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← Phoebe

2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1135541

P.H.O.E.B.E PROMOTION OF HEALTH, OPPORTUNITY EQUALITY, BENEVOLENCE & EMPOWERMENT FOR BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY WOMEN AND CHILDREN

2024 Annual Report

ABOUT US

In pursuit of its charitable purposes, the organisation carried out a wide range of activities. PHOEBE considers that these activities, summarised below, benefit the Black and minoritised women and youth who are affected by Gender-Based Violence and other cultural harmful practices by receiving support, guidance, specialist advocacy, education, and training in order to fight abuse, homelessness, poverty, isolation, depression, inequality, and vulnerability.

PHOEBE holistic, person-centred, and trauma-informed approach offered various areas of charitable activity including specialist Domestic Abuse Advocacy, Immigration Advice, Counselling, Support Groups, Food Pantry, Maternity Safe Spaces, Life Skills workshops, Classes, and Trainings, Awareness Raising, Outreach and Youth programmes.

To achieve its aims, PHOEBE provided services free of charge in multiple languages, a safe and confidential space for black and minoritised women, youth and other multiagency partners and employed a culturally competent team.

We operated to capacity and our services were always oversubscribed, delivering specialist services appropriate to the multiple needs the communities that we supported presented with.

We are active members of lMKAAN and have affiliations with many vital networks working towards achieving better outcomes for Black and minoritised women and their children.

OUR MISSION AND VALUES

Phoebe envisions a community in which black and minoritised women and children experience better quality of life. Our vision is to facilitate the following:

Health - a person’s mental or physical condition

Opportunity - a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something - We are committed to providing black and minoritised women and children with a way out of personal circumstances that prevent them from nurturing skills and achieving what they desire most.

Equality - the state of being equal

Benevolence - the quality of being well meaning; kindness

Empowerment - the process of becoming stronger and more confident

Overview of PHOEBE projects

ESOL Classes

This year, we have continued to hold ESOL classes for a total of 47 migrant, refugee and asylumseeking women, at both beginner and intermediate levels. Through these sessions we have developed a multi-cultural, women-only space where learners feel safe and supported.

For many women, beginning these classes have been challenging; learners are often uncomfortable in a new environment, shy to speak out and nervous about their lack of English-speaking capabilities. However, our qualified language teacher has done an excellent job in forming friendships with the students and building their confidence. She has used a range of teaching methods to sustain interest and engagement in the classes, such as interactive games to make learning memorable. The classes have addressed both linguistic and cultural aspects to foster a holistic understanding of the language within the broader context of life in British communities. This year we have covered: formal and informal language, different word groups, expressing a range of emotions, topics relating to British culture, as well as basic and advanced grammar. We have also incorporated digital access courses into our ESOL sessions, to improve women’s employability through skills development.

As a result of our classes, women’s English speaking, listening and reading has improved. The end of term assessments reflect their progress, with the average mark for the class being 78%. Women are now confident in engaging in conversations, explain problems in detail and understand what others are saying to them. Overall, learners are now equipped with the necessary tools to navigate a range of social contexts, and many are comfortable in filling out forms by themselves. Women have showed dedication to their learning and engagement during class; as a result we have managed to keep retention rates high throughout the year, and some learners are now going to college to further improve their English. Alongside the invaluable language learning skills, our classes have been an opportunity to socialize and make lasting connections with other women.

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Domestic Abuse

Over the past year our qualified IDVAs have continued to provide domestic violence casework and advice to approximately 100 women. There is a constant high demand for these services and in response, we have increased our capacity by training more of our staff members to become IDVAs through SafeLives.

Sustaining our regular service provision means that women have been able to build trusting relationships with our workers and with each other. We continue to support women experiencing domestic violence through legal advice, referrals to protection services, specialist advice on housing, and benefits. We also provide counselling sessions to women who are struggling with their mental health. We continue to work with migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, offering a onestop shop where they are met with compassion and people who can help them to overcome the multiple challenges we face. We are able to provide immigration advice, information on their rights in the UK, and employment preparation, such as volunteering opportunities and helping to build a job profile. We have also increased our outreach to women in rural areas, in the anticipation that despite needing support, they will not know where to go.

