2023-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 06521773 Charity registration number: 1127328

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

	Page
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers	1 - 2
Trustees' Report	3 - 12
Trustees' Responsibilities Statement	13
Independent Examiner's Report	14
Statement of Financial Activities	15
Balance Sheet	16
Notes to the Financial Statements	17 - 31

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Trustees	Tim Cooper, Chair
	Aisling Duffy, Vice Chair (resigned 30 September 2022)
	Stephen Cox (resigned 30 September 2022)
	David Ellis (resigned 30 September 2022)
	Anna Galliford, Treasurer
	Azra Kirkby
	Lorraine Robinson
	Mel Shad
	Alyson Stapleton (resigned 5 May 2023)
	James Watson-O'Neill
	Ufuoma Irene Sobowale (appointed 10 January 2023)
	Christopher Hampson (appointed 10 January 2023)
	Joanne Land (appointed 10 January 2023)
	John Heritage, shadow trustee (appointed 10 January 2023)
	Anna McEwen (appointed21June2023)
Company registered number 06521773 Charity registered number 1127328 Registered office 6th Floor 2 London Wall Place London EC2Y 5AU Chief executive officer Dr. Rhidian Hughes Independent Examiners MHA Chartered Accountants 6th Floor 2 London Wall Place London EC2Y 5AU

Page 1

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Bankers

Metro Bank Ltd One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA Charity Bank Ltd Fosse House 182 High Street Tonbridge TN9 1BE Barclays Bank UK PLC 326-328 High Holborn Holborn WC1V 7PE Shawbrook Bank Ltd Lutea House Warley Hill Business Park The Drive Great Warley Brentwood Essex CM13 3BE

Page 2

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

VODG is a company limited by guarantee (company number 06521773). It was formed on 3 March 2008 and on 1 April 2008, took over the activities, assets and liabilities of the unincorporated organisation of the same name. It is governed by its articles of association, adopted on 14 November 2019 and is a registered charity (charity number 1127328, registered 30 December 2008). The Charity is subject to the provisions of charity law as well as company law.

Trustee Appointment and Training

The Trustees can appoint anyone who is a member or the representative of a member to fill a vacancy in the Trustees. Any such person will serve until the next annual general meeting and will then be eligible for re-election by the members.

Trustees receive induction training on taking office, introducing them to the organisation and including briefings from the Chair, Chief Executive and senior managers. Ongoing training and development are also available based on any needs identified in periodic trustees skills questionnaires.

Membership and Officers

Membership is open to organisations that are registered charities or not for profit organisations and which provide support services to disabled people. Each member holds one vote. The chief officer of each member organisation can attend meetings and vote on its behalf at VODG meetings but may appoint an alternative representative. The business of the Charity is managed by its officers who are responsible to, and elected by, the Charity’s member organisations. The officers act as directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law and trustees for charity law purposes. Daily management of the Charity is delegated to Chief Executive Dr Rhidian Hughes.

Aims and Objectives

The Charity's objectives and purpose as set out in the articles of association are to promote for the public benefit voluntary sector providers of social care support services to disabled people. The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning its current and future activities.

Page 3

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

In particular, VODG undertakes the following public benefit activities to further its legal purposes:

• Liaising between charities, voluntary organisations, government agencies and other groups on relevant issues

• Educating and undertaking research in relation to the provision and financing of social care services and/or other support for disabled people by voluntary and charitable providers.

• Identifying needs in the voluntary sector and establishing projects or policies to address them.

• Acting as a representative of the voluntary sector in relation to government policies and legislation.

• Providing advice and information to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of social care and/or other support services for disabled people by voluntary and charitable providers.

