>(100,000)<br>(116,423)<br>(19,623)<br>(223,975)<br>(401,872)<br>993,399<br>591,527|
|---|---|---|



21 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

|**1.**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET**<br>**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**<br>**Net income for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial**<br>**activities)**<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>Depreciation charges<br>Investment income received<br>(Increase)/decrease in debtors<br>Increase in creditors<br>Profit on sale on disposal of fixed assets<br>**Net cash provided by operating activities**|**CASH FLOW FROM**<br>31.3.23<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>£<br>180,370<br>12,357<br>11,845<br>6,436<br>(15,155)<br>(12,071)<br>268,255<br>(299,386)<br>30,590<br>-<br>114,266<br>502<br>475,905<br>(177,896)|
|---|---|



22 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** 

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

## **Assessment of going concern** 

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

## **Income** 

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

Grants received from local authorities are credited to income on an accruals basis. 

Self-generating income represents monies due as rent and is accounted for on an accruals basis.  Monies received in advance are shown as current liabilities and monies owing as debtors. 

Income from legacies is recognised on a receivable basis. 

All voluntary income is included in income on receipt. 

Donated services and facilities are included in income at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised when there is no financial cost borne by a third party. 

## **Expenditure** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. 

## **Allocation and apportionment of costs** 

Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation which is provided in annual instalments over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 

Leasehold buildings are depreciated to write down the cost less estimated residual value over the remaining useful life by equal annual instalments. It is the trustees' policy to maintain all buildings to such a standard that their estimated residual value is not less than their cost at any given time. Therefore, in the opinion of the trustees, no depreciation charge is required. 

Small items of equipment and furniture are not capitalised but are written off on acquisition through the income and expenditure accounts. 

23 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates: 

Improvements to property - 2%/10% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on reducing balance Motor Vehicles - 25% on cost 

## **Fixed asset investments** 

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument. Listed investments are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year. 

Unlisted investments are recognised at their cost value within the balance sheet. 

## **Realised gains and losses** 

All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. 

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits** 

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme.  Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. 

## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments** 

Lease payments under operating leases, where substantially all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred. 

## **Government grants** 

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. 

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability. 

## **Financial Instruments** 

The following assets and liabilities are classified as financial instruments; trade debtors, rents receivable, trade creditors and other creditors. 

Trade debtors, rents receivable, trade creditors and other creditors are measured at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. 

24 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|**DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Donations<br>Analysis of donations received during the period:<br>Date<br>Donor<br>Various<br>Anonymous donations and amounts less than £1,000<br>Various<br>06.12.22<br>Just giving<br>Ruth & Toni Pieczonka<br>Various<br>Enthuse<br>19.10.22<br>08.04.22<br>10.01.23<br>Various<br>19.04.22<br>27.01.23<br>Saving threads<br>Benefit Mankind<br>Bradshaw Gass Trust<br>Gene Spurr<br>Russell & Russell<br>Cormar Carpet Co<br>09.12.22<br>PMJ Capital Ltd<br>10.10.22<br>Sahil Enterprises (Raja<br>s)<br>22.03.22<br>University of Bolton<br>Various<br>The Dullatur Foundation<br>09.05.22<br>Mayor<br>s Charity Appeal<br>Various<br>Glitz & Glam fundraiser<br>Various<br>Mrs P M Hulton<br>Various<br>Kearsley & Ringley Conservative Club<br>Various<br>Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust<br>Various<br>Co-op Local Community Fund<br>19.04.22<br>Suffragette City<br>Various<br>Fluent Money<br>Various<br>Lloyds Bank Foundation<br>Various<br>Grace<br>s Teas and Tipples<br>Various<br>Westhoughton Lodge<br>17.02.23<br>Stuart Energy|31.3.23<br>£<br>179,862<br>179,862|31.3.22<br>£<br>88,810<br>88,810<br>£<br>32,158<br>17,772<br>1,000<br>21,851<br>1,286<br>1,500<br>2,750<br>4,325<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>5,000<br>4,000<br>35,000<br>15,000<br>10,000<br>7,716<br>2,340<br>1,777<br>3,050<br>2,478<br>2,334<br>1,660<br>1,500<br>1,365<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>179,862|31.3.22<br>£<br>88,810|
||||88,810|



