Buckinghamshire ageuK Age Concern Buckinghamshire {Trading as Age UK Buckinghamshire) Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024 Charity No". 1139423 Company No: 7101195 . ) Buckinghamshire ageuK Content5 of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Page Administrative Information Report of the Trustees 2 to 24 Independent Examiner's Report 25 Statement of Financial Activities 26 Balance Sheet 27 to 28 Statement of Cashflow5 29 Notes to the Financial Statements 30 to 41 Annu￿ Repffi202&2024 Ageconrern Bu¢kinoh8m$hre a5 Ap UK eu¢kifvJhamshYe. ChaTity nun)o6r 1139423 Company DL¥Dbqr 71011￿. ageuK REFERENCE AND ADMINIStRATIVE INFORMATION Charity name: Age cOn￿M Buckinghamshire (the "Charity.) Charity Registration number: 1139423 Company registration number: 7101195: a company limited byguarantee reElStered in England & Wales. Registered Office and operational address: 145 Meadowcroft Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 9HH Telephone." 01296 431911 Fax: 01296 330783 Email- a eukbucks.o Website: www. Trustees (Board of Trustees) Mrs Russell MrA. Bailey Mrs A. Horgan-smith Ms C. Ing M5 R. Coleman Ms A Yusuf Ms S Gregory (Chairman} {Treasurer} (Wice Chair) Prlncrpal Officer5 Chief Executive.. Mark Russell- CEO Finance Manager: rim de Borde, Numbers Ltd Honorary Legal Advisor: J. Blackman.- Wrigleys Sollato￿ l LP. 19 Cookbrid8e Street. Leeds L52 3AG Affiliation: Age Concem Buckinghamshire is a Brand Partner of Age UK (National) Associated Organisations: Five local voluntary Age Concern groups are affiliated to UK Buckinghamshire Maln Bankers: Uoyds. National Clubs and Charitie5 Centre, 5edgemoor House. Deane Gate Avenue. Taunton TAI 2UF Independent Examiner: Jacob, Cavenagh & Skeet. 5 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, Surrey SMI 25W I 2￿2024*￿e Concern as B￿s￿￿t. Chty rothmt*r 113942& tunLw 7101195. Page I REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. which complies with the Charities Act 2011. the Companies Act 2006. the Memorandurn and Articles of Association. 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 (FRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. The Trustee5' report contains all the information required by a Dirertors. report under company law. Objert mission and policies Age Concern Buckinghamshire, trading as Age UK Buckinghamshire, was an unincorporated charity, constituted under the Charities, Act and with a constitution drawn up in 1945, which has been regularly updated. the last occasion being in March 2024. The Charity was converted into a Company Limited by Guarantee, having no share capital on lo December 2CX)9. governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. The objects of the Charity were updated in March 2024 as we adopted a modern 'model' Articles of Association, and are to promote the well-being of oldei people in and around BuckinEhamshire through- preventing or relieving the poverty of older people assisting older people in need by reason of ill-health, social exdusion or other disadvantage preventing or relieving sickness. disease or suffering in older people {whether emotional, mental or physicall promoting equality and diversity in connection with the delivery of our objects promoting the human rights of older people in accordan￿ with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights advancing education in connection with the delivery of our objects other charitable purposes forthe benefit of older people a5 the CharityTrustees from time to time decide The policies adopted by the Charity to achieve this objective are managed through Board and Committees and are updated according to a poliry schedule. They are also. where relevant. described on the following pages and there have been no significant changes in the 8eneral policies adopted during the period under review. Organisational structure Age UK Buckinghamshire is a Brand Partner of Age UK National. Trustees, as Directors of the Company. are also sole Members. The Board are responsible for the development of the Charity's policies and strategic planning. The Board appoints the Chief Executive and delegates to the appointee responsibility for the day-to-day fflanagement of the Charity. including employment and supervision of staff. The key management personnel comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive and they oversee directin& controlling, running and operatinE the charity- All Trustees give of their time freely and no director received any remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees, expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in Note 17 to the financial statements. Page 2 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRusfEES Chairman's Report At Age UK Bucks we always ensure that when we talk about the needs and challenges of older Bucks residents, we do so from a position of admiration and appreciation of the Significant role they play in our society. communities and families. Older people help make all our worlds go round, for example as employers, workers. volunteers. mentors. carers and thild-minders. We are a keen champion of this contribution older people make every-day. which is why we were delighted to have been chosen by Bucks Council to Support their Healthy Ageing StrateEY, through our participation in their Age Friendly Bucks programme. Principally. this will see Age UK Bucks amplify the voice of older Bucks residents {and some younger ones) so policy makers and partners can benefit from knowledge and insight about older residents, needs and priorities. share and celebrate the contribution they make, and support specrfic project5 that can help create an ag&friendly Bucks. With a rapidly ageing population this is more important than ever- l in 4 of us in Bucks will be over 65yrs old by the 20405. Unfortunately. the backdrop to this ageing population remains gloomy for many of the residents we work with, as older people continue to struggle to shake off both the longer-term impact of covid and sustained cost of living challenges. Loneliness and isolation continue to be a significant challenge for some. and on some measures. Bucks has a much higher rate of loneliness than the national average. We see health de-conditioning and mental health challenges throughout our services, exacerbated by difficulties accessing services and overcoming digital exclusion as more and more services move online - leaving older people, many of whom don't use the internet or don't have the skills to navigate complex online sign-ups, Apps and reEiStration prO￿sses, behind. This has been apparent in our5ervice5, where usage and dernand for core service5 ha5 risen over 20% year on year. Our staff and volunteer leam have continued to rise to this challenge. and I'd like to take a moment to thank all our teams and volunteer5 for the dedication and compassion with which they have approached a challenging year. Volunteer numbers continue to rise lup to around 240 at the end of this period. many delivering befriendinB and companionship on a weekly basis). enabling US to support even more older people when and where it is needed most. For example. our Welfare Benefits team has surpassed its own ambitious 5tandard5 by delivering over £2.3m in annualised benefits to older Bucks residents in the last year- an increase of £700,000 on the year before. We have only been able to do this with support frorn funders and commissioners. and the kind donations of Ioc31 people and businesses. Funding from Aylesbury Community Board, Heart of Bucks, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Rothschild Foundation. The Kin8 Cullimore Trust and others. have helped us expand some services and increase capacity. Thanks to all these funders and Bucks Counal who also commission some of our services. AMutsI Rewt 202>2024 asAao uK8uCkn￿lTh Clwtyrumbw 1139421 c￿p￿Tr￿￿710l19S. Page 3 ageuK The future is not certain though. and many local. and national. charities have struggled. The Small Charities Coalition was wound down in the period and other local services and organisations have disappeared or suffered funding cuts. At Age UK Bucks. we have been very fortunate to benefit from a legacy gift in previous years which has helped us plan longer term. but with our core local authority grant coming to an end this new year and funding generally increasingly competitive. we need to increase our fundraising capability and collaborate more with partners and commissioners alike. A recent study has highlighted that for every volunteer hour, 4 hours of staff time are required - and with 240 volunteers making a difference to older people every day. we will need to manage our costs and income growth carefully. The evolving needs of older people and ensuring Age UK Bucks is fft forthe future and able to flex its approach and services to meet these needs and the wider fvnding context. is a core focus of the Board. To do this we have further embedded our governance model and built a strong Board, which oversaw the adoption of new model-Articles and Objects for the charity in the period, ensuring the charity continues to adopt governance best practice. relevant procedures and processes. and invigorates its core mission. The year saw another planned significant deficit, with costs of £910,993, partially covered by incorne of £693,969. Rather than drastically cut key services that will go