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2022-02-28-accounts

Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the year ended 28 February 2022

Registered Charity No. 1157198 Company No. 08898416 mylifefi lms.org

1

Lett er from the Chairman

Dear friends, funders and supporters,

In our last annual report, covering March 2020 to February 2021, we wrote about the huge challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic brought to us all. Whilst these receded as the vaccination programme was rolled out and the lockdowns lift ed, it is hard to say that this reporting period of March 2021 to February 2022 was exactly back to what could be considered a pre-pandemic normal.

A huge thank you is owed to Monika and the My Life Films team for their excellent navigation of the ongoing challenges, and their adaptability in creating new ways to support people living with dementia, their families and their carers. Our benefi ciaries are at the heart of everything we do and so reaching and helping more people has been a huge focus for the last year.

We have resumed fi lming our Life Story Films with families in London and beyond, creating bespoke biographical fi lms largely for people still living at home, as care homes have been understandably slower to remove social distancing and fi lming requirements. Our Life Story Film remain a gold standard in our dementia interventions, and we deliver these through a few diff erent models – in-person fi lming, remote fi lming, long-form and short-form.

Alongside this we have accelerated our ambitions for My Life TV, the dementia-friendly video-ondemand service. We continue to secure amazing programmes from our content partners (thank you!) and are fi lming more original content – quizzes, music, seated exercises, reminiscence programmes – as we know this is what our viewers love to watch. Our platform partner Vimeo continues to develop their product off er and we have partnered with Alzheimer’s Society to promote it and to produce content together. The user base is growing steadily and our new trustee Hannah Yongo is our new marketing lead on the board to drive this, along with our new marketer Lynda Phoenix on the team.

Along with Hannah we also welcomed Maana Ruia as a new trustee, with expertise on the care home sector. Maana is already making great strides in our approaches to care home groups and our ESG funding strategy. Welcome Hannah and Maana! We also said farewell to one of our founding trustees Tim Greifenberg, who stepped down aft er seven years’ service – thank you Tim!

A big thank you is also due to fellow trustees, including Lisa who chairs the Finance Committ ee and a big thank you to Petra who graciously volunteers her time to run our accounting. The My Life Films team continues to deliver strongly, Charlott e, Poppy, Sharon, Daniel, Henry and Lynda all contributing hugely to our impact.

We ended the fi nancial year in a sound position thanks to Monika’s deft management of My Life Films and the work we deliver. We have secured some three-year grants which gives us some security in our ambitions for the charity and is also a vote of confi dence in the work we are doing. Thank you to all our funders, foundations and donors who continue to support My Life Films.

As we look to the years ahead, My Life Films will continue to innovate in how we deliver our service and understanding how we can further improve the lives of our benefi ciaries – people living with dementia, their families and carers. Thank you.

Alexander Kann Chairman

Contents

Contents
Reference and 02
Administrative Information
Objectives and Activities 03
Achievements and Performance 06
Impact of Our Services 08
Financial Review 15
Plans for the Future 15
Structure and Governance 16
Statement of Responsibilities 17
of the Trustees
Independent Examiner’s Report 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Balance Sheet 20
Notes to the Financial Statements 21

Reference and Administrative Information

Reference and
Administrative
Information
Registered Charity number 1157198
Company Number 08898416

Registered Offi ce and Operational Address Unit 2, Dickson House, 3 Grove Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6SP

Trustees

The trustees of the charity, who served during the period from 1 March 2021, and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Trustees Report

The trustees present their report and the unaudited fi nancial statements for the year ended 28 February 2022. Included within the trustees’ report is the directors’ report as required by company law.

Reference and administrative information set out on this page forms part of this report. The fi nancial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Jörg Roth appointed 17 February 2014
Tim Greifenberg appointed 17 February 2014
resigned 11 August 2021
Carolin-Marie Roth appointed 17 February 2014
Piers Kot ing appointed 31 May 2016
Alexander Kann appointed 3 May 2016
Aileen Jackson appointed 31 May 2016
Elizabeth Allen appointed 15 February 2017
Lisa Silver appointed 21 November 2018
Maana Ruia appointed 1 December 2021
Hanna Yongo appointed 1 December 2021

There were no trustees who held title to property belonging to the charity during the reporting period or at the date of approval.

