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← Gateshead Older People's Assembly

2024-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

A word from our chief executive

It’s been another tough year for older people living in the UK, as inflation and the cost of living have continued to increase at a higher rate than any uplift in state pension income. This imbalance has a far great impact in areas of higher deprivation, such as Gateshead, which is within the 15% most deprived areas in the country. This reduction in spending power not only affects people’s choices around heating and eating, it also has a knock-on effect on their ability to afford to meet friends outside of their homes, resulting in increased loneliness and social isolation.

Naturally, the demand for our classes and activities, the vast majority of which are now free of charge, has increased in the past 12 months at a rate far greater than ever before. The wide-ranging opportunities we offer help Gateshead’s over 50s to improve their physical and mental health, increase their independence, and provide opportunities to socialise in a welcoming environment. The statistics within this report speak for themselves in that regard.

The principle that underpins all of our classes and activities is that we will support older people to improve their health, wellbeing, and independence. This approach supports an increase in healthy life expectancy (HLE), which is currently only 62.4 years for men, and 62.7 years for women in the UK. This principle applies to our Staying Steady falls prevention classes, our Never Too Old to Rock group, and everything inbetween.

In the next year, we will be prioritising an increase in the number and capacity of classes and activities on offer, we will be strengthening links with partner organisations to better support older people in Gateshead, and we will continue to listen people aged 50+ from Gateshead, to ensure we are addressing all barriers to participation in activities designed to improve independence.

Craig Bankhead

Chief Executive

ABOUT US

We want to help make Gateshead a great place to grow older and we believe everyone should have access to fun and affordable ways to socialise, exercise, and learn.

As a charity, we focus on early intervention with a view to helping over 50s maintain their health, mobility, and independence. We avoid reinforcing the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and focus on offering engaging social activities, learning opportunities, and wellness programmes through which our beneficiaries can progress as they build their fitness and confidence.

Our programme is open to all Gateshead residents aged 50+. We set up and support activities all across our borough and also maintain a thriving wellness hub for older people at our base in Deckham.

New wellness activities

This year, we’ve continued to set up new wellness activities for over 50s in community venues across Gateshead. All of the new classes we support are delivered free of charge for the first six weeks to allow our beneficiaries a chance to try something new without making a financial commitment.

This year, we set up 12 new classes, including Tai Chi, pickleball, gentle yoga, low impact exercise, Pilates, Rhythm for Wellbeing, Singing for the Brain, Love to Move, Stretch & Tone, and mat-based yoga.

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new wellness/social activity
created 2023 - 2024
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In addition to setting up new classes across Gateshead, we maintain a wellness hub for older people in Deckham. Here, we offer 100 opportunities for over 50s to socialise, exercise, and learn each month.

Opportunities to socialise and learn

Our mental health is as important as our physical health, so we work to ensure over 50s in Gateshead have ample opportunities to stay socially connected and engage in life-long learning.

This year, we continued our Lunch & Learn series , at which attendees enjoyed hearing from an expert guest speaker whilst enjoying lunch. Topics this year included:

Our Never Too Old to Rock project has continued to grow, with dozens of over 50s learning to play drums, guitar, and bass. Learners are now forming their own bands and we’re looking forward to hosting our own NTOtR mini-festival in 2025.

Our singing group continues to grow and is always adding new songs to its repertoire. Our craft group has worked incredibly hard to produce hundreds of items for donation to other local charities this year. Our art group continues to explore new techniques and has spent lots of time focusing on the use of watercolours and landscape drawing this year.

We’ve enjoyed the benefits of fresh air and sunshine this year. Our weekly walking group has clocked in hundreds of miles and has explored dozens of our region’s parks, seafronts, and nature trails. After most walks, the group enjoys a meal or pops into a cafe for a chance to socialise.

This year saw the return of our annual beach day , which is another fantastic opportunity to get some fresh air (and fish and chips!). We spent the day at Sandhaven Beach and enjoyed walking football, backyard cricket, and a sandcastle-building competition.

