2022-12-31-accounts

REBUILDING LIVES Singlehandedly

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY,

BUT IT WAS BUILT DAY BY DAY.

EACH WOMAN IS A HERO AS SHE BUILDS A FOUNDATION FOR HERSELF, HER CHILDREN AND HER FUTURE.

So too, a family split apart after years of strife, conflict, abuse and manipulation, cannot be rebuilt in a day. But every day can be a building block, a step towards healing, resilience, empowerment, and repairing broken lives.

The women we support have every reason to remain in the rubble of trauma and emotional wreckage but they are at Lighthouse because they want to rebuild, they believe there is a future.

I am confident to say that this year, every woman at Lighthouse was supported on her journey of rebuilding lives. We have expanded our services, our team and our vision, thus adding a few stories to the construction.

We have been supported by our dedicated funders Lloyds Foundation and Rosa Uk in our journey of strengthening the Lighthouse foundation and structure to develop our board, policies, launch our website and create new projects. Their contributions go beyond financial support; they provide us with valuable guidance, expertise, and connections that help us grow and improve. We are also grateful to all our other funders who believe in our vision and have provided generous financial support to support those in need.

Despite the Cost of Living Crisis, which has threatened to demolish months of building, our women have surged on, finding solutions and methods of survival, yet the blueprint remains intact as we continue building towards our goal.

Hindy Schlesinger

Chair

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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-integrate and reinspire divorced women and their children, through health and parenting courses, vocational training, peer support, social welfare, group counselling, family respite breaks and ongoing family activities. Our aim is for these women to become selfsufficient and go on to build healthy relationships and stability in life.

Lighthouse was founded by divorcees themselves, who found themselves in this unfortunate 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.

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The journey from Intake to Inclusion:

OUR MISSION

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

• Essentials and Food parcels

• Mental health support empowering women with grit, healing and relationship skills

• Peer support to reduce loneliness and build community.

----- Start of picture text -----
Referral
Enter case management
Customised growth plan
Attend events
Register choice of volunteer role
Join chat Group
----- End of picture text -----

Fully fledged Lighthouse member.

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The Five Pillars of Support We have identified the five areas where families need support following a breakup.

FRIENDS

FAMILY

FUTURE

Creating a happy family environment even within a life where it is hard to identify oneself as a ‘family’ when it seems that it is no longer. Children from divorced parents need the stability of a home setting and a secure parent to maintain normalcy and FOOD routine.

Women who have experienced the breakup of their family, want a better future for themselves and their children. Investing in the future takes belief and hard work in parenting, relationships, trauma recovery, and improving employment potential. FOOD Money is always an issue for single mothers. Being tied down to childcare responsibilities limits the hours they can spend earning money. Single motherhood also costs more.

In this niche area, close family members lack awareness about the complexity and challenge that accompanies family breakup. Women and children who have experienced this, need the support of others who have been through separation and can truly relate.

----- Start of picture text -----
FUN
----- End of picture text -----

Single Motherhood takes double the effort. Think sole childcare responsibilities, domestic duties, one pay check and the lack of an adult companion to share life with. Women living this life need space to be, even for a couple of hours to chat, eat, laugh and enjoy the moment.

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How our Pillars protect our People

----- Start of picture text -----
FRIENDS FUN FAMILY FOOD FUTURE
25 Family parties,
Attendees Attendees at 30 trips and 16 780 25
at each each monthly retreat to
fortnightly recreational connect the Food parcels, Individual
support event. family in joyful therapy
event. moments. sessions,
Shared 625 100s [Of food ] vouchers, 18
feeling Shared Warm meals
significant improved delivered. Parenting, relationships
benefit mental and employment skills.
wellbeing
from peer
support
Shared Shared
Shared improved Shared less feeling more
reaching out to Shared coming home family connection with their hunger positive about their future
Lighthouse children
rejuvenated
peers on a regular basis. with renewed Shared Shared increased Shared feeling
energy to go on. feeling more confident to attend public access to proper meals empowered and confident with their
events. new skills.
----- End of picture text -----

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Echoes of our Impact

FRIENDS

my challenges and celebrate my victories in overcoming them’’’

FUN

FAMILY

’’I used to be stressed most of the time, until I realised that I was drained from caring for everyone’s needs besides for my own. After being encouraged to try a comedy night out, I never miss a Lighthouse event if I can.’’

