Registered Charity No: 1144729 _**Reducing loneliness and isolation for vulnerable and older people in Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale**_ ## **Good Companions Annual Report 2023** Sarah Cox, Lead Co-ordinator Dee Stirland, CFP Co-ordinator Louise Compton, Silverdale Co-ordinator Clare Ashton, Chair, Management Committee 1 **----- Start of picture text -----**
INDEX
Background 3
Aims of Good Companions 3
Overview of 2023 3
Management Committee 3-4
Sub-groups 4-5
Staffing 5-6
Volunteers 6
Recruitment 6-7
Training 7
Referrals 7-9
Friendship Groups 9
 Rivergreen 10
 Simone 10-11
 Parkgate 11
 Clifton Community Centre 11
 Silverdale 12
Home Visiting Scheme 12-13
Service User Feedback 13
Marketing 14
Funding 14-15
Conclusion 15
**----- End of picture text -----**
2 ## **Background** Good Companions was established in 2001 in response to a survey carried out within the Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale areas of Nottingham by the Social Action Research Project. The survey identified many older people living alone and socially isolated due to lack of available support from family, friends, statutory or voluntary services. A Health Action Group was set up by the local Nottingham City Council Area Committee, which undertook further consultation with older local people, statutory services and other interested parties. As a consequence, a decision was taken to set up a Home Visiting scheme for these areas to address this unmet need and Good Companions was established. It was supported by an initial 3-year grant to fund a part-time co-ordinator and set up costs. The visiting scheme arranged for volunteers to meet with service users in their own homes on a regular basis for conversation, friendship, and support. In 2003, the Visiting Scheme was supplemented by the formation of a weekly friendship group. This was in response to requests from service users themselves, as well as the recognition that older people would benefit from making new friends outside their own homes, increasing their independence, self-confidence, and social interaction, thus reducing their social isolation. We now have five weekly friendship groups – four in Clifton and one in Silverdale. ## **Aims of Good Companions** To reduce loneliness and isolation for vulnerable and older people in Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale. We do this by offering the opportunity for people to attend one of our 5 friendship groups or by providing a home visiting service for those in our community who are housebound. ## **Over-view of 2023** During the last year, Good Companions has focussed on its key activities of organising and running 5 weekly Friendship groups and its Home Visiting service. It has also organised a number of social and fundraising events for service users, their families and others in the local community to enjoy. One of the key highlights in 2023 was an event to celebrate the King’s Coronation. The more streamlined Management Committee, implemented after the last AGM, and supported by 3 subgroups, has worked well, with a Vice Chair now in post and with the Lead Co-ordinator in attendance at each meeting. ## **Management Committee 2023 Officers and Trustees** - Chairman Clare Ashton - Vice Chair Allan Breeton - Treasurer Christine Breeton - Secretary Vacant ## **Members** - Alma Davies Volunteer - Cllr Andrew Rule Volunteer - Cllr Kevin Clarke Volunteer - Jacky Holmes Volunteer 3 **In Attendance**  Sarah Cox Lead Coordinator The Management Committee met 5 times during the year, including an extraordinary meeting, and in addition to the AGM. ## **Subgroups** To support the Management Committee and to involve more volunteers, 4 subgroups have continued to meet some in person and others via Zoom, and some more regularly than others. These are as follows:- - Policies & Procedures(led by Dee Stirland) - Events & Local Fundraising (led by Sarah Cox) - Social Media (in abeyance) - Strategic Finance (led by Clare Ashton) ## **Policies & Procedures subgroup Members** - Dee Stirland (lead) - Sue Foster - Sue Hands - Allan Breeton The group was put in place to formalise some working policies for Good Companions. Much of the work is research based and often time consuming so we have no formal structure of meetings in place. Active policies are: - Confidentiality - Finance - General Data Protection - Safeguarding vulnerable adults - Website privacy This year the group has been less active in producing policies due to the work load of the group leader and the complexities of the policies being looked at (Health & Safety and Equality & Diversity). However, following discussions with some members of the Management Group, it is hoped that significant progress will be made on these policies during the next few months. ## **Events & Local Fundraising Subgroup Members** - Clare Ashton - Kevin Clarke - Sarah Cox (Lead) - Dee Stirland - Louise Compton (stepped down in spring 2023) - June Walker The remit of the Events & Local Fundraising subgroup is to create an events calendar for the year, and then to plan and execute this. Some of the activities are purely social or promotional, some purely fundraising, and many are a combination. The subgroup meets via Zoom and convened on 10 occasions in 2023. In between those full group Zoom meetings the Co-ordinators met to finalise details for the larger events. We aim to build on the event successes of previous years and so continue to hold an annual afternoon tea, quiz & supper event, pantomime trip and Christmas parties. We have also begun