Charity Registration No. 1139470 Company Registration No. 07216053 IEngland and Wal8$1 AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEE} TRUSTEES. REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Tru8t•&8 Martin Burke Ralph Chapman Laura Mucha Rebecca Haywood Paula Kirkland IResign8d 04 July 20251 John Merchant Russell Shingles (Resigned 10 January 20251 Carys Wfilliams Ichairl Patron Baroness Cumbedege of Newick, CBE hief Exo¢utlv¢ & Se¢retsry Steve Haré Charlty number 1139470 Company number 07216053 R&g18tsrèd office & Principal addr888 54 Cliffe High Street Lewe5 E8st Sussex BN7 2AN Auditors TC Group The Courtyard Shoreham Road Upper Beeding Sleyning West Sussex BN44 3TN Main bankers Cafcash LlmSted National Westminster Bank plc PO Box 2421 11 High Street Lewes East Sussex West Malling Kent ME19 4TA BN7 2UJ AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI CONTENTS Page Ttustees, report Statement of trust88s' r85ponsibililies 10 Report of the Ind8p8ndenl Auditors Consolidated statement ol financial acliwt 15 Consolidated balanc8 sheet 16 Charity balance sheet 17 Consolidated cash flow ststemenl 18 Notes to the a¢count8 19 AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees of Age Concern East Sussex present their report togetherwith the audited consolidated financial ststsmenls for the y88r ended 31 March 2025. Thg Charity. The Charity's purpo58 88 $8t out in ils Art￿188 of As8OCi8tion is lo promote th8 relief of older pètrp￿ in 2ny mannerwhi¢h is or hereafter may be deeme(I lo be Gharilablg in and around the county of East Sussex. Ils Vision is that East Suss8x 18 2 gre21 place to grow 0￿er. Ils Mi8sion is lo enhante the quality of later life for People in East Su55ex by.. working with people in later lif8 to identrfy and respond effectively lo their expressed needs and aspirations. representing people in later life. promoting a positive image of later life. being a 5UStainable charity and 8QCi818nt8tPri88. collaborating with others. Public bènèfit. I charitable undertakings focus on enhancing the quality of latsr lif8 in and around East Sussex and are solely to further the charitable purposes for public benefit. Trustees consider how planned activities will ¢onliibule lo the aims and objective5 they have set. The Charity Commission's g6ner81 guidance on public b&nefil has been referred lo when reviewing aims and objectives. and in planning future adivity. The people the Charity is trying to halp, 8nd its main 8clivitK9s are describ8d b&low. Ensurlng dellvery. The Charity's a9ieed Vision, Mission and Strategic Aim guided its obj6cIIv8s for the year. 2024125 saw the Charity deliver IhÈ first year of its five-year strategy lo 2029. This focused on strengthening the Charity's impact and resilience in face of on-going C081-of-Living and Cosl-of Care crises. The importance of this aim was heightened by increased demand arTrd complexity of need amongst older p8ople1ocally. There was 8180 on- going uncertainty and risk in the Charily's oporaling Ènvironment. The Charity delivered several objectives based on its agreed Delivery Plans i.e.. People.. Infrastructure,. Incom& G&neralion. It taok a n8cessarily fiexible approach In delwering these ané tnainlained vigilantr in relation to risk management. Risk was treated 88 a live issue 1.8., il was under continual moniloring. 8valualion and mitigation. Performance and delivery were reviewed in the Directorate team on a weekly basi5. During the year the Charity'8 Oireclorate and Manag&ment Teams co-designed and ag￿e￿ Key Perfomiance IndiGalor5. These were used to help drive operational planning and delivery. Who benefited? Charitable objects and funding limit the services and a¢tivilies provided by the Chgrity lo older people in and around East Sussex Iwilh some flexibilily regarding benefiuaries pravidÈd care purpose is achieved). Census data and Office for Nstional Statistics population projections show that the proportion of the county's population over pensionable ag$ 1$ 26.5%1142.453 peopb aged over65 in 20211. This is substantially higher than th8 Tegional and national averages of 19.80A and 18.7% respecliv81y. The Gharity'$ locus. The main obj&cliv8s for the year have been the promotion of independence. Ghoice, and ¢ontrol for people in later life ofl8n within the context of the on-going Co81-of-LNing and Cosl-of-care crisas.. the challénging ol age discrimination. loneliness and ptsverty.. and the promotion of healthier life5tyJes. The strategie5 the Charity used to rneet these objectives induded.. providing a range ol ¢04esigned services which a￿ a￿ssIble, person-centred and reflect relevant quality standards. exerting influence through partnership working and lobbying on issue5 that affect the quality of later life. representing people in later life al a variety of heallh, social care and economic committees, neiworks, and forums. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 developing effective partnerships with older people and organisalions inlerast8d in improving theirqualily of Seryices In further3￿￿ of its objects,'lo promote the relief of older people in any manner which now is or hereafter may be deemed by law lo be charitable in and around the county of East Susse￿, the main a￿aS of chari18ble service delivered were.. informolion and adviea. ducing lonelin8SS. preventalwe health projects and services. post-h05Pital di%harge SUPPDrt. Ouring 2024125 23,850 older people were record8d a8 being directly supported through atcessing these services. There were 62,924 recorded episodes of ca￿. This Continues the dramatic increase in demand and Complexity of need Ihe Charity has been ￿sPOndIng lo attoss all its services over the last three year5 of the Cost-of Living and Cost-of-care crises. Theff has been a notable impact arising ffom the Charity's12unching of serVI￿S from IhÈ IsabÈl Blackman Cantre and from effeclive triaging by thè Charity's cuslom&r services team in face of growing numbers of okler p8opI8 reaching ovl lo the Charity. Client numb&ts were 8,986 in 2022123 and 15.513 in 2023124 i.e., there has been a 266°K increase in cltents over three years. Episodes of care were 51,806 in 2022123 and 55.397 in 23124 which equates lo a 29'A In¢rease ovar this period. Information and advlce. The Charity's accredited Information and Advice Service prowdes free, ¢onfidential, ind&p8ndent. and imparti41 support for people in later life acros5 East Sussex, enabling Choi￿ and control. The￿ were 8,963 dienls and 11.979 episodes of support. Amongst the s8Nic8's achievernents in the yearwere.. 3022 Clients triaged and immediately responded lo requ6sls for Simple informatitsn and signposting by cuslorner service Colleagues 2462 clienls triaged by customer Se1￿ce colleagues and referred trj th6 8etvice's advisor5 lor advi￿. guidall￿ and casewotk support. Supporting 3955 older peopl8 lo obtain unclaimed benefits and achieving £486,081.96 in 5ucee5sful new Welfa￿ benefit claims. Partnering with East Sussex County Council and distributing £125 Household Support Fund grants to 498 otder people in severe financial hardship1£62,2501 to 5UPPOrt with Ihé cost of eneroy. food, and othei essÈnlials. Delivering a Warm Homes programme in partnership with Age UK and Energise Sussex Coast targeting 0￿er people in or al risk of fuel poverty. Providing support such as benefi18 checks, Smart meters. and access lo granls for energy saving mea5ure5 10 159 ¢lienl$- delivering 326 episodes of support and achieving £105,240 in finanual savings. 85 scams prevention presentations and 1830 allending clients. Suttessfully rÈcov8ring over£130,000 In money scammed from 321 older p&ople locally. Securing funding through Age UK'5 MO￿ Money foryou programme, to support 690 ¢lh?nts with Benefit checks foi the next 2 years. Overall satisfa¢tion was 1000A. Clients reported the service had en8b￿d them lo maintain or improve their. rinancial situation1I00%1, independence and Control, and he8llh195%1, and a¢¢ess to olherservices173%1. 1.2-3 Telephonè Befrianding. The 1-2-3 tÈ1Èphone befriending setvice provides lime-bound Ilypically 6-monthsl volunteer befriending support. CIEnls ale supported to become more connected to local people. sÈrvices and resources. The Charily's serwce coordinalor rÈcruils, trains and supports volunteers, overseeing and supporting befriending relationships in IhÈir progres8ion and outcome achievement. The approach enables 5uslainabilily by allowing other, new, cIKgnts to be 5UPPQrted once an existing relattonship is concluded. Sustainability can also be AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 a¢h￿Ved by the servlo hawing helped llurture genuin8 fri8nd8hips which are then transitioned away from coordination by the Charity's Service and Sustain themselves independently. A total of 56 clients were supported in 2024125 and there were 1008 8pisodes of car8. Satisfaction was 1000 Clients raportad maintained or improv8d outcomes including a¢ttss to other services1100VknI, so￿al Relationshlps and Independell￿ & control162%1, and daily activities ISO%1. Isabel Blackman Centre. H8Stings. 2024125 was the second full operating year of the Charity's management and delivery of service5, events 8nd aclimlies from the Isabel Blad(man Centre. This further slr6nglh8ned ils position a$ a vital community asset for olderpeople and others in aDd around Haslings. Over811 IBC'S activity and impact was enhan¢ed during 2024125. Glienl number5 increased to 8,730 lup from 5,012 In the previou5 yearl. Membership increased from 926 members in 2023124 to 1,320 in 2024125. There were 22,477 episodes ol care ¢ompared lo 18,358 previously. Th8re wer8 Several developments and improvements during the year including.. Partnering with Care for the Carers to eslabli8h an innovative exercise dass targeted at carers. Working with NHS Sussex lo promote 115 2024125 vaccination programm8. Launching bookable one-to-one s&ssions with the Cenlre's gym inslru¢lor. Redu￿￿ a¢livily session non-allendance rates and wailing list nurnbers through the introduction of reminder emailltexl messages. Enhanced opportunity to 8OC481ise at the waekend through the12un¢hina of a Sunday lunch service. Extensive building environmental Improvement works including new healin9 and water sy818ms, windows and solar panels significantly imprtrving environmental impact and resulliiig in substantial savings on Satisfaction was 98%. Clients reported maintained or improved outcotnes including social relationship5, daily clivilie5, mobility and wellb8ing, ind8pendenc8 and conlrol1100%1, financial silualion194%1 and health188%1. Soclol Proscribing. The Charity's so￿al PresGribing Serwca supports pat￿ntS from GP 8urg8ri&s in the Lewes. Ud(fi81d. Crowborough, and Havens localities. enabling them to navigate their way around local health, Social care, and volvntary sector s8Nices. Ils aims are to increase the wellbeing and Confiden￿ of patients land their caiersl who may have ￿MpleX physical need5 8nd who are isolated or at risk of Social isolation. It targets those who are making heavier than expected demands on primary care Services for non-clinical support, reducing demand on the lime of GPS, other h8allh professionals and out of hours SeN1r￿S. for social and non-¢lini¢al matters. 