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← Carers Link - Lancashire

2024-03-31-accounts

¢ar•rn Unk La Illlb., ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024 Carers Link Lancashire IMPROVING LIFE FOR CARERS

CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 3 INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CHAIR 4 TREASURERS REPORT 6 STATISTICS AND STATE OF CARING 8 KEY ADULT STATISTICS 10 CARERS STORIES 12 YOUNG CARER STATISTICS 14 YOUNG CARER STORY 16 ASD FUNDING; CAROL POLLARD 17 NEW COLNE SHOP 18 NEW CARAVAN; 2023 HBA 19 DEMENTIA MISSION 20 WELFARE & BENEFITS SUPPORT 21 VOLUNTEER-LED SERVICES 22 RESPITE & SHORT BREAKS 23

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

I am delighted to share with you in this year’s annual impact report some key achievements and findings from the financial year including sharing our amazing work and also carers stories.

As always, the past 12 months have been all go for us! A major achievement was renovating our property in Colne and transforming it into a new charity shop and information and support hub for carers and the wider communities in Pendle. A number of capital grants were secured along with donations and lots of volunteer time which enabled us to finally open our doors in November 2023! The shop is regularly visited by over 150 people every day and is proving to be extremely popular in Colne!

In March, I was delighted to be invited to attend Number 10 Downing Street as a guest at the official reception of Dame Barbara Windsor’s Dementia Mission. At the reception, I raised the flag for carers in East Lancashire discussing the Lancashire Carers Services including specific dementia support we provide for unpaid carers in our area.

This year, a huge loss for our charity was losing our beloved Chair of Trustees Carol Pollard who died in service. Carol contributed almost a decade of her life in supporting the charity and carers in East Lancashire. Carol has left a huge hole in our charity and in our hearts. Our love and thoughts continuously go out to her family. We have plans to create a memorial area for Carol in our community garden in Accrington so that she will always be with us.

As always, I would like to thank all of our amazing staff team and volunteers for their commitment shown throughout the year.

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2023
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Rebecca Hodgson CEO Carers Link Lancashire

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2024
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INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CHAIR

Firstly, I must pay tribute to our previous chair, Carol Pollard, who sadly and suddenly passed away during the Christmas and New Year break. Carol had served the organisation for many years, initially as a member of the senior management team and latterly, following her retirement, as a trustee and finally as chair of trustees.

Carol Pollard, who sadly and suddenly passed away

There continues to be a high level of demand for the support that carers across East Lancashire require. I am pleased to report that our dedicated team are able to provide it. This is evidenced by continuing to meet the performance targets set out in our Lancashire County Council contract and more tellingly in the feedback we receive from our carers. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and any negative ones have been minor.

I am also pleased to report that our third charity shop and information hub in Colne is now open. In addition to this the revised team operating the three locations are now exceeding expectations in terms of fundraising as well as providing a location where carers can access our services.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Board of Trustees, both current and previous, for their commitment, expertise and passion given to the organisation throughout the year. The board of trustees, who give their time freely, possesses a wide and varied range of skills which in addition to supporting our management team, ensures that the organisation complies with charity commission and financial guidelines. The board and staff led by CEO, Rebecca, together continue to make significant progress towards achieving our key priorities.

I would also like to thank the Boroughs of Hyndburn and Rossendale for their continued support through the ongoing election of nomination for roles of Trustees and the support they offer to the Board.

Thanks also to our donors and contractors who continue to offer financial support in the way of grants, donation of materials and work. Projects which support the charity immensely in achieving its vision and strategy.

Special thanks to our main funders of Lancashire County Council, Eric Wright Foundation, BBC Children In Need and other smaller donors including the Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Finally, I thank once again our excellent committed staff and volunteers for their hard work in supporting our carers across Lancashire and continuing to support the charity especially during these challenging times.

Brian Birtle Chair of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

I am also pleased to report that our committed volunteers continue to work in various roles across the organisation and encourage anyone interested in supporting our communities, especially as we seek to grow our volunteer support especially in our growing charity outlets. Anyone interested is very welcome to contact the main Accrington headquarters where you can seek further information about the various opportunities open.

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Join our
volunteer
team!
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TREASURER’S REPORT

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Carers Link Lancashire continues to progress with the charity achieving another strong financial performance. Income and expenditure both increased by more than 10% to over £1.1m, with the charity showing a very small surplus for the financial year. The cash position remains healthy at over £0.5m, well above our reserve requirements.

The second retail outlet and drop in centre in Haslingden traded well during the year and the third outlet in Colne opened in the second half. Retail trading is now starting to make a significant contribution to overall income, and it is likely that another outlet will be sought in the coming year, both to extend the charity’s physical presence in the community and to generate further income.

During the year, the remaining two holiday caravans were consolidated down to one, and the improved facility is showing better occupancy rates and financial return.

Jeff Leahy Treasurer

Total income: £1,116,235.10

Total expenditure: £1,085,085

Our new 6 Caravan!

STATISTICS & STATE OF CARING 2023

STATE OF CARING 2023, November 2023 by CARERS UK:

The report on caring and health finds that a widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging unpaid carers’ mental health. It highlights how people caring round the clock for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives do not have adequate support from statutory services that are in place to help them – leaving many steeped in thoughts of hopelessness, fear and dread, and urgently in need of support. a

More than a quarter (27%) of unpaid carers have bad or very bad mental health, rising to 31% of those caring for more than 50 hours a week, or for over 10 years.

than 50 hours a week, 84% of carers or for over 10 whose mental health is years. bad or very bad have continuous low mood, 82% have feelings of hopelessness and 71% regularly feel More than three tearful. quarters of all carers (79%) feel stressed or anxious, half (49%) feel depressed, and half 65% of carers (50%) feel lonely.

68% of carers with bad or very bad mental health are living with a sense of fear or dread.

65% of carers agreed that the increase in the cost of living was having a negative impact on their physical and/or mental health.

Despite feeling they are at breaking point, nearly three quarters (73%) of carers with bad or very bad mental health are continuing to provide care.

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire are currently supporting:

11,964 123 & adult carers young carers

in the East Lancashire area.

THE LANCASHIRE CARERS SERVICE

Throughout the year, the charity continued to work successfully alongside n-compass towards a brighter future in successfully delivering the Lancashire Carers Service. This service works across the county providing support, guidance and information to adult carers with n-compass delivering support in North and Central Lancashire and our charity delivering support in East Lancashire.

The service supports people in their caring role, undertaking statutory carers assessments and supporting their emotional health and wellbeing. This sees the two organisations jointly delivering the statutory Lancashire Carers Service until 2026 .

Identifying carers, particularly hidden carers , is a prime objective for Carers Link Lancashire. Throughout the year, 1,961 new carers have been identified and registered with the service. All registered carers receive regular information, support and services to assist them within their caring roles and during the year we have provided 4,374 one-to-one sessions with carers.

The charity provides a wide range of provision and services to support adult carers within their roles including:

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KEY ADULT STATISTICS

£609k 734 1961 3345 In Benefits New POM4C Secured For New referrals Emergency Carers Reviewed (Secured by providing —— plans Carers a dedicated welfare and benefits worker Assessments who advises on 1473

People can care for others due to a variety of conditions.

The main conditions amongst our carers are:

(Secured by providing a dedicated welfare and benefits worker who advises on benefits carers are entitled to, assisting them with completing claim forms and ensuring carers receieve the benefits they are entitled to. This is a huge increase of 34% from what we achieved in 2022/23)

1473 98

New Carers Assessments Undertaken

47

are caring for someone with Assessments Support claim forms and dementia 47 Disabled Child y ~ Groups and ensuring carers Undertaken

• 12% of registered carers are Events receieve the = f

caring for someone with a Carers benefits they are mental health condition (Attended by 584 Awareness : » pps! | • 12% of registered carers are carers) Training Those caring caring for a disabled child 3026 Sessions 34% from for someone with dementia has | 14% aati • 9% of registered carers are (Training 329 caring for someone with a Existing decreased 1% 2022/23) since 22/23. learning disability Registered 4 professionals)

• 4% are other conditions Carers — FREE Supported with 54 As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire Understanding further support has: and services Dementia 206 Personal Courses Ge —=== Grants — Counselling Secured • 25.5% registered carers from 13% of Sessions (With £8,634 Burnley 4374 (Free counselling to

and services Personal Courses Grants — Counselling Secured Sessions (With £8,634 4374 (Free counselling to additional income 80 carers through a being secured for 1-2-1 Support team of volunteer carers) Sessions Peer Support counsellors) Groups ——— (Attended by 363

carers) 850 360 4818 Go2 Leiusre Assessments Max Cards Cards Issued Undertaken Provided 15 (Giving carers (Enabling families (Statutory Carers highly discounted to receive free and

Assessments/ Organised discounted access to a range

Reviews) Activities of health and wellaccess to being services (Attended by recreational facilities) across East 171 carers) Lancashire) 11 ©

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CARERS STORIES...

Every carer’s story is unique, but many share some similarities and we often find carers at our peer support groups and activities find things in common. We would like to share some of our carer’s stories with you.

My caring journey is 4 years in the making, an unqualified, often desperate saga of watching 50+ years of companionship and love evaporate. At a Christmas get-together, our younger daughter had wanted to know why I was finishing my wife’s sentences, which I hadn’t realised, culminating in a Parkinson’s diagnosis 9 months later. You eventually realise that your old life has come to an end, which it undoubtedly has, and that you now have to think and act for two, one of whom is no longer with it, and it really hurts.

In the 90s, my wife was Matron of a private Nursing Home, so I had the basic understanding of our professional helpers who are often speaking a different language. I kept a diary of everyday happenings, a litany of hope and angst on re-reading it, but there can only be one outcome, however long it takes, and that takes a lot of accepting.

Carers Link was one of these connections, provider of bulletins and advice. We have had support from Social Workers, Parkinson’s Nurse, Physios, Speech Therapy, and others, as my calendar over the past years can confirm, and my thanks go to them all.

She is now getting excellent care in a Nursing Home, which is all we can ask at this stage in proceedings. The problem now is how to restart my life.

- James

My husband and I met whilst at secondary school. He was very poorly whilst at school and had brain surgery and an adrenalectomy. He grew up with an illness called Cushing Syndrome and a pituitary adenoma (tumour on the brain). We married in 2009 & have 2 amazing children. I work 40 hrs a week to support our family, but I feel I’m constantly working as looking after John especially when he’s having bad days is extremely difficult and can reach breaking point. He also suffers with memory issues and they are becoming more regular: leaving the doors open/unlocked, cooker on and regularly forgetting why he has come into a room. He is not able to fight illness or infections so quite often ends up in resus. I am having to split my shifts on the days he is unwell so that I can take the children to and from school, and then continue to work at home.

Our daughter is also registered as a young carer. I would be lost without her, she is my sidekick. She knows how to help dad when he is poorly, and also takes on the role of looking after her brother when I am not there, who is awaiting an Autism diagnosis. We don’t have any close family to help us and only have a few very close trusted friends who we ask for help but asking for help has been very difficult for us.

I wasn’t aware of Carers Link, it was the support worker at my daughter’s school referring her to the Young Carers team. Carol and Sarah from the Young Carers have supported my daughter through her dad’s illness and continue to do so by having regular catch ups with her inside and outside of school. Carers Link have supported our family. I am very grateful for the staff and support I receive from them.

I never expected to become a carer; my husband and I both took early retirement in 1995 and went on to have years of exciting foreign travel together and separately. I was a member of many clubs and societies, did French tutoring and taught English to asylum seekers. I also volunteered with an elderly lady for 14 years, as a befriender. Then suddenly 2 years ago my husband, aged 85, began to suffer from Alzheimer’s, then Parkinson’s, and so began a totally different life.

