CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From: 1st April 2022 (Period start date) To: 31st March 2023 (Period end date) Charity name: The Veterans Contact Point Charity registration number: 1155953 Objectives and Activities SORP reference Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Pafa 1.17 The relief in need of former members of the Armed Forces, their spouses, children and dependants or organisations supporting needs in particular but not exclusively by (l) Providing or assisting in the provision of schemes for their resettlement, rehabilitation and employment (11) Providing or assisting in the provision of grants, items and ServIS for their benefit. Through the provision of: A safe environment" a professional assessment of needs., job Club & Job PreparationlEmployability' Training Courses where appropriate; Promoting the awareness of needs & partnership working. Marketing & Fund-raising events; Mentoringlvolunteer Peer Support., Promote and develop the uselawareness of the Veterans Contact Point (Charity) and its resources to the wider community; Support & promote the work of the Armed Forces Community Covenant. 1. Through a capital grant made available by The Veterans Foundation, establish and develop a Veterans Hub in the South of Warwickshire Iwarwick) to support the needs of our beneficiaries. 2. Through a staffing grant made available by The Veterans Foundation support and develop the business needs of the charity. 3. To provide none clinical support through funding made available by OVAIAFC Fund Trust to veterans engaged with NHSIOP COURAGE from the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars. 4. With funding provided by NWBC for one member of staff, deliver su ort 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
to single homeless males and veterans in North Warwickshire Area working in partnership with the LA- Housing. 5. The continuation of the provision existing activities including: Peer Support, Access to welfare portalslreferral points, Pyscho- emotional Befriending support, AFC Partnership Working, Community Awareness and providing a safe none-judgemental access point for our beneficiaries to come for hel Pursuant to Section 17(5) of the Charities Act and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 the Charity Trustees have taken due regard of the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission when exercising its duties. statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP referen The Board of Trustees continue to uphold the decision on grant making to individuals, limited to a maximum of £50 per individual without prior notification by business justification, but considered and approved by the BOT. Para 1.38 Policy on grant making These grants are mainly to meet the immediate needs of individuals while due process is in consideration by external charities/organisations. All applications for grants over £50 require a written businesslwelfare justification supported by case report and will normally support a larger application for welfare su ortlfundin Para 1.38 NIA Policy on social investment including program related investment The VCP is a volunteer ran Military Charity utilising volunteers throughout its Board of Trustee through to its Operational Staff. The Board of Trustees recognise the commitment, time and contributions made by its volunteers and acknowledge the pivotal role they fulfil across the charity. Working in Partnership with IMROC all new Volunteer Peer Support staff receive external accredited Peer Su ort Trainin Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance SORP reference In this reporting period the VCP has continued to be effective in providing a safe place for 200 veterans to access befriending and welfare support from its Partners. Peer Support remains a crucial and successful tool in assisting many veterans to overcome barriers. issues and in helping them to navigate through serviceslaccess support. We continue to provide ongoing support to 43 veterans. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the differen the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 We continue to work with our NHSIOP COURAGE Mental Health teams providing Peer Support to veterans engaged in their interventions and by providing none clinical support to 37 veterans through our own OP FREESPEECH project. Providing a range of interventions such as, Buddy Checks, Brew & Banter, Mountain Biking, Fishing and Model Building and Trips to the NMA. Other activities planned include Overnight Camping/Expeditions. This cohort have proved difficult or reluctant for all to engage with. It has been a long-time plan for the VCP to provide localised support in the South of our Area but due to financial constraints this was provided through outreach. A successful funding approach to another Military Charity has provided crucial funds to establish and support a hub in Warwick and to raise awareness of the needs of the Armed Forces Community and to support those in need. To support this development, we were able to employ a previous volunteer in this business development role which has resulted in veterans being able to access services locally, an increase of AFC awareness briefings and involvement in locallsoth Warwickshire events and promotion of this service to veteranslassociationlservice community. Another achievement was the successful delivery outcome that has been the Watling Street Single Male Homelessness Project which has afforded support to 45 single males - including several veterans. This project has been granted a further 2 years extension following North Warwickshire Borough Councils appraisal of the success of this partnership with the Veteran Project Officer achievin success in su ortin
secure tenancies, reducing substance reliance, increasing financial status and support beneficiaries during their temporary stay in 2 homelessness accommodation properties. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 other Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 Total income between 114121-3113123 was £225,888.89, which included £78,320.32 carried forward from the previous year,. £21,895.13 in Public Donations; £125.673.44 Project Funding and Grants. Expenditure in this reporting period: Office related costs £34,170.40. Volunteer & Staffing Costs £71 ,345.99; Welfare Grants £860.76. Total Expenditure was £106,377.15. £92,938.15 is Ring Fen/AllOcated funds leaving a Working CapitallAvailable funds of £26,573.59 to be carried forward to the next financial ear 2023124. The VCP following a review on its policy on investmenureserves, and its low levels of income and rising operating costs due to its expansion into Southern Warwickshire, in this financial year 22123 the VCP BOT made the decision to increase its ring fen reserves to £25,000. Further considerations Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22
are dependent of the current financial situation of the Charity and these may be ad'usted as re uired. £25,000 NIA Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.22 Para 1.22 Para 1.24 NIA Para 1.23 NIA Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: The main source of fund raising remains charitylpublic donations through a mixture of specified and none-specified purposes. In this reporting period we have started to receive fundinglgrants from Warwickshire County Council, High Sheriff and through a training grant made by IMROC for Volunteers completing their external Peer Support Training. The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 We continue to benefit from direct recognitionlnominationslcontributions through our practiceslpresencelword of mouth and through recognition as local charity of choi. We continue to receive small amounts of funding through maillJust Givinglcommunity fund raising initiativeslactivities. Funding in this period has also included grants from the Office of Veterans AffairslArmed Forces Covenant Fund Trust OP FREESPEECH and Veterans Foundation to support the business develo ment and southern outreach. NIA Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 The Veterans Contact Point (VCP) hold formal bi-monthly BOT'S meetings where governance of the charity is reviewed, and matters considered. Minutes of these meetings along with the financial statements, shared and recorded. The VCP'S Business Objectives being reviewed at regular intervals and updated yearly at the AGM, where risks are considered, and procedures adopted to minimise the impact ofan of these risks, and to ado tthe A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46