Two of the most frequently-requested activities this year were British Sign Language classes and cookery classes . In the spring, we offered a 10-week introductory BSL course, which received rave reviews. We were absolutely delighted to partner with Blackfriars Restaurant to offer a series of international cookery classes over the summer.

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Falls prevention

We continue to be commissioned by Gateshead Council to deliver Staying Steady , our falls prevention programme. This year, we delivered 12 cohorts of classes in six venues across the borough.

Staying Steady is a free 20-week course designed for people aged 50+ who wish MARKET to improve their balance and increase their confidence and independence. The programme is comprised of a series of evidence-based exercises designed to improve strength and balance and, along with Tai Chi, is a recognised falls POSITION prevention activity by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

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I have regained the confidence to go out I feel so much more confident in my day-
walking by myself after a very bad fall. to-day activities including sitting down
I had stopped doing most things due to a and getting up from chairs. Also, knowing
lack of confidence and now I am back that if I fall, I have a system in place to get
taking part in the groups and activities up off the floor. I am looking forward to
that I enjoy. starting Tai Chi on a Tuesday.
I can now walk around the house without I am so much more confident and I am
my walking sticks and feel a lot more now walking better and no longer have to
confident when I am out and about. use my stick. Getting up from a chair is so
My mobility in my shoulders is a lot better, much easier and I feel confident when
making reaching and doing my hair a lot exercising. I am going to return to the
easier and without pain. dancercise class now I have my
confidence back.
My strength, balance, and confidence
This has given me motivation to become have dramatically improved and I now
more active, to continue to improve my have a regular routine of exercising
mobility. I am regularly taking part in at home, as well as going to some classes.
the Zoom class and will be continuing I was falling over a lot and that has
chair yoga and Keep Fit, Strong, and become less frequent. I have learnt some
Steady, too. good tips on how to get up from the floor
with more ease.
www.reallygreatsite.com
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Cultural Connections

Over the past year, our Cultural Connections project has taken us all around the region to experience the very best of what the INNOVATION northeast has to offer. In total 213 over 50s took part! We visited the Bowes Museum, Holy Island, Whitby, York, the SHOWCASE Durham Dales, and Northumberland. We worked with local artists and saw the Royal Northern Sinfonia perform at The Glasshouse Centre for International Music. We also attended plays at Little Theatre Gateshead and NorthLorem ipsum dolor sit am e rn Stage. t, consectetur

adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor We attended the England v. Scotland women’s match at the incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Stadium of Light and created fabulous masterpieces at The Kiln Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud Pottery Studio. Ten beneficiaries completed a qualification in British Sign Language and we enjoyed dozens of the latestexercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip blockbusters at Trinity Square’s Vue cinema.ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure

dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse The Cultural Connections project was designed to give our cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. beneficiaries opportunities to engage in local cultural events, learn new skills, and make new social connections.

OUR IMPACT

As a charity, we work hard to ensure that the activities we offer our beneficiaries are making a difference to their lives. We evaluate our work by compiling case studies and asking beneficiaries to complete functional assessments and/or surveys. Case studies are available on our website and functional assessment results can be found in our project reports.

Every year, we survey the beneficiaries who visit our Deckham hub to ensure the opportunities we offer are meeting their needs. We are pleased to share the highlights from this year’s survey. Firstly, about our beneficiaries :

Our beneficiaries range in age from 49 to 91. Our average beneficiary age is 72.2.

74% of our beneficiaries are female 26% of our beneficiaries are male

67% of our beneficiaries have a long term health condition

18% of our beneficiaries have caring responsibilities

45% of our beneficiaries live alone

60% of our beneficiaries use our no-questions-asked community pantry

17% of our 65% of our 18% of our beneficiaries are beneficiaries are beneficiaries are aged 49 to 64 aged 65 to 79 aged 80+

Our average beneficiary visits us 2.25 times per week.