Our key achievements this year have been to successfully remove a number of women from violent situations and support them in living independently of abusive partners. We have helped to find new housing for women who need to escape violence at home and liaised with police to ensure they can leave safely and retrieve their belongings. We have supported expectant mothers through our mothers and babies group, where clients can confide in our IDVAs and forge connections with other mums. We have also linked clients to our grandmothers who provide hands on maternity support to new and expectant mothers who are experiencing violence. We have advocated for women at hospital and doctor appointments, also providing home visits as part of our community outreach. Through our legal immigration support services we have helped women apply for DDVC so they can live independently of their spousal visa and access public funds. We have also helped women to secure indefinite leave to remain under the domestic violence law.

This year we are proud to have been made a member of the National Women’s Justice Coalition, an alliance of 26 organisations who are experts in delivering support to women affected by the criminal justice system. In the coming year we hope to participate in their work on sharing best practice. We have also joined the 180 member services of Women’s Aid, which will provide P.H.O.E.B.E with quality accreditation, bespoke training for workers and support for our clients, along with increased involvement in campaigning and influencing law and policy.

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Children & Young People

Through our projects we have reached 212 young people over the past year. Our work offers opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have fun away from any challenges their parents might be facing and ensures black and minoritised young people are not prevented from accessing extra-curricular activities. We now have a team solely dedicated to youth projects – as a result young people interact regularly with the same session leaders and are therefore more likely to feel comfortable in seeking advice or asking for help if they need to.

Strong Black Girls

~~a~~ \

This year we have continued to hold our Strong Black Girls group every week after school on a Wednesday. We have helped to create a sense of solidarity among young girls, exploring problems they may face as young black women and helping them to know that they’re not going through it alone. This year we have encouraged older girls to become session leaders for the young children, helping to develop their leadership skills and personal capabilities. We were visited by ITV during Black History Month and were featured for a 3 minute TV segment on the work we were doing in teaching girls on Black female role models. Girls have commented that these sessions have helped them to feel more comfortable in themselves, feel more empowered, made them feel excited for their future, and inspired them to chase their dreams. In addition to these sessions we have continued to deliver our self-esteem workshops in schools, where qualified staff engage girls in activities to help them understand what self-confidence and self-esteem means.

Black Boys Dunk

One of the proudest achievements from this year was our youth group recording a podcast with BBC Suffolk on topics which are important to them. The group continues to meet every Friday after school as an opportunity to meet up with friends, chat and engage in fun activities together. For boys aged 16 to 18, we have continued to rent out a space for our Black Boys Dunk project at the local sports centre every Saturday afternoon, where participants can come to play basketball and football with friends for free.

This year we have continued to provide a schedule of free activities for children and young people every half-term and school holiday. This means parents are able to continue working and don’t have to miss out on pay or are forced to spend on childcare or holiday clubs. This summer we had two timetables, one for children aged 10+ and one for those aged 5 to 9, meaning that activities are age appropriate and engaging. Earlier this year we purchased a minivan, allowing us to arrange trips to green spaces, the beach, museums and art spaces. Having a kitchen at our centre means that we are able to provide children with hot, nutritious meals, and additionally involve them in learning how to cook and bake. We continue to welcome a number of children with learning disabilities, behavioural issues and those who are neurodivergent – in the coming year we will be working to build our capacity to better cope with their individual needs and requirements.

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Suffolk Black Maternity Project

Our black mothers and babies project is a response to Black, minoritised, and migrant women experiencing poor care during pregnancy, birth and post-labour, with some reporting direct and indirect racism. Black women report that they receive little information about their birth choices and maternity rights. Additionally they are more likely to experience perinatal mental illness and overall face a higher risk of maternal mortality.

In response, we have continued to facilitate supportive community spaces which provide access to specialised support and advice. The group meets every week at our centre where we organise a range of sessions to support new mothers. They are supported by our grandmothers, some of whom are retired midwives. They have been essential in advocating for mothers in medical spaces and supporting them while they learn to take care of their new babies.

This year we have held baby clinics to provide support with feeding and weaning, infant massage and weight check-ups. These sessions are facilitated by NHS professionals, such as the NSFT Perinatal Mental Health Service Team, ESNEFT Community Midwifery Team, ESNEFT Health Visiting Team and the Infant Feeding Coordinator. These clinics have helped to bridge the gap between mainstream healthcare providers and the minority community. Other sessions focus on baby play, sensory activities and story time. Mothers have also been able to access essential baby products such as nappies, wipes, formula and food through our free baby bank.

