CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 0110412023 Period start date To 3110312024 Period end dats Charity name: Intervene Project Charity registration number: 1153228 Objectives and Activities SORP reference Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document To provide access to justice for people in detention and those liable to be detained. This is done through the provision of information and advice, legal representation, advocacy, and research. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 The Intervene Project relies on one full-time employed Manager and up to 30 volunteer caseworkers to provide our clients with legal advice and representation on a pro bono basis. We currently support around 350 - 500 prisoners at any one time, who attest they have faced abuse or neglect whilst in custody. We typically correspond with clients via letter and telephone conferences. We regularly gather evidence, correspond with potential defendants, draft Letter's Before Action, send Freedom of Information and Subject Access Request's, and write to the establishment on the prisoner's behalf. We strive to secure our clients compensation and settlements at the pre- action stage where possible. Where necessary, we will issue County Court claims on behalf of our client. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 It can be confirmed the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Inteniene fully complies with the 'benefit aspect, and the 'public aspect,. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP reference Polic on rant makin Para 1.38 NA
Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 NA Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Much of the casework undertaken by the Intervene project is completed by our manager and 30 volunteers. The volunteers are typically law students who apply to work with us. Our clients gain the benefit of the pro bono caseworkers, legal knowledge, whereas the volunteers experience the day-to-day management of a variety of civil law cases. The experiences the volunteers gain often aids their employability into future careers as solicitors and barristers. Additionally, we are working with research students to raise awareness of the issues our clients face by way of a research paper and developing a regular blog to further promote the work undertaken. This has been very difficult to publicise due to the increase in demand for support to challenge the abuse of process many people in prison find themselves facing. Nonetheless, we still engage with students and universities to raise awareness at every opportunity. Other Achievements and Performance SORP reference Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 The volume of casework and clients Intervene takes on is exponentially increasing, due to the extent of demand for our services. We strive to assist all clients, whether referred to us from Kesar & Co Solicitors or who approach us directly, provided their case falls within our ambit and they can demonstrate a degree of financial need. We anticipate the need for our service will continue to increase due to the frequency of abuses within the prison system and the cost-of-living crisis. Intervene has once again increased its volunteer intake over the past year. The Charity is never short of applications from talented law students who wish to offer their legal knowledge to our clients. Our volunteers typically remain with us for an average of three months, and usually only leave once they have secured a paid legal osition elsewhere. Each of our volunteers
contribute one full day per week and the work they undertake counts towards their qualifying work experien should they pursue the new solicitors SQE qualification. The Manager is responsible for assessing all correspondence and casework produced by the volunteers before it is sent out. Intervene also continues to allow volunteers to apply their knowledge to live cases and to gain experien of active case management. We have had success in a variety of matters, helping clients receive improved dental care, healthcare and mental healthcare in prison, regain property improperly retained by police forces and prison staff, receive compensation payments for lost property and medical negligence, gain appropriate prison employment, secure transfers to alternative prisons, appeal adjudications, be placed on rehabilitation courses, stop obstructions to their communications with family and legal representatives, and issue claims in the County Court that have led to substantial Part 36 offers. In each case we take on, we defend our client's human rights. Pursuing these cases can help drive reform in prison policy such that the circumstances giving rise to abuses or neglect will not be repeated. The charity has focussed most of its efforts on the pre-action stages of claims. Thus, we have submitted numerous LBAS, and regularly send detailed correspondence to Governors outlining the various injustices faced by our clients. We have taken many cases to the Prison and Probation Ombudsman for investigation. Further, when we deem the merits of a case justify litigation, we issue cases in the county courts. We have instructed medical experts and barristers to help in some cases. Throughout the process safeguarding and safer custody are of the upmost importance and immediate steps are taken to ensure their wellbeing is maintained. We engage with adult social care and the independent advocacy providers to ensure their statutory rights around care and treatment are upheld. This further helps with the pre- action stages of a claim and quite often will help to resolve the immediate situation effectively.
