Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) Merton Centre Independent Llvlng MERTON CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (MERTON CIL) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 312024 Registered Charity Number 1152825 Registered Company NumIr 7645926
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) colrErS OF FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 312024 Legal and administrative information Report of the Board of Trustees IndetEfKlent ExamitErfs Rert Page 10 ststement of finanaal attivities 12 BalarKe sFEet 13 Notes to the financial statements 15
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Constitution Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. Charity number 1152825 - Company number 7645926 Directors and Trustees The dirertors of the charitable company are its trust&s for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trUSts. As t out in the Articles of Association the Management Board comprises the Chair, the VI Chair and the Treasurer supported by up to nine trustees. At each Annual General Meeting one~third of the direttors must retire from office and may be re-elected at the recommendation of the board. The trustees serving during the year and since the year-end are as follows: Co-chair: Giovanna Vett & Amanda Edwards Ice Chair: EstifarK)s Habtsellasie Trustees Claire Benjamin, Sarah Henley, Raheema Olajide, Chris Bull, Kirstin Hellard, Daniel Beglin Senior Management Joint 0,$. Charfet Wilson & David Jenkirs Senior Man¥rs: Stuart Buder & Pippa Maslin Registered Office and Principal Office Vestry Hall, 336 London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3UD Independent Examiner Lesley Cornwell FCCA, Cornwell & Cornwell, 194 Stsnley Road, Teddington, TWII 8UE Principal Bankers HSBC Bank, 5 Wimbledon Hill Rd, Wimbledon, London, SW19 7NF
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRusfEES FOR YEAR END 31 MARCH 2024 The Board presents the report and financial statements of Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The statements appear in the format required by the Ststement of Recommended Prartice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised March 2005). The report and statements comply with Companies kt 2006. Strurture, Governance and Management History The organisation was originally started as a steering group in 2008, it was incorporated as a company in 2011 and registered as a charity in 2013. Goveming D(Kument Merton CIL is a company limited by guarant&, having no share capital governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated June 2013 and Special Resolution dated Ottober 2016. The liability of the Trustees is limited to £1 in the event of the charity winding up. Appointment of Trust&s The Board of Trustees is made up of not less than three and no more than twelve people. Trustees are elected from the membership at the AGM or co- opted during the year by agreement of the Board and confirmed at the AGM. Trustees must be aged 16 years or older. At least 75 % of trustees must be Deaf or Disabled. All trust&s give their time voluntarily and receive no financial benefits from the organisation. New trustees are given induttion on their roles and responsibilities and are offered additional training where necessary. Organisation The Board of Trust&s administers the charity. The Board mts quarterly. The Joint CEO is appointed to manage the day-to-day operations of the organisation. To facilitate effective operations, the Joint CEO has delegated authority, within the terms of the delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including finan, employment, and operations.
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Mertoii CIL) Risk Management The Directors have reviewed the risks to which the charity is exposed and maintsin a risk'register. Risks are ameliorated by the implementstion of procedures and policies, with a regular review of these to ensure current good prattice. Objertives and Activities A summary of the objects as *t out in the charitys Governing document: 'To relieve the ndS of Disabled persons in Merton and the surrounding areas by providing support and sericeS to enable them to live as full and equal citizens in all aspects of life." Our Vision: To enable Deaf and Disabled people to take control over their lives and achieve full participation in Merton and wider society. Our Aims: To promote the independence and inclusion of Deaf and Disabled people in Merton. To identify and challenge discrimination faced by Deaf and Disabled people in Merton. To encourage Deaf and Disabled people and supporters to achieve charKJe l(xally. Key Activities: Independence and Inclusion: An AQS accredited Information & Advice service supporting issues relating to welfare benefits, debt and low income, social care, concessionary travel, grant applications, aids and adaptations and housing. We also run a small speaking up services that supports Disabled people to navigate barriers to health care and services. Challenging Discrimination: Social polio/ work that aims to improve policies and procedures relating to social care, housing and health. As well as exploring and better understanding the intersectional experiences of Disabled people. Achieving Change Locally: Collorative work with local Disabled people to creatively push for societal change. This includes monthly Craftivism & Chat sessions using disability arts to addre55 isolation and loneliness and increase participation and connection, events, debates, and member led
Merton Centre for Independent Livino imerton CIL) policy work on key issues raised by local Disabled people using lived experience to influ&2nce positive cliange within our community. Summary of Achievements Independence and Inclusion: Our AQS accredited information & advice seniice and advocacy pilot (new 'sppaking up, service) provided support in 252 cases. We supported 289 servicp users with 1,210 of person-centred and accessible support sessions. We also supported wellbeing, guidance, signposting and connettion in further 288 cases. 61 % of service users saw improved resilience, confidence and wellbeing after using our services. Our work over the past year contributed £487,715 to the local economy. Challenging Discrimination: Our organisation spent 466 hours condutting policy work that identified and challenged discrimination. We saw great outcomes such as supporting the ASC team to develop a new evaluation tool, involvement in the local authorities, new EDI strategy and more. We continued to support .members to speak up and use their lived experiences to influence changes to local policies and procedures around social care, housing and health that impatt our ability to live independently. We responded to local consultations and shared feedback on the council's budget setting process. Achieve Change Locally: We now have 415 members - the majority being local Disabled people or individuals with a long-term health condition and an additional 78 being supporters of our work and values. We have a growing group of Access Charrpions condurting member-led policy work powered by lived experience to make Merton accessible for all. We delivered 22 events, including My Voice Matters and Craftivism & Chat. We engaged with 141 people through events and outreach and a further 3035 people across our social media platforms. 100 % of attendees rated our events good or great. Volunteers provided 232 hours of support, and we hosted 3 M&E steering groups where members, volunteers, staff and trustees donated time to help improve the organisation and its work. Please see our 2023-24 Impart Report for further detsils of the year's achievements.
