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2021-12-31-accounts

REBUILDING LIVES Singlehandedly

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It is with great significance that we chose this year’s theme, ‘Rebuilding Lives, Singlehandedly’. We have watched our women emerge from the rubble of their crisis, ready to rebuild. Armed with protective shields of relationships skills and healthy boundaries, and a full toolbox of skills and support, they have reached a place of resilience and independence.

Each woman is a hero as she builds a foundation for herself, her children and her future.

A special milestone we reached this year is the fabulous achievements that three of our users have graduated our services, as they found closure to their single lives in new healthy relationships.

On the flip side, we have also had over 10 new referrals for new users coming from referring organisations and user’s word of mouth.

We have also added a new Children and Teens Division led by users with lived experience. This is a great niche service which is not available through other youth clubs. Here, children from challenging family situations, find peer support, safety, mutual understanding and a haven of fun.

I am confident to say that Lighthouse has achieved in 2021 more than we have ever achieved in all areas, and especially in peer support, family strengthening, skill building, emotional resilience and financial aid.

We are truly indebted to our generous funders who have supported our growth and service provisions. We are especially thankful to out dedicated partners Rosa UK and People’s Health Trust, who have allowed for huge increase in services as you will read about in the coming pages.

As a final note, I pray for our women to gain strength to continue building high…

Hindy Schlesinger

Chair

OUR VISION

REMOVE WOMEN FROM THEIR STATE OF VULNERABILITY AND TRAUMA TO REACH A PLACE OF SAFETY AND RESILIENCE.

OUR PROMISE

We pledge that any woman who joins Lighthouse will never again feel alone. With a wraparound support system of help in various areas, every issue can be put right. OUR STORY

Lighthouse was founded in April 2010 to support the increasing number of divorced women and their children facing domestic abuse and hardship. Lighthouse aims to re-educate, re-integrate and re-inspire divorced women and their children, through health and parenting courses, vocational training, peer support, social welfare, group counselling, family respite breaks and regular family activities. Our aim is for these women to become self-sufficient and go on to build healthy relationships and stability in life.

Lighthouse was founded by divorcees themselves, who found themselves in this undesirable situation, and felt that something must be done to alleviate the stress of such families. Because all trustees and volunteers are from within the community, they fully understand the client needs. We are aware that there is no other organisation that serves our target audience, with their specific cultural and circumstantial need.

The journey from Intake to Inclusion:

OUR MISSION We are committed to providing support, stability and community for single women every day:

----- Start of picture text -----
Referral
Enter case management
Customised growth plan
Attend events
Register choice of volunteer role
Join chat Group
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Fully fledged Lighthouse member.

A month in Lighthouse Diary

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Food
Flower parcel
arranging kangoo fun
Meeting
Dating with users
Coach to plan
workshop barbecue
Zoom Weekend quality
lecture Kids club family time with Food
the new games parcel
by Rabbi we received and
Pesach implementing new
Krohn parenting strategies.
Women Meeting with CBT Group
club with Loera to Therapy
music research
coach prices
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Building Foundations month by month: F E B M A R

J A N J A TOYS AND GAMES N U A R Y

M A R J INDIVIDUAL GIFTING A N U A R Y

J STAPLING THE VOID A N U A R Y

Families that are missing the father, are lacking enough. There should be no excuse for families to miss out on basic nutrition or dignity due to not being able to afford personal hygiene basics. Living on a single income is tough, when this income was challenged by Covid-19, many of our users were enveloped in real food poverty. Women shared that they had to forgo their own meals to feed their kids. In this year we distributed hundreds of food packs filled with satiety, heart and love.

For children who know not of a life full of gifts, love and bounty, a new toy or family game infuses joy, family bonding and the knowledge that they too have someone who cares and remembers them. It removes feelings of inferiority and social 2021 exclusion, as they too can share with their friends about the latest trending toy.

We apply to trusts on behalf of our users so that they can replace broken furniture, malfunctioning appliances, or accessing goods they lack and need. Most of our women have additional challenges to their family situation which add stress and hardship to their daily lives, be it a medical condition, child with behaviour disorder, or other

A P R J ISOLATED TOGETHER A N U A R Y

Our Virtual Forum led by women for women is a safe virtual and casual space for women to share dilemmas, experiences, triumphs and issues with others who understand the ups and downs of single-family life.

This has been extended to include weekly helpline hours so that women can vent during times of crisis and challenge so that they can get through another day.

M A Y J A TRIP TOGETHER N U A R Y

Lighthouse organises 5 family outings to a variety of venues where families are together to enjoy each other company and meet other families who care about them. This year we visited 360 soft Play, Jumpin Enfield and Bournemouth Beach.