a tradition of large seasonal events to 4 which all Good Companions’ service users are invited; these are an Easter event, end of the summer party, and Harvest-themed session. The amount raised through the activities of this subgroup in 2023 is £6,529.03. For full details of the 2023 Events calendar, please see _Appendix A_ ## **Social Media subgroup** This group was originally set up to use the reach and influence of social media for the benefit of Good Companions. Its focus was on maintaining and updating the Good Companions website and Facebook - highlighting forthcoming events, celebrating recent events and providing useful information. Unfortunately, this group as continued in abeyance until a new lead can be found. However, the Facebook page has been updated fairly regularly during the past year with the assistance of Kim Ward and Alma Davies. Our website has also been updated with the assistance of Gary Breeton and this remains in progress. ## **Strategic Finance subgroup Members** - Clare Ashton (Lead) - Allan Breeton - Christine Breeton - Cllr Andrew Rule - Andrew Price This subgroup is to provide a strategic overview of the charities ’finances- setting the budget; monitoring it’s income and expenditure; producing a financial plan to support the ongoing and future activities to ensure sustainability; identifying opportunities for fundraising through grants and other sources and ensuring implementation of any agreed action; and ensuring compliance with Charity Commission requirements and with good financial practices and regulations. During the year, the group met formally approximately every 3 months. Its activities support both our Treasurer and Fundraiser. - Good Companions is represented on other Committees, as follows: - Clifton Volunteer Forum(Area 7) - Clifton Advice Centre Management Committee - Age Friendly Nottingham Steering Group and Core Group (AFN) - Volunteer Co-ordinator and Managers Network (NCVS) - Clifton Collective Impact Initiative ## **Staffing** The official base for Good Companions is the Clifton Cornerstone, Southchurch Drive, located on the first floor within the NCC Neighbourhood Team. However, most of the Co-ordinators’ time is spent in the local community or working from home. The desk phone is checked for messages 3 times each week by the Coordinators, and the mail is checked/collected at least once a week. - Sarah Cox, Lead Co-ordinator, is employed 22 hours per week and her remit includes running the Rivergreen and Simone Gardens friendship groups and the Home Visiting Scheme, as well as being responsible for the recruitment and support of volunteers, and events and activities. - Delia Stirland, was employed 16 hours per week as the Clifton Friendship Project Co-ordinator for the last 2 years, with her salary being paid for 5 from a grant from the People’s Health Trust. As this grant ended in July 2023, she has continued as a Co-ordinator, running the Clifton Community Centre and Parkgate Friendship groups, as well as undertaking various administrative tasks including the maintenance of our database, and events and activities. - Louise Compton commenced as the Silverdale Friendship Group Coordinator at the end of January 2022 working 7.5 hours per week, with the first year of her salary funded by Boots Charitable Trust. During the past year, her hours were reduced to 6 hours per week. Her remit was to run the Silverdale Friendship group, support events and activities, and stand in at the Clifton Community Centre Friendship group as necessary. ## **Volunteers** We commenced 2023 with 32 volunteers, and ended the year with 34. Over the course of the year we said goodbye to four volunteers and welcomed six new people to join the team. We also secured the attendance of three Nottingham Trent University students as one-off volunteers on our stall at Ruddington Village Christmas Market. All new volunteers who provide support within the friendship groups will be processed for a Basic DBS through Good Companions. Those who volunteer as part of our Home Visiting Scheme have a new Basic DBS check every 3 years. Support to the volunteer team includes a once or twice-yearly volunteers’ meeting, regular phone calls from one of the Co-ordinators, and periodic minimeetings/debriefs at the end of friendship groups. We also organise a volunteers’ summer garden party and a pre-Christmas get-together with buffet. We believe that we offer a positive and supportive volunteering environment; our volunteers tell us that they find the experience enjoyable. ## **Recruitment** Our recruitment of new volunteers progresses at a consistent pace. We continue to advertise through our Facebook page, inclusion in the ‘Do It’ and ‘Ask Lion’ web pages, Nottingham Community Voluntary Service (NCVS) database, Nottingham Trent University student volunteering bulletin boards. In addition, our promotional leaflet invites people to contact us if they wish to volunteer. Good Companions is very grateful for additional volunteers who join us to support at special events; these are generally found through word-of-mouth or through their historical support. All prospective volunteers complete an application form and attend an informal interview with two people - usually two of the Co-ordinators; this gives an opportunity to get to know each other and ask questions. Before they commence volunteering with us the following is undertaken: - Two references are requested - An induction meeting is arranged and they are given an induction folder - The volunteer signs a volunteering and a confidentiality