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ANNUAL REPORT & IMPACT
STATEMENT 2023-2024


## **CONTENTS** 

**Foreword by Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard A message from the Chair of Trustees and Chief Executive Road Victims Trust Values Service Team Report and people supported** 

**Client Testimonials The work of an RVT Counsellor Continually Improving the Service Fundraising for RVT** 

**FRONT COVER:** 

**The Road Victims Trust holds a service of remembrance and hope to mark the World Day of Remembrance for all those who have lost their lives on the road globally.** 

**Pictured: Paul Cook (Chief Executive), Lyn Hesse (Chair of Trustees) and the Bedfordshire Police Cadets outside St Paul’s Church.** 




The Roads Victims Trust’s contribution is invaluable in helping to support those who have been affected by serious injury or death on our roads. 

The role of the RVT in supporting people through a horrific time is important. No other organisation offers this support, and the specialist counselling provided by the Trust. 

The RVT have been delivering this service in Bedfordshire for an incredible thirty years after they were founded by Clifton Ibbett following the tragic loss of two of his children in a collision in Bedfordshire in 1982. 

I would like to thank all their staff and volunteers for providing this vital service to the people of Bedfordshire and more widely. 

I am pleased that I am able to fund the Trust which I know is well regarded by those who have benefitted from its services. 

Our Road Safety strategy for Bedfordshire is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads but as long as there are serious and fatal collisions, the work of the Trust will sadly be needed. Therefore, I committed to continuing the partnership between the RVT and the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police Roads Policing Unit. 


John Tizard Police and Crime Commissioner of Bedfordshire 



**MESSAGE FROM CHAIR OF TRUSTEES AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE** 

## **OUR TRUSTEES** 

Lyn Hesse (Chair), Paul Jones, Robert Panton, Ian Pears, Tim Sharpe, Diane Stevens, Kevin Vincent & Rosaline Wong 

## **OUR STAFF** 

Paul Cook (Chief Executive), Sam Baker (Director of Operations), Sarah Jones (Clinical Lead), Lucy Hancock (Lead Coordinator), Janet Cantor (Senior Coordinator), Diana Joy (Senior Coordinator), Vicky Rankin (Coordinator), Sarika Shah (Administrator), Amy Barrett (Administrator), Terry Wilding (Treasurer) 



## **PATRONS AND ADVISORS** 

The Trust is able to call upon the services of a number of distinguished individuals for specialist advice and support: 

Susan Lousada HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire 

Robert Voss CBE CStJ HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire 

Lady Dannatt MBE HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk 

Lady Clare, Countess of Euston HM Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk 

Helen Nellis CVO CStJ Retired Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire 

Dr Tim Dalgleish MA, PhD, MSc, CPsychol, AMBPsS 

Lady Sue Acland 

Rt Revd Richard Atkinson OBE Bishop of Bedford 

Rt Revd Stephen Conway Bishop of Lincoln 

## Nick Dean 

Chief Constable Cambridgeshire Constabulary 

## Charlie Hall QPM 

Retired Chief Constable Hertfordshire Constabulary 

Tom Osborne HM Coroner Milton Keynes 

Dr Jo Barnes FHEA Transport Safety Research Centre 

Tanya Fosdick Research Director at Agilysis Limited 

## Andrew Hopkinson 

Chief Fire Officer at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service 

## Darryl Keen DL 

Retired Director of Community Protection and Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire 

**In 2023, a total of 1,624 people lost their lives on the roads of the United Kingdom, with nearly 30,000 left with serious and life-changing injuries. These figures mark a 5% decrease in road deaths compared to the previous year. The number of fatalities in 2023 is the lowest recorded, outside of years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The devastation caused by these collisions is immeasurable. Lives are lost in an instant, and countless more are irreversibly changed forever.** 

**Since 1994, the Road Victims Trust (RVT) has provided a professional, timely, and unconditional package of post-collision support to those affected by fatal and life-changing collisions. Through close partnerships with front-line Roads Policing and Family Liaison Officers, we receive referrals within 24 to 48 hours of a collision. This allows us to provide early intervention, offering support to individuals overwhelmed by the haze of trauma and despair. This pro-active, casemanaged and professional support extends to over 600 people each year across the areas in which we operate.** 

**At RVT, we firmly believe that the local commissioning of services—delivered by local people to local people—ensures the highest levels of post-collision support. Our case-managed approach, strengthened by a growing cohort of highly skilled professional counsellors who volunteer their time and expertise, makes a tangible difference. We help individuals at their lowest point move toward a place where they can begin to cope with their trauma and rebuild their lives.** 

**This vital work would not be possible without the support and understanding of so many within our communities. We are immensely grateful for the partnerships we have developed with Police Forces and Police and Crime Commissioners across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, who fund or have previously funded part of our services. We also value our collaborative relationships with Road Safety Partnerships, community groups, and associations that recognise the importance of our work. Our vision is that no human being should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision and our goal will always be to collaborate effectively to reduce the number of serious collisions on our roads, working with partners to deliver a Safe System approach that promotes a shared responsibility for road safety.** 

**Nationally, we are proud to work alongside the Department for Transport and other leading charities to amplify the victim’s voice. Together, we aim to shape the conversation and ensure a robust, quality package of support is available to all those who are affected across the UK.** 

**There is undoubtedly more work to be done, but we remain proud of our dedicated team and our cohort of over 65 volunteer counsellors who strive to bring hope to hundreds of people each year.** 

**Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported the RVT over the years. The continued belief in our service continues to make a life-changing difference.** 

Dr Jennifer Heath PhD, DClinPsy, MSc,BSc 

Lyn Hesse            Paul Cook **Chair of Trustees                                  Chief Executive** 



**ROAD VICTIMS TRUST VALUES** 


**The Road Victims Trust (RVT) is a registered charity (1142336) that operates across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to provide the following services to all residents of the five counties affected by fatal and lifechanging collisions:** 

**Regular weekly emotional and practical support for individuals and families for as long as it is useful. Space to express the whole range of feelings that come with the loss and horror following a fatal road collision. Time to discuss the repercussions of the collision that is a lifechanging event for all those involved. Information on the investigation, inquest and court hearings, and preparation and support for inquests and hearings.** 



## **SERVICE TEAM REPORT 01/04/2023 - 31/03/2024** 

During 2023/24, a dedicated team of 7 Coordinators have contacted 620 individuals who have been affected by the death or serious injury of someone on the roads of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Of these, 380 have accepted a level of our service – with 204 having one or more calls from an individual case manager providing emotional and practical support, and 176 have received free, regular weekly counselling sessions. We have also continued to support 104 people who continued to receive counselling from the previous year. 

The counselling is provided by either a Coordinator or Counselling Volunteer and is free to the client, and for as long as both the client and The Road Victims Trust (RVT) feel it is useful. This may range from a few weeks to a couple of years and will often remain an important part of the support through inquest or criminal court proceedings that may follow. 

This year we have provided input on Family Liaison Office training across the 5 counties. We love doing this as our relationship with the Police and their trust in us is key to being able to deliver the service. We have engaged with colleges and students to talk about how they might be able to work with us, and how we might support them to achieve their counselling qualification in an organisation that recognises the need to support counsellors physical and emotional wellbeing if they are to be fully available to work with their clients. 

During 2023/24, we ran two intensive (45 hours over 5 weeks) training courses for counsellors who are either senior trainees or qualified, who have the potential to become counselling volunteers with the RVT. The first was in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and the second in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.  From these courses we successfully recruited 15 new counselling volunteers who have now joined the team. 

All of our counselling volunteers receive a high level of support to ensure they are offering best practice, including 1:1 fortnightly or monthly clinical supervision and continuous professional development. Our counselling volunteers do a difficult but often rewarding job and we value their commitment and expertise which is at the core of what we do. 


Sarah Jones Clinical Service Lead 



## **Collision Referrals** 

During 2023/24, 225 Fatal or Serious Injury (SI) were referred to RVT. Each referral represents a collision that resulted in one or more individuals receiving life-changing injuries. The referral may therefore contain just one or several people wanting our service. This becomes apparent as we begin to make contact with all of those affected. 


The chart below shows the split between Fatal and Serious Injury collisions referred to us during this period 


## **Service Provision** 

The chart below shows the service delivery type accepted by county. 




The demographics of the clients taking the service this year is shown below. 