2024125 saw continuad rising demand and ¢omplexity of need. A totsl of 1166 clients We￿ supported. and Ihere were 16,700 epi50de5 of care. Satisfaction was 98.S¢A. 96% of the clients felt they had been listened to and treated as an individual. 81% fell they had been fully involv8d in d8Ci8ions about Iheir car8 and support. Clients reported mainlain8d or improved outcome$ including a¢¢ess to olher setvices185%1, heallh164%1, independence and conlrol157%1. daily acliviti88156%1, and social relationships146%1. Ag8 UK East Su888x and Macmillan Cancer SupporL The Cancer Support Service was first estsblished in April 2015. 115UPPQrts older people expeiiencing cancer and provides tsilored piaclical and emotional support. It helps them lo remain independent in their own hames afler diagnosis andlor whilst gtsing through their Can￿rIOumey. It also enables Ih8m lo comple18 their cancer Irealmenl. Macmillan'5 changing priorities and funding approach meant the Charity was required to undertake a managed ¢losure Of the service- whi151 a150 working with Macmi118n to develop a new cancer information hub support offer Idetsiled b8lowl. 2024125 was therefore thè SeN1￿,$ final year. and il closed on 31)1 December 2024. Prior lo Ihi5. 120 clients were supported and Ih6r8 were 1440 episodes of ¢are. Satisfaction wa5 100%. Clients reported mainlainÈd or improved outcomes including access lo other services11000AI, social relationships184%1 health176%1, independenc8 and control leO%I, and daily aGtivilies153%1. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Macmlllan Cancèr Informatlon Hub. The Charity's Suc￿sSful record of partnering with Macmillan 18d to it being asked in November 2024 to lake OV8r the hAacmillan Cancer Information Hub project al short noti￿. M¢bilisalion included th& Charity collaborating with ils VCSE partners lo ¢o-lo¢ate the seNi¢e within the town's Haslings Heart Community Information Hub. 1121$0 built a significant library of r88ourc88 COV8ring everything from living with cancer to how to acc8ss fin8ncial 8UPPOrt. Delivery is via a drop in facilily which commenced in April 2025 and runs Ihrae days a week. Hèalthy Llvlng Clubs. Thè Charity provided on￿Oing informal support and advice lo Healthy Living Clubs in Hampden Park, Rye, Polegale, Sidley and Ha51iTrg5, and to a Walking Football club. These had previou81y been set up by the Charity to provide a warm and welcoming setting for people 2g&d 50+ where they can develop friendships and be more physically active. The airn is lo improve health among51 those older people most al risk of leading unhealthy lifestyles andloi experiencing greatest health inequality. Over lime the Charity trained-up volunteers from the group'5 membership so that each club is now largely run by their members. There was support to individual club leaders regarding their club's d8V8lopment and, where required. individual Clubs, members were supported lo re-6ngage with these. 140 tnernbers were provided with inlomal contact and advice, and there were 4500 support sessions. Salisfa¢lion was lOQ%. Take Home and Settle. The Take Home and SÈtllÈ service enables $8fe and lime1y discharge where olheFwise clients who are keen and fil to ￿tUrn home would be d&lay8d. Clients are supported to ensur& they are properly discharged from hospital e.g. with appropiiale care plans in pla￿. The seNi¢e also enables much n88ded hospital b￿S lo be freed up. The Charity dÈliv&red seven days a weÈk support 2nd worked with a lolal of 1,998 clients in 2024125, with 1,998 episodes of care. Satisfaction was 100QA. Clien15 reported maintained or improved out¢omes including llldependen￿ and conlrol147%1, acce5S to other servi¢e$145%1. heallh139%1. daily 8Ctivities139%1 and so￿al ielalion5hips128%1. Health partner's satisfaction was also 100%. Bed Moving and Deep Cleanlng. Working in partnership wilh the NHS. Adult Social Care, and others to support old8r peopl8 returning home fram hospita1. the Charity continued its flexible and largeled delivery of bed moving and deep cleaning support, this support responds to referra15 Whe￿ clients are unabl& lo b& discharged from hospital du8 lo the slate of their house. A lolal ol 134 clients were support8d in 2024125 and Ih8r8 were 134 episodes of care. Client salisfaclion was 100% and 100% of cli8nls reported maintained or improved Independen￿ and control. House clearallce. The Charity'5 house dearan¢e servlce supports older p80ple, their famity, carers and others. It creates space, disposes of unwanted items, recycles unwanted or unneeded piece5, and assists with down-sizing li.e., by preparing a property for sale or C￿all￿g properties including garages and shedsl.11 operate$ from the Charity'8 Newhaven and Easlbourne Horne storesldepots. As well as providing praclicAI and logislieal support, evidence deady demonslrales that donating items in support of the Charily'5 work helps people feel beller. This can, for Èxample, help alleviate a sen8e of Ioss, stress or discomfort when moving home or disposing of items with 8enliMental valu& following bere8vemenl. Additional benefils of the service are that this ciealed opportunities for volunleerino. employment and skills training for locAI p80ple. 2,543 clienlslhome collections were undertaken11545 in Newhaven and 998 in Easlbournel, equating to 2,688 support s&ssions. Satisfaction was 99.7PA. Clients reported maintained or improved outcomes including independence and conlrol198.5%1, daily a¢liwties198%1 and heallh178%1. The Charlty's structure. Age Concern East Suss8X IS 8n independent and autonomous charity wth tharily and company numbers. 