We aim for this group to help prevent isolation and loneliness amongst new mothers. By encouraging socialising with other new mothers and babies, we have helped women to develop a support network. This year we have organised weekly stroller walks in the local park and surrounding countryside, helping mothers to stay active in the post-partum stage and promote positive mental health. We have also hosted Mental Health Awareness Sessions at our centre, led by Wellbeing Suffolk.

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Financial Support

Due to the cost of living crisis, the number of local residents accessing support from P.H.O.E.B.E remains high. We are witnessing women struggle to meet essential household costs as well as clothes, shoes and practical items. We continue to give out food vouchers to support struggling households and now run a foodbank from our centre every Tuesday, reaching 161 families over the past year. The foodbank in the morning is followed by a lunch, where a hot meal is prepared in our kitchen to share with members of the community. Volunteers have been carefully tending to our garden at the centre throughout the year and we’ve been thrilled to incorporate homegrown herbs and vegetables into these delicious meals.

We continue to hold drop-in centres to help women who are struggling financially. Our trained workers offering specialised advice on housing and benefits, helping to fill out forms and assessments to ensure women receive the financial support they are entitled to. Some of our clients are carers and we have worked alongside Suffolk Family Carers to complete assessments and ensure women receive carers allowance. We have witnessed a significant increase in the migrant population in Suffolk over the past few years, with hundreds of asylum seeking and refugee families requiring support. This year we have been able to provide skills development opportunities to refugee women by taking on volunteers which are living in Suffolk refugee hotels.

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Physical and Mental Health

P.H.O.E.B.E continues to run projects which promote the physical health and general wellbeing of women and children from minoritised groups in the Ipswich area. Throughout the year our Ambling African Women have met regularly for ventures into the Suffolk countryside and seaside. Officially launched last summer, this group is a partnership between Suffolk County Council’s Green Access Team and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The project aims to break down socioeconomic barriers which prevent black and minority women from accessing opportunities for physical activity and visiting green spaces. We regularly release a schedule of walks to a number of different places across Suffolk, with women of all ages encouraged to sign up and join in. The response to Ambling African Women has been overwhelmingly positive; women enjoy the opportunity to socialise, stay active, and discover beautiful places which they wouldn’t otherwise have visited. In May, we were happy to participate in the Suffolk Walking Festival by leading a walk through the beautiful landscapes surrounding Snape Maltings and the River Alde. We have also had the pleasure of our walks being featured on the social media channels of Discover Suffolk and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Suffolk.

We continue to hold weekly Zumba classes at our centre every Tuesday which is taught by a qualified instructor and is consistently well attended by members of the community. We have begun to incorporate stretching and pelvic floor physiotherapy exercises into these sessions as well, which are led by qualified NHS professionals.

Throughout the year we have worked to increase understanding of women’s health issues including cervical cancer through community awareness sessions at our centre. This is in response to research which highlights that women from ethnic minority groups are more likely to be disengaged with and overdue for cervical screening. We have partnered with local health groups to disseminate information on early detection and gynaecological cancer symptoms and provide support to women who need encouragement to book and attend their screening appointments. Earlier in the year we also hosted a visit from Sickle Cell Suffolk to increase awareness of the disorder amongst the Black community. The session promoted understanding of how participating in blood donations as a Black woman a powerful positive impact on those living with Sickle Cell and we hope to hold more events such as this in the future.

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Black Maternity Grandmothers

For the older women in our community, we have held weekly sessions throughout the year to provide opportunities where they can meet and socialise. We recognise that feelings of loneliness and isolation increase in older age and contribute to a decline in both physical and mental health. We take an inter-generational approach to many of our projects, recognising the mutual benefits that come from involving our older women on projects for mothers and young people.

This year, many of our older women have undergone maternity training with the NHS as part of our Black Maternity Grandmothers project. These grandmothers are retired nurses or midwives who offer support and guidance to new and expectant mothers through our baby clinics and home visits. As trained support figures, grandmothers can help to pick up on issues at an early stage and signpost mothers to the correct place for further help. In turn, older women value the company and companionship from being at our centre.