Our most active beneficiaries take part in 9 of our activities per week.

52% take part in at least two activities per week 36% take part in at least three activities per week 19% take part in at least four activities per week 10% take part in at least five activities per week

Here’s what our beneficiaries had to say about the impact taking part in our activities has on their lives:

89% have made friends with whom they now socialise

68% have learned new skills

77% feel happier

50% visit their GP less frequently since joining us

89% feel their physical health has improved

91% feel their mental health has improved

100% say we offer newcomers a warm welcome

100% say they would recommend our activities to family and friends

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WHY WE’RE HERE

To understand why it is so vital that older people in Gateshead have opportunities to improve their health and maintain their independence, we must consider the current context of growing older in our borough. Deprivation, falls, and loneliness all have a tremendous impact on the lives of older people in Gateshead.

Deprivation

Gateshead is ranked as the 47th most deprived of England's 317 local authorities.

In real terms, experiencing deprivation at such rates means that 'luxuries' like fitness classes, cultural events, and short courses are out of reach for many older people in our borough. To combat this, we offer free or low-cost options for older people to exercise, socialise, and learn.

Falls

It is therefore essential that evidence-based falls-prevention activities are embedded in the work of organisations working with older people. We are commissioned by Gateshead Council to deliver our Staying Steady programme and we also support the delivery of evidence-based Tai Chi practice across the borough.

Loneliness

anim id est laborum. Our programme of setting up a sustainable network of classes and activities for over 50s all across Gateshead gives them the opportunity to establish friendships with others who live near them, ensuring real social connections which exist beyond the boundaries of the group. Setting up activities in community venues also encourages over 50s to attend independently, eliminating the need for long (and increasingly expensive) journeys.

The Big Picture

By design, our programme of activities seeks to address problems caused by deprivation, reduce falls, and help our beneficiaries feel part of their local community. By taking full advantage of what we offer, over 50s could improve their physical health, increase their confidence, reduce levels of depression and anxiety, and ultimately increase their lifespan.

OUR INVESTORS

We are delighted to have the support of many of the UK’s most forward-thinking investors. Thanks to these funders, we are in a position to be able to respond to our beneficiaries’ needs quickly, making an immediate and measurable difference to their quality of life.

178 Split Crow Road Deckham NE8 3UB

0191 438 1721

www.gatesheadopa.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 1155832

Gateshead 50+ is the working name of Gateshead Older People’s Asssembly.

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Charity No 1155832

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Contents Page Legal and administrative information Reserves policy and going concern Slructure, governance, and management Financial review Report of the Independent Examiner Slatement of financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the financial statements

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Report of the Trustees Year ended 31 March 2024 Legal und admlnistratlve Informallon Board of Trustees: W. Dick Ichair, appointed May 2023) M. Mcmahon Itreasurerl J. Ndambona S. Renforth M. Barrett Reglslered Offlce: 178 Split Crow Road Gateshead Tyne & Wear NE8 3UB Accountants: TIG Accountants Melropolitan House Longrigg Road Swalwell Galeshead NE16 3AS Bankers: Unity Trust Bank PO Box 7193 Planetary Road Willenhall WVI 9DG