unfunded in this year, we continue to use reserves to Step up for vulnerable older people, and continue our investment in our capability longer term. We therefore expect to deliver a deficit budget for a further three years. albeit one that will fall consistently year on year. ensuring we are at break-even entering 2028. This will be a tremendous achievement given the service and support delivery that ha5 taken place over the last three years during covid and the c05t-of-living ri5is. and in a tightening and Increasing￿ difficult local context for funding. Sam Russell JP Chair Page 4 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRusfEES Invertment policv Investment powers permit the Charrty's funds not immediately required, to be invested as the Trustees think fit, provided that the Board seeks appropriate professional advice before exercising suth powers. As we continue to experience a period of inflation, vt is important we strive to protert reserves as much as possible, taking into account the ongoing needs of beneficiaries and the charity- We therefore moved some of our reserves to a fixed term account offering higher interest lates and will continue to review our investment policy. Reserves, policy The Charity holds specific designated reserves. which may be required for unforeseen circumstance5. A designated reserve, currently £144,484, is held to cover statutory expenditure in the event of the closure of the Charity- In addition, the Charity holds a further designated reserve of £116.827. which is the remaining pension liability that, as di5CU55ed in Note 16 below. is payable over the next six years. Finally, the Charity has a designated Strategic Development Fund reserve with a balance of £130.480. to support its investment in growth over the next four year5_ The aims being to improve the financial sustainability of the Charity and to expand its charitable activities for the benefit of older adults in BuckinEhamshire. The Trustees will continue to undertake regular reviews to ensure that the levels of its reserves remain appropriate. Organlsatlonal Risk Management The Trustees actively review the major risks which the Charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining our free reserves at the present levels. combined with regular reviews of the controls of the key financial system, will provide adequate resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which we face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the Significant risks. Governance The full Trustee Board met four times during the year- June. September, and December in 2023. and March 2024 {which included our AGM) to review the activities of the Charity, with a further 8 Committee meeting5 covering Finance and Resources. and Perfomiance and Service Planning. The remuneration for the senior leadership team and other key posts is Set by the Finance and Resources Committee and is reviewed annually. Public benefit The Trustees have cons-.dered thp guidance issued b% the fharity Commission regarding tkne activities of the Charity being for the benefit of the public. The Trustees, Report outlines how this is manifested in the work carried out to support older people across Bucks. The charity was established in 1945 to promote the well-being of older people and Age UK Bucks does this bv helping them stay independent, where possible. in their own homes. Most of the Charity's Services are free to clients and these are, in part, third-party funded by grants, commercial contracts or grant agreements. We also refer beneficiaries to a 5Urte of home-independence services delivered by vetted self-employed agents, who offer their services at a fixed price. Information about all these services is detailed below. Going concern Management and the Trustees regularly review forecasts of income. expenditure and cashflow5. The a55umption5 underlying the budget and forecasts are challenEed and tested to establish the likelihood of a range of possible outcorne5 including reasonable cash flow sensitivities. The expected figures are monitored against actual outcomes and variances are highlighted, analysed and discussed at Management and Board level. Over this financial period and going into 2024/25, the Trustees have been able to approve a significant deficit budget, reflecting healthy reserves. the need to step up and deliver seprf1￿5 at a time of tritical need for older adults. and the desire to invest in the infrastructure of the organisation in order to build a sustainable longer- Annual RÈpYl202&2￿4 P¥Ja CL¥N*tn B1w&u￿rn5h￿e Clwtr 1139421 CuryaryruThtw T1011￿. Page 5 ageuK term future. With this context in mind. theTrustees have reviewed cashflow forecasts for the period to 31st March 2025 and considered c3shflow requirements for this period for the purposes of approving these financial statements. The cashflow forecasts indicate that the Charity will be able to pay its debts as they fall due for the period until at least 3tst December 2025. In the event that income does not hit the projected levels, sufficient reserve5 are available to meet possible shortfalls for the foreseeable future. The Trustees are therefore satisfied that the financial slatements should be prepared on the going concern ba515 and have advised Management to work on the basis Df a strategy that will enable the charity to better achieve its objectives of promoting the well-being of older people in and around Buckinghamshire and enhance their quality of life. Rwrt 202>2024 C￿￿*M BLKth1￿￿n$frWe1r￿lry a5fv40 UK 11394￿ rvmt* 7101195. Page 6 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES ACHIEVEMEMfs AND PERFORMANCE Age UK Buckinghamshire conforms to the national Age UK Charity Quality Standards and was independently audited in February 2023. We also participated in the Quality & Information Signposting Standard Service accreditation process in the period which was awarded to us in July 2024. All our frontline staff and volunteers under80 the appropriate Disdosure and Barring Scheme IDBS) check, a period of induction and trainin& including Safeguarding trainin& as well as role specific guidance and mentoring. This year. we have delivered face to face Safeguarding Adults and Children training to all staff in the Charity. We continue to ensure staff training compliance with an annual refresher eLearning training following a series of subjects frorn fire safety to GDPR. To ensure best practice in our safeguarding prartice, we also completed an independent review of our in- house Safeguarding arrangements and practice. and have subsequently reviewed our policy to cover children in addition to adults. implemented in-house quarterly safeguarding case study meetings for staff, and have created a peer support forum. held quarterly. with otheT Age UK Safeguarding teams in order to share good practice and discuss issues experienced. We have also created an in-house. fvlly trained and experienced Safeguarding team with whom all safeguarding concerns are discussed and reviewed and promoted the process for raising a concern. We believe that this has enhanced our performance in the identification and reporting of any safeguarding concerns. Our Volunteer Coordinator continues to focus on the promotion and recruitment of volunteers into Age UK Bucks. essential to our success and service delivery. This last year. we have also focused on the engagement and celebration of our current volunteers, with a number of volunteer social events. the relaunch of our volunteer newsletter which now runs monthly. and held wonderfully uplifting volunteer recognition awards in March, celebrating 15 amazing volunteers who have gone above and beyond in the last year. We were able to increase our volunteer base in the period, which now stands at around 240121X) the year before). Our Support and Services Older people across Bucks are the heart and soul of our communities- whether they are employers. workers, volunteers. carers or child-minders. They help make our worlds go round. But when the challenges of older age feel overwhelming. or when circumstances change for the worse and someone's own world shrinks. Age UK Buckin8hamshire is there to support them. 40 staff and 240 volunteers provide services in the following areas= An Information and Advice Service that provides free. up-to-date. independent information, advice and support on all issues of concern to older people, their farnilies, friends and carers. and refers out to other services and partners Lonelines5 and isolation - a Befriending Plus service that matches trained volunteers with older people for friendship and 5UPPOrt. for those who have limited social contatt andlor feel lonely. and a BOOST Service aimed at supporting older people looking io reconnect with local groups. activities and peers Financial instability- a Welfare Benefits Servi￿ that work5 with older adults to identify and apply for benefits based on assessed needs, such as Attendance Allowan￿. This service achieved over £2.3m in annualised benefits for older adults in 2023124 nnu81 202&2￿4 C￿n a5*4eiA( ￿l￿n5hre. (W 1139423. CoTwryr•xnt*r71o11￿. Page 7 . a Buckingham5hiTe ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Hospital Discharge Support Service, which helps patients leaving hospital get home comfortably and safely. and resettled back in their home, with up to 6 weeks support Independence at home via Home Services. which refers older people to self-employed agents offering in-home help like housekeepin& gardening and toenail cutting for a fixed price Charitie5 Together- a collaboration of six local Charities. including Age UK Buckinghamshire, tackling financial insecurity, working with grassroots organisations to reach those people most affected by the cost-of-living crisis Health and wellbeing via Walking Football - a men's and women'5 walking footb311 programme with our delivery partner Wycombe Wanderers Foundation Making Bucks moreABe Friendly- we advocate and champion the needs of older adults across the county. ensuring their voice is heard. working with Buck5 Council to help deliver their exciting Age Friendly Bucks Programme Bucks Integrated Sensory Service - we provided case-work supervision support to this servite working with Bucks Vision Community engagement and support: in the period we invested in an important new role to enhan our connections and support we can provide and build in the community for older people. Our Services We aim to deliver our objects as a charity through a range of services designed to meet the needs of older people in Bucks. In the period, over 6.