This year Grandmothers have been leading our weekly foodbank and hot lunch on Tuesdays, providing an essential service to households in the community who are struggling financially. They have also been holding a gardening club, ensuring that the garden in our centre is well maintained and looked after. Although our weekly sewing club is open to all ages, it is mostly the Grandmothers who attend to knit, crochet and sew a range of different crafting projects, providing them with an opportunity to socialise with friends and meet new faces. Their creations have been showcased and sold to the community during outreach events. Additionally we have provided regular opportunities to engage in physical activities, and many older women attend our weekly Zumba sessions and Ambling African Women walks.

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ANNUAL REPORT2024 P.H.? E.B.E PROMOTION OF HEALTH. OPPORTUNITY. EQUALITY. BENEVOLENCE AND EMPOWÉRMÉNT OF BLACK AND MINORITISED WOMEN AND CHILDREN www.phoebecentre.co.uk

PHOEBE

Financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Pages
Trustees' annual report 1 to 5
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Statement of cash flows 9
Notes to the financial statements 10 to 19

PHOEBE

Trustees' annual report

Year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published in October 2019.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name PHOEBE Charity registration number 1135541 Principal office 6 Great Colman Street Ipswich Suffolk IP4 2AD

The trustees

The trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval were as follows:

S Layne (Chair) S Chinenyanga (Treasurer) S Aezad F Camara I Chikoti T Tapera J Oyelahan M Walker Y Zekarias Independent examiner L Thurston FCCA Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA

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PHOEBE

Trustees' annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Objectives and activities

About PHOEBE

PHOEBE, sometimes marketed as P.H.O.E.B.E (Promotion of Health, Opportunity, Equality, Benevolence, and Empowerment) with either term used throughout these accounts, is a registered charity, with established strong roots withing the Ipswich community, offering by and for specialist advice, advocacy, support and counselling services to black, Asian, minority ethnic, and migrant women in Suffolk area.

Objectives and activities

The object of the charity is set out in the charity's constitution as the relief of poverty, sickness and distress for women, particularly (but not exclusively) those coming from black and minority ethnic communities in Suffolk.

PHOEBE offers specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy, counselling, freedom programme and ESOL classes for women. PHOEBE helps BME women find safe temporary accommodation when fleeing domestic violence. We signpost women for immigration advice. PHOEBE has weekly children's activities promoting confidence and building self esteem of all girls in Suffolk. PHOEBE works with vulnerable women in Zimbabwe.

Public benefit

In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on Public Benefit including, The Public Benefit Requirement (PB1), Running a Charity (PB2) and Reporting (PB3).

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Trustees' annual report (continued)

PHOEBE

Year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and performance

PHOEBE has maintained its deeply-committed mission towards bringing to the fore the voices of the most vulnerable and marginalised, who often face violence with no recourse to institutional, community or even individual support.

Beyond merely numbers, we seek to assess the tangible impact of our activities and the feedback we’ve received from our service users. Our experiences have led us to conclude that BME women and children and especially those from disadvantaged communities experience have improved levels of general wellbeing and an improved quality of life after accessing PHOEBE services.

Our service users also experience greater independence, self-development, confidence, and improved mental health as a result of engagement with our services. In the past year, we have also contributed to the tangible stability and safety of women by enabling their access to financial support and services.

Domestic Abuse

Over the past year our qualified IDVAs have continued to provide domestic violence casework and advice to approximately 100 women. There is a constant high demand for these services and in response, we have increased our capacity by training more of our staff members to become IDVAs through SafeLives.

If you wish to read more regarding our Domestic Abuse project please see the annual report preceding these accounts.

Strong Black Girls

This year we have continued to hold our Strong Black Girls group every week after school on a Wednesday. We have helped to create a sense of solidarity among young girls, exploring problems they may face as young black women and helping them to know that they’re not going through it alone.

If you wish to read more regarding our Strong Black Girls project please see the annual report preceding these accounts.

Black Boys Dunk

For boys aged 16 to 18, we have continued to rent out a space for our Black Boys Dunk project at the local sports centre every Saturday afternoon, where participants can come to play basketball and football with friends for free.