Company Secretary

Jörg Roth

Key Management Personnel

Monika Lang, Executive Director, appointed 26 October 2020

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc, 8 George Street, North Sheen, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey, TW9 1JY

Independent Examiner

Patrick Morrello ACA, Third Sector Accountancy, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS

Design

Karoshi

02

Objectives and Activities

We are the UK’s leader in video-based dementia care and our mission is to improve the lives of people aff ected by dementia in the UK. Our vision is a world where PLWD aren’t defi ned by their illness. The impact of all our services is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of PLWD, enable their care staff to deliver more person-centered care and give their primary carers an opportunity for respite and shared, meaningful activity.

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, from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefi ts 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 benefi ciaries of My Life Films are people living with dementia, their families and carers. Carers are either primary carers which are mostly family members or paid carers at home or in care sett ings.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefi t 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 set aims and objectives.

My Life Films supports their benefi ciaries through the following three main activities. All its charitable activities focus on PLWD and are undertaken to further My Life Films charitable purposes for the public benefi t.

----- Start of picture text -----
public benefi t.
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My Life Films charitable objective is to relieve the needs of people living with dementia and its eff ects on their families, friends and carers through creative fi lmmaking. We have created a range of innovative, evidence-based services that help people living with dementia (PLWD) and those that care for them to live bett er lives aft er a dementia diagnosis.

03

Biographical Life Story Films

My Life TV – the dementia friendly channel

Our aims and objectives for FY 2022 were to:

The next section summarises the progress we have made to deliver our aims and objectives for the financial year.

My Life Films app

Furthermore, our fundraising and trading activity is operated to fund our charitable delivery.

Every time mum watches the film is like the first time for her. As we are all so far away from her, it reinforces the fact that people care about her and, although she doesn’t remember, that she did have a good life and achieved things she can feel proud of.

Daughter of a PLWD responding to My Life Films Impact Assessment

04

Case Study Gloria’s Life Story Film

Gloria was born in Barbados in 1934 as the eldest of eight siblings. When she arrived in the UK with her two daughters in search for work, she became a machinist with a team of seamstresses above a shop on Peckham High Street before becoming a nurse for the rest of her life.

Gloria, 86, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and her relative Tisha told us that she oft en felt anxious, sometimes felt depressed and was restless.

She signed up to My Life Films and benefi ted from the process. Gloria “really enjoyed talking about when she was in Barbados so we all found it a lovely experience to reminisce because it’s not all the time you get to speak to people about their past and how they live so it was nice to have the rare opportunity, she’s here with me”.

Gloria’s fi lmmaker Alice built up a great relationship with her: “Alice was very patient and lovely. It made it more enjoyable because she was so lovely.”

Watching the fi lm has a noticeable improvement on Gloria’s mood: “when she watches the fi lm it’s just like she talks about it again, and again. Watching it is funny together. She’s a church person, and the music from each section reminds her of that period of time and makes her think of certain memories”.

My Life Films has provided Gloria and those around her with a lasting way of managing her well-being; “It’s something we put on when she’s not in a good mood and it defi nitely lift s her mood.”

Achievements and Performance

Since 2015, we have made fi lms for more than 300 PLWD, helping over 3,000 people aff ected by dementia, and 90% benefi ciaries reported that the fi lms improved their mental health and wellbeing.

Continue to deliver our biographical life story fi lms

The service was awarded Outstanding Dementia Care Product of the Year in 2016 and aft er commissioning it, Hampshire County Council concluded, “in an ideal world, everybody living with dementia should have access to a tool such as this.”

Our established service creates personalised biographical fi lms for PLWD, the star of the fi lm, using their photos, videos and fi lmed interviews. It’s like having a documentary made about your life, capturing the best bits from birth to present.

In the FY 2022, we delivered 25 fi lm packages (long-form) and partially digitally where those involved are able to meet up with fi lmmakers socially distanced. 11 of the 25 fi lm packages have been delivered to families within the BAME community, this percentage has increased further in 2022 due to targeted outreach.