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) FINANCIAL REVIEW The results for the year and financial position of the Charity are shown in the annexed statements. The charity brought forward unrestricted funds of £84,300 and restritted funds of £52,610 from the previous accounting period. During the current accounting period, the net surplus is £152,472 of which £46,027 is unrestricted and £106,445 restricted. This leaves final balances to carry forward of £130,327 unrestricted and £159,055 restricted funds. EVENTS AFfER THE BALANCE SHEEf DATE The Charity continues to rely on grant applications and fundraising to fund its activities. The Trustees are confident that these grants will continue to be available for the valuable work the charity is doing. During the year, the Charity's Trustees have monitored the financial position of the organisation to ensure that the charity's funds, both restricted and unrestricted, are correctly applied, and accounted for. PLANS FOR FimiRE PERIODS Throughout 2023-24, we continued our work with local Disabled people to navigate the complex and growing issues that we faced. Our organisation had limited capacity throughout the year due to stsff retention and recruitment issues. We used this struggle to inform learning around developing our staff and to influence internal policy and culture changes. Our team, however, still managed to achieve great outcomes, which you can read about in our impact report. We pulled together fdback from staff, service users, members, supporters and more to help develop our new strategy that will be implemented from April 2024. Over the next year we plan to: Launch our new co-produced and evolving strategy. Begin work to start an organisational rebrand including a name change. To rethink the strutture of the organisation to allow for more routes into leadership for Disabled people or individuals with long term health conditions. Continue to provide accredited, free and person-centred information and advice to local Disabled people. To launch our new'speaking Up, service that works with local Disabled people to address barriers in a holistic manner and with the aim of increasing access to health care and servIs.
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) To conclude our SVRR trainee programme and establish our new propel trainee programme that aims to build skills and knowledge in Disabled people as well as leadership skills. To increase our capacity for policy work relating to social care to see improved outcomes for local Disabled people. To increase engagement with local council officers, councilors and local partners with the aim of more collaborative approaches and co- produttion work. To begin to explore intersettionality and how our organisation can better understand how social issues care intersett for some Disabled people to improve our work and *rvices. To build skills and confidence with our members leading our member led policy work to further strengthen and mobilize our membership to push for change. To continue our work improving our strategic communications work to ensure that our aims, values, mission and impatt are evident. To continue to deliver Craftivism & Chat and support more Disabled people to build skills and confidence to host sessions. To reinstate volunteering opportunities for local Disabled people. Expand capacity around fundraising to bring in multi-year funding to support sustainability and unrestritted income to allow for growth and creativity. Continue work to strength and develop our organisational culture. RESERVES POLICY Merton CIL will maintsin sufficient reseNes to allow it to cover known liabilities and contingencies, absorb setbacks and tske advantsge of change and opportunity. Merton CIL will hold unrestritted fvnds to rnt at least 2 month's running costs and aims to hold 5 months running costs by 2025. This will enable Merton CIL to provide reliable services over the long term, and to provide a safety net against dramatic swings in income or costs, and sufficient time to replace lost income, through fundraising. TRusfEES' RESPONSIBILMES Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) company and of the profit or loss of the company 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 and prepare the financial statements on a going conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the organisation and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the organisation and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Amanda Edwards (Co-Chair/Secretsry) Giovanro Vette* (Co-chair) Date: .7 10 IOILk
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MERTON CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT UVING I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages 13 and 14 which have bn prepared under the accounting policies set out on page 16. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The Charity's trust&s are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trUStS consider that an aud5t is not required for this year under ttion 144 (2) of the Charities Att 2011 (the 2011 Att) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Att; Follow the prOdureS laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Art; and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiners, report My examination was carried out in accordan with the general direttions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanation from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently, no opinion is view given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. 020 3397 3119 @MertoraL Mertoncil E¥&y merton.cll 111 Info mertoncll.org.uk w¢•w.mertoncil.ory.uk Merton CIL is a company limrted by guarantee, Registered Company No. 7645926 Registered Charity No. 1152825 li