If you wish to read more regarding our Strong Black Girls project please see the annual report preceding these accounts.

Suffolk Black Maternity Project

This year we have held baby clinics to provide support with feeding and weaning, infant massage and weight check-ups. These sessions are facilitated by NHS professionals, such as the NSFT Perinatal Mental Health Service Team, ESNEFT Community Midwifery Team, ESNEFT Health Visiting Team and the Infant Feeding Coordinator.

If you wish to read more regarding our Suffolk Black Maternity Project project please see the annual report preceding these accounts.

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PHOEBE

Trustees' annual report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review

The charity's financial activities for the year are shown in the statement of financial activities within these financial statements. These show principal sources of funds for the domestic violence, self-esteem and ESOL projects, and for student social worker placements. This funding has enabled the charity to successfully operate the projects and provide the services detailed in the trustees report.

Reserves policy

The charity's reserves policy is to maintain reserves at a level adequate to protect its ongoing work. This policy is reviewed annually. The charity aims to hold sufficient reserves to cover three months' running costs plus statutory redundancy costs.

As at the year end date, the unrestricted reserves amounted to £474,279 (2023: £327,904) which remains to be carried forward. The charity continues to seek additional funding to ensure that it can maintain and extend its vital work.

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Plans for future periods

PHOEBE will continue to advocate for the rights and lived realities of BME women and girls of all ages and backgrounds and ensure their concerns do not go unheard. We will continue providing services for women and children of primarily BME and immigrant communities.

If you wish to read more regarding our plans for the future please see the annual report preceding these accounts.

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Trustees' annual report (continued)

PHOEBE

Year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

PHOEBE is an unincorporated charity originally established under its constitution on 8 March 2007 as the Zimbabwe Womens' Resource Centre. It became a registered charity (number 1135541) on 15 April 2010 and is governed by its constitution adopted 8 March 2008 and as amended on 2 October 2012 and by its trustees who meet on a regular basis. The current trustees are as stated in the reference and administrative details to these accounts.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

The trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. One third of the trustees retire at the Annual General Meeting and are eligible for immediate re-election.

Further trustees may be appointed at any time, at the discretion of the trustees. A new trustee would receive copies of the constitution, the latest annual report and accounts and relevant guidance publications from the Charity Commission.

True and fair override

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 atrue and fair view'. This departure has involved following the 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Independent examiner reappointment

A resolution to appoint L Thurston FCCA of Lovewell Blake LLP as independent examiner will be proposed at the next Annual General Meeting.

28/11/2024 The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

S Chinenyanga (Treasurer) Trustee

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PHOEBE

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of PHOEBE

Year ended 31 March 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material 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 Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements 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.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts (financial statements) 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 since 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.

L Thurston FCCA Independent Examiner

Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EA 29/11/2024

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PHOEBE

Statement of financial activities

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations, grants and legacies 4 315,780 185,590 501,370 395,338
Other trading activities 5 33,623 3,500 37,123 –
Investment income 371 – 371 –
Other income 787 405 1,192 –
   
Total income 350,561 189,495 540,056 395,338
   
Expenditure
Raising funds
Costs of other trading activities 2,434 545 2,979 –
Charitable activities 6 160,579 231,757 392,336 402,705
   
Total expenditure 163,013 232,302 395,315 402,705
   
Net income/(expenditure) before transfer of
funds 187,548 (42,807) 144,741 (7,367)
Transfers between funds (41,173) 41,173 – –
   
Net movement in funds 146,375 (1,634) 144,741 (7,367)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 327,904 166,798 494,702 502,069
   
Total funds carried forward 474,279 165,164 639,443 494,702
   

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 10 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

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PHOEBE

Balance sheet

31 March 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 9 371,751 374,093
Current assets
Debtors 10 146,556 53,968
Cash at bank and in hand 169,900 73,380
 
316,456 127,348
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year 11 (48,764) (6,739)
 
Net current assets 267,692 120,609
 
Total assets less current liabilities 639,443 494,702
 
Net assets 639,443 494,702
 
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 165,164 166,798
Unrestricted funds 474,279 327,904
 
Total charity funds 13 639,443
		 494,702


These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 28/11/2024 ........................, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

