## **DOMESTIC ABUSE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT SERVICES**
**Annual Report and Accounts for the Year to 31 March 2021**
**Company Number 7660698 Registered Charity No 1143001**
**Providing emotional support, practical advice and advocacy to anyone experiencing domestic abuse in West Kent** Address: DAVSS Office, PO Box 520, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 9TB. Phone: 01892 502074 Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS) is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 7660698. Registered Charity No. 1143001
## **Company Information**
|**Trustees**|Kristen Paterson|Chair|
|---|---|---|
||Kevin Corbett|Deputy Chair|
||Alex Conway CTA ACA|Treasurer|
||Jan Berry||
||Merle Bigden||
||Jane Campbell||
||Julie Conalty (Venerable)||
||Veronica Knight||
||Angela Painter||
|**Patrons**|Jane Ashton DL||
||Louise Jameson||
|**Office Address**|DAVSS Office, The Police Station, Crescent Road,||
||Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU||
|**Postal Address**|P.O.Box 530, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 9TB||
|**Registered Office**|Gilbert Allen & Co, Churchdown|Chambers, Bordyke,|
||Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1NR||
|**Bankers**|HSBC Bank, 100 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent||
||TN9 1AN||
|**Solicitors**|Thomson Snell & Passmore, 3 Lonsdale Gardens,||
||Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NX||
|**External examiners**|Gilbert Allen & Co, Churchdown|Chambers, Bordyke,|
||Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1NR||
|**Email**|office@davss.org.uk||
|**Website**|www.davss.org.uk||
2
## **C O N T E N T S**
_**Message From The Chair ..................................................................................... 4 Update From The Chief Executive ....................................................................... 5 Charity And Governance Information ................................................................. 6**_ Governance And Structure ....................................................................................................... 6 Board Of Trustees And Management ...................................................................................... 6 Public Benefit ........................................................................................................................... 6 _**Trustees’ Report ................................................................................................... 7**_ Our Reason For Being ............................................................................................................. 7 Our Objects, Values And Strategy ........................................................................................... 8 What We Do ............................................................................................................................. 8 How We Deliver Our Services ................................................................................................ 10 Our Achievements .................................................................................................................. 19 Our Impact ............................................................................................................................. 21 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 26 _**Finance Report .................................................................................................... 27 Statement Of Trustees Responsibilities ........................................................... 30 Independent Examiners’ Report ........................................................................ 31 Statement Of Financial Position ........................................................................ 32 Income Statement ............................................................................................... 33 Notes To The Financial Statements .................................................................. 35**_
3
## **MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR**
I am pleased to report that over 2020-21 our wonderful volunteers and staff have delivered DAVSS tailored support to victims of domestic abuse non-stop, with no one turned away and with no waiting lists, despite COVID-19 exacerbating domestic abuse and increasing the barriers to victims accessing services.
We doubled the hours our helpline is open and expanded on-going telephone support with a named volunteer. This enabled greater access to services and continued delivery of much needed support, including support-to-court, for as long as needed. Victims reported feeling safer, more empowered and achieving lifechanging outcomes for them and their children.
2021-22 will continue to be challenging. We aim to carry on delivering our expanded services and developing services on a project basis to meet the needs of our clients and their children. Also, we will ensure our volunteers and staff get the best possible training and support to deliver high quality services.
We could not have met the challenge of COVID-19 or continued to provide our services over the next year without the huge courage of our clients, the amazing dedication of our volunteers and staff, trustees’ clear-sighted focus on service delivery and the extraordinary support of our partners, funders, donors and the wider community. My thanks to you all for the huge difference you make transforming the lives of people experiencing abuse.
## **Kristen Paterson**
4
## **UPDATE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE**
Over 2020-21 DAVSS received 1,016 referrals (including 68 men) involving 1,669 children, and a massive 5,458 helpline calls. Our volunteers and staff gave many additional hours to ensure clients got the support they needed, with volunteer Domestic Abuse Advisors giving an average of 52% additional hours per case, due to the increased complexity, intensity and violence of abuse due to the impact of COVID-19.
Positive outcomes achieved include DAVSS’ very low repeat victimisation rate of 5%, Protective Injunctions obtained, clients retaining jobs or getting new ones, starting training courses, living in safer or new accommodation, taking up volunteering, and reporting positive outcomes for their children. Many family members and friends also benefitted, and by extension this has also had a positive impact on the wider community.
I would like to add my thanks to those of our Chair to everyone involved over the year. This has been a real team effort and we could not have achieved these outcomes without you.
## **Henu Cummins**
5
## **Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS)**
## **CHARITY AND GOVERNANCE INFORMATION for the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Governance and Structure**
DAVSS was incorporated on 7[th] June 2011 under the Companies Act 2006 as a private company limited by guarantee and registered as a Charity on 21[st] July 2011. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association which have been in place since incorporation.
## **Board of Trustees and Management**
DAVSS has a strong and committed Board of Trustees who are also the Directors of the charity. They are drawn from the local community and represent legal, financial, IT, community safety, voluntary sector and faith community expertise; with specialist Police and Housing advisers (see page 4 above). One of our Trustees is a volunteer representative and we are seeking an ex-service user to join the Board as a Trustee.
Trustees meet quarterly with the following advisors to discuss strategic and operational aspects of the Charity:
Henu Cummins DAVSS Chief Executive Officer; Jackie Sumner Head of Community Investment, Town & Country Housing - Peabody Group; and the Kent Police Area Commanders for Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling Area and Sevenoaks & Swanley Area.
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing DAVSS aims and objectives and in planning activities and setting policies and priorities for the year ahead. DAVSS charitable objectives are shown on page 8.
6
## **Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS)**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT for the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Our Reason for Being**
One woman in four and one man in six will experience DA at some point in their life
DAVSS was set up in 2011 following a successfully evaluated pilot project, which demonstrated a real need for a support service for people experiencing domestic abuse in West Kent. Referrals and helpline calls to DAVSS, and client and agency feedback demonstrate this need is urgent and ongoing.
Domestic abuse (DA) has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions have placed new pressures on families as changes in work practices have led to their abuser being more likely to work from home. This has led to victims being even more isolated from any support network they may have and confined with their abuser without respite from the escalating frequency, intensity and violence of the abuse.
At any one time 130,000 children in England & Wales will be living in homes where DA is happening
Between 2011 and 2021 referrals to DAVSS have increased from 170 to over 1,000 per year
There is a widespread perception that because of its relative affluence (albeit with pockets of deprivation), DA is less likely to occur in West Kent. But DA is pervasive and respects no boundaries, be they ones of gender, socio-economic status, ethnic origin, age or disability, and the number of DA incidents reported in Kent as a whole and West Kent in particular is in line with the national average.
When victims have assets, they often do not meet the criteria for legal aid or benefits, even when they are prevented from accessing their assets by their abuser. DAVSS vital volunteer support enables victims to access the resources they need to take action to make them and their children safe.
Service users are enthusiastic about the support they receive from DAVSS’ highly trained volunteers and during our ninth year we have seen a continued increase in community usage with many referrals and helpline calls from clients themselves, agencies, and community groups. This demonstrates yet again the very real on-going and urgent need for DAVSS services.