25 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES** 

|**3.**<br>**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**|||
|---|---|---|
|31.3.23<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>£<br>Fundraising events<br>14,702<br>6,973<br>Other income<br>59,804<br>35,163<br>74,506<br>42,136<br>**4.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>31.3.23<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>£<br>Deposit account interest<br>4,312<br>3,036<br>Investment income<br>10,843<br>9,035<br>15,155<br>12,071<br>**5.**<br>**INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**<br>31.3.23<br>31.3.22<br>**Activity**<br>£<br>£<br>Charge to residents<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support<br>Centre<br>476,077<br>454,480<br>Grants<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support<br>Centre<br>1,102,938<br>830,127<br>1,579,015<br>1,284,607||31.3.22<br>£<br>6,973<br>35,163|
|||42,136|
|||31.3.22<br>£<br>3,036<br>9,035|
|||12,071|
|||31.3.22<br>£<br>454,480<br>830,127|



26 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **5. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - continued** 

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: 

|Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
|Bolton Council - Vulnerable Children & Young People<br>Bolton Council - Adult services<br>1point<br>Bolton Council - Iris Project<br>FFE Funding<br>Bolton Together<br> Thrive<br>Bolton Together - iThrive Counselling<br>Children in Need, D.O.V.E.<br>Bolton CCG - Children<br>Counselling<br>Bolton CCG - Teams Around Schools<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 14 Health and Wellbeing<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 21 Children getting the best start in life<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 18 Safe, strong & cohesive communities<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 23 Health and wellbeing<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 29 Standing Together<br>GMCA<br> ISVA<br>Bolton Fund<br> Round 33 Household Support Fund<br>GMCA MoJ Funding<br>The Circle Fund<br>Bolton Together<br> Emotional Health and Wellbeing<br>Bolton Together<br> Thrive Plus<br>Bolton Together<br> Internet Safety<br>Bolton Council - IDVA<br>Garfield Weston Foundation<br>Zochonis Charitable Trust<br>Bolton CVS<br>Greater Manchester Hospital<br>Amazon Community<br>Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund<br>North West Young People<br>s Development Trust<br>Sir James and Lady Scott Trust<br>Provincial Walsh Trust<br>Albert Gubay Foundation<br>Albert Gubay Foundation - Capital Grant<br>Masonic Charitable Fund<br>Safenet Bury Refuge<br>Awards for All<br>Box Power CIC<br>Children In Need, Youth Investment Fund<br>Enterprise Rent-a-Car<br>Arnold Clark<br>HAF<br>The Leigh Trust<br>Charles Hayward Foundation<br>29th May 1961 Charitable Trust<br>ASDA Foundation<br>TLC Bury CYP Domestic Abuse Partnership|31.3.23<br>£<br>28,805<br>195,840<br>36,277<br>84,697<br>18,625<br>25,309<br>38,720<br>45,702<br>21,215<br>58,988<br>7,371<br>13,748<br>9,839<br>8,700<br>490<br>40,000<br>10,320<br>-<br>5,000<br>36,936<br>18,000<br>5,336<br>161,548<br>25,000<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>1,000<br>2,000<br>10,000<br>-<br>-<br>29,182<br>38,244<br>19,973<br>21,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>8,777<br>5,000<br>20,000<br>5,000<br>1,296<br>40,000<br>1,102,938|31.3.22<br>£<br>28,805<br>192,000<br>67,778<br>70,750<br>14,950<br>24,950<br>-<br>44,545<br>20,500<br>23,750<br>7,371<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>30,000<br>-<br>27,702<br>10,500<br>-<br>127,032<br>-<br>2,500<br>3,674<br>426<br>-<br>-<br>10,000<br>3,000<br>3,000<br>30,000<br>-<br>19,973<br>8,750<br>9,978<br>20,000<br>25,193<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|||830,127|



