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← User Voice

2024-03-31-accounts

Company Registration Number: 06820227

USER VOICE

A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE (CHARITY NO. 1136047)

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

USER VOICE

A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE (CHARITY NO. 1136047)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Index Page
Report of the Board 1 – 18
Independent auditors’ report 19 - 22
Statement of financial activities 23
Balance sheet 24
Cash Flow statement 25
Notes to the financial statements 26 – 36

USER VOICE

REPORT OF THE BOARD FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Board is pleased to present its report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Reference and administrative information

Directors Donna Murray-Turner
Gareth Miller (Resigned 29/02/2024)
Guy Robinson Chair (resigned as Chair 18/04/2023)
Julie Weston
Mark Johnson (Resigned 31/05/2023)
Matthew Watt
Michael Barnett Chair (Appointed 18/04/2023) and
Treasurer (Resigned as Treasurer
31/03/2024)
Professor Shadd Maruna (Resigned 31/05/2023)
Dr Andreas Aresti (Appointed 27/02/2024)
Micheal Legesse (Appointed 27/02/2024) Treasurer
(Appointed 01/04/2024)
Company Secretary Tharani Yathaven (Appointed 28/06/2023)
Chair Guy Robinson (To 18/04/2023)
Michael Barnett (From 18/04/2023)
Senior Management Team Finance, Operations and Contracts Manager
as at September 2024 Performance Manager
Communications Lead
Company Number 06820227
Registered Charity Number 1136047
Registered Office 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ
Auditors Moore Kingston Smith LLP, 6th Floor, 9 Appold Street, London.
EC2A 2AP
Accountants JS2 Limited, One Crown Square, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6HR
Bankers Coutts and Co, 440 Strand, London WC2R 0QS

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USER VOICE

REPORT OF THE BOARD FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Chair’s Review

This year marked my first full year as Chair of Trustees at User Voice and I am extremely proud of what we have overcome and achieved together in the last 12 months. User Voice has continued to push for reform of the criminal justice system by giving the marginalised a voice. As an organisation we continue to be user led; four in five employees have lived experience of the criminal justice system. Their insights and passion for change drive us as an organisation.

We continue to do this in a challenging time for the charity sector where the impact of the pandemic and cost of living is widely felt by many. I am delighted to say that we have engaged with over 10,000 people this year, no small feat for a charity our size. All the while our reserves remain in line with our targets. Our Prison Councils continue to bring people together to have honest conversations on how conditions in prisons can be improved. We have changed our model to give service users more of a platform to come together and work with prison regimes.

In the community, User Voice has increased its role in criminal justice health. Our report on Neurodiversity gave policymakers in Westminster insights into people’s experiences like never before. Our London Patient and Public Voice (PPV) and Lived Experience Panel in the Midlands has positioned User Voice as the go-to organisation in the field of health justice.

This year has seen the make-up of our board change. We would like to thank Guy Robinson and Gareth Miller for their service to the charity over the last few years. We welcome Andreas Aresti and Micheal Legesse to the board. Nicolas Wykeman has been appointed as an independent member of the Finance Committee. They all bring a wealth of experience that will make us more robust as User Voice moves forward.

In the coming year, we are excited to carry on innovating in the criminal justice sector. Our work in West Yorkshire on restorative justice has been transformative and we hope to continue this across the country. In the second quarter of 2024 we will be releasing a report conceived, delivered and written by our National Council members. It is a true piece of peer-led work which should be celebrated.

Despite being in our 15th year as a charity, the drive and commitment from staff and volunteers is as powerful as it has ever been at User Voice. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank them for all their hard work and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.

Michael Barnett

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Structure, governance, and management

User Voice became registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 21 May 2010. It is a charitable company limited by guarantee, with no share capital and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 16 February 2009, as amended by special resolution on 7 May 2010. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to a maximum of £10.

In accordance with the governing document, there shall not be fewer than two directors at any one time. The directors, who are also the charity trustees, are normally elected by the members of the company in a general meeting. The Board may appoint any member of the company as a director either as an additional director or to fill a casual vacancy. Any member so appointed must retire at the next annual general meeting but is eligible for re-election.

The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the governance of the charity to ensure that it acts in the best interests of people who have been in prison or been on probation. The Trustees delegate the day-to-day management of the charity to the senior management team. The Board is supported in its work by two Committees. The Finance Committee covers the adequacy of financial policies and controls, reviewing financial performance and matters relating to the year end. The People Committee covers human resources, recruitment, professional development and remuneration. A task and finish group has been set up by the Board to feed into User Voice’s Strategy for the coming years.

Each new trustee has received a thorough induction with sessions with the Chair, Chief Executive and Management Team, where they were provided with the background to the charity and its work and receive guidance on their role as a director and trustee of the charity.

Trustees are periodically updated on the most important matters relating to the organisation’s activities, as well as the latest charity sector developments and best practice guidance. Trustees are encouraged to keep up-to-date with sector developments relevant to their role throughout their term of office.

The senior management team review User Voice’s risk register monthly and update Trustees when appropriate based on the nature of the issue, and the likelihood of occurrence and potential impact. The most relevant and pressing issues can be discussed in Board meetings or operational meetings. The action plans contained in the risk register then incorporate comments from the Board and proposed mitigating activities.