I found he needed me all day long, starting with washing and dressing, and encouraging him to eat, as his weight went down rapidly. He had to go into hospital near the beginning of his illness, when he had urine retention and then began the permanent use of a catheter. Emptying that and attaching a large night bag became two tasks I dreaded, but which are now routine. My husband gets very disorientated, asking where the bedroom is and how did he get upstairs, and what day it is. I use a whiteboard on which I write each day what is happening at what time, and if I go out, I tell him on the board what time I will be back. This reduces his anxiety a little. He never goes out now, he refuses to.

Age UK and Social Services gave me the name of Carers Link, for which I am extremely grateful. I have attended sessions in Accrington, enjoyed a Carers Link theatre trip and a Christmas Party.

As a couple we are no longer husband and wife, but patient and carer, which is very different. I no longer have a companion to talk to, or to share worries with. It makes me feel quite lonely in fact. He is there, but not really there any more. Carers Link feels like a source of kindness and comfort.

- Noreen

I was a former soldier who was injured badly and took medical discharge. Upon returning to UK, I met up with my sister who was working in care industry and she helped me on a long road of recovery.

My sister was actually then badly injured on her job, to which I instantly quit my job and started to care for her, and have been since November 2013 and never looked back. The reason I took up the caring role was because she is family, and the honour to repay the debt that she had done for me. We now care for each other and our bond of siblings has never been stronger and gets stronger by the day.

- Dan

I had been the main carer for my mum after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease in about the year 2000. Now, I am once again an unpaid carer for my husband. During the pandemic we, my husband and I, moved to Spain – after all, when else would you move to a new country but in the midst of a pandemic! For about 12 months we settled to our life in Spain until I noticed my husband’s left hand was constantly shaking. He had several tests, MRI, CT scan, and an ECG, and the specialist told us that he had a form of dementia called Lewy Bodies. In view of the diagnosis, we decided to sell our house in Spain and move back to the UK to be near family.

My husband’s family and my daughter and son-in-law were a great help. I could not have managed without their help. But I also appreciated the assistance I received from Carers Link because I was quite overwhelmed with which organisations I needed to go to for the help and when to seek that help, and they were there for me with that advice.

- Trisha

- Barbara

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Our young carers are caring for those with the following conditions:

BBC CHILDREN IN NEED YOUNG CARERS STATISTICS

30% are caring for someone with Physical Disability/Sensory Impairment

As of the 31st March 2024, the young carers team were supporting

123 registered young carers from Hyndburn & Ribble Valley of the following ages:

28% are caring for a Disabled Child/Sibling

11% are caring for someone with a Learning Disability

2% are caring for someone with substance misuse

166 211 18

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has:

Young Carers worked with throughout the

1-2-1 sessions with

1-2-1 sessions Free trips with and activities young carers provided

year

149 39

52

Targeted Group Local schools Sessions worked with in

Free respite opportunities provided

(+8% increase from 22/23)

East

Lancashire

GEORGE’S YOUNG CARER STORY...

The name of this young carer has been changed.

George had his initial assessment with us earlier in the year. George is one of our youngest carers at the age of 7 and at the first meeting he had already been in a caring role for over 18 months.

George helps look after his dad who at times can become very poorly. He suffers from severe COPD, physical disability, and has a tracheotomy to help him breath and talk. It was clear after talking with George, that his dad’s conditions can be very unpredictable and this at times, causes George severe anxiety. George helps his dad to get up in the mornings and helps change his tracheotomy tubes and medical equipment which George expressed he can find hard at times. George opened up about sometimes sleeping with his dad so he could check on him through the night when his dad is poorly which can also affect his sleep.

Legacy of Hope: Action for ASD’s Final Gift Empowers Four Charities to Continue Autism Support Mission in Lancashire

The end of 2023 saw the charity being gifted almost £70,000 from Action of ASD which sadly closed down and ceased operating. The funds have been designated by our charity for the next financial year and will see the charity provides specialist ASD support for carers for 2 years.

Rebecca Hodgson, CEO of Carers Link Lancashire, shared her gratitude, saying “this funding is a game-changer for us. We’re now able to establish vital support for carers of individuals with ASD”.

During his first 1-1, George played some board games, which helped him relax and open up about his caring role and living situation. George expressed that he oftens finds himself worrying about his dad whilst at school and he would really enjoy meeting other young carers his age. We facilitated this as soon as possible. Over the months George came to the trampoline park, cinema trip, and to the young carer’s mindfulness activities.

George was allowed to be himself in the groups and activities and has become friends with many young carers, forging new relationships and friendships with other carers. George’s family have expressed a positive change in George at home and at school, they have expressed he is much more confident, and they feel the young carers service has made a positive change to George’s outlook.

George no longer feels alone and often talks about how proud he feels about helping care for his dad. School are now aware of George’s caring role and make sure on arriving at school he is ok and he now has someone in school to talk to if things are not going well.

CHARM is an inter-schools event, celebrating the talents and achievements of young people throughout Hyndburn. The event was created to give the opportunity for outstanding young people to gain recognition for their talents and achievements. It’s cerepratin® achie commentsuppor tineqatent- estimated that half of mental health problems start before the age of 14. Recognising and celebrating the amazing achievements of young people can have a positive impact on their mental health. It can help raise their self esteem and create a positive foundation for future life goals.

Carol Pollard

Our beloved Chair of Trustees, Carol Pollard, sadly passed away during active service in December 2023.

Carol was with the charity for almost 10 years, inspiring others and changing the lives of everyone she met. In her 10 years’ service she was our health lead, our services manager and also then our Chair of Trustees. She leaves behind her beloved husband Roger, children Jayne and James and grandchildren William, Emily and Hugo all of which we send our sincere condolences to.

She leaves a huge hole in our charity our knowledge and skills set and also our hearts. Our CEO is planning on creating a memorial area in our community garden, a place where people can reflect, remember and celebrate the contribution Carol made to our charity and

carers.

The event also raises money for our Young Carers team and local charity YNOT Aspire through ticket sales to the final show, and through fundraising events that the local schools and their pupils arrange in the build up to the event. The March 2024 CHARM event was held at The Hollins School and raised for our Young Carers Team an amazing...

£2758.82

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NEW CHARITY SHOP IN COLNE

One of our charitable objectives is to create a chain of self sustaining shops and information and support hubs in each borough of East Lancashire!

A huge achievement during the year saw the grand opening of our third new charity shop and Information and Support Hub in Colne. Our new self-sustaining charity shop also provides a drop in facility for carers and the wider communities offering information and support.

We were so grateful to everyone who supported us in renovating the shop and getting it ready to open. Generous donations from local businesses such as Ava Rose Hamilton, Emma Hartley Bridal, Amelia’s of Clitheroe and Anne Whittaker Bridal were received for our bridal boutique, and we had amazing support from kind volunteers who assisted and supported us in renovating our new shop.

A special thanks and shout out goes to Paintwell Padiham, Sovereign and Miliken Industrials Limited for donating windows, wouldn’t be possible without your continued support!

NEW CARERS CARAVAN

We have a new Carers Caravan at Lakeland Haven! Take the family to our caravan and enjoy huge discounts!

Our Carers Caravan helps those carers registered with Carers Link Lancashire to enjoy a much deserved break. The caravan is open to all carers registered with a carers service in Lancashire.

Our new caravan at Lakeland Haven, in the stunning Lake District, is a 2021 Model with a modern design, 3 bedrooms and a spacious layout for carers to relax come rain or shine on a staycation.

This year, the caravan bookings were filled incredibly fast, showing the need for it for carers.

HYNDBURN BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

The charity were nominated and finalists for 2 awards at the Hyndburn Business Awards!

The charity were winners of the Large Business Award.

This is a fantastic achievement for the charity demonstrating the impact, support and services to carers and the wider communities across Hyndburn!

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DEMENTIA MISSION: 10 DOWNING STREET

We were delighted that our CEO Rebecca Hodgson was invited to attend Number 10 Downing Street as a guest at the official reception of Dame Barbara Windsor’s Dementia Mission.

The reception hosted by Rt Hon Victoria Atkins Secretary for state for Health & Social Care and Rt Hon Michelle Donelan Secretary of State for Science brought together representatives from charities, academics, investors business leaders and those affected by dementia to celebrate discuss how this mission will support patient and unpaid carers needs. At the reception, it was announced that Scott Mitchell, the husband of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, was appointed as People’s Champion of the national mission to beat dementia, founded in his wife Dame Barbara Windsor’s memory.

Rebecca said it was a pleasure to attend and meet Scott briefly at the reception and hear about the wonderful progress in research and planned initiatives which will work towards improving the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.

Rebecca discussed the Lancashire Carers Services including specific dementia support we provide for unpaid carers including dementia awareness training.

Anyone is welcome to attend our Understanding Dementia training course. See our upcoming dates and book your place via our website - Activities, Events and Courses!

WELFARE & BENEFITS SUPPORT

Many carers often struggle to balance work and care. There are also significant financial costs associated with caring, with carers often using their income or savings to pay for support services and care equipment. We already know that carers face poorer health outcomes, with a high proportion of carers struggling with mental and physical health problems and experiencing low levels of wellbeing.

During the year, we have secured a huge

Throughout the year, our welfare and benefits worker has worked hard to ensure our registered carers are supported with their overall welfare and benefits, particularly ensuring they are in receipt of the benefits that they are entitled to! This ensures that our carers and their families are not in financial poverty and hardship and are able to have their needs met.

£609,463.40 in benefits for our registered carers!

Here is a case study of someone who we supported with welfare and benefits:

Anonymous:

I have never claimed benefits throughout my life and was very unsure of where to start.

The Carers Link Benefits Worker visited and provided information and guidance on the process on what was to come. Without this support, I would most likely not have applied due to the overwhelming process of applying for benefits. I was successful in my claim and I am grateful for this additional support.

My husband has mobility issues and I am able to use the extra money to pay for taxis which makes shopping for food much easier. I am also now able to purchase additional items for our home, one being incontinence pads which are not provided to my husband on the NHS and this additional financial support will help with these costs. Due to his continuence issues, our home energy and water bills are also increasing due to additional washing of bedding and clothing, so again the benefits and financial support are a great help.

As my husband’s condition progresses. I may need to purchase more costly items such as a stairlift, so having the benefits in place is peace of mind.

Read more about benefits and finanical support for carers on our website

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VOLUNTEERS &

VOLUNTEER LED SERVICES

As at the 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has 105 active volunteers who are assisting in supporting in the direct delivery of services and facilities.

132 Registered Volunteers (Throughout the whole year) 7475.5 Volunteering Hours Provided (A 40% increase since 2022/23) £77.8k

Worth of hours (If quantified into a paid salary at national minimum wage - £10.42 per hour) 220 Free Counselling Hours Provided For carers

RESPITE AND BREAKS

We provided a range of targeted support groups, 15 training, events, activities and peer support Organised opportunities aimed at overcoming loneliness and Activities isolation. (Engaging with We have successfully provided: 171 Carers) ee ee 626 12 80

15 £8634

Secured in Personal Grants (For 37 Carers)

Courses Peer Support (Understanding Groups Held Dementia etc (Engaging with engaging with 363 Carers) 92 Carers)

Carers supported & provided with free support and respite opprtunities

Throughout the year, the charity has undertaken a total of 4818 statutory carers assessments.

We commissioned

£552,442.03

in personal budgets.

64% of them had their needs met by universal services and 36% were commissioned a monetary amount to 23 meet their unmet needs.

