ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2020 – MARCH 2021
Norfolk LGBT+ Project continues to provide support, information and advice to all age groups that is relevant to the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Norfolk and Waveney since 2007.
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2020 was a year of challenges and
changes for Norfolk LGBT+ Project and
no doubt the fi rst 6 months of 2021
will be the same – as it has been for so
many charities throughout the UK,
COVID19 had a huge impact on how
we all continued to provide our
support services.
Overnight we had to rethink how we
delivered our services and through the
commitment and hard work of the
incredible staff and volunteers that
make up the team behind Norfolk
LGBT+ Project we did just that, and we
continue to learn so we can adapt and
develop new services to ensure that
LGBT+ individuals living in Norfolk and
Waveney feel con fi dent that our
services are right for them.
Fiona Liew-Bedford – Manager
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Norfolk LGBT+ Project’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic
We had an increase of parents/carers requesting support via email or Zoom with some attending our monthly zoom which allowed them to offer advice to other parents/carers, express their thoughts and feelings and to build new networks. 17 parents/carers in total.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 completely altered how we supported LGBT+ individuals and how we delivered our services. Following government guidance, we provisionally suspended all our LGBT+ drop-in groups and moved all these services online. Aware of the increased need for emotional support, advice, and information we expanded our support via online platforms such as Zoom and a WhatsApp message service, whilst still offering support via email, phone, text and social media and when some restrictions were lifted, we were able to provide some face-to-face appointments. We used “Check in” mental health posts to reach out to followers and clients.
“Having the opportunity to chat to other parents has been a blessing, I kept worrying that I was not providing the right support for my son, but I felt so reassured by others that I was doing the right thing.”
Throughout the year 709 individuals accessed our services for support relating to their sexuality and gender identity with the aim of having a better understanding of medical pathways, understanding their rights of referrals to a Gender Identity Clinic, coming out to family members and a better acceptance of themselves. As mentioned, COVID-19 and the subsequent series of lockdowns and restrictions had a negative impact on people's emotional and mental wellbeing and increased feelings of isolation, so we developed a different approach, utilising new tools such as Zoom to help alleviate these impacts on individuals.
Our low-cost counselling service continued via Zoom and telephone, with 36 individuals able to access this service thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
“Thanks to the counselling I received if now feel con fi dent in who I am and I’m ready to live the life I am supposed to be living.”
LGBT+ Awareness training/ Educating with Pride
We trained and awarded certi fi cates to 580 professionals in LGBT+ Awareness or Gender Identity awareness. On top of these trainees, we also gave talks at the Norfolk Youth against Bullying conference on tackling HBT bullying, a talk to YMCA Youth on empowerment, a talk to Norwich High School GDST on the history of LGBT+ Rights in the UK, and a talk at the UEA on our community services and impact.
School staff attendees 192 Organisation staff attendees 363 Open Session attendees 25 Attended talks 102 Total Trained + Certi fi ed 580 TOTAL 682
Schools trained 6 Other organisations trained 14 Open sessions 5 Specialist talks delivered 5
“The Norfolk LGBT+ project is always my fi rst point of call for information and advice, they are highly skilled in engaging with individuals who have not had a good track record of engagement. The training is tailored to suit learners at all levels, and they have excellent way of communicating and delivering sessions.”
“I have recommended it to schools for 2 reasons. 1- to support a whole school approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and 2- to support LGBT+ students and their families.”
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Policy reviews
We provided 5 schools with trans policy
templates which will serve as a basis for
transgender policy for staff and students
and are made accessible to all school staff.
We reviewed Break and NNUH policies.
These policies inform the service delivery
of health and education outcomes of
hundreds of people at a population level.
Resource Production
We produced “Gender Dysphoria”,
“Coming Out” and “Internet Safety”
booklets in pre-print draft copies.
We produced domestic abuse resources in
digital and print format. Their impact and
aim are to provide relevant information
and education on domestic abuse in LGB
and T partnerships – they have been
uploaded to website to enable fi rst point
of access, which improves the accessibility
of them for all.
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Website
We had a new website designed and given
the increasing diversity in Norfolk we
included a Recite.me toolbar to maximise
the accessibility for those who fi rst
language is not English. The toolbar also
supports people who are neurodiverse,
visually impaired.