OUR MEMBERS IN 2022/23

Ability Housing Association	Journey Enterprises
Access Social Care	Keyring
Action Deafness	KIDS
Action for Kids	Kisharon
Active Prospects	Langdon
Advance	L'Arche
Affinity Trust	Learning Disability Network London
Aldingbourne Trust	Life Path Trust
Alternative Futures	Linkage
Ambient Support	Look Ahead Care and Support
Aspens Charities	MacIntyre
Aspire Community Benefit Society	Making Space
Aurora Nexus	Martha Trust
Autism At Kingwood	Meath Epilepsy Charity
Autism East Midlands	Milestones Trust
Autism Education Trust	Music24
Autism Matters	National Autistic Society
Autism Plus	National Star
Autism Together	Natural Breaks
Avalon	New Directions Rugby
Avenues	Northam Care Trust
BATIAS Independent Advocacy Service	Norwood
Bethphage	Nottingham Community Housing Association
Beyond Words	Nottinghamshire Deaf Society

Page 4

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

BeyondAutism	Nugent Care
Brandon Trust	One Fylde
Breakthrough UK	Options for Supported Living
Camphill Village Trust	Outward
CanterburyOast House	Papworth Trust
Castle Supported Living	Parity for Disability
Centre for ADHD & Autism Support	Partners in Support
Certitude	PDA Society
Chailey Heritage Foundation	Perthyn
Changing Our Lives	Pontesbury Project
Chiltern Centre	PossAbilities
Choice Support	PSS
Chrysalis Supported Association	Purley Park Trust
Cloverleaf Advocacy	Pursuing Independent Paths
Community Integrated Care	Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People
Coquet Trust	Reading Mencap
Creative Support	Real Life Options
Croydon Mencap	Reside Housing Association
DanceSyndrome	Reside with Progress
David Lewis	Respond
Deafblind UK	Rossendale Trust
Dimensions	Royal Mencap Society
Disabilities Trust	Royal National Institute of the Blind
Disability Direct	Rushton Futures - Royal School for the Blind Charity, Liverpool
Edmund Trust	Seashell Trust
Elfrida Society	SeeAbility
Encompass	Sense
Enham Trust	Shaw Trust
FitzRoy	Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities	SignHealth

Page 5

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Freedom Powerchairs	St Anne's Community Services
Freeways	St Cuthberts Care
Golden Lane Housing	St Elizabeth's Centre
Grace Eyre Foundation	Stay Up Late
Guideposts Trust	Stockdales of Sale Altrincham & District
Halow Project	Thera
Hamelin Trust	Together Trust
Hammersley Homes	Three Cs
Harpenden Mencap	Tree of Hope
Headway East London	Turning Point
HFT	United Response
Hightown Housing Association	Vibrance
Imagine Act and Succeed	VoiceAbility
Include Me TOO	Walsingham Support
Inclusion Gloucestershire	West House
Inclusive Community Development	Wilf Ward Family Trust
InFocus Charity	Young Epilepsy
Jewish Blind & Disabled	Your Support Matters

ABOUT VODG

VODG is a membership body representing organisations within the voluntary sector who work alongside disabled people. Our members’ work is focused on enabling disabled people of all ages to live the lives they choose. VODG believes that an ambitious, trusted and vibrant voluntary sector that works together plays a unique role in achieving this aim.

Our vision is for an ambitious, trusted and vibrant voluntary sector that works together to enable disabled people to live the lives they choose.

In pursuit of this vision, our mission is to support our members to achieve excellence and to influence those who can improve the environment in which they operate.

Our values guide how we operate – we are

• Ambitious – we have high expectations and strive for our members to achieve excellence.

• Collaborative – we work with others to deliver our mission and encourage our members to work together.

• Proactive – we use our members’ expertise to set the agenda and constantly seek ways in which we can make a difference.

• Professional – we work with openness and integrity in everything we do.

• Thoughtful – we use evidence and experience to inform judgments and our contribution is always constructive.

Page 6

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Our beliefs are passionately held – we believe

• Disabled people’s human rights must be upheld, including opportunities to live the lives they choose.

• We embrace equity and diversity and understand the impact on individuals and communities.

• The voluntary sector should play a unique role which is celebrated.

• We should work together, share our successes and plan for a stronger future.

• We should learn from mistakes.

• Regulation should be fair, proportionate and focused on quality, safety and improvement.

• Policymaking should be informed by professional expertise and the views of disabled people and those they wish to involve.

How we work

We deliver our mission through four business functions:

• Membership – to support members with the right information and communications and create an inspiring coalition to enable them to connect and collaborate through events and networks.

• Policy and influencing – to build on the collective experience and expertise of our members to influence government policy, sector guidance and our vision for an ambitious, trusted and vibrant third sector that works together to enable disabled people to live the lives they choose.

• Developmental projects and programmes – to make a positive difference to the environment within which our members work, including through improvement work.