7
## **Our Objects, Values and Strategy**
At DAVSS we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe in their intimate relationships. Our vision is that anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse of any kind by an intimate partner or close relative should have the knowledge and support necessary to protect themselves from harm and feel empowered to take control of their life again, whatever the level of risk. This vision drives our aims, our values, and strategy:-
**Our Objects Our Values** Provide relief to people Safety comes first and their dependants living in West Kent who We empower our clients and those we work with have suffered any form of abuse within an intimate We are client led family relationship Everyone deserves our best - Provide training and we listen, act with integrity education in and are non-judgemental understanding DA By the community for the Introduce and engage in community - we enable the services to promote local community to provide healthy relationships support to those who need it
## **Our Strategy**
To provide confidential free, tailored, holistic volunteer support for as long as needed to anyone in West Kent experiencing DA, empowering them to take action to make them and their children safe and recover from the abuse they have experienced.
**What we do What we do** Prevent abuse by raising awareness of DA in the community and promoting healthy relationships.
DAVSS provides vital support services for anyone (men, women, Work proactively in partnership with others to deliver the best possible services. LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, disabled) experiencing domestic abuse, Seek funding to enable us to grow our volunteer base so we can support more who often have no-one else to turn to and are in desperate need of people experiencing DA, and meet existing and new needs. We will remain independent and differentiated from other providers – a local **What we do** service provided by local people for local people.
8
DAVSS provides vital support services for anyone (men, women, LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, disabled) experiencing domestic abuse, who often have no-one else to turn to and are in desperate need ofsupport. We support clients from immediate crisis intervention through to recovery, empowering them to make decisions and take action to make them and their children safe.
Our services are client-led, volunteer-centred, free and confidential, include all levels of risk and are not time limited. We provide pro bono solicitors, interpreters, and recovery programmes when needed.
We work very closely with other agencies, the voluntary sector, and community groups (e.g., Police, Social Services, Health, Education, Housing, Citizens Advice), as multi-organisation partnership working is vital to the provision of DAVSS holistic wrap-around service.
We also provide public education and raise community awareness about this serious issue to try to ensure earlier reporting, prevention and reduction wherever possible, mitigating the harmful consequences to victims and their children.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
AIMS
Provide relief to people Deliver services which Provide training and
experiencing abuse within promote healthy education in about
an intimate family relationships DA
relationship
DIRECT CLIENT SUPPORT EDUCATION
Helpline & Phone support ADULT & CHILDREN Healthy
RECOVERY SERVICES
(crisis intervention, risk relationship
assessments, safety Freedom, ACE courses for
advice, ongoing support) Recovery and Own schools &
My Life Programmes
colleges
Peer support groups
Website (signposting, DA training for
information) agencies,
community &
Face to face tailored faith groups &
support (all adults, all risk local
levels, open ended) businesses
Court preparation and
support to court
**----- End of picture text -----**
9
## **How we deliver our services**
## _Our clients_
Everything we do is client-centred and customised to our individual clients’ needs. It is because of their courage in reporting domestic abuse that we are able to provide our vital support services in often highly challenging circumstances.
Male clients continue to tell us that they find it difficult to report their situation and seek support. This is partly due to the surrounding culture that expects men to be able to stand up for themselves and to male gender stereotypes, and partly because of lack of awareness that men can be victims of domestic abuse. Uncertainty around being believed has been a key message from both the men and women who have been supported by DAVSS.
Ethnic minority referrals to DAVSS (7% of the total) are slightly higher than the proportion of people residing in West Kent, which shows some success in reaching these communities. However, more work is needed to ensure all ethnic groups are being reached and that the complexities of their experience and their diverse needs are fully understood and addressed.
Overall, DA remains a hidden crime with referrals and helpline calls for all client groups remaining low when compared with the overall number of people experiencing DA.
## _Our volunteers_
Our services are delivered by our current team of 50 volunteers, which includes DA and Helpline advisors, volunteers delivering recovery programmes, and others who assist with admin, coordination and fundraising. Our professionally trained volunteers commit to a minimum of 5 hours per week to supporting the DAVSS Helpline or 10 hours a week supporting clients, but most volunteers’ hours significantly exceed this.
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and a number have life experience as survivors of domestic abuse themselves. Most of our volunteers are women but we are fortunate to also have male volunteers, so we are able to give our clients the option of having a male advisor should they prefer this. Their enormous professionalism, dedication, tenacity, patience and efficiency ensure that our work is of the highest quality and meets the often complex needs of our clients.
Some Trustees also provide professional services pro bono (including legal and fundraising services) which greatly reduces the cost of our operation.
As can be seen from the quotes below, volunteers themselves say that they find the work very challenging but satisfying at the same time, and feel that they are making a real difference to both their clients and in terms of their own personal development.
10
**----- Start of picture text -----**
There are no egos at
I have been inspired by
DAVSS. The team are
the strength of clients’
all aiming for the same
journeys – supporting
them to resolve their thing and there is
strength in our diverse
challenges has been
experiences
truly inspirational
Getting justice for people is a
real privilege, it’s lifesaving
and their safety is vital
I am full of admiration for the The welcome from the team
work DAVSS is doing, has been fantastic. I’ve
amazed at the multiple worked with charities before
issues encountered and awe and this is the most
struck at the outcomes supportive I have
experienced. Someone is
always there to advise and
the training is brilliant
**----- End of picture text -----**
## _Our staff_
Our current 7.5 FTE managers and staff support our volunteers. They include our Chief Executive who has a legal background and extensive DA experience and two of our managers are trained Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs). Managers provide coaching, mentoring, case supervision and quality assurance, and other staff provide administrative and other support.
Over the year, we provided our staff with laptops to enable them to work remotely from home during the COVID emergency.
We are grateful to our funders who enabled us to increase our staffing over 202021 ensuring volunteers received the additional support they need when supporting the more complex and time consuming cases arising during COVID-19, and when providing expanded telephone services. We are seeking replacement funding to enable us to continue this support over 2021-22.
11
## _Training & Development_
New volunteer DA and Helpline Advisors undergo 14 days’ accredited Quality Mark DA training, plus 6 days’ training on DAVSS policies, processes and procedures. They are then mentored before ‘flying solo’ supporting their own clients. Further training and personal development opportunities have been provided during the year to staff and volunteers by in-house training, outside speakers and attendances at conferences and workshops. Over 2020-21 most of this training was provided virtually because of COVID-19 restrictions.
## _Partnership working_
DAVSS continues to work closely with a wide range of organisations in the area and could not deliver our tailored wrap-around services without their support. This includes the police, solicitors, housing, the Courts, Witness Care Service, social services, health, schools, and others. In particular, we work closely with the three Community Safety Partnerships and the three local authorities in West Kent who have consistently supported DAVSS with funding.
We continue to work with voluntary organisations (from debt advice through to equine therapy), community groups and the faith community. We are very grateful to them, and to the business community, for their support over the year.
## _Non-stop successful support services throughout Covid-19_
Our tailored support for people experiencing abuse has continued without interruption and we have re-designed and expanded our services to meet the challenge of COVID-19.