agreement - Issued with an ID photo card - An agreement is made as to which part of our services the volunteer will be supporting within We continue with the use of a volunteers’ WhatsApp chat group for which the Co-ordinators have administrative responsibility. This allows the volunteers to 6 have informal contact with each other outside of the friendship groups should they wish it, and enables Co-ordinators to inform volunteers of new events and check availability for specific activities. Email is used as the primary way to disseminate information to volunteers. ## **Training** Training for volunteers has been offered in the following subject areas: - **Emergency First Aid:** (last provided in early 2020). It was decided that Co-ordinators rather than volunteers will attend Emergency First Aid at Work courses; staff will be booked onto a course with St. John’s in 2024. - **Dementia awareness:** (last provided in October 2023). This was provided to our volunteers by the Radford Care Group in October 2023 and was attended by 18 volunteers. It is next booked for March 2024. - **Food Hygiene** : (last provided in early 2020). We are currently looking into the feasibility of providing this for volunteers who have a specific role within the friendship groups - **Adult Safeguarding** : The Management Committee have decided that all volunteers need to complete this training within each three year period. This is next booked for June 2024. Good Companions continues to be open to providing such training to volunteers as is beneficial to the provision of our services. ## **Referrals to Good Companions in 2023** All referrals receive a phone response from the Lead Co-ordinator and services are arranged at that point. Copies of the referral form and notes from Good Companions’ initial assessments are then sent to the relevant friendship group Co-ordinator. For referrals which appear to be more complex cases (for instance where the individual has a diagnosis of dementia, mental health support needs, or requires Home Visiting) a meeting will be set up to gather further information. This is necessary in the field of community work where our aim is to provide a person-centred approach to support. We received 68 referrals for services in 2023. This is comprised of 40 for friendship groups, 25 for home visiting, and 3 that were indeterminate. Of these, 32 had a progressed to receiving a service (47%) and 36 did not receive a service (53%). - See table 1 for a breakdown of referrals by month - See table 2 for a breakdown of reasons for non-provision of service by month - See table 3 for a breakdown of origin of referrals in 2023 We categorise the origin of the referral as being: (i) walk-ins into a friendship group, (ii) self-referrals, (iii) family/friends, and (iv) case holders/professionals In 2023 our 68 referrals comprised of: - 13 walk-ins into our friendship groups (19%) - 4 self-referrals (6%) - 10 referrals from family/friends (15%) - 41 referrals from case holders or other professionals (60%) - 7 ## **Table 1. Breakdown of referrals to Good Companions by month 2023:** **----- Start of picture text -----**
REFERRALS RECEIVED OUTCOME
MONTH Total Categorised into:
Friendship Home Non- Positive Negative
group Visiting specific outcome outcome
(service in place)
January 6 2 3 1 3 3
February 10 9 - 1 8 2
March 9 5 4 - 4 5
April 7 4 2 1 3 4
May 3 3 - - 2 1
June 7 1 6 - 3 4
July 6 6 - - 2 4
August 6 1 5 - 1 5
Sept 1 1 - - 1 -
October 4 3 1 - 2 2
November 7 4 3 - 2 5
December 2 1 1 - 1 1
Total 68 40 25 3 32 36
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Table 2. Breakdown of reasons for services not put in place for 2023:** **----- Start of picture text -----**
MONTH Categorised into:
Total Service Non- Out of area No longer Other
declined engagement (for HV) required
January 3 - 1 1 1
February 2 - 1 - 1
March 5 1 3 - - 1 (service not
suitable)
April 4 1 2 - 1
May 1 1 - - -
June 4 1 1 - 2
July 4 - 1 - 1 2 (ongoing health
issues)
August 5 - 2 2 1
Sept - - - - -
October 2 1 1 - -
November 5 2 2 - 1
December 1 - 1 - -
Total 36 7 15 3 8 3
**----- End of picture text -----**
8 **Table 3. Breakdown of origin of referrals to Good Companions in 2023:** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Origin of referral Number Percentage
Walk-ins 13 19%
Self-referrals 4 6%
Family/friends 10 15%
Case holders/
41 60%
professionals
Age UK (3)
Care agency (1)
Clifton Advice Centre (2)
Community Connector (10)
Hospice (1)
Independent Age (2)
Mental Health teams (2)
Re-ablement Team (3)
Social Care teams (2)
Social Prescribers (11)
Social Prescribing Care Navigator (4)
Total: 41 100%
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Friendship Groups** All of our five Friendship Groups follow a similar format: - Welcome, drinks served, chat and completion of quizzes or word searches - Activity session; Qi Gong (tai chi), crafting or a guest speaker - Announcements, birthdays, quiz answers. - Bingo or Hoya called by one of the service users or volunteers Taxi use for service users is booked via an account held with 1 of 2 local taxi firms. We charge service users a fee of £2.50p each-way for this service, with the remainder being paid from general funds. Refreshments continue to be served at a nominal cost; whilst biscuits and cakes are provided by Good Companions, it is not unusual for service users to bring cakes or chocolates to mark a special occasion. In 2023 the friendship groups were open for 49 weeks; 1 closure week was due to the January planning week, one week for the Christmas party week, and the third for the Christmas week when staff take annual leave. The groups do not meet on bank holidays. All of our friendship groups are lead by one paid Co-ordinator plus a number of volunteers. Good Companions would not be able to provide our weekly groups in the same format/cost without the support of these exceptional volunteers and their attendance, enthusiasm and support is very much appreciated. 