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Report of the Trustees Year ended 31 March 2024 The trustees ore delighted to report thol Gateshead Older People's Assembly has yet again had a successful year supporting older people in Gateshead. We have once more increosed the number of health and wellbeing opportunities for older people in Gateshead this year, to meet a sizeable growth in demand. Not only that, bul the proportion of activities that are now free of chorge has increased significantly, meaning we can support more people who are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. This year, we hove set up Iwelve new wellness activities acros5 the borough as well as in our centre in Deckham, where we now have l 00 opportunities to socialise, exercise, and learn taking place every month. The majority of which are free of charge, In addition to the l 00 opportunities taking place every month, we also provide a relaxing spoce for our beneficiaries to socialise informally over free tea, coffee, and biscuits all doy, Monday lo Friday. Very often, people arrive half an hour before their class to socialise, and they also stay behind aftewards to catch up with friends they've made at our Ihriving wellbeing hub. Participants also get to access our community pantry, which offers our beneficiaries free food and toiletries to help reduce their weekly spend. This year, through our annual survey of around 150 beneficiaries, we have discovered the following: The average age of our beneficiaries is 72.2 years 67% are living with a long-term health condition 45% live alone 18% have caring responsibilities 60% regularly use our no-questions-asked communily pontry The demand for our services continues to grow, as the proportion of older residents in Gateshead increases. The is also growth in demand for our flagship Staying Steady falls prevenlion programme, commissioned by Gateshead Council. This 20-week programme, taking place in 12 locations across Gateshead every year, has helped hundreds of older people at risk of falling lo Improve their strength, balance, and mobility, On behalf of the trustee board, I'd like to express our thanks to the hard-working staff team, to all our stakeholders, and to all our funding partners, who provide the necessary resources needed to continue this valued work for Gateshead's older people. Reserves pollcy and golng conceTn The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to at least six months of charitable expenditure, The tnJstees consider that this Sevel will provide sufficiently for any contingency planning should the need arise. The management team provides the truslees with a twelve-month rolling budget forecast which is updated every quarter. This provides sufficient foresight and time to be able to address any issues before they arise. The trustees consider the chorily is currently in a financially stable posilion and have no concerns about the charity's continuing existence and succes5.

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Report of the Trustees Year ended 31 March 2024 struclure, govemance, and managemenl Gateshead Older People's Assembly is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). The organisalion was registered with the Charities Commission on 18 February 2014. Trustees are invited from all interested bodies and are selected by the trustees. The board of Irustees would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, volunteers. funders, investors, and beneficiaries for another exciting year in the charily's development. Flnanclal revlew The financiol statements show a deficit of £6,655. Restricted deficit was £4,270. This was spending from funds carried over from the previous accounting period, Restricted funding is the main type of income and expenditure. Monies are received for running costs of the office and salaries. Signed on behalf of the management committee, on 2024. W. Dick Chair

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Report of the Trustees Year ended 31 March 2024 Report of the Independent Examiner to the trustees of Galeshead Older People's Assembly I report on the financial statements of Gateshead Older People's Assembly for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set oul on pages 12 to 18. Respectlve responslblllty of trustees and exomlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charilies Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent exomination, it is my responsibility to examlne the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, follow the procedures laid down in the general Direclions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Act), and state whether particular malter5 have come lo my ottention, Basls of Independent examlner's report My examination was carried out in occordance with the General Direclions given by the Charily Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. St also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequenlly no opinion is given as to whelher the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those ma*ters set oul in the statement below. Independent examlner's statemenl In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my altention which gives me reasonable cause to believe thol in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and to prepore financial statement5 which accord with the accounling records and to comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Componies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. B GIII FCCA Metropolitan House Longrigg Road Swalw&ll Gateshead NEI 6 3AS Date: 2024

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY statement of Flnancial Activlties Year ended 31 March 2024 Notes Unrestrlcled Restrlcled Total 2024 Total 2023 Income other income 1,155 1,155 8,260 Granls 74,000 174,042 248,042 206, 707 Total Income 75,155 174,042 249,197 214,967 Expendllure Charitable activities 77,540 178,312 255,852 206,256 Total expendlture 77,540 178,312 255,852 206,256 Net Income (2,385) (4,270) (6,655) 8,711 Transfers Net movement In funds (2,385) (4,270) (6,655) 8,711 Total funds brought foward 53,054 173,600 226,654 217,943 Total funds carrled forward 50,669 169.330 219,999 226,654