COVID-19 and the associated restrictions have had a marked impact on our activities. Firstly, for much of the year face-to-face contact has been limited which has led to delivering services in a different format, the closure and re-opening of our offices, and volunteers and staff working flexibly from home. Client support has primarily been by telephone although we have met clients outdoors when guidelines have allowed.
Secondly, there has been a significant impact on court proceedings. Experience with the Civil Courts has been positive with protective injunctions being obtained by telephone and email. This has been well received by clients and volunteers, as this approach saves travel time, is less expensive and reduces the risk of the client meeting the perpetrator on public transport or in the car park, when accessing the court, or seeing them in the courtroom. We have shared this learning with the courts and would like to see this approach continued.
However, the restrictions have led to significant delays in the Criminal Courts, increasing the stress on our clients and the length of time needed to obtain both justice and the legal protection they need. This has had a highly detrimental effect on the wellbeing of our clients and has increased the need for on-going support from our volunteer Advisors.
12
Thirdly, since the first lockdown, there has been a significant increase in the frequency, intensity and violence of DA as families are confined together in enforced isolation with their abuser, and employment or financial security is threatened. Also, because time outside the home has been very limited, opportunities have been significantly reduced for victims and their children to escape to safety (from workplace or school for example) if only temporarily.
As a result, almost all referrals and helpline calls to DAVSS have been complex, high risk and/or high need and have required multiple interventions for longer periods. Consequently, volunteers have given an average of 52% more hours per case and the number of helpline calls has increased by almost 40% when compared with the previous year. Additional management, emotional and other support has been made available to our volunteers and staff to ensure they have the knowledge and resilience to support these more complex and more traumatic referrals and helpline calls.
Providing our customised services non-stop and uninterrupted over the year has been a huge achievement and an accolade to the courage of our clients, the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and staff and the amazing support of our partners, funders, donors, local businesses, the faith community, and community groups.
## _**Direct Client Support**_
## _Face-to-Face Tailored Individual Client Support_
Our volunteers provide holistic, wrap-around, bespoke, client-led, face-to-face volunteer support for as long as needed, addressing all levels of risk. We arrange face-to-face meetings individually at convenient and safe locations in both towns and rural areas across West Kent but face-to-face support was temporarily suspended over 2020-21 due to COVID-19 safety restrictions. Instead, tailored support was provided by telephone by a named volunteer for as long as needed. Face-to-face support was resumed outdoors when government guidelines allowed.
Risk assessments are carried out to national standards, and high-risk clients are referred to and represented at the West Kent Multiagency Risk Assessments Conference (MARAC). Personal/family safety and support plans are ‘live’ documents and reviewed regularly with the client. The chart overleaf shows how our one-to-one support is delivered and the steps involved:-
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Client Support Services Pathway
Initial client
1 engagement with
DAVSS Client Options
Client engages with full
Risks and needs range of DAVSS services
assessment determines
2 optimum service option
for client
Client engages with
external
services/agencies and
DAVSS continues to
provide support services
Risk and safety plan
3 drafted with client as
part of the overall
service plan
Client may choose to
move directly to a
different DAVSS service
based on changes to risk
DAVSS is lead agency or
part of overall response
4 depending on risk and
need. Multi agency
response to both
Client requires further
support at a later date
with the same DAVSS
service, a different
DAVSS service or external
service with DAVSS in a
Client receives support
and with Advisor support capacity
5
identifies desired
outcomes as part of
overall support plan
Client receives
information/advice and
does not require further
DAVSS support as part of
Ongoing support to client
6 the overall case resolution
provided and reviewed,
supports in place.
**----- End of picture text -----**
14
## _Phone and web support_
During 2020/21 we expanded our Helpline service – doubling opening hours (to 10am-4pm weekdays) with 24/7 messaging giving information and advice, providing our individual tailored support, including support-to-court, by telephone with a named volunteer for as long as needed. We also improved access by implementing a new software/telephone system that enables more than one helpline call to be answered at the same time.
Additionally, through our website we provide comprehensive information about abuse and the different forms it can take, how to access the help and advice available, the different services we offer and how to keep safe while living in an abusive situation. This includes how to self-refer as well as a dedicated email address for men experiencing DA.
## _Support-to-Court_
This project assists victims of DA to obtain much needed legal protection in the form of Protection Orders (e.g. Prohibited Steps, Non-Molestation, Restraining, Occupation, Child Arrangement, Forced Marriage Protection, etc). This will be the first time most of our clients come into contact with the justice system. The court process, which many people find intimidating, is more challenging for someone who is suffering the trauma and chaotic emotions, which are the inevitable consequence of abuse, and their ability (especially for litigants in person) to construct the statements and compile the paperwork necessary to support their case and attend court is severely reduced as a result.
DAVSS offers volunteer DA support throughout the process, including helping prepare paperwork and acting as a McKenzie Friend in the Civil Courts if needed. Volunteer Advisor support to the Criminal Courts includes liaising with Witness Care and the court services to ensure client access and safety, and explaining the process and outcomes to the client as needed. Difficulties in accessing the Criminal Court, with delays in criminal court dates/attendances and repeated deferments due to COVID-19, have made support-to-court more necessary than ever.
Our highly experienced lawyers provide free legal advice on an appointment basis and during the year they held 65 such meetings. We have also been very fortunate in having available the pro bono services of a barrister for complex cases where needed. We are extremely grateful to the local solicitors and the barrister who provide this pro bono support.
Our volunteer advisors also provide information and support about the court process to victims’ children, who are often highly anxious and confused about the process. Often their parent or caregiver say they feel too traumatised to provide this support by themselves. Both parents/caregivers and their children say that children’s anxiety is reduced, as DAVSS support to children helps them to understand why court is needed and how the court process is likely to unfold.
15
## _One-stop shop_
In partnership with Clarion Group, who has made available free premises and staffing, DAVSS provides a DA Advisor on alternate weeks enabling the One Stop Shop in Tonbridge to open every Wednesday from 9.30 to 12.00 am. This is located in Central Tonbridge, very convenient for public transport and local parking. Look Ahead provide staff on the alternate weeks and we work in close co-operation with them regarding mutual cross referrals. This service was temporarily suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus and we aim to reintroduce it when it is safe to do so.
## _**Client Recovery Services**_
These services support our aims of breaking the cycle of abuse and promoting healthy relationships.
## _Freedom Programme (Adults)_
This 12-week programme is aimed at helping people understand the nature of DA and how to recover from it. It is aimed at those who are still in or who have just left an abusive relationship. It is also essential for parents/caregivers to commit to attending the Adults’ Freedom Programme first, as it enables them to support their children with greater knowledge and understanding when they undertake the Children’s Freedom Programme subsequently. DAVSS-trained volunteer Freedom Facilitators assist with programme delivery and co-ordination of referrals. Because of its interactive natue and the needs of our clients, this programme is delivered face-to-face. It was temporarily suspended during the COVID emergency and restarted again in August 2020 with 22 participants.
## _Own My Own Life Programme (Adults)_
This 12-week course helps victims make sense of their abusive experiences and its impact on mental health; and gives them the skills to move forward, overcome their experiences, regain ownership of their lives, and build resilience. This focuses on continuous learning, builds agency and independence, and provides skills that participants can use when confronted with difficult situations and/or abuse in the future. The course includes group work, work in pairs, and individual work throughout each session. The programme is facilitated/delivered by our trained volunteers and staff. We piloted our first programme with 8 participants in 2020-21 with highly positive feedback about the life-changing impact of the course.