“I used to feel ashamed when my friends discussed family events because it evoked my feelings of being different and lacking. I have learnt that a family can still feel like a family even when my parents live apart. And thanks to Lighthouse, we can celebrate family time with happiness and cheer!’’

FOOD

‘’Whenever a food package is expected, I breathe easier. I feel like I run a functional home and my children can open the fridge and cabinets and find it stocked up.’’

FUTURE

‘’ For a single mother, standard parenting clubs don’t work. We need to use different methods and approaches as our children are experiencing childhood differently than most children. Having our own parenting course is extremely productive and impactful.’’

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Building Foundations month by month: J A N F E B M A R A TOYS AND GAMES N U A R Y J STAPLING THE VOID A N U A R Y J INDIVIDUAL GIFTING A N U A R Y

J A N J A TOYS AND GAMES 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 Cost of Living Crisis, 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 2022 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 difficulties.

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

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

J U N J A FAMILY RETREAT 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.

Lighthouse organises 4 family outings to a variety of venues where families are together to enjoy each other’s company and meet other families who care about them. This year we visited Chessington World of Adventures, Chatham Ski Centre and Beach.

The Annual Family Retreat took place in the Bournemouth seaside resort where families indulged in the spirit of serenity, support and summer. Mothers relaxed in the soft sand and fresh sea air, children frolicked in the waves and enjoyed ice cream. a blissful dream for many, but a dream come true for those who live in a raging storm of salty tears and sandy battles. This respite break provides feelings of hope and renewed motivation, to hope for a better tomorrow.

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J U L A U G Tic Tac Toe for Teens who J A N U A R Y J A FOOD INFUSIONS N U A R Y know This year we launched a brand new Teen Division created Daily cooked meals is challenging and led by teens with lived in even for the Supermom. All the experience. They formed a Tacky more so for a single mother, solely Teens youth council and have responsible for the finances, delivered services to children childcare, housekeeping. During and teens from challenging school holidays, we give them family situations. These include a break with aromas of freshly Talking and Tasting – monthly cooked meals delivered to the peer support group for sharing door, minus the work and mess. and snacking, Building Buddies We also have meal packages for DIY skills workshops for boys, available for women during family Destress with Dance for girls and crisis when food is the last thing an annual Youth Smash, a fun on one’s mind… filled week of connection, activity and holiday fun.

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…

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

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.

We launched our 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.

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.

2023

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OUR VISIONS FOR 2022 OUR VISIONS FOR 2023

Launch a new website for users and a funders to see our work from close.

Expand our Board of Governors and ainclude 2 new Board members, and 3 new Project Managers

Lease a respite Home to give families ain crisis a place to escape. Develop and update Policies and Protocols. a

Campaign and Awareness in the community to advocate for families facing breakup, to remove the stigma and increase inclusion.

New User Induction package – Luxury welcome pack for new users to make it that bit easier to acknowledge their status as ‘divorced’ or ‘separated’.

Career opportunities for young mothers. Training support in flexible employment areas like photography, hair and beauty, graphic design, to allow working hours to be set around childcare and babysitting arrangements.

Dating Support and networking – Supporting women to move on and build new healthy relationships.

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Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Lighthouse Supporting Women Through Stormy Times for the 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

Objectives and activities

a.Policies and Objectives

The objects of the charity are: to relieve financial hardship to relieve the mental and physical sickness of women undergoing domestic hardship by the provision of counselling and support of such persons to advance in life and relieve the needs of young people from single parent families through

a) the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life;

(b) providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals such other purposes as are charitable according English law.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.

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.

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

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.

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:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

• make judgments 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 business.

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 5 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

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

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Independent examiner’s report For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

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 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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.

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.

Signed: Dated: 5 May 2023 F Lazega FCCA

Accshire Accountancy LLP 123 Clapton Common London E5 9AB

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 of accounts 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.

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Statement of financial activities For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward	Restricted funds 2022 £ Unrestricted funds 2022 £ Total funds 2022 £ Total funds 2021 £
	175,389 25,000 200,389 85,155
	175,389 25,000 200,389 85,155
	157,123 21,180 178,303 64,491
	157,123 21,180 178,303 64,491
	18,266 3,820 22,086 20,664
	41,414 3,984 45,398 24,734 18,266 3,820 22,086 20,664
	59,680 7,804 67,484 45,398

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

Balance sheet As at 31 December 2022

Note Fixed assets Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets excluding pension asset Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds		2022 £		2021 £
	68,324	- 67,484	45,398	- 45,398
	68,324 (840)		45,398 -
		67,484		45,398
		67,484		45,398
		67,484		45,398
		59,680 7,804		41,414 3,984
		67,484		45,398

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 05 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Hindy Schlesinger (Trustee)

The notes on pages 14 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

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Notes to the financial statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

1. General information

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 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.