11 raises its own fund5 Ihiough s¢cial enteFprise. trading. charity shops. grant appliealions, donations, legaae5, and gift aid. The Charity also contracts ￿th statutory agenci8s for specific 5etvice provi510ll. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX Ua AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Governance. Founded in 1948 and a regisler8d charity sinc* 1973, the Charity Incorporated as a char￿able Company Limited by Gu8rantee in April 2010. It retsined the le981 name Age Conc6rn East Sussex, and its oparating natne is Agg LJK East Sussex. The Boar(I consists 01 up to ten trusleeslcompany directors who are individual members and not rapresenlab'ves fmm Olher organisations. The Charity's Chairwas recruited in December 2022 followng a Board-led open rectuitment campaign and took up office in March 2023. Trustees are recruited to the Charity for their specialist knowledge andlor Ih8ir interest in irnproving later life. In accordance with 115 desire lo be led by older peop￿. the Charity specifies that at least 75% (rounded to the nearest whole number) of the lolal number ttf Tru5tee5 must be aged over fifty. The Trustees are the only full members 1.8., with voting rights 81 GpnEral Meetings. ThÈre are named Board Champions for Safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion IEDII. New tfustees receive an induction frorn the Chair and Chief Execulwe and have a comprehensive briefing regarding Charity Ctsmmission guidance on Ihe re5ponsibililies of trustees. There is an agreed Trustee Conlli¢t of Interest and Loyalty policy and a Codg of Conduct. The8& were refreshed during the year. Trusle8s are briefed annually as to the Charity Commission'5 general guidance on public benefit and complete an annual regi818r of interests. Kgy Governance tasks for the year included the dev8lopm&nt of the Charity's rel8tion8hip with (the national charity) Age UK and the network of c115 independent local alder people's chaiilies each with a 5irnilar brand and netwark agrÉÈmÈntwilh Age UK as the national Gharity. Further engagernent with national Age UK officers and Chi8f Executives and truste8s from olh8r local Age UKS took place regarding a Shared Strategy and the lerrns of a new Nelwork Agreement. The Charity's Board held an Extraordinary General Meeting in Novemb&r 2024 to consider these in greater detail. In ils December 2024 Genèral M&eling trustees cansidered the Charity's Chief ExecutiV8's recommendation to formalty sign up to th888 this was approved. The Charity's Vision slates that'Eas1 Sussex is a great place lo grow olderf. 2024125 saw the first year of the B02rd's five-year strategy to 2029. The slrateaic aim is"We will strengthen our impact and resiliÈntÈ.' The Board 88t th8 Ch81ity'8 OV8r811 aims and objectives. 11 meets in General Meetings a minimum of six times a year. In November 2024 an Extraordinary General Meeting wa5 held to give additional attention to the Charity's financial Suslainabilily and to conskler Senior managamenl proposal$ in Support of this. Tw$tee$ agreed these. Management is delegated lo the Chief Ex8culive, and Dir8clorat8 and managem8nt teams. Each year the Chair of the 8oaid conducts an Annu81 Appraisal of the Charity's Chief Executive. The Appraisal report is signed by Ihe Chair of Trustees and Chief E)reculive and 1$ countersigned by the Vi¢e-Chair. There is a Finance and Remuneration Commillee whose responsibilities include IhÈ drafting of budge￿ and scrutiny of financial performance and control. Refreshed Terms of R&feienc8 w8re approved by the Board in 2024. The Committee played a key role in Tnonitoring and mitigating the on-going finall￿al risks the Cherily fa￿d during the year. Ils activity includ&d suuliny of the Charity's cashflow position. bank accoun15. income generation strategy deliv8ry, commissioning opportunities and grant applications. Committee memb8r8 led Financial and Risk Management development sessions forwider Iruslee5 in the Board's February 2025 Away Day. further slrenglhening their understanding and p8rformance regarding their role on the Board. Other notable developments induded the 8oard salting out ils strategic decision-making approach regarding financial support lo $ervi¢e$ and early development a¢liwty focused on SUC￿$S1on planning. On an annual basis. aligned to IhÈ budgÈt-sÈlling limÉtablÈ. therè is an Èxtènded meeting lo make recommendations for salaries including senior management r8muneralion. This adh&res io the Charity's Pay Policy and the five principles of good pay-selling described in the Association of Chief Executs'ves ofvolunt8ry Organisalions Th& Good Pay Guide for Charities and Social Enterpriqes Association. i,e.. 1. Tran8parency lover how pay is set). 2. Proportionality Iso that pay is fair and consistent). 