Social Media 2020 -2021
Our posts reached 52,890 individuals
1,405 followers
786 followers
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Partnership working
To achieve the best outcome for our clients, working in partnership with relevant organisations is an essential element of our work. This year we strengthened our working partnerships with organisations and an addition was joining the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People. Being part of the Coalition provides an opportunity to develop a group existing offer; recognising the value of the vital support they provide to young people, with an ambition to show how Norfolk can lead the way by coming together to make a real difference by providing access to shared resources and opportunities, sharing good practice, raising the pro fi le of the work groups do, and linking up with larger countywide and national networks. The Coalition will enable groups to have a seat at the table and grow as an organisation.
We were successful in applying for a small grant of £4,878 from the Sir Norman Lamb Mental Health fund which will enable us to employ 2 part time roles offering support to LGBTQ+ children and young people from April 2021.
Financial report 2021 – 2022 Total income: £97,161 • Total expenditure: £83,532
Funding
The National Lottery Community Fund
Thanks for The National Lottery Community Fund, we were awarded a development grant of £82,214 which also included funding for us to provide a much need low cost counselling services.
Of fi ce of the Police Crime and
Commissioner Norfolk
A grant of £4,163 enabled us to work in partnership with Domestic Abuse charity Pandora Project to raise the awareness of domestic abuse in LGBT+ relationships.
Norfolk Community Foundation
we were also grateful to receive a grant from Norfolk Community Foundation to produce a booklet “Gender dysphoria – A workbook for dif fi cult days”
With fi nancial support from our funders, we were able to continue providing support services for the LGBT+ community in Norfolk and Waveney and making a difference to the lives of some many.
| Income £ Grants 5,577 The National Lottery Community Grant 82,214 Donations 2,308 Educating with Pride 950 LGBT+ Awareness Training 1,900 Workplace Award 3,500 Bank Transfer 712 Total 97,161 Expenditure £ Salaries & associated costs 44,292 Office costs 6,523 Governance costs 245 General overheads 5,926 Consultancy 5,525 Low cost counselling service 12,100 Website 2,703 Resources 6,219 Total 83,532 |
Balance brough forward £16,289.31 Restricted reserves £14,731.70 Free reserves £1,514.12 |
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www.norfolkproject.org.uk 10 Cathedral Street • Norwich • Norfolk • NR1 1LX Registered Charity No. 1129770
Income and Expenditure for Year Ended 31st March 2021
Norfolk LGBT Project
| Income and Expenditure for Year Ended 31st March 2021 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Income Grants Lottery Grant Norfolk Community Foundation Donations Fundraising Educating with Pride LGBT+ Awareness Training Workplace Award Shop Bank Interest Bank Transfer Float Expenditure Wages Payroll Services Premises costs Volunteer Expenses Staff Expenses Office Supplies Fundraising Educating with Pride LGBT+ Awareness Training Workplace Award Postage Membership Website Accountant Graphic Design Venue Hire Promotion LGBT+ Group Expenses Resources Counselling Consultancy Surplus/(deficit) in year Norfolk LGBT Project Balance Sheet As at 31st March 2021 Assets Cash at Bank Funds Brought forward Surplus/(deficit) in year Carried forward |
£ £ 4,163 82,214 1,414 2,308 - 950 1,900 3,500 - - 712 - 97,161 43,608 684 6,523 845 1,465 3,365 0 0 0 0 22 167 2,703 245 4,285 0 41 21 1,934 12,100 5,525 83,532 13,630 £ 16,281 11,909 13,630 25,539 Norfolk LGBT + Project |
|
| 43,608 684 6,523 845 1,465 3,365 0 0 0 0 22 167 2,703 245 4,285 0 41 21 1,934 12,100 5,525 |
||
| 13,630 | ||
| £ 16,281 11,909 13,630 |
||
| 25,539 |
Norfolk LGBT Project
Independent Examiners Report
Year Ended 31 March 2021
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2021 as attached.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My 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 statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
| ......................................... | 19 Farrow Close |
|---|---|
| ADP Accounting Limited | Mattishall |
| Association of Chartered Certified Accountants | Dereham |
| 14th April 2021 | Norfolk |
| NR20 3SZ |