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This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-01-12-accounts

GoStart is an independent charity and a company limited by guarantee. GoStart provides accessible transport for anyone who is unable to get out of their home because of limited mobility, disability or a lack of access to suitable safe means of transport. The provision of transport for people who are caught in this sort of situation can often provide benefits and improvements in physical and mental health.

STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP

GoStart is an independent voluntary body which has a local membership made up of individuals and other not-for-profit bodies and organisations. Current individual membership stands at 694 members and 85 local voluntary groups.

LOCATION AND PROPERTY

Go Start operates from Unit 6 in South Suffolk Business Centre, Sudbury where we have an office and outdoor parking for our five vehicles. The office and parking area are all rented from Babergh District Council.

GoStart PEOPLE

We have three part-time members of staff. Julie and Debbie provide effective management of the office including bookings, vehicle allocation and all the general day-to-day office administration. Adam, our maintenance man, has been with GoStart for just over three years . There are currently three trustees and we are currently looking for new trustees to strengthen our team. We are currently working with CAS [Community Action Suffolk] team looking for volunteers to join our management team. All our drivers are volunteers, we currently have 21 volunteers. We lost several volunteers during and after the Covid Pandemic but have been fortunate in recruiting three new drivers in the year 2022-23

VEHICLES.

We currently have five vehicles in use. All are in good working order with the three older vehicle showing signs of “wear and tear ” through continual daily use. Current mileage for our 8-seater Sprinter is 96000 miles, five-seater Vito W is 91000 miles and Vito V is 88000 miles. We have a good working relationship with a garage in Sudbury which provides a regular programme of inspection and service under an agreement which meets the standards required by the DfT for vehicles carrying passengers. All current vehicles are diesel powered; we are very aware of need for replacements in near future. The need to comply with environmental standards, while contributing to more efficient and economic use of passengercarrying vehicles, is a continuing concern [see later section of report headed initiative project]. All our vehicles are owned by GoStart. We do not have any hired or leased vehicles because research has clearly showed that if, as we hope to be able to do, we can continue running vehicles for ten years, leasing is not a viable solution for GoStart

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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SUPPORT AND FUNDING

We still would like, and really need, to move away from dependence on funding by government at both local and national level. However, at present, this still seems to be an unachievable goal. We have five sources of income. Passenger fares, hire charges for group use of vehicles, donations from passengers and family members, grants from support bodies and direct government funding.

Fares have been kept at the same level as were last year. There is a need to achieve a realistic balance between operating costs, particularly fuel, and what passengers can afford to pay. Getting the balance wrong could result in unaffordable losses or a reduction in passenger numbers. We still have indirect support from Suffolk County Council for Dial-a-Ride door-to-door services and our accessible MPVs through a grant paid by Suffolk County Council to Hadleigh Community Transport. This enables GoStart to continue providing transport for patients attending hospital appointments. GoStart provides services for people who do not meet the criteria set by hospital transport bodies such as the NEPT contactor for patient transport. This includes West Suffolk. Papworth, Addenbrookes, Ipswich and Colchester hospitals. GoStart receives no financial help from NHS or any other funders to support theses essential services.

During last year we received funding from a number of other sources and donors including:-

We acknowledge with grateful thanks the support and help provided by all those listed above and donations from passengers and family members which on many occasions are “ slipped quietly to driver with fare money”. GoStart would like to express sincere thanks to all donors and contributors. Without all your help and support we would not be able to continue operating GoStart services for people living in in the Sudbury area.

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees recognise and understand their duty to recognise and minimise

any risks to which the charity is exposed. The trustees have to ensure that appropriate supervision and controls are put in place in order to provide reasonable assurance against fraud or any actions which may cause damage to the charity. We had previously identified four primary risks for Community Transport. During the last two years we have had further experience of problems with availability of spare parts. Accidental damage to glass in rear windscreen and one large side panel revealed that replacement glass had to be imported resulting in one vehicle being off the road for over two months.

1. The continuing need for the supply of good reliable sympathetic volunteers.

2. The need for good quality reliable vehicles & means of replacement when needed.

3. Access to and availability of finance to support low-cost not-for-profit services.

4. Having experienced almost two years’ worth of Covid we are now very much more focused on procedures involving cleaning and sanitising to protect volunteer and passengers.

5. Precautions and preparations needed in order to be in position to locate essential spare parts.

Caution -Covid has not gone away - it is hiding just out of sight!

OTHER RISKS

DfT and S19 and S22 Permits

We currently have five operating permits issued by DfT under section 19 and section 22 of the 1985 Road Traffic Act. All permits are current with validity dates between 2026 and 2027 These permits enable and allow us to operate service such as door-to-door Dial-a-Ride, MPV services largely for patient transport to hospital, and one route registered with Traffic Commissioners. The High Court Case brought by a bus company in Derbyshire is now behind us but we need to remain alert to any further challenges to services operated by Community Transport[1]

Training of volunteers

GoStart arranges and funds training for all volunteers. We use the MIDAS system for training drivers and first aid training provided by a first responder. Provision of training is an essential common-sense requirement but it is a significant recurring annual cost. GoStart has an in-house MIDAS trained DAT (Driver Assessment Trainer). Changes to the structure and way that MIDAS is provided and operated will, within next few months, see a more regulated and focused system of MIDAS training being introduced. This will involve formal on-line training sessions coupled with local practical sessions. Trustees need to be aware and prepared to deal with this new approach as there is a risk that some older drivers may be unwilling or reluctant to engage or take part in online training.