(XK) older adults and their families accessed our seniices, and we had thousands more contacts with dients- this is staff contact wilh clients. and does not take account contact between client5 and volunteers across our services. which totals well over 20,OLK) contacts a year. Referrals to other services and / or organisations are made by each of our servi￿5 when appropriate. Our services cover a range of topics and needs: Tackling Loneline55 and Isolation Social isolation andlor loneliness can affect anyone from any demographic. but a5 we get older, risk factor5 that might lead to loneliness can begin to increase and converge- once we have one risk factor. we may start having more. This can make the experien￿ of loneliness hard to change. particularly in older age. Key risk factors associated with Older age include (but are not limiled to)= Facing bereavement Living alone Living with limiting disabilities or illnesses Caring for a partner Physical and mental health difficulties. making it harder to participate in activities and maintain relationships Low fixed incomes. such as pensions, making activities unaffordable Digital exclusion Reduced mobility and loss of access to affordable. reliable. and/or suitable modes of transport Page 8 REPORT OF THE TRU5fEES The World Health Organisation has identified a lar8e body of research that shows soci31 is013tion and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health. quality of life, and longevity. A review conducted in 2015 indicated that social isolation and loneliness were associated with 3 30% increased like11hc￿d of mortality - comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smokin& obesity. or substance misuse. Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly being recoEnised as a priority public health problem and policy issue, and are acknowledged as key issues that need addressing in the strategies of 8ucks Countil IHealth and Well Being StrateEY). BOB InteErated Care partnership (Strategic Priorities), and Public Health's 'Nge Friendly Bucks, programme. Age UK Bucks is a key partner in supporting the Age Friendly Bucks programme and will be condurting engagement research, communications activities and projects with Public Health. In the first year '50cial participation, is a key focus. Tackling Loneliness and Isolation- Befriending Plus Servl Our Befriending Plus service consists of a team of Area Facilwtators, and a dedicated group of volunteers. The service supports the majority of our clients wwth regular home visits - face to face interactions which enable the volunteer to better engage with the client and puts them at their ease. It also enables the volunteer to assess living conditions and to monitor how the client is managing. Any concerns are immediately fed back to the relevant Area Facilitator who is then best placed to escalate these if necessary. We could not deliver this service without our dedicated army of volunteeis. In some cases, volunteers and dients are able to carryoutan attivity together. A simple outing like going to the local shops or having a coffee in a café feels like a huge treat and a change from the normal everyday life which, for so many of our clients. can be monotonous and lonely. At the end of the period, we had 191 volunteers, and 323 clients had benefited from the senrfice. We have worked hard during the last year to reduce our waiting list and have managed to do this thanks to a steady stream of new volunteers and doser monitoring of open cases. Befriendingfredback.. In the period we received feedback from 30 clients reporting the following: Happy with our SUPPOTt 97% Felt less isolated 83% Felt more independent 55% Would recommend u5 to others 97% Client quotes.. 'My volunteer has saved me. Without her I don't know what would have happened., '1 am very happy with my volunteer- we are a great match, and my Facilitator is amazing the way she keeps in touch and checks all is ok. 'HavingJenny visit me has made a huge. huge difference to my life. We have really made a great friendship and she helps me with lots of little things that would be big problems if it werenl for her. She helps me fill out forms, rings to see if I need any shoppin& drops in my prescriptions and takes me to the dentist which is a great help. The greatest thing is knowing'she's there. for me,. Page 9 Buckinghamshi ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Befriending Plus case study.. Mr5 P wa5 referred into the Befriending Service by the Community Occupotionoj Theropy Service (OTJ. OurAreo Focilitotor. Amt7nda, visited her ot herbungolowfor a home ossessment, where she hod lived alonefor over 20 yeors since her husbt7nd died. Mrs P hod a number of complex heolth problems She had experienced o recentfall, WGS on u number of medicotions and had regular visitsfrom o district nurse. Mrs P also appeared to struggle with short term memory loss. Mrs P has nofamily support. Although she tries to remain independent and has declined vorious offers of support, Mrs P Was Starting to stmggle ond was relying on a couple offriends to shopfor her. She mentioned financial WDrrie5, and although She hos o smoll omount of sovings feft this was reducing rapidly. Mrs P is unable to Use public tron5POrt and hu5 to use taxis to get to medicol appointments or to the bank. Amondo discussed the possible eligibilityfvrAttendance Allowance with Mrs P, who t7greed to be referred to our Welfore Benefits teom. Amonda camed out o joint V151t with our Welfare Benefits Officer. Jill. ond completed the opplication. This was o long ond cornplex proce55 a5 Mrs P did notfind it easy to exploin or odmit to some of the struggles She wos hcjving and become confused during the vislt. However. with the patience ond encouragement of the team. this was completed ond processed. ond Mr5 P was awarded the benefit, worth over £]￿ a week. We were able tofind o volunteer to support ond befriend Mrs P, called PhiTI. Phil, hos o keen interest in history ond enjoy5 hearing oll Mr5 P'5 memorie5from her life in Hunoory. They get on very well and he is able to support Mrs P to understand the correspondence she receives weekty. This helps prevent any build-up of confusion t7nd worry and onxiety. Having Phil visit weekly also enables US to monitorhow Mrs P 15. a5 she is becoming more vulnerable ond morefroil. Tackling Loneliness and Isolation - BOOST (Befriending & Outreach Older Persons Support Servi rf)ST O,....., FUND Explore and connect with your community This service is funded by the National Lottery and began in October 2022 and has. as its focus. the support of older people who may be experienang loneliness and isolation to reconnect with people. activities, clubs and activities in their local communities. The service offers a range of interventions in order to meet the variety of need we see in this service, from light touch information and guidan￿. to targeted volunteer delivered support to source and attend meaningful activitie5. Our contact on B005T lasts for up to six months and works towards independence and sustainable activities for our clients. We have supported hundreds of clients to reconnert with their community through the BOOST service, through a small staff team of three and 16 volunteers. who give their valuable time to support clients to attend new groups and reach out locally- this can include attending groups with them. helping with transport routes and trialling bus routes. Page 10 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES BOOSTfeedbock.. We complete monitoring focusing on well-being at regular intervals in order to chart proBre5s. Over a six- month period. we were able to complete monitoring with 16 clients with the following results= I have felt lonely I have felt physically well I have had an activity to take part in when I choose 75% improvement 27% improvement 82% improvement Clientfredback on the service.. Would you recommend the service to others? Are you happy with the support from the BOOSTservice? Do you know more about the local community? Has BOOST support made a difference? loo% 95% loo% BOOSTcose study." Mrs G wos refrrred to us by herdoughter. Mr5 6 lives ajone ond hos o diognosis of Alzheimer's she attends a dementio