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) Independent examiners, statement In connettion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention to indicate that: accounting records have not been kept in accordance with settion 386 of the Companies Att 2006. the accounts do not accord with such records.. where accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, whether they fail to comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Att 2006, or are not consistent with the Charities SORP (FRS102) any matter which the examiner believes should be drawn to the attention of the reader to gain a proper understanding of the accounts apart from that set out below: Lesley Cornwell FCCA of Cornwell & Cornwell 194 Stsnley Road Teddington TWII 8UE Date...EO Ockowlc) 020 3397 3119 MertonCIL Mertoncll mertoncil.ory.uk Merton CIL 15 a company limthd by guarantee. Registered Company No. 7645926 fte9tstere¢ Chanty No. 1152825 ww.mertontll.oro.uk ¥* merton.cii 12
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfIvITIES FOR YEAR ENDED MARCH 312024- Restricted Totsl Funds Totsl Funds Funds 2024 2023 Funts Incoming Resources Incoming Resour from Charitsble Activitses Voluntsry income Other Income 2b 27,970 420,712 448,682 325,843 3b 5,280 12,645 5,280 12,645 6,863 2,063 Interest Totsl Incoming Resour$ 3d 334,769 47,295 420,712 468,007 2c ExPd Charitsble Actsvibes G0Veman Costs 1,268 305,+19 8,014 306,717 8,014 318,221 9,072 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED Net Incoming l(Outgoing) 1,268 314,267 315,535 327,293 46,027 106,445 151472 7,476 Total Funds Br(xJght Forward 84,300 52,610 136,910 129,434 Totsl Funds Carried Forward 130,327 159,055 289,382 136,910 There are no recognised gains and losses other than those in the ststement of financial activities. Therefore, no statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared. All the above amounts relate to continuing activities. The notes on pages 16-19 form part of these acCnts. 020 3397 3119 11 @MertonaL Mertoncil oZ>p merton.cil lnfo@mertoncll.org.uk wth.mertoncil.org.uk Merton CIL is a company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No. 7645926 Registered Chaiity No. 1152825 13
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) BALANCE SHEEf AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Cash at bank arKI n harxl 3162( 5,922 321122 151,222 28,312 179,534 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 32,740 42,624 289W2 TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURREKr LIABILMES 289W2 134910 Unrthtsf 130,327 159,055 52,610 289W2 For the year ending 31 March 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of Companies Act 2006. The members have not qUired the company to obtsin an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The Directors, acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. The financial statements were approved by the Board on October 31st 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Amanda Edwards (Co-Chair/Secretary) .1¥K Giovanna Vettese (Co-chair) 020 3397 3119 Info MertoraL Mertoncll mctron.cii mertoncll.org.uk www.mertoncll.oro.uk Mertor* CIL is a company limited by guarantee, Regtered Company No. 7645926 Re9red Charw NO. 1152825 14
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) The notes on pages 16-19 fom part of these accounts. 020 3397 3119 @MertonCIL Merton¢il merton.cll 111 Info mertoncll.org.uk w¢•w.mertoncll.org.uk Merton CIL a company limrted by guarantee, Registered Company No. 7645926 Registered Charity No. 1152825 15
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 l. These Notes form part of the financial ststements. 2. Accounting Policies 2a Basis of Accounting: The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Companies Att 2006, and in compliance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Ststement of Recommended prattl (FRS 102) ("the SORP"). 2b Income: from grants, donations and contributions represents the amounts re1vable in respect of the year. 2c Expenditure.. is recognised in the year in which it is incurred. 2d Fixed Assets should be capitslised and written off over their useful lives on a straight line basis if their purchase value is over £1,000. 2e Voluntsry Help: No amounts have bn included in these financial statements to reflett the value of services provided fr of charge to the charity by volunteers. 2f Pension Costs and other post-retirement benefits: The Company contributes to NEsf on behalf of eligible employees. 3. Income 3a Incoming Resources from Charitsble Attivity means grants and fees received on the understanding that they will be used to undertake attivities to fvrther the charity's objetts. 3b Voluntsry Income means donations or grants given with no expettation of a specific Servi in return. 3c Other income is funds received for consultstion contributions, co-produttion work and compensation for involvement in meetings. 3d Interest earned on cash deposits 3e Funds brought forward means fvnding retsined from 2022-23 for use during 2023-24. 3f Funds carried forward means funding re*rved for 2024-25. 3g The organisation has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 102 from producing a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is an exempt entity. 020 3397 3119 lnfo@mertoncll.org.uk MertonCIL Mertoncll Merton CIL is a company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No. 7645926 Regtered Chartty NO. 1152625 V4¥wI.tVrè0nC1.Vg.Uk merton.cii 16
