## **Healthwatch Camden Annual Report & Accounts 2023/24** Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustees’ Report and Unaudited Financial Statements – year ended 31[st] March 2024 ## **Here to make care better** Healthwatch Camden exists to make care better for residents of the London Borough of Camden. This reports documents how the organisation used its resources in 2023/24 to pursue its objectives. ## **Reference and administrative detail** **Status** : Charitable Incorporated Organisation **Charity Registration No** : 1152552 **Chief Executive Officer** : Stephen Heard **Registered Office** : 85-87 Bayham Street, Camden, London, NW1 0AG The Charity's governing document is its constitution dated 21 June 2013 **Trustees** : Louise Jones (chair), Philippa Robinson (vice chair), Paul Webley, Keith Morgan (retired, June 2024), John Hoar, Jiten Raval. Tracey McDermott (Appointed July 2023). **Independent examiner** : Shruti Soni Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants, 117a St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 This Trustees Report and the associated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with guidance for preparing Charity Accounts and Reports presented in “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice” and are therefore in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP FRS 102). 1 ## **Charitable objects** The advancement of health and the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability or financial hardship by: a) providing information and advice to the general public about local health and social care services b) making the views and experiences of members of the general public known to health and social care providers and commissioners c) enabling local people to have a voice in the development, delivery, improvement and equality of access to local health and care services and facilities and d) providing training and the development of skills for volunteers and the wider community in understanding scrutinizing, reviewing and monitoring local health and care services and facilities. ## **Our role and remit** Run by and for local people, our role is to ensure that Camden people have a strong **VOICE** in local health and social care services; that they know about the **CHOICES** they can make in these services; and that local people’s views lead to positive **CHANGE** in services. **Our remit** derives from the key functions and powers of a local Healthwatch organisation, as set out in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. These are: - to provide information and advice to the public about local health and care services; - to make the views and experiences of members of the general public known to health and social care providers and commissioners; - to enable local people to have a voice in the development, delivery, improvement and equality of access to local health and social care services and facilities; - to provide support for our volunteers and the wider community in understanding and monitoring local health and social care services and facilities. ## **Activities, achievements and performance** See Appendix: Annual report on activity for information about the charities activities this year. ## **Structure, governance and management** Healthwatch Camden is a small organisation with 3.3 staff (3.3 full time equivalent) led by Chief Executive, Stephen Heard. Staff have expertise in gathering and reporting people’s experiences and views. They reach out to different communities of interest and work with local voluntary organisations to make sure we are hearing from as wide a group of people as possible. Staff have skills in influencing local service providers, and in making alliances to achieve change. Staff are also able to gather information about services and share it via our website and social media, as well as responding to queries by telephone or email. We benefit from additional expertise by working with community organisations who, for example, assist with interviews in a variety of languages. Some expertise is gained through the use of associates - freelance workers - who contribute to specific projects. 2 ## **Structure, governance, and management (cont.)** We also have a number of active volunteers. Volunteers help us to gather and to disseminate information. Some are trained for specific roles such as ‘PLACE’ assessments (patient led assessment of the care environment, which takes place in hospitals annually) or to do formal visits to local care services using Healthwatch ‘enter and view’ powers. We are grateful for the volunteer support organizations in Camden that help us to find suitable volunteers. The organisation is governed by a board of trustees. This year one trustee was recruited. There are currently seven trustees. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years and may serve two terms consecutively. Trustees are recruited through a mix of open advertising and personal recommendations and all are interviewed. The board reflects a range of skills and experience. All trustees must have a connection with Camden as residents, service users, workers or students. New trustees are provided with an induction briefing. All trustees receive a regular update from the Chief Executive on current issues. Trustees met formally four times this year. Two of our meetings are held in public each year. In addition, trustees and staff hold an annual ‘away-day’ to review progress and plan future work. Trustees have also met virtually as required. There are no standing committees, however the board sets up ad hoc task groups from time to time, and different trustees provide oversight and expertise to specific areas of work. This includes oversight of financial management, review of operating policies, staff issues and strategic planning. ## **Maintaining independence** It is essential to our role that we are independent, so that we may provide unbiased insight and recommendations. Trustees are mindful of their role as representatives of the public interest and both trustees and staff follow the ‘Nolan Principles’ of conduct in public life. Our role requires us to be well connected with local stakeholders, and to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the health and social care system. So we always strive to keep a balance between maintaining close and constructive relationships and being demonstrably independent. ## **Financial review** The total income for 2023/24 was £222,189 as compared to £208,239 in 2022/23 of which £219,010 (2023: £206,500) was restricted. Total expenditure for 2023/24 was £200,156 as compared to £189,633 in 2022/23 of which £193,771 (2023: £184,305) was restricted. As a result, the net income in 2023/24 Increased to £22,033 from £18,606 in 2022/23. Unrestricted funds as of 31 March 2024 stood at £116,258 (2023: £119,464) of which general funds were £34,258 (2023: £37,464) and the remaining £82,000 (2023: £82,000) were designated. The CEO and Board of Trustees are reviewing the organization’s activities to find a way of delivering the service within budget. A new sustainability strategy will also be developed. Trustees regularly review our spending plans, to make sure we are making the best of our Resources.” 3 ## **Reserves policy** Trustees reviewed our reserves policy in December 2022. Current policy is to maintain a reserve of not less than six months’ running costs. This is being achieved; our current designated reserve is £82,000. Trustees also aim to create a reserve for development costs, from surplus unrestricted funds. All other funds are available to be used in-year to further the objectives of the charity. ## **Risk statement** Healthwatch Camden has a risk register, reviewed at least annually. Its biggest risks remain financial. We have legal functions as a local Healthwatch organisation and trustees are mindful that we may not be able to fulfil these if our core income drops any further. We have the ability to refer funding concerns to Healthwatch England, who may intervene on our behalf with our main funders, the London Borough of Camden. As a small charity with limited technical financial knowledge we had identified a general risk of loss due to fraud; our move to appoint a qualified independent financial service has helped to minimise this risk by creating a further layer of oversight. Trustees consider that all general operational risks are being well managed and present a low risk overall. Trustees are satisfied that risk management in use is proportionate and sufficient. ## **Public benefit statement** Public benefit statement The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set. 4 ## **Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; b) observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; c) make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; d) state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; e) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Trust's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities This report was approved by the Trustees on 4/12/24 and signed on their behalf by: Signed: ___________________________________ Trustee: Name: ____Louise Jones__________________ Date: 10/12//24 5 **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Healthwatch Camden** I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 as set out on pages 8 to 20. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity’s trustees 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 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 material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or - the accounts do not accord with those records; or - the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination 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. Suadé Sone 11/12/2024 Signed ___________________________________ Date: Shruti Soni FCCA FCIE Shruti Soni Ltd ●Chartered Certified Accountants 117a St. John's Hill Sevenoaks TN13 3PE 6 Annual Accounts HEALTHWATCH CAMDEN Statement of financial activities (incorporating an Incon￿ and exwKliture account) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total Note Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Health advice, infomiation and research Investments 202,160 202,160 187,OC#) 187,0(M) 2,T26 453 16,850 19,576 453 19,5th) 21,000 239 239 Total Income 3,179 219,010 222,189 1,739 206.5(N) 208,239 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activitie5 Health a¢fvice. information and r￿arch 1,910 1.910 1,780 1,780 6,385 191,861 198,246 5.328 182,S25 187,853 Total expendlture 6.385 193.771 200,156 5.328 184.305 189.633 Net Income l (expendlture) before net gains / {losses) on (3.206) 25,239 22,033 13.589) 22,195 18,606 Net Income l (expendlture) for the year (3.206) 25,239 22,033 13.589) 22.195 18,606 Transfers between funds 10,345 110,3451 Net movement In funds (3,206) 25,239 22.033 6,756 11.850 18,606 Reconciliation of fund5: Total funds brought forward 119.464 47.668 167,132 112.708 35.818 148.526 Total funds carrled forward 16 116.258 72,907 189.165 119,464 47,668 167.132 All of the above reuAts are deflved from contlNlng activotles. There were ￿ txher recognlsed galns or Lomes other than those slated above. Ilovements In ful￿ a￿ dtsclosed In Note 16 to the flnanctsl $￿tert￿nts. 189,165 4/12/24 ## 00/11/24 10/12/24 board ON vssANd ## Louise Jones - Chair a ## Louise Jones, Chair 9 HEALTHWATCH CAMDEN For the I Ilarth 2024 11 8•%1$ ol sYep¥•i aTrlard wlK*Ae th the UK 1rets1￿ IFRS 1021 lefferthy i Jarw 20191 . IChanDe5 SORP FRS 1021. tre FinMKwI StarKlard applKalAe Irew IFAS 1021 tr* Act 2(¢6. Healthwatch Cath N a chantth i￿r￿s￿le￿ rey5tered wnth Chanty rewstratx 1152552. Its 85.87 Stfert. Caffthn. l￿*kn. 14W1 CbiG. Tr aC¢fAXrt$ art wewieo ￿ GBP 1 £1. Fdky w rK*e. sta1wr￿ts ho￿ be￿ wepared w we a fairf ¢*wed the Chani I*£co￿lS Rep￿s1 RegAatw& 2(IX cfjly io rewred to ¥*d fair ￿. Tr* thpartwe has foitty￿rI4 the and Rer•Yt•)4 by Chant￿. ol Pxc•T*nthi￿ P(attKe arolKat4e t• AeWic oi Ire￿￿ IFRS 1021 ￿%￿￿ (ffi 16 My 2011J ratkn thon ￿ Acc(wtwry a￿1 Chrt￿. b} p￿1￿ b￿￿1¢ thtlty Tr* (￿n1￿ble ctyrp¥ry tr* del￿1￿ ol • bw*fit ¢￿ty FRS 102. dl Incom• •) Interost recelv•bl* 0￿￿￿. rrnlty r•XlfutKffj ol th? ￿Lerat pa￿ ty payatrAe bar&. 10 HEALTHWATCH CAMDEN F¢Y the l March 2024 f) Fund •c(o￿¢th Il Expendirwt dassi1)￿ u*ler the lot10￿ actmty Iwdw¥gS: volthtary c4)rttnbAbtrd to it. as tmeu as tht cost of ary xtivtrt*s wrth a F4WFAXe Resowces expenthd are allocatod to tt>* p￿t￿￿* activity ***re tht cost relates th"rectiy to that actwity. lkn¥*¢er. costs of the central luxtw)n. IS •FpytKA￿ the baws of estimated Aall tyme attnLwtèble to exh xtmty. C05t ol raiswry 1> Oper41th1 *•ses JI Ilxed assets aCt￿t￿ ¢>) thè baM"s ol the use of the ￿lated assets ￿ tlthe *ctMt￿. Assets ¥e fty hTrpalmwit rf will be slby4vn ￿ • re5eThY in b•l•Ke s￿. s expecied knfe. The devecul￿ raies in ￿e are as fOll(r￿S. 11 HEALTHWATCH CAMDEN li Cash at and th h￿d Cash at b￿k WKI cash in hwhj rKludes cash aThl 5trwt rern) hryhty IYJKI irfvÈ*nwbts a sly￿1 motlrrty of rlyee (ff I￿$ fr(rfn the dare ol K 1184.3051 110. 3451 47.668 Oesiwaied CmtiniffKy feJer•e 57.C¢L) 82.1 57.th 25.( 57.(ts) G•rnr•l fw 55.7 1.739 15.3281 114.655 37.464 112,7C15 15,328 10.345 119.464 T•l•l 14Y 148.526 208.239 1189.6131 167.132 19 HEALTHWATCH CAMIIEM Fori ended 31 2024 fifth Ltsxkn C4mdeh ts W Cty*tr Project/activity Outcomes achieved
Healthy Hearts We have carried out 500+ blood pressure checks
Endometriosis Project We carried out 6 Events attended by over 55 women
Building relationships in the community We have carried out 30 number of visits to community
organisations
Youth Health research, reports and recommendations Three well received reports on Mental Health, Sexual Health
and Vaping published; recommendations presented to the
North Central London ICB, in addition to Camden Council, and
local schools.
Cancer awareness campaign We have been awarded funding to increase awareness of
common signs of Cancer, working with the North Central
London Cancer Alliance.
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**43** Healthwatch Camden – Annual Report 2023 - 2024 Healthwatch Camden 85-87 Bayham Street London NW1 0AG ® www.healthwatchcamden.co.uk & 0207 383 2407 info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk @healthwatchcam @healthwatchcamden @healthwatchcamden