sociol group on o Monday but spends most of the week alone at home. Previously Mr5 G w05 0 very social lady ondstruggles with vorying levels of loneline55 throughout the week. She lives in o heovily residential areu, with little community-bosed octiViTties on offer locolty. She is unable to drive or use public tmnsport. due to her rnernory issues. She ideolly wonted to build relt7tion5hips Wlth neighbOU￿ ond people who live locolly. as thi5 15 the Sort of community spiritshe missesfrom where she used to live previou5fy. During her home assessment, it wus brought to our attentffon thot she used to attend a Ioct71 church coffee morning, but stopped ottending due to a chonge of location which mode it hardfvr her to sociulise within thot setting. Our Outreuch Worker got in contuct with the Wicor. ond we a55igned a volunteer to take G to the coffee morningfor a period of 3 weeks. Although initially hesitant. Mrs G wos willing to try the new location again. with the support of her volunteer. This wos o tremendous succe55. Mr5 G had built up greot relationships with the members of the group, many of which lived on her rood and were her neighboU￿. The volunteer wos oble to set Mrs G up with afew different optionsfor tronsport, including the activity leader offering to pick herup ond drop heroff. This olso led to o member in the group befriending Mr5 G ond ottending o locol choir with her weekly. which she reolly enjoys GS she loves to sing. Thi5 hos led Mrs G to be completely self-sufficient within a month of intervention. We check in with Mrs G to ensure she is Still attendin9 the group5 now thut she is attending on her own and without the support of our volunteer- a Jew months on she is Still attendino ond loves to joke about how busy her social schedule is. Inforniation and Advice There is a rising demand for this free information and advice service. Our trained Information and Advice team answers enquiries on all matters related to issues impacting on older people, and has a bespoke resource base of referral and signposting data which supports their work. Thi5 team acts as the front door to the charity. receiving telephone, email and website enquiries. as well as referrals for all our services. We work in a holistic and diagnostic Way. Spending time on each enquiry so we eel to the core of the client's issues. Our enquiries are increasingly complex, with multiple needs that take rn0￿ than one call to support. and that could often benefit from sustained low-level advocacy. Sitting behind this demand is the broader context post-covid, with many older adults still remerging from extended isolation or lockdown, havinE suffered with bereavement. lost contact with local groups and communities and a shift in confidence and social skills, and health de-conditioned as a result of their world 8ettine smaller. Pagell ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES In addition, the cost-of-living crisis and inflationary pressure has seen many beneficiaries wary of spending, and still making tough choices about their discretionary spend (if they have any) on low. fixed incomes. which narrows their options and activities. Finally, we would also highlight accessibility issues for older people regarding forms, processes and administration. which is often moving online or does not support sensory loss they may be experiencing. Age UK national recently released a new report called 'Offline and Overlooked- Digital Exclusion and it5 impact on older people, (March 2024} which highlights some telling 5tats- for example, 34Yo of over 75s nationally in 2022 had not used the internet (ever. or within the last 3 months). This rising demand and additional complexity have seen significdnt year on year increases in referrals and clients accessing services. Numbers of contacts is rising even higher. suggesting more complex cases requiring multiple contacts to satisfactorily support a client with their query and issues. During this period, we had 3,332 contacts with dients. Clientfeedback.. We carry out regular feedback on completion of each query as appropriate. In the period we received feedback from 62 clients reporting the following= Satisfied with our service 97% Felt listened to and understood itNJ% Found our service helpful 89% Took up the informationladvice offered Would recommend us to others 98% '1 am extremely grateful for someone listening to my concerns and not making me feel like l am being unreasonable. 'You were very approachable, helpful and informative. Made everything very easy and accessible., Information andAdvice cose studies.. F rong our Informotion and Advice team to get transport to Stoke Mt7ndeviJle H05Pltal to visit her husbond. who hadlollen unwell. Our Information & Advice Otricer. Steph. shared details of the local neighbourhood tronsport scheme ond throu9h o diognostic opproach. estoblished thot Mrs F's husbond is her main carer. She 5uffersfrom diobetes. chn?nic kidney diseose ond neuropothy and was not only concerned Gbout her husbond in hospital but olso how she 15 going to cope without his core (Jt home. Steph discussed contocting Bucks Adult Sociol Care team to request on assessment of needs os well a5 signposting to Corers Bucks. Steph contocted Mrs F a week later, who wasfeeling more positive. having spoken to adult sociol care ond hoving received o visitfrom the rapid response team who hod implemented o short-term packoge of care. She hod olso contocted Carerfs Bucks who hod been very supportive ond given her50me invaluable advice. The community tran5POrt scheme wos also able to offer tronsport to visit her husbond in hospitol. At this time Mrs F's husbond was still in hospitolso Steph offered anotherfollow up coll thefoljowing week. During the subsequentfollow up coll, Mrs F wos ogoinfeeling onxious ond low in mood os her husband had been diagnosed with bowel concer. Steph gave some informotion obout the Age UKSilverfine phone line and the Buck5 Mind Befriending Service that could help provide emotional 5UPPOrt. Annual Wort 202&2W24kn C(xx*m &th￿￿$hI81r*l￿ c￿￿￿*r113942& Cth)wayr•Mtw71011￿. Page 12 Bucknnghamshi ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Steph colled Mrs F thefollowing week and she was very pleased that her husbond wos now homefrom hospital. She 5Gid She would really like to have some time out of the house to give hersome respite and change of scene. and Steph introduced her to Age UK Bucks, 800STseNice, whiTch focuses on supporting olderpeople to identify and try out 50cioI opportunitie5 in their locol orea. Our BOOST team ore now looking at what artivities she would like to ty. ond how She may achieve thi5 whi15t coringfor her husband. Mr L rong one of our Information & Advice officers, Lomu, as he was very confused ubout his Council Tax bill. He pays his council tox via direct debit monthly but had received a letter to soy that itha5 not been paid. Mr L Wos very worried ond confused. Lorna initiolly called the Council Tox helpline to See if she could offersome infomiation to Mr L L75 to why he has received this letter. Unfortunately. they could not share any detoils regording MrL with the advisorfor confidentiality reason5. Lorno then contocted the librory service to ascertoin if Wycombe Library offer any customerSe￿Icefoce tofoce appointmentsforcouncil related issues. She was odvised that if Mr L ottends the County OJIice at High Wycombe, they have o newfoce tofoce wolk in seTV1￿. Loma called Mr L with this infvnnotion ond gave him the doys tTnd times when the council tax advisors Lvill be in ottendance. ond Mr L ogreed he would go. Lorna called Mr L bock (7 week loter tofollow up on the infvrn?otion odvice he wos given. He was more thon thrilled to exploin that after visiting the CouncilAccess point the issue was resolved. Not only did he not owe any poyment5for hi5 council tax but he w05 credited £I4￿fOr overpoyment. MrL sold thi5 hos token oway oll the worry he had been experienang around the issue ond is so pleosed he called us. Financlal Instabllity- Welfare Beneffts Service Our Welfare Benefit5 Service has been in high demand this year for both accessible information on benefits and eligibility for older people, and for support with the completion of benefits claim forms, largely via volunteer delivered home visits. We therefore sought funding to expand this service and as a result were able to recruit an additional Welfare Benefrt5 Officer role and inciea5e our number of home visiting volunteers. from 18 to 23. "W"e continue to offer support on a range of tienefits- mainlyAttendance Allowance but also Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payrnent. and Carers Allowance- and maintain Alternative Office status via the Department of Work and Pensions. This means we are able to keep benefit claim forms at the office and take these out on home visits and all our volunteers are Nominated Agents for the DWP, meaning they can verify documents without our clients having to send them off in the post. In this period, the team have supported older people in Bucks to secure £2,383,074.25 in annualised benefit5- a 49% increase on last year. This is an amazing achievement and makes such a difference to our clients. Wefjore Benefit5feedbock.' In the period we received feedback from 232 dients reporting the following- Satisfied with our service Had fewer money worries Felt they gained financially Would have been unable to manaEe