We recruit benefi ciaries through our existing partner network (Alzheimer’s Society, AGE UK, local NHS GPs). For each PLWD, one of our fi lmmakers works closely with them and any family over six-to-eight weeks to create two fi lms: a 30-minute-long fi lm which provides PLWD a lasting form of reminiscence therapy, and a fi ve-minute short fi lm which gives their care staff a quick way to get to know them.

In addition to the long-form format, My Life Films delivered two short fi lms for people living with dementia in care sett ings aimed at improving person-centred care.

The fi nished fi lms are shown in a premier as a celebration of life. My Life Films also off ers a shortform of the biographical fi lms to care sett ings aimed at improving person-centered care.

06

Launch My Life Films app which translates our fi lmmaking service into an easy-to-use app that allows people with dementia and their families to make their own fi lm

Our new, free My Life Films app enables people in the early stages of dementia and their friends and families to create their own life story fi lm from the comfort of their armchair using a smart device.

Aft er a delay due to the pandemic, we launched the iOS and Android apps on the Apple and Google stores in November 2021. The number of downloads so far has been lower than we expected and we are planning to review the service this fi nancial year, evaluating user feedback and assessing our options to decide the best path forward. Further development plans to create a version to be used in care sett ings have been put on hold.

The app provides people aff ected by dementia with user-friendly fi lm editing soft ware on their smart device. It has a simple, intuitive ‘dot-to-dot’ process that makes it easy to use for people who are not tech-savvy – suitable for a PLWD in the early stages of the illness, and for a carer or family member to use with them in the later stages.

As a result, we are continuing to maintain the service thanks to the generous support from Hampton Fund.

During Covid times there is litt le daily change in environment or new news. The fi lm has helped the PLWD to talk to friends, family and carers about the fi lm and their lives more. This has been extremely useful to them.

Primary carer responding to My Life Films Impact Assessment

07

Develop and grow My Life TV, the dementiafriendly channel

All of the dementia-friendly content is “feel good”, ranging from interactive shows like armchair yoga and quizzes to passive entertainment like nature shows and feelgood shows. We are taking a collaborative, cross-sector approach to sourcing content which means it’s also the fi rst dedicated platform to enable organisations from all sectors to reach and support PLWD using dementiafriendly video

My Life TV is the world’s fi rst Video on Demand service designed specifi cally for PLWD, showing new and existing TV programmes that have been created or chosen for their cognitive needs.

MLTV uses dementia-friendly television to help isolated, unoccupied PLWD, improving their mental health and wellbeing, helping their caregivers to deliver essential care in all care sett ings, and off ering primary carers respite and shared, meaningful activity.

During the reporting period, we have nearly tripled the number of total customers on My Life TV and we have doubled the number of content partners. Also, the hours of dementia-friendly content on the service more than doubled thanks to our in- house production team and generous support from the wider media industry. These include partners and content which are inclusive of Black British, Asian, other ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ identities.

We launched this ground-breaking service in January 2021 to off er isolated, unoccupied PLWD a safe, easy way to stay stimulated and connected to the world during COVID-19 and beyond. My Life TV is a streaming service that off ers a wide variety of dementia-friendly TV shows, documentaries, video-based activities and more for use in care sett ings and at home.

A particularly exciting development is that we have formed a ground breaking partnership with Alzheimer’s Society nationally to deliver their digital strategy through a dedicated channel on MLTV, through which they are delivering their popular Singing for the Brain service digitally for the fi rst time.

TV is a lifeline, companion and vital source of information for many of the 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. We’re really excited to be working with My Life TV to create engaging content for people with dementia… Whether they want to challenge themselves with a quiz, belt out a song or just simply watch some feel-good movies, there’s something for every mood.

Zoe Campbell, Director of Operations at Alzheimer’s Society

08

Zoe Campbell, Director of Operations at Alzheimer’s Society said: “TV is a lifeline, companion and vital source of information for many of the 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. We’re really excited to be working with My Life TV to create engaging content for people with dementia… Whether they want to challenge themselves with a quiz, belt out a song or just simply watch some feel-good movies, there’s something for every mood.”

