8FLAG DV Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence Trustee Annual Report June 2023 1 |Page
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Reference and Administrative Information:
Charity Name: Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence Charity Registration number: 1154070
Registered Office and operational address:
Broadway House The Broadway Newbury Berkshire RG14 1BA
Trustees
C. Capel (Chair of Trustees)
I. Skapin Osborne
S. Burke
I. Summers
Senior Management Team
Laura Hunter – Chief Executive
Lynne Cumming – Head of Operations
Colline Watts – Finance Officer
Bankers: HSBC 6 Northbrook St Newbury Berkshire RG14 1DJ
Auditors: EJBC 2, Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk, Newbury RG14 1DY
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REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Our Aims and Objectives
Our charity’s purpose as set out in the objects contained in the company’s memorandum of association: To relieve the needs of people who experience domestic abuse by providing access to free legal advice and support to empower them to make informed to safely leave the abuse.
Our mission is to support and empower those who have experienced domestic abuse by providing them with free, confidential family law legal advice. We strive to raise awareness of their legal rights and options. We endeavour to work in collaboration with other organisations and government agencies to ensure that domestic abuse victims have access to the resources and support they need to make informed choices about escaping abuse and rebuilding their lives.
Ensuring our work delivers our aims
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remained focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
The focus of our work
Our main objectives for the year continue to be to provide access to free legal advice appointments to those experiencing domestic abuse in Thames Valley and now including Hampshire. The strategies we used to meet these objectives include;
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Establishing a network of trained legal professionals who can provide free, confidential family law advice to those who have experienced domestic abuse.
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Raising awareness among domestic abuse victims of their legal rights and options, and to help them understand the legal process within any family law proceedings.
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Working with local resources and organisations, building community links and strengthening networking relationships, to raise awareness about domestic abuse within those organisations and to build on the support offered to those who have experienced abuse.
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- Advocating for policy changes and legal reforms that will improve the rights and protections of domestic abuse victims through our work.
How our activities deliver public benefit
Our charity's mission to provide legal advice and support to domestic abuse victims delivers public benefit by empowering individuals to take control of their lives and break the cycle of abuse. Through our activities, we help victims to access the justice system, obtain protection orders, and secure safe and stable living arrangements for themselves and their children. Our services also raise awareness about domestic abuse and provide the wider public with a better understanding of the resources available to victims, further reducing the stigma associated with this important issue. By delivering these outcomes, our charity makes a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve, promoting a safer and more just society for all.
Activities in the year to June 2023
During the financial year FLAG DV received 916 referrals into the service, there were 1,268 children linked to the client referrals who were at immediate risk of being affected by parental domestic violence/abuse. 603 case referrals successfully engaged with the free legal advice service.
Principal Funding Sources
During the financial year FLAG DV secured further funding from the TVP Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Berkshire Community Foundation, Access to Justice Foundation - HALS, MOJ, Greenham Trust and Basingstoke and Deane Council.
Future Plans
FLAG DV has continued to see up to 40% year on year growth in referrals. Whilst we have seen an increase in demand we have struggled to manage staff burn out with 2 members of staff being signed off for mental health reasons due to work. Over the next year the board have agreed that more considerations and support needs to be in place to support the mental wellbeing of staff. The strain of the cost of living crisis both for people’s personal lives and the lives of the individuals that we support can put a strain on people’s resiliency.
At the end of the last financial year the board put plans into place to reduce workloads and ensure the charity was in a sustainable position to grow through the recruitment inhouse finance office. In January 2023 the charity welcomed our new finance officer who has supported the charity to improve our financial processes. As a result of this support we have felt in a better position to approach the National Lottery Community fund in an effort to expand the support we are able to provide to clients and allow for more 1-2-1 support for those going through the family court process.