S Chinenyanga (Treasurer) Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

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PHOEBE

Statement of cash flows

Year ended 31 March 2024

2024 2023
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) 144,741 (7,367)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 16,013 14,784
Other interest receivable and similar income (371) –
Accrued income (91,832) (5,239)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors (306) 2,893
Trade and other creditors 41,575 1,951
 
Cash generated from operations 109,820 7,022
Interest received 371 –
 
Net cash from operating activities 110,191 7,022
 
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible assets (13,671) (117,125)
 
Net cash used in investing activities (13,671) (117,125)
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 96,520 (110,103)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 73,380 183,483
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 169,900
		 73,380


The notes on pages 10 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

- 9 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The operational address and principal office is 6 Great Colman Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2AD.

2. Statement of compliance

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis and the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected income and expenditure for the next 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.

Income tax

The activities of PHOEBE are exempt from United Kingdom Income and Corporation taxation, provided that the income is applied to charitable purposes.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds where necessary are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

- 10 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Income

All incoming is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received in the way of grants, legacies, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when it is considered probable that the income will be received.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

Investment income where necessary consists of bank interest and is accounted for when receivable.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT that cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Cost of raising funds comprise of the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the cost of trading for fundraising purposes.

Charitable expenditure comprises of those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs are included within charitable expenditure. These are costs associated with the constitutional and statutory requirement of the charity and include the accountants fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of resources.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

- 11 -

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

PHOEBE

Year ended 31 March 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Freehold property - 2% straight line Office Equipment - 25% or 33% straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

4. Donations, grants and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 12,196 2,141 14,337
Grants
Grants 303,584 183,449 487,033
  
315,780 185,590 501,370
  

- 12 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

4. Donations, grants and legacies (continued)

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 10,880 11,442 22,322
Grants
Grants 121,315 251,701 373,016
  
132,195 263,143 395,338
  
Other trading activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Fundraising events 33,623 3,500 37,123
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Fundraising events –
		 –
		 –


5. Other trading activities

- 13 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

6. Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total funds
funds funds 2024
£ £ £
Wages and salaries 58,902 152,296 211,198
Staff training and welfare 3,153 2,226 5,379
Project activity costs and events 39,786 48,174 87,960
Other office costs 2,576 653 3,229
Rent and rates 17,044 12,418 29,462
Insurance 816 – 816
Post and stationery 2,625 – 2,625
Software and systems 10,529 – 10,529
Small equipment 382 703 1,085
Support costs 24,766 15,287 40,053
  
160,579 231,757 392,336
  
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds
funds funds 2023
£ £ £
Wages and salaries 47,239 165,735 212,974
Telephone 1,553 1,125 2,678
Staff training and welfare 2,659 4,064 6,723
Project activity costs and events 27,701 70,657 98,358
Other office costs 2,891 6,570 9,461
Rent and rates 1,217 2,792 4,009
Insurance – 415 415
Post and stationery 1,255 851 2,106
Software and systems 5,580 8,373 13,953
Small equipment 7,083 3,666 10,749
Support costs 12,105 29,174 41,279
  
109,283 293,422 402,705
  
Analysis of support costs
2024 2023
£ £
Independent examiners fee 3,318 2,724
Legal and professional 12,455 13,941
Property maintenance, repairs and
replacements 8,267 9,830
Depreciation 16,013 14,784
 
40,053 41,279
 

- 14 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

7. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 197,303 197,776
Social security 10,447 11,747
Pension 3,447 3,451
 
211,197 212,974
 

The average head count of employees during the year was 17 (2023: 15).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: Nil).

8. Trustee remuneration and expenses

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the charity manager. The total amount of employee benefits received in respect of key management personnel for non trustee related services amounted £50,935 (2023: £49,070). Three trustees (2023: one trustee) were reimbursed expenses totalling £328 (2023: £156) during the year.