Over the next fi nancial year, we will invest further into marketing to increase the reach of the service, especially to the care sector. We will also build up the evidence base for impact with external partners including Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland and use feedback to refi ne our service and Monitoring and Evaluation process.

To infl uence broader change, we plan to set up a Dementia Media Committ ee, a coalition campaign group to raise awareness of the need for dementiafriendly television and infl uence cross-sector policy and practice, with high-profi le members, which will help us to increase our reach, build more partnerships and get more content.

We partnered with the University of West Scotland to evaluate the impact of My Life TV in care homes and continue to apply for funding for this vital research. In October 2022, My Life TV will be part of their ‘BA (Hons) for Integrated Health and Social Care’ to explore how the service can support eff ective communication and person centered care.

Strengthen our board of trustees and improve the diversity and inclusion of the charity, its staff and the benefi ciaries it serves

We recruited two new trustees to add marketing and care home knowledge to the Board. The recruitment of Mrs Yongo and Mrs Ruia also improved the diversity and inclusion of the charity has been delayed to 2021. We are committ ed to being inclusive employers, helping to give diverse fi lmmakers their fi rst step on the career ladder.

Use of funds

My Life Films generates income through grant-funded projects, donations from mass participation, benefi ciary families and local events, and trading activity. Our mix of restricted and unrestricted funding enables us to produce life-story fi lms for benefi ciary groups and in areas specifi ed by our grant funders along with fi lms produced with families on our benefi ciary shortlist funded by our unrestricted funds.

Funds have been used prudently through careful fi nancial planning, controlled spending and regular forecasting. Management accounts are regularly presented to the Finance Committ ee and the Board.

Volunteers

My Life Films has regular volunteers supporting some of the key operational areas, including fi nances, fundraising and development.

Volunteers work closely with the team to deliver their duties and areas of expertise. Volunteers receive training and supervision and contribute to My Life Films’ operation and delivery, from fi nancial management through to innovative new services.

The board thanks our amazing volunteers for their important contribution to My Life Films and helping the charity improve the lives of our benefi ciaries.

It’s an absolute life changer for people like mum… When mum starts to become agitated in the late aft ernoon, we can put on My Life TV and the images and music automatically calm her and she stops worrying.

Lynn, who cares for her mother Celia living with dementia

09

Impact of our Services

Biographical Life Story Films

All our services aim to:

We monitor and evaluate impact through custombuilt Impact Assessments for each service which we have developed with Prof. Tracey Williamson at University of Worcester, Dr. Robert Lawrence at NHS Barnes Hospital, and Richmond Council for Voluntary Services.

Improve PLWD’s mood and mental wellbeing

The impact of the established life story fi lm service has been proven in a clinical trial by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust in 2019, the results of which were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.[[1]] It concluded that our fi lms can decrease dementia symptom levels, improve quality of life, help care staff to deliver person-centered care, support routine care and in some instances, reduce drug use.

This was the fi rst study to investigate biographical fi lms as a form of reminiscence therapy.

[1] Francis, E.R., Smith, J.G., Qayyum, M., Lee, J., Woodgate, P., Lawrence, R.M., (2019) ‘Biographical fi lms as a person-centered approach to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia in residential care: A feasibility study.’ Journal of Clinical Psychological, 76 (1), p.1–9. Available at: htt ps://doi.org/10.1002/ jclp.22853 (Accessed: 21 January 2021)

10

What do our service users say?

The feedback we receive from our life story fi lms is very positive and we are very proud of our trained fi lmmakers and the strong relationships they form during the fi lmmaking process. We are immensely proud that 100% of our service users would recommend this service to other people aff ected by dementia.

Our families truly enjoy the fi lmmaking process, it brings everyone together and creates a memory for life to cherish. Sometime, our users only realise at a later stage in the dementia journey how useful the fi lms are in supporting the day-to-day challenges dementia can task you with.

A service user wrote to us a year aft er the fi lm was premiered:

“This morning she also said that she does not know who she is so I put the fi lm on for her. As soon as the fi lm started, she recognised her picture and that of her parents and brothers, and other family members as they appeared; she asked lots of questions throughout the fi lm which calmed her down. I show mum the fi lm regularly now as it calms her and lightens her mood. I have told all the carers to do the same. I just wanted to let you know the impact that it has had, say thanks, and wish you continued success with it. I hope that many others can enjoy this experience.”