Risk management

The directors have reviewed the major and financial risks impacting the work of the charity, most recently when setting the budget for 2024/25. Systems have been established that enable the directors to regularly review these risks and take necessary steps to mitigate them.

The principal risks identified include:

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Objectives and activities

The object of User Voice is to advance education for the public benefit in criminal justice and the rehabilitation of offenders by speaking to those with lived experience and disseminating our learnings to stakeholders and the public.

Public benefit

The directors have complied with section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act, having due regard for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public Benefit: running a charity (PB2)’, when reviewing the trust’s aims and objectives.

Who we are

User Voice was created for and is run by people who have been in prison and on probation. Lived experience means we engage empathetically instead of sympathetically.

We exist to reduce offending and improve rehabilitation by working with the most marginalised people in and around the criminal justice system. We ensure that practitioners and policy-makers hear their voices, through three areas of change summarised below.

Change for institutions

During the year User Voice continued to support elected Councils based on our model of service user engagement in the following areas:

User Voice enabled service users to be part of the commissioning cycle in a number of areas including:

At the end of this period, User Voice had built and maintained representative structures for 6,301 people in prison through our council structure equating to approximately 7% of the prison population nationwide.

Through our Council model, we have recruited, trained, and supported 159 Council members who completed 2,350 engagements with their peers, as detailed below.

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Change for individuals

User Voice regularly asks Council members to reflect on how they benefit from their experience, and how this has made a difference to them, both in terms of their personal development and skills development.

The experience of being a Council member gave people:

An opportunity to have their voice heard:

“Being on the council has meant I can raise awareness on the health wings and everyone now feels they have a voice.”

“Giving those without a voice the ability to be heard, giving them confidence to work towards their future.”

"Participating in the Lived Experience Panel with User Voice has significantly contributed to my personal growth, creating confidence and allowing me to share my unique journey.”

A sense of community:

“I certainly feel that the two proposals we're currently working on will have a universal impact on anyone in the prison now or coming to the prison in the future.”

“It was really good to be able to sit face to face with staff and decision makers to discuss the real issues we face on a daily basis. The staff who attended, listened, and heard our concerns.”

“Since joining the Council it has helped me develop my confidence in this surrounding as I didn't know what to expect. It has helped keep me focused throughout my sentence. It has changed the way I used to think about the Council as I feel it makes a massive difference to be able to work together and actually feel like someone is listening and I am not just a number. I feel that I have gained more respect not just from others but the staff as well.”

Changes they have seen in themselves and their environment:

“My sense of purpose and growth has changed a lot since joining. I love that we (User Voice Reps) get to give a voice to the inmates to better our prison life. Seeing the changes implemented really gives me motivation to help more.”

“I was isolated, I was withdrawn, and I was anti-social, but the Council gave me the chance to meet people with similar experiences.”

“I'm more motivated to change my life overall and want to get involved in User Voice when I leave. I'm also more open-minded about who I talk to now too.”

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Each Prison Council Member completes a regular development review in order for User Voice to capture the impact of the Council. Upon joining the Council, they complete an Initial review and then regular Follow-Up reviews every 3-months.

Prison councils

After 15 years we have developed our model, moving away from the election model to a structure that has co-production at its heart. We have conducted our councils in partnership with Sodexo, whose commitment to the involvement of lived experience we are grateful for.

Each council formally launches with a co-production (Open Space) event bringing together Council members, a cross section of prison staff, third party provider staff and external stakeholders to discuss collective issues and challenges, co-producing solutions that the Council will develop further and present at the first Council meeting.

● HMP Northumberland

“I feel since joining the Council I have been able to help both staff members and other inmates by explaining in detail what changes have been made and communicating what changes we are putting forward to try and get put in place.”

We have worked hard to create a diverse council at HMP Northumberland. At present the council is made up of fifteen Vulnerable Prison’s (VP) and thirteen Main wing prisoners. Where in some instances this would be a cause for division, our council has found a way of working together. The Council is supported by two Red Bands who assist User Voice in the prison.

The Council has hosted one co-production Open Space event this year at HMP Northumberland bringing together key staff and Council members to identify democratically the best solutions to challenges within the prison. They have also been able to put forward four proposals for change, all of which were accepted by the prison.

The council has had a positive effect on members; 80% of members state that because of the council they have been able to build trusting relationships while half said being part of the council has made them more hopeful for the future.

● HMP Bronzefield

“It was really good to be able to sit face to face with staff and decision makers to discuss the real issues we face on a daily basis. The staff who attended, listened, and heard our concerns”.

Due to staffing issues, we were unable to restart the council at HMP Bronzefield until December 2023.

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The council has since come together to suggest proposals that improve prison communication between staff and residents, as well as a proposal to improve on access to training courses.

● HMP Forest Bank

“The people we work with at User Voice help us to get things done which gives me motivation to keep going.”

The council at HMP Forest Bank has come together over the past year to look into food provision and the availability of educational courses. Council members carried out a consultation on debt which aimed to understand why residents were falling into debt and what help was available to them.