## **Accept/Decline by Ethnicity** 

|**line by Ethnicity**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Ethnicity**|**Accepted**|**Declined**|
|Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi|1|1|
|Asian or Asian British: Indian|3|3|
|Asian or Asian British: Pakistani|1|1|
|Asian: Other|4|4|
|Black or Black British: African|4|4|
|Black or Black British: Carribean|1|1|
|Black: Other|2|2|
|Mixed: Other|7|7|
|Mixed: White and Black African|1|1|
|Mixed: White and Black Carribean|1|1|
|Not Stated|24|30|
|Other: Any Other|1|1|
|Other: Arab|1|1|
|White: British|301|316|
|White: Irish|1|1|
|White: Other|26|27|





## **THE DIFFERENCE THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST MAKES - THEIR WORDS SAY IT ALL** 

**“(Case Manager) was lovely and explained everything fully. She was very empathetic and really helpful. There was a wait to be connected to a counsellor but she kept in touch through that time. I am so grateful for the help and support that I have received from RVT. (Counsellor) was amazing, she listened and really helped me work through everything that I was going through. I have experienced lots of loss and I had been carrying my grief like a heavy weight for years, I finally feel like it has been lifted from my shoulders and I feel lighter. (Counsellor) was brilliant, she really helped me to take control of my life and relationships, I now realise my own worth and that for me has been very empowering. feel like I have a strategy to cope for the future and I know what I can do if I have a relapse. Thank you so much!” (Emma McFarlane, Suffolk)** 

**“My counsellor was outstanding from start to finish across the 18 month period. As someone who was new to counselling she let me move through the process in my own time and was hugely supportive through all of this. I understand she is now moving on from the RVT but I would like to extend my upmost gratitude to both her and the RVT as a whole over the last 20 months.” (Harri Clarke, Cambridgeshire)** 

**“I wasn't put in contact with RVT due to bereavement, but due to my role as an FLO. I think it's quite often forgotten how difficult this role can be at times, and as well as the trauma of attending collision scenes, there is then the trauma experienced when dealing with the families. RVT were fantastic and (counsellor) really did help to pull me back out of a very dark hole, until finally opening up I didn't quite appreciate how affected I had become over the years of dealing with fatal collisions. I can't thank you enough.” (Jonathan Turner-Evans, Norfolk)** 

**“The support from (counsellor) and the wider RVT organisation has been amazing. After being plunged in a completely new and traumatic experience RVT was there from day one offering compassion and support. In my view, had they not been there from the very beginning then I believe my ability to cope with the situation would have been greatly diminished. I cannot begin to describe what an amazing and positive change your help has made to me and my family, you were there when we needed you most and I knew I could also always call the office should I need any further help. Thank you so much for everything and I will forever be grateful.” (J C, Cambridgeshire)** 

**“I would like to thank the service for the counselling my son received. It helped him, although he was a bit reluctant at first to talk. It is also reassuring to know that he can access the service again in the future should he need it.” (Parent of O M Cambridgeshire)** 

**“The support I received during counselling was crucial. Without it I would not have coped. Because of this counselling I have been able to move on with my life in a stronger and more positive way. I have a greater understanding of myself and a better ability to deal with life’s curve balls.”** 

**“RVT is an exceptional service. Specific and to the point when needed.” (Anon, Other County)** 

**(Susan Baker, Hertfordshire)** 


**“14 months of support given, helped every session. Helped to find me and my family our new normal after the tragedy. Working within the NHS gave me strategies in that situation but I do not feel I would be where I am today without my RVT counsellor.” (Anon, Bedfordshire)** 

**“A big thank you to (counsellor) for the time and support at a time I was feeling quite alone.” (Anon, Bedfordshire)** 



## **THE WORK OF A ROAD VICTIMS TRUST COUNSELLOR - GIVING HOPE TO REBUILD LIVES** 

I am                                             and I joined RVT as a volunteer in March 2024 and as a coordinator in Jenny Howard September 2024. I am based in Stevenage and live with my husband and two children (must not forget the cat and dog). I consider myself as kind, caring and friendly with an interesting sense of humour who wants to help others. 

My background saw me qualify as a Nursery Nurse and work in a variety of roles staring with 2-yearolds up to my previous job with teenagers in secondary schools and colleges. It was my previous job working with young people with complex and vulnerable home lives attempting to navigate the education system with trauma that gave me the confidence to pursue my training into counselling. 

Whilst in training and searching (as many of the volunteers do) for a second placement, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone working with young people and gain new experiences. My tutor recommended RVT and their amazing training. Only a week went by between sending in my application to interview and the next week we started training, yes it was all very last minute on my end. 

The training lived up to my expectations and I met the best group of people who I spent the training weeks getting to know. 

I nearly didn’t make it due to WIFI cutting out during one of the evening training sessions but a dash to my mothers-in-law across the town meant I made the 100% attendance! 

My ‘Mary’ interview was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time and I have just had the opportunity to BE ‘Mary’ for the new training group. I would rave to anyone that would listen about how amazing the training was, how supportive coordinators were. YOU GET FREE SUPERVISION too. 

Working in a different field certainly stretched my skills and I loved it! So much so that when the email popped into my inbox advertising for a coordinator I replied straight back and here I am now that coordinator. 

Moving into a role as a member of staff initially made me anxious, would the RVT bubble burst? I have to say I haven’t been this happy in years or worked in an environment where people truly care about others and me. 

As a coordinator I am lucky enough to be a cog that makes the service available to those who need us at a time they are suffering  so much. I get to ring volunteers with the offer of clients which is exciting but also arrange the visits to Funeral Directors and Crematoriums to provide volunteers with experiences only RVT are providing. 

I also have a placement on my day off working with neurodiversity which is a passion of mine. 

The whole team at RVT have blown me away with their genuine care and support and welcomed me into the RVT family. 




**CONTINUALLY IMPROVING THE SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE** 

**2025 provides an opportunity to continue to collaborate with other partners and stakeholders in the road safety world to improve the services we provide within our region; increase the volume of our voice at the national level; and to look wider afield to share and learn from best practice.** 

## _**Working with road safety partnerships to achieve Vision Zero**_ 

**Many road safety partnerships (collaborations between local and national highways authorities, police, and fire and rescue services) are creating new road safety strategies, adopting the Safe System and Vision Zero approach. Vision Zero is the philosophical imperative that no-one should be killed or seriously injured whilst using the roads and the Safe System is a proactive methodology used to work towards this goal. It embeds a shared responsibility that we need Safe Roads, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles, and Safe Road Users to have a system where collisions can’t result in death or serious injury. A fifth key component of the Safe System is post-collision response – this encompasses everything from immediate emergency care; learning what went wrong to inform future preventative measures; through to providing psychological support for all involved.** 

**We obviously have a key role to play in providing bereavement support, but we should also have a seat at the table of these local road safety partnerships to help shape preventative measures across the Safe System. Ultimately, success in eliminating road risk will mean that our services should not be required.** 

## _**Having a national voice**_ 

**The Road Victims Trust is not the only bereavement charity for road victims in the UK. We are collaborating more closely with other national charities to share our activities, identify collective funding opportunities, and provide a united voice when we are sharing messages and lobbying for road victims’ justice.** 

## _**Looking further afield**_ 

**The unacceptable burden inflicted on society from road death is not limited to the UK. In fact, low and middle-income countries are facing unimaginable challenges – of the 1.35 million people killed on the world’s roads each year, over 90% are from low and middle-income countries.** 

**There are international collaborations, such as the International Road Victims’ Partnership and the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, which bring together road safety charities from across the globe to share best practice, build capacity, undertake research, and provide advocacy services. The Road Victims Trust is exploring how we can work internationally to benefit from others’ experiences and share what we do** . 


Tanya Fosdick Patron - The Road Victims Trust 



## **FUNDRAISING FOR THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

**This year has been a brilliant year of fundraising, there has been a special focus on commemorating 30 years of the Road Victims Trust providing our services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. In order to continue these services throughout these counties we rely on the friendship and support of individuals, groups and businesses within the local communities.** 

**In light of this milestone, many individuals have reached out to us to raise funds through JustGiving pages, marathon events and personal events and challenges. By the end of 2024, our fundraisers had raised £20,741 through individual JustGiving pages alone. In actual fact, the funds raised are much higher than this as this does not include all of the events and donations.** 

**As always, we are extremely grateful to our wonderful friends and supporters who continue to do so many amazing things for The Road Victims Trust, helping us to raise awareness and much needed funds, some of whom are pictured below.** 

**We truly could not do the work that we do without them!** 



















## **FUNDRAISING STANDARDS** 

**The RVT conforms to all recognised fundraising standards. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the Institute of Fundraising in the UK. The Road Victims Trust recognises and conforms to the 6 guiding principles expected by the Charity Commission.** 

**Planning Effectively Supervision of Fundraisers Protecting Reputation, Money and Other Assets Following Fundraising Law and Regulation Follow the Recognised Standard for Fundraising Be Open and Accountable** 





**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07591489 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1142336** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND** 

## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **FOR** 

## **THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

**(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1|to|7|
|**Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**||8||
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||9||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||10||
|**Balance Sheet**||11||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|12|to|20|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|21|to|22|





**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The trustees, a number of whom are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report, including the directors report, with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Objectives and aims** 

The aftermath of a fatal road collision is truly devastating, with numerous lives being taken and countless more being irrevocably changed in a blink of the eye. The early intervention of the Road Victims Trust (RVT) makes a very real difference to the people who receive their support. 