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OUR PARTNERS

OUR FUNDERS

OUR AWARDS

FIND US: 54-56 BLACKBURN ROAD, ACCRINGTON, BB5 1LE 13 DEARDENGATE, HASLINGDEN, BB4 5QN 59 MARKET STREET, COLNE, BB8 0LL

CONTACT US: 01254 387444 info@carerslinklancashire.co.uk www.carerslinklancashire.co.uk

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275

Carers Link Lancashire

Report and Financial Statements

For The Year Ended 31 March 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative information 1
Trustee’s Annual Report 2
Independent Auditor’s report to the members 16
Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure
Account)		 19
Balance sheet 20
Cash flow statement 21
Notes to the accounts 22

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275 Registered office and 54-56 Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 1LE operational address

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year were as follows:

Carol Pollard Resigned 25 December 2023
Brian Birtle Appointed September 2022
Jeff Leahy
Brian Ozenbrook
Daniel Cassidy Nominated Representative
Mustafa Mohammed
Shakil Salam
Patricia Ahmed
Barbara Ashworth Nominated Representative
Susan Bibby
Melissa Fisher
Company Secretary
Rebecca Hodgson Secretary
Key Management
Rebecca Hodgson Chief Executive
Audra Higgin Services Manager/ Deputy & Services Manager
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Yorkshire Bank Ltd 25 Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1HX
Scottish Widows 67 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8YJ
Triodos Bank Ltd Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AS
Lloyds Bank PLC Blackheath Branch, PO Box 100, Andover, BX1 1LT
Cambridge & Counties Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester England, LE1 6TE
Auditors
MHA Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3HP

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the accounting period ending 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published October 2019.

Trustees of the charity

The Directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Trustees who have served during the year were as follows:

Carol Pollard Resigned 25 December 2023
Brian Birtle Director
Jeff Leahy Treasurer & Director
Brian Ozenbrook Director
Daniel Cassidy Nominated Representative
Mustafa Mohammed Director
Shakil Salam Director
Patricia Ahmed Director
Barbara Ashworth Nominated Representative
Susan Bibby Nominated Representative
Melissa Fisher Deputy Chairperson & Director

Objectives and activities

Carers Link Lancashire is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The charity has evolved from Carers Link Hyndburn and Ribble Valley (2003) with the change being approved and adopted in 2013. All the work, projects, assets, and liabilities of the original organisation transferred to the new company, retaining the skills, knowledge and experience of staff and volunteers, and enabling the continuation of a number of successful partnerships and projects.

The Trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The Trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the Trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Purpose and Aims

The charitable purposes of the company as set out in our Articles of Association are to relieve those who are ill, elderly or otherwise disabled living in Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, and areas of Lancashire by provision of information, training and support for their carers and to raise public awareness in all aspects relating to carers and caring.

Carers Link Lancashire supports unpaid carers to maintain their own health and wellbeing so that they can continue in their caring role for as long as possible.

This support is achieved through the provision of a person centred and holistic approach through collaborative partnerships, empowerment, innovation, and representation across East Lancashire.

The Charity’s vision is to be a values and outcomes driven organisation that enables:

The Charity[mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of carers and the people they care for by ] offering tailored support that is professional, respectful, non-judgemental and meets individual need.

Carers Link Lancashire has a 3-year Strategy 2021-2024 in place which has influenced charitable delivery and activity this financial year. This current strategy has been produced through consultation and direct input from carers alongside staff and Trustees and is reviewed quarterly against objectives and targets.

This strategy includes the following strategic objectives:

Attached to the strategy is an operational plan which details the actions, resources and timescales required to meet the strategic objectives of the organisation.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Definitions of Unpaid Carers

Carer: A carer is defined as someone who spends a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to family or friends. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

Young carer: A young carer is defined as a child or young person (up to the age of 18) who looks after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

Parent carer : A parent carer is defined as a person with parental responsibilities for a child under the age of 18 with additional needs.

Former carer: A former carer is defined as a person whose caring role has ceased or significantly reduced due to bereavement or the cared-for person entering residential care.

During 2023/24, the charity has been providing support to adults and young carers from across East Lancashire. East Lancashire makes up one third of Lancashire representing 42% of Lancashire's Boroughs, with a number of wards being in the top 10% of deprivation, including Burnley and Hyndburn. Across East Lancashire, 12% of the population is made up of people from a BAME population and there are a significant number of isolated rural communities such as those in Pendle and the Ribble Valley. Within these rural communities, there are high proportions of people who are over the age of 50 years, of which some are living in isolation, with limited support networks, suffering from poor emotional health and wellbeing and who are caring for an elderly family member or caring for more than one person.

According to the 2021 census, there are over 36,000 unpaid adult carers in East Lancashire, of which 47% are caring for between 1-19 hours per week, 22% are caring for 20-49 hours per week and 31% are caring for 50 hours or more per week. On average, we receive 490 referrals for new carers every quarter (3 months).

The 2021 Census also identified there were 2533 children and young people across East Lancashire aged under 25 years that provided levels of unpaid care, of which, a huge proportion are estimated to relate to children and young people under the age of 18.

Of the identified young carers, 588 (23%) were aged 0-15 years and 1945 (77%) aged 16-24 years. Of these, 57% were identified as undertaking between 1-19 hours of caring per week, 30% were undertaking between 20-49 hours of caring per week and 13% were undertaking over 50 hours of caring per week.

As of the 31st March 2024, 2% of registered carers are aged 18-25 years, 63% aged 26-64 years and 31% are aged 65 years plus and 4% of registered carers have unknown ages.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

STATE OF CARING NOVEMBER 2023 CARERS UK

The report on caring and health from Carers UK finds that a widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging unpaid carers’ mental health. It highlights how people caring round the clock for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives do not have adequate support from statutory services that are in place to help them – leaving many steeped in thoughts of hopelessness, fear, and dread, and urgently in need of support.

Despite feeling they are at breaking point, nearly three quarters (73%) of carers with bad or very bad mental health are continuing to provide care.

Carers Link Lancashire is a specialist carers charity who understand the needs and demands placed on carers along with the negative impacts their roles can have on them. Carers roles often affect their mental and physical health and wellbeing, financial stability, employment and career choices alongside the ability to access leisure opportunities with heightened feelings of loneliness through social isolation. Carers take on numerous responsibilities including day to day tasks, personal & medical care, transporting loved ones to health appointments and offering emotional support and advice to the person they are caring for. This demanding role often results in the carer's life being thrown into turmoil, with their own mental and emotional health and wellbeing suffering and deteriorating in the process.

In order to meet the existing and emerging needs facing carers, the charity provides a personalised, tailored and holistic service to support a wide range of unpaid carers enabling them to fulfil their roles whilst supporting them to alleviate impact and preventing them from reaching crisis point. Carers often do not recognise their role and see it as their duty and responsibility, therefore, the charity supports carers to recognise their role, providing them with person centred support and guidance on their rights as a carer.

All charitable work undertaken ensures that:

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

Public benefit statement

The charity's Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties during this period.

Strategic report

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities, support and beneficiaries are described below.

All charitable activities focus on supporting unpaid carers and are undertaken in order to further Carers Link Lancashire's charitable purposes for the public benefit.

During the year, Carers Link Lancashire has strived to offer high quality support and services to its beneficiaries

Adult Carers

Throughout the year, the charity continued to work successfully alongside ncompass towards a brighter future in successfully delivering the Lancashire Carers Service. This service works across the county providing support, guidance and information to adult carers with n-compass delivering support in North and Central Lancashire and our charity delivering support in East Lancashire. The service supports people in their caring role, undertaking statutory carers assessments and supporting their emotional health and wellbeing. This sees the two organisations jointly delivering the statutory Lancashire carers service until 2026

Carers Link Lancashire provides a wide range of high quality, person centred support and services to unpaid adult carers living in East Lancashire across the Boroughs of Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Achievements and performance (Continued)

Identifying carers, particularly hidden carers, is a prime objective for Carers Link Lancashire. Throughout the year, 1,961 new carers have been identified and registered with the service.

Throughout the year, a further 3,026 existing registered carers also requested further support and services from the charity.

All registered carers receive regular information, support and services to assist them within their caring roles and during the year we have provided 5,655 one-to-one sessions with carers.

The charity provides a wide range of provision and services to support adult carers within their roles including:

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has:

PRIMARY CONDITIONS:

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

AREA:

Young Carers

In addition to the work with adult carers, throughout the year, the organisation has also undertaken young carers support across Hyndburn and Ribble Valley. The young carers project is funded by BBC Children in Need and the Eric Wright Charitable Trust to work directly with young carers aged 0-18 years from across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley to improve their health and wellbeing.

The charity’s young carers services provide holistic, person centred and whole family approaches to services and support to meet individual needs support includes:

Throughout the year, the service has continued to successfully meet objectives and provide young carers with holistic and individual support and services to improve their immediate and long-term outcomes including transition into adulthood, health and wellbeing, participation/achievement in education, employment and training and engagement in positive social and recreational activities.

Throughout the year, the young carers projects have successfully worked with 166 young carers (and increase of +8% from 2022/23) and have provided some of the following:

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

As of the 31st March 2024 the young carers team were supporting 123 registered young carers from Hyndburn & Ribble Valley. as follows:

Age:

Caring for:

cared for conditions:

All young carers who are registered with the service are provided with information, support and services which are tailored to meet their individual needs. This includes:

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Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Volunteers

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has 105 active volunteers (+25% 22/23) who are assisting in supporting in the direct delivery of services. Throughout the year, 132 registered volunteers have provided the organisation with a total of 7475.5 volunteering hours. Volunteers have continued to support the charity and its beneficiaries through roles including supporting at events, groups and activities, community café, shop and garden, driving, young carers, administration, counselling and complementary therapies. This is a 40% increase in the number of volunteer hours in comparison to 2022/23.

If the volunteering hours offered by volunteers during the year was quantified into a paid salary at national minimum wage, this would work out as £77,894.71 (£10.42 per hour)

Carers Assessments

Due to the Care Act 2014, carers are now recognised in their own right and are entitled to have their own needs assessed, identified and met through a carer's assessment. From this assessment, a personal budget can also be commissioned. The organisation has taken on this statutory duty from the Local Authority, undertaking carers assessments and commissioning a personal budget directly from them.

Throughout the year, the charity has undertaken a total of 4,850 statutory Carers Assessments and Reviews. budgets to carers in East Lancashire. From these assessments, 62% of carers have been commissioned a monetary personal budget of between £200-£300 and 35% of carers have had their needs met through universal services through our charity.

Peace of Mind for Carers

During the year, the charity has undertaken 734 New POM4C plans (Peace of Mind for Carers) This contingency plan still remains an invaluable service for carers. Carers often describe this plan as their 'lifeline' should they unexpectedly be unable to continue with their caring role. The plan prevents carers from worrying about who will look after the people they care for in the event of something unexpectedly happening to them. This constant worry carries a high risk of affecting their emotional health and wellbeing, causing stress, preventing them from having a life of their own alongside their caring role.

The POM4C service is free and can be activated 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Family members or friends can be contacted in the event of an emergency, or free replacement care can be provided by a domiciliary care provider in the cared for persons own home for up to 72 hours. This service can also prevent strain on the health and social care system, preventing those who are reaching crisis point from accessing accident and emergency services and social care providers.

Over the past 12 months, there have been issues with replacement care being provided as this is part of the crisis service through Lancashire County Council and has often reached maximum capacity. Therefore, LCC are continuing to review and consult with carers and commissioners about the future of this service.