27 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

Restricted income, included in the above, are as follows: 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
31.3.23 31.3.22<br>£  £<br>Bolton Council - Vulnerable Children & Young People  28,805 28,805<br>Bolton Council - Adult services  195,840 192,000<br>1point  36,277 67,778<br>Bolton Council - Iris Project  84,697 70,750<br>FFE Funding  18,625 14,950<br>Bolton Together Thrive  25,309 24,950<br>Bolton Together - iThrive Counselling  38,720 -<br>Children in Need, D.O.V.E.  45,702 44,545<br>Bolton CCG Children s Counselling  21,215 20,500<br>Bolton CCG - Teams Around Schools  58,988 23,750<br>Bolton Fund Round 21 Children getting the best start in life   13,748 -<br>Bolton Fund Round 18 Safe, strong & cohesive communities   9,839 -<br>Bolton Fund Round 23 Health and wellbeing   8,700 -<br>GMCA ISVA  40,000 -<br>Bolton Fund Round 29 Standing Together  490 -<br>Bolton Fund Round 33 Household Support Fund   10,320 -<br>Bolton Fund Round 14 Health and Wellbeing  7,371 7,371<br>-<br>GMCA MoJ Funding  30,000<br>The Circle Fund  5,000 -<br>Bolton Together Emotional Health and Wellbeing  36,936 27,702<br>Bolton Together Thrive Plus  18,000 10,500<br>Bolton Together Internet Safety   5,336 -<br>Bolton Council IDVA  161,548 127,032<br>Garfield Weston Foundation  25,000 -<br>Zochonis Charitable Trust  5,000 2,500<br>Masonic Charitable Foundation  19,973 19,973<br>Albert Gubay Foundation  29,182 30,000<br>Albert Gubay Capital Grant  38,244 -<br>Provinical Walsh Trust   - 3,000<br>Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund  2,000 -<br>North West Young People s Development Trust  10,000 10,000<br>Greater Manchester Hospital  - 426<br>-<br>Sir James and Lady Scott Trust  3,000<br>Amazon Community  1,000 -<br>The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust  5,000 -<br>Bolton CVS - 3,674<br>Safenet Bury Refuge   21,000 8,750<br>Awards for All   - 9,978<br>Box Power CIC  - 20,000<br>-<br>Children In Need, Youth Investment Fund  25,193<br>-<br>Enterprise Rent-a-Car  1,000<br>Arnold Clark   - 1,000<br>HAF  8,777 1,000<br>The Leigh Trust  5,000 -<br>Charles Hayward Foundation  20,000 -<br>ASDA Foundation  1,296 -<br>-<br>TLC Bury CYP Domestic Abuse Partnership    40,000<br>1,102,938 830,127<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


28 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Direct costs Support costs Totals<br>(See note 7) (See note 8)<br>£  £  £<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre  1,620,133 24,696 1,644,829<br>7.  DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES<br>31.3.23 31.3.22<br>£  £<br>Trustees' remuneration etc.  63,470 62,855<br>Staff costs  1,146,711 975,552<br>Water rates and service charges   12,513 10,252<br>Insurance  10,433 8,214<br>Light and heat  49,547 36,818<br>Telephone  11,113 9,317<br>Postage and stationery  4,580 3,509<br>Sundries  3,475 1,631<br>Cleaning materials  4,664 4,170<br>Window cleaning  1,965 1,750<br>Gardening  1,853 2,260<br>Furniture, equipment and maintenance  19,320 43,186<br>Health and safety  135 120<br>Irwell Valley Homes Rent  144,681 128,134<br>Children's activities  11,732 8,665<br>Resident s expenses  2,299 3,179<br>Travel & transport  9,143 8,981<br>Computer costs  14,805 14,896<br>Interpreting  3,903 1,999<br>Repairs, renewals & maintenance 20,200 16,878<br>Subscriptions 1,954 2,158<br>Training costs 15,719 5,821<br>Refreshments 412 249<br>Emergency provisions 36 59<br>Outreach Support Centre activities 6,522 3,132<br>Support, supervision and counselling services 1,135 3,802<br>Fundraising expenses 6,573 1,584<br>Children's counselling 16,880 17,955<br>Publicity and advertising 2,806 6,163<br>Bad debt expense - 55<br>Bank charges  1,493 1,318<br>Legal and professional fees 16,100 23,320<br>Depreciation 11,845 6,436<br>Profit on sale of tangible fixed asset  - 502<br>Investment portfolio charges         2,116        2,276<br>1,620,133 1,417,196<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Included within the staff costs is an amount totalling £900,153 (2022: £808,314) which relate to restricted fund expenditure. 