## _Inspiration Groups - Peer Support_
In addition to structured programmes, we provide informal peer support groups for clients and former clients which gives them an opportunity to network with people who have experienced abuse, share experiences, and form connections in the community, thereby reducing their sense of isolation and helping them re-build
16
their lives. Our monthly face-to-face support group was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, but our Facebook peer support group (moderated by a DAVSS manager) has continued to provide much needed support with 87 participants over the year.
## _Children’s Programmes_
Despite the fact that three quarters of children living in an abusive situation are directly exposed to the abuse and of these half are directly abused themselves, there are very few services available to help children/young people who find themselves affected. The Children’s programmes below use age appropriate activities and games to help children recover from DA. Feedback from parents/caregivers and children is that the groups are fun, that children look forward to their sessions and that they provide a positive learning experience which helps them recover from abuse. In the words of parents/caregivers and children: as a result of these programmes children “can be happy again” and are “more settled”.
The **Children’s Freedom Programme** assists children through activities and group working to identify and name abusive and non-abusive behaviours and to recognise the differences between the two, encouraging them to see that what they perceive to be random acts of abuse are not their fault and they are not to blame for the abuse they have experienced.
The **Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Recovery Toolkit** uses a combination of creative activities to develop children’s and young people’s emotional resilience, helping to empower them to express their feelings in a constructive way and give them the opportunity to cope with the adversity they have experienced (and may do so in the future). Sessions are delivered individually or in a group setting depending on the needs of the child/young person and DAVSS offers extensive pre and post session support to children and to their parent/caregiver if needed.
During lockdown, the need for home schooling has meant that children have been spending long periods of time on-line and parents / caregivers were reluctant for this time to be extended any further, so in conjunction with parents / caregivers, we decided to suspend these group programmes until such time as they could be delivered interactively. However, a suitably qualified staff member has provided one-to-one support using tools and techniques from the Children’s Freedom Programme and ACE Recovery Toolkit to 25 children whose parent/caregivers were going through the referral and assessment process and/or were referred from other agencies.
17
## _**Education and raising awareness**_
## _DAY Programme_
Domestic Abuse awareness training for young people (DAY) is a multimedia programme to raise awareness and provide education about safe and healthy relationships, domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation in a way that is relevant to young people. This is delivered by DAVSS to young people at local schools and colleges. The programme was suspended in 2020-21 at the request of schools, but when schools re-opened we received several requests to resume the programme which we will do as soon as possible, funding permitting.
## _Agencies, community and voluntary groups, and the faith community_
Over the last 12 months DAVSS has delivered Domestic Abuse Awareness training to 237 people across West Kent including those from the business community, local government, health, police (including the domestic homicide review panel), community groups (e.g., family mediation services), and the faith community. These talks include topics such as how to initiate a discussion about abuse with possible victims, risk assessment and safeguarding issues, forced marriage, implications of DA for professionals (e.g., family mediation, HR professionals), and how to refer victims to DAVSS and/or other appropriate agencies for support.
In addition, our Chief Executive has been invited as the only DA representative to speak at regional events, advising on best practice policies and procedures. She has also been asked to perform a key role in a police initiative to set up a countywide specialist DA forum and has participated in two Domestic Homicide Reviews (statutory, multi-agency post hoc investigations of incidents of domestic homicide) as the independent expert.
## **Our Funders**
The support of our Funders has been critical to our continuing success, and we are indebted to their understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the complexities of domestic abuse, and their generosity in supporting the provision of our services. This includes, in addition to our public sector funders, independent foundations, trusts, community groups, the faith community and individuals. We could not deliver our services without their incredible support.
The highly positive client outcomes achieved, and most importantly the positive response of our service users, together with feedback from referring agencies, demonstrates the life-changing impact of this funding.
18
## **Our Achievements**
In 20/21 we received 1,016 referrals
Total volunteer hours totalled 43,444 an increase of 15% over 19/20
The period 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021 has been even more challenging than ever. We are proud of the way our volunteers and staff have addressed the challenges of COVID-19 by providing a seamless service with no one turned away. However, the biggest tribute to our services is shown by the highly positive feedback received from our clients as to how DAVSS volunteer support has transformed their lives.
Most victims were more difficult to contact with their abuser more likely to be at home, and therefore required multiple contact attempts and multiple on-going interventions and support from our volunteers for longer. Backlogs in the criminal courts also meant that clients needed support for a longer period while waiting for delayed/deferred court dates and attendances.
Volunteer hours per case were 52% higher than in 19/20
Helpline calls increased by almost 40% over last year to 5,458
In 20/21 male referrals accounted for 11% of the total, up from 7% in 19/20
Our volunteer Advisors provided 2,767 legal option sessions
To meet this need, our volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to ensure volunteers got the support needed when working on these often highly traumatic complex cases.
To improve access during COVID-19, we expanded our Helpline service - doubling our helpline opening hours (to 10am-4pm Monday-Friday) and provided customised support, including support-to-court, with named volunteer Advisor. We also implemented a new IT system enabling more than one call to be answered at the same time.
We liaised closely with the courts. We worked with the civil court to set up a process with 3 courts enabling our clients to obtain legal protection by telephone, supported by a DAVSS volunteer acting as a McKenzie Friend if needed. Clients were very positive about this approach and found it less daunting and traumatic, as they did not have to risk physical contact with their abuser (see our performance below). Sadly, delays in the criminal courts meant many clients have been unable to access the justice they need.
We expanded our Support-to-Court Project offering information and support to victims’ children who are often confused and anxious about the court process. Many parents say that due to their own trauma, they are unable to give their children the information and support they need about the court process.
19
We attended 117 civil and 13 criminal court proceedings
1,669 children were involved in the referrals supported in the year
Volunteers acted as McKenzie Friends on 117 occasions
Our Chief Executive delivered DA Awareness Training sessions to community groups and agencies involving 237 people
The Support-to-court project has supported 372 children with information about the court process over the year, with children and their parents reporting that children are better able to understand the process, feel less anxious and that parents and children are better able to discuss the process together.
In line with government guidance, we temporarily closed our office (re-opening, re-closing and re-opening it as guidelines allowed), temporarily suspended face-to-face services (offering individual meetings outdoors when permitted), and provided much-needed support-to-court and other services remotely, with staff and volunteers working flexibly from home. We were pleased to be able to provide our staff with laptops and volunteers with smartphones enabling them to work from home. We are proud of the way that our Chief Executive, volunteers and staff worked together to review and re-design services ensuring a seamless transition to home/outdoor/office working and put in place COVID-19 security measures. They ensured that clients got the best possible service and ensured that positive community and client outcomes continued to be achieved during the year.
We have continued to undertake training and raise awareness (albeit remotely) about DA with agency front line staff, community groups, professional groups, businesses and the faith community on which we receive consistently very positive feedback.
We are also grateful to our funders who provided vital funding to enable us to continue to provide and expand our muchneeded services to meet the changing needs of vulnerable victims of DA throughout 2020-21. Our clients tell us that these services transformed the lives of them and their children.