Making and watching the fi lm gave me a real sense of remembering my parents lives and how they were before dementia. I have had a longterm eff ect of being happier about knowing more about their lives and remembering the good times and our history. I cannot stress how positive this has been for me.

Son of a PLWD responding to My Life Films Impact Assessment

My Life Films Impact Survey Results

----- Start of picture text -----
100% would
recommend this
service to other 100% 100%
people affected
by dementia
75% said that
the PLWD feels 7 5% 75%
less anxious
50%
----- End of picture text -----

100% of caregivers (care staff, primary carers, family) said the PLWD is more stimulated afer watching the film, improving their mood in the short-term

75% said that the PLWD feels happier whilst watching the film

----- Start of picture text -----
50% said the film has
helped improve the
PLWD’s self-esteem
----- End of picture text -----

11

Case Study Noel’s Life Story Film

They signed up and “the fi lmmaker was very easy to communicate with, full of ideas, and extremely helpful. It was fun to work with Alice, the assigned fi lmmaker, very easy to work with she understood things. She was able to think of bright ideas, which I went with. Like some loud music, calypso music”.

Noel grew up in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and moved to the UK in 1950s, where he joined the Royal Airforce and served an aero-engineer. He was a scholar, a pioneer and a community leader.

In 2018, Noel diagnosed with dementia. He was living at home and his sister Rita told us he experienced low moods, feeling anxious and confused.

The impact on Noel was profound. “As soon as the music comes on, and photographs of his mum comes on you were able to see him pointing at his mum and dad. Pointing at his sister and his mum. It was a really good experience to do. He really loved it. Friends and relatives loved it too”.

An Occupational Therapist at Richmond Social Services recommended My Life Films to him.

Rita told us, “When I watched the introductory video about what you did, I thought it was brilliant and they encouraged me to go through with the project.”

Noel watched the fi lm right up until the end of his life: “he had a lot of mileage from it… On 19[th] November, we watched the fi lm in his room in the home and then he passed away that week.”

As soon as the music comes on, and photographs of his mum comes on you were able to see him pointing at his mum and dad. Pointing at his sister and his mum. It was a really good experience to do. He really loved it. Friends and relatives loved it too.

12

My Life TV

My Life TV is designed to to improve the mental health and wellbeing of PLWD, enable their care staff to deliver more person-centered care and give their primary carers an opportunity for respite and shared, meaningful activity.

The service is now in many care settings and homes across the UK and we are very encouraged to develop the service further after we have received very positive feedback from our service users. During this financial year, the service has been shaped by user feedback from Alzheimer’s Society’s national Dementia Voices Team, focus groups of activity providers in care settings and Alzheimer Scotland’s ADAM product review team.

[MLTV] increased my happiness as mum is more content and more vocal about her life before diagnosis. We have also had many deep conversations that may not have happened without the introduction of My Life TV. I can leave mum knowing she is happy, entertained and stimulated which allows me to carry out jobs I may not have had the time for. Her good positive mood and demeaner continues throughout the day.

Primary carer responding to MLTV Impact Assessment

In addition, we run our internal feedback survey to service users. In our first round of impact surveys in May 2021, 87% of users reported improved mood and wellbeing of both PLWD and primary carers. This increased to 100% in our second round of surveys in February 2022. 50% primary carers and paid carers reported that MLTV gave them an opportunity for respite and helped them to manage behaviour that challenges in February 2022.

My Life TV Impact Survey Results

Afer Round 2 100% of users reported improved mood and wellbeing of both PLWD and primary carers

Afer Round 1 87% of users reported improved mood and wellbeing of both PLWD and primary carers

----- Start of picture text -----
87% 100%
50%
----- End of picture text -----

50% of primary carers and paid carers reported that MLTV gave them an opportunity for respite and helped them to manage behaviour that challenges

13

Case Study My Life TV in Avon Manor and Connaught Court

Connaught Court

Connaught Court in the city centre of York it supports 94 residents with up to 46 in residential dementia care. Fran Tagg, is one of two Activity Co-ordinators and they have been using My Life TV for almost a year aft er being introduced to it on the Lifesize Touch table.