Carer Awareness Training (CAT)

Throughout the year, the charity has delivered 47 CAT sessions to a range of audiences with 492 professionals receiving the training. This service enables professionals to become 'Carer Champions' for their teams.

On average approx. 11 professionals attended each Carers Awareness Training Session.

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

Welfare and Benefits Support

The charity has continued to provide welfare and benefits support to carers offering appointments remotely and face to face across East Lancashire. During the year, we have secured £609,463.40 in benefits for our registered carers. a massive increase of +34% compared to the previous year (22/23 £454,091.16)

Managing Risk

The charity has comprehensive risk management policies and procedures in place including a Risk Policy, Risk Register and monthly Risk Maps that highlight any potential or uncertain risks that may face the charity, its resource, services and beneficiaries.

The Risk Register is reviewed annually and focuses on all areas of the charity including Governance, Operational, Finance & Resources, External and Compliance with a thorough risk analysis of each of the areas.

The charity has three sub-groups which report directly into the Board covering Finance and Resources, Governance and Risk and Remuneration. At every Governance and Risk meeting, a live risk map is produced referencing any potential areas of risk along with suggestions to mitigate risk. This is scrutinised by the sub group members before providing a thorough report at the board meetings. The charity also has a Business Continuity Plan in place. The charity's Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the organisation is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems and procedures are established in order to provide the necessary assurances that risk is being effectively managed.

The Trustees always have going concern around the majority of charitable income being derived from government grants in respect of the statutory adult contract, however, throughout the year the charity have been successful in procuring this contract in partnership with Ncompass for a further 3 years until 2026.

Financial review

Over the financial year, the charity's main source of income has been the adult carers services/Lancashire Carers Service commissioned through Lancashire County Council. For the year, this makes up 82% of income, a decrease of -1% compared to funding in 2022/23.

The charity has also continued to benefit by owning its own headquarters which have significantly reduced running costs, with security of ownership. Further benefits have also been seen through the charity’s community facility[All floors of the headquarters are self-contained and independent supporting ] longer-term sustainability should income drop with each area being able to be sub-let.

The charity has still continued to move forward with strategic objectives throughout the year including fully renovating its second owned property in Colne which now houses a fully functioning charity shop and information and support hub.

The charity now has 3 charity shops /information and support hubs and 1 communtiy café covering the areas of Hynburn, Pendle and Rossendale. These trading facilities support the charity in strengthening diversification of income and sustainability, lessening the charity’s dependance on the Lancashire County Council contract. This trading sits alongside the continuing task of seeking new and securing existing ongoing sources of funding.

During the financial year, the total income received has been £1,116,235. (£969,570 2022/2023) an increase of 15% compared to 2022/23.

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

In addition to the Lancashire County Council income, a substantial amount of financial support was received from BBC Children in Need and The Eric Wright Trust in respect of young carers services.

Additional smaller financial contributions for revenue and capital have also been received and greatly appreciated from Ribble Valley Borough Council. As always, the charity are extremely grateful to all their funders for their support and for making it possible for Carers Link Lancashire to provide a service to carers in East Lancashire.

As laid out in the Charity’s Investment Policy, Carers Link Lancashire seeks to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk, on the financial investments it makes. Financial risk is managed by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs. As the majority of the company's debtors are public sector bodies, the level of credit risk is low. The Trustees review the Investment Policy annually, and where appropriate receive advice from a suitably qualified, independent financial company, as well as reviewing attitude to risk on an annual basis. At present, funds are being placed with several financial institutions in order to mitigate against possible bank collapses, and advice is sought from our investment advisor when required to minimise the risks of our portfolio.

The Trustees always have going concerns around the charities longer term sustainability, with the main sources of income from Lancashire County Council. However, as mentioned earlier, this contract has been secured until 2026. A going concern is also the BBC CIN young carers contract which ends on 31 October 2024. The charity have secured Eric Wright funding until 2026 however, to meet increasing demand and need the charity needs to receive continuation funding from this contract. The charity are currently in the process of writing a further funding application bidding for a further 3 years funding .

Reserves Policy

As of the 31 March 2024, the total charity funds stand at £978,213 (£947,063 2023) of which, £509,545 is invested in fixed assets and £Nil is restricted.

The total charity funds also comprise of fixed assets including the value of both owned properties in Accrington and Colne. Therefore, even though this is included in the total amount of total charity funds, it does not represent readily available free monetary reserves.

The Trustees have reviewed the funds available to the organisation and £189,139 has been designated for the following:

After designation and the 2 properties £279,529 is free reserves and represents 3.1 months of budgeted recurrent expenditure (3.7 months 2022/23) The policy for free reserves is that Carers Link Lancashire will maintain free reserves not being less than three months expenditure. Therefore, the charity is meeting its reserves policy adequately. The main source of income for the organisation still remains to be generated from Lancashire County Council who continue to make payments in arrears. Therefore, charitable reserves are essential to maintain adequate cash flow levels.

In the event that all or any funding is lost the reserves will enable Carers Link Lancashire to maintain a service to carers whilst researching and sourcing other funding. To this end, the Trustees deem it prudent to designate funds from the reserves to cover the potential resulting redundancies and to secure services for carers.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Plans for future periods

Throughout the year, our charity has worked hard to achieve business objectives as outlined in the organisations Strategy and Operational Plan 2021-2024, which include expanding our ability to provide accessible services, identifying and supporting all carers in East Lancashire and ensuring the charity is more sustainable in the longer term.

Our charity is continuing to strive to increase diversified income streams through charitable trading. In 2024/25 we will continue searching for another property in either the Ribble Valley or Burnley to house a further self-sustaining charity shop/ information and support hub. We are therefore designating charitable reserves to achieve this. All trading facilities support awareness raising of carers and services and support that is available to them in their communities.

These future plans support the charity’s objectives of having accessible information and support in all 5 of the boroughs that the charity covers.

The Trustees see the future direction of the charity as developing further meaningful services that meet the needs of carers. Carers Link Lancashire continues to be a proactive, learning organisation, with all of its activities being carefully planned, risk assessed and evaluated.

Structure, governance, and management

Organisation

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, number 08584591, incorporated on 25th June 2013. It was adopted as a charity on 19th March 2014.

The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31st March 2024 was 10.

The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Management

Day to day management of the charity including responsibility for the provision of services, staff management and development is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rebecca Hodgson. Any proposal the CEO would like to make relating to areas beyond delegated power, is made formally in a proposal document, which firstly, where practically possible is submitted to the relevant Sub Group for scrutiny before submissions and presentation to all board members.

The CEO undergoes regular supervision and support sessions with the Chair of Trustees and provides comprehensive and up to date information and advice to all Trustees. Remuneration of Key Management Personnel is set based on benchmarks for similar roles and is overseen by the Remuneration Group. Staff salaries are reviewed annually by the board of trustees at the Remuneration Group meeting.

Carers Link Lancashire is a Network Partner of Carers Trust. This affiliation enables staff and Trustees access to a variety of training and development courses/conferences organised by the Trust. These courses/conferences are usually provided free of charge although the cost of travel to the venues is borne by Carers Link Lancashire or individual Trustees.

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

This partnership also enables up to date information and research into carers alongside regional support from the regional manager and regional network partners.

Related Parties and Relationships with Other Organisations

There are no related parties.

Carers Link Lancashire has a formal consortium agreement with ncompass, a brighter future for the purposes of tendering for and delivering The Lancashire Carers Service. This partnership is purely for the purposes of which is described with Carers Link Lancashire delivering in East Lancashire and ncompass delivering in North and Central Lancashire.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are recruited through advertisements in the organisations quarterly magazine and e-bulletins alongside individual contacts by other Board Members or members of staff.

Prospective Trustees are invited to a preliminary meeting with the CEO for discussion about the roles and responsibilities of Trustees and general information about Carers Link Lancashire.

A Trustee appointment is subject to the completion of the DBS process and two satisfactory references. Potential Trustees are then invited to meet existing Trustees at a board meeting to give a presentation about themselves and their skills, and if agreed by all Trustees, they will be co-opted on to the board with their nomination as a Trustee being put to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for formal appointment.

The organisation has a Trustee skills matrix in place that is regularly updated and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the Board.

The weaker areas are then addressed through the Trustee recruitment processes. A full and thorough recruitment application process is in place with an information pack for interested persons and a comprehensive Trustee Handbook is provided for all Trustees.

Induction and Training of Trustees

All Trustees undertake a thorough induction process with the CEO and then also the Chair of Trustees as and when required. As part of this, they are required t o sign a code of conduct and confidentiality policy, declare their eligibility to be a Trustee alongside completing a declaration of interest's form which is reviewed annually.

Further training is provided, both in-house and externally, using a variety of methods including online and face to face training. Topics covered include all aspects of information governance, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and equality and diversity. Updates on governance matters are distributed regularly to Trustees to ensure their knowledge remains relevant and up to date

Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others

No funds were held as custodian Trustee on behalf of any others.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Carers Link Lancashire for the purposes of Company Law) are responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Annual Report (including the strategic report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

In approving the Trustees' Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors.

On behalf of the board

Signature:

Brian Birtle - Chair of the Board of Trustees

October 2, 2024 Date: …………………….

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Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Carers Link Lancashire (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the income and expenditure account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, set out on page 17, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicola Mason MA(Cantab) ACA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of MHA Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Richard House 9 Winckley Square Preston PR1 3HP

November 8, 2024

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Carers Link Lancashire

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income from
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities:
Carers support and services
4
Retail income
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
Total Income
Expenditure on
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
Carers support and services
9
Other expenses – governance and support
costs
10
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure) before net
gains / (losses) in investments
Realised gains / (losses) on investments
Net income / (expenditure) for the year
11
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
28,801
910,232
77,265
16,249
9,328
4,272
1,046,147
147,571
859,405
18,312
1,025,288
20,859
-
20,859
10,291
31,150
947,063
978,213		 Restricted
Funds
-
70,088
-
-
-
-
70,088
-
54,255
5,542
59,797
10,291
-
10,291
(10,291)
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
28,801
980,320
77,265
16,249
9,328
4,272
1,116,235
147,571
913,660
23,854
1,085,085
31,150
-
31,150
-
31,150
947,063
978,213		 Total
2023
£
38,459
893,370
20,069
14,329
2,071
1,272
969,570
98,979
793,492
(18,321)
874,150
95,420
-
95,420
-
95,420
851,643
947,063

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 16 509,545 526,344
Total fixed assets 509,545 526,344
Current Assets
Debtors 17 91,946 28,793
Current asset investments 18 - -
Cash at bank and in hand 524,997 451,444
Total current assets 616,943 480,237
Liabilities
Creditors amounts falling due in less
than one year		 19 (148,277) (59,518)
Net current assets 468,666 420,719
Net Assets 978,213 947,063
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds 20 - -
Unrestricted income funds 21 978,213 947,063
Total charity funds 978,213 947,063

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The Notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these accounts

November 6, 2024

Approved by the Trustees on ………………………. and signed on their behalf by:

Brian Birtle (Chair) Jeff Leahy (Treasurer)

Company number 08584591

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Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note
Cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
24
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2024
£
87,383
9,328
(23,158)
(13,830)
73,553
451,444
524,997		 2023
£
118,395
2,071
(83,994)
(81,923)
36,472
414,972
451,444

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

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 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Carers Link Lancashire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees are required to assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation of the accounts. At the date of approving these accounts the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient cash resources to enable it to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

There are no key judgments which the Trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The Trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the Trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 9.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

Land and Buildings 4% of cost per annum Fixtures & fittings 25% of cost per annum Office furniture & equipment 25% of cost per annum Computer equipment 33% reducing balance with the remaining balance written off in the third year Caravan 20% of cost per annum Motor vehicle 25% reducing balance

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Current asset investments

Current asset investments include cash investments with a maturity of greater than three months from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account and those accounts intended to be held for the longer term.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution 'money purchase' scheme. The charity's contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 11. There were outstanding contributions of £8,774.32 at the year end. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within support and governance costs and allocated to the funds of the charity using the methodology set out in note 9.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

The money purchase plan is managed by SMART Pensions and the plan invests the contributions made by the employee and employer in an investment fund to build up over the term of the plan a pension fund which is then converted into a pension upon the employee's normal retirement year age when eligible for a state pension. The risk profile of the fund reduces as the employee gets closer to retirement. The total expense ratio of the plan is 1.25% and this is deducted from the investment fund annually. The trust has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employee's contributions.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will be, by definition, seldom be equal to the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Useful economic life of fixed assets - There has been a change in the depreciation policy for Caravans to 20% straight line (2023: 33% straight line) and Motor vehicles to 25% written down value (2023: 20% straight line) which is a better presentation of the fixed asset values. All other depreciation policies remain consistent with the previous year. See accounting policy.