3. Pertormance Iso that pay properly reflÈcls IhÈ contribulions that employees make to theirorganisatlonl. 4. Recruilmenl and retention (pay is sufficient lo keep valued staff within the organisationl. 5. Process (pay 15 deaily Sel accoiding lo appropiiale procedur8s aTrd poliae51. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 R18k The trustees have examined the major risks to whi¢h the Charity is exposed, and systems have been e51abli5hed to manage those risks. A risk regi8t8r is in plac8. This 15 a live document and is formally updated 8t least quarlerty by the Directorate team and at least twice yearly by Iruslees. New areas of major risk andlor significant changes in risk a￿ ￿ptsrt8d lo Iruslee$ in Board me8lings land where necessary outside of these). Each area ol risk has identified miligaling stral8gi88, 8ySt8ms, procedures and named responsibiliti&s as appropriate. Major risk factors in¢lude'. Excessive andlor unm88tabl8 demand- demographic Irendslaging population, and the Cosl-of-Livino and Cost-of-care crises leading to excessive demands on the Charily's servi¢eslaclivilie$. Mitigation actions for this include iesponsive delivery. fundraising, and ¢ollaboralion with p8rtn8rs. 2. Financial Sustainability- Under-perfomance in Fundraising18.g., Intens& competition for grant funding, lower prÈvalence for public donations due to economic uncertainly). Miligali¢n act￿n$ for this include an 8gre8d Incom& G&neration 51ialegy and taking a 51renglhs-based approach to fundraising. 3. Financial Sustainability- Underperfom)ance in Ir8ding and 80cial enlery)rise le.g., Cost-ol-Liwng crisis. hesitant customar b8haviourl. Mitigation actions for this include Business and Operations Director leading delivery. sales 8nd marketing activity, and Finance and Inlraslru¢lure Director scrutiny. Financial review During 2024125 total incoming resources increased by 12.96% when compared lo the prevlous year. The chaiity is reporting an increase in income from ils charitable activiti88 in th& year by 3.13%132.72% in 20241 and an incr8as8 in incorne from trading activities of 66.19%. The charity continues to receive voluntsry income by way of donations andlegac￿3 forwhich we are extremely grateful. These increased by 4.34% from the previous year. With ongoing public spending austerity and rising demand for the ¢harity'$ services from older people locally the Board of Iruslees continue lo pursue 115 sliategy lorfinanclal sustainability Ihrough inv&slm8nt in th8 diversification 8nd growth in non-51alutory incotne. Investment in Soual enterprise solution8 and voluntary income continue8 8nd trustees ensuie Performan￿ in tems of impa¢l and retum on investment K5 effective. Total exp8nditure has increased by 7.09%. Reserves It is the policy olAge UK East Su8sex to Maintain unre51rrcted funds in resetve5 in order lo lake into account the unp￿dIctablI1ty of future funding and income slre8ms. The approach used to ¢alculate the tsrgel level of re5etves is base¢J on risk assessment of future r&quiremenls. As al March 2025 the total unrestri¢led reserves amounted lo £1,233,07812024 £1,282,866). The Board of Irus1888 see it prudent lo rnainlain an ag￿e￿ level of reserves to ensure cashflow of the organisalion and that the work of Age UK East Sussex continues Into th& future. Securing alternative funding and creating Sustainability takes time and resources and it is Important that these reserve levels ara m8intsined. The Board of Iruslees review the need for reserves through the budget selling and monitoring proc888 10 ensure Ihat they meet that ch8rity's changing needs and Circumstan￿5. From these freÈ reserves, design81ed lunds are se¢ aside for the following.. Providing conting&ncy costs in the event of the charily being unabl& to Lperate. Funds set aside lo tneel future capitsl investmen181commilments. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 At the balan￿ sheet dale, the balance of des19naled funds for the contingency totalled £260,00012024 £260,000). Frea reserves al 31 Mar¢h 2025 £751.87412024 £821,151). The organisalion n88ds lo build free re8erYes in order to ensure services are maintained in p&ri(xJs where funding is difficult. The ¢harity has a number of reslllGled fund5 which are to be used for 8peafic purposes as set by the donor or funder. The total rÈ8lritted funds at 31 March 2025 a￿ £44,04612024 £10,610). M8nagèm&nt A Chief Executive leads the strategic development and managem8nl of the Charity and represents the interests of older people in 8 vari8ty offorums and nO￿orkS. There are Di￿¢1¢rate and Management team5. Following an earfier Board decision, some additional senior managemanl capacity was 2dded in 2024125. Thi$ was particularly aimed al helping with furiher development at the Isabel Blackman Centre Key Managemanl achievemenls included.. CRM project progres5 induding slrenglhened consent and impact reporting processes. 