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

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 Liabilities and provisions

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.

2.6 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

3.Income from donations and legacies

	Restricted fd	Unrestricted fd	Total funds
	uns 2022 £	uns 2022 £	2022 £
Grants Received Grants Received	175,389	25,000	200,389
	Restricted funds 2021 £	Unrestricted funds 2021 £	Total funds 2021 £
	77,030	8,125	85,155

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Notes to the financial statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

4. Analysis of grants

Grants Grants	Grants to Individuals 2022 £ Total funds 2022 £
	8,377 8,377
	Grants to Individuals 2021 £ Total funds 2021 £
	3,389 3,389

5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Summary by fund type
	Restricted		Unrestricted
	funds		funds		Total
	2022		2022		2022
	£		£		£
Charitable activities	148,746		21,180		169,926
Grants to individuals	8,377		-		8,377
	157,123		21,180		178,303
	Restricted		Unrestricted
	funds		funds		Total
	2021		2021		2021
	£		£		£
Charitable activities	59,730		1,372		61,102
Grants to individuals	3,389		-		3,389
	63,119		1,372		64,491

6. Analysis of expenditure by activities

	Activities		Grant
	undertaken		funding of		Support		Total
	directly		activities		costs		funds
	2022		2022		2022		2022
	£		£		£		£
Charitable activities	163,747		-		6,180		169,927
Grants to individuals	-		8,377		-		8,377
	163,747		8,377		6,180		178,303
	Activities		Grant
	undertaken		funding of		Support		Total
	directly		activities		costs		funds
	2021		2021		2021		2021
	£		£		£		£
Charitable activities	59,730		-		1,372		61,102
Grants to individuals	-		3,389		-		3,389
	59,730		3,389		1,372		64,491
Analysis of direct costs
					Activities		Total funds
					2022		2022
					£		£
Food and household support					69,230		69,230
Holiday packages					9,146		9,146
Retreats and trips					37,343		37,343
Respite home					33,110		33,110
Women’s support groups					6,288		6,288
Children’s support groups					3,161		3,161
Programmes and events					4,179		4,179
Therapy services					1,290		1,290
					163,747		163,747

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Notes to the financial statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

6. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs (continued)

Food, household and kids packages Respite and trips Programmes and events Therapy services Analysis of support costs Insurance Website Governance costs Ofce costs	Activities 2021 £	Total funds 2021 £
	27,436 9,611 8,954 13,729	27,436 9,611 8,954 13,729
	59,730	59,730
	Activities 2022 £	Total funds 2022 £
	574 4,128 1,478	574 4,128 1,478
	6,180	6,180
	Activities 2021 £	Total funds 2021 £
	1,372	1,372

7. Independent examiner’s remuneration

’
. Independent examiners remuneration	2022		2021
	£		£
Fees payable to the Charity’s independent examiner for the	360		-
independent examination of the Charity’s annual accounts
Fees payable to the Charity’s independent examiner in respect of:
All other services not included above	480		-

8. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2021-£NIL).

During the year ended 31 December 2022, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2021 - £NIL).

9.Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

	2022		2021
	£		£
Accruals and deferred income	840

10. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General Funds Restricted Funds General Funds Restricted Funds	Balance at 1 January 2022 £	Income £	Expenditure £	Balance at 31 December 2022 £
	3,984 41,414	25,000 175,389	(21,180) (157,123)	7,804 59,680
	45,398	200,389	(178,303)	67,484
	Balance at 1 January 2020 £	Income £	Expenditure	Balance at 31 December 2020 £
	620 24,114	8,125 77,030	(4,761) (59,730)	3,984 41,414
	24,734	85,155	(64,491)	45,398

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TRUSTEES

Hindy Schlesinger Laurence Freeman Ita Cymerman MBE

Charity Regitstered number 1135433 Principal Office 30a Dunsmure Road London N16 5PW

Bankers

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