• Organisational development, operations and governance – to ensure VODG is fit for purpose today and in the future.

STRATEGIC APPROACH

VODG has an ambitious growth agenda to support our members. The environment within which our members operate is challenging and is set within, for example, the context of stringent funding conditions, workforce pressures and shortages, rising demand and increasingly complex needs for the people they support. Alongside, we hold shared priorities to ensure disabled people are enabled to live independent and fulfilling lives, to maximise approaches to innovative delivery and tackling inequality and unmet need.

VODG’s core purpose is to support our members to be the best they can be, and our membership subscriptions form a central part of our income. We also seek to cover expenditure through additional income streams, including grants, consultancy projects and through our relationships with industry experts at our conferences and events, and through our investors’ programme.

Trustees also invest from unrestricted reserves to further enable VODG to deliver on key initiatives and projects. These resources have enabled us to develop special programmes to support our members and the sectors within which they operate, improving our business functions and support for staff.

A key area of investment from unrestricted reserves was the commissioning of a new Content Management System (CMS) and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. Whilst still at the relatively early stages of implementation, this new system is currently embedding well into our operations and VODG is already starting to use the data to improve member services, systems and processes.

Page 7

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Activities and Achievements

Membership – to support members with the right information and communications and create an inspiring coalition to enable them to connect and collaborate through events and networks.

In line with our strategic direction – and reflecting our pan-disability purpose – we continue to focus on retaining our members and encouraging new members to join VODG. VODG’s membership continues to grow, and we regularly strengthen our offer in response to members’ changing needs. This work is supported by our combined Content Management System (CMS) and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database, which is improving member experiences.

We continue to undertake focused membership recruitment campaigns using a variety of approaches. Integral to this are activities that place the membership journey at the centre of our work, particularly in relation to chief executives and senior directors, and for both new and existing members.

COVID-19 saw VODG diversify our membership engagement opportunities and now we seek to strike the right balance and blend between offering on-line sessions, smaller group in-person meetings and larger events, including our flagship annual conference.

We also have a number of partnerships with VODG’s industry experts who work alongside VODG and our members to provide insight, intelligence and to share their expertise. Those who work with us throughout the year, our investors, enjoy an embedded relationship with VODG and our members. We also welcome other external experts at events during the year, including at our annual conference.

Policy and influencing – to build on the collective experience and expertise of our members to influence government policy, sector guidance and our vision for an ambitious, trusted and vibrant third sector that works together to enable disabled people to live the lives they choose.

Regular member engagement, coupled with our presence and participation in key policy making arenas, has enabled VODG to represent members’ experiences and perspectives at the highest levels of government and its agencies. Our involvement spans participating in government discussions and working groups, ministerial meetings, sector stakeholder forums, and seeking to influence and improve relevant policy and guidance, including through consultation responses. We continue to brief our members with information that flows down from government and its agencies, as well as wider policy making and/or influencing organisations.

Our policy activity is reinforced by proactive and reactive external communications activity, securing coverage through relevant media outlets and maximising our collective voice across our social media platforms. The integration of our policy and influencing activity alongside our membership work results in strong visibility for the voice of our membership, disabled people and for VODG as an influential and ambitious organisation in the sector.

Developmental projects and programmes – making a positive difference to the environment within which our members work.

To support our members and wider sectors within which they operate, VODG undertakes externally funded projects and programmes of work. These projects involve multi-professional collaboration across our membership, with wider delivery organisations and universities as well as the funders of the work. VODG may lead projects or equally may be a collaborating partner. Examples in 2022/23 include:

Page 8

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

• Leading a Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) funded project examining the dual harms of ableism and systemic racism in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (the Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism).

• Contributing to a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) study aimed to improve end of life care for people with learning disabilities (the Victoria and Stuart Project).

• Delivering a regional demonstrator, funded by NHS England, to build third sector provider capacity to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism with forensic backgrounds leave long stay institutions.

Organisational development, operations and governance – to ensure VODG is fit for purpose today and in the future.

VODG continues to develop its board of trustees in line with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and maintaining key skills and relevant experience. 2022/23 saw the terms of several board members conclude. A trustee recruitment group was convened, and an open recruitment round undertaken. Three trustees joined the board as directors, and to support continuity and succession an additional two trustees were brought in as shadow ‘in waiting’ trustees. When directors step down then a shadow trustee will be brought on. All new trustees receive induction.