From working with the council, 75% of members feel more motivated in their day-to-day life and 82% feel more hopeful about their future.

● HMP Lowdham Grange

The council at HMP Lowdham Grange has been up and running from early 2024 following some challenges with staff clearances.

● HMP Peterborough

As of March, 2024. The HMP Peterborough Prison Councils is being established to create a diverse group of prisoners and staff who work together to identify and resolve challenges within the establishment.

Once in the first contractual quarter User Voice will begin with prison consultations with the input of the prison and prisoners.

● HMP Altcourse

Our council in HMP Altcourse started in late 2023. There has been great interest shown in joining the council with 20 names already having been submitted for Council membership. An Open Space event to start the council was held in April 2024.

National Service User Council

"Being on the National Council means so much to me. Meeting and being part of a group of people that share the same values and determination to make a difference to society."

The first of its kind in the UK. The National Service User Council is made up of elected service user representatives from across the country. The Council plays an important role at User Voice. Council members support User Voice in identifying the key issues in the criminal justice system and then develop a plan of activity to influence the right decision makers and drive the necessary changes.

National Council Members are invaluable to User Voice’s projects in prisons and the wider community. They support User Voice in identifying the key issues in the criminal justice system and then developing a plan of activity to influence the right decision-makers and drive the necessary changes.

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The National Council is currently made up of 12 members. During the year they have worked on several consultations including:

Council members have an opportunity to develop and enhance skills that can assist in making them employment-ready going forwards. Over the past year, the Council has taken part in a vast amount of training with members attending sessions on; safeguarding training, level 1 peer researcher training and engagement training.

During this period the National Council has conducted its own piece of research into the transition of healthcare from Prison to the community, identifying this as a key area that needed looking into. This is a significant milestone, and we believe an example of true peer led research.

Consultations

We believe that those with lived experience of the criminal justice system should have a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions that affect them and their peers. User Voice Consultations and Peer Research offers policymakers and service providers the opportunity to learn from and act upon the insights of those hardest to reach. Our rich and sometimes difficult to hear insights lead the conversation around system change.

Our consultations are bespoke projects that help service providers, commissioners, and policymakers’ access, hear, and act upon the insight of their users. User Voice was commissioned to undertake the following consultations in the year, some of which began in the previous period, and some are still ongoing:

User Voice’s presence as the go to organisation continues to be a trusted partner in lived experience in the criminal justice system. We have engaged with 5,428 service users in the following consultations:

HMIP Core Contract

“She’s been the only officer that looked at my whole life, contracted all the services, sorted meetings, supported me with them when I was having off days. She done her job right unlike so many didn't before.”

“I had nobody to support me with anything, that's why I got back in trouble in first place.”

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User Voice has been commissioned by HM Inspectorate of Probation to capture the voice of people on probation for their core inspection programme. Involving people on probation in inspections and having their voice heard to such a scale is novel and hadn’t been done before prior to our involvement.

From March 2023 to March 2024, User Voice has given a voice to 155 people on probation across 6 regions and 22 probation delivery units during inspections.

March 2023 to March 2024 covers the end of cycle one of the projects and the start of cycle two which commenced in November 2023. Data from cycle 1 of the project was presented at the Insights Festival 2024.

Prior to the start of cycle two of inspections, the learnings from cycle one were implemented into the approach and methodology for cycle two. Service users, User Voice’s staff, User Voice’s National Council and HM Inspectorate of Probation all fed into the methodology for cycle two which has begun successfully. One of the more potentially impactful changes to cycle two was capturing more descriptive characteristics such as neurodiverse conditions, veteran status, care experience and more to allow for more diverse possibilities for data analysis.

User Voice employed a mixed methods approach with both in-person surveys and interviews and online surveys and telephone interviews. In total, 1,551 service users were engaged with across two cycles.

HMIP Thematic Inspection

“If they were communicating with me more, telling me what is actually happening, being real with me, then a lot of things would have went a lot better… So for me if my communication with them could have been better, everything could have been better.”

User Voice was commissioned by HM Inspectorate of Probation to capture the voice of people on probation for the inspection of custodial remand in the youth justice system of England and Wales.

Examples of which are summarised below.

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to young adults in probation. In total User Voice spoke to 259 young adults about their earlylife experiences, probation experience,

London Public Patient Voice

User Voice was commissioned to recruit, train, and support Patient and Public Representatives to engage within health and justice commissioning systems by providing a range of support services.

Liaison & Diversion locations:

Representatives with lived experience engage with service users using NHS services to gain insight into their experience and any ideas they support for positive changes.

During this period, User Voice has undertaken the projects in prison and on probation shown below.

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the service was working there to support the men and women entering the system. And to determine the best way to get service user feedback. User Voice engaged with 15 men and women and the biggest concern raised was that 82% didn’t understand what the service was or why they were being spoken to.

MOPAC

"Being part of this (forum) has really made me feel like there are people who care about me moving forward in my life and that I can grow and be a better person., I think it can be tough for probation officers to really show that because they are so busy but getting to speak openly here has been really good."

Commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to engage with youth visiting probation settings in London.