29 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **8. SUPPORT COSTS** 

|Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre|Governance<br>costs<br>£<br>24,696|
|---|---|



## **9. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)** 

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): 

||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Auditors' remuneration|7,800|7,800|
|Auditors' remuneration for non-audit work|1,095|1,971|
|Bookkeeping|3,836|-|
|Depreciation - owned assets|11,845|6,436|



## **10. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

|Trustees' salaries<br>Trustees' social security<br>Trustees' pension contributions to money purchase schemes|31.3.23<br>£<br>55,417<br><br>6,732<br>1,321<br>63,470<br>|31.3.22<br>£<br>55,146<br>6,388<br>1,321|
|---|---|---|
|||62,855|



One trustee received remuneration during the period. The trustee's remuneration is in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association of the reporting entity. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

Professional indemnity insurance has been taken out on behalf of trustees at a cost of £1,431 (2022: £953). 

## **11. STAFF COSTS** 

|31.3.23<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>1,049,567<br>Social security costs<br>78,763<br>Other pension costs<br>18,381<br>1,146,711|31.3.22<br>£<br>894,975<br>64,634<br>15,943|
|---|---|
||975,552|



The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 

||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|---|---|---|
|Management and administration|9|7|
|Lewis House and Outreach Support Centre|53|50|
||62|57|



One trustee received emoluments in excess of £60,000. 

30 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **12. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>88.810<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre<br>454,480<br>Other trading activities<br>42,136<br>Investment income<br>12,071<br>**Total**<br>597,497<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Operation of Women's Refuge & Support Centre<br>492,858<br>**NET INCOME BEFORE INVESTMENTS**<br>104,639<br>**Net on investments**<br>21,277<br>**NET INCOME**<br>125,916<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>**Total funds brought forward**<br>Transfers between funds<br>1,377,982<br>-<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>1,503,898|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>830,127<br>-<br>-<br>830,127<br>943,686<br>(113,559)<br>-<br>(113,559)<br>230,698<br>-<br>117,139|Total funds<br>£<br>88,810<br>1,284,607<br>42,136<br>12,071<br>1,427,624<br>1,436,544<br>(8,920)<br>21,277<br>12,357<br>1,608,680<br>-<br>1,621,037|
|---|---|---|



31 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|**ANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Long leasehold<br>Improvements<br>to property<br>Computer<br>equipment<br>Motor vehicles<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**COST**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>158,964<br>175,000<br>11,357<br>10,995<br>Additions<br>298,215<br>38,257<br>4,939<br>-<br>Disposals<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>At 31 March 2023<br>457,179<br>213,257<br>16,296<br>10,995<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>-<br>31,133<br>10,985<br>6,872<br>Charge for year<br>-<br>7,326<br>1,770<br>2,749<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2023<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>38,459<br>-<br>12,755<br>-<br>9,621<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>457,179<br>174,798<br>3,541<br>1,374<br>At March 2022<br>158,964<br>143,867<br>373<br>4,123|Totals<br>£<br>356,316<br>341,411<br>-<br>697,727||
||48,990<br>11,845<br>-<br>60,835<br>636,892|48,990<br>11,845<br>-<br>60,835|
||307,327||



32 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **14. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS** 