Building on previous governance development projects this year, trustees reviewed VODG’s approach to audit and risk and the board will bring forward a finance, audit, and risk committee for 2023/24.

The executive also took the opportunity to review its operating model and structure in 2022/23. That review resulted in some reorganisation and staff consultation, including new roles established and colleagues welcomed into VODG.

VODG maintains its strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion. Last year we prioritised work that examines the intersectional aspects of disability, race and ethnicity and used the establishment of the Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism as the vehicle to work with individuals, our members and across the wider sector on this topic. This work will continue, in part through 2023/24, and as it concludes we will take the opportunity to review progress on equity, diversity and inclusion and identify next steps and future direction. In recent years VODG has been engaged with the Civil Society Group on dismantling racism and will continue to work on these matters that require collective action.

FUTURE PLANS

VODG has a big agenda, and we continue to be ambitious to deliver for our members, and to maximise our purpose and impact in the sectors within which our members operate. We want to further grow our membership; strengthen our position as the only membership body for organisations working with people across all disabilities and ages; and further develop our position as the ‘go to’ organisation for our members, wider partners and stakeholders on third sector disability service provision and leadership.

Membership

• Continue to deliver our membership strategy, supporting retention and growth.

• • Further improve our membership intelligence by unblocking the benefits of our data and continuing to build feedback and evaluation into all aspects of our work.

• Review and ensure our member offer reflects our pan-disability purpose as a charity, and the needs and expectations of different types of organisations within VODG.

Page 9

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Policy and influencing

• Continue to maintain a focus on engaging with government and its agencies on policy areas that relate to disabled people and the provision of disability services.

• Continue to strengthen visibility of VODG, and of the issues facing our membership, among external audiences: offering solutions to local and system-wide challenges.

• Support an empowered membership, able to confidently influence the environment within which they operate.

Developmental projects and programmes

• Continue to support our members and the sector through commissioned projects and programmes that aid improvement, learning and development.

• Diversify and increase VODG’s non-membership income to contribute to our ambitions in line with our vision, mission and values.

• Continue to ensure a strong EDI focus in all aspects of our operations, including special projects.

Organisation and governance

• Embedded the further development of our approaches to finance, audit and risk into the governance of VODG.

• Ensure the refreshed board of trustees is developed and supported to discharge its duties.

• Invest in organisational development following the review of our operating model and new roles.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

In 2021/22 trustees made an initial investment from unrestricted reserves to implement a customer relationship management and content management system (CRM/CMS). The development started in 2021/22 and is now ongoing and unrestricted reserves continue to be invested as the system continues to embed into our operations.

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust grant is held as a restricted fund for the purposes of running and delivering the Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism.

For the year ended 31 March 2023, the Charity received unrestricted income of £427,240 (2022 - £423,610 ) and restricted income of £66,813 (2022 - £15,000). Unrestricted expenditure was £444,521 (2022 - £406,316) and restricted expenditure was £66,813 (2022 - £15,000). Total funds carried forward for the Charity at 31 March 2023 were unrestricted reserves of £497,942 (2022 - £497,223) and restricted reserves of £14,642 (2022 - £14,642).

Page 10

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

RESERVES POLICY

Each year trustees review VODG’s response to holding reserves so that these are sufficient to absorb the impact of significant financial shock and its financial operating requirements. Our position is to mirror expected membership subscriptions to our reserves target for each financial year and in 2022/23 the target level of unrestricted reserves was aligned to a subscriptions budget of £272,000. For 2023/24 therefore the target level of unrestricted reserves was set at £300,000.

At the year-end, the Charity held unrestricted reserves of £479,942, of which £20,394 has been designated, further details of which can be found in Note 16 in the accounts.

Trustees do not currently envisage holding investments in other forms other than cash reserves. To reduce its exposure to risk, VODG continues to diversify cash holdings across four separate banks.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Trustees acknowledge their responsibility to regularly review the risks faced by the Charity in all areas of its work and to plan for the management of those risks. We also confirm that control systems are in place to manage such risks.