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) Note Unrestrirted Restricted Funds Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Charitable Activities Henry Smith Charity 3h Henry Smith Covid Fund 31 City Bridge Trust 3j The London Community 3k Foundation 60,000 39,200 49,500 60,000 39,200 52,470 2,970 9,775 9,775 Lloyds Banking Foundation 31 25,000 25,000 NHS SW London 3m 37,200 37,200 London B of Merton 3n 49,416 49,416 Wimbledon Foundation 30 12,490 12,490 Evening Stsndard Trust for London TFL SVRR 3p 31,250 31,250 3q 76, 148 27,029 76,148 27,029 Inclusion Bamet Total Income from Charitable Activities 3s 3a 27,970 420,712 448,682 Voluntary Income Other income Interest 3b 5,280 12,645 1,400 5,280 12,645 1,400 3d Totsl Incoming Resources 2b 47,295 420,712 468,007 3h Henry Smith Charity - core funding to support the organisation. 31 Henry Smith Covid Funding - funding to help us increase our capacity in response to needs emerging from the pandemic. 020 3397 3119 Info@mertoncll.OTg.uk w.mert¢n¢Il.¢yg.uk Y @MertonCIL Mertoncll merton.dl Merton CIL is a comp•ny limited by guarantee. Registered Company No. 7645926 Registered Charity No. 1152825 17
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) 3j City Bridge Trust - funding to support the information and advice service. 3k The London Community Foundation - funding to support the running of our organisation. 31 Lloyds Banking Foundation organisation. funding to support the running of our 3m NHS SW London - funding to support with a health advocacy pilot. 3n London Borough of Merton- funding to support our information and advice rvice. 30 The Wimbledon Foundation funding to support with a health advocacy pilot. 3p Evening Standard - funding to support our work achieving change locally. 3q Trust for London - funding to support our policy and campaigns work. 3r Trust for London SVRR - funding to support our trainee caseworker programme. 3s Inclusion Barnet- funding to support the development of our trainee programmes. 4. Expenditure 4a No trustee or any other person related to a trust had any personal interest in any contratt or transartion entered into by the Charity during the year. 4b The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Att 2006 to have regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charities commi10n. 4c Salaries and as)CIated costs of £243,324 includes: Salaries and Employers, NIC £212,767, Pensions £9,839, HR Costs £10,200, Other (DBS checks, Travel, Development, Recruitment) £10,518. The number of emploYS who emoluments amounted to over £60,000 during the year was nil. 4d Costs Allocated to Actsvibes 2024 Note Cost of Charitable Activities Independence and Inclusion Challenging Discrimination Achieving Change Locally Total Cost of Charitable Activities 4e Independence and Inclusion Project- Information and Advice support for local Disabled people to resolve issues around benefits and low income, social 209,563 38,185 4f 4g 020 3397 3119 Info W @MertonCIL Mertoncll mertoncll.org.uk Merton CIL is a company limited by quarantee. Registered Company No. 7645926 Reg$tered Charrty No. 1152825 wAw.mertonell.org.uk MeTton.ui 18
Merton Centre for Independent Living (Merton CIL) care, housing, concessionary travel, and grant applications. In 23-24, an advocacy pilot supporting Disabled people to navigate issues around health care and servIs. 4f Challenging Discrimination Projett - Social policy work relating to social care, housing and health. 4g Achieve Change Locally Project - Member led policy work, Craftivism and Chat group, events, consultstions, and Vol activity with local Disabled people. 4k Liabilities on balance sht relates to income received in advan, expenses accrued and accounting fees. 41 Governan costs include accounting and audit costs, Annual General Mting costs, insuran, trust expenses. 5. Reserves These funds have been designated to cover future running costs in the event of lack of funding, in accordance with the reserves policy. According to the business continuity plan £13,600 of reserves is designated to secure immediate business continuity and the Board has approved this to be set aside in a Designated Fund. 2024 2023 13,6(K) 116 727 13,fAX) C£rEr31 FurK unrKl 130,327 159,055 52,610 289,382 136,910 020 3397 3119 @MertonaL Mertoncll merton.cll Info mertoncll.org.uk 1 s%MY.rnertoncll.org.uk Merton CIL 15 a company limited by guarantee, Registered Company No. 7645926 RegiSted Charity No. 1152825 19