necessary change procedures to manage any potential areas of risk identified. Risks considered in this year are associated with the expansion of our outreach through the establishmenurunning costs of the Southern Hub - impacting by increasing expenditure. Grant funding provided by The Veterans Foundation mitigates the initial risk. Unrestricted fund raisinglpublic donations to support core activitieslinterventions continues to be a focus for the charity. Concerns are that this is also a competitive area as many other charities attempt to recover fund raising momentum following impacts of the previous impacts of the National LockdownlCOVID 19 Pandemic Relian on funding for specified Project delivery remains an issue as many set criteria based on numbers acSsIng interventions, delivery that we are unable to provide and a competitive oversubscribed lication rocess. NIA Other Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of governing document Constitution Para 1.25 Trust How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated Para 1.25 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 AppointedlElected Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: NominationslProposals for Trustee appointments are proposed and considered at the earliest BOT meetin All Trustees
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 being provided with the CC Trustee Handbook, Guidance issued by CobseolASDIC and have aCsS to the Policies and Procedures, which are defined in the VCP'S Operating Handbook. The BOT reviews its Trustee membership on a regular basis, retiring and appointing trustees as appropriate to meet the needs of the Charity. All trustees re1Ve an induction to the charity and sit as ex-offico members of the board of trustees until completion of a period of reviewlobservation (nom?ally 2 months) where full trusteeship is voted upon by the elected board. The charities organisational structure involves a Board of Trustees (BOT) comprising of those who have and those who have not seen Servi in the UK Armed Forces. Comprising of a Patron, President, Executive Trustee (unpaid), Chair. Treasurer and Board. To enable decisions to be made more effectively the BOT have empowered a Working Group (WG), which comprises of the Executive, Chair and Treasurer assisted by the Volunteer Business Officer- decisions made by the WG are required to be ratified at the next BOT bi-monthly meeting. The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 Daily operations are supervised by the Business Development Officer who reports directly to the ExecutivelWG. Lead Peer Support Workerlofficer coordinates this intervention and reports back to the WGIBOT. The Charity has established a strong partnership across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, working closely with Statutory ILocal Authorities, Criminal Justice Agencies. Veteran Associations, Charities and Community Groups. It continues to be the knowledge base on AFC matters and assistslsupports interventions that are veteran/AFC focused. No formal relationships with any related parties although mutual none funding referral support is provided tolfrom SSAFA, TRBL, NHS and other Military Charities. Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details
Charit name Other name the charit uses istered charit number Charity's principal address The Veterans Contact Point vcp 1155953 The Horsa Building Bentley Road Nuneaton Warwickshire CV115LR Tel: 02476343793 email: contactus Contact Details: veteranscontact oint.co.uk Corporate trustees - names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name NIA Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Office (if any) Name of person (or body) entitled toa oint trustee ifan Sir Martin Dunne KCVO - Patron Leonard Hardy BEM - Executive Damien Griffin OBE President of the Board September 2022 Leonard Hardy BEM Executive Trustee PatronlPresident Christopher Mackie Peter Knight Gerald Machin Chairman Treasurer Board of Trustees Board of Trustees Trustee Board of Trustees Jwerea Morgan (Nee - Malik) Roger White Simon Berry David Kelham Trustee Board of Trustees Trustee Board of Trustees Trustee Board of Trustees Board of Trustees Ex-officio 13th March 2023 13th March 2023 13th March 2023 10 Kevin Bowman Manjinda Sandhu Ex-officio Board of Trustees Board of Trustees Ex-officio 12 Trustee name Dates actsd if not for whole ear NIA
Description of the assets held in this capacity NONE Name 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 from the charity's own assets NIA Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infonnation) Type of Name Address adviser NIA Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Sir Martin Dunne - Patron, Damian Griffin - President, Leonard Hardy- Executive Trustee Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details NIA Other o tional 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) Mr Leonard ar BEM Christopher Mackie Position {eg Secretary, Chair. etc) Executive ustee Chairman Date