We identify risks by means of discussion and review at each trustees’ meeting, linked to monthly management and monitoring by the leadership team. This process identifies not only financial risks but also encompasses other risk categories such as human resources, external reputation, business performance and organisational capability.

The process links to our operational and strategic objectives and sees targets set for risk levels based on different risk appetites across the key areas of our operations.

The major risks we have identified relate to financial and other pressures on the care and support sector for disabled people and the impact this could have on the ability for organisations to invest in membership activities, the importance of our small staff team, IT systems and growth to delivering benefits for our members.

We review and assess by means of a risk register discussed at each Trustee meeting. This register takes in not just the nature of the risk itself but also its likelihood and impact and our tolerance. It also further embeds risk management within our management and operational processes by planned actions, monitoring processes and timed follow up for each risk identified and acts as a framework for periodic evaluation and monitoring of both process and outcomes.

In 2022/23 a sub-group examined VODG’s approaches to risk and audit and a specialist sub-committee will be established to further enhance VODG’s governance in this area in 2023/24.

Page 11

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

REMUNERATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Each year staff remuneration is reviewed.

The reviews are based on the market, and the context of VODG delivery and affordability. Any changes to remuneration are made at the start of each financial year.

The Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

Page 12

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

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

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the members of the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Tim Cooper Chair of the Board of Trustees Date: 3 November 2023

Page 13

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Voluntary Organisations Disability Group ('the Charity')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the trustees of the Charity (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

Since the Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Dated: 03/11/2023

Stuart McKay BSc FCA DChA

MHA

Chartered Accountants 6th Floor 2 London Wall Place London EC2Y 5AU

Page 14

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Charitable activities 5 Other trading activities 6 Investments 7 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 8 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ - 407,968 15,669 3,603 427,240 444,521 444,521 (17,281) 497,223 (17,281) 479,942	Restricted funds 2023 £ 13,500 53,313 - - 66,813 66,813 66,813 - 14,642 - 14,642	Total funds 2023 £ 13,500 461,281 15,669 3,603 494,053 511,334 511,334 (17,281) 511,865 (17,281) 494,584	Total funds 2022 £ - 436,286 - 2,324
				438,610
				421,316
				421,316
				17,294
				494,571 17,294
				511,865

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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

In the prior year, of the total income of £438,610, £15,000 was allocated to restricted funds. Of the total expenditure of £421,316, £15,000 was allocated to restricted funds.

The notes on pages 17 to 31 form part of these financial statements.

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VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 06521773

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

		2023	2023	2023	2022	2022
	Note	£	£		£	£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets	12		41,187			20,703
Tangible assets	13		2,845			4,550
			44,032			25,253
Current assets
Debtors	14	72,604			89,009
Cash at bank and in hand		545,545			547,978
		618,149			636,987
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year	15	(167,597)			(150,375)
Net current assets			450,552			486,612
Total net assets			494,584			511,865
Charity funds
Restricted funds	16		14,642			14,642
Unrestricted funds	16		479,942			497,223
Total funds			494,584			511,865

The Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

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

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on 17 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

................................................

Tim Cooper Chair

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VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. General information

Voluntary Organisations Disability Group is a private Company limited by guarantee and is registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Registered Number 1127328) and Registrar of Companies (Company Registration Number 06521773) in England and Wales.

In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Charity. The address of the registered office is given in the Charity information on pages 1 and 2 of these Financial Statements.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these Financial Statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.

Voluntary Organisations Disability Group meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The Financial Statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value.

The Financial Statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity and rounded to the nearest pound.

2.2 Funds

General funds are Unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

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

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

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 17

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the Charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the Charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the Charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Membership income is recognised in the Financial Statements evenly over the period to which the fee relates. Any subscription or consultancy income that has been received in advance is deferred to the following year.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

2.4 Expenditure

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

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

Support costs are those that assist the work of the Charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the Charity. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to expenditure on raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the running of the Charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Page 18

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

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

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

• Computer equipment 4 years straight line

2.6 Debtors

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

2.7 Liabilities

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

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

2.8 Employee benefits

When employees have rendered service to the Charity, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

The Charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

The costs and liabilities associated with employee benefits are allocated to activities and restricted and unrestricted funds based on days and percentage of time worked on specific projects.