the application without our help 97Y. 68% 91% nuBI Re[￿rt2￿￿￿4 Crrfwn as￿ IM( Ch¥tyrffJm￿ 11394rJ. Ciry*y rxmber 71011&5. Page 13 REPORT OF THE TRU5fEES Welfare Benefits cose study." Mrs H telephoned our Welfare Benefits teorn to oskfor help. Mrs H struggles with a number of heolth condition5 including Atriol Fibrillt7tion. ArthriTtIs. Neurop(Jthy ond type 2 Diobetes. Mrs H sold she used to be o nurse and nowfeels guilty that she connot help herself onymore. She exploined thot the orthritis is in her Shoulde￿ and spine make5 It difficuftfor her to bathe including hoving o shower, so she is only able to stond at the sink to wosh t7nd thi5 takes some time and leaves herfeeling exhausted. Mrs H has Neuropathy in herfretresulting in little to nofeeling in them. This leads to poorbalance, so she needs to Use a walking stick in the home and two wolking sticks when outside. Mrs H had 17 bodfoll in 2021 ond has not recoveredfrom this. Mrs H explained that. when her5ymptoms ore bod. she becomes very dizzy, is unable to get to out olbed ond d(￿5 not want to get dressed. Mrs H told our Welfore Benefits Officer. Sue. that She had tried to ask herfomily to help. however they live at o great distonce (Americo Gnd Surrey) so does not have onyone neorby. We were able to ollocate Mrs H s cose to one of our Weffore Benefit home visiting voluntee￿. Paul, who visited her at home to a55e55 her circumstonces and complete the claimform. This wa5 0 lengthy proces5, taking over 3 hours to complete thefvmi due to the ronqe of heofth conditions Mr5 H wos living with. Poul 0150 Spent the tffme encouroging Mr5 H to explain how hercondition5 affected herdiry-to-doy life in Some detail and, at times this wos chollenging ond upsettingfvr MT5 H. The core infinding Out more obout Mrs H's chollenges meont her cloimforAttendance Allowonce wos successful. 50 she received the higher rote ond on o￿Or5 poyment of£2.4L￿. Thie equotes to an annualised income of £7,691 including the arreor Thi5 is what Mrs H had to soy.. The volunteer who visfted was very helpful, myfvith that he could help wa5 50 comforting. Unfortunately. rny heolth conditions hove worsened over time ond this meons hospitol visits to London H05Pltol ot£150for toxi with nofomity close. The benefit I now receive will help with this.. The Hospital Discharge Support Service We continue to deliver this Servi￿ in collaboration with our sep4ice partner Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent. on behalf of Buckin8hamshire Council. The )ervI￿ was launched in April 2022 and we are now into a third year of the contract. Our Hospital Discharge team provide caring and friendly transport home rf a patient is struggling to find timely options. and helps them settled back into their home. We a150 have a Community Support service that supports any Buck5 resident returninE home from a hospital stay. for up to 6 six weeks. ensuring their home and circumstances are safe and comfortable and that they can cope with being back at home with housekeepin& shopping and other support. In the period this service was reviewed by Healthwatch Bucks, with very positive findings and some helpful recommendations. After interviewing clients. they found that Age UK Bucks staff and volunteers treated them with respect and kindnes5. During the period. HDSS supported 1.706 clients. broken down as follows= H05Pltal discharge from Stoke Mandeville and Wexham Park 1287 clients Community Support after a hospital stay 419 clients R4A%t202&2024￿ CcrtÉm UK&x*w¥**thè. Ch¥tyr•mtwfj139421 n￿t￿710119s. Pagc 14 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRusfEES Hospital Discharye Support SeNlcefredbock.. We seek feedback from clients on completion of an intervention. In this period, we gained 370 responses- Oo you feel you have received a good service? I feel I was given the right support for me Yes 91% Yes 78% Hospltal Dischorge ond Communitysupport C4￿ Studies." Woqor helped Mr S home after li0i5ing with the hosPltaldi5chorge team. On arrival home, Mr 5 said there was o problem with hi5 gos ond electric. He hod no food ond no working phone. WL7qur phoned Mr S'5 doughter to see ifshe w05 aware he hod returnedfrom hospital. which she wos not. Mr S'5 daughter gave Waqor details of the issue5 With the gas and electric. It tronspired that that there had been a power cut before Mrs went into h05Pltol which damoged the ga5 and electnc meter. He had elertric and gas but the boiler was not working. Waqar called Eon who Said Mrs's electric would not run outond Offonged o date vio Woqor with Mrs to come out and instoll a smort meterfor gos and electric. Woqorput Mrs's mobile phone on charge and ensured this was working. Waqor informed Mrs's doughter there wos nofood andshe orrongedfor an Uber delivery which would last until the weekend. This delivery arrived while Wt7qor wa5 Still at the house 50 he helped put this away. The doughtersoid thotshe will organise ofvrther shop when she visits ot the weekend- she lives in London 50 Some distance GWOY. Mr S had o core package of corers three times a doy who prepored meols. At Mr S's request, Wooor mode o referml onto our Weffare 8enefits service ond Community Support service the following duy. Mrsx After a h05Pltol stay. Mr5 X. who Jives on her own with nofamify. was struggling to manage her domestic tosks ond shopping due to incre05edfotigue ond decreased rnobility. Our Community Support team called Mrs X. who saidshe was independent and coping but at the moment wos not able to keep herflot tidy. She was obje to make her bed but with extreme difficulty- taking her loundry to the communal laundry mom would be o struggle ond everyd(Jy tasks were toking much longer to do than usual. We discu55ed eligibilityforAttendonce Allowance ond Mrs Xsaidshe would also like to applyfor a blue badge. She said she would need help tofill in the paperwork as her vision 15 poor. A home a55e55ment VlSlt wos camed out ot which the teom membercompleted a refvffal to Age UK Buck5, Welfare Benefrt5 seNiceforsupport with Attendonce Allowance. The teom member was olso oble to give Mrs Xsome optionsfor5UPPOrt with the blue bod9e opplicotion and 09reedshort term support vio one of the Service's volunteersfor 5UPPOrt with household tasks. As oursllPPOrt continued. Mrs Xexpressed concem obout how she would monoge once our intervention had finished. One of the team contacted X to discuss o number of option5for PersonolAssistont support which, olthough a chorged service, meant thot Mrs X could get the help she needed to maintain her living environment ond her independence. Mrs X wos very pleosed to hove o potentiolsolution to on issue which was of greot concern to her. Page 15 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Independence at Home- Home Services Older people in Bucks needing support in the home have a host of options that can be bewildering. Asking for a service provider to come into your home is a quite an undertakin& especially if the need has been instigated by a change in circumstance5 like losing a loved one, experiencing an illness or becoming less mobile. To make the process of choosing a provider and agreeing a price easier and more reassurin& we offer Home Services- which sees Age UK Bucks refer clients to selfemployed agents whom we have double reference2024 AG* CoK*m B￿￿$hI8 tr*JrKJ85 148 UK 11391￿. n￿ber71011 Pagc 20 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRusfEE5 Fundraising and our reserves In 2021 our then Trustees approved the creation of a Designated Strateeic Development Fund of c.£515,000, a sizeable proportion of a generous legacy received in 2019. Its purpose was to support AEe UK Bucks become fully sustainable in the future, to build resilience, capacily and capability whi15t continuing to deliver and grc>w seNices to older people in Bucks. At the end of this period this fund totals £130,480, and sits alongside our other designated re5errfes for winding up and pension liability. With thi5 reserve and our undesignated free reserves, we continue to step up with services and support post- covid and during the cost of living crisis, delivering support for more older people and expanding our servi￿5 and capacity- And we continue to invest in charity infrastructure. capacity and capability to achieve a sustainable long-terrn organisation that does justice to the needs of older people across Bucks. In this period, we continued this progress by building our fundraising capability and capacity. recruiting a new community engagement and fundraising role. In 2023124 we delivered a deficit performance of c.-£217,024, which was better than the planned budget as we performed slightly better on income in the year. We currently plan to deliver another significant deficit in 2024125 of c.