2. Environmental Action plan progre8s and 8 33.75% reduction total carbon footprint from 205.57 Tons ol C02 In 2023124 10 135.81 Tons. 3. Slrengihened Senior Management representation of older people in the planning. design, and delivery of health and care servic88, and on issu88 that affect later life. 4. E8st Sus5eK VCSE Alliance commissioning collaboration to 8chi8V6 better outcomes for local people and communitk98 and support 88ctor su8tainability. The Charity continued to hold the ISO ￿01. Positive about Disability and Charity Quality Standard accreditstions. Quality is maintained through a range of methods e.g. cuslotner feedback. control ol policy doGumenls, Internal Auditing and Manag8ment M8etings. Each accredilalion held invelves external assessment. validating the Gharity's ¢ommilment lo quality Tnanagement and improvernent. The Charity's registered address 15 54 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, a building which also accommodates the Charity's shop which raises fijnds through the sale of donated goods. There are four further shop5 (Battle, Haslings, Bexhill, and Brighlonl and Iwo furniture stores (Newhaven and Easlboumel. The Chanly's retail continued its strong trading performano, despite the c05t-of-living crisis and the g8n8rally chall&nging operating environment, Its Faraday House soaal enlerpri$e. supported offic8 and conference facility, al80 had sliong trading performance during the year. Age UK East Su888x Trading Ltd is the Charity's wholly owned subsidiary ¢ompany. The prirnary actiwty 15 the supply of new goods to the Charity'5 retail actniity. Profit5 are donated to the Charity by Gift Aid. Volunteo15. Volunteers make an extraordinary Gonlribulion lo the Charity ané ils impael Those who give their time lo tha Charity's work bring a wealth of exper5en¢e. professional ski115. talent, and local knowledge and connedednes8. The enthusiasm and commitment these bring is infe¢tiou$ and humbling. Activity.. 1. Volunleer-involvement increased from 232 in 2023124 lo 402 in 2024125 Iwilh typically 290 at any one limel. 2. Estimated active volunteer hours increased from 57,875 hours in 2023124 10 101,870 hours in 2024125. 3. Focusing on reaching younger volunteers and those interested in volunteering in support ¢f their stud￿8 or career developmènt. Volunteers aged 16.24 were 3% of all volunteers in 2023r24 and this rose to 12.S4% in 2024125. 4. 10.42% of the Charity's volunleeis in 2024125 We￿ 89ed 65+18.39% in 2023141. This in and of itself brings unique public benefit and added value in achieving the aim of being led by older people. 5. 92'A reported Ihal they would recommend volunteering with the Charity lo friends or family. Taking a cmdÈ calculation based on the Government's 2024125 National Living Wage rate of £11.44 par hour, thi5 equates to £1,26S.392 which is not r8flected in the accounis. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Future. Coming years wll continue to b& difficult for many older people in East Sussex. The C051-of-Living and Cosl-of Care Crises ar8 on-going, they continue to be al risk of experiencing loneliness, and the SeNi￿S they rely on are increasingFy finanaally challengéd. The Charity's external environment remains uncertain, fin8ncially challenging and risky. Significant uph8aval within ils slalulory partners is likely because of Devolution, Local Government Reform 8nd changes lo Su5sex'5 Integrated Care Board. The Chaiity's Curffjnt Soual Prescribing contract with NHS Sussex end8 In March 2026. The specifica￿an for a competitive lÈnder for this service will be published in July 2025 2nd a decision iegarding the successful provider is expected mid-Noverllber 2025. The Charity has b88n preparing for this commissioning for some month8. 1118 known that this tendprwill ￿ highly compelilive, involving providers from the VCSE and Independent setlors, and from NHS providers. The Charity also had relal8d contrac15 with local Primary Care Networks. and it will seek to further develop these. Building on ￿1$ Board approval lo sign up lo the Ea51 Sussex VCSE Alliance's Equality Diversity and Indu$ion IEDII Charter. the Charily will 18ke foTward the dÈvÈlapment and impl&mentation of its EDI Strategy. The Charity will also kid¢ start Ils embracing investigating the polenlia1 benefits of Artificial Intelligen￿ 8nd Data Science on it5 work, initially working with speci81ist ad￿50[5 on this. The Charity's work lo improve ils environmental impael will also continue. The Chsiity's r¢le in and engagement with the Ea51 Sussex VCSE Alliance will b8 further 51ienglhened. Collaboration in relation to the Impact and Resilien¢e of VCSE org8nisation5 and groups supporting older people in East Sussex have a particular re50nan¢e for the Charily. One form this can lake is Ihe8e formally coming together through merger. The Charity is pragre88ing three such meiger disGus$ions end, in each case. il is the re￿IvIng Charity i.e., the other ¢harities assets and liabiliti88 will come into the Charity. If 8UCC6ssfully completsd. th8 coming together of these four loca5 Ea81 Sus8ex charitie5 will be orealèr than the Sum of the parts.11 will mean significant growth for the Charity. The Charity's Board and Management intend that these developments add lo the aitn of slrenglhening impact and resilien AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Iru81ee$, who are also the direclois of Age UK East Sussex for the pumo$e ol cornpany law, are respon3ibl8 for preparing the Trustees, Repori and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standard5 Iuniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Attounling Praclicel, including Finanual R8POrting Standard 102'The Finan¢ial Reporting Stsndard for the UK and R8public of Ireland.. Company law requires the Irustoes to prepare arLounts for each finan¢lal yearwhich give a true and fairv48w of the state of affairs of the ¢harity and of the incoming resources and appI￿3110n of ￿soUrCes, Including the incerne and expenditure, of the charitabl8 company for that year. In preparing thes8 accounts, the trustees are ￿quired to." selact sullablÈ a¢￿UntIng poli￿eS 8nd then apply them conskslenlly." ob5etve the methods and principles in the Charities, SORP.. make judgements and estimates that are ￿8&Onable and prudent,. and prepare the a¢counls on th& going concem basis unless it 18 inappropriate to presume th8t the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible forkeeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable acGuracy at any lime the financial position of the ¢harily and enable thern to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They ar8 also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence fortakirvJ reasonable Steps for the prevention and detection ol fraud and other irregularities. AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX Ua AGE UK EAST SUSSEX Oplnlon We have audited the finanaal stalernents of Age Con¢em East Sussex I'the charitable company'l and its subsidiary I'lhe graup'l for th8 year ended 31 March 2025 which tompri8e lh8 Slalemenl of Financial Activitie5, the Balan￿ Sheet. the Cashflow Stslement and notes lo Ihe finanual slat8menl8, including a summary of 5ignrficanl awounling policie8. The financial reporting fratnewotk that has been applied in their preparation 18 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Slandard5, including Financ4al Reporting Slandard 102 The Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Iunited Kingdom Generally Accepte￿ Accounting Practi￿1. In ouropinion, the finantyal stslementÉ'. give a true 8nd fairview ol the stste of the group's and the paienl charitable companys affair$ as al 31 March 2025 and ol ils Incoming resourc88 and application of iesourcos for th8 year then ended., have been properfy prepared in accordance with United Klngdom General￿ Actspted Accounting PraGlicÈ.' ar hav8 been p￿Pared in a¢¢ordance the requirements of Ihts Compan￿$ A¢t 2006. Ba$1$ for opinion We ¢onducled our audit in accordants with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those stsndards are further d&8cribed in the Auditols responsibilities for the audit af the financial statements seGli¢n ol our report. We are indap8ndenl of Ihe (tharitable company in accoidano with the ethical requir8rn8nts that are relevant lo our audilof tha finanual slalements in Ihe UK, including the FRC'S EthitrAI Standard, and th8 provi510ll5 available lor sm811 enlilies, and we have fulli118d our other ethical Rsponsibilities in accordan￿ with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence w8 have obtsined is 5uffi¢ienl and appropri81e lo provide a ba5isfor ouropinian. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have conduded that the Iiustee's use ofthe going concern basis of accounting In the preparation of the financial sl&lemenl$ is appropriat8. Based on the work we have perform8d. we have nol identified any material un(*rtainties relating lo events or conditions that. individually or colleclively, may cast signific2nt doubl on the group's ability lo continue as a goino ¢on¢em for a period of al least twelve months from when the financial slalements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilltles and the responsibilit￿5 of the trustee's with respect to going eoncem ale desuibed in the relevant sections of Ihis ieport. OthÈr Information The olher infonnalion rA)mprises the information Induded in the annual report, induding the Iwstees, report, olhÈr than thÈ finan￿81 statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Iru5tees are responsfole for Ihe other information. Our opinion on tha finall￿al 8lalernen15 cfoe5 not ¢over the other information and, eX￿pt lo th8 extent olherwse expli(xtly slated in our r6POrt, we do not express any form ol assurance conclusion thereon. io AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX In connection with ouraudit of the financial stslemenls, Our￿SPonSibl11ty is lo read the olherinformabon in doing so, considerwh8ther the other information is mate￿allY inconsislentwlh the finanaal statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or olhetWi5e appe8rs to be mat8rially misstatÈd. If we identify such material inconsisten¢ies or appa￿￿1 Mate￿al mi5Statements. we are required to detem)ine whether there is material misslalement in the financial statements or a material misslatemenl of Ihe other information. If. based on the work we have perfomied, we condude that there Is 4 material misststemenl of this 0th8r Information, we are required to report that fact. We h8ve rrt)Ihi￿ to report in this regard. Oplnions on othèr mattors prescrlbed by the Companies Act 2006 n our opinion. based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit.. e Inform4lion gnien in th8 Irvst8es' report. which uicludes Ihe director5, report prepared for the puwoses of cotTTrpany law, for the financial year forwhith the finan¢lal stslements are pr8par8d is COn51slentwith the financial statements,. and the direelors, report induded wllhin the twslees. report has been prepared in atrordance wth applicable legal requirements. Matt8f8 on vthich we are reyulred to report by exception In the light ofthe knowledge and understanding oflh8 cornpany and its 8nvironment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not ￿entffied material misstatements in the dir8Ctor&' report or the strategio