## Our Vision: 

RVT's vision is of a society where everyone has access to a holistic package of emotional, practical and, where required, legal support to enable them to meet their needs following death or life changing injury on the road. 

## Our Values: 

We value: 

- Supporting our clients throughout our interactions with them and identifying and responding to their needs. 

- Meeting our obligations and delivering our promises. 

- Caring for the emotional and physical wellbeing of staff and volunteers. 

- The commitment and contribution of our staff and volunteers. 

- Equality of opportunity, diversity, honesty, fairness, openness and integrity in all that we do. 

- Making the best use of our resources. 

The ethos of our independent charitable trust reflects the above principles. It includes a passionate determination to improve and develop our services and to raise national awareness of the issues involved following serious road collisions. 

Fundamentally, therefore, the overall guiding principles of RVT have a client focus and are needs based. 

The charity, The Road Victims Trust, is established for the public benefit. The objects of the charitable company are to provide emotional and practical support to all persons affected by a road death in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Following requests from the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC's) of Norfolk and Suffolk, we have given support to the residents of those areas and from 1 April 2023 entered formal service agreements with those counties. The charity's objects, set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, specifically include the following: 

- To relieve sickness and distress among persons within the United Kingdom who have suffered the same as a result of any serious road collision and the families of such persons who are injured; 

- To advance public education and awareness by research into issues relating to the victims of road traffic collisions and their families, and to disseminate the useful results of such research. 

Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. 

The following strategies have been identified as crucial to our success in achieving our aims: 

## Governance Strategy: 

The RVT Trustees to act as a guardian of our vision, values, aims and assets, protecting the probity of the organisation and ensuring the vitality and long-term wellbeing of RVT. 

## Financial Strategy: 

To secure funding to underpin the long-term future of the RVT, and to make best use of our financial resources in order to develop RVT services. 

Page 1 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Objectives and aims (Continued)** 

## Research and Knowledge Management Strategy: 

To effect change and improvements that actively support the needs of victims and families affected by serious road traffic collisions. 

## Business Development Strategy: 

To develop the overall service provision of the RVT and increase national awareness of the need for such vital services, and to work with other agencies and organisations to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of the service provided. 

## Information Systems Strategy: 

To ensure the appropriate level of investment is made in Information Systems (IS) to achieve both our desired strategic outcomes and operational focus. 

## Key Performance Indicators: 

- The Trustees will approve the annual priorities for the Trust and monitor performance against them at each Trustee meeting. 

- Service delivery will be monitored by the Chief Executive on a monthly basis and by the Trustees at each meeting. 

- The Chief Executive and Clinical Service Lead will periodically review and evaluate the performance of the service provision. 

- The reports on such performance will be presented to the Board of Trustees. 

## **Significant activities** 

The Road Victims Trust (RVT) provides an holistic service that attends to both practical and emotional needs of anyone affected by Fatal and Serious Injury collisions on the roads. We have a client led approach and carefully listen to the individual needs of the individual from the outset. 

We offer free, weekly counselling sessions as well as practical support. Counselling sessions are for as long as is useful when there has been a fatality, due to the complex, unique feelings that are experienced following being bereaved by, or having witnessed, such a collision. We also offer practical support following assessment and signpost where appropriate. We are able to provide further practical support through the legal and administrative processes that follow in the months or years after the collision. 

During the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, we supported 620 individuals who have been affected by the death or serious injury of someone on the roads of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Of these, 380 have accepted a level of our service, with 204 having one or more calls from an individual case manager providing emotional and practical support, and 176 have received free,regular weekly counselling sessions. We have also continued to support 104 people who continued to receive counselling from the previous year. 

The counselling is provided by either a Coordinator or Counselling Volunteer and is free to the client, and for as long as both the client and The Road Victims Trust (RVT) feel it is useful. This may range from a few weeks to a couple of years and will often remain an important part of the support through inquest or criminal court proceedings that may follow. 

This year we have provided input on Family Liaison Office training across the 5 counties. We love doing this as our relationship with the Police and their trust in us is key to being able to deliver the service. We have engaged with colleges and students to talk about how they might be able to work with us, and how we might support them to achieve their counselling qualification in an organisation that recognises the need to support counsellors physical and emotional wellbeing if they are to be fully available to work with their clients. 

Page 2 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Significant activities (Continued)** 

During 2023/24, we ran two intensive (45 hours over 5 weeks) training courses for counsellors who are either senior trainees or qualified, who have the potential to become counselling volunteers with the RVT. The first was in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and the second in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. From these courses we successfully recruited 15 new counselling volunteers who have now joined the team. 

All of our counselling volunteers receive a high level of support to ensure they are offering best practice, including 1:1 fortnightly or monthly clinical supervision and continuous professional development. Our counselling volunteers do a difficult but often rewarding job and we value their commitment and expertise which is at the core of what we do. 

It has been another year of development and transition as we have improved and adjusted our systems to enable new ways of providing our service. This has continued to present us with challenges, however, the dedication and adaptability of our staff and Counselling Volunteers in the service of our Clients has once more been exceptional. 

The Road Victims Trust are represented at the three Strategic Road Safety Partnerships across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These partnerships all strive to reduce the amount of casualties on the roads of the three counties and we are able to bring our experience and expertise specifically to look at the post collision response. 

## **Public benefit** 

The services of the charity operate for the public benefit and are available to all in the local community as stated in the objects set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and as described in the objectives and aims above. 

The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011. 

## **Volunteers** 

As always, we are extremely grateful to our very loyal friends and supporters who continue to fundraise for us in many wonderful ways, continuing to raise awareness and funds for the RVT. 

It has been a challenging year, however, the service we provide, whilst different from pre-pandemic times, has remained of high quality and this is due to the exceptional commitment and professionalism of both the staff team and our valued Counsellors who offer their services on a voluntary basis. 

Our Friends and Supporters: 

It is not possible to mention every one of the hundreds of Friends and Supporters who have donated so much by way of time, energy and money. Here is a very small selection of some of the Corporates and Businesses which have provided generous support to the Road Victims Trust: 

- The Bedfordshire Charitable Trust, 

- The Wixamtree Trust, 

- The Harpur Trust (Supporting families in Bedford Borough), 

- The Highways Agency, 

- The Police and Crime Commissioners of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk for 

- providing funding towards our core service. 

Page 3 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **Charitable activities** 

The Road Victims Trust is a registered charity that has operated in Bedfordshire since 1995, in Hertfordshire since 2010 and in Cambridgeshire since 2013, to provide the following services to all residents of these three counties affected by fatal road collisions: 

- Regular weekly emotional and practical support for individuals and families for as long as it is useful. - Space to express the whole range of feelings that come with the loss and horror following a fatal road collision. 

- Time to discuss the repercussions of the collision that is a life-changing event for all those involved. 

- Information on the investigation, inquest and court hearings, and preparation and support for inquests and hearings. 

In addition, we offer telephone support to enquiries from outside Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. 

During the year ended 31 March 2024 RVT: 

- Received 225 referrals relating to fatal and life-changing collisions- 86% of which were from the Police in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. 

- Provided: 

- Long-term support to 280 individuals by way of a one-to-one counselling service, 

- Maintained, trained and retained a cohort of 62 highly trained and qualified Counsellors. 

## **Fundraising activities** 

In order to continue to provide our services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the RVT rely on the friendship and support of many people, groups and businesses across the communities. "We continue to be supported by a loyal group of supporters who have taken part in many fundraising events for us. Undoubtedly the economic down-turn has meant that there has been a subsequent decrease in regular giving and planned events. Nonetheless we have continued to receive good levels of support that make a very real difference to so many." 

## **Internal and external factors** 

The Road Victims Trust has historically been wholly financed by charitable donations and grant making trusts supplemented with occasional Government grants. 

Since 2014 we have forged close links with the Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These links have been further developed with the signing of formal Service Level and Information Sharing Agreements. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Financial position** 

For the year ended 31 March 2024, the charity had an overall net income surplus of £17,802 (2023: Surplus £52,909). 