-£150k, and in subsequent years planned deficits will fall in size year on year until we reach breakeven heading into 2027. Th next few years then, will see all free reserves {not including winding up reserves and historic pension liability for which provision has already been made) reduce to dose to zero, and will signal the completion of the development phase and a period of significant deliveryfor older people in the county. To deliver this plan and ensure full 5Ustsinability in the future, Age UK Bucks needs to grow income from all suitable sources to meet our rising income budget targets, and to continue to support a fast-8rowin8 older Bucks dernographic. STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT I staff have formal quarterly support and supervision meetings in addition to ongoing informal support from a line manager. In the period we were also able to ensure a full round of annual appraisals were conducted. using a new appraisal format and process based on our objectives as a charity- All new staff land volunteers) receive induction training, including for safeguardin& followed by training that is specific to the particular service for which they work. Training is usually provided in-house by the relevant sen4ice managers150me of whom have professional training or teaching backgrounds), or extemally via courses offered locally by statutory or other voluntary bodies. We also access training programmes delivered by the Age UK national body, or external organisations and professional bodies a5 appropriate. RECRUITMENT, AppoIKfMENT AND TRAINING OF TRusfEES Our Trustee Board was unchanged in the year, consisting of seven trustees who attend Board quarterly and two Committees: Finance and Resources Committee and Perfonmance and Service Planning Committee. Our aim is to add to the Board with two or three More trustees. focusing on incorne and fundraising skills and lived experience of caring and volunteering. knILa R8kut 202>2024P48 tr•* a5Agg UKBwkWon*& Ct*tyruntrM 11394rd. Cryrpaiy NThW71011¥. Page21 ageuK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES A prospective Trustee is invited to submit their CV or complete an application fomi, often via an external Trustee advert, and, if considered suitable, is invited to an interview wrth the Chairperson and one other Trustee. We also build in a chance forthe prospective and newtrustees to spend some time with the Chief Executive Officer. Trustees are usually recruited with a particular skill in mind that is needed on the Board. and we are 3150 3ware of the need to ensure the Board is diverse of background and experience. During this process the prospertive Trustee receives a written role description- general information on the dutie5 of a trustee,. Charity Commission infomiation- a copy of the latest Report and Accounts; the Business Plan and a New Trustee Handbook. The new trustee is also signposted to relevant websites and articles regarding the role of charity governance. Additionally, the trustee is required to sign a Register of Interests and to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring se￿ICe check along with signing relevant paperwork for company's house and the charity commission. Prior to each Board Meeting all Trustees receive written reports from the management team. The Chief Executive and senior management attend Board Meetings, of which there were four during this financial year, and a further 8 Committee meetings. Training and information sessions for Trustees are also offered by Age UK. All Board members receive safeguarding training. FL￿uRE PLANS Going forward, we intend to continue implementing a transformation programme aimed at maximising Age UK Buck's impact for older people in the county: BecornÈ a sustainable charity in the longer term Ensure the highest quality of delivery and impact Raise our profile and influence so older people's voices and needs are represented and heard We'll do thi5 by- Continuingto oversee the embedding of a new strategic direttion forthe charity. which will see Age UK Bucks build its knowledge. skills and partnerships to help older people manaEe the ageing process proactively and effectively Monitor and mitigate risks and adheren￿ to policies Build the skills, capacity and diversity of the Boaid and the team Work with the Age UK network and partners Supportthedevelopment of tools, systems andprocessesto build incomegenerating capacity andskills and manage our existing ser¥ice5 at 'full cost recovery. Support the development of appropriate partnerships. collaborations and joint working Investing our Strategic Development Fund resewve at the appropriate levels to see change happen Page 22 BKknngham5hire REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FINANCE cOMME￿ARy In the year to March 31 2024. trustees agreed continued investment in the infrastructure, capability and capacity of the charity, using our Strategic Development Fund reserve and free reseNes to fund a deficit of £217,024. This deficit has been driven by the desire to'step up, for older people in Bucks as we continue to see need and demands driven bythe long shadow of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis- subsidi5ing seNice with reserves to ensure we are there for people when they most need our support. We also significantly re-organised our finance function in the period. transferring to the Xero accounting system, partnering with local accountancy firm Numbers Ltd for financtal management and reporting services. and moving to automated process where possible. This has improved our financial systems and controls at a time when discipline on costs and income, and full cost recovery. is crucial. In the period, our income totalled £693,969. an increase of £61.21)) on the previous year, while our expenditure rose by £104,362 to £910,993. The total designated reserves now total £391.79112023 £542.193} with unrestricted free reserves at the year- end of £130,650. Restricted funds totalled £13.713 (2023 £68.0501. These resen4es will aid us on our journey to financial sustainability, funding another 3 years of deficits {which decreases year on yearl until we achieve break￿en in 2028. Amual Repyt ￿2¥2tr24￿ Bi*slYetrthJ a5fv4p ￿x￿￿$hy•. ClwlyrNrntw 1139423. Ccffjpaiy r¥JTtw7101195. Page 23 STATEMENT OF TRusfEES' RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom GenerallyAccepted Accounting Prartice). Company law require5 the Trustees to prepare financialstatements foreach financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting poliaes and then apply them consistently: observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the finanaal Statements; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accurary at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustee's report has been prepared in accordance with the special provision5 relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. ON BEHALF.QF ARD.. Mr ssell JP- Ir Page 24 ageuK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT Independent examlner's report to the tWU5tees of A8e Concern Bueklnghamshlre {'the Companv) I report to the charity trustee5 on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. Respon51blllties and ba515 of report As the charity'5 trts5tees of thc Company (arFd also its directors for the purp05e5 of cornpany lawl you are responsible for the preparation ofthe accounts in acCordan￿With the requirements of the Companies Act 2(Ki6 {'the 2006 Act'l. Having satisfied myself that the accounts ofthe Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of ihe Charities Act 20111.the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examinatlon I have followed the Direttions given by the Charity Commission under Section 14515) Ibl of the 2011 Art. Independent examiner's statement &nte your charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to My attention in connettion with the examination giving me cause to believe= accounting records were not kept in respert of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or the accounts do not accord with those records- or the accounts do not comply wlth the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view whtch 15 not 3 matter considered as part of an independent examination.. or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and prinaples of the Statement of Recommended Prèrtice for accounting ond reportlng by charltie5 lapplicable to Ch3riti￿ preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin8 Stand3rd applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102)). I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drèwn in this report in order to enable o proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mirlam Hickson FCA Jacob tsvenagh & Skeet Chartered Aecountants 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SMI 2SW Pa8e 25 ageuK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcrivrriES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 UnrestrKted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2024 Total Funds 2024 Unrestricted Re5trirted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 2023 2023 Notes Income from: Donations and legacies Investment Income 40,663 5,684 40.663 5,684 45,636 955 5,931 51,567 955 Charitable activities: Grants & Controcts 69 647 622 527 818 580 247 Total Income li Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities 36,712 36,712 29,491 29.491 777 Total Expenditure 93 17 74 io 127 976 678 655 806 631 Net Income/lexpenditure> 23.234 1240.2581 {217,0241 (28,9561 1144,906} {173,8621 Transfer between funds 17 (185,921) 185,921 {212,9561 212,956 Other recognised gains and losses: Actuarial loss on defined benefit sthemes 15 Net movement in funds 1178,195) (54337) 1232,5321 1262,1291 68.050 1194,0791 Total funds as at l April 2023 76 686 962 765 Funds as at 31 March 2024 Anr￿al R¥AY1202>2024 Age C¢￿8M P(* UK￿￿￿0￿£￿1*. 