Across this year we have spoken to 347 men and women across the two MOPAC HUBs in Stratford. From our engagement we have been pleased to see increased discussion and signposting to wellbeing and self-harm support.

User Voice has been awarded another year of funding after our work on the pilot.

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Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System

“I think it’s really hard to find a neurotypical person behind a door in a prison. We’ve all got something a little bit different going on, not necessarily to underline why we’re here in the first place, but there’s something not quite functioning in the normal way, whatever you want to say. But, like, the system throwing me in here, and I’m bumping into all kinds of different people that communicate differently. It’s really made me stop and think, kind of, ‘Okay, why is this person talking to me so aggressively when all he’s asking is for a teabag?”

Our NHS England funded project investigated neurodiversity in the criminal justice system. We interviewed 104 and surveyed 250 neurodivergent people in 11 prisons across the country to learn about their journey through the system. We identified and charted the journey of service users from early life, to post prison release.

After the release of our report, we have met with neurodiversity charities, MP’s from different parties, and different HMPPS staff, including the prison Neurodiversity Support Managers, to present our findings and to identify possible next steps.

Police Drug Diversion (PDD) programme

“They [police] said, 'You have two choices here. You can either not do this course and get a criminal conviction. Or you can take this, do this, you won't get a conviction and we'll help you towards making better decisions.' So, I took that choice.” (Checkpoint divertee)

We are in the final year of evaluating three different police drug diversion schemes in Durham (Checkpoint and Prosec88), Thames Valley (Druglink and Red Snapper) and West Midlands (Cranstoun). Commissioned by the Cabinet Office Evaluation Accelerator Fund and led by University of Kent, User Voice and several other partners set out to evaluate three existing police drug diversion (PDD) schemes to inform policy and practice by showing what works, for whom, and in what circumstances.

User Voice interviewed 100 people who had been diverted to drug diversion schemes, whereas our partner universities interviewed the police who divert individuals to these schemes and the services who provide the diversion activities. In 2024-2025 all the qualitative (and quantitative) data will be analysed to find out how the PDD schemes are working. Final report, and academic articles will be published in 2025.

The themes the project’s qualitative team have identified include; what needs assessment is offered for those referred to PDD schemes, what different factors impact service users’ motivation and engagement with the PDD schemes.

Sheffield Hallam Parole project

User Voice partnered with Sheffield Hallam University for the research titled: ‘ Remote chance? Participation and access to justice in remote parole hearings. ’

This project explores peoples' experiences of parole oral hearings that are conducted remotely, in-person and in a hybrid manner (with some people attending in person with others being online).

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The consultation is set to be completed in April 2024 with a view of submitting the findings to an academic journal and releasing the report on the User Voice website.

Blended Supervision

Commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, and led by our partner Get the Data, User Voice and TONIC evaluated the Blended Supervision Model used by the probation service to manage people on probation.

Blended Supervision is a catch all term to cover the different modes of contact used to undertake sentence management activities with people on probation including face-to-face contact, telephone, and video calls. The blended approach was adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic when face-to-face contact was not possible.

For phases 1 and 2 of the evaluation User Voice conducted 105 one-to-one interviews and 11 focus group and surveyed 813 people on probation in four different probation regions: North West, Greater Manchester, West Midland, East of England, and Wales.

We asked people about their experience of having both in person and remote contacts, and how it impacted their relationship with their practitioner, and their overall quality of life. We were also interested in people on probation experiences of remote Rehabilitative Activity Requirements and their confidence in using technology in probation.

The final report will be published later in 2024 by the Ministry of Justice.

Lived Experience Panel – East Midlands

“Joining the panel gives me scope and reach, I'm looking forward to helping other people and myself with rehabilitation and lasting positive changes. It’s been a pleasure so far to be involved in the procurement process and I'm eager to progress further with this amazing opportunity. I'm really looking forward to learning new skills and meeting new people in the process”

The East Midlands Lived Experience Panel (LEP) works collaboratively with commissioners and other regional and national stakeholders to help tackle issues and develop solutions drawing on lived experience insight. Members have been supported to attend virtual meetings with a range of stakeholders and continue to engage service users in prisons, including Clinical Quality Visits, procurements, research, forums and conferences.

We have recruited, trained and empowered panel members to work with Health Justice services across the East Midlands, supporting them to work on the individual works streams set by the NHS, and supported their individual progression. Panel members have had the opportunity to engage in induction training, Safeguarding training and completed a peer research accredited qualification.

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West Yorkshire Peer Commissioning

“It's good to know how much this project means to the mayor and that people have confidence in our abilities to get this right, this boosted my confidence.”

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have commissioned User Voice to set up a lived experience commissioning panel to evaluate the bids for a new restorative justice service across West Yorkshire.

Involving individuals with lived experience at the heart of such a process has never been done before. This monitoring and evaluation will map out the experience of both the Peer Commissioners and relevant stakeholders to get a better understanding of the process and the benefits to both the Peer Commissioners and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Our six peer commissioners took part in Peer Research training which included understanding of research methods, research ethics, and understanding peer-led research.

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The learnings captured in the report can then be utilised to build a business case for the implementation of peer commissioning Yorkshire wide and beyond. The ‘capturing the learning’ phase of the project has five stages and is near completion with a report to be made public in late Summer 2024.

