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← Lewisham Churches Care

2024-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24

Firstly, I would like to thank Winnie and Lesley hugely for their tireless efforts to raise funds for Bring Me Sunshine and Ageing Well in Lewisham to continue their great work, providing entertainment, companionship and experiences for older people in our community.

It is also a good opportunity for me to thank the trustees and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. THANK YOU to you all!

During the course of this year, the numbers of attendees at Bring Me Sunshine’s events has increased, so much so, that we now have to ask attendees to book in advance so as not to exceed maximum numbers.

BMS hosted an event for the first time at St. Barnabus Church, which was a great success. The BMS project also held an event for Black History Month in October and a special 75[th] anniversary event for Windrush Day with a Caribbean lunch and fantastic entertainment enjoyed by members of BMS and AWiL alike.

People also enjoyed returning to favourite celebration themes such as summer fun and Christmas festivities—to name just two!

These are a couple of highlights, but we can’t forget Ageing Well’s groups, which are run on a weekly basis, such as The Befrienders and the Silver Lunch Club.

NUMBERS IN A NUTSHELL For financial year 2023-24 INCOME: £63,486 EXPENDITURE: £49,225 NET: £14,241

It is wonderful to see the collaboration and crossover between our two project arms.

We hope to see many more people attending in the coming year, and enjoying the exciting events, groups and fellowship on offer.

— Greg Brooks, Chair

Ageing Well in Lewisham

All AWiL’s weekly groups have grown over this past year. Old friendships have deepened, and new bonds have formed. It has been lovely to see how people have started socialising outside of our groups—even going on holiday together!

The Silver Lunch Club has grown and provides a welcoming environment with lots of laughs and fun games and quizzes. Body & Bingo has gone from strength to strength (literally!) and has a bumper number of dedicated weekly attendees. Crafts Plus participants have enjoyed trying their hands at painting, collage, clay work, mosaic, and more.

One of my favourite aspects of Ageing Well’s programmes is all the cooperative work we do with other groups, organisations and initiatives. Numerous groups have given informative talks at Our Golden Agers Coffee Morning, including Pharmacy First, London Migration Museum, Table Talk, Lewisham Irish Community Centre, and more. We’re also thankful for fabulous concerts from Albert’s Band of Royal Albert Hall, Give A Song, SongEasel, and The Cake Appreciation Society. The Befrienders enjoyed participating in Trinity Laban’s Inspired Not Tired performance showcase and learning new songs with students from Sydenham High School GDST. This partnership work gives our members new experiences, information, and opportunities.

An especially mutually rewarding relationship has continued between The Befrienders and Venner Road Dementia Café. Using a dementia-friendly reminiscence technique, the two groups have created on-the-spot collaborative musical pieces through which everyone is able to have a voice. Befrienders members have really successfully developed their creative leadership skills, demonstrating how musical expression can be accessible to everyone. Choir leader Natasha describes the Befrienders’ inclusive creative confidence as being “like a hand going out in the audience and saying ‘You could do this too.’”

“The caring for each other here is good. We’re all so different but there is a lot of caring.”

— AWiL participant

I have enjoyed the increased overlap between Ageing Well and Bring Me Sunshine, both between our members and between me and Lesley as Project Coordinators. I worked closely with Lesley on BMS’s large-scale 75[th] Windrush anniversary celebrations. I learned a lot from her and loved being a part of those ambitious, inspiring and fun events. A number of Ageing Well’s members now regularly attend Bring Me Sunshine events and coach holidays!

Fundraising is an ongoing challenge and must be planned and balanced alongside the delivery of weekly groups. We are extremely grateful for the support of The Grove Community Centre and Wesley Halls for providing us with venues for our groups. We also appreciate the funders who have supported our work over the past year and are optimistic that more funders will recognise the work we are doing.

I would also like to thank all our dedicated volunteers for their time, skills and kindness. AWiL would not be what it is without you!

— Winnie Carlson, Project Coordinator

Bring Me Sunshine

What a fun, packed year it was for Bring Me Sunshine! We delivered 14 large scale events for older people in different community venues, including St Andrews, Brownhill Baptist, Lewisham Irish Community Centre, Holy Cross, St Laurence’s and Goldsmiths Community Centre. The events all attracted new people, ensuring older isolated adults in the borough have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with their community.

The themes of our events included seasonal celebrations for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter with a bonnet parade. We held a Country & Western style hoedown with line dancing and Calamity Jane sarsaparilla as well as a glamorous Silver Ball with a three-course meal and fantastic music from Peachy Beat. To help raise money for the ball, a fun intergenerational quiz took place at the Irish Centre.