Total income increased by £38,589, from £406,657 to £445,246. Included was income from donations and gifts, which amounted to £90,789 (2023: £117,188), a decrease of £26,399. Income from local government agencies increased to £314,600 (2023: £239,050). 

Expenditure on charitable activities totalled £427,444 for the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to £353,748 for the year ended 31 March 2023. This represented an increase during the year of £73,696. 

Overall, the funds of the charitable company have increased from £397,388 as at 31 March 2023 to £415,190 as at 31 March 2024, and is considered to have sufficient funds carried forward. 

Page 4 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Principal funding sources** 

The principal funding sources for the charity during the year were provided by local government agencies, for example: The Highways Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Hertfordshire Police, Norfolk Police and Suffolk Police. 

The funding position of the RVT, in common with many other small charities, remains hugely challenging and far greater emphasis and focus has been placed on the delivery of a financial strategy that enables us to provide the best possible levels of victims care within the constraints of the budget. 

## Road Victims Trust Fundraising Standards: 

The RVT conforms to all recognised fundraising standards. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the Institute of Fundraising in the UK. The RVT recognises and conforms to the 6 guiding principles expected by the Charity Commission: 

- Planning Effectively, 

- Supervision of Fundraisers, 

- Protecting Reputation, Money and Other Assets, 

- Following Fundraising Law and Regulation, 

- Follow the Recognised Standard for Fundraising, 

- Be Open and Accountable. 

## **Investment policy and objectives** 

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the company has the power to make any investments which the trustees see fit. The charity has no long-term investments. The company's cash reserves are held mainly in a bank current and short-term investment bank accounts. The trustees invest some of the cash reserves in bank deposit accounts and will look to maximise investment income receivable from bank accounts, whilst balancing this with the need to keep funds readily available to meet the operating costs of the charitable company. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the company's activities in the medium term and the trustees consider the financial position of the company to be satisfactory. The policy of the trustees is to hold sufficient funds to meet the operating costs of the centre for the foreseeable future. The current level of reserves is £415,190 (2023: £397,388), and the company held £462,569 (2023: £479,043) cash at bank and in hand. 

## **Going concern** 

The Trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and anticipate that the level of income received will increase for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

## **FUTURE PLANS** 

Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. 

The following work-streams and projects have been identified as priorities for the RVT in the year April 2024 to March 2025. Separate action plans are in development for each priority area: 

- To expand the RVT model across the Eastern Region of the UK, 

- To increase the RVT cohort of Counselling Volunteers, 

- To roll out the findings of the Academic research commissioned in respect of outcome measurement, 

- To implement a fundraising strategy that enables sustainable and diverse income streams. 

Page 5 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document** 

The Road Victims trust is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5 April 2011 and registered as a charity on 9 June 2011. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up with net liabilities, the members of the company are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. 

The trustees meet regularly to administer the company and are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees have employed a team to deliver the charity's services and manage the day-to-day operations of the charitable company. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** 

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles of Association are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association at the first and all subsequent annual general meetings all the directors must retire from office, but all retiring directors are eligible for re-election. 

The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees and in selecting new trustees, seek to identify people who are willing to help the charity in the broader community work and enhance the skill set and structure of the management committee. Potential trustees are invited to attend trustees' meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity's aims and activities and, if all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees' meeting. The process allows due consideration of the person's eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills. The trustees may only refuse an application for membership if, acting reasonably and properly, they consider it to be in the best interests of the charity to refuse the application. The trustees must inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal within twenty-one days of the decision. 

## **Organisational structure** 

The RVT has a group of dedicated Trustees who work closely with the Chief Executive to set the overall mission and strategic direction of the Trust. The Trustees also monitor and evaluate our work and ensure that the requirements of the Charities Act for proper governance and accountability arrangements are in place. To meet the needs of clients of serious road traffic collisions we are structured around a small team of paid employees supported by trained Volunteers. 

Our whole supportive culture has grown through collaborative partnership working. We are proud of our formal co-operative arrangements with the Collaborated Roads Policing Units across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the 3 Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the HM Coroners, the 3 Strategic Road Safety Partnerships and our informal links with the Fire and Rescue Services and General Practitioners. 

Through these partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers we are able to offer a holistic service, free at the point of delivery, to our clients. 

## **Related parties** 

The were no material related party transactions during the year under review. 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

## **Registered Company number** 

07591489 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1142336 

Page 6 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Registered office** 

146 Bedford Road Kempston Bedfordshire MK42 8BH 

## **Trustees** 

R Panton I G Pears Ms L Hesse P D Jones T Sharpe Ms R Wong Ms D P Stevens K Vincent M J Staton (appointed 16.1.25) 

## **Directors** 

M R Turner (Chief Executive Officer, resigned 31.1.24) Ms L Hesse R Panton P D Jones P A Cook (Chief Executive Officer, appointed 31.1.24) 

## **Independent Examiner** 

David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY 

## **EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR** 

Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 

R Panton - Trustee 

Page 7 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of The Road Victims Trust for the purposes of company law) 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 Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each 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 policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- 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 proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to 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 trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Page 8 



**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Road Victims Trust ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the 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 the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA 

Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY 

31 January 2025 

Page 9 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**31.3.24**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>Notes<br>**£**<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**405,387**<br>Other trading activities<br>2<br>**33,842**<br>Investment income<br>3<br>**6,017**<br>Other income<br>4<br>**-**<br>**Total**<br>**445,246**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Other<br>**427,444**<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**17,802**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**397,388**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>**415,190**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>356,238<br>49,180<br>1,170<br>69<br>406,657<br>353,748<br>52,909<br>344,479<br>397,388|
|---|---|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 10 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**31.3.24**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>Notes<br>**£**<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>11<br>**3,581**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**462,569**<br>**466,150**<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>12<br>**(50,960)**<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**415,190**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**415,190**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**415,190**<br>**FUNDS**<br>13<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**415,190**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**415,190**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>1,761<br>479,043<br>480,804<br>(83,416)<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388|
|---|---|



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 financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

## The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 31 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: 

R Panton - Trustee 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 11 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **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 (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', 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. 

The Road Victims Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, and a registered charity. 

The nature of the charitable company's operations and principal activities can also be found in the Report of the Trustees. 

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charitable company and rounded to the nearest £. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future and consider the use of the going concern basis of accounting appropriate. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is able to manage its risks successfully. 

## **Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: 

## **Income** 

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

Income from government grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. In respect of grants received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all conditions with respect to the eligible costs being claimed, need to be met. 

Where income has related expenditure, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

Interest on deposit funds held is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity which is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank and is recognised using the effective interest method. 

## **Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive 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 basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related 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. 

continued... 

Page 12 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax** 

Support costs comprise those costs which are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include governance cost, finance and administration costs. Governance costs are those costs incurred in connection with the compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity. 

The charitable company is not VAT registered and therefore VAT incurred is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. 

## **Operating lease expenditure** 

Amounts payable under operating leases are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Tax is payable on non-charitable expenditure which includes expenditure which is not incurred solely for charitable purposes and is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as current tax payable. Current tax is recognised at  the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. 

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted 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. 

## **Gifts and non-exchange transactions** 

Acquisitions that are in substance a gift of one business to another where the substance of the transaction is gifting the control of one entity to another are accounted for as non-exchange transactions in accordance with the SORP. The fair value of the gifted recognised assets and liabilities are recognised as a gain or loss in the statement of financial activities in the year of the transaction. 

## **Government grants** 

Grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Government grants are accounted for using the accruals model. The difference between the fair value of the grant and the consideration is recognised as a liability and amortised over the useful economic life of the grant. The amortisation is recognised within income. 

Government grants received as a contribution to revenue expenditure are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a systematic basis over the period in which the related costs are recognised in respect of which the grant is intended to compensate. The related expenditure is included under operating costs. Grants are recognised in the same period as the related expenditure provided the conditions for receipt have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received. 

continued... 

Page 13 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Financial instruments** 

Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or equity. An equity instrument is any contract which evidences residual interest in the assets of the company after deduction of any liabilities. 

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. Transaction price should also include transaction costs: transaction costs are those costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the debt instrument. 

If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction it is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. The present value of a financial asset or financial liability that is repayable on demand is equal to the undiscounted cash amount expected to be paid or received. 

On subsequent measurement basic financial instruments are recognised at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid or received for basic financial instruments payable or receivable within one year. 

## **Impairment** 

Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease. 

## **Debtors, creditors and provisions** 

Debtors and creditors are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or financial liabilities. 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date. 

Creditors and provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measured. Provisions are recognised at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 

## **Cash at bank and in hand** 

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and bank current and demand deposit accounts. Short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account is included in cash at bank and in hand when applicable. 