There are no critical areas of judgement.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Ribble Valley
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Miscellaneous
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
27,538
1,263
-
-
28,801
28,801		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
27,538
1,263
-
-
28,801
28,801		 Total
2023
£
33,398
1,500
2,000
1,562
38,459
38,459

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

4 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Children In Need youth Investment Grant
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Building, Charity Hub and Garden
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
910,232
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
910,232		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Total
2024
£
910,232
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
980,320		 Total
2023
£
807,290
36,660
22,250
-
4,670
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
893,370

Page | 26

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

4 Income from charitable activities (Continued)

Prior year

Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
Adult Carers
Henry Smith
Carers Trust
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Small Groups
Tesco
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Preston
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Children In Need Youth Investment Grant
Building, Charity Hub, and Garden
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2023		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
807,290
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
807,290		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,660
22,250
4,670
-
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
86,080		 Total
2023
£
807,290
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,660
22,250
4,670
-
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
893,370		 Total
2022
£
757,105
-
12,616
15,000
3,472
-
31,088
37,067
-
-
57,468
94,535
5,525
-
5,525
888,255

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

5 Income from other trading activities

ncome from other trading activities
Café income
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,249
16,249		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2024
£
16,249
16,249		 Total
2023
£
14,329
14,329

All income from other trading activities in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

6 Investment income

Income from bank deposits
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
9,328
9,328		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2024
£
9,328
9,328		 Total
2023
£
2,071
2,071

All investment income in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

7 Other income

ther income
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Hyndburn Borough Council
Miscellaneous
Total
ost of raising funds
Caravan costs, including depreciation
Administrative costs
Trading costs
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
4,272
4,272		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
-
-
4,272
4,272
2024
£
19,148
13,992
114,431
147,571		 Total
2023
£
-
-
1,272
1,272
2023
£
24,156
10,940
63,883
98,979

8 Cost of raising funds

Included in cost of raising funds is restricted expenditure of £Nil (2023 £ Nil) and unrestricted expenditure of £147,571 (2023 £98,979). The caravan running and depreciation costs are included as part of fundraising and donations for the use of the caravan are treated as donations.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building
and
garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
663,569
20,595
35,228
60,641
50,591
21,915
852,540		 Adult
Carers
£
-
-
-
779
188
-
967		 Young
Carers
£
42,909
1,002
2,438
6,972
5,542
1,290
60,153		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
706,478
21,598
37,666
68,392
56,321
23,205
913,660
2024
£
54,255
859,405
913,660		 Total
2023
£
626,124
39,349
32,325
26,675
51,016
18,004
793,492
2023
£
53,419
740,073
793,492

Page | 29

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Prior year

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building and garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
581,196
37,725
30,028
17,711
44,480
17,278
728,418		 Adult
Carers
£
-
-
-
1,360
188
-
1,548		 Young
Carers
£
44,928
1,624
2,297
7,604
6,349
726
63,527		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2023
£
626,124
39,349
32,325
26,675
51,016
18,004
793,492
2023
£
53,419
740,073
793,492		 Total
2022
£
614,668
41,186
32,713
35,319
37,082
15,639
776,607
2022
£
65,964
710,643
776,607

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Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

10 Analysis of governance and support costs

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Legal and professional
Governance
Other governance
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
-
-
-
106,608
(66,452)
(32,718)
7,438		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,094
-
322
16,416

-
-
16,416		 Total
2024
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
16,094
-
322
123,024
(66,452)
(32,718)
23,854		 Total
2023
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
11,927
-
459
77,290

(60,269)
(35,342)
(18,321)

Included in support costs is £5,542 of restricted expenditure (2023 £6,161) and £18,312 of unrestricted expenditure (2023 £24,482).

Prior year

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Legal and professional
Governance
Other governance
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
-
-
-
64,904
(60,269)
(35,342)
(30,707)		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,927
-
459
12,386
-
-
12,386		 Total
2023
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
11,927
-
459
77,290
(60,269)
(35,342)
(18,321)		 Total
2022
£
32,899
2,002
3,889
9,641
5,867
23,258
9,120
4,341
163
86,839
(39,670)
(33,850)
13,319

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

11 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

Net income / (expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation
Operating lease rentals
Other
Auditor's remuneration - audit fees		 2024
£
39,967
22,346
16,094
78,407		 2023
£
26,879
2,104
11,927
40,910

12 Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Staff travel, recruitment & other		 2024
£
658,348
51,945
35,517
23,443
769,253		 2023
£
590,818
45,643
32,964
12,708
682,133

No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: £60,000)

The average number of full-time equivalent staff employed during the period was 32 (2023: 31).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £81,162 (2023: £89,142).

13 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither the Trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: £Nil).

Trustees received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £nil (2023: £Nil).

Aggregate donations from related parties were £Nil (2023: £Nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No Trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2023: £Nil).

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

14 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

Lancashire County Council/ ELCCG 2024
£
910,232
910,232		 2023
£
807,290
807,290

There were no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attaching to the grants.

15 Corporation Tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

16 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Freehold
Building
£
265,000
-
-
265,000
36,200
10,600
-
46,800
218,200
228,800		 Building
Improvements
£
260,736
-
-
260,736
33,302
10,864
-
44,166
216,570
227,434		 Computer
equipment
£
58,433
7,210
-
65,643
41,445
11,101
-
52,546
13,097
16,978		 Caravan
and motor
vehicles
£
51,228
15,948
-
67,176
-
6,404
6,404
60,773
51,228		 Fixtures
and
fittings
6,330
-
-
6,330
4,426
998
-
5,424
906
1,904		 Total
£
641,727
23,158
-
664,885
115,373
39,967
-
155,340
509,545
526,344

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

17 Debtors

Debtors
Grants receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
Current asset investments
Cash equivalents on deposit:
Scottish Widows		 2024
£
76,036
15,910
91,946
2024
£
-
-		 2023
£
1,971
26,822
28,793
2023
£
-
-

18 Current asset investments

19 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income		 2024
£
36,927
35,001
76,349
148,277		 2023
£
15,181
22,030
22,307
59,518

Deferred income relates to income received in advance for future charitable activities. Deferred income as at 31 March 2023 of £22,307 has been released during the year.

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Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-
Income
£
33,528
4,060
24,500
62,088
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Expenditure
£
(34,077)
(4,000)
(21,720)		 Transfers
£
549
(60)
(2,780)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (59,797)
-		 (2,291)
(8,000)
(8,000)
(10,291)		 -
-
-
-
-
(59,797)

Page | 35

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Prior year
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Young Carers Preston
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
32,660
(32,660)
4,670
(4,670)
22,250
(22,250)
59,580
(59,580)
26,500
-
26,500
-
86,080
(59,580)		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
32,660
(32,660)
4,670
(4,670)
22,250
(22,250)
59,580
(59,580)
26,500
-
26,500
-
86,080
(59,580)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (59,580)
-		 -
(26,500)
(26,500)
(26,500)		 -
-
-
-
-
(59,580)

Page | 36

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Name of Description, nature, and purposes of the fund Adult Carers Funds for this service to Adult Carers are to provide local and accessible support and points of contact between carers and Lancashire County Council Social Services Directorate. To achieve this, we work to develop a clear identity for carers, develop support and information and develop knowledge to help carers in their role and to co-ordinate consultation and involvement between carers, Carers Link Lancashire, and Lancashire County Council. Young Carers Funds for this service for Young Carers are to provide flexible outreach support and to offer preventative support through respite activities and breaks. To achieve this, we work to provide a proactive and responsive service, reduce isolation, increase choice and access to multi agency support and facilitate the appropriate assessment of young carers and their families by statutory agencies.

21 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Property Purchase
Renovations
Security costs
Prior year
General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Renovations
Security costs		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
594,792
23,952
273,319
-
40,000
15,000
947,063
Balance at
1 April
2022
£
823,460
18,183
-
10,000
-
851,643		 Income
£
1,046,147
-
-
-
-
-
1,046,147
Income
£
883,490
-
-
-
-
883,490		 Expenditure
£
(1,025,288)
-
-
-
-
-
(1,025,288)
Expenditure
£
(814,570)
-
-
-
-
(814,570)		 Transfers
£
(99,896)
5,187
-
120,000
-
(15,000)
10,291
Transfers
£
(297,588)
5,769
273,319
30,000
15,000
26,500		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
515,755
29,139
273,319
120,000
40,000
-
978,213
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
594,792

23,952

273,319

40,000

15,000

947,063

Page | 37

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Name of Description, nature, and purposes of the fund

General Fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds and including the property fixed asset.

Potential This fund has been designated by the Trustees to cover potential redundancies. redundancy costs There is a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) agreement being in place.

Renovations This fund is for planned renovation to the property.

Blackburn Road Property

This fund is designated towards potential dilapidations at 54-56 Blackburn Road, Accrington.

22 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Prior Year
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)		 General fund
£
509,545
6,210
515,755
General fund
£
526,344
68,448
594,792		 Designated
funds
£
-
462,458
462,458
Designated
funds
£
-
352,271
352,271		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
509,545
468,668
978,213
Total
2023
£
526,344
420,719
947,063

Page | 38

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

23 Operating lease commitments

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows:

Less than one year
One to five years
Over five years
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
(Gains) / losses on investments
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
Capital commitments
Capital commitments		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-
15,778
2023
£
95,420
27,288
-
(2,071)
18,666
(20,908)
118,395
2023
£
-
- -

24 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities:

25 Capital commitments

Page | 39

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275

Carers Link Lancashire

Report and Financial Statements

For The Year Ended 31 March 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative information 1
Trustee’s Annual Report 2
Independent Auditor’s report to the members 16
Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure
Account)		 19
Balance sheet 20
Cash flow statement 21
Notes to the accounts 22

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Company Number 08584591 Charity Number 1156275 Registered office and 54-56 Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 1LE operational address

Trustees

Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year were as follows:

Carol Pollard Resigned 25 December 2023
Brian Birtle Appointed September 2022
Jeff Leahy
Brian Ozenbrook
Daniel Cassidy Nominated Representative
Mustafa Mohammed
Shakil Salam
Patricia Ahmed
Barbara Ashworth Nominated Representative
Susan Bibby
Melissa Fisher
Company Secretary
Rebecca Hodgson Secretary
Key Management
Rebecca Hodgson Chief Executive
Audra Higgin Services Manager/ Deputy & Services Manager
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Yorkshire Bank Ltd 25 Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1HX
Scottish Widows 67 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8YJ
Triodos Bank Ltd Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AS
Lloyds Bank PLC Blackheath Branch, PO Box 100, Andover, BX1 1LT
Cambridge & Counties Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester England, LE1 6TE
Auditors
MHA Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3HP

Page | 1

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the accounting period ending 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published October 2019.