9 ## **Rivergreen Friendship Group** This friendship group meets each Tuesday morning at the Clifton Methodist Church, 10.00am to 12 noon. Good Companions continue to liaise closely with the church staff and we have a positive working relationship. At the start of 2023, the register for the Rivergreen Friendship Group contained 42 names, of which 30 regularly attended. By the end of 2023 there were 38 on the register, with 28 regular attendees. Our highest attendance at a regular friendship group was on 28[th] February with 34 service users being present and the lowest recorded attendance was on 28[th] August with only 19 people at the group; temperatures this week had been very high. We also had quite low number of attendance figures for two weeks when the temperature had been close to freezing. The average weekly attendance over the course of the year (including increases for special activities) was 27. Rivergreen friendship group continues to be well supported by volunteers, with between 3 and 8 supporting each week, the weekly average was 5. An example of the positive impact which Rivergreen friendship group has on attendees would that of Mr C and Mr L. They were introduced to each other at this friendship group and usually sit together; Mr L now regularly collects Mr C in his car and they travel to a couple of friendship groups together each week. There are no regular issues or concerns with this friendship group. ## **Simone Gardens Friendship Group** This group meets each Thursday morning, 10.00am to 12 noon, in the community room at Simone Gardens complex. We have a good working relationship with the Independent Living Co-ordinator for this site. Nottingham City Council do not charge Good Companions for the use of this venue. We continue to promote services to each other for the benefit of both Simone Gardens residents and Good Companions’ service users. The register for the Simone Gardens friendship group started the year with 24 names, and 16 people regularly attending. By the end of the year, we had 23 names on the register, with a regular attendance of 12. The highest group attendance was on 16[th] March with 20 service users being present and the lowest attendance was on 26[th] October with 8 people present. We regularly have support workers and/or care workers from the local care homes attending with their residents. The average weekly attendance over the course of the year (including increases for special activities) was 13. Historically this has been the smallest of all of the friendship groups. Attendance is limited by the size of the room but this has the positive effect of creating a supportive and nurturing environment where all service users are able to engage with each other. Simone Gardens’ and Lakehead House residents are encouraged to attend the group, by placing posters on the main corridor notice board, and leaflets being posted through individual flats. This is done in conjunction with the ILC. Volunteer attendance at this group is between 1 and 4 per week. The weekly average number of volunteers present is 2. 10 An example of good practice would be our support of Mrs S. She is a resident of Simone Gardens and, until recently, attended the group independently. A number of falls at home caused a stay in hospital and she now uses a wheelchair for the ease of mobility outside of her home. When she is ready to attend the group, she will phone me and one of the volunteers will go to support her attendance in her wheelchair. There have been occasional issues with the heating in the communal area not working. This has been resolved with the ILC. ## **Parkgate Friendship Group** This group meets weekly on a Friday at the Parkgate Community Centre from 11am to 2pm. For 2023, the group met 47 times, having been closed for 2 weeks in April, Good Friday 7[th] and Friday 14[th] due to the venue being closed, the other dates of closure were due to public holidays and Good Companions closures. The average weekly attendance was 23 service users, 3 volunteers and the Co-ordinator. The register for 2023 contained a total of 46 names, of which 25 attend regularly. The funding from People’s Health Trust ended this year but the group continues to generate a reasonable amount towards it expenditure. The income comes from service users paying for refreshments, bingo etc. It continues to be a lively and very friendly group, participating in fundraising, social events, trips, celebration and activities organised by Good Companions as well as Parkgate Community Kitchen. We have a close working relationship with staff and volunteers at the centre and as part of our collaborative activities, our service users join other members of the public for lunch, prepared and served by staff and volunteers from the Parkgate Community Kitchen. This enables them to meet up with other friends and family members who live in the area. Good Companions volunteers assist with the serving of hot meals in between the group’s activities on a Friday. ## **Clifton Community Centre Friendship Group** The group meets weekly on Monday from 11am to 1pm in the more relaxed bar area of the Community Centre. The location