OpenCharities

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

2023-03-31-accounts

Digitally Signed Document Document ID: 0CB44DD14E20B7

Document Details

Dudley Voices For Choice - YE 31-03-2023 Filename: Accounts.PDF Client of: Lewis Smith & Co.

Signature Details

Name: Sarah Offley Email: dudleyvoicesforchoice@gmail.com Date & Time: 03/06/2024 15:09:23 PM (BST) IP Address: 82.34.166.251 The trustees approve the financial statements and Signing Statement: confirm that we will file with the Charity Commission accordingly.

Digital Certificate

The approved PDF file has been digitally certified.Please check the Digital Certificate information in your PDF viewer to verify the Digital Certificate authenticity and the PDF has not been tampered with.

On behalf of: Lewis Smith & Co. PDF digital certificate: IRIS Software Group Limited Digital certificate issued by: GlobalSign

Please keep a copy of this document for your records.

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE000698 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1155463

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

for

Dudley Voices for Choice

Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW

Dudley Voices for Choice

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7 to 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 to 17

Dudley Voices for Choice

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

TRUSTEES Mrs C Ochel (resigned 22.9.22) Mrs A Parkes Mrs A Ochel (resigned 11.5.22) Mr S Nickolls (appointed 27.9.22) (resigned 30.3.23) Ms S A Richardson (appointed 27.9.22) Ms K Pritchard (appointed 1.9.23) Mr S Hardy (appointed 6.7.23) Mr S Terry (appointed 1.4.23) Ms E Durnall (appointed 1.4.23) REGISTERED OFFICE DY1 Building Stafford Street Dudley West Midlands DY1 1RT REGISTERED COMPANY CE000698 (England and Wales) NUMBER

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1155463

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW BANKERS The Co-Operative Bank P/O. Box 250 Skelmersdale Wigan Greater Manchester WN8 6WT

Page 1

Dudley Voices for Choice

for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Report of the Trustees

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. 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

Objectives and aims

The objects of the charity are to promote social inclusion among individuals with disabilities and learning disabilities living in England in particular but not exclusively within Dudley Metropolitan Borough who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society by:

  1. Providing a local network group that encourages and enables participation more effectively in the wider community.

  2. Increasing, or co-ordinating, opportunities for people to engage with service providers; to enable those providers to adapt services to better meet their needs.

  3. Raising public awareness of the issues affecting the needs of people with disabilities and learning disabilities.

  4. Providing workshops, forums, advocacy and general support.

Nothing in the constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the charitable incorporated organisation for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Public benefit

In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit

The objects of the charity are to promote social inclusion among individuals with disabilities and learning disabilities.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Trustees Foreword

A year full of exciting opportunities and activity following an unusually quieter prior year.

Work has continued with a range of partners such as universities, hospitals and GP's alongside other public and private organisations to promote the engagement of people with learning disabilities and autism to make improvements for services for all.

The team has re-established local networks following pandemic disruption and is enjoying being able to meet face to face with providers, people with lived experience and their peers whilst continuing to use zoom and online opportunities for those who choose to supporting people to remain connected.

The lottery funded self-advocacy network project has remained active and continues to develop the skills of the link workers this has included working on a health project and supporting NHS engagement with our local communities.

The demand for services that DVC offers is continuing to increase, and we are in the process of recruiting additional support staff to ensure a positive response to demand. We are also recruiting additional trustees to expand the skill base of the team in response to the growth of business.

The trustees wish to thank and congratulate our staff team for continuing to develop our services and maintain such high standards during this year. We look forward to facing exciting challenges in 2023/24 and continuing to make a positive difference to the lives of people with a learning disability and autism across the Black Country and West Midlands.

Page 2

Dudley Voices for Choice

for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Report of the Trustees

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Chief Officer Annual Review Financial Year 2022/23

Our response has remained the same in that the people we work with are always at the forefront of everything we do.

Working in unique and person-centred ways we have supported people with learning disabilities and autistic people to be a part of new projects from design to delivery. We have done this using technology and have continued to learn and develop all our skills.

We have designed and co-developed several new training programmes including showing others how to make information accessible to everyone.

The family peer worker team was developed and continues to work with parents supporting other parents with people who are in secure hospitals or at risk of admission. There has been a significant reduced use of services and the evaluation shows the real impact the team have had in the community.