report indudÈd within thé trustees, report. We have nothing to report in respect of the followng mallers in relation to which the Companies Ad 200e requirelsl us lo report to you if. in our opinion.. adaquate and proper a¢counbng ￿CordS have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been reeewed frorn branche5 not visited by us,. or thè fin2ntial statements are not in agreem8ntwlh the ac¢ounling re¢ord5 and returrJs'. or cÉrtain dis¢losures of tTUStees' remuneration sp&cif18d by law aré not made,, or we h3ve not received all the information 8nd explanat￿n$ we Rquire for our audit., or the trustees were not entit￿ to prepare the finanrial 51aternents in accord8nce Mrilh the small companies regime and take advantage of the small tompanies. exernplion5 in preparing the trustees, report and from the requirementto prepare a strategic report. R8sponsibilktie8 of trustses As 8xplained more fully in the Iwslee5' responsilililies statement, the Iruslees (who are also the directors of the charitable ￿MpanY for the putPOs85 of company lawl ar8 responslblè lor the preparation of the finan¢ial statements and for being satisfied that they gNe a true and fair view, and for such intern81 control s the Iiuslees determine 15 nec*ss8ry to enable Ihe preparabon of finanaal 518tements that 8r8 frea from material misstatement, whether due lo fraud or error. In preparing the financial statem8nts. the trustees are responsible for ass&ssing the ¢ompanYs ability to continue as a going concern. dis¢losin9, as applicable, mallers related lo going Con￿rn and using the going concern basis of aceounlino unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the company or lo oase OP8ralions, or have no realist￿aIlematI¥È but lo do 50. li AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX tla AGE UK EAST SUSSEX {LIMITED BY GUARANTEEI REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF AGE CONCERN EAST SUSSEX Ua AGE UK EAST SUSSEX Auditor's responsibilitiès for the audit of the financial statements Our objective5 ale to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the finanual str1￿ents a8 a whole are free from material misslatemenl, whetherdue lo fraud or error. 8nd to 155ue an audilorfs report that include8 our opinion. Reasonab18 assurance 15 a hHJh level of assurance, but is not a guaianlee that an a￿11 coTrducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI will always dele¢l a materi81 Misst8temenl when it exists. Misslalemenls can arise from fraud or errorand are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expe¢ted to influenrA tha economicdeasions of users tsken on the basis of these financial statements. Afurtherde$¢riplion ofaurresponsknilil￿s for Iheaudlt¢ftha financial statements is located on the Finan¢kg1 Reporting C¢unc41's website at.. wWw.fr&org.uklaudilors￿sponslb￿liIle8. This description forrns part of our auditors report. Irrègularities, including fraud, a￿ instances of nOn￿m￿lanCe with laws and regulations. The extent to whid) our procaduras ar8 capable of deteding Ir￿g￿la￿li&s, induding fraud, is detailed bel¢)w. Extsntto which tho audlt wa$ con8idered capab18 of detectlng Irrègularltles, Including fraud The objectives of our audit, in re5pe¢tta fraud. are.. to identify 8nd as5e5S the risks of materi81 mi8slalemenl of the financial stslemenls duÈ lo fraud.. lo obtain SuffI￿ent appropriate audit evidence regarding the a8sessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses., and to respond appropriately lo fmud or susp8Cted fraud identified during the audil. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud re5t5 with both those d)arged with govemance ol the entity and its management. Ourapproa¢h was as follows.. We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material efted on the financial statements from our general se¢l¢r experiene8, and through di5CUSsion with the Irustee5 and other management las required by auditing slandardsl, and discussed ￿1￿ the Iruslees and other management the poliaes and procedures regarding ¢omplianca with laws and regulations (see below)., We identified the following areas as those most lik8ly to have such an effect.. health and safety., Goneral Data Protection Regulalion IGDPRI.. fraud.. bribery and corruption, and Èmployment law. Auditing st8ndards limit the required audit procedures to id&ntify noN￿mpli8nce ￿th Ihe8e laws regulations lo enquiry of the ttuslee5 and olher management and Insp￿110￿ of iegulalory and legal correspondence, ifany. The identified actual or suspecl8d non-wmpliance w85 not sUffi¢w￿Y significant to our audit lo result in our response boing identified as a key audit matter. We eonsideied the legal and ￿gUlatOry frameworks directly applicable to the financial statements reporting framewark IFRS 102. the Comp8ni6sAct2006andthe CharibesAc120111 and the Elevant tax compliance regulatians in the UK.. We considered the nature of the groups oparatEons. the conlrol environment and financial perfomianee. We Communicated identified law5 and regulalions throughout our team and remained alert lo any indi¢alion8 of non-complian￿ throughout the audil.. We considered Ihe procedure5 and controls that Ihe group has 88tsblishe(f to address risks idenlrfied. or that Otherwise pravenl, deter and dete¢l fraud.. and how senior m8nagemenl monitors Ih05e prO￿￿re$ and cxjnlrols. Based on thi5 understanding we de8igned our audit pra￿dureS to identify non