of the venue is excellent with both a regular bus service and tram stops directly outside. In 2023, the group met 43 times, the other 9 dates being missed due to bank holidays and Good Companions closures. The average weekly attendance at the group was 20 service users, 5 volunteers, and the co-ordinator. The register for 2023 contained 44 names, of which 24 attended regularly. As with the Parkgate group, the funding from People’s Health Trust ended this year but the group continues to generate a reasonable income from service paying for refreshments, bingo etc. Service users are actively encouraged to get involved with activities and during the year we have had poetry written and read by them and a significant increase in the number of people taking part in different games. This is a lovely group with some real characters and a pleasure to organise and run. 11 ## **Silverdale Friendship Group** The Silverdale group has been running since February 2022. It meets weekly at the Silverdale Community Centre on Monday afternoons from 1.15pm to 3.15pm in the main hall. The group is organised by a Co-ordinator supported by up to 6 volunteers. The volunteers also help to support individual service users with additional one to one interaction so that they are able to join in with all the activities such as the bingo, our weekly singing session, quizzes and the other games and activities that we offer. The bus service in Silverdale is very minimal, and many of the service users are in their eighties and nineties and therefore this is the only accessible group for the majority of them. Service users are encouraged and helped to make choices within the group and to achieve this we consult with them regularly on what kind of things that they enjoy and what they would like to introduce/ change. The group is very friendly and welcoming and service users’ feedback indicates that they enjoy coming to the group and have made many new friends. ## **Home Visiting Scheme** Our Home Visiting Scheme provides a regular visitor for people who are not easily able to leave their own home. The usual expectation is that a volunteer will visit the service user once a week, for around 60-90 minutes. Since mid2022 we have operated a ‘one out/one in’ approach to new referrals. This is due to a reduction in the number of volunteers available to undertake visiting; the Scheme consequently always has a waiting list. After a referral is received, the Lead Co-ordinator will visit the new service user in order to complete initial assessment paperwork. Due to the frailty or confusion of some potential service users a family member is often present for this meeting. Once a volunteer has been identified, an introductory meeting is set up between the service user, volunteer and the Co-ordinator. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss expectations and set up the first visit. Volunteers complete a report each month. This report details the number of visits and the main discussion points but they are instructed to report concerns to Co-ordinator immediately. The Co-ordinator contacts the Home Visiting Scheme volunteers on alternate months (by phone call, email or text) to discuss the service user they support and concerns are passed on as appropriate. The table below shows statisticss of the Home Visiting Scheme in 2023 in comparison to the years before. Seventeen service users were supported by the Home Visiting Scheme in 2023. We received 14 referrals for this service, of which eight were set up. See the second table for reasons why the service was not set up in these six cases. |**Good Companions’ Home Visiting Scheme**|**2022**|**2023**| |---|---|---| |No. ofpeople who received Home Visitingsupport|19|17| |No. of volunteersprovidingthe service|10|6| 12 |No. of visitinghoursprovided in total since|274|282| |---|---|---| |**New referrals to the Scheme**|**17**|**14**| |No. of these new referrals who received a service:|9|8******| |Waitinglist at end of theyear:|4|4| ## **- Reasons for non set up of Home Visiting Scheme support:** ****** Out of the six referrals who did not receive support from the Home Visiting - in 2023, the reasons for non carry through comprised of: |**Reasons for non-set up of Home Visiting Scheme support:**|**Reasons for non-set up of Home Visiting Scheme support:**| |---|---| |******Out of the six referrals who did not receive support from the Home Visiting
in 2023, the reasons for non-carry through comprised of:|| |**Referred service users who did not receive HV support by**
**the end of the year**|**6**| | Individual changed their mind regarding receiving a
volunteer visitor|1| | Services from other agencies in place before they reached
the top of our waiting list.|2| |