J U N J A FAMILY RETREAT N U A R Y

After extended lockdown and Covid restrictions, we were finally able to safely arrange a family retreat. Single mothers were disproportionately challenged during lockdown having no one to share the childcare and home responsibilities, and nowhere to escape to. The retreat was a breath of fresh air, literally. In the Bournemouth seaside resort, the rejuvenating experience of carefreeness allowed their stress and burdens to fade away with the waves, giving hope for a better tomorrow.

J U L Tic Tac Toe for Teens who J A N U A R Y know This year we launched a brand new Teen Division created and led by teens with lived in experience. They formed a Tacky Teens youth council and have delivered services to children and teens from challenging family situations. These include Talking and Tasting – monthly peer support group for sharing and snacking, Building Buddies for DIY skills workshops for boys, Destress with Dance for girls and an annual Youth Smash, a fun filled week of connection, activity and holiday fun.

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NEW
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O C T J A WOMEN WITH WIT N U A R Y

We launched our 2021 support group with a difference. Led and run by users in an alternating rota, every month activities and programme is prepared and orchestrated by users. We have enjoyed a diverse range of styles and have been witness to remarkable talent and initiative of users with wit.

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A U G
J A FOOD INFUSIONS N U A R Y
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Daily cooked meals is challenging even for the Supermom. All the more so for a single mother, solely responsible for the finances, childcare, housekeeping. During school holidays, we give them a break with aromas of freshly cooked meals delivered to the door, minus the work and mess. We also have meal packages available for women during family crisis when food is the last thing on one’s mind…

N O V J EMOTIONAL VICTORIES A N U A R Y

This year we were able to provide individualised therapy programme to give them customised healing targets and lead them on their journey for emotional stability.

In addition we offer monthly group sessions with varying topics including relationships, parenting, DBT skills, and more.

S E P J School Shoes and School A N U A R Y supplies

Our children are able to begin their new year with shiny pair of shoes and brand new supplies. Motivation for a fresh start and reduces feelings of inferiority and deprivation.

D E C J FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS A N U A R Y

Vulnerable families find holiday times extremely challenging. It becomes an opportunity to dwell on their broken family dynamic, and removes the festive atmosphere. Our packages filled with treats for the whole family infuses feelings of celebration and creates lasting joyous family memories of happy times. Our Winter Parties are everyone’s highlight when they get to celebrate as a wholesome family and build happy memories.

2022

OUR IMPACT

I arrived after having experienced panic attacks and was completely in a frozen state. Whilst being on the retreat, the fog lifted and I saw that there is life beyond and I can live with serenity and the ability to embrace life. When I’m home, and feel again the tightening I visualise that feeling of feeling relaxed and free and I know that I can feel normal. It has brought me back to life.

(family retreat)

Thank you for the food parcels. I want you to understand what it means that I was able to have a full meal and be satisfied. Until now, I have no money for food. When I went to the shop I could only buy 1 cucumber and 2 tomatoes. You saved me from starvation.

(food distribution)

I can’t believe it’s real! A room of food and I can eat as much as I want.

(Family Party)

I have no words to express how I came home feeling even after such a short time. The amount of effort you so selflessly gave away to help others is an inspiration. To see smiles on faces of people that were previously hardened was a boost for me that life can get better. Thank You[“] (family retreat)

In Numbers:

New woman 3 78 Services 160 Children New Users 38 82% users reported improved emotional health found better employment 26% have awareness of boundaries and healthy 97% relationships

OUR VISIONS FOR 2022

Launch a new website for users and funders to see our work from close. Expand our Board of Governors and include 2 new Board members, and 3 new Project Managers Lease a respite Home to give families in crisis a place to escape. Develop and update Policies and Protocols.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

Statement of Trustees responsibilities

The Trustees 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).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which 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:

b. Reserves policy

The trustees do not seek to maintain reserves, other than to ensure that they can continue the activities of the charity.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

Lighthouse - Supporting Women Through Stormy Times is a registered charity, number 1135433, and is constituted under a Trust deed.

b. Methods of appointment or election of

Trustees

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

c. Financial risk management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

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 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. 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 on and signed on their behalf by:

Hindy Schlesinger

Trustee

Independent examiner’s report For the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Lighthouse - Supporting Women Through Stormy Times ('the Charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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 that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

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

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content ofaccounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

This report is made solely to the Charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity’s Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed

F Lazega Accshire Accountancy LLP 123 Clapton Common London E5 9AB

Statement of financial activities For the Year Ended 31 December 2021

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted
funds
2021
£
77,030
Unrestricted
funds
2021
£
8,125
Total
funds
2021
£
85,155
Total
funds
2020
£
43,590
77,030 8,125 85,155 43,590
-
59,730		 -
4,761		 -
64,491		 243
20,635
59,730 4,761 64,491 20,878
17,300 3,364 20,664 22,712
24,114
17,300		 620
3,364		 24,734
20,664		 2,022
22,712
41,414 3,984 45,398 24,734

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

Balance Sheet

note 2021 2020 £ £

Notes to the financial statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021

1.General information

Fixed Assets

Current Assets

Cash at bank and in hand
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets excluding pension asset
Total net assets
Charity Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds		 45,398 45,398 24,734 24,734
45,398 24,734
45,398 24,734
45,398 24,734
45,398 24,734
41,414
3,984		 24,114
620
45,398 24,734

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on Complete ‘ACCOUNTS COMPLETION’ section and signed on their behalf by:

Hindy Schlesinger

Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

Lighthouse - Supporting Wormen Through Stormy Times is a registered charity and is governed by a Trust Deed dated 19 February 2009.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) -Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair’ view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Lighthouse - Supporting Women Through Stormy Times meets the definition of a public benefitentity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

2.3 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.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further theCharity’s objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

3.Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Grants
Donations
Grants		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
Total
funds
2021
2021
2021
£
£
£
-
-
-
77,030
8,125
85,155
77,030
8,125
85,155
Restricted
funds 2020
£
Unrestricted
funds 2020
£
Total funds
2020
£
-
41
41
43,549
-
43,549
43,549
41
43,590

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.4 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.5 Fund accounting

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.

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.

4. Expenditure on raising funds Costs of raising voluntary income

Costs of raising voluntary income
Costs of raising voluntary income
5. Analysis of grants
Grants
Grants		 Unrestricted
funds 2020
£
243		 Total
Funds
2021
£
-


Total
funds
2020
£
243
Grants to
Individuals
2021
£
3,389
Grants to
Individuals
2020
£
425		 Total
funds
2021
£
3,389
Total
funds
2020
£
425

6.Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities


activities
summery by fund type
Charitable activities
Grants to individuals
-
Analysis of direct
costs
Charitable activities
Grants to individuals		 Restricted
funds
2021
£
59,730
Unrestricted
funds
Total
funds

2021
£
2021
£
1,372
61,102
3,389
3,389
59,730 4,761
64,491
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
2020
£
2020
£
20,210
20,210
425
425
20,635
20,635

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities
Grants to individuals
Analysis of direct costs
Respite and trips
Food, household and kids packages
Programmes and events
Therapy services
Food, household and kids packages
Programmes and events
Activities
undertaken
directly
2021
£
Charitable activities
59,730
Grants to individuals
59,730		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2021
£
59,730		 Grant
funding of
activities
Support costs
2021
£
2021
£
1,372
3,389		 Grant
funding of
activities
Support costs
2021
£
2021
£
1,372
3,389

Total funds

2020
£
20,210
425
Total
funds
2020
£
61,102
3,389
64,491
59,730 3,389 1,372
Activities
undertaken
directly
2020
£
20,210
-

Grant
funding of
activities

2020
£
-
425
20,210 425 20,635
Activities
2021
£
9,611
27,436
8,954
13,729		 Total
funds

2021
£
9,611
27,436
8,954
13,729
59,730 59,730
Activities
2020
£
20,080
130		 Total funds

2020
£
20,080
130
20,210 20,210

Analysis of support cost

Ofce costs
Analysis of support cost		 Activities
Total
Funds
Total
funds
2021
£
2021
£
2020
£
1,372
1,372

8. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2020 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 December 2021, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2020 - £NIL)

9. Summary of funds

General Funds
Restricted Funds
General Funds
Restricted Funds		 Balance at 1
January 2021
£
620
24,114
Income
£
8,125
77,030		 Expenditure
£
(4,761)
(59,730)		 Balance at 31
December
2021
£
3,984
41,414
24,734 85,155 (64,491) 45,398
Balance at 1
January 2020
£
822
1,200
Income
£
41
43,549		 Expenditure
(243)
(20,635)		 Balance at 31
December
2020
£
620
24,114
2,022 43,590 (20,878) 24,734

TRUSTEES

Charity Regitstered number Principal Office

Bankers

Hindy Schlesinger Laurence Freeman Ita Cymerman MBE

1135433

30a Dunsmure Road London N16 5PW

Lloyds Chelmsford Legg St Osc 1 Legg Street Chelmsford Essex CM1 1JS