20
## **Our Impact**
We assess our impact using a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative measures include client surveys, the number of protective legal orders obtained, repeat victimisation rates and value for money. Qualitative measures are primarily in the form of the feedback we receive from clients, partner agencies, funders and other operators in the field of DA but we also on case closure we compile case studies which serve to document the outcomes of individual cases.
## _Quantitative Measures_
Pre-and-post support **Wellbeing Surveys** show the impact of DAVSS support with clients reporting the following _percentage_ improvements in different aspects of their life:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Well Being Survey Improved Outcomes
Feeling safer 95
Feeling more informed and empowered 92
Quality of life 90
Mental health 80
Housing 60
Physical health 56
0 20 40 60 80 100
**----- End of picture text -----**
In response to COVID, the family courts adopted an on line format. This proved to be very efficient and we would like to see it continue. As a result, despite the restrictions, we were able to secure 242 **Protection Orders** and 13 **Punitive Measures** , thus helping our clients and their dependents keep safe.
21
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Protection Orders Obtained by Type
Undertakings 9
Specific Issue 6
Forced marriage 2
Restraining 8
Child arrangement 55
Occupation 11
Prohibited steps 10
Non molestation 128
- 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
**----- End of picture text -----**
Further evidence of our effectiveness is provided by the low rate of **repeat victimisation** we are able to achieve. This stands at 5% for 2020-21
Additionally, our volunteer model ensures that we can offer **excellent value for money** . In the 12 months from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021 our volunteers provided 43,444 hours on casework, the helpline, project work, administration and fundraising, compared with just over 37,905 hours in the previous year. Calculated at the Kent average earnings rate this equates to a cash equivalent of £658,611, an extraordinary return on investment. The professionalism and experience of those involved far exceeds this notional sum, which is considerably more than our operating costs. It represents a massive return on partners’ support, funding, and a huge investment in our community.
## _Qualitative Measures – Feedback_
## **From clients**
DAVSS has been absolutely amazing. The increased hours during COVID has helped me get the support and advice I‘ve needed.
DAVSS has been absolutely amazing. They have always been there via email or telephone at all times I’ve needed them and have a really fast service. The increased hours during the Covid19 outbreak has helped me get the help and advice I’ve needed especially during such a hard time in regard to an emergency injunction.
22
I would not be alive without DAVSS. I felt believed and began to see he was the culprit. I was not a whore / tramp but a decent human being and a good Mum. I am so grateful for the help and support me and the children have received from DAVSS
I had a very good day. Nobody is stalking or harassing me. Nobody is insulting me or threatening me. Nobody is hurting my body. I do not live in fear. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for supporting me to get me here.
Without DAVSS I would not have been strong enough to keep going forward. I would have gone back to him and carried on. DAVSS gave me the support I needed.
My DAVSS volunteer has been a lifeline for me. There have been times when I felt so low, like I was at the bottom of a very deep black hole and couldn’t see the way out. I would not have been able to get through the ups and downs of ending my abusive marriage without my volunteer’s unwavering, measured and calm support as well as her practical help every step of the way.
For a long time I didn’t have hope. I didn’t want to criminalise the father of my children, my abuser. I just wanted the abuse to stop. When I called DAVSS I was petrified no-one would believe me but within minutes and for the first time in years I found myself having hope. Hope that one day I could be free of my violent husband, my abuser. Thank you for all the hours you have spent supporting me, today I am alive because of you
## **From partner agencies**
Thank you for your continued hard work and support for victims. You truly are an amazing organisation (Kent Police)
Without the outstanding work of you and your team of volunteers provide to the community far more victims would be suffering. Thank you all for everything you do to support those in need within the area (Local Government)
23
The support provided to our clients by DAVSS is invaluable. We can visibly see the difference it makes and the impact it has on our clients. I don’t know how we would have been able to manage without this specialist intervention
We know all too well how men are adversely affected by DA, especially since there are simply not enough services out there designed to tackle abuse issues that men face. We are grateful that in West Kent we can refer male victims to DAVSS.
## **From funders**
Many thanks for updating us on the fantastic work that DAVSS are continuing to deliver in such challenging circumstances. Please pass on our thanks to your hard working staff and volunteers who are coping so impressively with the increase in demand
Absolutely amazing results. Well done and thank you to you and your team
[I am] horrified but not surprised by the upward swing in demand for your support, and the increased complexity of cases. You are all doing an incredibly important job
## **From other organisations**
I have seen at first hand what a difference your programmes make. I have made two referrals for Children Freedom Programmes. It has a great positive impact on these children (a primary school)
We have a number of clients within our setting who are dealing with the emotional impact of domestic abuse. It is important that we address these emotional needs to improve their wellbeing. The expertise that DAVSS has offered has been invaluable. (An educational provider)
24
It is so hard to put into words how I feel about DAVSS without becoming emotional! DAVSS have worked with us as a school to support a family who have experienced unimaginable trauma and I cannot thank them enough. (A head teacher)
## **From the Courts**
We appreciate the way that DAVSS supports clients with the written applications for Non Molestation Orders, as well as being McKenzie Friends, as it helps the court users through the process in what is a difficult time. DAVSS are the only domestic abuse charity that sends applications to this court, and you are very efficient, sending the documents in a timely manner, often before the court opens, to allow for a same day Ex-parte hearing with a judge
Thank you for taking the time to assist the court in providing better quality service for court users, including ways we and they can improve its service. We look forward to continuing our ongoing working relationship with DAVSS
Finally, the client **case studies** compiled during the year show that as a result of DAVSS volunteer support clients experience many positive outcomes including living in safer or new accommodation, improved well-being and mental/physical health, retaining jobs or getting new ones, starting training courses, taking up volunteering, and reporting health improvements plus improved wellbeing for their children. Many other family members and friends also benefit from the changes made to survivors’ lives.
25
## **Conclusion**
Once again, our heartfelt thanks go to DAVSS volunteers and staff. Their professionalism, dedication and commitment, has been more important than ever and without them we could not have met the challenges of COVID-19 nor provided our much-needed support services.
We have put a cash value on the hours spent by our volunteers and the investment by our funders in tackling domestic abuse, but in truth the improved well-being of clients and the improved life chances of their children resulting from the support of our volunteers are way beyond any financial value.
We would also like to thank the many partner organisations, our funders, and the community, who have supported DAVSS over the year - we could not deliver our vital services without you.
26
## **Finance Report**
The Financial Statements show the financial results for DAVSS. 2021 was a record year for income generation, with total income of £461,305 (2020: £276,325). The increase from the prior year was largely due to generous Covid 19 Donations, which contributed income of £117,818 along with increased grants from Independent Trusts, which provided an increase of £58,608 from the previous year.
Of the total income receivable for the year £197,697 was unrestricted and £263,608 was for specific projects (March 2020 £135,373 and £140,952 respectively). A large amount of the increase in unrestricted income came from private donations, many of these one-off donations as a result of Covid-19 contributions, such donations have allowed DAVSS to meet the unique challenges posed by Covid-19 on its charitable objectives.
