2025-03-31-accounts - Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire

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

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

Registered Company No. 08399922 (England and Wales) Registered Charity No. 1154627

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

FOR

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

Russells Accountants 20 Riverview Way Kempston Bedford MK42 7BB

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31st March 2025

	Page
Reference and Administrative Details	1
Report of the Trustees	2 to 4
Independent Examiners Report	5
Statement of Financial Activities	6
Balance Sheet	7
Notes to the Financial Statements	8 to 11

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

for the year ended 31st March 2025

TRUSTEES

Mrs L Grant Mrs G Hiscox Mrs C A Carter (resigned 25/11/2024) Mrs L Cole Mrs V Filmer (resigned 13/01/2025) Mrs A Newnham (appointed 01/12/2024) Mrs M Haslam (appointed 01/03/2025) Mr A J Jackson (appointed 01/04/2025)

COMPANY SECRETARY Ms D Blackmun REGISTERED OFFICE Capability House Wrest Park Silsoe Beds MK45 4HR

COMPANY NUMBER 08399922 (England and Wales) CHARITY NUMBER 1154627

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ian Russell FCCA Russells Accountants Limited 20 Riverview Way Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BB

Page 1

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st March 2025

The Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Significant activities

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is your local health and social care champion.

We ensure that NHS leaders and decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care. We can also help you to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice. Our vision

A Central Bedfordshire where everyone receives the health and care they need, when they need it. Our mission

To ensure the voices and lived experiences of local people shape and improve health and care services across Central Bedfordshire.

Our values are:

Equity – being compassionate and inclusive, empowering diverse communities.
Collaboration – working with individuals, groups, and partners to amplify local voices.
Impact – driving improvements that matter to residents and holding systems to account.
Independence – providing a trusted, critical friend to health and care decision-makers.
Truth – acting with honesty, integrity, and transparency.

15,930 people shared their experiences of health and social care services with us, helping to raise awareness of issues and improve care.

19,750 people came to us for clear advice and information on topics such as mental health support and finding an NHS dentist.

We published 11 reports, including on Men’s Health, Diabetes, Hypertension, and our widely read report Behind Closed Doors: Shining a Light on Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA).

We currently employ 6 staff, and our work is supported by 53 dedicated volunteers, who gave 1,134 hours to help improve local care.

This year we’ve helped people by:

Providing up-to-date information people can trust.
Helping people access the services they need.
Supporting people to look after their health.
Signposting people to additional support services.

To carry out our work, we receive statutory funding from Central Bedfordshire Council under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. In 2024/25, we received £172,201, the same as the previous year. We also generated additional income from research, joint projects, and sponsorship, totalling £70,726, bringing our overall income to £242,927.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have referred to 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

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

We worked closely with our colleagues across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) ICS to ensure that the voices of Central Bedfordshire residents shaped system-wide decisions, including improvements in translation and interpretation services, GP access, and mental health discharge pathways.

Our Healthwatch Board consists of six members, who work on a voluntary basis to provide direction, oversight, and scrutiny to our activities. In 2024/25, the Board met six times, making decisions on budget setting, future engagement, governance, and recruitment of new members.

Page 2

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st March 2025

Charitable activities - cont'd

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is proud to host Young Healthwatch (YHWCB), one of only a few local Healthwatch with a dedicated youth arm. YHWCB provides a platform for children and young people to share their experiences, influence services, and shape a health and care system that meets their needs.

This year, 35 active members from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds have led projects, research, and campaigns to amplify young voices and drive positive change. Their work has directly influenced local health strategies, research priorities, and service improvements across Central Bedfordshire and beyond.

Key achievements in 2024/25 include:

Neurodiversity and Mental Health research: YHWCB co-produced an NIHR event, bringing together professionals and young people to highlight the barriers faced by neurodivergent children and young people. Their findings are shaping mental health and education services locally.
Enter and View visit to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice: Young volunteers engaged with patients and staff, providing feedback that helped to improve hospice care while deepening young people’s understanding of endof-life services.
Influencing local services: Members worked with Bedford Hospitals Trust’s Psychology team to improve youthfriendly resources and with HUC NHS 111 to redesign patient information, making it clearer and more accessible.
Youth-led digital engagement: Volunteers supported GP practices by creating and managing social media accounts, strengthening communication and patient participation.
Supporting health awareness events: Young Healthwatch played a key role in Diabetes, Hypertension and Men’s Health events, boosting awareness and participation across age groups.
National impact: Young Healthwatch secured a place on NICE’s Voluntary and Community Sector Leadership Team, ensuring that youth perspectives influence national health priorities.

In total, YHWCB volunteers gave 134 days of their time this year. Their commitment not only improved local services but also built confidence, transferable skills, and pathways into education and careers in health and social care.

Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire continues to hold the Investing in Children Membership Award, recognising its commitment to actively involving children and young people in dialogue that leads to real change.

Looking ahead, YHWCB will focus on reaching underrepresented voices, strengthening regional collaboration with other Youthwatch groups, and tackling health inequalities to ensure all young people have a say in the services that matter most to them.