9. Tangible fixed assets

Freehold Office
property Equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 358,416 43,531 401,947
Additions – 13,671 13,671
  
At 31 March 2024 358,416 57,202 415,618
  
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 6,088 21,766 27,854
Charge for the year 7,168 8,845 16,013
  
At 31 March 2024 13,256 30,611 43,867
  
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 345,160 26,591 371,751
  
At 31 March 2023 352,328 21,765 374,093
  
10. Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Trade debtors 306 –
Prepayments and accrued income 146,250 53,968
 
146,556 53,968
 

- 15 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors – 252
Accruals and deferred income 48,174 2,724
Social security and other taxes 590 786
Wages payable – 2,977
 
48,764 6,739
 
Deferred income
2024 2023
£ £
Amount deferred in year 45,000 –
 

12. Deferred income

Deferred income relates to conditional grant income received in the year on behalf of projects being completed in following years.

- 16 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

13. Analysis of charitable funds

Year ended 31 March 2024

Restricted funds

At 31 Mar
At 1 Apr 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Domestic Violence Project 132,583 161,640 (187,106) 24,527 131,644
Children & Youth Project 34,215 23,204 (25,033) 1,134 33,520
PHOEBE Zimbabwe – 4,651 (20,163) 15,512 –
    
166,798 189,495 (232,302) 41,173 165,164
    
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 327,904 350,561 (163,013) (41,173) 474,279
    
Year ended 31 March 2023
Restricted funds
At 31 Mar
At 1 Apr 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Domestic Violence Project 214,643 201,582 (174,427) (109,215) 132,583
Self Esteem Project 41,566 34,500 (84,902) 43,051 34,215
ESOL Project 3,835 8,625 (11,117) (1,343) –
PHOEBE Zimbabwe – 18,436 (22,976) 4,540 –
    
260,044 263,143 (293,422) (62,967) 166,798
    
Unrestricted funds
General Funds 242,025
		 132,195
		 (109,283)
		 62,967
		 327,904


- 17 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

Restricted fund purposes:

Domestic violence project - This represents funding towards women of the BAME community fleeing domestic violence and included a contribution towards new equipment and premises additions held within the tangible fixed assets of the charity. This fund is otherwise spent and complete with the remaining value representing the net book value of assets yet to be depreciated.

Children & Youth project - This represents funding towards self-esteem workshops to young girls in schools and the local community and included a contribution towards premises additions held within the tangible fixed assets of the charity. This fund is otherwise spent and complete with the remaining value representing the net book value of assets yet to be depreciated.

PHOEBE Zimbabwe - This represents funding towards women and girls facing issues such as domestic violence and mental health, primarily from black and minority ethnic communities in Zimbabwe. Any overspend is made up from general reserves in each accounting year.

The following restricted projects have been completed:

ESOL project - This represents funding towards women who come into this country wishing to adapt and be actively involved in the local community and wider social groups. Those who do not speak English have limited access to education, work in low paid, physically demanding jobs, and present a high risk of becoming victims of misinformation, exploitation, abuse, and modern slavery.

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Year ended 31 March 2024

Net current
Fixed Assets assets Total
£ £ £
Restricted funds 155,871 9,293 165,164
Unrestricted funds 215,880 258,399 474,279
  
371,751 267,692 639,443
  
Year ended 31 March 2023
Net current
Fixed Assets assets Total
£ £ £
Restricted funds 166,798 – 166,798
Unrestricted funds 207,295 120,609 327,904
  
374,093 120,609 494,702
  
15. Analysis of changes in net debt
At
At 1 Apr 2023 Cash flows 31 Mar 2024
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 73,380 96,520 169,900
  

- 18 -

PHOEBE

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2024

16. Related parties

During the year the charity incurred costs of £20,163 (2023: £22,976) received income of £4,651 (2023: £18,436) and made net expenditure after payments of £15,512 (2023: £4,540) from PHOEBE Zimbabwe, a related party charity which has an independent trustee board but has key management personnel in common with PHOEBE. At the year end there was a deficit of £15,512 (2023: £4,540) in the restricted fund which was cleared to £Nil using the general funds of the charity.

During the year the charity paid M Camara, a family member to the Trustee F Camara, amounts totalling £441 (2023: £Nil) relating to volunteer expenses.

There were no other related party transactions in this or the prior year.

- 19 -

Lovewell Blake LLP First Floor Suite 2 Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP32 7EA

Dear Sirs

Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024

The following representations are made on the basis of enquires with those individuals, including management and staff, with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.

General

We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and that you do not express an audit opinion.