National Council Project

''. ..When I came out of prison and went to see my own doctor who, who knew I was in prison, they couldn't even get and still have never been able to get hold of any information about my healthcare in prison... ''

In 2023/24 members of the National Council conducted its inaugural consultation on the transition of healthcare from Prison Services into the Community. As with other functions of the National Council, this has been a purely voluntary and grassroots initiative. The consultation provided an opportunity for Council members to develop new skills in project management, qualitative & quantitative data analysis, IT competence, interview techniques, report writing, and public speaking.

The transition from prison into the community is a critical time for service users' health and well-being. People leaving prison are more likely to have chronic health conditions, mental health problems, and substance use disorders than the general population. They are also more likely to be homeless, unemployed, and socially isolated. These factors can make it difficult to access the healthcare needed in the community. By gathering feedback from service users, the consultation will help raise awareness to policymakers to ensure the transition process is designed to meet the needs of the people who use it.

The consultation found that 56% of service users either disagreed or strongly disagreed that they received the support and services they needed during my transition from prison to the community. While, 72% of service users said probation did not make any referrals or support them in getting healthcare after they were released.

The report is due to be released in Spring 2024.

Social media and website

User Voice utilises Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram regularly to share our latest news, latest research, vacancies, sector publications and to highlight the big issues for people in prison and on probation.

On Twitter, User Voice has 9,559 followers. User Voice’s unpaid posts earned 120,016 impressions (the total number of times that a tweet has been delivered to the Twitter stream of a particular account), an increase of 65% from the previous year.

For Facebook, we have 1,700 followers, where the 35-44 age demographic continues to be the highest.

On LinkedIn User Voice has increased its numbers of followers from 1,158 to 1,380. On Instagram, we have also increased our follower number from 380 to 439.

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On average during this period, User Voice’s website has had approximately 1,800 visitors each month.

Volunteering and internships

User Voice encourages people to volunteer to develop skills and gain experience as part of our commitment to offer individuals opportunity, encouragement, and support. We have helped many people move from volunteering into staff positions with us.

These volunteers fall broadly into two categories:

User Voice has continued its relationship with London Metropolitan University and Queen Mary University of London who have sent us students to gain experience of working in charity.

Fundraising

User Voice continues to maintain solid partnerships with supporters and donors, based on mutual understanding and shared values. All our fundraising practices are done in an open, honest, and respectful manner in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice issued by the Fundraising Regulator.

Key strategic priorities

Remuneration of the key management personnel

The arrangements for setting the pay of key management personnel are proposed by the CEO and discussed and decided at a Board level. Key personnel during the financial year were Mark Johnson, Daniel Hutt, Brendan Doyle, Sean Campbell, Simon Boddis and Tharani Yathaven. Levels of remuneration are set in line with the market rates for the charity sector and based on people’s skills and their contribution to the organization.

CEO remuneration is proposed by the Finance Committee and approved by the Trustees, following discussions at a Board meeting.

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Financial review

User Voice recorded total income of £821,586 (2023: £632,816) in the year, with 90% of income coming from charitable activities (project and consultation activities). The increase is due to increased Project Income.

The overall result for the year was a deficit of £60,147 (2023: a deficit of £297,576), reflecting a deficit on unrestricted funds of £46,247 (2023: a deficit of £265,806) and a deficit on restricted funds of £13,900 (2023: a deficit of £31,770). Therefore, there was an overall decrease on our accumulated unrestricted reserves, which stands at £643,624 on 31st March 2024 (2023: £689,871) whilst restricted funds decreased to £60,182 (2023: £74,082).

Investment policy and performance

There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest and the current policy is to invest short term funds with the trust’s bankers.

Reserves policy

As at 31.03.2024, User Voice held total reserves of £703,806. This is made up of £643,625 of unrestricted reserves and restricted reserves of £60,182. User Voice has identified that it needs to maintain unrestricted reserves of £535,000 to ensure financial stability and operational continuity. This includes a Working Capital Reserve of £135,000 to provide a financial buffer for unexpected expenses or income shortfalls, ensuring that operations can continue without compromising the organization's mission. Additionally, £400,000 is allocated for closure costs, covering employee salaries and contractual obligations for approximately four months to ensure an orderly shutdown if necessary.

In order to bring the level of actual reserves into line with the reserves target, the Board has set aside designated reserves of £115,000 support specific projects that will increase User Voice’s ability to serve those in the criminal justice system. These projects include amounts for enhancing the website and social media presence to improve user engagement and outreach; hiring a Volunteer Training Manager to develop and implement volunteer training programs; employing a Grants Officer to secure additional funding through grants: and the recruitment of a highly skilled CEO to formulate with the Board and drive a long term strategy for the organisation. It is expected that these amounts will be spent or committed during the current financial period.

The Finance Committee monitors and reviews the level of reserves on a quarterly basis. These reviews will include ensuring that the amounts designated for specific projects will deliver the expected benefits. The Reserves Policy is reviewed and approved by the Board annually.