The team continue to be independent critical friends on CeTRs and CTRs to support patients to be a part of their admissions and discharge plans.

We have continued to share experiences with all three local universities. Supporting learning disability nurses, student social workers and student psychologists.

This year we were finalists in three categories at The National Learning Disabilities and Autism awards.

We are over halfway through the lottery project and now looking towards self-sustainable ways to continue the West Midlands Self Advocacy Network.

The self-advocates continue to guide and share their ideas to shape future for their charity so that opportunities can be found and developed to make things happen.

We are looking forward to our a year of interactive and challenging work within the community and continuing to grow and make our communities a place for everyone.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023 shows income for the year of £429,767 (2022 - £279,535) and expenditure for the year of £275,772 (2022 - £185,294). This gave a net surplus of income over expenditure for the year of £153,995 (2022 - £94,241).

The charity's total funds at the end of the year were £548,246 (2022 - £394,251). This included unrestricted funds of £397,087 (£202,675) and restricted funds of £151,159 (2022 - £191,576).

The increase in income, net surplus and restricted funds this year is due to the money received from the NHS, which can be seen in note 4 of the accounts.

Reserves policy

The reserves policy is to retain sufficient funds to meet the ongoing liabilities of the charity together with funds for the development of the charities objectives.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (last amended 24 January 2014).

Page 3

Dudley Voices for Choice

for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Report of the Trustees

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

As set out in the charity's constitution, new trustees are appointed by the board of trustees.

Organisational structure

The charity is run by a board of trustees who are responsible for the overall strategic management of the organisation. The body of trustees consists of a minimum of three trustees.

Trustees Information

The names of the trustees are listed on page one within Reference and Administrative Details.

Induction and training of new trustees

New trustees receive a full copy of the constitution, a copy of the latest trustees report and accounts and any other information necessary for them to undertake their role within the charity.

Key management

The charity is mainly run by its Chief Officer Mrs S Offley., who is not a trustee of the charity.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

..........................................................................

Mrs A Parkes - Trustee

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dudley Voices for Choice

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dudley Voices for Choice ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes 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 examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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

  3. 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.

Mr C A Beale

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW

Date: .............................................

Page 5

Dudley Voices for Choice

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
7,921
Charitable activities
4
Grants receivable
360,774
Other trading activities
3
12,089
Total
380,784
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Direct costs
160,096
Support costs
26,276
Total
186,372
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
194,412
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
202,675
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
397,087
Restricted
funds
£
-
48,983
-
48,983
87,656
1,744
89,400
(40,417)
191,576
151,159
31.3.23
Total
funds
£
7,921
409,757
12,089
429,767
247,752
28,020
275,772
153,995
394,251
548,246
31.3.22
Total
funds
£
100
262,146
17,289
279,535
173,164
12,130
185,294
94,241
300,010
394,251

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

Dudley Voices for Choice

Balance Sheet

31 March 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
3,655
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
10
2,090
Cash at bank and in hand
395,759
397,849
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
11
(4,417)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
393,432
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
397,087
NET ASSETS
397,087
FUNDS
12
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted
funds
£
-
1,400
149,759
151,159
-
151,159
151,159
151,159
31.3.23
Total
funds
£
3,655
3,490
545,518
549,008
(4,417)
544,591
548,246
548,246
397,087
151,159
548,246
31.3.22
Total
funds
£
2,793
72,750
320,201
392,951
(1,493)
391,458
394,251
394,251
202,675
191,576
394,251

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 7

Dudley Voices for Choice

Balance Sheet - continued 31 March 2023

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

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

............................................. Mrs A Parkes - Trustee

............................................. Ms S A Richardson - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

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 2019)', 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.

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.

Government grants are recognised at the point that they are receivable and there is reasonable assurance that the company will comply with the conditions attached to them. They are valued at the consideration received or to be received.

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

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

Office equipment - 33% on cost

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.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

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.

continued...

Page 9

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements-continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Other income
4.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Grants
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Dudley MBC
National Lottery Community Fund
NHS
Shropshire Council
5.
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation - owned assets
Deficit on disposal of fixed assets
31.3.23
£
7,921
31.3.23
£
12,089
31.3.23
Grants
receivable
£
409,757
31.3.23
£
47,900
48,983
301,874
11,000
409,757
31.3.23
£
1,904
298
31.3.22
£
100
31.3.22
£
17,289
31.3.22
Total
activities
£
262,146
31.3.22
£
164,766
97,380
-
-
262,146
31.3.22
£
1,642
-

continued...