Added to waiting list|3| ## **Service User Feedback** In late January 2024 we distributed feedback forms to service users at all friendship groups. This asked for views on the services and support which they had received from Good Companions in the preceding year, 2023. Approximately 95 forms were distributed, with 52 completed responses being received; this represents a 55% return rate. A report was then produced which collated the responses to each of the seven questions. ## **Overview of the 2023 service user feedback** - There were some great comments received as part of this auditing process. It continues to be gratifying that our friendship groups are regarded as being so valuable within the lives of those who attend. - There is a sense that Good Companions is regarded as being a community. - Respondents appeared willing to share their honest view of services - both positive opinions and areas for improvement. There was a trend in responses to request more exercise-type activities in addition to our current monthly schedule of health qi gong. Additional talks have also been requested. - Service users taking the time to tell us about their mental health in responses is a helpful reminder of the benefit of catch-up chats with service users within the friendship groups. The vast majority of respondents state that their attendance at the friendship groups and the knowledge that we are there to offer support is a positive factor in their lives. Just a few of the quotes from service users: - _Friendship and making you feel part of a group._ TA 2023/03 - _It gets me out of the house. I love meeting people and it gives them confidence to come here_ . LB 2023/09 - _Keeps brain and body active “needed to enjoy old age”._ JE 2023/15 - _I receive a very warm welcome which is lovely, especially if you come alone and maybe [feel] anxious. It gets us out of the house_ . RE 2023/16 A copy of the full report is available on request. 13 ## **Marketing** Good Companions has continued to retain a presence on the ‘Do It’ website via the Nottingham Council for Voluntary Services (NCVS) as well as on the Nottingham City Council’s (NCC) ‘Ask Lion’ website. Our own Good Companions Facebook posts are regularly shared on local Facebook pages –‘This is Wilford’; ‘The Clifton Community Group’; NG11 Community Page’; ‘Silverdale Wilford & Clifton’; and ‘Clifton/Barton Green Community’. Our website is being updated. Regular articles have been produced and printed in our Clifton Local News, promoting our services and seeking new volunteers. In addition, verbal reports on Good Companions have been given at meetings of the NCC Area 7 Clifton Volunteer Forum and the AFN Steering Group, held online via Zoom/Microsoft Teams or in person. It has also been promoted at various events including the annual conference organised by the UK Network for Ageing Better, the AFN Event in Nottingham Market Square, the Nottingham Trent University Volunteer Fair, and at the AFN International Older Person’s Day event, the Clifton ‘Fun days’ in the Clifton Flower Park, and at various fundraising events. Marketing materials used have included leaflets, a ‘flag’ for external use, and banners for internal use. In addition, the ‘Keep the Change’ donation collection boxes, located in a wide range of venues throughout the local community, have continually promoted Good Companions and raised awareness of our charity. ## **Funding** This has remained a constant area of concern, particularly with the increasingly difficult financial climate, with cuts to voluntary and social services and increases in rent and taxi fares. The charity is constantly looking at different ways of reducing our overheads as well as increasing income. Consequently, we have continued with monthly bulk purchasing for refreshments and other items for our Friendship groups, which was introduced the previous year. We continue to be very grateful to those businesses in Clifton, who have regularly provided items for refreshments, raffles, tombola’s and bingo prizes for our Friendship Groups and for use at fundraising events. Many of them have also taken a ‘Keep the Change’ donation collection box, which has raised a significant amount of money for Good Companions each year. Unfortunately, the grant from the People’s Health Trust ended in July and the grant from the Boots Charitable Trust ended at the beginning of 2023. However, with the help of our Honorary Fundraiser, Andrew Price, we were awarded a number of grants which have contributed to the general running costs of Good Companions, which have been much appreciated. These include grants from the Peoples Health Trust, the Thomas Farr Charity, the Jones Charitable Trust, Bridges Trust, the Co-operative Local Community Fund, The Helen Hamlin Trust, J.N.Derbyshire Trust, The McCarthy & Stone Foundation, Notts RTC Fund, A W Lymns, Warburtons Charitable Foundation and the Masonic Lodge (Clifton). In addition, we have received generous donations from service users, volunteers, local individuals and businesses. 14 A number of planned fundraising events took place during the year, which have significantly contributed to our income with grateful thanks to the Events and Local Fundraising sub-group, our Co-ordinators and volunteers. The experience of working with the Independent Examiners, CA Plus, to produce our accounts for the last 2 years made the process for the 2023 accounts so much easier – with thanks to our Treasurer supported by Cllr Andrew Rule. ## **Conclusion** The past year has been very busy as we have continued to focus on delivering what is clearly a much needed service to people in our local community(in a year without the impact of the pandemic). The hard work and support of our Co-ordinators and volunteers, and many in our local community, has been very much appreciated by our service users. It has enabled Good Companions to continue to support so many people, to enrich lives and we hope, to make a positive difference to someone’s day. It is a privilege to hear how much Good Companions means to people who may be struggling to manage with health issues, with social isolation and with loneliness. Thankfully, our funding position has been maintained thanks to all those involved but more will need to be done to ensure our income is continued for the future, particularly given the current financial pressures and the end of two of our grants during 2023. We are committed to rising to this challenge. 15 ## _**APPENDIX A**_ ## **Good Companions’ Events & Local Fundraising subgroup 2023** Membership: Sarah Cox (Lead), Clare Ashton, Kevin Clarke, Dee Stirland, June Walker **----- Start of picture text -----**