We wish to thank the following people and organisations for helping us to deliver the local Healthwatch service: Thank you to everyone that is helping us put people at the heart of health and social care, including:

Members of the public who shared their views and experience with us
The voluntary organisations that have contributed to our work
Key stakeholders and partners who have responded to our recommendations for improvements to local services
Central Bedfordshire Council
East London Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (BLMK ICS)
Our regional Healthwatch colleagues, particularly local Healthwatch across BLMK; Bedford Borough, Luton and Milton Keynes
- Healthwatch England

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Income has seen an increase of 21% this year, and expenses have seen an increase of 15%. Interest received has seen an increase of 47%, and other income 163%. Overall, expenses have remained fairly stable with an increase in events expenses, which is to be expected with the increase in revenue generated from them.

Page 3

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st March 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW (cont'd)

Reserves policy

The Trustees have agreed a level of reserves that is sufficient to manage end of contract closure and transition costs whilst also providing adequate funding to develop new income streams to help build the longer-term sustainability of the charity.

The Trustees aim to maintain reserves to a minimum of £40,000, approximately equivalent to three months' expenditure.

Grant Funder

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire acknowledges Central Bedfordshire Council for the provision of the grant to provide a local Healthwatch service.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by Companies Act 2006

Recruitment and appointemnt of new trustees

New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees. All trustees are required to resign from office at the end of their three year term, but may be re-elected according to the rules and procedures set out in the charity's governing documents.

Organisational structure

The company is run by a board of trustees/directors who are required to number at least four but no more than six.

Funds Held As Custodians For Others

During the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 the charity did not hold any funds as a custodian trustee on behalf of any other charitable organisation.

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 …………………… and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs G Hiscox - Trustee

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the charity's trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purpose of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiners statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
the accounts do not accord with such records; or the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 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; or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
• (FRS 102)).

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.

………………………..

Ian Russell FCCA Russells Accountants Limited 20 Riverview Way Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BB

Page 5

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

for the year ended 31st March 2025

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities Other trading income 2 Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	2025 Unrestricted £ 172,201 70,726 242,927 218,172 24,755 67,640 92,395	2024 Unrestricted £ 172,201 27,865
		200,066
		189,857
		10,209 57,431
		67,640

The notes form part of these finacial statements Page 6

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

BALANCE SHEET 31st March 2025

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 6 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	2025 Unrestricted £ 230 12,773 87,203 99,976 (7,811) 92,165 92,395 92,395 92,395	2024 Unrestricted £ 1,909 9,027 111,694
		120,721 (54,990)
		65,731
		67,640
		67,640
		67,640

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilties for

(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to charitable small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on and were signed on its behalf by;

Mrs G Hiscox - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements Page 7

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The charity meets the definition of a public body under FRS 102.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

The following policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Income received by way of grants and donations is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.

Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets held for the company's own use are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment - 2 years straight line

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Page 8

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Donated services

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised in the financial statements

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
	2025	2024
	£	£
Event income	67,461	25,643

3. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income / (expenditure) is stated after charging / (crediting):

Depreciation - owned assets Independent examiners fee Independent examiners fee - non assurance services	2025 2024 £ £ 2,140 2,789 700 600 809 720

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

5. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Senior Management Support Staff	2025 2024 £ £ 1 1 6 4
	7 5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for year Disposal At 31 March 2025 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024	Computer Equipment £ 11,227 461 (1,320)
	10,368
	9,318 (1,320) 2,140
	10,138
	230
	1,909

Page 9

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2025

7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income PAYE payable Pension payable ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilties MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows; Unrestricted funds General fund Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows Unrestricted funds General fund	At 1.4.24 £ 67,640	2025 2024 £ £ 331 - 492 492 11,950 8,535
		12,773 9,027
		2025 2024 £ £ 2,795 1,652 2,310 52,930 2,019 - 687 408
		7,811 54,990
		Unrestricted Unrestricted 2025 2024 £ £ 230 1,909 99,976 120,721 (7,811) (54,990)
		92,395 67,640
		Net movement in funds At 31.3.25 £ £ 24,755 92,395
	67,640	24,755 92,395
	Incoming resources £ 242,927	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (218,172) 24,755
	At 1.4.23 £ 57,431	Net movement in funds At 31.3.24 £ £ 10,209 67,640
	57,431	10,209 67,640
	Incoming resources £ 200,066	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (189,857) 10,209

8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

10 MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS

Page 10

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2025

11 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2025 (2024: £NIL).

12. OTHER

The company is limited by guarantee and as such has no share capital. The members of the company whose liability is limited to a maximum of £1 each.

Page 11

HEALTHWATCH CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the year ended 31st March 2025

Income Charitable activities Interest receivable Other trading income Expenditure Wages Rent & rates Travel expenses Stationery & office costs IT & software Insurance Accoutancy fees Professional fees Marketing & printing General expenses Telephone Young Healthwatch Older Peoples Festival Just Ask and local awareness events Young Peoples Event Macmillan Event Other projects and surveys Depreciation Bank charges & interest Bad debts Loss on disposal of fixed assets Net Surplus	£ £ 172,201 3,265 67,461 242,927 140,282 21,717 3,083 4,422 7,902 894 1,509 3,131 2,006 6,903 1,899 4,840 6,494 1,181 - 2,010 7,661 2,140 60 38 - 218,172 £ 24,755 2025 Unrestricted	£ £ 172,201 2,222 25,643 200,066 110,919 17,355 3,276 4,664 7,184 817 1,320 3,348 3,362 5,453 1,513 2,626 3,262 887 14,932 2,323 3,526 2,789 61 - 240 189,857 £ 10,209 2024 Unrestricted

This page does not form part of the financial statements and is for management purposes only