## **Estimation uncertainty** 

The management board is of the opinion that there are no areas of material estimation uncertainty in preparing the accounts which would be likely to give rise to a material adjustment to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year. 

## **Judgements** 

No judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies. 

continued... 

Page 14 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**2.**<br>**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**<br>Fundraising events<br>**3.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>Deposit account interest<br>**4.**<br>**OTHER INCOME**<br>Sundry income<br>**5.**<br>**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>Other resources expended<br>Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:<br>**Other**<br>Wages<br>Social security<br>Pensions<br>Rates and water<br>Insurance<br>Light and heat<br>Telephone<br>Postage<br>Sundries<br>Printing and stationery<br>Support and supervision<br>Travel<br>Advertising and publicity<br>Refreshments<br>Room hire<br>Course and conference fees<br>Cleaning and household<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>Fundraising costs<br>IT maintenance and services<br>Carried forward|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**33,842**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**6,017**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>Governance<br>Other<br>costs<br>£<br>£<br>**416,036**<br>**11,408**<br>**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**294,481**<br>**21,822**<br>**8,207**<br>**2,127**<br>**2,458**<br>**1,884**<br>**6,293**<br>**1,381**<br>**68**<br>**663**<br>**14,060**<br>**10,587**<br>**2,503**<br>**182**<br>**2,963**<br>**11,183**<br>**1,010**<br>**1,268**<br>**7,687**<br>**25,208**<br>**416,035**|31.3.23<br>£<br>49,180<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>1,170<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>69<br>Totals<br>£<br>**427,444**<br>31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**240,638**<br>**17,287**<br>**7,032**<br>**3,115**<br>**2,196**<br>**2,423**<br>**6,614**<br>**1,067**<br>**123**<br>**358**<br>**15,678**<br>**7,408**<br>**5,421**<br>**1,157**<br>**850**<br>**2,324**<br>**1,003**<br>**1,355**<br>**3,403**<br>**22,830**<br>**342,282**|
|---|---|---|



continued... 

Page 15 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **5. SUPPORT COSTS - continued** 

## **Other - continued** 

|Brought forward<br>Bank charges<br>**Governance costs**<br>Independent examiner's remuneration<br>Subscriptions<br>Professional fees<br>Statutory filing fees<br>**6.**<br>**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION**<br>Independent examiner's remuneration|**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**416,035**<br>**1**<br>**416,036**<br>**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**1,980**<br>**4,514**<br>**4,886**<br>**28**<br>**11,408**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**1,980**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**342,282**<br>**-**<br>**342,282**<br>31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**1,535**<br>**2,204**<br>**7,713**<br>**14**<br>**11,466**<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>1,535|
|---|---|---|



## **7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024, nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

continued... 

Page 16 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **8. STAFF COSTS** 

|Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:<br>Management (Chief Executive Officer)<br>Co-ordinators<br>Administration<br>Fundraising and Business development|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**294,481**<br>**21,822**<br>**8,207**<br>**324,510**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**1**<br>**7**<br>**2**<br>**1**<br>**11**||31.3.23<br>£<br>240,638<br>17,287<br>7,032<br>264,957<br>31.3.23<br>1<br>6<br>2<br>1<br>10|
|---|---|---|---|



|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their|
|---|---|
|services to the charity:||
|Wages and salaries|**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>**52,854**<br>37,250|
|Social security costs|**5,829**<br>4,093|
|Other pension costs|**1,395**<br>1,118|
||**60,078**<br>42,461|
|||



||Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their<br>services to the charity:<br>**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>**52,854**<br>37,250<br>Social security costs<br>**5,829**<br>4,093<br>Other pension costs<br>**1,395**<br>1,118<br>**60,078**<br>42,461|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their<br>services to the charity:<br>**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>**52,854**<br>37,250<br>Social security costs<br>**5,829**<br>4,093<br>Other pension costs<br>**1,395**<br>1,118<br>**60,078**<br>42,461|
|---|---|---|
||<br>Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**52,854**<br>**5,829**<br>**1,395**<br>**60,078**|
|There were no employees who received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more<br>than £60,000.<br>**9.**<br>**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>356,238<br>Other trading activities<br>49,180<br>Investment income<br>1,170<br>Other income<br>69<br>**Total**<br>406,657<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Other<br>353,748<br>**NET INCOME**<br>52,909|||



continued... 

Page 17 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued** 

||Unrestricted|
|---|---|
||funds|
||£|
|**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||
|Total funds brought forward|344,479|
|**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|397,388|



## **10. TAXATION** 

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Schedule 6, paragraph 1 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 11 Chapter 3 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 

There was no corporation tax payable for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|**3**<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**12.**<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>**3**<br>Trade creditors<br>Social security and other taxes<br>Pensions liability<br>Accruals and deferred income|**1.3.24**<br><br>**£**<br>**3,581**<br>**1.3.24**<br><br>**£**<br>**1**<br>**7,124**<br>**1,384**<br>**42,451**<br>**50,960**|31.3.23<br>£<br>1,761<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>-<br>5,664<br>1,358<br>76,394<br>83,416|
|---|---|---|



## **Deferred income** 

Deferred income comprises advance income received in relation to the charitable activities of the company. 

|Balance at the start of the reporting period<br>Amount released to income from previous year<br>Amount deferred to next year<br>Balance at the end of the reporting period|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**72,000**<br>**(72,000)**<br>**35,000**<br>**35,000**|31.3.23<br>£<br>68,698<br>(68,698)<br>72,000<br>72,000|
|---|---|---|



continued... 

Page 18 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** 

|At 1.4.23<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**397,388**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**397,388**<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**445,246**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**445,246**<br>**Comparatives for movement in funds**<br>At 1.4.22<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>344,479<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>344,479<br>Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>406,657<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>406,657|Net<br>movement<br>At<br>in funds<br>31.3.24<br>£<br>£<br>**17,802**<br>**415,190**<br>**17,802**<br>**415,190**<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>**(427,444)**<br>**17,802**<br>**(427,444)**<br>**17,802**<br>Net<br>movement<br>At<br>in funds<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>£<br>52,909<br>397,388<br>52,909<br>397,388<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(353,748)<br>52,909<br>(353,748)<br>52,909|
|---|---|



continued... 

Page 19 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024. 

## **15. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS** 

The Road Victims Trust withdrew its service from Norfolk and Suffolk regions on 2 December 2024. It is expected that this will result in a reduction in funding of £120,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioners of these areas for the April 2024 to March 2025 financial year. However, 31 clients are still being supported by the charitable company in those regions. 

## **16. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. 

Page 20 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

||31.3.24|31.3.23|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Gifts|**1,194**|1,507|
|Donations|**88,449**|112,411|
|Gift aid|**1,144**|3,270|
|Grants|**314,600**|239,050|
|**Other trading activities**|**405,387**|356,238|
|Fundraising events|**33,842**|49,180|
|**Investment income**|||
|Deposit account interest|**6,017**|1,170|
|**Other income**|||
|Sundry income|**-**|69|
|**Total incoming resources**|**445,246**|406,657|
|**EXPENDITURE**|||
|**Support costs**|||
|**Other**|||
|Wages|**294,481**|240,638|
|Social security|**21,822**|17,287|
|Pensions|**8,207**|7,032|
|Rates and water|**2,127**|3,115|
|Insurance|**2,458**|2,196|
|Light and heat|**1,884**|2,423|
|Telephone|**6,293**|6,614|
|Postage|**1,381**|1,067|
|Sundries|**68**|123|
|Printing and stationery|**663**|358|
|Support and supervision|**14,060**|15,678|
|Travel|**10,587**|7,408|
|Advertising and publicity|**2,503**|5,421|
|Refreshments|**182**|1,157|
|Room hire|**2,963**|850|
|Course and conference fees|**11,183**|2,324|
|Cleaning and household|**1,010**|1,003|
|Repairs and maintenance|**1,268**|1,355|
|Fundraising costs|**7,687**|3,403|
|IT maintenance and services|**25,208**|22,830|
|Bank charges|**1**|-|
||**416,036**|342,282|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

Page 21 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

||31.3.24|31.3.23|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|**Other**|||
|**Governance costs**|||
|Independent examiner's remuneration|**1,980**|1,535|
|Subscriptions|**4,514**|2,204|
|Professional fees|**4,886**|7,713|
|Statutory filing fees|**28**|14|
||**11,408**|11,466|
|Total resources expended|**427,444**|353,748|
|**Net income**|**17,802**|52,909|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

Page 22 



**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07591489 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1142336** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND** 

## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **FOR** 

## **THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

**(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1|to|7|
|**Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**||8||
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||9||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||10||
|**Balance Sheet**||11||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|12|to|20|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|21|to|22|





**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The trustees, a number of whom are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report, including the directors report, with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Objectives and aims** 

The aftermath of a fatal road collision is truly devastating, with numerous lives being taken and countless more being irrevocably changed in a blink of the eye. The early intervention of the Road Victims Trust (RVT) makes a very real difference to the people who receive their support. 