For the 75[th] anniversary of the Windrush UK Migration, we received a sizable grant to hold two large intergenerational events for 130 people each: one in Catford and one in Brixton with the Stockwell Good Neighbours group. Participants enjoyed quadrille dancing, drumming, an immersive theatre act called “Saleh’s Journey”, and a lovely Caribbean meal. We also held workshops where members shared stories and memories which were edited into several short films by Bridie O’Sullivan. We were honoured at our Catford event with a visit by local councillors and the now Mayor Brenda Dacres.

It was great to be able to thank our wonderful Bring Me Sunshine volunteers at a joint party with Ageing Well. Our volunteers take great care of our attendees and work very hard to ensure they always feel special and welcome. It was a joyous evening.

The Bring Me Sunshine magazine continued during this year to reach over 200 people quarterly in print and online, providing information, photos, quizzes, articles written by members and signposting to community events. This ensures our housebound members remain connected and part of our project.

”The diversity in Lewisham gives us a richer environment and we can learn from each other. Bring Me Sunshine encourages friendship and a stronger community.”

—BMS participant

I was delighted to receive a British Citizen Award at the House of Commons in June 2023 followed by a trip to Nottingham in December where I received a surprise “One Big Thank You” as part of The One Show . I was very pleased to be able to share these accolades with attendees and volunteers of Bring Me Sunshine.

— Lesley Allen, Project Coordinator

“[BMS] enables me to meet new people and make friends from different backgrounds. The organiser Lesley is very welcoming. She makes you feel part of the group on the very first day that I joined.”

“I have become more talkative. Giving my ideas as well.”

Happy Participants

“[I’ve had] the opportunity to meet new people,young and old, in a way I never imagined…and prove you are never too old to learn something new!”

“I really appreciated all of the community getting together. I wish we could have more of it.”

“Thanks for a lovely day. Seeing smiles on everyone’s faces, and everyone dancing and enjoying the entertainment, makes volunteering worthwhile”

“Since I’ve been coming to this group, the amount of information I’ve got has been amazing. I have learned so much about what is available.”

“These classes mean so much more than just learning new skills.”

“Coming here’s been like a new lease of life! I attend all the sessions. It’s good fun socialising with others in the group. Lewisham is good to older people.”

“This group is great for my mental health as it’s supportive, not just about getting your part right.”

Secretary’s Report

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair, Gregory Brooks

Vice Chair, Anthony Atherton

Lewisham Churches Care, with its two complementary projects, continues to thrive. The Board of Trustees met regularly during the year, and it was always a delight for us to hear Lesley’s and Secretary, Grace Blyth Winnie’s reports on the projects. Attendance numbers at groups and events have increased thanks to the dedication of Project Coordinators, our volunteers, and sessional presenters. Treasurer, Bill Bishop

Secretary, Grace Blyth Treasurer, Bill Bishop

During the past year, Ageing Well in Lewisham was delighted by concerts from Albert’s Band (from the Royal Albert Hall) and the SongEasel Project who visited the Tuesday Befrienders singing group. The Befrienders also continued to build their relationships with local initiatives such as the Venner Road Dementia Café, and intergenerational work with Sydenham High School GDST.

Health & Safety, Robert Green

Patricia Hennessy

Layo Segun

Ageing Well’s Crafts Plus and Body & Bingo sessions continue to thrive, as do the Golden Agers Coffee Mornings -- a monthly social prescribing initiative hosted in collaboration with South Lewisham Group Practice. The Thursday Silver Lunch Club continues to offer home-cooked meals and relaxed activities at Wesley Halls in Downham.

Tony Hemeson

Ann Howell

The ever popular Bring Me Sunshine project continues to organise welcoming sessions with food and entertainment in various community locations. These much-appreciated special events are well attended throughout the year.

STAFF

Given the ongoing financial climate, we are very appreciative of the effective work Winnie and Lesley do on funding applications. Due to their efforts, considerations to increase attendance fees for participants have been avoided so far.

Winnie Carlson– Project Coordinator, Ageing Well in Lewisham

Part of the busyness of this year has been the relocation of our office. We remain appreciative of The Griffin Schools Trust for the office we held for years at the Talent Factory in Catford. It was an inspiring place, and we were sad to go. However, The Grove Centre Church came to our rescue with the offer of rented office space in their recently renovated facilities next to the church building. The new location is proving to be excellent with the added convenience of being the location for three of Ageing Well’s weekly sessions.