2.9 Tax

The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Page 19

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.10 Going concern

The Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these Financial Statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the Charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

2.11 Intangible assets and amortisation

Intangible assets are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Amortisation is provided on intangible assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Amortisation is provided on the following basis:

Computer software - 20 % (5 years straight line)

2.12 Financial instruments

The Charity only holds basic Financial Instruments. The financial assets and financial liabilities of the Charity are as follows:

Debtors – trade debtors are basic financial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortised cost as detailed in Note 14. Prepayments are not financial instruments.

Cash at bank – is classified as a basic financial instrument and is measured at face value.

Liabilities – trade creditors and accruals will be classified as financial instruments, and are measured at amortised cost as detailed in Note 15. Deferred income is not deemed to be a financial liability, as in the cash settlement has already taken place and there is simply an obligation to deliver charitable services rather than cash or another financial instrument.

3. Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies that have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the Financial Statements:

• Allocation of support costs

• Depreciation and amortisation rates for tangible and intangible fixed assets

Page 20

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies

	Restricted	Total	Total
	funds	funds	funds
	2023	2023	2022
	£	£	£
Donations	13,500	13,500	-

5. Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Membership subscription 297,734 Project income 91,609 Investor income 18,625 Total 2023 407,968 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ Membership subscription 266,474 Project income 127,562 Investor income 27,250 Total 2022 421,286	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 53,313 - 53,313 Restricted funds 2022 £ - 15,000 - 15,000	Total funds 2023 £ 297,734 144,922 18,625
		461,281
		Total funds 2022 £ 266,474 142,562 27,250
		436,286

Page 21

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6. Income from other trading activities

Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Conference tickets and sponsorship 15,669 Investment income Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Bank interest receivable 3,603 Total 2022 2,324 Analysis of expenditure by activities Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ Charitable activities 460,221 Activities undertaken directly 2022 £ Charitable activities 396,510	Total funds 2023 £ 15,669 Total funds 2023 £ 3,603 2,324 Support costs 2023 £ 51,113 Support costs 2022 £ 24,806	Total funds 2022 £ -
		Total funds 2022 £ 2,324
		Total funds 2023 £ 511,334
		Total funds 2022 £ 421,316

7. Investment income

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Page 22

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Charitable Activities 2023 £ Information materials 969 Meetings and events 53,105 Projects 83,415 Staff costs 322,732 Strategic expenditure - Total 2023 460,221 Analysis of support costs Charitable Activities 2023 £ Office and Administration 29,364 Governance costs 5,688 Communications 10,268 Depreciation and amortisation 5,793 Total 2023 51,113 9. Governance costs Legal and professional fees Independent examiner's remuneration - current year examination fee Independent examiner's remuneration - prior year under-accrual Total		Total funds 2023 £ 969 53,105 83,415 322,732 - 460,221 Total funds 2023 £ 29,364 5,688 10,268 5,793 51,113 2023 £ 3,088 2,200 400 5,688		Total funds 2022 £ 2,911 5,545 58,588 309,860 19,606
				396,510
				Total funds 2022 £ 10,957 5,074 6,911 1,864
				24,806
				2022 £ 3,074 2,000 - 5,074

Page 23

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

10. Trustees' and key management personnel remuneration and expenses

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

The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel was £116,673 (2022: £112,672) . The Charity considers its key management personnel to comprise;

• trustees

• senior management

During the year ended 31 March 2023, no trustee expenses have been incurred (2022 - £NIL) .

11. Staff costs

Wages and salaries Social security costs Defined contribution pension costs	2023 £ 276,778 24,934 21,020 322,732	2022 £ 262,701 25,523 21,636
		309,860

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

	2023	2022
	No.	No.
Direct staff	6	5

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

		2023	2022
		No.	No.
In the band £90,001	- £100,000
		1	1

Page 24

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

12. Intangible assets Cost At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 Amortisation Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net book value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022	Computer software £ 20,703 24,228
	44,931
	3,744
	3,744
	41,187
	20,703

Page 25

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13. Tangible fixed assets Cost or valuation At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net book value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 14. Debtors Due within one year Trade debtors VAT recoverable Prepayments	2023 £ 55,422 12,843 4,339 72,604	Computer equipment £ 14,474 344
		14,818
		9,924 2,049
		11,973
		2,845
		4,550
		2022 £ 82,950 - 6,059 89,009

Page 26

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors VAT payable Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2022 Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods	2023 £ 24,612 - 2,472 140,513 167,597 2023 £ 104,565 138,314 (104,565) 138,314	2022 £ 7,221 27,268 5,241 110,645 150,375 2022 £ 23,333 104,565 (23,333) 104,565

Income deferred at the year-end relates to Project and conference income received in advance of the 2023/24 financial period.