## Our Vision: 

RVT's vision is of a society where everyone has access to a holistic package of emotional, practical and, where required, legal support to enable them to meet their needs following death or life changing injury on the road. 

## Our Values: 

We value: 

- Supporting our clients throughout our interactions with them and identifying and responding to their needs. 

- Meeting our obligations and delivering our promises. 

- Caring for the emotional and physical wellbeing of staff and volunteers. 

- The commitment and contribution of our staff and volunteers. 

- Equality of opportunity, diversity, honesty, fairness, openness and integrity in all that we do. 

- Making the best use of our resources. 

The ethos of our independent charitable trust reflects the above principles. It includes a passionate determination to improve and develop our services and to raise national awareness of the issues involved following serious road collisions. 

Fundamentally, therefore, the overall guiding principles of RVT have a client focus and are needs based. 

The charity, The Road Victims Trust, is established for the public benefit. The objects of the charitable company are to provide emotional and practical support to all persons affected by a road death in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Following requests from the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC's) of Norfolk and Suffolk, we have given support to the residents of those areas and from 1 April 2023 entered formal service agreements with those counties. The charity's objects, set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, specifically include the following: 

- To relieve sickness and distress among persons within the United Kingdom who have suffered the same as a result of any serious road collision and the families of such persons who are injured; 

- To advance public education and awareness by research into issues relating to the victims of road traffic collisions and their families, and to disseminate the useful results of such research. 

Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. 

The following strategies have been identified as crucial to our success in achieving our aims: 

## Governance Strategy: 

The RVT Trustees to act as a guardian of our vision, values, aims and assets, protecting the probity of the organisation and ensuring the vitality and long-term wellbeing of RVT. 

## Financial Strategy: 

To secure funding to underpin the long-term future of the RVT, and to make best use of our financial resources in order to develop RVT services. 

Page 1 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Objectives and aims (Continued)** 

## Research and Knowledge Management Strategy: 

To effect change and improvements that actively support the needs of victims and families affected by serious road traffic collisions. 

## Business Development Strategy: 

To develop the overall service provision of the RVT and increase national awareness of the need for such vital services, and to work with other agencies and organisations to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of the service provided. 

## Information Systems Strategy: 

To ensure the appropriate level of investment is made in Information Systems (IS) to achieve both our desired strategic outcomes and operational focus. 

## Key Performance Indicators: 

- The Trustees will approve the annual priorities for the Trust and monitor performance against them at each Trustee meeting. 

- Service delivery will be monitored by the Chief Executive on a monthly basis and by the Trustees at each meeting. 

- The Chief Executive and Clinical Service Lead will periodically review and evaluate the performance of the service provision. 

- The reports on such performance will be presented to the Board of Trustees. 

## **Significant activities** 

The Road Victims Trust (RVT) provides an holistic service that attends to both practical and emotional needs of anyone affected by Fatal and Serious Injury collisions on the roads. We have a client led approach and carefully listen to the individual needs of the individual from the outset. 

We offer free, weekly counselling sessions as well as practical support. Counselling sessions are for as long as is useful when there has been a fatality, due to the complex, unique feelings that are experienced following being bereaved by, or having witnessed, such a collision. We also offer practical support following assessment and signpost where appropriate. We are able to provide further practical support through the legal and administrative processes that follow in the months or years after the collision. 

During the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, we supported 620 individuals who have been affected by the death or serious injury of someone on the roads of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Of these, 380 have accepted a level of our service, with 204 having one or more calls from an individual case manager providing emotional and practical support, and 176 have received free,regular weekly counselling sessions. We have also continued to support 104 people who continued to receive counselling from the previous year. 

The counselling is provided by either a Coordinator or Counselling Volunteer and is free to the client, and for as long as both the client and The Road Victims Trust (RVT) feel it is useful. This may range from a few weeks to a couple of years and will often remain an important part of the support through inquest or criminal court proceedings that may follow. 

This year we have provided input on Family Liaison Office training across the 5 counties. We love doing this as our relationship with the Police and their trust in us is key to being able to deliver the service. We have engaged with colleges and students to talk about how they might be able to work with us, and how we might support them to achieve their counselling qualification in an organisation that recognises the need to support counsellors physical and emotional wellbeing if they are to be fully available to work with their clients. 

Page 2 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Significant activities (Continued)** 

During 2023/24, we ran two intensive (45 hours over 5 weeks) training courses for counsellors who are either senior trainees or qualified, who have the potential to become counselling volunteers with the RVT. The first was in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and the second in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. From these courses we successfully recruited 15 new counselling volunteers who have now joined the team. 

All of our counselling volunteers receive a high level of support to ensure they are offering best practice, including 1:1 fortnightly or monthly clinical supervision and continuous professional development. Our counselling volunteers do a difficult but often rewarding job and we value their commitment and expertise which is at the core of what we do. 

It has been another year of development and transition as we have improved and adjusted our systems to enable new ways of providing our service. This has continued to present us with challenges, however, the dedication and adaptability of our staff and Counselling Volunteers in the service of our Clients has once more been exceptional. 

The Road Victims Trust are represented at the three Strategic Road Safety Partnerships across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These partnerships all strive to reduce the amount of casualties on the roads of the three counties and we are able to bring our experience and expertise specifically to look at the post collision response. 

## **Public benefit** 

The services of the charity operate for the public benefit and are available to all in the local community as stated in the objects set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and as described in the objectives and aims above. 

The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011. 

## **Volunteers** 

As always, we are extremely grateful to our very loyal friends and supporters who continue to fundraise for us in many wonderful ways, continuing to raise awareness and funds for the RVT. 

It has been a challenging year, however, the service we provide, whilst different from pre-pandemic times, has remained of high quality and this is due to the exceptional commitment and professionalism of both the staff team and our valued Counsellors who offer their services on a voluntary basis. 

Our Friends and Supporters: 

It is not possible to mention every one of the hundreds of Friends and Supporters who have donated so much by way of time, energy and money. Here is a very small selection of some of the Corporates and Businesses which have provided generous support to the Road Victims Trust: 

- The Bedfordshire Charitable Trust, 

- The Wixamtree Trust, 

- The Harpur Trust (Supporting families in Bedford Borough), 

- The Highways Agency, 

- The Police and Crime Commissioners of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk for 

- providing funding towards our core service. 

Page 3 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **Charitable activities** 

The Road Victims Trust is a registered charity that has operated in Bedfordshire since 1995, in Hertfordshire since 2010 and in Cambridgeshire since 2013, to provide the following services to all residents of these three counties affected by fatal road collisions: 

- Regular weekly emotional and practical support for individuals and families for as long as it is useful. - Space to express the whole range of feelings that come with the loss and horror following a fatal road collision. 

- Time to discuss the repercussions of the collision that is a life-changing event for all those involved. 

- Information on the investigation, inquest and court hearings, and preparation and support for inquests and hearings. 

In addition, we offer telephone support to enquiries from outside Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. 

During the year ended 31 March 2024 RVT: 

- Received 225 referrals relating to fatal and life-changing collisions- 86% of which were from the Police in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. 

- Provided: 

- Long-term support to 280 individuals by way of a one-to-one counselling service, 

- Maintained, trained and retained a cohort of 62 highly trained and qualified Counsellors. 

## **Fundraising activities** 

In order to continue to provide our services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the RVT rely on the friendship and support of many people, groups and businesses across the communities. "We continue to be supported by a loyal group of supporters who have taken part in many fundraising events for us. Undoubtedly the economic down-turn has meant that there has been a subsequent decrease in regular giving and planned events. Nonetheless we have continued to receive good levels of support that make a very real difference to so many." 

## **Internal and external factors** 

The Road Victims Trust has historically been wholly financed by charitable donations and grant making trusts supplemented with occasional Government grants. 

Since 2014 we have forged close links with the Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These links have been further developed with the signing of formal Service Level and Information Sharing Agreements. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Financial position** 

For the year ended 31 March 2024, the charity had an overall net income surplus of £17,802 (2023: Surplus £52,909). 

Total income increased by £38,589, from £406,657 to £445,246. Included was income from donations and gifts, which amounted to £90,789 (2023: £117,188), a decrease of £26,399. Income from local government agencies increased to £314,600 (2023: £239,050). 