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BALANCE SHEET
| BALANCE SHEET | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | ||||
| Funds | ||||
| Year to 30/6/23 | ||||
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Donations and grants | £140,178 | |||
| Fundraising | £16,365 | |||
| Total incoming resources | £156,544 | |||
| Resources expensed | ||||
| Costs of generating voluntary income | £0 | |||
| Charitable activities | £122,670 | |||
| Governance costs | £0 | |||
| Total resources expended | £122,670 | |||
| Net income for the year | £33,873 | |||
| Total funds brought forward | £41,697 | |||
| Total funds carried forward | £75,570 | |||
| Balance sheet | ||||
| Fixed Assets | ||||
| Tangible Assets | £0 | |||
| Investments | £0 | |||
| Current Assets | ||||
| Stock | £0 | |||
| Debtors | £0 | |||
| Cash at Bank and In Hand | £39,616 | |||
| Creditors: amounts fallingdue within oneyear | £0 | |||
| Net current assets | £39,616 | |||
| Net Assets | £39,616 | |||
| Made upof: | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds | £39,616 | |||
| Restricted Funds | £0 | |||
| Total | £0 |
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| 2. Donations and grants | TOTAL | |
| Access to Justice Foundation - HALS | £60,000 | |
| Basingstoke and Dean | £9,525 | |
| Berks Community (Stevenson Foundation) | £10,000 | |
| Berkshire CommunityFoundation -Spring23 | £5,000 | |
| Englefield Charitable Trust Grants -(GE) | £2,000 | |
| Greenham Trust | £15,138 | |
| MoJ - DA/SV Funding | £20,193 | |
| PCC Core Funding22/23 | £7,823 | |
| PCC Communityfund | £5,000 | |
| Peter Baker Foundation -GE | £5,000 | |
| Local GivingLtd | £500 | |
| London Legal | £1,088 | |
| Paypal Giving | £2,575 | |
| Transfer from Unrestricted Reserves | £9,423 | |
| West Berkshire Lottery | £764 | |
| White Horse Lottery | £60 | |
| Boardman Hawkins BHO | £500 | |
| EasyFundraising | £815 | |
| JAMES PURDEY SONS | £140 | |
| PHLN CommunityChampions | £1,000 | |
| Total | £156,544 | |
| 3. Incoming Resources from Activities to further the Charities Objects |
nil | |
| 4. Total Resources Expended | ||
| Costs directlyrelated to activities | ||
| IT & Communications | £21,738 | |
| RunningCosts | £ 9,427 | |
| £31,166 | ||
| 5. Net IncomingResources for the Year | ||
| This is stated after charging: | ||
| Depreciation | ||
| Auditors' remuneration | ||
| Salaries and wages | £91,505 | |
| Social securitycosts | ||
| Total | £122,670 | |
| Tangible fixed assets | ||
| Investments |
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| Current assets | Current assets | £39,616 |
|---|---|---|
| Current liabilities | ||
| Net assets | £39,616 | |
| 14. Movements in funds - Main account | ||
| At start ofyear | £5,742 | |
| Incomingresources | £156,544 |
|
| Outgoingresources | £122,670 |
|
| At end ofyear | £39,616 | |
| Reserves Account | ||
| Provision of legal advice to victims of domestic advice | ||
| At start ofyear | £50,795 | |
| Incomingresources | £5,084 |
|
| Outgoingresources | £14,181 |
|
| At end ofyear | £41,697 | |
| Total funds | £81,312 | |
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Investment Policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity’s funds are to be spent in the short term so there are no funds for long term investment.
Reserves Policy
In accordance with our reserves policy, we will maintain adequate levels of reserves to cover our operating expenses for a period of at least three to six months. We will also establish a separate reserve fund for future capital expenditures or unexpected contingencies.
We are committed to sound financial management practices, including maintaining appropriate levels of reserves, and we will continue to ensure that our financial practices align with our overall mission and values.
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Future Developments
The Charity will continue to look at diversifying its grant and fundraising efforts. To ensure growth is sustainable.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:
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so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
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that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 09/12/2023. and signed on its behalf by:
Cassandra Capel
.................................................................
C Capel - Chair - Trustee
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Jeibc chartered accounranrs 2TcLrn W41(. Pkn4knry. 8•8nim. K14 10Y T.. 016 46174 T¥." 01491 845381 To.. The Trustses of FLAGDV 26 September 2023 R•: Fr•• L•yl Advlc• Group for Dom••tlc Vlol•Trc• (Charity Numb•r 11 S4070} l ¢an confirm that I have completed an independent examination of the financial Statements for Free Legal Advice Group for D¢Jmeslic Violence (Chanty Number 11540701 for Ihe year ended 30 June 2023. Re8ponslbllltl•• •nd b•$l of rnport A8 the charity Iruslees you are reSponsit for the preparatn of the occounts in accordance wth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. 1 report in respect of my examination of the Tru8t's accounts carried out in line with the applitable Directions gNen by tha Chanly Commission Indèpendent •xamln•rf• •tsl•m•nt My examination included a review of the accounling records of FLAGDV and a comparison lo the accounts presented and prepared wrth those records 11 also InclLKled cons+deralion of 8ny unuyull rtems or disdosures in the accounts and discussions wrth the Treasurer regardirKJ the accounting rowrds, The review I have undtrrtaken does not wovide all the evidence which would be required for a full audtt and as Such I do not exwess an audrt opinion on the accounts. In connection with my examination and Iho final balance as listed In the acunt$ of £81,312,1 can confirm that no matter ha$ come to my attention, al Which give8 me cause lo believe thal. in any material respect. the gèneral requirements lo keep accounting records in accordance with UK aontIng principles have not been met. bl }ICh. in my opinion. attention shoukl be drawn in order to enOe a Proper understanding of the accounts lo be readd S&ned'. Gillian Down Bsc ACA For E.J. Business Consuttants Ltd THE NSTITUTE CHAKtERED CTANTs 10 | Page