MONTH ACTIVITY LEAD
January ‘Winter warmer’ soup & pudding events All groups
Donations
- -
February
March Luncheon event Sarah
Tues 7 [th] March, Rivergreen friendship group
April Easter fun day Sarah
Tues 4 [th] April
Grand Easter raffle Dee
May Jigsaw & book swap + lunch Sarah
Tues 2 [nd] May
Coronation afternoon tea Dee
Sat 13 [th] May
June Jigsaw & book swap + afternoon tea Louise
Mon 5 [th] June, Silverdale friendship group
Stall on Clifton market (outside Iceland) Clare
Fri 23 [rd] June
July Jigsaw & book swap + lunch Dee
Mon 2 [nd] July
Mob picnic Sarah
Wed 19 [th] July, cancelled
August Summer garden party for volunteers Clare
Sat 19 [th] August
Summer party for GC service users Dee
Mon 21 [st] August
Sept Clifton Market (outside Iceland) Clare
Sat 2 [nd] September
Quiz & supper evening Sarah
Thurs 14 [th] September
Jigsaw & book swap + lunch Sarah
Tues 26 [th] September
October Harvest festival fun day Sarah
Tues 10 [th] October
Jigsaw & book swap + lunch Dee
Mon 23 [rd] October
Nov Cinema & popcorn event Clare
Wed 1 [st] November, cancelled
Dec Grand Christmas raffle Dee
Clifton Christmas lights ‘switch on’ Friday 1 [st] December Dee/Clare
Ruddington Village Market Sat 2 [nd] December Sarah
Nottm Playhouse panto Wed 13 [th] December Sarah
Christmas parties for service users Dee/Sarah
(w/c 18 [th] December)
Christmas get-together for volunteers Dee
Fri 22 [nd] December
**----- End of picture text -----**
16 Good Companions (Registered charity, number 1144729) Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Page Contents Trustees, annual report Independent examiner's report Receipts & payments account Statement of assets & liabilities Notes to the accounts 8-10 capLUS COMMUNIPI ACCOUNTING Good Companions Trustees, annual report for the year ended 31 December 2023 Full name Good Companions Registered charity number 1144729 Principal address Clifton Cornerstone Southchurch Drive Nottingham NG11 8EW Trustees Clare Ashton, Chairman Christine Breeton, Treasurer Allan Breeton, Vice Chairman Independent examiner John O'Brien, employee of Community Accounting Plus, Units 1 & 2 North West, 41 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG15GL Governance and management The charity is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 0110112000 and most recently amended 0511012011. As set out in our governing document, membership is open to individuals over eighteen or organisations approved by the Trustees. Objectives and activities The relief of elderly persons, being over 60 years of age, and those below that age who have a need for such services, living in Nottingham and the surrounding area by such means as are recognised as charitable within the law of England and Wales as the trustees shall determine. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit Our main activities underlaken for the public benefit include.. 1. the provision of a befriending and visiting service., 2. the provision of advice, information and support for such persons and their carers,. 3. the training of volunteers. Good Companions Public benefit statement The charity reduces the isolation and loneliness of vulnerable and older people in Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale areas of Nottingham and the surrounding area which improves their health and wellbeing. The Trustees confimi 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, 'Charities and Public Benefit,. Summary of the main achievements during the period The charity has continued with its usual activities - organising a Home Visiting Service and 5 weekly friendships groups in Clifton, Parkgate and Silverdale Community Centres, Simone Gardens and Rivergreen Methodist Hub. Service users have enjoyed a wide range of activities, events, trips, including a monthly visit to a local pub and the annual visit to the pantomime. Referrals for our services have continued to be received from a wide range of sources, particularly from social prescribers and community connecters. These have been followed up and potential service users assessed for either home visiting or attendance at a friendship group. Volunteers have continued to be recruited, trained and supported, and invited to a volunteers, garden party and Christmas gathering. Fundraising activities have focussed on grant applications, raffles, donation appeals, tombolas, market stalls and 'Keep the Change, donation collection boxes, as well as very successful and enjoyable social and fundraising events - a Coronation afternoon tea, a Quiz and Fish & Chip supper evening, 2 Christmas parties, and Easter and Harvest themed events. Communication and promotion has been achieved through a regular newsletter, leaflets, local Facebook pages, as well as our own Facebook page and website, articles in the local Clifton news, Zoom meetings and WhatsApp groups. The Management Committee has met regularly supported by a number of subgroups. A more detailed report with statistics will be produced for the AGM incorporating this information. Financial Review Despite the increase in the cost of living and increases in rent and taxi fares, we have managed to maintain our income. This has been achieved through the number of grants and donations received, the number of fundraising events held and the generosity of Servi￿ users, local people and businesses. Good Companions The charlty's policy on res•rv•s We maintain a designated reSe￿e of £12,C>OO to provide cover shoukl we be unab to attract grants or raise suffI￿nt funds through fund raising activties. Signed on beha￿ of the charty's trustees: Signed Clare Ashton. Trustee Dataq 3 31k Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Good Companions for the year ended 31 December 2023 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Good Companions (the charity) for the year ended 31 De￿rnber 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement 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 that in any material respect.. 