Intervene continues to employ a full-time manager to manage the charity, casework, and volunteers. This has enabled an increase in the volume of clients the Charity is able to take on and provide Vacation schemes to volunteers to support a major step in their legal career towards ainin trainin contracts. Additional infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Inteniene Projed relies heavily on donations in order to fund its casework. It also relies on the generous support of Kesar & Co Solicitors, who provide office space and resources. Many of the clients donate to the Charity, and occasionally Intervene receives financial support from successful cases stemming from Conditional fee agreements and Damage- based agreements. In order to fundraise, Intervene has expanded its social networking presence, attracting donors and applications from volunteers through an increase in posts. Due to the contentious nature of the work, we undertake, fundraising is extremely difficult. However, with the continued support of regular donors, volunteers and trustees we continue to fund raise at every ortunit Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statin are held Amount of resenies held Reasons for holding zero reseNes Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.21 Charity continues with a steady stream of donations sufficient to support its needs. Para 1.22 No reserves held Para 1.22 £0 Overheads are covered by Kesar & Co Solicitors as a donation. NIA Para 1.22 Para 1.24 Para 1.23 NIA Additional Information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. The charity's principal Para 1.47 sources of funds (including any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted PaTa 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 With the continuing cuts being made to the Legal Aid, Criminal Justice system and the contentious nature of the work undertaken, obtaining more funding to continue as a oin concern is a hi h risk. Other
Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of governing document trust deed ro al charter How is the charity constituted? (e.g., unincorporated association CIO Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g., election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Articles of Association Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation Para 1.25 Trustees are appointed by elected members Additlonal infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the charit uses Re istered charit number Charity's principal address Intervene Pro ect Intervene workin 1153228 27 London Road Bromley BR1 1DG name
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Office (if any) Name of person lor body) entitled toa oint trustee ifan Mladen Kesar Liz Hill Trustee Trustee 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved Name of trustees holdin Trustee namè title to ro ert belon in to the chari Dates actsd if not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets NIA held in this capacity Narne and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects NIA Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets frorn the charity's own assets NIA Additional Information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers {Optional infom)ation) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional infomiation) Mladen Kesar, Director,. Liz Hill, Director of Finan Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke rsonnel details Other optional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (e.g., Secretary, Chair, etc) CIyi (L Date
THE INTERVENE PROJECT CHARITY INFORMATION
TRUSTEES
Liz Hill Mladen Kesar
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Liz Hill
BANKERS
The Cooperative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER
1153228
REGISTERED ADDRES
27 London Road Bromley Kent BR1 1DG
THE INTERVENE PROJECT
Registered Charity 1153228
Receipts and Payments Account
Financial Statement for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| Kesar & Co | (1) | 3458 | 3458 | |
| Volunteers | (2) | 47530 | 47530 | |
| Donations | 19863 | 19863 | ||
| Bank Interest | 11 | 11 | ||
| Compensation Awarded | 2150 | 2150 | ||
| Misc Credits | 153 | 153 | ||
| --------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| Total | 73165 | 73165 | ||
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| Kesar & Co | (1) | 3458 | 3458 | |
| Volunteers | (2) | 47530 | 47530 | |
| Travel Expenses | 809 | 809 | ||
| Salaries | 25563 | 25563 | ||
| Accountancy | 557 | 557 | ||
| Compensation Paid | 1850 | 1850 | ||
| IT Services | 33 | 33 | ||
| Postage & Packing | 121 | 121 | ||
| --------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| Total | 79921 | 79921 | ||
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| Excess of receipts over payment | -6756 | -6756 | ||
| Cash at bank and in | hand | 16972 | 16972 | |
| 1 April 2023 | ||||
| Cash at bank and in | hand | ---------------------------------------------------- | ||
| 31 March 2024 | 10216 | 10216 | ||
| ============================== | ||||
| Represented by: | ||||
| Community Account | 8681 | |||
| Deposit Account | 1535 | |||
| -------- | ||||
| Total | 10216 | |||
| ===== |
Notes (1) & (2)
Kesar & Co has housed the Intervene project for 10 years. This support has taken the form of supply of all office services, including utilities, postage etc. It has also included office space and the use of office equipment. This has been quantified in the accounts along with the support of the volunteers who allow the project to support their client’s. The Trustees wish to record their upmost appreciation for the continued support in the provision of the office services and expertise which they receive from Kesar & Co and the volunteers who dedicate their time to the cause.