## **2020 - 21 Charitable Income Sources**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Community Safety Partnerships
/ Local Authorities / Health
Covid 19 Donations -
Unrestricted
12% 2%
22% Independent Trusts
16% Donations and Other Funding
Sources
Restricted Grant Funds
23%
12%
13% Covid 19 Donations - Restricted
Other Restricted Funds
**----- End of picture text -----**
During the period, total expenditure increased by £60,315 from £249,819 in 2019/20 to £310,134 this financial year. Total expenditure was split £167,861 to unrestricted activities (2020: £108,867) and £142,273 to specific projects (2020: £140,952). The main reason for increased expenditure is a result of increased staff costs in the year. The COVID-19 emergency required DAVSS to redesign its services to ensure that it continued to provide seamless support to clients, leading to the aforementioned increase in staff costs. The redesign included expanding helpline opening hours and increasing supervision, quality assurance, coaching and emotional and administrative support to volunteers in order to deal with more complex, high need / high risk and often traumatic referrals and helpline calls received.
For the 2020/21 financial year the charity is able to report a net surplus of £151,171 in the year (2020: £26,506 surplus). The majority of this surplus has arisen from restricted funds £121,335 with unrestricted funds contributing £29,836 of the surplus.
Total reserves have therefore increased from £162,192 to £313,363 of which £141,455 is for restricted purposes and £35,000 is a designated reserve leaving £136,908 free reserves to meet day-to-day expenditure.
The designated reserves comprise £25,000 to fund any future relocation of the offices and costs associated with hiring suitable office space and £10,000 to meet on-going statutory obligations to DAVSS employed staff.
## **Reserves Policy**
The current reserves policy is to keep approximately six months running costs in general/free reserve. Consequently, with average monthly expenditure at £25,844, the free reserves of £136,908 at the end of March 2021 are within the target level (5.3 months cover) a slight increase from the previous year.
Free reserves comprise the total reserves available to the charity, less those reserves whose uses are restricted or else designated for specific purposes. The Trustees actively review the policy for maintaining free reserves, taking into consideration the major risks faced by the charity, their likely impact on income and planned expenditure, and an assessment of the ways to mitigate such risks.
## **Investment Policy**
The Trustees have continued to adopt a conservative investment policy that seeks to maximize the benefits of its cash flow and is not seeking to build up any longterm reserve. Any cash surplus to immediate requirements is kept on a charity cash deposit with Scottish Widows. The Scottish Widows account is currently at capacity in respect of the £85,000 Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and a further investment account is being sourced to transfer excess funds from the HSBC current account. This approach is expected to be maintained in 2021/22.
28
## **Risk Management Statement**
The Trustees actively review both the strategic and operational risks which the charity faces. These cover both short and long term risks and in particular concern financial sustainability and reputation. The Trustees confirm that they are satisfied that strategies, systems and controls considered appropriate for a charity of its size are, as far as possible, in place to mitigate any significant risk. Although DAVSS continues to have good success rates in securing project funding, this is within the context of an ever-challenging funding environment. The Trustees are aware that careful management and planning is required to mitigate against this, which includes on-going review of budgeting and costing procedures and ensuring adequate monitoring and reporting procedures. The Trustees have in place the necessary policies and procedures on a wide range of issues for a service of this type including a user’s charter, protection from abuse, equality and diversity, health and safety, vulnerable adults, child protection and safeguarding, lone working, compliance with fire regulation tests, diversity and financial controls policy and procedures.
## **Going concern**
The charity’s financial position and performance has been outlined in the financial review above. The Trustees have assessed projected future income, expenditure, and cash flows over a 3-year period to March 2024. Consideration has been given to the stability, predictability and diversity of various income streams in making this assessment. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Trustees believe that the Charity’s financial resources and contingency planning is sufficient to ensure the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future and therefore the financial statements have been prepared on this basis.
29
## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities**
Charity 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 charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: -
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the current Charities Act legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small company regime (Section 419.2) of the Companies Act 2006. For the twelve months ended 31 March 2021 the charitable company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
**SIGNED SECURELY 23/08/2021 at 6:44:49 PM UTC**
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees on …………………………
## **SIGNED SECURELY**
**23/08/2021 at 6:44:49 PM UTC**
............................................................ Kristen Paterson Chair of Board of Trustees
30
Independent Examiners, Report
We report on the accounts of the Charity for the twelve month5 ended 31°, March 2021, set
out on the attached pages 32 to 41.
Respective responslbilltles of Trustees and Independent Examiner
The trustees (who are also Ihe directors OT the company for the purposes of company lawl
are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an
audit is not required for this year under section 144{2} of tne Charities Act 2011 (the 2014
Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having sats'sfied ourselves Ihat the charity is not subject lo audit under Part 16 of the
Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for indepenoeni examination. it is our responsibility lo..
examine the accounls under section 145 of the 2011 Act..
to follow the proceoures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Comrnission under section 14515) {bl of the 2011 Acl., and
to slate whether particular matters have come io our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the
Charity Commission. An examinalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by
the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and the seeking of
explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that wDuld be required in an audit and,
consequently. no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present 8 'lrue and fair view,
and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examinevs unqualified statement
In connection with our examination. no matter has come to our attention=
which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect Ihe
requirements
to keep accounting records in accordan with section 130 of the Acl.. and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply
wth the accounting requirements of the Act have nol been met.
2. to which, in our opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date-
Gilbert Alen
Churchdown Chambers,
Bordyke,
Tonbridge Kent
31
DOIIESTIC ABUSE VOLUPITEER SUPPORT sERVE3
Strknm•nl of Flmnelal Po•*lon at 31 Idwth 2011
Comparry ?698
31or-?1
J14lw40
Cwr•nt *8••t•".
D8btor5
CurrEnt Account
503
246,630
1.689
101,591
8S.000
Pety Castt
180
80
Ll•bllhlM:
Cr8kn: wwnt5 f8llirg (kn *iihin onB y
Ngt Ctffmnt èJ89ts
26.088
162 192
162 192
Th• fvnd• of th• chortty:
R85tricted income frmd5
141,455
141.4$5
136.908
35,OC
20.120
20.120
107.072
35.000
142 072
G•norn1 funds
D•ggngtad frJnd8
313 363
162 192
FLY lh8 year in qu•stion lh8 ClJnvY Wgs •niiUod to 8MITyts'M from auot undor 80cb)n 477 ol Iho can1&S
Ad 20 MIard t¢ yywl v)mpatxB&
The have nol required tho company lo ¢A51 an ludil ol its act¥Jwts for IhB year in q$boTh wi
acconlarK• with Ion 476.
Thg dir8dtys acknow099 th9* r8sporw"bi&b¥$ for ¢Crytykng W•ilh tr*B roqutr•mBnls of I kl with rryocl to
accounbng reccrftts Ihe PTeparabJn ol accol15.
Th850 acceutts ha baon in 4cc(Kdan *ith the applic1• to compani8s SLtyct lo tho
small Cufrwnios" rogmg.