We confirm that the charity was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011, being that gross income for the year does not exceed £1m or £250,000 if gross assets exceed £3.26m, from the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2024 audited.

We confirm we have declared all income, including legacies, of which we are aware at the year end, whether received during the year or following the year end.

We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees, as set out in the terms of our engagement letter dated 3 January 2020 under the Charities Act 2011, for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you.

All the transactions undertaken by the charity have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records.

All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your independent examination. We have provided you with unrestricted access to all appropriate persons within the charity, and with all other records and related information requested, including minutes of all management and trustees’ meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission.

The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions.

Internal control and fraud

We acknowledge our responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control systems to prevent and detect fraud and error, and we believe that we have appropriately fulfilled these responsibilities. We have disclosed to you the results of our risk assessment that the financial statements may be misstated as a result of fraud.

We have disclosed to you all instances of known or suspected fraud affecting the entity involving those individuals, including management and employees, who have a significant role in internal control or others that have a material effect on the financial statements.

We have also disclosed to you all information in relation to allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity’s financial statements communicated by current or former employees, analysts, regulators or others.

Assets and liabilities

The charity has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the charity’s assets, except for those that are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as appropriate.

We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and, where relevant, the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.

Accounting estimates

The methods, data and significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, and their related disclosures, are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement and disclosure that is reasonable in the context of the applicable financial reporting framework.

Bank accounts

We have disclosed to you all bank accounts operated by the charity.

Legal claims

We have disclosed to you all claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received and such matters, as appropriate, have been properly accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements.

Laws and regulations

We have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements.

Related parties

Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with legislative and accounting standards requirements.

Serious incidents

We confirm that no serious incident reports have been submitted to the Charity Commission, nor any events considered for submission, during the year or in the period to the date of signing of the balance sheet.

Subsequent events

All events subsequent to the date of the financial statements which require adjustment or disclosure have been properly accounted for and disclosed.

Going concern

We believe that the charity’s financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis, on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charity’s needs. We also confirm our plans for future action(s) required to enable the charity to continue as a going concern are feasible. We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We believe that no further disclosures relating to the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern need to be made in the financial statements.

Grants and donations

All grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or conditions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such income.

Each trustee has taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that you are aware of that information.

Yours faithfully

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Signed on behalf of the board of trustees of PHOEBE

28/11/2024 Date:………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Certificate Of Completion ~~aaa~~ aaa Envelope Id: E91DA42D5A704412BFB985AFE492AB9D Status: Completed

Subject: PHOEBE Accounts for approval - Docusign [146962] Source Envelope: Document Pages: 35 Signatures: 4 Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Disabled Time Zone: (UTC) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Envelope Originator: Kyle Smith Bankside 300, Peachman Way Broadland Business Park NORWICH, Norfolk NR7 0LB k.smith@lovewell-blake.co.uk IP Address: 94.2.233.244

~~aaa~~ Record Tracking Status: Original Holder: Kyle Smith Location: DocuSign 14 November 2024 | 12:05 k.smith@lovewell-blake.co.uk ~~aaa~~ Signer Events Signature Timestamp Leigh Thurston Completed Sent: 14 November 2024 | 12:18 l.thurston@lovewell-blake.co.uk Viewed: 14 November 2024 | 13:09 Lovewell Blake LLP

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Mollin Delve Completed mollin.delve@phoebecentre.org.uk Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Using IP Address: 86.150.129.200

Sent: 14 November 2024 | 13:10 Viewed: 22 November 2024 | 19:55 Signed: 22 November 2024 | 19:55

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Sanna Chinenyanga yschinny@hotmail.com Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None)

Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 194.73.134.210

Sent: 22 November 2024 | 19:55 Resent: 26 November 2024 | 12:26 Viewed: 28 November 2024 | 10:38 Signed: 28 November 2024 | 10:39

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Leigh Thurston l.thurston@lovewell-blake.co.uk LThust— Lovewell Blake LLP Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 89.197.39.242

Sent: 28 November 2024 | 10:39 Viewed: 29 November 2024 | 12:23 Signed: 29 November 2024 | 12:23

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Imogen Corsby Sent: 29 November 2024
i.corsby@lovewell-blake.co.uk
Lovewell Blake LLP
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James Watson Sent: 29 November 2024
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