THE INTERVENE PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 31 MARCH 2024 Registered Charity No. 1153228
THE INTERVENE PROJECT CHARITY INFORMATION TRUSTEES Liz Hill Mladen Kesar DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Liz Hill BANKERS The co-operative Bank POBox250 Sk6lmersdale WN8 6WT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER David Barber Jubilee House 10 Moat Sole Sandwich, Kent CT13 9AU REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1153228 REGISTERED ADDRESS 27 London Road Bromley Kent BR1 1DG
THE INTERVENE PROJECT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES This Report is attached to the Accounts of the Intervene Project for th8 year ended 31 March 2024 and is in respect of an examination carried out on the Accounts under section 145 (11 ofthe Charities Act 2011. The A¢counl$ arÈ get out on pages 1 to 3 . RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES QF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As Trustees of the Project you ar8 responsible for Ihe preparation ol the accounts; and you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 14412) of th8 Charitie8 Act 2011 "The Act" but that an independent examinatson is requirèd. BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountlng records kept by tha Organisation and a comparlson of the Accounts presented, with those records. It also Includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The proceduT6S undertaken do not Pfovide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on th8 view given by the Accounts. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT In connection with my examination no matter has come lo my attention.. {1 } whlch gives me reasonable cause to belleve thal in any material respect the requiremenls.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act., and to prepare accounts whlch accord with the accounting records and comply wlth the accounling requirements of the Act have not been mgt, 12) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached. Davld Barber Jubilee House 10 Moat Sole Sandwich, Kent CT13 9AU Date
THE INTERVENE PROJECT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ORGANISATION'S OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES Provision of access to justice through legal representation and advice, research, advocacy and campaigning for individuals in detention or who are liable to be detsined and have no access to effective legal aid. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires us as the Trustees of Thp Intervenè Project to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of thé financial activities of the Charity during the accounting year,. and the Charity's financial position at the end of th8 year. In preparing those accounts the Trustees are required to.. (al select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently,. (bl make judgement5 and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., and Icl prepare the accounts on a going concem basis (unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in operation). The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disGlose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity They are also responsible for safeguarding the sssels of the Charity and hence taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraLtd and other irregularities. RESERVES POLICY To hold funds to cover three months planned expenditure at the commencement of each year. This report was approved by the Management Committee acting on behalf of the Trustees Date
The Intsrvone Proje¢t Rèceipts and Payments Account Flnancial Statsmènts For The Year Ended 31 March 2024 Note8 Vnrestrlcted Rostrictsd Funds Funds Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Kasar & Co 3,458 3,458 55,587 Volunteers 47,530 47.530 27,066 Donations 19,863 19.863 11,770 Bank Interest Refunds 345 Compensation Awaided 2,150 2,150 4,827 Mise cradlts 153 153 Kesar & Co 3.458 3,458 55,587 Volunteer¥ 47,S30 47,530 27.066 Travel expenses 809 167 Salarfes 25,563 25.563 4,151 Accounfancy 557 557 72 Compensation 1,850 1,850 750 IT SeNices 33 Damages paid 3,817 Po3tage and pBcking 121 121 TOTAL 79,921 79,921 91,874 Ngt dofi¢it12Q23 8urplu$) 4.756 4,756 7,630 Cash at bank and In hand 01 April 2023 16,972 •A42 9,442 C•sh at bank and in hand 31 March 2024 10.216 2.686 16,972 Page 1
The Intsrvon& Project Stat&ment of Ass•ts and Liwbililies At 31 March 2024 24 2023 C¢&operative Bank Account8 Community account Deposit account 8,681 1,535 10,216 15.448 1,524 16.972 Reprosonted by :" General unrestrlcted Funds 10,216 16,972 Approved by the Manaqement Committee Actino on Behalf Of The Trustees. Slgn•d.... P•9• 2
THE INTERVENE PROJECT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 11 Accounting Policies The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and include the results of the charitls operations as described in the Trustees Report and all of which are continuing. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statements of Recommended Practice for charity accounts. 21 and 31. Kesar & Co has housed the Intervene project since its inception. This support has taken the form of supply of all office services, including utilities, postage etc. 11 has also included office space and the use of office equipment. This has been quantified in the accounts along with the support of the volunteers who allow the project lo support their client's. The Trustees wish to record their upmost appreciation for the continued support in the provision of office SeICeS and expertise which they receive from Kaser & Co. and to the volunteers who dedicate their time to the cause. Page 3