|Market Value<br>1.4.22<br>Additions/<br>Disposals<br>Interest<br>**UK Listed**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted**<br>COIF Investment Fund<br>7,381.54 Units<br>143,744<br>-<br>-<br>COIF Global Equity Fund<br>58,690.40 Units<br>156,339<br>-<br>-<br>COIF Property Fund<br>42,673.04 Units<br>55,355<br>-<br>-<br>CWM Portfolio<br>165,185<br> - <br>430<br>520,623<br>-<br>430<br>Market Value<br>2023<br>£<br>**UK Listed**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>COIF Investment Fund 7,381.54 units<br>138,305<br>COIF Global Equity Income Fund 58,690.40 units<br>150,793<br>COIF Property Fund 42,673.04 units<br>46,573<br>CWM portfolio<br>159,926<br>495,597<br>Market Value<br>2023<br>**UK Unlisted**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>1Point NW Limited<br>1<br>1<br>**Total Investments**<br>495,598|Market Value<br>1.4.22<br>Additions/<br>Disposals<br>Interest<br>**UK Listed**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted**<br>COIF Investment Fund<br>7,381.54 Units<br>143,744<br>-<br>-<br>COIF Global Equity Fund<br>58,690.40 Units<br>156,339<br>-<br>-<br>COIF Property Fund<br>42,673.04 Units<br>55,355<br>-<br>-<br>CWM Portfolio<br>165,185<br> - <br>430<br>520,623<br>-<br>430<br>Market Value<br>2023<br>£<br>**UK Listed**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>COIF Investment Fund 7,381.54 units<br>138,305<br>COIF Global Equity Income Fund 58,690.40 units<br>150,793<br>COIF Property Fund 42,673.04 units<br>46,573<br>CWM portfolio<br>159,926<br>495,597<br>Market Value<br>2023<br>**UK Unlisted**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>1Point NW Limited<br>1<br>1<br>**Total Investments**<br>495,598|<br>Charges<br>Gain/<br>(Loss)<br>Market Value<br>31.3.23<br> <br>£<br>£<br>£<br> <br>-<br>(5,439)<br>138,305<br> <br>-<br>(5,546)<br>150,793<br> <br>-<br>(8,782)<br>46,573<br>  <br>(2,116)<br>(3,572)<br>159,927<br> <br>(2,116)<br>(23,339)<br>495,598<br>Cost<br>2023<br>Market Value<br>2022<br>Cost<br>2022<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>125,000<br>143,744<br>125,000<br>125,000<br>156,339<br>125,000<br>50,000<br>55,355<br>50,000<br>150,000<br>165,185<br>150,000<br>450,000<br>520,623<br>450,000<br>Cost<br>2023<br>Market Value<br>2022<br>Cost<br>2022<br>1<br> -<br> -<br>1<br>-<br>-<br>450,001<br>520,623<br>450,000|
|---|---|---|
|||<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>  <br> <br>|
||430||



## **15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Trade debtors<br>Rents receivable<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>Other debtors<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>Trade creditors<br>Social security and other taxes<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|31.3.23<br>£<br>95,391<br>11,993<br>18,433<br> -<br>125,816<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>7,028<br>21,156<br>5,923<br>188,994<br>223,101|31.3.22<br>£<br>60,034<br>19,945<br>22,844<br>291,248<br>394,071<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>12,308<br>17,146<br>2,393<br>160,664<br>192,511|
|---|---|---|



## **16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

33 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

|**17.**|**LEASING AGREEMENTS**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||31.3.23||31.3.22|
||Minimum lease payments under|non-cancellable operating|leases|||£|£|
||Within one year||||150,819||137,114|
||Between two and five years||||16,575||24,531|
||Total||||167,394||161,645|
|**18.**|**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS**|**BETWEEN FUNDS**||||||
|||Unrestricted|Restricted||31.3.23||31.3.22|
|||Funds||Funds|Total Funds||Total Funds|
|||£||£|£||£|
||Fixed assets|1,098,070|34,420||1,132,490||827,950|
||Current Assets|895,725|(3,707)||892,018||985,598|
||Current Liabilities|(368,063)|144,962||(223,101)||(192,511)|
|||1,625,732|175,675||1,801,407||1,621,037|
|**19.**|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**|||||||



|**Unrestricted funds**<br>Undesignated fund<br>Designated Funds<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Operation of refuge<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.4.22<br>Net movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>1,181,144<br>(208,311)<br>322,754<br>330,145<br>1,503,898<br>121,834<br>117,139<br>58,536<br>1,621,037<br>180,370|At 31.3.23<br>£<br>972,833<br>652,899|
|---|---|---|
|||1,625,732<br>175,675|
|||1,801,407|



Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

|**Unrestricted Funds**<br>Undesignated Funds<br>Designated Funds<br>**Restricted Funds**<br>Operation of Refuge<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming<br>Resources<br>£<br>745,600<br> -<br>745,600<br>1,102,938<br>1,848,538|Resources<br>Movement<br>Expended<br>Transfer<br>In Funds<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>(615,745)<br>(338,166)<br>(208,311)<br>(8,021)<br>338,166<br>330,145<br>(623,766)<br>-<br>121,834<br>(1,044,402)<br> -<br>58,536<br>(1,668,168)<br>-<br>180,370|Resources<br>Movement<br>Expended<br>Transfer<br>In Funds<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>(615,745)<br>(338,166)<br>(208,311)<br>(8,021)<br>338,166<br>330,145<br>(623,766)<br>-<br>121,834<br>(1,044,402)<br> -<br>58,536<br>(1,668,168)<br>-<br>180,370|
|---|---|---|---|
||||<br>121,834<br>58,536|
||||180,370|



34 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

The accumulated undesignated funds are for the purpose of providing relief and protection of women, men, children and young people who have been gravely or persistently maltreated by the partner with whom they are or have been living or by any member of their immediate family and of the children of such women. 

The designated fund relates to the net book value of tangible fixed assets used in the furtherance of the charity's objectives and the balance left on various funds designated by the Trustees. 

The balance on the restricted fund represents amounts received during the financial year in respect of the following projects; 

The Healthy Relationships Project which educates children about acceptable behaviours in relationships. The delivery equips children with the knowledge, understanding and the skills required to develop healthy relationships. The project addresses unhealthy/abusive relationships, how to recognise these and where to get help. 

Monies received specifically to purchase radiator covers following a Health and Safety review at Lewis House. 

1Point North West, monies received to deliver adult counselling services at Outreach Support Centre. 

Children in Need Grants for Child s in the community and the refuge, these monies fund the D.O.V.E (Dedicated to Overcoming Violent Experiences) project, delivering Breaking Free and Just For You sessions. 

GM Police Bolton ARIS Fund, monies received to produce a video which will be used as a resource and training tool. 

North West Young People s Development Project, grants towards Children s and Young People s work at Outreach Support Centre. 

Bolton CCG Childr , additional monies received to increase the number of play and talking therapy appointments in order to meet the increased demand seen during coronavirus lockdowns. 

Box Power CIC, monies to fund activities and rips for children residing in the refuge. 

Masonic Charitable Foundation, this grant supports ~~5 1~~ 6-year-olds who move on from the refuge to help them transition to community life and deal with the trauma th experienced. A Project Worker and community volunteers will work with the child to build new networks of support. 

Albert Gubay Foundation, funding to continue delivery of he isting families to understand behaviours and learn new coping mechanisms. 

Albert Gubay Summer House, funds to provide a stand-alone structure in the grounds of the refuge to give the women and children we work with a space away from the refuge building to do specific pieces of work such as art therapy or counselling. 

The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust, Duchy of Lancaster and Bolton Street Angels, one-off grants and donations towards the cost of electronic signing in system at both the Refuge and Outreach Support Centre. 

The Leigh Trust, funding towards the salary of a specialist (part-time) Domestic Violence & Addiction Support Worker within the refuge who will offer a package of support to women of domestic abuse and are also dealing with challenges around mental health and/or substance misuse. 

Charles Hayward Foundation, received to support outreach recovery work for Children and Young People, the grant assisted with shortfall on overall planned children s services budget. 

29[th] May 1961 Charitable Trust, received to support outreach recovery work for Children and Young People, the grant assisted with shortfall on overall planned children s services budget. 

GMCA ISVA, monies to provide practical and emotional support to victims of sexual abuse or violence, supporting victims through the criminal justice process, and advocating on their behalf. 

These balances are all budgeted to be expended over the next financial year. 

35 



**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

## **FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

KBL Solicitors LLP have invoiced Fortalice £8,925 (2022: £1,590) in the year for services. At the year-end Fortalice owed £nil (2022: £600) to KBL Solicitors LLP. 

KBL Solicitors LLP are a related party by virtue of Sarah Collier being a director & trustee of Fortalice and an Employment Law Partner at KBL Solicitors LLP. 

1Point have granted restricted income to Fortalice of £36,277 (2021: £67,778) in the year. 

Bolton Together have granted restricted income of £124,301 (2021: £63,152) in the year. 