Trustees of the charity

The Directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The Trustees who have served during the year were as follows:

Carol Pollard Resigned 25 December 2023
Brian Birtle Director
Jeff Leahy Treasurer & Director
Brian Ozenbrook Director
Daniel Cassidy Nominated Representative
Mustafa Mohammed Director
Shakil Salam Director
Patricia Ahmed Director
Barbara Ashworth Nominated Representative
Susan Bibby Nominated Representative
Melissa Fisher Deputy Chairperson & Director

Objectives and activities

Carers Link Lancashire is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The charity has evolved from Carers Link Hyndburn and Ribble Valley (2003) with the change being approved and adopted in 2013. All the work, projects, assets, and liabilities of the original organisation transferred to the new company, retaining the skills, knowledge and experience of staff and volunteers, and enabling the continuation of a number of successful partnerships and projects.

The Trustees review the aims, objectives, and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The Trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the Trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Page | 2

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Purpose and Aims

The charitable purposes of the company as set out in our Articles of Association are to relieve those who are ill, elderly or otherwise disabled living in Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, and areas of Lancashire by provision of information, training and support for their carers and to raise public awareness in all aspects relating to carers and caring.

Carers Link Lancashire supports unpaid carers to maintain their own health and wellbeing so that they can continue in their caring role for as long as possible.

This support is achieved through the provision of a person centred and holistic approach through collaborative partnerships, empowerment, innovation, and representation across East Lancashire.

The Charity’s vision is to be a values and outcomes driven organisation that enables:

The Charity[mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of carers and the people they care for by ] offering tailored support that is professional, respectful, non-judgemental and meets individual need.

Carers Link Lancashire has a 3-year Strategy 2021-2024 in place which has influenced charitable delivery and activity this financial year. This current strategy has been produced through consultation and direct input from carers alongside staff and Trustees and is reviewed quarterly against objectives and targets.

This strategy includes the following strategic objectives:

Attached to the strategy is an operational plan which details the actions, resources and timescales required to meet the strategic objectives of the organisation.

Page | 3

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Definitions of Unpaid Carers

Carer: A carer is defined as someone who spends a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to family or friends. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

Young carer: A young carer is defined as a child or young person (up to the age of 18) who looks after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

Parent carer : A parent carer is defined as a person with parental responsibilities for a child under the age of 18 with additional needs.

Former carer: A former carer is defined as a person whose caring role has ceased or significantly reduced due to bereavement or the cared-for person entering residential care.

During 2023/24, the charity has been providing support to adults and young carers from across East Lancashire. East Lancashire makes up one third of Lancashire representing 42% of Lancashire's Boroughs, with a number of wards being in the top 10% of deprivation, including Burnley and Hyndburn. Across East Lancashire, 12% of the population is made up of people from a BAME population and there are a significant number of isolated rural communities such as those in Pendle and the Ribble Valley. Within these rural communities, there are high proportions of people who are over the age of 50 years, of which some are living in isolation, with limited support networks, suffering from poor emotional health and wellbeing and who are caring for an elderly family member or caring for more than one person.

According to the 2021 census, there are over 36,000 unpaid adult carers in East Lancashire, of which 47% are caring for between 1-19 hours per week, 22% are caring for 20-49 hours per week and 31% are caring for 50 hours or more per week. On average, we receive 490 referrals for new carers every quarter (3 months).

The 2021 Census also identified there were 2533 children and young people across East Lancashire aged under 25 years that provided levels of unpaid care, of which, a huge proportion are estimated to relate to children and young people under the age of 18.

Of the identified young carers, 588 (23%) were aged 0-15 years and 1945 (77%) aged 16-24 years. Of these, 57% were identified as undertaking between 1-19 hours of caring per week, 30% were undertaking between 20-49 hours of caring per week and 13% were undertaking over 50 hours of caring per week.

As of the 31st March 2024, 2% of registered carers are aged 18-25 years, 63% aged 26-64 years and 31% are aged 65 years plus and 4% of registered carers have unknown ages.

Page | 4

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

STATE OF CARING NOVEMBER 2023 CARERS UK

The report on caring and health from Carers UK finds that a widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging unpaid carers’ mental health. It highlights how people caring round the clock for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives do not have adequate support from statutory services that are in place to help them – leaving many steeped in thoughts of hopelessness, fear, and dread, and urgently in need of support.

Despite feeling they are at breaking point, nearly three quarters (73%) of carers with bad or very bad mental health are continuing to provide care.

Carers Link Lancashire is a specialist carers charity who understand the needs and demands placed on carers along with the negative impacts their roles can have on them. Carers roles often affect their mental and physical health and wellbeing, financial stability, employment and career choices alongside the ability to access leisure opportunities with heightened feelings of loneliness through social isolation. Carers take on numerous responsibilities including day to day tasks, personal & medical care, transporting loved ones to health appointments and offering emotional support and advice to the person they are caring for. This demanding role often results in the carer's life being thrown into turmoil, with their own mental and emotional health and wellbeing suffering and deteriorating in the process.

In order to meet the existing and emerging needs facing carers, the charity provides a personalised, tailored and holistic service to support a wide range of unpaid carers enabling them to fulfil their roles whilst supporting them to alleviate impact and preventing them from reaching crisis point. Carers often do not recognise their role and see it as their duty and responsibility, therefore, the charity supports carers to recognise their role, providing them with person centred support and guidance on their rights as a carer.

All charitable work undertaken ensures that:

Page | 5

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

Public benefit statement

The charity's Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties during this period.

Strategic report

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities, support and beneficiaries are described below.

All charitable activities focus on supporting unpaid carers and are undertaken in order to further Carers Link Lancashire's charitable purposes for the public benefit.

During the year, Carers Link Lancashire has strived to offer high quality support and services to its beneficiaries

Adult Carers

Throughout the year, the charity continued to work successfully alongside ncompass towards a brighter future in successfully delivering the Lancashire Carers Service. This service works across the county providing support, guidance and information to adult carers with n-compass delivering support in North and Central Lancashire and our charity delivering support in East Lancashire. The service supports people in their caring role, undertaking statutory carers assessments and supporting their emotional health and wellbeing. This sees the two organisations jointly delivering the statutory Lancashire carers service until 2026

Carers Link Lancashire provides a wide range of high quality, person centred support and services to unpaid adult carers living in East Lancashire across the Boroughs of Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Achievements and performance (Continued)

Identifying carers, particularly hidden carers, is a prime objective for Carers Link Lancashire. Throughout the year, 1,961 new carers have been identified and registered with the service.

Throughout the year, a further 3,026 existing registered carers also requested further support and services from the charity.

All registered carers receive regular information, support and services to assist them within their caring roles and during the year we have provided 5,655 one-to-one sessions with carers.

The charity provides a wide range of provision and services to support adult carers within their roles including:

Page | 6

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has:

PRIMARY CONDITIONS:

Page | 7

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

AREA:

Young Carers

In addition to the work with adult carers, throughout the year, the organisation has also undertaken young carers support across Hyndburn and Ribble Valley. The young carers project is funded by BBC Children in Need and the Eric Wright Charitable Trust to work directly with young carers aged 0-18 years from across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley to improve their health and wellbeing.

The charity’s young carers services provide holistic, person centred and whole family approaches to services and support to meet individual needs support includes:

Throughout the year, the service has continued to successfully meet objectives and provide young carers with holistic and individual support and services to improve their immediate and long-term outcomes including transition into adulthood, health and wellbeing, participation/achievement in education, employment and training and engagement in positive social and recreational activities.

Throughout the year, the young carers projects have successfully worked with 166 young carers (and increase of +8% from 2022/23) and have provided some of the following:

Page | 8

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

As of the 31st March 2024 the young carers team were supporting 123 registered young carers from Hyndburn & Ribble Valley. as follows:

Age:

Caring for:

cared for conditions:

All young carers who are registered with the service are provided with information, support and services which are tailored to meet their individual needs. This includes:

Page | 9

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Volunteers

As of 31st March 2024, Carers Link Lancashire has 105 active volunteers (+25% 22/23) who are assisting in supporting in the direct delivery of services. Throughout the year, 132 registered volunteers have provided the organisation with a total of 7475.5 volunteering hours. Volunteers have continued to support the charity and its beneficiaries through roles including supporting at events, groups and activities, community café, shop and garden, driving, young carers, administration, counselling and complementary therapies. This is a 40% increase in the number of volunteer hours in comparison to 2022/23.

If the volunteering hours offered by volunteers during the year was quantified into a paid salary at national minimum wage, this would work out as £77,894.71 (£10.42 per hour)

Carers Assessments

Due to the Care Act 2014, carers are now recognised in their own right and are entitled to have their own needs assessed, identified and met through a carer's assessment. From this assessment, a personal budget can also be commissioned. The organisation has taken on this statutory duty from the Local Authority, undertaking carers assessments and commissioning a personal budget directly from them.

Throughout the year, the charity has undertaken a total of 4,850 statutory Carers Assessments and Reviews. budgets to carers in East Lancashire. From these assessments, 62% of carers have been commissioned a monetary personal budget of between £200-£300 and 35% of carers have had their needs met through universal services through our charity.

Peace of Mind for Carers

During the year, the charity has undertaken 734 New POM4C plans (Peace of Mind for Carers) This contingency plan still remains an invaluable service for carers. Carers often describe this plan as their 'lifeline' should they unexpectedly be unable to continue with their caring role. The plan prevents carers from worrying about who will look after the people they care for in the event of something unexpectedly happening to them. This constant worry carries a high risk of affecting their emotional health and wellbeing, causing stress, preventing them from having a life of their own alongside their caring role.

The POM4C service is free and can be activated 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Family members or friends can be contacted in the event of an emergency, or free replacement care can be provided by a domiciliary care provider in the cared for persons own home for up to 72 hours. This service can also prevent strain on the health and social care system, preventing those who are reaching crisis point from accessing accident and emergency services and social care providers.

Over the past 12 months, there have been issues with replacement care being provided as this is part of the crisis service through Lancashire County Council and has often reached maximum capacity. Therefore, LCC are continuing to review and consult with carers and commissioners about the future of this service.

Carer Awareness Training (CAT)

Throughout the year, the charity has delivered 47 CAT sessions to a range of audiences with 492 professionals receiving the training. This service enables professionals to become 'Carer Champions' for their teams.

On average approx. 11 professionals attended each Carers Awareness Training Session.

Page | 10

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

Welfare and Benefits Support

The charity has continued to provide welfare and benefits support to carers offering appointments remotely and face to face across East Lancashire. During the year, we have secured £609,463.40 in benefits for our registered carers. a massive increase of +34% compared to the previous year (22/23 £454,091.16)

Managing Risk

The charity has comprehensive risk management policies and procedures in place including a Risk Policy, Risk Register and monthly Risk Maps that highlight any potential or uncertain risks that may face the charity, its resource, services and beneficiaries.

The Risk Register is reviewed annually and focuses on all areas of the charity including Governance, Operational, Finance & Resources, External and Compliance with a thorough risk analysis of each of the areas.

The charity has three sub-groups which report directly into the Board covering Finance and Resources, Governance and Risk and Remuneration. At every Governance and Risk meeting, a live risk map is produced referencing any potential areas of risk along with suggestions to mitigate risk. This is scrutinised by the sub group members before providing a thorough report at the board meetings. The charity also has a Business Continuity Plan in place. The charity's Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the organisation is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems and procedures are established in order to provide the necessary assurances that risk is being effectively managed.