Avon Manor

Avon Manor in Worthing, Sussex is a residential care home supporting people living with dementia. They specialise in the dementia care mapping system of delivering person centred care to their residents. They subscribed to My Life TV at the beginning of the year and have been using My Life TV on a regular basis. Barbara Buch is an Activity Co-ordinator.

Currently they use My Life TV every week in activity sessions using the TV. Fran told us how she uses it:

“it is so useful to have a place where I can fi nd things instantly for the activity session” and she adds “sometimes I walk in and there can be a lethargic att itude and on other times everyone is very animated so I can pick the right content to adapt to the situation”.

“The yoga sessions are really enjoyed by the residents and we use this in a group session and the residents participate and follow the instruction” and she added “We’re on hand to oversee the session and get feedback from everyone who participates and the response is overwhelmingly positive”.

There are roughly fi ve people in the session and Fran arranges the seating in a family arrangement around the screen so it’s a really communal atmosphere. The residents particularly enjoy & respond to the quizzes and the exercises and they also use some of the archive programmes for reminiscence.

They also use the Quizzes and the Hollywood Actors being one of the most popular as well as the Singalongs with Mr Meredith where the group engage in weekly singalongs, Barbara says:

“it’s a brilliant resource to use and the things that we watch on My Life TV can really spark off conversation”.

“We fi nd the sessions useful to have available as we know the residents enjoy them and it also enables us to engage in conversations about what they’ve seen and this makes them feel important, valued and involved”.

14

Financial review

Total income for the year ended 28 February 2022 was £258,764 (2021: £269,197) and total funds at 28 February 2022 were £160,788 (2021 £166,194). Overall, our fi nancial performance during the year delivered a net income/(expenditure) of £(5,406) (2021:£95,158), thanks to very successful grant income and support from existing and new funders, including some multi-year grants for upcoming fi nancial years.

Restricted income was £67,009 (2021:£131,615) and restricted expenditure was £79,535 (2021:£52,474) generating net restricted (expenditure)/income of £(12,526) (2021:£79,141). Unrestricted income was £191,755 (2021:£137,582) and unrestricted expenditure was £184,635 (2021: £121,565) generating net unrestricted income of £7,120 (2021: £16,017). At the end of the year the charity’s funds consisted of £45,009 (2021:£77,863) of restricted funds and £115,779 (2021: £88,331) of unrestricted funds.

The charitable expenditures increased to £236,061 (2021: £137,849).

Income from trading activities increased to £17,960 (2021:£9,022) as fundraising events have been possible again. The cost of raising funds reduced to £28,109 (2021: £36,190) as a result of one employee being on maternity leave.

My Life TV operation has been moved to the trading arm MLF Productions Limited from FY 21/22. The results of the trading arm are included in the accounting notes.

The Trustees consider the fi nancial position at the year-end as positive and stable.

Going Concern

The Trustees believe My Life Films is a going concern and are confi dent that through a strong grant pipeline, alongside donated income and fundraising, that the charity will continue to be secure. Thanks to grant funding already secured for the next fi nancial year, our unsecured income requirements are lower and we can focus on achieving this remaining income needed to achieve budget.

The charity’s model enables it to scale up and down in activity as income allows and should there be material changes to projected income, the charity can reduce costs to manage its fi nances.

Reserves Policy

The aim of the Reserves Policy is to ensure that the charity’s ongoing and future activities are reasonably protected from unexpected fl uctuations in its income and expenditure. The board reviewed the Reserves Policy and agreed that a minimum level of two-month unrestricted general funds of £35,000 for expenditure is appropriate given the risks faced by the charity and the sustainability of its diff erent income streams. At the end of the fi nancial year, unrestricted funds were £115,779.

The reserves level required is regularly monitored by the Finance Committ ee who will make any required adjustments if and when the need arises. The Reserves Policy is reviewed by the Board on a yearly basis and whenever there are signifi cant changes in My Life Films operations.