1 1 GoStart does not have or operate any educational contracts for or on behalf of Suffolk County Council. All the work we carry out with or for schools is arranged and managed directly with the schools concerned. We make this clear because following the investigation and High Court Case in 2019 the question of public contracts with CT operators has not been fully resolved by the DfT

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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Driving licences and drivers’ medicals

When drivers reach their 70[th] birthday they have to undergo a medical before they apply for an updated licence which includes the “D” category. GoStart pays the medical fees for drivers’ medicals since it has been seen as unfair to expect volunteers to fund this themselves The DfT is currently involved in a review of licence categories, weights applicable to different categories and how all of these may affect heavier electric vehicles and licence categories.

Secure records and GDPR regulations We continue to do our best to maintain safe and secure records in compliance with the GDPR regulations. We have not seen or been aware of any failings or faults on the part of GoStart. We have however encountered what appeared to be deliberate misapplications of the regulations. These were probably in the mistaken believe that avoidance was the best way to proceed rather than “providing essential information” safely.

Transport to GP’s and hospital appointments

GoStart aims to fulfil all the requests and bookings made by local people for transport particularly where medical appointments are concerned. We are aware of problems still being encountered by patients or passengers needing booster jabs. We have seen several incidents where elderly and disabled passengers were denied access to NEPTS/health service transport in order to get to a vaccination centre.[2]

SAFEGUARDING

The nature of activities and services provided by GoStart mean that all our drivers are in daily contact with members of the public who may be at risk GoStart is involved with a wide age range of passengers including young children and people well past retiring age. Amongst these passengers there are people with eyesight problems, hearing problems, mobility problems and an increasing number suffering from various forms of dementia. All GoStart volunteers have current enhanced DBS document which has been registered on the DBS accessible document site and is checked at regular intervals of no more than 2 years.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

GoStart has developed and operates policies and operational procedures to ensure that services provided are fit for purpose and safe to use. As at time this document was produced GoStart had in place the policies and procedures detailed in the following schedule:

Safety Issues : Protection and safeguarding. Accident and incident reporting. Lone Working Procedure. Use of electronic devices in vehicles. Passenger loading in vehicles. GDPR Regulations

General purpose:- Recruitment Procedures. Purchasing and procurement. Equal Opportunities. Safe fuelling policy and procedures. Hospital Parking Arrangements

Financial Issues;- Volunteer expenses. Money handling and record keeping

2 2 The term Sudbury area refers to Sudbury Town, villages and small groups of housing within a radius of eight miles of Sudbury Town Centre. We travel outside of the defined area when required for example when taking local people to hospital appointments at West Suffolk, Papworth , Addenbrookes and other medical facilities outside the eight-mile radius

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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AIMS and OBJECTIVES

The principal object of the charity is to provide low-cost accessible transport and related support for anyone who is disadvantaged by reason of age, disability, poverty or social isolation in Sudbury, Suffolk, and the surrounding villages and communities.

OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED BY:-

1. Providing and maintaining non-profit making community transport services.

2. Working within the community in order to improve people’s mobility.

3. Engaging and working with other voluntary groups within the Sudbury area.

4. Working to identify needs of older people, particularly those living in isolation, those with limited mobility & anyone who is lonely and risks failing health as a result.

5. Continued awareness of society changes and needs of members of community. Identifying needs of individuals, and other organisations, and then testing out and delivering new or adapted services

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

  1. Dial-a-Ride door-to-door services within an 8-mile radius of Sudbury.

  2. MPV services providing a safe way of attending hospital and medical appointments

  3. Day Centre transport services for elderly passengers and anyone suffering with dementia

  4. Transport to meetings and activities for Sudbury Gateway Club, activity arm of MENCAP

  5. Transport for primary school pupils taking part in out of school lessons and activities

  6. Expanding Horizons providing days out for older people who are lonely or isolated

  7. Transport for members small voluntary groups trying to access activities and events

  8. Planning and running a twice weekly bus route to villages which have no other bus services

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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PROVISON OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PUBLIC BENEFIT.

GoStart provides community benefit by using safe reliable means of transport for people of all ages. This applies particularity to anyone with limited or restricted mobility, who needs or wishes to get out of the place where they normally live. This may be for reasons such as a doctor’s appointments, going shopping or for social interaction. Community Transport provides a direct benefit to passengers and reassurance by providing short duration respite for carers and family members.