1139421 Cc4np¥y rvJnb8r 7101195. Page 26 ageuK BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 Total Fund5 2023 Total Funds Note Fixed Assets Tangible Assets li 7,456 20,760 Current Assets Debtors Investments Cash at bank and in hand 12 13 71,248 82,796 410 775 564,819 117,311 80,955 593 724 791,990 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 14 121 Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Llabllftles 536,154 768,686 Defined benefit scheme liability 16 Net Assets Funds Restricted Funds Designated Strategic Development Fund reserve Designated winding up reserve Designated Pension Fund reserve Unrestricted Funds (free reserves) 17 13,713 130,480 144,484 116,827 130 650 68,050 260.960 148,898 132,335 15 443 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its finanaal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companie5 Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies. Annual ReFA)I202&2tr24 as ￿ UK 1129Ql rDAv7101195. Page 27 .•4 Bud(inghamshire ageuK These Financial Statements were approved bythe Board of Trustees on: and were signed on its behalf by: MrSRus Mr A Bailey-Treas Annual Rwt?0￿2o24 85*• 1139421 CL¥llFWy tunber 7101195. Pagc 28 ageuK CASH FLOW STATEMENT AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Cash (used inl/provided by operating activities {186.4431 1266.2711 Cash flows from investing activities: Add Interest/lnvestment Income Add Sale of Investments Less Purchase of Investments Less Purchase of Fixed Assets 955 49.045 11.841) 349 Cash provlded by Investing Athitse5 Cash flows from financing actl¥ltles Repayment of borrowing Cash (used in) financin8 actlvitles Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the year (182,949) 1222.8151 Cash and cash equivalent5 35 at l April 2023 593 724 816 539 Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March 2024 593 724 Reconclliatlon of net movement in funds to cash used in operating activities: Z024 2023 Net movement in funds (232.5321 1194,0791 Add back depreciation charge Deduct interest income shown in investing activities Decrea5e/ lincreasel in debtors Increase/ Idecreasel in creditors 13,653 {5.6841 46,063 17,943) 10.608 19551 1100,7311 18,886 Net cash (used in)/provided by operatlng actlvltles nual Repjt 202>2024 B￿*￿￿sh￿etr&knA UKs￿￿*￿￿EhH￿ CJ*tyruntw 1139423. 7101195. Page 29 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Convention The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows= Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements of the charitable company. which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Prattice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 {effective l January 20191,, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention presented in sterling and rounded to the nearest pound. Age Concern Buckinghamshire trading as Age UK Buckinghamshire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. It is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales with registered office at 145 Meadowcroft. Aylesbury. HP19 9HH. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Finanaal Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it 15 probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliablv. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure 35 soon as there is a legal Dr construrtive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals ba515 and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost relaled to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Other trading artivities All costs that are associated with generating intome from all sources other than undertaking tharitable attivities. Charitable Activities Includes all direct Costs of the Charitable activities together with those support costs incurred that enable these activities to be undertaken, as well as Governance costs, which comprise all costs relating to the public accountability of the charity and its Complian￿ with regulation and good practice. The cost includes expenses relating to the statutory audit. Termination benefits Included in the accounts were statutory staff redundancy costs of £13.305 which were paid in the year. P¥M)ual R8Wrt 202>2024 Cwm &5P4b LK ciwty rvJ*L*1139421 cL￿p￿ry 7101195. Page 30 Buc￿r￿arn5hlre ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Tangible fixed assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Office Improvements Office equipment Leasehold property 25% on cost 25% on tost 5% on cost Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestritted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restrirted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. Reserve Funds A Designated Reserves Fund of £144,484 is maintained to cover statutory expenditure in the event of closure of the Charity and to comply with the recommendations of the Charity Commission. A further Designated Strategic Reserve Development Fund was established to meet the strategic needs of the Charity, and £260.960 was brought forward. £130,480 was released, leaving a balance of £130.480. Operating leases Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Going concern Management and the Trustees regularly review forecasts of income, expenditure and cash flows. The assumptions undertying the budget and forecasts are challenged and tested to establish the Itkelihood of a range of possible outcomes including reasonable cash flow sensitivities. The expected figures are monitored against actual outcomes and variances are highlighted, analysed and discussed at Management and Board level. Over this financial period and going into 2024125, the Trustees have been able to approve a significant deficit budget, reflecting healthy reserves. the need to step up and deliver services at a time of critical need for older adults, and the desire to invest in the infrastructure of the organi5ation in order to build a sustainable lonBer- term future. With this context in mind, the Trustees have reviewed cash flow forecasts for the period to 31st March 2025 and considered cash flow requirements for this period for the purpose5 of approving these financial statements. The cash flow forecasts indicate that the Charity will be able to pay its debts 35 they fall due for the period until at least 31st December 2025. In the event that income does not hit the projected levels. Sufficient reserves are available to meet possible shortfalls for the foreseeable future. Penslons The Charity Participates in one defined contributions scheme (the Aee UK Pension plan) and is a participating employer in 3 defined benefits scheme (the Age UK Retirement Benefits Scheme). See Note 20 Amual Report CLyX￿n tsJivJ Ll( I￿¥ 1139421 C(fflparryrrtM￿ 71011￿. Page31 ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Debtors Trade debtors and other debtors are included at thesettlernent amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. Cash at bank and In hand Cash at bank and in hand indudes cash and short term hiehly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or les5 from the date of opening of the deposit. Creditors and provisions Creditors and provisions are recogni5ed where the Charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount. Flnancial instruments The Charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instrument5 are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Current asset investments Short term. highly liquid investments with a maturity of more than three Months are classified as current asset investments. They are recognised at Cost. Key Sour￿5 of estlmatlon. uncertainty and judgements The preparation of financial statements in conformily with generally accepted accounting practice requires management to make estimates and judgements that affeci the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The identified sources of estimation uncertainty duringthe year are: Assumptions used to value defined benefit pension liabilities Depreciation assumptions Realised value of legacies meeting probate valuation judgements Probability of specific legacy receipts matching policy assumption Page 32 ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMEpifs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2024 2023 Donations Legacie5 40,632 31 25,984 INVESTMENT INCOME 2024 2023 Deposit Account Interest INCOME FROM CHARITABLE AcnviTIE5 2024 2023 Information & Advice Commercial income IStatutory/local authority) Commercial income {Statutory/local authority) Commercial income (Statutoryllocal authority) and Grant income Commercial income (Statutoryllocal auihority) Commercial Income {Statutoryllocal authorTty) Income from charitable service Grant income Grant income Income from charitable service Grant Income 57,243 59,250 Befriending 72,559 87,050 Welfare Benefits 62,8 42,440 Hospital Discharge Service Age Friendly 206.944 220.543 31.998 39.906 Home Services Walking Football BOOST National Lottery Bl55 Home Services The King Cullimore Charitable Trust Rothschild Charities Together Financial Insecurity Prog. Grant Income 38.679 5,OCM) 113,862 13.423 68,882 13.977 27.500 20.000 10,000 28,723 47 Page 33 ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES COSTS Dirett Management Office Premises 2024 2023 Information & Advice Befriending Welfare Benefits Hospital Discharge Service Walking Football BOOST National Lottery Age Friendly Bucks Sensory Service Charities Together Financral Insecurity Prog. Cost of Living Home Services Depreciation Admin Expense of Defined Benefit Scheme Governance Costs (Note 7) 61.382 112.687 63.406 192.741 6.376 107.921 14.827 36,026 33.264 20,027 49.699 4.083 10.341 4.377 13.977 3.430 3.166 1.911 4.896 3,531 3,261 1,961 5.042 104,369 152,378 87,305 252.378 10.459 120,835 20.050 13,977 78,561 190,468 31,522 283,854 5.000 61.344 1.016 417 1.557 429 13,423 21,241 28,596 13,653 6.270 27.198 597 2,589 615 2,665 28,723 61,048 13.653 73,038 10,607 2.000 27.323 7.106 7.106 631936 205 262 874 281 Management costs are allocated on a time spent basis and other costs are allocated proportional to the direct costs for each activity. RAISING FUNDS 2024 2023 Fundraising costs GOVERNANCE COSTS 2024 2023 Trustees, insurance Adwsory fees Independent examiner costs Audit costs Annual Account5 fee 874 18,809 2,500 7,640 INCOMING/OitrGOING RESOURCES 2024 2023 Depreciation- owned assets Hire of plant and machinery Other operating leases 13.653 2.971 10.607 1.835 Page 34 ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TRusfEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFtrs There were no Trustees, remuneration or other beneffts for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 Marth 2023. Trustees, expense5 There were no trustees, expenses paid fortheyearended 31 March 2024 norfor the year ended 31 March 2023. 