K Pal•rnon
Chalr
A C(Th4y
Tr•uur•r
23.082021
23.082021
## **DOMESTIC ABUSE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT SERVICES**
## **Income Statement for the Year to 31 March 2021**
|_Notes_
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
_Grants (Community Safety Partnership/ Local_
_Authorities/ Health)_
_Grants Independent Trusts_
_Fundraising events_
_Covid 19 Donations - Restricted_
_Covid 19 Donations - Unrestricted_
_Investments_
**Total**
_2,5_
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
_Salaries inc Employer Costs_
_8_
_Other Staff Costs_
_Professional Supervision_
_Volunteers Expenses_
_Staff Expenses_
_Training and Development_
_Office Accommodation_
_Meetings and Room Hire_
_Freedom Project_
_Day Programme_
_Emergency Client Funds_
_Print/ Postage/ Stationery/Telephone_|**_Year to 31/03/2021_**
_Year to_
_31/03/2020_
**Total**|**_Year to 31/03/2021_**
_Year to_
_31/03/2020_
**Total**|
|---|---|---|
||**General**
**Designated**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Fund**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
54,803
-
54,803
-
**54,803**
57,448
-
57,448
37,822
**95,270**
76,091
-
76,091
94,772
**170,863**
180
-
180
-
**180**
-
-
-
131,014
**131,014**
9,090
-
9,090
-
**9,090**
85
-
85
-
**85**|**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
19,000
144,057
112,255
928
-
-
85|
||197,697
-
197,697
273,608
**461,305**|**276,325**|
||198
-
198
-
**198**
150,849
-
150,849
113,879
**264,728**
215
-
215
-
**215**
-
-
-
2,770
**2,770**
808
-
808
-
**808**
3,067
-
3,067
692
**3,759**
-
-
-
5,702
**5,702**
58
-
58
1,533
**1,591**
-
-
-
-
**-**
108
-
108
288
**396**
-
-
-
212
**212**
-
-
-
-
**-**
2,178
-
2,178
4,962
**7,140**|422
176,507
5,449
5,460
21,835
-
6,193
1,647
477
5,769
530
200
3,292|
33
|_Website and Database Development & Support_
_IT Technical Support_
_Computer Software_
_Insurance_
_Charity Evaluation/ Quality Assurance_
_Payroll Services_
_Accountancy Fees_
_Independent Examination_
_Trustees Expenses_
_7_
**Total**
**Net income /(expenditure)**
Transfers between funds
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|-
-
-
432
**432**
4,564
-
4,564
9,395
**13,959**
2,698
-
2,698
488
**3,186**
482
-
482
-
**482**
-
-
-
1,920
**1,920**
594
-
594
-
**594**
750
-
750
-
**750**
1,292
-
1,292
-
**1,292**
-
-
-
-
**-**|491
3,948
11,733
936
2,400
790
-
576
1,165|
|---|---|---|
||167,861
-
167,861
142,273
**310,134**|**249,819**|
||29,836
-
29,836
121,335
**151,171**
-
-
-
-
-|**26,506**
-|
||29,836
-
29,836
121,335
**151,171**|**26,506**|
||107,072
35,000
142,072
20,120
**162,192**|135,686|
||**136,908**
**35,000**
**171,908**
**141,455**
**313,363**|**162,192**|
The income statement includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
34
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Note 1 Accounting Policies**
## **Basis of Preparation**
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 -effective 2015) - Section 1A small entities and the Companies Act 2006. There were no material departures from that standard. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous reporting period and have also been consistently applied within the same accounts. All transactions are derived from continuing activities.
All recognised gains and losses are included in the income statement.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds comprise accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds. They are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds comprise monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor-imposed conditions. Designated funds represent those funds which the Trustees have earmarked for specific future purposes.
## **Income**
Income represents the total income receivable during the period and principally comprises grants and donations receivable. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised within the financial year of donation. Donated services and facilities (Gifts in kind) are included in the financial statements at the best estimate of the value to the charity with the exception of volunteers’ hours which have not been evaluated in the accounts but for which there is a separate note in the Trustees Report.
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure (inclusive of VAT) is charged to the Income statement on an accruals basis.
## **Charitable Activities**
Expenditure comprises those costs, directly attributable to the activities including grants and the administration of grants and the provision of advice and/ or education. Included within charitable activities expenditure is an appropriate allocation of support costs.
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
35
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes immediately accessible cash deposits only. DAVSS has no long-term investments.
## **Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.
## **Pensions**
To comply with the requirements of the Pensions Regulator, all staff entitled to membership of the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) are in that scheme, unless they exercised their right to opt out of scheme membership. Monthly contributions to NEST are calculated on pensionable salary. The employer’s contribution paid into the NEST scheme within this reporting period amounted to £5,501 (2020: £4,529).
36
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Note 2**
|**UNRESTRICTED INCOME**
**Community Safety Partnerships / Local Authorities / Health**
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Sevenoaks District Council
Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Partnership
Tonbridge & Malling Community Safety Partnership
Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership
**_Subtotal_**
**Covid 19 Donations**
Crockenhill Parish Council
Barrat & Wilson Homes
Hoare Trustees - The Golden Bottle
Albion Fine Foods
Lund Trust
Say So Media
**_Subtotal_**
**Independent Trusts**
Town & Country Housing
The Woodward Trust
The Mrs Smith and Mount Trust
The Schroeder Charitable Trust
The Charles Hayward Foundation
Paddock Wood and District Lions Club
Tonbridge Lions Club
The John Coldman Charitable Trust
Kent Community Foundation - The Overstone Fund
The Sir Jules Thorn Trust
The Lawson Trust
The Garfield Weston Foundation
The East Peckham Community Choir
The Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust
The Sir Thomas Smythe Foundation
The Hoare Trust
Groundwork (Tesco)
The Childrens Salon
**_Subtotal_**
**Fundraising Events**
Other Events
**_Subtotal_**
**Donations and Other Funding Sources**
Donations - Churches in West Kent
Private Donations
Investment Income
**_Subtotal_**
**_Total Unrestricted Funds_**|**Year to 31**
**March 2021**
**Year to 31**
**March 2020**
**£**
**% of total**
**income**
**£**
500
7,300
2,948
-
18,000
18,000
18,000
18,000
18,000
18,000|
|---|---|
||**57,448**
**12%**
**61,300**|
||100
-
1,000
-
1,000
-
990
-
5,000
-
1,000
-|
||**9,090**
**2%**
**-**|
||-
560
1,000
5,000
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
291
-
300
-
-
5,000
2,500
5,000
1,000
-
7,000
-
25,000
15,000
-
-
5,000
5,000
1,000
1,000
-
2,500
-
2,000
18,000
18,000|
||**76,091**
**16%**
**54,060**|
||180
928|
||**180**
**0%**
**928**|
||4,264
2,081
50,539
16,919
85
85|
||**54,888**
**12%**
19,085|
||**197,697**
**43%**
**135,373**|
37
## **RESTRICTED INCOME**
|**Restricted Grant Funds**
VAWG Service Transformation Support Plus Project - Year 2
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Victims Specialist Services
(VSS) Fund - Male Victim Support & Support to Court
Kent County Council
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Police and Crime
Commissioner Tactical Grant
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
**_Subtotal_**
**Covid 19 Donations**
The Clothworkers Foundation
BBC Children in Need
The National Lottery Fund
Ministry of Justice COVID-19 Extraordinary Funding
Kent PCC Emergency Fund
Charities Aid Foundation - Coronavirus Emergency Fund
Kent County Council
**_Subtotal_**
**Other Restricted Funds**
Sir Thomas Smythe's Charity - The Skinners Company
BBC Children in Need
Kings Hill Rotary Club
Leathersellers
The Pilgrim Trust
Town & Country Housing
ADINT Charitable Trust
Gatwick Airport Community Trust
KCF Core Support Grant
KCF - Tampon Tax
KCF - Vulnerable Adults
Kelly Family Trust
The Lawson Trust
The Great Stonebridge Trust
Round Table Charitable Trust
The Cole Charitable Trust
Stone King Foundation
Look Ahead
Involve Kent
Children Salon (Vol Training)
Warren Meadows Charitable Trust
Whitehead Monckton (Vol Training)
Audrey Billington
VA Lacey
West Kent Housing Assoc.