VETERANS CONTACT POINT DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES IAPR22-31MAR23 INCOME RESOURCES Balance Carried Forward 2021 22 Bank Account Building Society Petty Cash £61,534.04 £16,729.48 £56.80 TOTAL £78 320.32 Public Donations Warwickshire County Council Grant Heart of England - High Sheriff Grant Donations from Marketing Items Smart Pension Refund - Over Payment Training Room Contributions Peer Support Training Grant (ImROC/NHS) Petty Cash to Bank £10,371.46 £1,000.00 £1,500.00 £296.50 £542.42 £1,158.00 £6,970.00 £56.75 TOTAL £21895.13 Pro ects Deliverables NWBC (Watling Street) - Staffing Costs AFC Fund Trust- Project Free Speech Veterans Foundation Grant: Staffing - (Solory ) Capital - (South Warks. Hub Development ) £47,173.44 £28,500.00 £20,000.00 £30,000.00 TOTAL 125 673.44 TOTAL INCOME £225 EXPENDITURE Utilities: Onecom (Telephone/Broadbond I Gas Electric Water £1,743.10 £1,168.60 £1,030.81 £619.68 Utilities TOTAL £4 562.19 Rates aste: NBBC Non-Domestic Rates11 Nov 22 - 31 Mar231 WDC Non-Domestic Rates11 Nov22 - 31 Mar231 CCC Non-Dome5tic Waste {2023-2024 } £393.28 £500.47 £208.70 Rateslwaste TOTAL £1102.45
Public Liability Insurance Lodders Solicitors- Wawick Hub/Lease Membershi £1,560.55 £2,100.00 Cobseo Fundraising Regulator £120.00 £50.00 SUB-TOTAL £3 830.55 Office Costs: Nuneaton Hub Photcopier Charges Stationary Postage General Maintenance Office Equipment/Miscellaneous £768.32 £845.58 £37.71 £3,670.12 £462.40 5 784.13 Nuneaton Costs Warwick Hub (Development) H&S Equipment Office Furniture & Fixtures TV/Fixtures/Fittings IT Equipment/Maint/lnst Professional Service Support Opening Event AFD2022 - Pageant House/warwick Refreshments/Briefings Stationary Planning Permissions Petty Cash £225.37 £4,506.02 £675.44 £3,459.98 £840.00 £1,650.00 £165.92 £248.40 £27.43 £164.20 £67.00 Wanvick Costs £12 029.76 General IT Equipment/Maintenance/Software Remembrance Marketing & Publicity Fundraising Equipt/ltems BOT Meetings Refreshment £2,013.00 £75.00 £1,718.26 £2,982.57 £72.49 Sub Total £6 861.32 Total Office Related Costs £34 170.40 Staffin Volunteer Costs.. Clothing Refreshments/Food DBS Checks Travel & Subs Parking Training £1,327.18 £697.16 £12.00 £1,759.79 £302.25 £362.43 £4 460.81 Volunteer Costs Staffin Pro"ect Costs: NWBC- Watling Street Pay Travel & Subs £20,601.69 £2,466.48
Telephone/lT £828.04 Sub Total £23 896.21 OP FREESPECH- Staffing Pay Travel & Subs Telephone/iT None Clinical Interventions Project Launch/Events £10,701.53 £2,108.44 £384.81 £3,798.93 £53.23 Sub Total £17 046.94 Vetemns Foundation.. StaIfing Pay Travel & Subs £15,321.80 £438.34 Sub Total £15 760.14 SMART Pension fEmployers/Employees Contribution ) WCAVA Pay Roll (Nlnax Contribution & Admin Costs I £3,759.28 £6,422.61 £10 181.89 Total Volunteer & Staffing Costs £71 45.99 Welfare Grants Individual Grants Food Voucher5 £360.76 £500.00 £860.76 Funds that are Rin ed Fence Foundation Grant Welfare/Poverty Grant VCP Reserve Capital AFD Watling Street Project WCC/Veterans Foundation Grant Memorial Stone/Plaque (The Late Lonnie Downie) WCC Grant (South Warwickshire Hub) The Veterans Foundation VF Grant (Warwick South) Armed Forces Covenant Grant (Project Free Speechl VCP Support Training £2,550.60 £805.00 £20,000.00 £3,411.50 £21,519.33 £7,001.45 £1,425.00 £2,000.00 £16,295.38 £11,322.32 £6,607.57 £92 938.15 Total Ring Fenced Funds (RFF TOTAL INCOME l Apr 22 -31 Mar £225 888.89 TOTAL EXPENDITURE BALANCE REMAINING & CIF 2314 £119 511.74 WORKING CAPITAL {BCF less RFF) £26 573.59
Accounts Prepared by: Signoture." Name: Peter Knight Date of Signature 9 L3 Treasurer Accounts Checked/Approvei Name Signoture." Leonard Hardy BEM Executive Date of Signature 9hN £0 Officer Na Christopher Mackie Date of Signature Chairman Signature.. /orfrfJd3
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Charily Name 'ThÉ V6fEPAfyJ s Lohfi Ac i On accounts for the year ended Sq FE6liihiM 2olL+ Charity no (if any) 1155953 Set out on pages (rememb lo incliide the page nLmber5 of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (he Trusn for the year ended i t 2-D As the charty's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). Responsibilitles and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examlnerfs statement appl. Delete [ ] rfnot appliGable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (ethept which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements Conrning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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. ' Please dglete the words in the bRckets rf they do not apply. gsloilzol Slgned.. Date: Name: PFI4L HA£ Relevant professional quallflcation(s) or body ACA IER Oct 2018