The Trustees always have going concern around the majority of charitable income being derived from government grants in respect of the statutory adult contract, however, throughout the year the charity have been successful in procuring this contract in partnership with Ncompass for a further 3 years until 2026.

Financial review

Over the financial year, the charity's main source of income has been the adult carers services/Lancashire Carers Service commissioned through Lancashire County Council. For the year, this makes up 82% of income, a decrease of -1% compared to funding in 2022/23.

The charity has also continued to benefit by owning its own headquarters which have significantly reduced running costs, with security of ownership. Further benefits have also been seen through the charity’s community facility[All floors of the headquarters are self-contained and independent supporting ] longer-term sustainability should income drop with each area being able to be sub-let.

The charity has still continued to move forward with strategic objectives throughout the year including fully renovating its second owned property in Colne which now houses a fully functioning charity shop and information and support hub.

The charity now has 3 charity shops /information and support hubs and 1 communtiy café covering the areas of Hynburn, Pendle and Rossendale. These trading facilities support the charity in strengthening diversification of income and sustainability, lessening the charity’s dependance on the Lancashire County Council contract. This trading sits alongside the continuing task of seeking new and securing existing ongoing sources of funding.

During the financial year, the total income received has been £1,116,235. (£969,570 2022/2023) an increase of 15% compared to 2022/23.

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

In addition to the Lancashire County Council income, a substantial amount of financial support was received from BBC Children in Need and The Eric Wright Trust in respect of young carers services.

Additional smaller financial contributions for revenue and capital have also been received and greatly appreciated from Ribble Valley Borough Council. As always, the charity are extremely grateful to all their funders for their support and for making it possible for Carers Link Lancashire to provide a service to carers in East Lancashire.

As laid out in the Charity’s Investment Policy, Carers Link Lancashire seeks to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk, on the financial investments it makes. Financial risk is managed by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs. As the majority of the company's debtors are public sector bodies, the level of credit risk is low. The Trustees review the Investment Policy annually, and where appropriate receive advice from a suitably qualified, independent financial company, as well as reviewing attitude to risk on an annual basis. At present, funds are being placed with several financial institutions in order to mitigate against possible bank collapses, and advice is sought from our investment advisor when required to minimise the risks of our portfolio.

The Trustees always have going concerns around the charities longer term sustainability, with the main sources of income from Lancashire County Council. However, as mentioned earlier, this contract has been secured until 2026. A going concern is also the BBC CIN young carers contract which ends on 31 October 2024. The charity have secured Eric Wright funding until 2026 however, to meet increasing demand and need the charity needs to receive continuation funding from this contract. The charity are currently in the process of writing a further funding application bidding for a further 3 years funding .

Reserves Policy

As of the 31 March 2024, the total charity funds stand at £978,213 (£947,063 2023) of which, £509,545 is invested in fixed assets and £Nil is restricted.

The total charity funds also comprise of fixed assets including the value of both owned properties in Accrington and Colne. Therefore, even though this is included in the total amount of total charity funds, it does not represent readily available free monetary reserves.

The Trustees have reviewed the funds available to the organisation and £189,139 has been designated for the following:

After designation and the 2 properties £279,529 is free reserves and represents 3.1 months of budgeted recurrent expenditure (3.7 months 2022/23) The policy for free reserves is that Carers Link Lancashire will maintain free reserves not being less than three months expenditure. Therefore, the charity is meeting its reserves policy adequately. The main source of income for the organisation still remains to be generated from Lancashire County Council who continue to make payments in arrears. Therefore, charitable reserves are essential to maintain adequate cash flow levels.

In the event that all or any funding is lost the reserves will enable Carers Link Lancashire to maintain a service to carers whilst researching and sourcing other funding. To this end, the Trustees deem it prudent to designate funds from the reserves to cover the potential resulting redundancies and to secure services for carers.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Plans for future periods

Throughout the year, our charity has worked hard to achieve business objectives as outlined in the organisations Strategy and Operational Plan 2021-2024, which include expanding our ability to provide accessible services, identifying and supporting all carers in East Lancashire and ensuring the charity is more sustainable in the longer term.

Our charity is continuing to strive to increase diversified income streams through charitable trading. In 2024/25 we will continue searching for another property in either the Ribble Valley or Burnley to house a further self-sustaining charity shop/ information and support hub. We are therefore designating charitable reserves to achieve this. All trading facilities support awareness raising of carers and services and support that is available to them in their communities.

These future plans support the charity’s objectives of having accessible information and support in all 5 of the boroughs that the charity covers.

The Trustees see the future direction of the charity as developing further meaningful services that meet the needs of carers. Carers Link Lancashire continues to be a proactive, learning organisation, with all of its activities being carefully planned, risk assessed and evaluated.

Structure, governance, and management

Organisation

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, number 08584591, incorporated on 25th June 2013. It was adopted as a charity on 19th March 2014.

The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31st March 2024 was 10.

The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Management

Day to day management of the charity including responsibility for the provision of services, staff management and development is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rebecca Hodgson. Any proposal the CEO would like to make relating to areas beyond delegated power, is made formally in a proposal document, which firstly, where practically possible is submitted to the relevant Sub Group for scrutiny before submissions and presentation to all board members.

The CEO undergoes regular supervision and support sessions with the Chair of Trustees and provides comprehensive and up to date information and advice to all Trustees. Remuneration of Key Management Personnel is set based on benchmarks for similar roles and is overseen by the Remuneration Group. Staff salaries are reviewed annually by the board of trustees at the Remuneration Group meeting.

Carers Link Lancashire is a Network Partner of Carers Trust. This affiliation enables staff and Trustees access to a variety of training and development courses/conferences organised by the Trust. These courses/conferences are usually provided free of charge although the cost of travel to the venues is borne by Carers Link Lancashire or individual Trustees.

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For the year ended 31 March 2024

Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

This partnership also enables up to date information and research into carers alongside regional support from the regional manager and regional network partners.

Related Parties and Relationships with Other Organisations

There are no related parties.

Carers Link Lancashire has a formal consortium agreement with ncompass, a brighter future for the purposes of tendering for and delivering The Lancashire Carers Service. This partnership is purely for the purposes of which is described with Carers Link Lancashire delivering in East Lancashire and ncompass delivering in North and Central Lancashire.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Trustees are recruited through advertisements in the organisations quarterly magazine and e-bulletins alongside individual contacts by other Board Members or members of staff.

Prospective Trustees are invited to a preliminary meeting with the CEO for discussion about the roles and responsibilities of Trustees and general information about Carers Link Lancashire.

A Trustee appointment is subject to the completion of the DBS process and two satisfactory references. Potential Trustees are then invited to meet existing Trustees at a board meeting to give a presentation about themselves and their skills, and if agreed by all Trustees, they will be co-opted on to the board with their nomination as a Trustee being put to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for formal appointment.

The organisation has a Trustee skills matrix in place that is regularly updated and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the Board.

The weaker areas are then addressed through the Trustee recruitment processes. A full and thorough recruitment application process is in place with an information pack for interested persons and a comprehensive Trustee Handbook is provided for all Trustees.

Induction and Training of Trustees

All Trustees undertake a thorough induction process with the CEO and then also the Chair of Trustees as and when required. As part of this, they are required t o sign a code of conduct and confidentiality policy, declare their eligibility to be a Trustee alongside completing a declaration of interest's form which is reviewed annually.

Further training is provided, both in-house and externally, using a variety of methods including online and face to face training. Topics covered include all aspects of information governance, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and equality and diversity. Updates on governance matters are distributed regularly to Trustees to ensure their knowledge remains relevant and up to date

Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others

No funds were held as custodian Trustee on behalf of any others.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Carers Link Lancashire for the purposes of Company Law) are responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Annual Report (including the strategic report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

In approving the Trustees' Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors.

On behalf of the board

Signature:

Brian Birtle - Chair of the Board of Trustees

October 2, 2024 Date: …………………….

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Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Carers Link Lancashire (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the income and expenditure account, balance sheet, cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, set out on page 17, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicola Mason MA(Cantab) ACA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of MHA Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Richard House 9 Winckley Square Preston PR1 3HP

November 8, 2024

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income from
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities:
Carers support and services
4
Retail income
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
Total Income
Expenditure on
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
Carers support and services
9
Other expenses – governance and support
costs
10
Total Expenditure
Net income / (expenditure) before net
gains / (losses) in investments
Realised gains / (losses) on investments
Net income / (expenditure) for the year
11
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
28,801
910,232
77,265
16,249
9,328
4,272
1,046,147
147,571
859,405
18,312
1,025,288
20,859
-
20,859
10,291
31,150
947,063
978,213		 Restricted
Funds
-
70,088
-
-
-
-
70,088
-
54,255
5,542
59,797
10,291
-
10,291
(10,291)
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
28,801
980,320
77,265
16,249
9,328
4,272
1,116,235
147,571
913,660
23,854
1,085,085
31,150
-
31,150
-
31,150
947,063
978,213		 Total
2023
£
38,459
893,370
20,069
14,329
2,071
1,272
969,570
98,979
793,492
(18,321)
874,150
95,420
-
95,420
-
95,420
851,643
947,063

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Balance Sheet

As at 31 March 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 16 509,545 526,344
Total fixed assets 509,545 526,344
Current Assets
Debtors 17 91,946 28,793
Current asset investments 18 - -
Cash at bank and in hand 524,997 451,444
Total current assets 616,943 480,237
Liabilities
Creditors amounts falling due in less
than one year		 19 (148,277) (59,518)
Net current assets 468,666 420,719
Net Assets 978,213 947,063
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds 20 - -
Unrestricted income funds 21 978,213 947,063
Total charity funds 978,213 947,063

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The Notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these accounts

November 6, 2024

Approved by the Trustees on ………………………. and signed on their behalf by:

Brian Birtle (Chair) Jeff Leahy (Treasurer)

Company number 08584591

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note
Cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
24
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2024
£
87,383
9,328
(23,158)
(13,830)
73,553
451,444
524,997		 2023
£
118,395
2,071
(83,994)
(81,923)
36,472
414,972
451,444

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Basis of preparation

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 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Carers Link Lancashire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees are required to assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation of the accounts. At the date of approving these accounts the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient cash resources to enable it to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

There are no key judgments which the Trustees have made which have a significant effect on the accounts.

The Trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised; refer to the Trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity's programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 9.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

Land and Buildings 4% of cost per annum Fixtures & fittings 25% of cost per annum Office furniture & equipment 25% of cost per annum Computer equipment 33% reducing balance with the remaining balance written off in the third year Caravan 20% of cost per annum Motor vehicle 25% reducing balance

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Current asset investments

Current asset investments include cash investments with a maturity of greater than three months from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account and those accounts intended to be held for the longer term.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution 'money purchase' scheme. The charity's contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 11. There were outstanding contributions of £8,774.32 at the year end. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within support and governance costs and allocated to the funds of the charity using the methodology set out in note 9.

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Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

The money purchase plan is managed by SMART Pensions and the plan invests the contributions made by the employee and employer in an investment fund to build up over the term of the plan a pension fund which is then converted into a pension upon the employee's normal retirement year age when eligible for a state pension. The risk profile of the fund reduces as the employee gets closer to retirement. The total expense ratio of the plan is 1.25% and this is deducted from the investment fund annually. The trust has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employee's contributions.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will be, by definition, seldom be equal to the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Useful economic life of fixed assets - There has been a change in the depreciation policy for Caravans to 20% straight line (2023: 33% straight line) and Motor vehicles to 25% written down value (2023: 20% straight line) which is a better presentation of the fixed asset values. All other depreciation policies remain consistent with the previous year. See accounting policy.