Responsibilities of the Board

Company law requires the Board to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Board are required to:

The Board are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial

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statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice and the regulations under the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of disclosure to the auditor

So far as the Board of Trustees are aware:

a) there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware; and

b) they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Charity’s auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

Moore Kingston Smith LLP were appointed as auditors during the year and are deemed to be reappointed under Section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

This Report of the Board, which forms part of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, is approved by the Trustees in their capacity as Directors of the company and signed of its behalf by:

6 October 2024 Mr Michael Barnett Date Chair

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF USER VOICE

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of User Voice for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, and the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

19

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF USER VOICE

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 17, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

20

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF USER VOICE

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.

Our approach was as follows:

21

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF USER VOICE

management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charitable company and charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Date: 29 October 2024

Jamers Saunders FCCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor

6[th] Floor 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

22

USER VOICE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income
Income from donations
2
897
80,523
Income from charitable activities
3
678,978
61,188
_
_
Total income
679,875
141,711
=======
=======
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds
5
43,875
-
Expenditure on charitable activities
6
673,527
164,331
_
_
Total expenditure
717,402
164,331
=======
=======
Net income / (expenditure)
4
(37,527)
(22,620)
Transfer between funds
(8,720)
8,720
Net movement in funds
(46,247)
(13,900)
=======
=======
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balance brought forward at
1 April
689,871
74,082
_
_
Fund balance carried forward at
31 March
643,624
60,182
=======
=======		 Total
2024
£
81,420
740,166
_
821,586
=======
43,875
837,858
_
881,733
=======
(60,147)
-
(60,147)
=======
763,953
_
703,806
======		 Total
2023
£
65,267
567,549
_
632,816
=======
6,794
923,598
_
930,392
=======
(297,576)
-
(297,576)
=======
1,061,529
_
763,953
=======

The results for the period are derived from continuing operations

There were no recognised gains or losses, other than those passing through the statement of financial activities.

The notes on pages 26 to 36 form part of these financial statements.

23

USER VOICE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 11 - 795
_ _
- 795
Current assets
Debtors 12 167,741 277,539
Cash at bank and in hand 670,134 723,252
__ __
837,875 1,000,791
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 13 (134,069) (237,633)
_ _
Total current assets less current
liabilities 703,806 763,158
_ _
Net assets 703,806
=======		 763,593
=======
Reserves
Unrestricted funds 643,624 689,871
Designated funds 115,000 250,000
General funds 528,624 439,871
Restricted finds 60,182 74,082
_ _
16 703,806
=======		 763,953
=======

These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The notes on pages 26 to 36 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board and signed on its behalf on 6 October 2024 by:

Mr Michael Barnett Chair

Company Registration Number: 06820227

24

USER VOICE

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Cash flows from operating
activities
Net cash provided by / (used in)
operating activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the year
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Analysis of changes in net
debt		 Notes
17
2023
Cash flows
£
£
723,252
(53,118)
_
_
723,252
(53,118)
__
__		 2024
£
(53,118)
_
(53,118)
723,252
_
670,134
=======		 2023
£
(225,314)
_
(225,314)
948,566
_
723,252
=======
2024
£
670,134
_
670,134
__

25

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity, and therefore 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 (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

After making enquiries the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future due to the majority of the income that is being included within the 2024/25 budget already being contractually secure together with amounts held in reserves. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.

The functional currency used is British pound sterling, and balances are rounded to the nearest £1.

1.2 Funds Structure

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor. Unrestricted funds are funds which are used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for a particular purpose.

1.3 Income

Grants, donations and other income are credited to the statement of financial activities in the year to which they relate. Grants and donations will be recognised on an entitlement basis and when receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably, unless it relates to a specific future period, in which case it is deferred. Other income, including investment income, is recognised on an accruals basis. Contract income is recognised over the life of the assignment, as it is earned.

1.4 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Support costs not directly attributable to an expenditure category are shown in note 7 and have been apportioned on the basis of staff activity.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure within which it was incurred.

26

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1.5 Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the company has demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefit.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates that are calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Computer equipment 3 years straight line Fixtures, fittings and equipment 3 years straight line

All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised.

Assets are reviewed annually for impairment and adjustments are made to the carrying value when required.

1.8 Pensions

User Voice operates defined contribution pension arrangements, the assets of which are held separately from those of the Charity in independently administered funds. Contributions are charged to the income and expenditure account as they become payable.

1.9 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

1.10 Operating leases

Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

27

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2.
Income from donations
Current Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Donations
240
-
Grants
657
80,523
_
_
897
80,523
=======
=======
Prior Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Donations
240
-
Grants
1,493
63,534
_
_
1,733
63,534
=======
=======
3.
Income from charitable activities
Current Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Project income
402,584
-
Consultancy & other income
276,394
61,188
_
_
678,978
61,188
=======
=======
Prior Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Project income
332,551
-
Consultancy & other income
217,291
27,707
_
_
539,842
27,707
=======
=======
4.
Net income for the year is calculated after charging:
2024
£
Audit fees
12,300
License to occupy
Depreciation
12,902
795		 Total
2024
£
240
81,180
_
81,420
=======
Total
2023
£
240
65,027
_
65,267
=======
Total
2024
£
402,584
337,582
_
740,166
=======
Total
2023
£
332,551
244,998
_
567,549
=======
2023
£
10,700
12,203
4,268