10. STAFF COSTS 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Annual Leave outstanding Employer's National Insuran Employers Pension Redundancy Other pension costs 589,657 517.524 7,320 6,875 37.697 29.258 27,991 19,932 13.305 The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 2024 2023 Information and Advice Befriending Scheme Hospital Discharge Servi Other- Welfare Benefits. Home Services. BOOST CEO/Management/Administration li li li 39 35 No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. Page 35 .J Buckinghamshire ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ii. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Leasehold Property Office Off ice Equipment Improvements Total Cost As at I, April 2023 Additions 125,860 15,990 349 13,096 154,946 349 At 31" March 2024 125 860 155 295 De reciation As at I" April 2023 Charge for the year 118,038 8,589 7,559 134,186 At 31" March 2024 124 332 147 839 Net Book Value 31" March 2024 &28 2263 $7 31 March 2023 7,4QLa 531aQ76Q 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Prepayments Other debtors 3,310 5,247 112 064 IL7.21 13. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS 2024 2023 Cambridge & Counties Bank 8Q.9&& 14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE LESS THAN ONE YEAR 20Z4 2023 Trade creditors Accruals Other creditors Taxation and social security 6,750 15,816 3,209 33,086 121 Annu¥1 Rtrport 2023-2024 Ayo Concern Buckinghamsh￿e ira0￿9 as Age UK Bwkinohamshire. charity nLthber 1139423 Company n￿ber 7101195 Page 36 .? Buckinghamshire ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Is, OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENT5 The total of minimum future payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows.. 2024 2023 Within one year After or¢e year but within five years After five years 13,661 2,383 2,464 2,848 16. DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION SCHEME LIABILITY 2024 2023 Carrying amount at I" April 2023 Nel interest expense and administration cost Actuarial gain/loss in the year Gain/loss on scheme assets Change in the effect of the asset ceilin8 Paid in year 2,000 16,000 3,000 13,0001 2,000 189,000 1158,0001 Iii.0001 Carrying amount at 3 1" March 2024 Annual Report 2023-2024 Age Con¢em Buckngham5hwe Ira¢iny 8$ Age UK Buchingh•mskMre Charity nvmoer 113942ts Company nLThbor 7101195 Page i7 Buckinghamshire ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At l April 2023 Movement Transfer At 31 March In Funds Between 2024 Funds Unrestricted Funds General Free reserves Designated Strategic Development reserve Designated Pension Fund Reserve Designated winding up reserve 158,443 260,960 132,335 148 898 23,234 15 1,0271 130,650 1130,4801 130,480 116,827 144 484 115,5081 700 636 185 921 522 441 Restricted Funds Befriending Welfare Benefits Hospital Discharge Service Walking Football BOOST National Lotterv Cost Of Living Home Services Information and Advice Age Friendly Bucks Programme BISS Charities Together Financial Insecurities Programme 179,8191 124,4151 145,4341 13,4591 151,9531 79,819 8,318 45,434 3,459 16,097 51,953 147,1261 11,948 47,126 1,765 13,713 68,050 1240,2581 185,921 13,713 TOTAL FUNDS 232 536 1&4 Transfers have been made between the general fund and the designated reserves to arrive at the a ppropriate closing balances. Transfers have been made between the general fund and the restricted funds where the expenditure on the project exceeded the restricted income received. Annwl ft8p￿ 2023-2024 Age C￿CeM 8LKhiDgfhamshiro irading as Age UK BuckinoNgm$hire Charrty number 1139423. C(mpany fjumbFr 7101195 Paoe 38 Buckinghamshire ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Income Expenditure Gains and Movement L055es In Fund5 Unrestricted Funds General fund Designated Pension Fund Reserve 116,253 193,0191 23,234 116,253 193,0191 115,5081 7,726 Restricted Fund5 Befriending Welfare Benefits Hospital Discharge Service Walking Football BOOST National Lottery Cost Of Living Home Service5 Snformation and Advice Age Friendly Bucks Programme BISS Charities Together Financial Insecurities Programme 72,559 62,890 206,944 7,000 68,882 27,500 57,243 31,998 13,977 1152,3781 187,3051 1252,3781 110,4591 1120,8351 127,5001 1104,3691 120,0501 113,9771 179,8191 124,4151 145,4341 13,4591 151,9531 147,1261 11,948 28,723 128,7231 577,716 1817,9741 1240,2581 TOTAL FUNDS -fj93 969_ {21Q,993)_￿￿.L￿2I2.,S32L At l April 2022 Movement Transfer In Funds between Funds Gains and losses At 31 March 2023 Unrestricted Funds General Free reserves Designated Strategic Oevelopment reserve Designated Pension Fu nd Reserve Designated winding up reserve 249,398 426,960 IS2,S52 133 855 128,9561 161,9991 1166,0001 158,443 260,96Q 132,335 148 898 120,2171 962,765 128,9561 1212,9561 120,2171 700,636 Restricted Funds 1144,9061 212,956 68,050 TOTAL FUNDS 17 76 Annual Reporn 202>2024 Age Concern Bvthinohamshire irading ¥5 Age UK Buckingh¥msnYg ¢h4rily nufflber 1139423 Company number 7101195 Paoe i9 Buckin9hamshi ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 18. NET ASSETS BY FUND As at 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Creditors.. amou rnts falling due With in one year Interfund 7,456 536,087 7,456 564,819 28,732 121,1021 115,0191 136,1211 &4 As at 31 March 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Fixed Assets Cu rrent Assets Creditors,. amounts falling due Within one year Interfund 20,760 681,925 20,760 791,991 110,066 141,0641 107 066 13,0001 107 066 144,0641 554,5IL_ 19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES Age Concern Buckinghamshire enters into support and other activities with Age UK Iformerly A8e Concern England). However, in the opinion of the Trustees these are not Strictly related party transactions under SORP. There are no transactions with related parties which require disclosure. The total benefits for key management personnel in the year were £57,75012023 £58,94 11 20. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTIES The Charity 15 governed and controlled by the Members. 21. PENSION The current actuarial deficit on the pension scheme, as detailed in Note 15, is nil, but following the Triennial Valuation of the scheme carried out on behalf of the Pension Fund Trustees and negotiations between the trustees and all of the participating employers our required deficit payments into the scheme are £19,069 each year, such payment5 to continue for a period of 13 years from l April 2017. The total of the remaining payments over the coming years amounts to £116,827. As in previous years, the Trustee5 have considered it prudent to establish a designated reserve equivalent to the difference between these amounts thereby setting aside reserves to cover the current gr055 liabilitv. Annual Report 2023-202d Aod Concern a￿￿￿9Th￿rnShwe iradvB a$Agè UK Buckingn8msh*e Charity numbei 1139423. Clynpany nL¥nber 7101195 Patse 40 .? Buckin9hamshi ageuK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 22. PENSION SCHEME Changes to the present value of the defined beneflt obllgation during the year 2024 £'0005 328 16 2023 £'OOOs 491 13 11581 1181 Opening defined benefit obligation Interesl expense Actuarial lgainslllosses on Scheme liabilities Net benefits paid out Past Service Costs Closing defined benefit obligations 1161 .328_ Changes to the fair value of Scheme assets durlng the year £'OOOs 350 16 1161 18 1161 121 £'OOOs 524 13 11891 22 1181 121 Opening fair value of Scheme assets Interest income on scheme assets Gainlllossl on scheme a55ets Contributions by the Employer Net benefits paid out Administration costs incurred Closing fair value of scheme assets Reconcillatlon of funded status to Balance Sheet £'OOOs 350 13311 19 £'OOOs 350 13281 22 Fair Value of assets Present value of funded defined benefit obli8ations Unrecognised asset Liability recognised on balance sheet Scheme asset allocation Equities Diversified growth fund Property Gilts and Bonds Cash 2024 % 14.5 2023 % 13.4 63.7 13.0 70.2 Annual Report 202>2024 Age Concem Burkingh8mshYe trading 88 Age UK BuGkingMmshire Chaiily number I13￿23 ¢crfnpaw nvmber 7101195. 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