**_Subtotal_**
**_Total Restricted Funds_**
**_Total per Income Statement_**|-
43,577
21,680
21,680
13,304
15,700
2,838
-
-
1,800|
|---|---|
||**37,822**
**13%**
**82,757**|
||4,200
-
3,000
-
30,663
-
78,775
-
8,191
-
4,185
-
2,000
-|
||**131,014**
**24%**
**-**|
||1,000
1,000
9,952
-
240
-
10,000
-
15,000
-
8,630
3,640
2,273
7,727
1,000
-
19,800
16,800
9,140
-
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
5,000
2,500
2,500
-
1,000
3,661
1,306
-
250
776
224
2,300
-
-
9,500
1,500
-
-
1,500
-
166
-
1,082
2,000
1,500|
||**94,772**
**21%**
58,195|
|||
||**263,608**
**57%**
**140,952**|
||**461,305**
**100%**
**276,325**|
38
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Note 2a**
## **Other Donations**
|My Donate
Charitable Giving
Just Giving
Virgin Money Giving
Paypal Money Giving
Francis Salway Gift Aid
Sandra Reid
S Mangan
S Hall
Maxipay Accounting Services
Other Donations
Stewardship
Soroptimist donation
Chiropodist donation
South Tonbridge Womens Institute
Beneden Tennis Tournament
Tunbridge Wells Womens Guild
West Kent Masons
Kent & Medway NHS
Tonbridge Rotary Club
Tunbridge Wells Rotary Club
Waitrose
Paddock Wood Lioness Club
Ms L Blackmore
V Weller
Ms Frances Long
J Mummery
Mr M Evenden
Incentive QAS
Mr P Konieczny
J & V Mason
Hickmott & Son
University of Brighton
National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society
Livingwell
Furniture World
Community Research
West Kent Quakers
Tractorfest
CAF2102112417CF - Ms Caitlin McDonald
CAF2102171919CF - D R Clarke
CAF2010154613CF - 2.6 Challenge
CAF1912164188CF - anonymous
CAF2005192391CF - Ninety One UK Ltd
JPA Drama Academy
John Lewis Partnership
East Peckham Community Choir
Asda
Portesi MC
Cheetah
AXA PPP
Mr M Bornhoft
Gift Aid (accrual reversal)
Co-Op
Canterbury Christchurch|**Year to**
**31 March 2021**
**£**
-
1,499
4,015
14,150
241
10,000
50
30
200
5,000
100
1,245
500
500
500
-
-
2,000
415
820
250
334
500
305
10
50
-
855
-
3
260
-
1,120
1,582
-
58
-
-
-
130
600
4
-
500
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
713
-
-
-
**50,539**|**Year to**
**31 March 2020**
**£**
2,301
173
1,398
1,481
52
-
-
-
-
-
102
200
-
-
-
250
940
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,100
-
158
55
-
15
140
-
10
-
75
200
500
-
-
-
50
-
1,585
1,000
87
500
115
250
2,000
1,165
(497)
955
560|
|---|---|---|
|||**16,919**|
39
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
|**Donations Churches**
St Stephen's P.C.C.
St Mary's Kippington
St Mary's Platt P.C.C.
West Kent Quakers
St Lawrence
St Peter's Church Ightam
Tonbridge Baptist Church|1,651
500
-
220
250
-
1,644
**4,264**|1,000
504
368
-
-
210
-|
|---|---|---|
|||**2,081**|
## **Note 3 Debtors**
|Prepayments
Mr M Bornhoft - donation
Co- Op Donation
Scottish Widows (Interest Receivable)
**Total Debtors**|**Year to**
**31 March 2021**
482
-
-
21
**503**|**Year to**
**31 March 2020**
-
713
955
21|
|---|---|---|
|||**1,689**|
## **Note 4a Creditors**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**Note 4a Creditors**
**Funds Deferred (Restricted)**
Kelly Family Trust
Town & Country Housing
ADINT Charitable Trust
Involve Kent
Look Ahead (Day)
Pilgrims Trust
Kent Community Foundation
**Total Funds Deferred**
**Note 4b Other Creditors**
Nest (Pensions)
HMRC PAYE
Office Cleaning
Provision for Independent Examination
Provision for Payroll Services Apr 19- Mar 20
Accountancy fees
Staff and Volunteer Expenses
Trustee Expenses
Other Expenses
**Total Creditors**|**Year to**
**31 March 2021**
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
**10,000**
**Year to**
**31 March 2021**
**£**
1,133
4,943
-
650
444
750
-
399
451
8,770
**18,770**|**Year to**
**31 March 2020**
5,000
1,130
2,273
1,800
776
-
9,140|
|||**20,119**|
|||**Year to**
**31 March 2020**
**£**
1,247
-
316
672
774
-
608
713
1,639|
|||5,969|
|||**26,088**|
40
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year to 31 March 2021**
## **Note 5 Analysis of movement between funds**
|**Fund**
General Fund
Designated Accommodation Fund
Designated Staff Fund
Restricted Funds
Total Funds|**Fund Balances**
**Fund Balances**
**Brought Forward**
**Carried Forward**
**1 April 2020**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**31 March 2021**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
107,072
197,697
(167,861)
-
136,908
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
10,000
-
-
-
10,000
20,120
263,608
(142,273)
-
141,455|
|---|---|
||**162,192**
**461,305**
**(310,134)**
-
**313,363**|
## **Note 6 Restricted Funds**
The charity received a total of £263,608 from a number of sources for specific purposes _(Year to 31 March 2020: £140,952)._
## **Note 7 Trustees Remuneration**
No Trustee received any remuneration. Expenses reimbursed to Trustees over the year amounted to £nil _(Year to 31 March 2020: £1,165)_
## Related party transactions
There have been no transactions with persons or entities that are closely connected to the charity or its trustees (2020 none).
## **Note 8 Staff Costs**
Analysis of staff costs and remuneration of key management personnel
|
Salaries and wages
Employers national
insurance costs
Employers pension
contributions
|Year to
Year to
31 March 2021
31 March 2020
239,567
161,948
19,660
10,030
5,501
4,529|
|---|---|
||264,728
176,507|
DAVSS considers its key management personnel to be the Chief Executive officer and Operations manager.
41
The total employment benefits included employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £102,905 (2020: £69,339).
The number of employees whose total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) fell in the following band was: £60,000-£70,000 -1 (2020: nil)
42