28

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5. Expenditure on raising funds

Current Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Staff costs
40,002
-
Other costs
442
-
Support costs (see note 7)
3,431
-
_
_
43,875
-
=======
=======
Prior Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Staff costs
3,151
-
Other costs
573
-
Support costs (see note 7)
3,070
-
_
_
6,794
-

=======
=======
6.
Expenditure on charitable activities
Current Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Staff costs
287,372
133,664
Travel and subsistence
31,073
2,134
Finance, HR & other professional fees
1,506
5,619
Other costs
33,742
-
Support costs (see note 7)
319,834
22,914
_
_
673,527
164,331
=======
=======
Prior Year
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£
Staff costs
311,976
85,041
Travel and subsistence
34,916
3,300
Finance, HR and other professional fees
90,046
36,718
Other costs
45,396
5,090
Support costs (see note 7)
282,083
29,033
_
_
764,416
159,181
=======
=======		 Total
2024
£
40,002
442
3,431
_
43,875
=======
Total
2023
£
3,151
573
3,070
_
6,794
=======
Total
2024
£
421,036
33,207
7,125
33,742
342,748
_
837,858
=======
Total
2023
£
397,016
38,216
126,763
50,487
311,116
_
923,598
=======

29

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7. Support costs

Current Year
Governance costs
Staff Costs
Audit fees
Legal and professional fees
Trustee costs
Other Support costs
Staff costs
Office costs
Travel and subsistence
Finance, HR & other professional fees
Sundry expenses
Prior Year
Governance costs
Staff Costs
Audit fees
Legal and professional fees
Trustee costs
Other Support costs
Staff costs
Office costs
Travel and subsistence
Finance, HR & other professional fees
Sundry expenses		 Costs of
Raising
Charitable
Funds
Activities
£
£
333
32,941
123
12,177
202
20,005
2
244
1,140
112,848
543
56,342
84
8,739
915
90,574
90
8,876
_
_
3,432
342,746
=======
=======
Costs of
Raising
Charitable
Funds
Activities
£
£
232
22,984
107
10,593
30
2,965
2
174
986
97,598
554
61,600
89
9,300
945
93,548
125
12,354
______
_
3,070
311,116
=======
=======		 Total
2024
£
33,274
12,300
20,207
246
113,988
56,885
8,823
91,489
8,966
_
346,178
=======
Total
2023
£
23,216
10,700
2,995
176
98,584
62,154
9,389
94,493
12,479
_
314,186
=======

Support costs are allocated on the basis of staff activity.

30

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8. Analysis of staff costs

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
Redundancy Pay		 2024
£
545,932
47,694
8,604
6,069
_
608,299
=======		 2023
£
471,942
42,644
7,381
_
512,967
=======

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year (2023: nil). All User Voice employees were enrolled in an auto-enrolment compliant, defined contribution pension scheme in both 2023 and 2024, and new employees were auto enrolled in the same scheme. Pension costs represent the employer’s contribution to that scheme during the year.

The number of employees during the period was as follows:

Fundraising
Support
Charitable activities		 2024
No.
1
4
15
_
20
=======		 2023
No.
-
4
13
_
17
=======

The Senior Management Team are considered to be the key management personnel and the total fees and employee benefits paid to them were £169,586 (2023: £303,135).

Included within staff costs are costs totalling £6,069 (2023: £nil) in relation to redundancy and termination payments.

Trustees are eligible to be reimbursed for travel and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; no Trustees (2023: 0) claimed any expenses in the year (2023: £nil).

9. Directors' remuneration

As allowed by the constitution of User Voice, one of the directors, Mark Johnson, received payments totalling £18,965 (2023: £71,415) from his role as self-employed consultant to the charity, which he billed through his company, MJ Innovation Ltd. During the year, he was reimbursed for expenses totalling £0 (2023: £nil).

10. Taxation

As a charity the organisation is exempt from UK corporation tax to the extent that its income is applied to its charitable objects. No liability arose in the period.

31

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

11. Tangible fixed assets

Fixtures, fittings&
equipment
Computer
Equipment
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
2,385
11,466
Additions
-
-
Disposals
(2,385)
-
_
_
_
At 31 March 2024
-
11,466
=======
=======
=
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
1,590
11,466
Charge for the year
795
-
Disposals
(2,385)
-
_
_
_
At 31 March 2024
-
11,466
=======
=======
=
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
-
-
=======
=======
=
At 31 March 2023
795
-
=======
=======
=
12.
Debtors
2024
£
Trade debtors
90,792
Other debtors
100
Prepayments
Accrued income
4,538
72,311
_
167,741
=======		 Total
13,851
-
(2,385)
_
11,466
======
13,056
795
(2,385)
_
11,466
======
-
======
795
======
2023
£
232,086
120
2,746
42,587
_
277,539
=======

32

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Taxes and social security
Accruals
Deferred income
Other creditors
Opening deferred income
Released in the year
Income deferred in the current year		 2024
£
9,225
82,200
39,894
648
2,102
_
134,069
=======
136,123
(136,123)
648
_
648
=======		 2023
£
25,492
40,236
33,637
136,123
2,145
_
237,633
=======
218,506
(218,506)
136,123
_
136,123
=======

14. Company limited by guarantee

The limit of the total guarantees of the members of the company amounted to a maximum of £40 at the beginning of the year and £40 at the end of the year.