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Balance Sheel as at 31 March 2024 Noles Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2024 2023 Flxed assels Tangible assets 752 752 1,002 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 49,917 177,165 227,082 229,462 49,917 177,165 227,082 229.462 Credltors amount due wlthln one year 7,835 7,835 3,810 Net current assets 49,917 169.330 219,247 225,052 Net assets 50,669 169,330 219,999 220,654 Funds ol the charlfy 10 50,66? 169,330 219,999 226,654 The financial statements were approved by the trustees on signed on the trustees behalf by: and W Dick Chair

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2024 Basls of preparaflon of flnanclal slatements The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporfing Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) leffective l January 20151 (Charities SORP IFRS 10231, Ihe Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, Basls of accountlng The charity has adopled the accrvals basis of accounting as required by the regulations. Income Grants and donations are On￿ included in the SOFA when Ihe charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. Expendlture Costs are recognised as and when there becomes a legol or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out Ihe resources. Funds accounllng Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees In furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on Iheir expenditure imposed by the funder, donor 01 through the terms of an appeal. Depreclatlon Depreciation is charged at 20% reducing balance per year

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2024 Grants 2024 2023 Unrestricted Greggs Foundotion Headley Trust Tudor Trust Bernicia Foundation Masonic Charitable Trust Akzo Nobel- Community Fovndafion 20,000 20,000 29,000 20,000 10,000 5, 000 2, QOO 5,000 74,000 37,000 Reslrlcted Tudor Trust Ballinger Charitable Trust Gateshead Council National Lottery Community Fund Reaching Communities Heart Research UK Sir James Knott Trust Gateshead Council - Staying Steady NHS/CCG- Staying Steady Kellet Fund at the Community Foundation Shears Foundation National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All Gateshead Council- Walking Football Gateshead Council- Heallh Walks Community Foundation Prime Fund Communily Foundafion Waiting Well Connected Voice Pargiter Trusl- Community Foundalion 28,000 20,000 4,850 55,877 65,000 1.605 5,000 10,000 20,625 16,250 5.000 5,000 30,000 16,250 9.971 4,380 9.970 5,000 5.000 9.620 4,000 8.880 3,471 174,042 169,707 Total grants 248,042 200, 707

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2024 3 Expendlture Unrestrlcted Reslrlcted 2024 2023 Charltuble actlvltles Salaries ond pensions Capital and equipment Sessionol instructors Filming and promotion utilities and services Miscellaneous Consumables and equipment Community pantry Beneficiory enrichment activities Travel. training and transport Accountancy Depreciation 50,000 95,871 145,871 127,233 3,500 7,472 35,385 10,972 35,385 8,331 30,778 900 16.247 771 15,000 1,000 12,991 2.108 27,991 3,108 17.866 7,642 7,642 10,462 10,462 3,000 4,790 250 6,381 9,381 4,790 250 3,820 250 77,540 178,312 255,852 206,250 Truslees expenses Expenses paid to trustees during the year: £Nil12023: £Nill Fees tor examlnallon of the accounts 2024 2023 Fee for reporting on the accounts 4,790 3,820 Wages 2024 2023 Gross wages Social security cost Pensions 128,364 8,814 8,693 112,372 7.358 7,503 Total staff costs 145,871 127.233

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2024 10 staff numbers staff numbers during the year were as follows Part tlme Full tlme Total Management and administration Flxed assets Furnlture & equipment At valuatlon As at l April 2023 Additions 6.701 As at 31 March 2024 6.701 Depieclallon As at l April 2023 Depreciation for year 5,699 250 As at 31 March 2024 5,949 Net book value As at 31 March 2024 752 As al 31 March 2023 1.002 Credltors- amounl falllng due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Creditors Taxes and accruals other creditors 768 3,850 3,217 370 3,440 7,835 3.810

GATESHEAD OLDER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2024 10 Net movement on funds Asat l April 2023 Asot 31 March 2024 Income Expendlture Transfer U nreslrlcted General 53,054 75,155 77,540 50,669 Reslrlcted other Funds 173.600 174,042 178,312 169,330 226,654 249.197 255,852 219,999