Plans for the Future

During 2022/23 our aims are to:

It’s a complete game changer for our residents. Putt ing on some of the fi lms instantly changes their mood. They are happy, laughing, interacting with other residents. We don’t necessarily have to sit with them, we could be doing other things in the room and then they even want to watch it over and over again.

Joanna Warren, Manager of St Mary’s Care Home

15

Structure and Governance

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 17 February 2014 (company number 08898416) and registered as a charity in England and Wales on 27 May 2014 (registered charity number 1157198).

The Charity is registered under the name My Life Films Limited and it operates as My Life Films. The charity has no share capital. 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 28 February 2022 was 9 (2021: 8). The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

The Charity’s governing instrument is the company’s Memorandum & Articles of Association dated 18 January 2014. These set out the objects and powers of the charity and how it is governed. A board of trustees has been appointed in accordance with them. The board has a minimum of three and maximum of ten trustees. The board is responsible for the overall governance of the charity and determines its strategy.

One third of the trustees (or the nearest number to one third) must retire at each AGM by rotation and are eligible for re-appointment. The appointment of new trustees is overseen by the Board following an analysis of the skills and expertise each new trustee brings.

All trustees held office from 28 February 2022 to the date of this report .

During this reporting period My Life Films held four board meetings. The trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out as described in note 11 to the accounts.

Operations

My Life Films is run by the team of staff, freelance film makers and volunteers. This ranges from income generation roles (grants, voluntary income, trading income) and finances to project management, filmmaking, impact reporting and innovation. Along with amazing volunteer support we have many supporters raising funds for us through mass participation events.

During this reporting period the day-to-day running of My Life Films was delegated to the Executive Director Monika Lang, who led the staff team of four. This role is accountable to the Board of Trustees and attended Board meetings.

Related parties

My Life Films has a trading subsidiary MLF Productions Ltd, originally set up if trading income exceeds the legal limits. The trading arm was dormant for most the financial year 2020/21 and has now been activated to support the new service My Life TV and the occasional commercial film production.

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

The Finance Committee has responsibility for nominations and remuneration and actively monitor staff salaries. The key management personnel include the Executive Director.

Risk management

The board manages financial, operational and other risks through regular review at board meetings, as well as Finance Committee meetings. The charity’s risk register details the major risks and mitigating actions that can be applied to them and is regularly reviewed by the board. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with safety of staff, volunteers and clients and these procedures are reviewed periodically.

The charity has registered a data protection policy in accordance with GDPR legislation. Intellectual property rights reside with the families who commission the charity to make the films. The charity has a conflict of interest policy and a reserves policy that is reviewed yearly.

16

Statement of Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of My Life Films Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the fi nancial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare fi nancial statements for each fi nancial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of aff airs 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 fi nancial statements, the trustees are required to:

In so far as the trustees are aware:

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and fi nancial information included on the charitable company’s website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of fi nancial statements may diff er from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Small Company Exemptions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ exemption.

The trustee’s annual report has been approved by the trustees on 14 September 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Alexander Kann Chairman of My Life Films

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the fi nancial position of the charitable group and to enable them to ensure that the fi nancial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

They are also responsible for safe-guarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

17

Independent Examiner’s Report

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of My Life Films Limited for the year ended 28 February 2022

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2022 set out on pages 19 to 30.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

have not been met, or

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Patrick Morrello ACA Third Sector Accountancy Limited Holyoake House Hanover Street Manchester M60 0AS

Date: 20 / 09 / 2022

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

18

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 28 February 2022

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
Charitable activities
8
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year
9
Transfer between funds
Net movement in funds
for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total funds
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total funds
2021
£
173,780
43,009
216,789
70,695
16,000
86,695

24,000
24,000
57,865
115,615
173,480
17,960

17,960
9,022

9,022
15

15


191,775
67,009
258,764
137,582
131,615
269,197
28,109

28,109
36,190

36,190
156,526
79,535
236,061
85,375
52,474
137,849
184,635
79,535
264,170
121,565
52,474
174,039
7,120
(12,526)
(5,406)
16,017
79,141
95,158
20,328
(20,328)