1Point and Bolton Together are related parties by virtue of Gill Smallwood being both a director & trustee of Fortalice and a director at 1Point and Bolton Together. 

## **21. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY** 

The company was controlled by the Board of Trustees throughout the year under review. 

36 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023** 

|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**<br>**Donations and legacies**<br>Donations<br>Legacy income<br>**Other trading activities**<br>Fundraising events<br>Other income<br>**Investment income**<br>Deposit account interest<br>Investment income<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Charge to residents<br>Grants<br>**Total incoming resources**<br>**EXPENDITURE**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Trustees' salaries<br>Trustees' social security<br>Trustees' pension contributions<br>Wages & salaries (Excl NI)<br>Social security<br>Pensions<br>Water rates and service charges<br>Insurance<br>Light and heat<br>Telephone<br>Postage and stationery<br>Sundries<br>Cleaning materials<br>Window cleaning<br>Gardening<br>Furniture, equipment and maintenance<br>Irwell Valley Homes Rent<br>Children's activities<br>Resident<br>s expenses<br>Travel & transport<br>Computer costs<br>Interpreting<br>Carried forward|31.3.23<br>£<br>179,862<br> -<br>179,862<br>14,702<br>59,804<br>74,506<br>4,312<br>10,843<br>15,155<br>476,077<br>1,102,938<br>1,579,015<br>1,848,537<br>55,417<br>6,732<br>1,321<br>1,049,567<br>78,763<br>18,381<br>12,513<br>10,433<br>49,547<br>11,113<br>4,580<br>3,475<br>4,664<br>1,965<br>1,853<br>19,455<br>144,681<br>11,732<br>2,299<br>9,143<br>14,805<br>3,903<br>1,516,342||31.3.22<br>£<br>88,810<br> -<br>88,810<br>6,973<br>35,163<br>42,136<br>3,036<br>9,035|31.3.22<br>£<br>88,810<br> -<br>88,810<br>6,973<br>35,163<br>42,136<br>3,036<br>9,035|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||88,810<br>6,973<br>35,163|
|||||<br>42,136<br>3,036<br>9,035|
||||<br>12,071<br>454,480<br>830,127||
|||1,284,607|||
|||1,427,624<br>55,146<br>6,388<br>1,321<br>894,975<br>64,634<br>15,943<br>10,252<br>8,214<br>36,818<br>9,317<br>3,509<br>1,631<br>4,170<br>1,750<br>2,260<br>43,306<br>128,134<br>8,665<br>3,179<br>8,981<br>14,896<br>1,999<br>1,325,488|||



37 



**FORTALICE LIMITED** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

|**Charitable activities**<br>Brought forward<br>Repairs, renewals & maintenance<br>Subscriptions<br>Training costs<br>Refreshments<br>Emergency provisions<br>Outreach Support Centre activities<br>Support, supervision and counselling services<br>Fundraising expenses<br>Children's counselling<br>Publicity and advertising<br>Bad debt expense<br>Bank charges<br>Legal & professional fees<br>Depreciation<br>Profit on sale of tangible fixed asset<br>Unrealised/realised (gain)/loss on investments<br>Investment portfolio charges<br>**Support costs**<br>**Governance costs**<br>Auditors' remuneration<br>Auditors' remuneration for non-audit work<br>Bookkeeping<br>Legal & professional fees<br>**Total resources expended**<br>**Net income**|31.3.23<br>£<br>1,516,342<br>20,200<br>1,954<br>15,719<br>412<br>36<br>6,522<br>1,135<br>6,573<br>16,880<br>2,806<br>-<br>1,493<br>16,100<br>11,845<br>-<br>23,339<br>2,116<br>1,643,472<br>7,800<br>1,096<br>3,836<br>11,964<br>24,696<br>1,668,168<br>180,370|31.3.22<br>£<br>1,325,488<br>16,878<br>2,158<br>5,821<br>249<br>59<br>3,132<br>3,802<br>1,584<br>17,955<br>6,163<br>55<br>1,318<br>22,320<br>6,436<br>502<br>(21,277)<br>2,276<br>1,394,919<br>7,800<br>1,971<br>-<br>9,577<br>19,348<br>1,415,267<br>12,357|
|---|---|---|



38