Expenditure on charitable activities totalled £427,444 for the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to £353,748 for the year ended 31 March 2023. This represented an increase during the year of £73,696. 

Overall, the funds of the charitable company have increased from £397,388 as at 31 March 2023 to £415,190 as at 31 March 2024, and is considered to have sufficient funds carried forward. 

Page 4 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Principal funding sources** 

The principal funding sources for the charity during the year were provided by local government agencies, for example: The Highways Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Hertfordshire Police, Norfolk Police and Suffolk Police. 

The funding position of the RVT, in common with many other small charities, remains hugely challenging and far greater emphasis and focus has been placed on the delivery of a financial strategy that enables us to provide the best possible levels of victims care within the constraints of the budget. 

## Road Victims Trust Fundraising Standards: 

The RVT conforms to all recognised fundraising standards. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the Institute of Fundraising in the UK. The RVT recognises and conforms to the 6 guiding principles expected by the Charity Commission: 

- Planning Effectively, 

- Supervision of Fundraisers, 

- Protecting Reputation, Money and Other Assets, 

- Following Fundraising Law and Regulation, 

- Follow the Recognised Standard for Fundraising, 

- Be Open and Accountable. 

## **Investment policy and objectives** 

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the company has the power to make any investments which the trustees see fit. The charity has no long-term investments. The company's cash reserves are held mainly in a bank current and short-term investment bank accounts. The trustees invest some of the cash reserves in bank deposit accounts and will look to maximise investment income receivable from bank accounts, whilst balancing this with the need to keep funds readily available to meet the operating costs of the charitable company. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the company's activities in the medium term and the trustees consider the financial position of the company to be satisfactory. The policy of the trustees is to hold sufficient funds to meet the operating costs of the centre for the foreseeable future. The current level of reserves is £415,190 (2023: £397,388), and the company held £462,569 (2023: £479,043) cash at bank and in hand. 

## **Going concern** 

The Trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and anticipate that the level of income received will increase for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

## **FUTURE PLANS** 

Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. 

The following work-streams and projects have been identified as priorities for the RVT in the year April 2024 to March 2025. Separate action plans are in development for each priority area: 

- To expand the RVT model across the Eastern Region of the UK, 

- To increase the RVT cohort of Counselling Volunteers, 

- To roll out the findings of the Academic research commissioned in respect of outcome measurement, 

- To implement a fundraising strategy that enables sustainable and diverse income streams. 

Page 5 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document** 

The Road Victims trust is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5 April 2011 and registered as a charity on 9 June 2011. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up with net liabilities, the members of the company are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. 

The trustees meet regularly to administer the company and are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees have employed a team to deliver the charity's services and manage the day-to-day operations of the charitable company. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** 

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles of Association are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association at the first and all subsequent annual general meetings all the directors must retire from office, but all retiring directors are eligible for re-election. 

The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees and in selecting new trustees, seek to identify people who are willing to help the charity in the broader community work and enhance the skill set and structure of the management committee. Potential trustees are invited to attend trustees' meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity's aims and activities and, if all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees' meeting. The process allows due consideration of the person's eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills. The trustees may only refuse an application for membership if, acting reasonably and properly, they consider it to be in the best interests of the charity to refuse the application. The trustees must inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal within twenty-one days of the decision. 

## **Organisational structure** 

The RVT has a group of dedicated Trustees who work closely with the Chief Executive to set the overall mission and strategic direction of the Trust. The Trustees also monitor and evaluate our work and ensure that the requirements of the Charities Act for proper governance and accountability arrangements are in place. To meet the needs of clients of serious road traffic collisions we are structured around a small team of paid employees supported by trained Volunteers. 

Our whole supportive culture has grown through collaborative partnership working. We are proud of our formal co-operative arrangements with the Collaborated Roads Policing Units across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the 3 Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the HM Coroners, the 3 Strategic Road Safety Partnerships and our informal links with the Fire and Rescue Services and General Practitioners. 

Through these partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers we are able to offer a holistic service, free at the point of delivery, to our clients. 

## **Related parties** 

The were no material related party transactions during the year under review. 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

## **Registered Company number** 

07591489 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1142336 

Page 6 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Registered office** 

146 Bedford Road Kempston Bedfordshire MK42 8BH 

## **Trustees** 

R Panton I G Pears Ms L Hesse P D Jones T Sharpe Ms R Wong Ms D P Stevens K Vincent M J Staton (appointed 16.1.25) 

## **Directors** 

M R Turner (Chief Executive Officer, resigned 31.1.24) Ms L Hesse R Panton P D Jones P A Cook (Chief Executive Officer, appointed 31.1.24) 

## **Independent Examiner** 

David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY 

## **EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR** 

Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 

R Panton - Trustee 

Page 7 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of The Road Victims Trust for the purposes of company law) 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 Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each 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 policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- 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 proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to 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 trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Page 8 



**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Road Victims Trust ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the 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 the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA 

Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY 

31 January 2025 

Page 9 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**31.3.24**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>Notes<br>**£**<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**405,387**<br>Other trading activities<br>2<br>**33,842**<br>Investment income<br>3<br>**6,017**<br>Other income<br>4<br>**-**<br>**Total**<br>**445,246**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Other<br>**427,444**<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**17,802**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**397,388**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>**415,190**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>356,238<br>49,180<br>1,170<br>69<br>406,657<br>353,748<br>52,909<br>344,479<br>397,388|
|---|---|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 10 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**31.3.24**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>Notes<br>**£**<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>11<br>**3,581**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**462,569**<br>**466,150**<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>12<br>**(50,960)**<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**415,190**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**415,190**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**415,190**<br>**FUNDS**<br>13<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**415,190**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**415,190**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>1,761<br>479,043<br>480,804<br>(83,416)<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388<br>397,388|
|---|---|



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 financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

## The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 31 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: 

R Panton - Trustee 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 11 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **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 (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', 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. 

The Road Victims Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, and a registered charity. 

The nature of the charitable company's operations and principal activities can also be found in the Report of the Trustees. 

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charitable company and rounded to the nearest £. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future and consider the use of the going concern basis of accounting appropriate. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is able to manage its risks successfully. 

## **Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: 

## **Income** 

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

Income from government grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. In respect of grants received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all conditions with respect to the eligible costs being claimed, need to be met. 

Where income has related expenditure, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

Interest on deposit funds held is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity which is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank and is recognised using the effective interest method. 

## **Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive 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 basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related 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. 

continued... 

Page 12 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax** 

Support costs comprise those costs which are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include governance cost, finance and administration costs. Governance costs are those costs incurred in connection with the compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity. 

The charitable company is not VAT registered and therefore VAT incurred is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. 

## **Operating lease expenditure** 

Amounts payable under operating leases are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Tax is payable on non-charitable expenditure which includes expenditure which is not incurred solely for charitable purposes and is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as current tax payable. Current tax is recognised at  the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. 

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted 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. 

## **Gifts and non-exchange transactions** 

Acquisitions that are in substance a gift of one business to another where the substance of the transaction is gifting the control of one entity to another are accounted for as non-exchange transactions in accordance with the SORP. The fair value of the gifted recognised assets and liabilities are recognised as a gain or loss in the statement of financial activities in the year of the transaction. 

## **Government grants** 

Grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Government grants are accounted for using the accruals model. The difference between the fair value of the grant and the consideration is recognised as a liability and amortised over the useful economic life of the grant. The amortisation is recognised within income. 

Government grants received as a contribution to revenue expenditure are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a systematic basis over the period in which the related costs are recognised in respect of which the grant is intended to compensate. The related expenditure is included under operating costs. Grants are recognised in the same period as the related expenditure provided the conditions for receipt have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received. 

continued... 

Page 13 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Financial instruments** 

Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or equity. An equity instrument is any contract which evidences residual interest in the assets of the company after deduction of any liabilities. 

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. Transaction price should also include transaction costs: transaction costs are those costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the debt instrument. 

If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction it is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. The present value of a financial asset or financial liability that is repayable on demand is equal to the undiscounted cash amount expected to be paid or received. 

On subsequent measurement basic financial instruments are recognised at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid or received for basic financial instruments payable or receivable within one year. 

## **Impairment** 

Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease. 

## **Debtors, creditors and provisions** 

Debtors and creditors are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or financial liabilities. 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date. 

Creditors and provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measured. Provisions are recognised at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 

## **Cash at bank and in hand** 

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and bank current and demand deposit accounts. Short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account is included in cash at bank and in hand when applicable. 

## **Estimation uncertainty** 

The management board is of the opinion that there are no areas of material estimation uncertainty in preparing the accounts which would be likely to give rise to a material adjustment to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year. 