(if any): Address: SC 14ll 2NJ Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of conrn (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wlshes to drsclose. IER Oct 2018
The Veterans Contart Point Unaudlted Financial Statements 29 February 2024 Charity Registration No: 1155953 Income and Expenditure Account Year Ended 29 February 2024 2024 2023 Income 139,602 131,143 Cost of Sales {53,805) (67.762) Gross profit 85,797 63,381 Administrative expenses Property Costs Depreciation {11,515) 18.179) (11,586) (16,927) {3,782) Operating surplus 54,517 42,673 Interest receivable and similar income Interest payable and similar expenses 446 178 Surplus for the financial year 54,963 42,851 Statement of Assets & Liabllltles 28 February 2024 2024 2023 Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 35,910 9,509 Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand 143,466 114,904 Total Assets 179.376 124,413 st Funds at l March 2022 Surplus for the year 124,413 54,963 81,562 42,851 Charitable Funds 179,376 124.413 These Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Trustees Len Hardy Trustee Date
The Veterans Contact Point Trustees Report The purposes of the charity is the relief of fornier members of the Armed Forces, their spouses, children and dependants who find themselves in need. The charity is also tasked with supporting organisations who fulfil the same alm. Such relief shall be made through the provision of- a) A safe environment bl A professional assesment of needs c) Improving employability through job preparation d) Mentoring/Volunteer Peer Support e) Training courses where appropriate n Promotion of fund raising events g) Promotion of awareness of needs and partnership working h) Promotion of fund ralsing events i) Support & promote the work of the Armed Forces Community Covenant. The following Trustees served in the year: Damien Griffin OBE President of the Board Leonard Hardy BEM Executive Trustee Christopher Mackie Chairman Peter Knight Treasurer Gerald Machin Trustee Jwerea Morgan {Nee - Malik) Trustee Roger White Trustee Simon Berry Trustee David Kelham Ex-officio Kevin Bowman Ex-officio Manjinda Sandhu Ex-officio Len Hardy Trustee Date
The Veterans Contact Point Accountlng Pollcles l Basls of Accounting The financial Statements have been prepared under the hisotic cost convention 2 Going Concern The company has sufficient funds to allow operation to continue for a period exceeding two years from the Balance Sheet Date. In view of this, the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare these accounts on a Going Concern Basis. 3 Tangible Fixed Assets Fixed Assets are stated at historic c05t less depreciation. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value over its expected usefvl life, as follows: Leases Office Equipment Furniture Fixtures & Fittings Term of the lease 33% Straight line basis 20% reducing balance 4 Pension Contributions The pension cost5 charged in the financial ststements represent the contributions payable by the charity during the year Notes to the Accounts Year ended 29 February 2024 2024 2023 Income Grants Received Van Donation Donation Hire Charge Other 95,158 30,tM 14,380 119,419 11,307 170 247 64 139,602 131,321 Cost of Sales Salary PAYE Wages Pension Travel Training Administration Other Association Charge Welfare Grants Equipment Vehicles Therapy 129,467) {5,031) {250) {2,420) (6,312) (2,061) (26) (6,435) (170) (1.176) (82) (3751 (42,291) {9,747) {3,086) (6,327) {121 (5,110) 1165) 1722) 12521 1501 (53.805) 167,762)
Adminlstratlve expenses Insura nce Telephone Mobile Health & Safety Marketing Photocopier Supplies Other Software Web Hosting {2,508} (3,3641 (1.252) {1,382) (1,670) (1,3151 1734) {5,903) 1810) (1,000) 1396) (425} 13,2911 (422) 1818} (1,3761 (50) (368) 11,356) (11,515) (16,927} Property Costs Rent Rates Repairs & Maintenance Alarm System Gas Electricity Water Waste Collection (21 (1,789) 11,4151 1303) 1295} 1961) {991) {650) (582) 11,871) 12,207) {272) {623} (8,179) 13,7821 Depreciation Lease Welfare Equipment IT Equipment Fixtures & Fittings Vehicles (420) (1,923) 1644} {2,2841 {6,3161 111,586)