GoStart engages and works with a wide range of other voluntary and not-for-profit organisations in order to extend range and reach of services. There are currently 85 registered small local groups who use GoStart services including:-

The above list covers some of the groups who have used GoStart during the last year. We are aware that several local groups and voluntary organisations closed down all activities during 2020/2 and have not yet been reinstated. We are making efforts to ensure they have current information about GoStart services.

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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RETURN TO A NEW NORMAL AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

“AND A NEW INITIATIVE FOR 2023”

There have been many changes in not-for-profit organisations and voluntary bodies and the services they operate since the Covid pandemic was declared over. Many voluntary organisations have closed down or have gone into a form of hibernation. GoStart has been fortunate in that while we saw a small drop in volunteer numbers, we have seen new volunteers join GoStart during 2022-3. We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to enable us to continue to meet increasing passenger demand.

In last year’s annual report, we outlined our understanding of the urgent need to reduce our reliance on diesel. We recognised the need to go electric and to find ways of increasing passenger numbers and takeup on some of our more important services During last few months of 2022 we submitted a proposal and bid document with matched funding to buy an accessible electric eight-seater vehicle. The proposal included ways to improve and enhance GoStart services by increasing passenger numbers for specific services. This may well be our only and best opportunity to “Go Electric” in the coming year.

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

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

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ……30 March 2023………………. and signed on its behalf by

JF Phillips Trustee for GoStart Community Transport

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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PERFORMANCE DATA

FEBRUARY 2022 TO JANUARY 2023.

In GoStart annual reports, prepared in earlier years, we have tried to standardise data and way it was presented. This was in order to assist with comparisons from year to year. In the year covered by this report services have restarted so comparisons with pre pandemic level of service have been included for some of our services. The following is not a full list of GoStart services

CONTINUING PANDEMIC RESPONSE FEBRUARY 2022 – JANUARY 2023

Activities under this heading still taking place using DAR or MPV as required.

Where passengers or family request access to have booster Jabs, we continue to provide services at no cost to patients

This was a completely new and very much needed activity in 2021 for which we have no previous or comparable data or records.

DIAL-a-RIDE & MPV DOOR-TO-DOOR PASSENGER JOURNEYS

February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020
587 319 21 19 41 79
February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021
227 335 339 340 393 406
February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022
452 493 406 385 4232 463
August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021
145 187 277 305 255 220
August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 January 2022
356 430 401 496 236 372
August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 December 2022 January 2023
518 505 466 550 440 451

Total numbers of passenger journeys on Door-to-Door dial-a-ride and MPV passengers which includes hospital and GP appointments. Last year’s figures 2021/22 highlighted in grey

EXPANDING HORIZONS

Feb 2021 Mar 2021 Apr 2021 May2021 June 2021 July2021
16> Colchester 20> Braintree 28> Blackthorpe 14> Hadleigh 24> Sudbury
Feb 2022 Mar 2022 April 2022 May2022 June 2022 July2022
5> Angling 8> Frinton
5> Angling
4> Whitsun Fair		 3> Angling
4>Angling
11> Tour to Ely
9> Felixstowe		 8> Needham
Lake
4> Angling
August 2021 Sept 2021 Oct 2021 Nov 2021 Dec 2021 Jan 22
22> Walton 10> Bury 24> Frinton 30> Felixstowe 26> Barnham 20> Harwich
August 2022
Sep 2022		 Oct 2022 Nov 2022 Dec 2022 Jan 2023
14>Aldeburgh 9> Frinton
11> Harwich		 14>Mystery Tour 9>Christmas
fair		 14> Sudbury
pensioners
lunch

Chart shows total number of passenger journeys on day trips arranged and provided for people who are lonely and isolated. Passengers pay £5 per head. Activities supported by funding from David and Jill Simpson fund through Suffolk Community Foundation. Transport to the Sudbury Town Council pensioners lunch journeys were all provided at no cost to the participants.

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23 Page 8

GATEWAY CLUB MEETINGS

AND ACTIVITIES

----- Start of picture text -----
February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019
98 94 60 94 102 100
August 2019 Sept 2019 Oct 2019 Nov 2019 Dec 2019 Jan 2020
108 82 70 140 CLOSED
August 2021 Sept 2021 Oct 2021 Nov 2021 Dec 2021 Jan 2022
40 44 44 60 34
February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022
26 43 24 29 46 00
August 2022 Sept 2022 Oct 2022 Nov 2022 Dec 2022 Jan 2023
35 35 57 57 49 17
----- End of picture text -----

Sudbury Gateway Club is a social and activities arm of the National MENCAP Society. Club provides regular meetings, activities, outings and an annual camp for adults with learning difficulties Numbers are total number of passenger journeys to meetings and activities each month.

GREEN LIGHT TRUST

February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 4 Return trips Total 24 8 Return trips Total 54 11 Return trips Total 84 Passenger Journeys Passenger journeys Passenger journeys

The Green Light Trust is voluntary and charitable body based in Bury St Edmunds They arrange outdoor woodland training and wellbeing courses for people who are isolated and in need of human company and support. Transport was provided up until July 2022 when they purchased a redundant minibus from Cockfield Parish Council

GoStart Annual Report 2022 -23

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