## **Judgements** 

No judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies. 

continued... 

Page 14 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**2.**<br>**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**<br>Fundraising events<br>**3.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>Deposit account interest<br>**4.**<br>**OTHER INCOME**<br>Sundry income<br>**5.**<br>**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>Other resources expended<br>Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:<br>**Other**<br>Wages<br>Social security<br>Pensions<br>Rates and water<br>Insurance<br>Light and heat<br>Telephone<br>Postage<br>Sundries<br>Printing and stationery<br>Support and supervision<br>Travel<br>Advertising and publicity<br>Refreshments<br>Room hire<br>Course and conference fees<br>Cleaning and household<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>Fundraising costs<br>IT maintenance and services<br>Carried forward|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**33,842**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**6,017**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>Governance<br>Other<br>costs<br>£<br>£<br>**416,036**<br>**11,408**<br>**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**294,481**<br>**21,822**<br>**8,207**<br>**2,127**<br>**2,458**<br>**1,884**<br>**6,293**<br>**1,381**<br>**68**<br>**663**<br>**14,060**<br>**10,587**<br>**2,503**<br>**182**<br>**2,963**<br>**11,183**<br>**1,010**<br>**1,268**<br>**7,687**<br>**25,208**<br>**416,035**|31.3.23<br>£<br>49,180<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>1,170<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>69<br>Totals<br>£<br>**427,444**<br>31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**240,638**<br>**17,287**<br>**7,032**<br>**3,115**<br>**2,196**<br>**2,423**<br>**6,614**<br>**1,067**<br>**123**<br>**358**<br>**15,678**<br>**7,408**<br>**5,421**<br>**1,157**<br>**850**<br>**2,324**<br>**1,003**<br>**1,355**<br>**3,403**<br>**22,830**<br>**342,282**|
|---|---|---|



continued... 

Page 15 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **5. SUPPORT COSTS - continued** 

## **Other - continued** 

|Brought forward<br>Bank charges<br>**Governance costs**<br>Independent examiner's remuneration<br>Subscriptions<br>Professional fees<br>Statutory filing fees<br>**6.**<br>**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION**<br>Independent examiner's remuneration|**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**416,035**<br>**1**<br>**416,036**<br>**31.3.24**<br>Other<br>resources<br>expended<br>**£**<br>**1,980**<br>**4,514**<br>**4,886**<br>**28**<br>**11,408**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**1,980**|31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**342,282**<br>**-**<br>**342,282**<br>31.3.23<br>Total<br>activities<br>£<br>**1,535**<br>**2,204**<br>**7,713**<br>**14**<br>**11,466**<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>1,535|
|---|---|---|



## **7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024, nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

continued... 

Page 16 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **8. STAFF COSTS** 

|Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:<br>Management (Chief Executive Officer)<br>Co-ordinators<br>Administration<br>Fundraising and Business development|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**294,481**<br>**21,822**<br>**8,207**<br>**324,510**<br>**31.3.24**<br>**1**<br>**7**<br>**2**<br>**1**<br>**11**||31.3.23<br>£<br>240,638<br>17,287<br>7,032<br>264,957<br>31.3.23<br>1<br>6<br>2<br>1<br>10|
|---|---|---|---|



|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their|
|---|---|
|services to the charity:||
|Wages and salaries|**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>**52,854**<br>37,250|
|Social security costs|**5,829**<br>4,093|
|Other pension costs|**1,395**<br>1,118|
||**60,078**<br>42,461|
|||



||Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their<br>services to the charity:<br>**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>**52,854**<br>37,250<br>Social security costs<br>**5,829**<br>4,093<br>Other pension costs<br>**1,395**<br>1,118<br>**60,078**<br>42,461|Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their<br>services to the charity:<br>**31.3.24**<br>31.3.23<br>**£**<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>**52,854**<br>37,250<br>Social security costs<br>**5,829**<br>4,093<br>Other pension costs<br>**1,395**<br>1,118<br>**60,078**<br>42,461|
|---|---|---|
||<br>Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**52,854**<br>**5,829**<br>**1,395**<br>**60,078**|
|There were no employees who received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more<br>than £60,000.<br>**9.**<br>**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>356,238<br>Other trading activities<br>49,180<br>Investment income<br>1,170<br>Other income<br>69<br>**Total**<br>406,657<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Other<br>353,748<br>**NET INCOME**<br>52,909|||



continued... 

Page 17 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued** 

||Unrestricted|
|---|---|
||funds|
||£|
|**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||
|Total funds brought forward|344,479|
|**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|397,388|



## **10. TAXATION** 

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Schedule 6, paragraph 1 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 11 Chapter 3 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 

There was no corporation tax payable for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|**3**<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**12.**<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>**3**<br>Trade creditors<br>Social security and other taxes<br>Pensions liability<br>Accruals and deferred income|**1.3.24**<br><br>**£**<br>**3,581**<br>**1.3.24**<br><br>**£**<br>**1**<br>**7,124**<br>**1,384**<br>**42,451**<br>**50,960**|31.3.23<br>£<br>1,761<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>-<br>5,664<br>1,358<br>76,394<br>83,416|
|---|---|---|



## **Deferred income** 

Deferred income comprises advance income received in relation to the charitable activities of the company. 

|Balance at the start of the reporting period<br>Amount released to income from previous year<br>Amount deferred to next year<br>Balance at the end of the reporting period|**31.3.24**<br>**£**<br>**72,000**<br>**(72,000)**<br>**35,000**<br>**35,000**|31.3.23<br>£<br>68,698<br>(68,698)<br>72,000<br>72,000|
|---|---|---|



continued... 

Page 18 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** 

|At 1.4.23<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**397,388**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**397,388**<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**445,246**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**445,246**<br>**Comparatives for movement in funds**<br>At 1.4.22<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>344,479<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>344,479<br>Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>406,657<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>406,657|Net<br>movement<br>At<br>in funds<br>31.3.24<br>£<br>£<br>**17,802**<br>**415,190**<br>**17,802**<br>**415,190**<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>**(427,444)**<br>**17,802**<br>**(427,444)**<br>**17,802**<br>Net<br>movement<br>At<br>in funds<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>£<br>52,909<br>397,388<br>52,909<br>397,388<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(353,748)<br>52,909<br>(353,748)<br>52,909|
|---|---|



continued... 

Page 19 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024. 

## **15. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS** 

The Road Victims Trust withdrew its service from Norfolk and Suffolk regions on 2 December 2024. It is expected that this will result in a reduction in funding of £120,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioners of these areas for the April 2024 to March 2025 financial year. However, 31 clients are still being supported by the charitable company in those regions. 

## **16. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE** 

The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. 

Page 20 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

||31.3.24|31.3.23|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Gifts|**1,194**|1,507|
|Donations|**88,449**|112,411|
|Gift aid|**1,144**|3,270|
|Grants|**314,600**|239,050|
|**Other trading activities**|**405,387**|356,238|
|Fundraising events|**33,842**|49,180|
|**Investment income**|||
|Deposit account interest|**6,017**|1,170|
|**Other income**|||
|Sundry income|**-**|69|
|**Total incoming resources**|**445,246**|406,657|
|**EXPENDITURE**|||
|**Support costs**|||
|**Other**|||
|Wages|**294,481**|240,638|
|Social security|**21,822**|17,287|
|Pensions|**8,207**|7,032|
|Rates and water|**2,127**|3,115|
|Insurance|**2,458**|2,196|
|Light and heat|**1,884**|2,423|
|Telephone|**6,293**|6,614|
|Postage|**1,381**|1,067|
|Sundries|**68**|123|
|Printing and stationery|**663**|358|
|Support and supervision|**14,060**|15,678|
|Travel|**10,587**|7,408|
|Advertising and publicity|**2,503**|5,421|
|Refreshments|**182**|1,157|
|Room hire|**2,963**|850|
|Course and conference fees|**11,183**|2,324|
|Cleaning and household|**1,010**|1,003|
|Repairs and maintenance|**1,268**|1,355|
|Fundraising costs|**7,687**|3,403|
|IT maintenance and services|**25,208**|22,830|
|Bank charges|**1**|-|
||**416,036**|342,282|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

Page 21 



**THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST** 

## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

||31.3.24|31.3.23|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|**Other**|||
|**Governance costs**|||
|Independent examiner's remuneration|**1,980**|1,535|
|Subscriptions|**4,514**|2,204|
|Professional fees|**4,886**|7,713|
|Statutory filing fees|**28**|14|
||**11,408**|11,466|
|Total resources expended|**427,444**|353,748|
|**Net income**|**17,802**|52,909|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

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