Page 10

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

7. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
31.3.23
£
142,295
5,774
1,462
149,531
31.3.22
£
103,235
1,173
1,157
105,565

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

31.3.23 31.3.22
Number of employees 14 8
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 100 - 100
Charitable activities
Grants receivable 164,766 97,380 262,146
Other trading activities 17,288 1 17,289
Total 182,154 97,381 279,535
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Direct costs 131,699 41,465 173,164
Support costs 11,485 645 12,130
Total 143,184 42,110 185,294
NET INCOME 38,970 55,271 94,241
Transfers between funds 31,304 (31,304) -
Net movement in funds 70,274 23,967 94,241

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

continued...

Page 11

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued continued
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 132,401 167,609 300,010
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 202,675 191,576 394,251
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Office
equipment
£
COST
At 1 April 2022 8,406
Additions 3,064
Disposals (3,174)
At 31 March 2023 8,296
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 5,613
Charge for year 1,904
Eliminated on disposal (2,876)
At 31 March 2023 4,641
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 3,655
At 31 March 2022 2,793
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Trade debtors - 18,427
Other debtors - 2,074
Accrued income - 48,983
Prepayments 3,490 3,266
3,490 72,750

continued...

Page 12

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Social security and other taxes
Net wages creditor
Pension creditor
Accruals and deferred income
12.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
National Lottery Community Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
National Lottery Community Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
At 1.4.22
£
202,675
191,576
394,251
Incoming
resources
£
380,784
48,983
429,767
31.3.23
31.3.22
£
£
1,436
-
217
-
604
744
2,160
749
4,417
1,493
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.3.23
£
£
194,412
397,087
(40,417)
151,159
153,995
548,246
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(186,372)
194,412
(89,400)
(40,417)
(275,772)
153,995

continued...

Page 13

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement
At 1.4.21
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
132,401
38,970
Restricted funds
Shine 2017
1,048
-
Regional Forums
6,139
-
National Lottery Community Fund
160,422
55,271
167,609
55,271
TOTAL FUNDS
300,010
94,241
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
182,154
Restricted funds
National Lottery Community Fund
97,381
TOTAL FUNDS
279,535
Purpose of Funds
Transfers
between
At
funds
31.3.22
£
£
31,304
202,675
(1,048)
-
(6,139)
-
(24,117)
191,576
(31,304)
191,576
-
394,251
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(143,184)
38,970
(42,110)
55,271
(185,294)
94,241
At
31.3.22
£
202,675
-
-
191,576
191,576
394,251
94,241

Unrestricted General Fund

This fund represents the free funds of the charity that are not designated for particular purposes.

Restricted Funds

National Lottery Community Fund

This money is to be used for West Midlands regional self advocacy work. The grant is to be paid half yearly until July 2022.

continued...

Page 14

Dudley Voices for Choice

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.

14. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The charity is controlled by the trustees as listed in the Report of the Trustees.

Page 15

Dudley Voices for Choice

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 7,921 100
Other trading activities
Other income 12,089 17,289
Charitable activities
Grants 409,757 262,146
Total incoming resources 429,767 279,535
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Wages 142,295 103,235
Social security 5,774 1,173
Pensions 1,462 1,157
Rent 10,250 6,000
Autism Cafe 17,600 2,400
Training 55,286 57,129
Room hire 625 270
App 1,800 1,800
Event costs and services 12,660 -
247,752 173,164
Support costs
Other
Insurance 385 289
Telephone 1,846 1,125
Printing, postage, stationery and advertising 2,309 1,025
Sundry expenses 248 1,051
Resources, repairs & renewals 3,654 476
Travelling 7,193 1,242
Internet and IT costs 2,610 2,483
Meeting refreshments 1,062 500
Subscriptions 2,214 942
DBS checks 76 380
Payroll services - 275
Accountancy 2,610 700
Gifts, cards and flowers 1,610 -
Carried forward 25,817 10,488

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

Dudley Voices for Choice

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
31.3.23 31.3.22
£ £
Other
Brought forward 25,817 10,488
Depreciation of office equipment 1,905 1,642
Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 298 -
28,020 12,130
Total resources expended 275,772 185,294
Net income 153,995 94,241

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 17