Lesley Allen– Project Coordinator, Bring Me Sunshine

ACTIVITY FACILITATORS

— Grace Blyth, Secretary

[AWiL] Shiree Allen, Ann Bagnall, Natasha Lohan, and Befrienders support from Catarina Carvalho and Daniella Nassar.

[BMS] Kate Middleton, Chloe Edwards and Give A Song, Erin Prendergast — MindBody Therapy, Amy Quinn — admin and newsletter production.

I joined in with Befrienders Zoom sessions during the Covid pandemic lockdowns and found them inspirational. Post-lockdown I came to sessions in person at The Grove Centre and appreciated meeting everyone else. Natasha arranges stimulating sessions with breathing exercises, and body and facial stretches. I particularly appreciate the meditation as it gives me a real sense of calm.

We usually have very talented volunteers with us - all graduates from Trinity Laban. They bring with them the ability to accompany us on the piano, according to the mood, and teach us songs in their home languages. We are aware we are indeed blessed.

Somehow, Natasha got a group of non-singers singing in harmony, extending our repertoire each week. We have gained an unusual co-operation with other senior groups, bringing our workshops out to them. These collaborations offer us something hard to define, but which gives us joy and benefits our own sense of well-being. This has recently been extended to primary students at a nearby school, and their wish for us to come again gladdens our hearts!

We feel privileged to receive such inspirational direction, and to have the opportunity of sharing our experience with other groups. We get to be different versions of ourselves when we work with others. We get a lot back from feeling like we have something to offer.

— Gillian Goldsmith

The great thing about Bring me Sunshine is that it brings the elders of the community happily together, raising great memories to share and always finding common ground. You’re never alone with Bring me Sunshine!

FUNDING RECEIVED BY LCC DURING 2023-24

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS, COLLEAGUES AND SUPPORTERS

Grove Community Centre, Wesley Halls, Goldsmiths Community Centre, Goldsmiths Dance Academy, Lewisham Council, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, South Lewisham Group Practice (Janice Heredia and Alex Camies), Community Connections Lewisham, AgeUK Lewisham & Southwark, Lewisham Pensioners Forum, Positive Ageing Council, Table Talk, St Laurence Church Catford, Give A Song and friends, Lewisham Irish Community Centre, T4Healing, Catford Print, Music in Hospitals, Brownhill Baptist Church, St Andrew’s Church Catford, Holy Cross Church, Imago, Lewisham Local, Rushey Green Time Bank, Catbytes, SELCE, St Christopher’s Hospice, Albert’s Band– Royal Albert Hall, SongEasel, Cake Appreciation Society, Homewalk House, Alzheimer’s Society, Leanne Wenham, Fundraising Development Officer– CCL, AgeUK L&S, Happy Drums, Januka, Anika Wilson, Bridie O’Sullivan, Blitz and Pieces, Maziaka Duo, Emily Shaw, Michael Philips—DJ, Chris Bunker - chef, Francis Crichlow—chef, Crystal Callow—social media.

Ind. Examiner: Robert Cunningham, ACA

Lewisham Churches Care 2 Jews Walk London, SE26 6PL 074860 11102 Registered charity no. 1126357

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2024 2023
Incomingresources
Incoming resourcesfrom generated funds: 34926 18715 53641 40265
Voluntary income 1193 1193 2125
Incoming resourcesfrom generated funds:
charitable activities 8652 8652 8135
Total incoming resources 34926 28560 63486 50525
Resourcesexpended
Costs ofgenerating funds 180 96
Charitable activities 49045 49833
Governance costs ie}
49225 49929
Net incoming/outgoing resources 14261 596
LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE
Balance Sheet :
as at 31 March 2024
2024 2023
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets 1 i
Current assets
Debtors 1500
Cash at bank and in hand 47434 34463
Creditors 300 2826
Net current assets/liabilities 48634 31638
Net assets 48635 31638
The funds ofthe charity are represented by:
Net incoming resources 14261 596
Restricted funds 20000 20000
Unrestricted funds 14374 11042
Totalfunds 48635 31638

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on November 2024 and signed by 5 5} , aS WuAD it a Ja ge ae ar