15. Analysis of charitable funds

Current Year
Balance at 1
April 2023
£
General Funds
439,871
Designated Funds
250,000
Anti-Knife Crime Fund
6,967
National
Lottery
Community
Fund
-
John Ellerman Foundation
67,115
EAF Drug Diversion
-
MOJ Blended Supervision
-
_
Restricted funds
74,082
=======
Total
763,953
=======		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
679,875
(717,402)
-
-
-
-
9,900
(1,040)
-
(22,760)
70,623
(73,537)
61,188
(66,994)
_
_
141,711
(164,331)
=======
=======
821,586
(881,733)
=======
=======		 Transfer
Balance at
31 March
2024
£
£
126,280
528,624
(135,000)
115,000
-
6,967
-
8,860
-
44,355
2,914
-
5,806
-
_
_
8,720
60,182
=======
=======
-
703,806
=======
=======

33

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Prior Year
Balance at 1
April 2022
£
General funds
955,677
Designated Funds
-
Barrow Cadbury Trust
8,537
Home Office Anti Knife Crime
Fund
6,967
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
17,713
John Ellerman Foundation
72,635
The Queen’s Belfast Project
-
EAF Drug Diversion
-
MOJ Blended Supervision
-
_
Restricted funds
105,852
=======
Total
1,061,529
=======		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
541,575
(771,210)
-
-
15,500
(26,162)
-
-
-
(17,752)
-
(5,520)
20,715
(54,722)
27,319
(27,319)
27,707
(27,707)
_
_
91,241
(159,181)
=======
=======
632,816
(930,391)
=======
=======		 Transfer
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
£
(36,170)
689,872
250,000
250,000
-
-
-
6,967
39
-
-
67,115
34,006
-
-
-
-
-
_
_
36,170
74,082
=======
=======
-
763,954
=======
=======

Designated Funds

Strategic Investment Fund

Funds set aside by the directors to assist with the transition to the new strategy focused on outreach work alongside research capabilities.

Restricted Funds

BCT (Barrow Cadbury Trust)

With the support of BCT, User Voice will be able to develop a communications strategy, internally and externally by employing a communications specialist.

Home Office Anti Knife Crime Fund

Funding to gather insight from young people convicted of knife crime to develop solutions to the problem.

34

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

National Lottery Community Fund

To develop a National Council of service users from User Voice’s community councils. Providing a national forum for service users to drive change within the probation service.

John Ellerman Foundation

Develop User Voice’s Knowledge. Seeding the development of a more robust function to drive information, intelligence and data and use to influence and change policy.

The Queen’s Belfast Project

Funding to enable User Voice to research the impact of covid in prisons.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

To develop a National Council of service users from User Voice’s community councils. Providing a national forum for service users to drive policy change.

Social Enterprise Support Fund

Funding to enable User Voice to develop and embed new digital ways of giving people in prison and on probation a voice.

EAF Drug Diversion - Police Drug Diversion evaluation project.

User Voice's received funding to interview people who have been found in possession of drugs and diverted to a diversion scheme by the police. We are evaluation three different diversion programmes in three different areas (West Midlands, Thames Valley, and Durham). The project is funded by the Cabinet Office and led by University of Kent together with Police Commissioners.

MOJ Blended Supervision Model (BSM)

We are funded to interview people on probation about their experiences of the BSM (mix of faceto-face and remote appointments with probation officers). The MoJ, who is funding the project, wants to find out does the BSM work, and which cohorts of people it works the best. Get the Data are interviewing Probation Practitioners to find out their experience of the BSM.

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Current Year
Fixed assets
Debtors
Bank & cash
Creditors less than one year		 General
Designated
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
-
-
-
167,741
-
-
494,952
115,000
60,182
(134,069)
-
-
_
_
_
528,624
115,000
60,182
=======
=======
=======		 Total
2024
£
-
167,741
670,134
(134,069)
_
703,806
=======

35

USER VOICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Prior Year
General
Designated
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
Fixed assets
795
-
-
Debtors
277,539
-
-
Bank & cash
399,170
250,000
74,082
Creditors less than one year
(237,633)
-
-
_
_
_
439,871
250,000
74,082
=======
=======
=======
17. Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating
activities
Net income / (expenditure)
(60,147)
(297,576)
Depreciation
795
4,268
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
109,798
198,739
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
(103,564)
(130,745)
_
_
Net cash provided by / (used in)
operating activities
(53,118)
Cashflow from investing activities
Net purchase of fixed assets
-
-
_
_
Net cash (used in) investing
activities
-
_
Net increase / (decrease) in cash
(53,118)
=======		 Total
2023
£
795
277,539
723,252
(237,633)
_
763,953
=======
2023
£
(225,314)
-
_
(225,314)
=======

18. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2023: none).

36