Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Contents of the Financial Statements Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
| Page | Contents |
|---|---|
| 3-5 | Report of the Trustees |
| 6 | Independent Examiner’s Report |
| 7 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 8 | Balance Sheet |
| 9-13 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Report of the Trustees Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2021. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by the Charities issued in March 2005
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1124035
Principal address
16 Quarry Field Lugwardine Hereford HR1 14BS Trustees
Mr N Smith …….. Chairman Mrs S Watkins ….Secretary/Treasurer Mrs C Johnston Mr C Woods Mr R Miles Mrs H Smith
Independent Examiner
Mrs L Shelley Rose Tree Cottage Perrystone Hill Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire HR9 7QX
Structure, Governance and Management Status
The Charity is a charitable trust governed by a trust deed (dated 9[th] April 2008). The organisation was started in 2006 and was registered with the Charities Commission on May 13[th] 2008
Trustee recruitment and training
The Trustees for the Charity are members of the Hereford & Worcester First Responders. The original trustees were those who volunteered to become trustees for the charity on its inception.
Advice and guidance was initially given by members of the West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust who have their own charitable trust
All trustees have received the booklet from the Charity commission about becoming a Trustee.
Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims
The First Responders’ aim is the relief of sickness and preservation of life and good health to the people of Herefordshire and Worcester by providing trained volunteers to attend medical emergencies as directed by the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust or its successors.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust has the responsibility for training & clinical guidance for the Community First Responders in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Currently there are over two hundred volunteers trained as First Responders in the two counties.
Public Benefit
The charity delivers a ‘Public Benefit’ through the provision of volunteers as First Responders who then attend emergencies as directed by West Midlands Ambulance Service. This is particularly relevant in rural areas where ambulance response times may be extended due to remote locations. A Community First Responder generally operates within a radius of 5 miles from his/her nominated base (home or work) this reduces the time for help to arrive on scene. This is vital in such cases as cardiac arrest, stroke and other life threatening events.
Volunteer recruitment and training
The Trust has recruited through the media in local press, which targets those areas most in need, as well as family, friends and work colleagues. Those interested are scrutinised, invited for interview and have to successfully pass a Data Barring Service check (DBS).
Successful applicants then undergo their training period which will lead to a BTEC Level 2 qualification, the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) (Intermediate) First Person on Scene Award. Written knowledge and practical assessment have to be attained. This qualification is valid for 3 years. However, to remain operational there is a BLS re-test every six months and CPD(Continued Personal Development) requirement annually and a re-qualification of IHCD every 3[rd] year. A higher level of qualification is now being offered to any CFR who wishes to progress their level of expertise.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Achievements and Performance
Ambulance Service performance is measured in accordance with Central Government directives, which are movable.
From local Community perspective it is often the First Responder who arrives at a medical emergency before the 999 Emergency Response arrives. A First Responder can assess and stabilise a patient. This can significantly improve a Cardiac patient’s prospects in surviving the event. Early response can also provide reassurance for the patient and family, whilst waiting for the Ambulance service.
Long term investments plans
The charity has no long term investment plans. It is intended that all funds should be utilised as required in the short term to maintain the aims of the Charity. The majority of funds are held in an interest bearing account and transfers are made to a current account as the need arises.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Summary and Reserves policy
The Charity has no earned income, all receipts are donations, collections and raffles. Total receipts of funds were £64320 (2021 £19321) of which £61993 (2021 £16998) was restricted income and is detailed in the Financial statements.
£21129 (2020 £9242) was spent to provide additional kit and equipment for individual Responder Schemes within Hereford & Worcester.
The net result for the year was an excess of resources expended of £20063 (2021 £(708)) excess of incoming resources)
As most donations are made to individual schemes the charity accounts are maintained so that these donations are classed as restricted and can only be used to provide from the local scheme to which the donation has been made.
The activities of the Responders has been very restricted because of WMAS and Government guidelines during the Covid 19 pandemic. This has greatly affected the ability of each scheme to fund raise. The reserves and cash balances of the Charity and individual schemes has been significantly reduced during this period. The Charity has still had to cover the cost of keeping response vehicles on the road. WMAS have also changed their policy in replacing defib batteries and pads. These are extremely expensive so schemes now have to fund raise to cover the cost of replacement. 2023 will continue to be extremely challenging and the Trustees will need to closely monitor the financial viability of the Charity. Especially as most of the original kit now has net zero worth.
Reserves Policy
The charity currently has no requirement to hold funds in reserve.
Dissolution of the Charity
If at any future time a decision to wind up the charity is taken, any funds remaining after all liabilities have been met will be donated to The British Heart Foundation, who originally provide the start-up funds and equipment for Hereford and Worcester First Responders.
Approved by order of the board of Trustees on 30[th] October 2023 and signed on its behalf by
Mr N Smith Chairman and Trustee
Independent Accountant’s Report to the Trustees of Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
We report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 which comprise Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is our responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner’s report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
-
To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
Have not been met; or
(2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Lesley Shelley ACMA
Rose Tree Cottage Perrystone Hill Ross on Wye Herefordshire HR9 7QX
Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Statement of Financial Activities Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
| Note s INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income 2 Investment income 3 Other incoming resources Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds Costs of generating voluntary income Charitable activities General Governance costs Total resources expended NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestrict ed fund £ 2262 65 2328 2614 2614 -286 4791 4505 |
Restrict ed funds £ 61993 61993 41143 500 41643 20349 73467 94357 |
2022 Total funds £ 64255 65 64320 43757 500 44257 20063 -25733 78257 73128 |
2021 Total funds £ 19318 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19321 19529 500 |
||||
| 20029 | ||||
| -708 78424 |
||||
| 78257 |
Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Balance Sheet Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 6 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestrict ed Fund £ 342 0 |
Restrict ed funds £ 44398 0 |
2022 Total funds £ 27374 44741 44741 0 44741 73128 73128 4927 68201 73128 |
2021 Total funds £ 37732 39513 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39513 0 |
||||
| 39513 | ||||
| 78258 | ||||
| 78258 | ||||
| 4791 73467 |
||||
| 78258 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 October 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
Mr N Smith - Trustee
Mrs S Watkins - Trustee
Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders Notes to the Financial Statements Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and 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
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life
Satellite Navigations - 33% on cost First aid equipment - 25% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from 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
2. VOLUNTARY INCOME
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Donations | 64,255 | 19,318 | |||
| Donated services and facilities | |||||
| Total | 64,255 | 19,318 | |||
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME | ||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Deposit account interest | 65 | 3 |
4. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 nor for the year ended 31[st] December 2021.
Trustees’ expenses
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 nor for the year ended 31[st] December 2021.
5. DONATED SERVICES
No charge was made for accountancy and the independent examination in 2014, however in 2015 the appointment changed and a charge of £500 was made, this was the same for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020, 2021 and 2022.
6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Satellite First aid Motor Navigatio ns equipme nt Vehicle s £ £ £ COST At 1st January 2022 13,366.0 0 303,267. 14 41,384. 99 Additions Disposals/ Adjustments At 31st December 2022 13,366.0 0 240,143. 85 31,384. 99 DEPRECIATION At 1st January 2022 Charge for the year and adjustments At 31st December 2022 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st December 2022 At 31st December 2021 7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHING ONE YEAR 2022 £ Prepayments 0 |
Totals £ 367,260. 29 21,129.3 0 - 103,494. 75 284,894. 84 |
|---|---|
| 329,528. 44 - 72,008.0 0 |
|
| 257,520. 44 |
|
| 27,374.4 0 |
|
| 37,731.8 5 |
|
| 2021 £ 0 |