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE

Voluntaryincome 2024 2023
LB Lewisham 21000 21000 19755
Trinity Laban 2100 2100 3150
City ofLondon 3450 3450 4387
London Community 9942
Southwalk Cathedral 2500
Church Urban Fund 13320 13320
SouterTrust 3000 3000
Main Grants 10056 10056
Donations 715 531
Total 53641 40265
Income resources from charitable activities
Members’ contributions 8208 8044
Bank interest 444 91
Total 8652 8135
Charitable activities
Salariesand employment costs 15743 18333
Rent 3600 3600
Telephone 572 576
Insurance 942 918
Equipment
Other office costs 730 618
Training
Transport
Disclosure & Barring Service 87 129
Volunteer costs Si
Other costs 103 763
Group activities 5522 6714
Events 19131) 18182
46481 49833

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE

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5. Governance costs 2024 2023
Cost of AGM
Independent examiner's fee
——— ——
6. Cost of generating funds 2023
Cost of generating funds 180 96
7. Salaries and employment costs
Staff costs were as follows 2024 2023
Salaries and NIC 16464 16643
Pensions 1327 1346
Cost of paying staff 268 344
Staff costs 2896 212
20955 18545
No employee received emolumemts of more than £60,000 2024 2023
The average number of employees, undertaking 1 1
charitable activities, was as follows
The charity contributes to a workplace pension scheme.
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8. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No trustee received remuneration during the year. (2023: £nil) Expenses amounting to £51 (2023:£nil) were re-imbursed to trustees

No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year. (2023:£nil)

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE

9. Tangible fixed assets

9. Tangible fixed assets
Computer& Furniture
Office Equip & Fittings
Cost at 1 April 2023 5587 911
Additions (e) 0
Disposals 0 0
Cost at 31 March 2024 5587 911
Accumulated depreciation
Cost at 1 April 2023 5586 911
Charge forthe year 0 0
Disposals 0 0
Cost at 31 March 2024 5586 911
Value
at 31 March 2023 1 0
at 31 March 2024 1 (e)
10 Debtors 2024 2023
Other debtors 1500 0
11 Creditors 2024 2023
Other creditors 300 1326
Deferred income 1500
300 2826

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE - AGEING WELL IN LEWISHAM NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.

») Basis of Accounting

The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities 2015, published on 16 July 2014, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 1985.

ii) Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either unrestricted or restricted:

Unrestricted general funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in accordance with the charitable objects.

Restricted funds are used for activities specified by the donor or through the terms of an appeal or grant.

iii)

incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be established with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income. Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full when receivable

Donations and grants

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable or when these are associated with expenditure.

Donated services and facilities are quantified where possible but are not presented in these accounts. Where possible the value of these services has been used to release restricted income. Investment income is included when receivable by the charity.

Where income is received, some or all of which is specifically in relation to future periods, the relevant amount is deferred and credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which it relates.

iv)

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis asa liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Costs of generated funds comprises the costs associated with attracting voluntary income. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by he charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to those activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

v)

Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of minor additions or those costing below £500 are not capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life. The rates are 25% for computer and office equipment and 25% for furniture and fittings.

vi)

Deferred income

Where income is received, some or all of which is specifically in relation to future periods, the relevant amount is deferred and credited to the SOFA in the period to which it relates.

vii)

Pension costs

The Charity makes contributions to a defined contribution pension scheme on behalf of its employees. These are recognised in the SOFA in the period to which they relate.

ix)

Reserve

The trustees continue to keep a minimum of four months operating expenditure as part of the unrestrictive reserve. The trustees have determined that a reserve of £20,000 be maintained to ensure, if it were to be necessary, the winding up of the charity in a proper manner.

x) Risks

The loss of our grant from the London Borough of Lewisham has impacted on the future of AWIL. We are in a healthy place at the moment but a dependency on ad-hoc grants could impact on our reserves. The trustees will invoke triggers to ensure the charity does not become insolvent; however these could change our scope and make us more dependent on our volunteers managing our activities. The trustees are monitoring these risks.

Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts

Report to the trustees / members of

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE - AGEING WELL IN LEWISHAM

On the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no. 1126357

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 145(1)(a) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 the 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 financial statements present a true and fair review and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

1; which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that

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BR. 284
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Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts

Report to the trustees / members of

LEWISHAM CHURCHES CARE - AGEING WELL IN LEWISHAM

On the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no. 1126357

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 145(1)(a) of the Charities Act 201° (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 the 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 financial statements present a true and fair review and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that

  2. e Proper accounting records are kept in accordance with sections 130 - 134 of the Act. and e Accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. or

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2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to b
reached.
Signed:3 Date: A\ yw Nevenbe oz}
Name & address:
Relevant professional‘quaiification: ACA
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