Page 27

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds Designated funds Equity, diversity and inclusion State of the sector Shift the dial General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Delivery Task Force and Transforming Care Ukraine Relief JRCT funding Total of funds	Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 20,394 10,000 5,000 35,394 461,829 497,223 14,642 - - 14,642 511,865	Income £ - - - - 427,240 427,240 - 13,500 53,313 66,813 494,053	Expenditure £ - - - - (444,521) (444,521) - (13,500) (53,313) (66,813) (511,334)	Transfers in/out £ - (10,000) (5,000) (15,000) 15,000 - - - - - -	Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 20,394 - -
					20,394
					459,548
					479,942
					14,642 - -
					14,642
					494,584

Page 28

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16. Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds are held by the Charity to support dedicated activity to address sector issues.

Delivery Task Force and Transforming Care: Funds brought and carried forward for intended expenditure on work to enable people with learning disabilities and/ or autism to live more independent lives in the community, with support, and closer to home. Such work now links to NHS England’s national plan Building the Right Support.

Digital Lifeline Project: An emergency response project getting devices, data and digital skills support to digitally excluded people with learning disabilities in England and funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. This income is restricted under the terms of our agreement with the lead partner, Good Things Foundation and has been used for provider engagement and raising awareness of the project outcomes.

Ukraine Relief: In response to Russia’s war on Ukraine a group of VODG member came together to explore how to support disabled people affected and displaced by the war in Ukraine. The group crowdfunded and pooled income to support the work which enabled VODG to secure external resources to support project management and delivery activities. The donations, totalling £13,500, were received, and expended within the fiscal year.

JRCT funding: VODG applied to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) for a grant to establish the Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism. This restricted income is used for the sole purpose of delivering the project and will conclude in 2023/24.

During the prior year, the Trustees approved the designation of £35,394 of unrestricted funds. £20,394 was designated for strategic work on equity, diversity and inclusion, £10,000 to support research and reporting on voluntary sector care and support provision and £5,000 to achieve step change in political awareness and understanding of the sector in which the Charity's members operate. The designated funds in relation to political awareness and research were fully utilised in the current year and any outstanding designated funds are expected to be utilised in the following financial year, save for further strategic investment in equity, diversity and inclusion which will be brought forward for 2023/24.

Page 29

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

16. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds Designated funds Equity, diversity and inclusion State of the sector Shift the dial Unrestricted funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Delivery Task Force and Transforming Care Digital Lifeline Project Total of funds	Balance at 1 April 2021 £ - - - - 479,929 479,929 14,642 - 14,642 494,571	Income £ - - - - 423,610 423,610 - 15,000 15,000 438,610	Expenditure £ - - - - (406,316) (406,316) - (15,000) (15,000) (421,316)	Transfers in/out £ 20,394 10,000 5,000 35,394 (35,394) - - - - -	Balance at 31 March 2022 £ 20,394 10,000 5,000
					35,394
					461,829
					497,223
					14,642 -
					14,642
					511,865

Page 30

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

17. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Tangible fixed assets 2,845 Intangible fixed assets 41,187 Current assets 603,507 Creditors due within one year (167,597) Total 479,942	Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 14,642 - 14,642	Total funds 2023 £ 2,845 41,187 618,149 (167,597) 494,584

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets Intangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total	Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 4,550 20,703 622,345 (150,375) 497,223	Restricted funds 2022 £ - - 14,642 - 14,642	Total funds 2022 £ 4,550 20,703 636,987 (150,375) 511,865

18. Related party transactions

Other than trustee and key management personnel transactions detailed in Note 10, there were no related party transactions during the year (2022: £NIL) .

Some of the directors of this Charity are also directors of entities that are members of this Charity. All transactions with these various entities are at arms length and on the same terms for all member charities. None of the directors of this Charity or the entities that they represent derive any benefit from the arrangements.

Page 31