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. 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. Signed John O'Brien MSC, FCCA, FCIE Employee of Community Accounting Plus Date 0210412024 Good Companions Receipts & payments account for the year ended 31 December 2023 2022 Total Funds 2023 Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Note Receipts Grants & donations Fundraising Friendship Group income Taxis Bank interest Sundry receipts Total receipts 39196 938 19872 4869 7496 20132 2350 648 342 35837 23050 27919 7496 20132 2350 648 342 58887 215 958 61179 23050 Payments Wages, Nl & pension Training Professional services Insurance Printing & stationery Equipment, IT & comms DBS&ID Friendship Group expenditure Room hire Sundry payments Taxis Total payments 26255 162 1271 355 1831 2239 249 6857 4182 223 6677 141 985 477 1395 21196 27873 141 985 477 1395 1077 350 4780 4788 116 3890 45872 1077 350 302 4788 116 3490 18721 4478 400 27151 43624 17555 48792 66347 Net receiptsl(payments Cash funds at start of this period Cash funds at end of this period 17116 59447 76563 (4101) 6900 2799 13015 66347 79362 Good Companions Statement of assets and liabilitles at 31 December 2023 2022 2023 Cash assets Ba￿< accourts Cash in 66247 100 66347 79271 91 79362 Other monetary assots Dgbtors and prepayrErts 207 207 306 306 Liabilities Credito 492 (492) 552 662 These financial statements are ac￿pted on behalf of the charity by: Signed Christine Breeton. Trustee Dated 23 3 L Good Companions Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 1. Receipts & payments accounts Receipts and payments accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. Usually, cash received and cash spent will include transactions through bank accounts and cash in hand. 2. Grants & donations Unrestricted Restricted Total People's Health Trust Thomas Farr Jones Charitable Trust Bridges Trust Cooperative Community The Helen Hamlin Trust JN Derbyshire Trust The Mccarthy & Stone Foundation Notts RTC fund AW Lymn Warburtons Charitable Foundation Masonic Lodge (Clifton) Sundry grants & donations 7276 3720 3700 2600 1799 1000 1000 655 500 400 400 7276 3720 3700 2600 1799 1000 1000 655 500 400 400 900 3969 27919 900 3969 4869 23050 Good Companions 3. Funds analysis Opening Receipts (Payments) Transfers balance Closing balance Restricted funds Silverdale Friendship Group Lead Co-ordinator salary Clifton Friendship Project Taxis Wellbeing Christmas parties 400 4400 2100 1500 (1900) 8420 (12820) 7276 (8376) 400 (400) 4399 (2600) 1055 23050 (27151) 1000 1799 6900 2799 Unrestricted funds General Reserves Restructuring Equipment replacement 47447 12000 35837 (18721) (7000) 57563 12000 5000 2000 76563 5000 2000 59447 35837 (18721) The Silverdale Friendship Group- These funds are specifically for covering the cost of the Silverdale Friendship Group. The Lead Co-ordinator salary fund - These contribute toward the Lead Co- ordinator salary. The Clifton Friendship Project- These funds are specifically for covering the cost of the Clifton Friendship Project. Taxis- These funds are specifically for covering the costs of taxis for our group members. Wellbeing - These funds are specifically for covering the cost of a Health & Wellbeing event. Christmas parties- These funds were to cover the cost of Christmas parties. 4. Debtors Prepayment- insurance 306 306 S. Creditors Independent examination fee 552 552 6. Trustees, remuneration Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in this period. 7. Glossary of terms Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid during the accounting period. Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity, but not received in the accounting period. Prepayments: These are ServI￿S that the charity has paid for in advance, but not used during the accounting period. Restricted funds: These are funds given to the charity, subject to specific restrictions set by the donor, but still within the general objects of the charity. 10 Independent examlnefs report to the trustees of Good Companlons for the year ended 31 December 2023 I report to the trustees on my examination of the ac(x)unts of Good Companions (the chanty) for the year ended 31 De￿mber 2023. Responsibilities and basis of rnport As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charlties Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the tharitys accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions gsven by Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examinerfs ststsm•nt I have completed my examination. I confirni that no matters have Come to my attention in connection wtth the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect." 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concems 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. Signed John O'Brien MSC. FCCA. FCIE Employee of Communty Accounting Plus Date 0210412024