There are no critical areas of judgement.

2 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is disclosed on page 1.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Ribble Valley
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Miscellaneous
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
27,538
1,263
-
-
28,801
28,801		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
27,538
1,263
-
-
28,801
28,801		 Total
2023
£
33,398
1,500
2,000
1,562
38,459
38,459

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

4 Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Children In Need youth Investment Grant
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Building, Charity Hub and Garden
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2024		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
910,232
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
910,232		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Total
2024
£
910,232
33,528
24,500
-
4,060
62,088
-
8,000
8,000
980,320		 Total
2023
£
807,290
36,660
22,250
-
4,670
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
893,370

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Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

4 Income from charitable activities (Continued)

Prior year

Carers support & services
Adult Services Contract
Lancashire County Council
Adult Carers
Henry Smith
Carers Trust
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Small Groups
Tesco
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Eric Wright Charitable Trust for YC
Preston
Small Grants – Youth Carers
Children In Need Youth Investment Grant
Building, Charity Hub, and Garden
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
Capital grants
Total
Total by fund 31 March 2023		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
807,290
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
807,290		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,660
22,250
4,670
-
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
86,080		 Total
2023
£
807,290
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,660
22,250
4,670
-
59,580
-
26,500
26,500
893,370		 Total
2022
£
757,105
-
12,616
15,000
3,472
-
31,088
37,067
-
-
57,468
94,535
5,525
-
5,525
888,255

Page | 27

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

5 Income from other trading activities

ncome from other trading activities
Café income
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
16,249
16,249		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2024
£
16,249
16,249		 Total
2023
£
14,329
14,329

All income from other trading activities in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

6 Investment income

Income from bank deposits
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
9,328
9,328		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2024
£
9,328
9,328		 Total
2023
£
2,071
2,071

All investment income in the current and prior year is unrestricted.

7 Other income

ther income
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Hyndburn Borough Council
Miscellaneous
Total
ost of raising funds
Caravan costs, including depreciation
Administrative costs
Trading costs
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
4,272
4,272		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
-
-
4,272
4,272
2024
£
19,148
13,992
114,431
147,571		 Total
2023
£
-
-
1,272
1,272
2023
£
24,156
10,940
63,883
98,979

8 Cost of raising funds

Included in cost of raising funds is restricted expenditure of £Nil (2023 £ Nil) and unrestricted expenditure of £147,571 (2023 £98,979). The caravan running and depreciation costs are included as part of fundraising and donations for the use of the caravan are treated as donations.

Page | 28

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building
and
garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
663,569
20,595
35,228
60,641
50,591
21,915
852,540		 Adult
Carers
£
-
-
-
779
188
-
967		 Young
Carers
£
42,909
1,002
2,438
6,972
5,542
1,290
60,153		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
706,478
21,598
37,666
68,392
56,321
23,205
913,660
2024
£
54,255
859,405
913,660		 Total
2023
£
626,124
39,349
32,325
26,675
51,016
18,004
793,492
2023
£
53,419
740,073
793,492

Page | 29

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

9 Analysis of expenditure of charitable activities

Prior year

Staff costs
Accommodation
Administrative costs
Project costs
Governance and support
costs
(see note 10)
Building and garden
costs (see note 10)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Adult
Services
Contract
£
581,196
37,725
30,028
17,711
44,480
17,278
728,418		 Adult
Carers
£
-
-
-
1,360
188
-
1,548		 Young
Carers
£
44,928
1,624
2,297
7,604
6,349
726
63,527		 CHUB
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2023
£
626,124
39,349
32,325
26,675
51,016
18,004
793,492
2023
£
53,419
740,073
793,492		 Total
2022
£
614,668
41,186
32,713
35,319
37,082
15,639
776,607
2022
£
65,964
710,643
776,607

Page | 30

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

10 Analysis of governance and support costs

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Legal and professional
Governance
Other governance
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
-
-
-
106,608
(66,452)
(32,718)
7,438		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,094
-
322
16,416

-
-
16,416		 Total
2024
£
28,008
22,025
4,614
6,175
1,946
43,840
16,094
-
322
123,024
(66,452)
(32,718)
23,854		 Total
2023
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
11,927
-
459
77,290

(60,269)
(35,342)
(18,321)

Included in support costs is £5,542 of restricted expenditure (2023 £6,161) and £18,312 of unrestricted expenditure (2023 £24,482).

Prior year

Basis of
apportionment
Staff costs
% of income
Accommodation
% of income
Administrative costs
% of income
Project costs
% of income
Building and garden costs
Actual costs
Depreciation
% of income
Audit fees
Governance
Legal and professional
Governance
Other governance
Governance
Governance and Support Costs
recharged to Charitable Activities
and fundraising
Building and accommodation
costs recharged		 Support
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
-
-
-
64,904
(60,269)
(35,342)
(30,707)		 Governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,927
-
459
12,386
-
-
12,386		 Total
2023
£
22,630
1,620
4,258
6,885
2,632
26,879
11,927
-
459
77,290
(60,269)
(35,342)
(18,321)		 Total
2022
£
32,899
2,002
3,889
9,641
5,867
23,258
9,120
4,341
163
86,839
(39,670)
(33,850)
13,319

Page | 31

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

11 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

Net income / (expenditure) for the year
This is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation
Operating lease rentals
Other
Auditor's remuneration - audit fees		 2024
£
39,967
22,346
16,094
78,407		 2023
£
26,879
2,104
11,927
40,910

12 Staff costs

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Staff travel, recruitment & other		 2024
£
658,348
51,945
35,517
23,443
769,253		 2023
£
590,818
45,643
32,964
12,708
682,133

No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: £60,000)

The average number of full-time equivalent staff employed during the period was 32 (2023: 31).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £81,162 (2023: £89,142).

13 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

Neither the Trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: £Nil).

Trustees received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £nil (2023: £Nil).

Aggregate donations from related parties were £Nil (2023: £Nil).

There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No Trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2023: £Nil).

Page | 32

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

14 Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

Lancashire County Council/ ELCCG 2024
£
910,232
910,232		 2023
£
807,290
807,290

There were no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attaching to the grants.

15 Corporation Tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

16 Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Freehold
Building
£
265,000
-
-
265,000
36,200
10,600
-
46,800
218,200
228,800		 Building
Improvements
£
260,736
-
-
260,736
33,302
10,864
-
44,166
216,570
227,434		 Computer
equipment
£
58,433
7,210
-
65,643
41,445
11,101
-
52,546
13,097
16,978		 Caravan
and motor
vehicles
£
51,228
15,948
-
67,176
-
6,404
6,404
60,773
51,228		 Fixtures
and
fittings
6,330
-
-
6,330
4,426
998
-
5,424
906
1,904		 Total
£
641,727
23,158
-
664,885
115,373
39,967
-
155,340
509,545
526,344

Page | 33

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

17 Debtors

Debtors
Grants receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
Current asset investments
Cash equivalents on deposit:
Scottish Widows		 2024
£
76,036
15,910
91,946
2024
£
-
-		 2023
£
1,971
26,822
28,793
2023
£
-
-

18 Current asset investments

19 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income		 2024
£
36,927
35,001
76,349
148,277		 2023
£
15,181
22,030
22,307
59,518

Deferred income relates to income received in advance for future charitable activities. Deferred income as at 31 March 2023 of £22,307 has been released during the year.

Page | 34

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-		 20
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
Balance at
1 April
2023
£
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
-
Young Carers Preston
-
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
-
-
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants
-
-
-
Income
£
33,528
4,060
24,500
62,088
8,000
8,000
70,088		 Expenditure
£
(34,077)
(4,000)
(21,720)		 Transfers
£
549
(60)
(2,780)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (59,797)
-		 (2,291)
(8,000)
(8,000)
(10,291)		 -
-
-
-
-
(59,797)

Page | 35

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Prior year
Young Carers
BBC Children in Need
Young Carers Preston
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Building, Garden and
Charity Hub
Capital grants		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at
1 April
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
32,660
(32,660)
4,670
(4,670)
22,250
(22,250)
59,580
(59,580)
26,500
-
26,500
-
86,080
(59,580)		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
32,660
(32,660)
4,670
(4,670)
22,250
(22,250)
59,580
(59,580)
26,500
-
26,500
-
86,080
(59,580)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 Balance at
31 March
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (59,580)
-		 -
(26,500)
(26,500)
(26,500)		 -
-
-
-
-
(59,580)

Page | 36

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Analysis of movements in restricted funds (continued)

Name of Description, nature, and purposes of the fund Adult Carers Funds for this service to Adult Carers are to provide local and accessible support and points of contact between carers and Lancashire County Council Social Services Directorate. To achieve this, we work to develop a clear identity for carers, develop support and information and develop knowledge to help carers in their role and to co-ordinate consultation and involvement between carers, Carers Link Lancashire, and Lancashire County Council. Young Carers Funds for this service for Young Carers are to provide flexible outreach support and to offer preventative support through respite activities and breaks. To achieve this, we work to provide a proactive and responsive service, reduce isolation, increase choice and access to multi agency support and facilitate the appropriate assessment of young carers and their families by statutory agencies.

21 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Property Purchase
Renovations
Security costs
Prior year
General fund
Designated fund
Potential redundancy costs
3 months operating costs
Renovations
Security costs		 Balance at
1 April
2023
£
594,792
23,952
273,319
-
40,000
15,000
947,063
Balance at
1 April
2022
£
823,460
18,183
-
10,000
-
851,643		 Income
£
1,046,147
-
-
-
-
-
1,046,147
Income
£
883,490
-
-
-
-
883,490		 Expenditure
£
(1,025,288)
-
-
-
-
-
(1,025,288)
Expenditure
£
(814,570)
-
-
-
-
(814,570)		 Transfers
£
(99,896)
5,187
-
120,000
-
(15,000)
10,291
Transfers
£
(297,588)
5,769
273,319
30,000
15,000
26,500		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
515,755
29,139
273,319
120,000
40,000
-
978,213
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
594,792

23,952

273,319

40,000

15,000

947,063

Page | 37

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

Name of Description, nature, and purposes of the fund

General Fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds and including the property fixed asset.

Potential This fund has been designated by the Trustees to cover potential redundancies. redundancy costs There is a TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) agreement being in place.

Renovations This fund is for planned renovation to the property.

Blackburn Road Property

This fund is designated towards potential dilapidations at 54-56 Blackburn Road, Accrington.

22 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Prior Year
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets/(liabilities)		 General fund
£
509,545
6,210
515,755
General fund
£
526,344
68,448
594,792		 Designated
funds
£
-
462,458
462,458
Designated
funds
£
-
352,271
352,271		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
509,545
468,668
978,213
Total
2023
£
526,344
420,719
947,063

Page | 38

Docusign Envelope ID: BF8546B9-6DFA-48EB-AC35-28C440ADE08B

Carers Link Lancashire

Notes to the financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2024

23 Operating lease commitments

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows:

Less than one year
One to five years
Over five years
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
(Gains) / losses on investments
Dividends, interest, and rents from investments
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
Capital commitments
Capital commitments		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-		 Equipment
2024
2023
£
£
11,210
4,010
15,824
11,768
400
27,434
15,778
activities:
2024
2023
£
£
31,150
95,420
39,967
27,288
-
-
(9,328)
(2,071)
(63,153)
18,666
88,747
(20,908)
87,383
118,395
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
-
15,778
2023
£
95,420
27,288
-
(2,071)
18,666
(20,908)
118,395
2023
£
-
- -

24 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities:

25 Capital commitments

Page | 39