18,960
(18,960)
27,448
(32,854)
(5,406)
34,977
60,181
95,158
88,331
77,863
166,194
53,354
17,682
71,036
115,779
45,009
160,788
88,331
77,863
166,194

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

19

Balance Sheet as at 28 February 2022

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
Intangible assets
15
Investments
16
Total fxed assets
Current assets
Debtors
17
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due in less than one year
18
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
19
Unrestricted income funds
20
Total charity funds
2022
£
6,473
140,089
2022
£
1,995
15,741
1
2021
£
4,628
156,591
2021
£
3,324
9,585
1
17,737
143,051
12,910
153,284
146,562
(3,511)
161,219
(7,935)
160,788 166,194
160,788 166,194
45,009
115,779
77,863
88,331
160,788 166,194

For the year in question, the company was entitled to exemption from an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors’ responsibilities:

These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.

The notes on pages 21 to 30 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

22/09/2022

Jörg Roth (Trustee)

Date Signed

20

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022

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:

e. 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.

a. Basis of preparation

f. Fund accounting

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) issued in 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.

My Life Films Limited 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.

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £ sterling.

b. Judgments and estimates

The trustees have made no key judgments 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.

c. Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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.

g. 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.

h. Tangible fixed assets

The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

d. 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.

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over theirestimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Furniture and equipment 25%

Intangible assets

The charity’s intangible assets are recognised at cost and amortised over their estimated useful economic life on a straight line basis as follows:

Website 25% Mobile Application Development 25% and 50%

The mobile application is a life story app released onto Apple and Google Play stores in October 2021.

21

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

i. 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.

j. 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.

k. 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.

l. Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 10. There were no outstanding contributions at year end. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within the charitable activities and fundraising costs as direct costs.

2. Legal status of the charity

The charity is a private 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 02.

22

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

3. Income from donations and legacies

Donations and grants
Total
4. Income from charitable activities
Grants
Charitable trading
Total
5. Income from other trading activities
Fundraising events
Film sales
Rent received
Total
6. Investment income
Income from bank deposits
Total
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2022
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2021
£
173,780
43,009
216,789
70,695
16,000
86,695
173,780
43,009
216,789
70,695
16,000
86,695
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2022
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2021
£

24,000
24,000
57,836
115,615
173,451



29

29

24,000
24,000
57,865
115,615
173,480
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2022
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2021
£
14,600

14,600
4,162

4,162



1,500

1,500
3,360

3,360
3,360

3,360
17,960

17,960
9,022

9,022
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2022
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2021
£
15

15


15

15


All of the charity’s investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. All investment income is unrestricted.

7. Cost of raising funds

Film making/production costs
Staf costs
Fundraiser’s fees
Fundraising events
Card/donation processing fees
Total
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2022
£
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
Total 2021
£



3,731

3,731
7,949

7,949
24,957

24,957
14,262

14,262
6,024

6,024
5,589

5,589
992

992
309

309
486

486
28,109

28,109
36,190

36,190

23

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Staf costs
Film management
Film production costs
Film making
Mobile app expenses
My Life TV channel
100 Hours project
Premises costs
Accountancy, legal and other professional services
Grant writing
Subscriptions
IT support
Insurance
Telephone
General ofce expenses
Marketing
Bank charges
Depreciation
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure
9. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
This is stated afer charging/(crediting)
Depreciation and amortisation
Independent examiner’s fee
Total 2022
£
Total 2021
£
88,474
45,349
19,127
13,120
732
4,676
18,750
16,375
491

63,740
11,092
720
2,907
14,095
14,555
9,412
5,067
5,438
14,056
4,001
2,897
1,397
1,461
993
963
723
1,029
1,232
648
1,094
302
119
73
5,523
3,279
236,061
137,849
79,535
52,474
156,526
85,375
236,061
137,849
2022
£
2021
£
5,523
3,279
1,440
1,440

24

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

10. Staff costs

Staf costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Allocated as follows:
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities
Staf costs for charitable activities include £19,127 shown separately as Film
Management Costs in note 8.
No employee has employee benefts in excess of £60,000 (2021: Nil).
The average number of staf employed during the period was 4 (2021: 3).
The average full time equivalent number of staf employed during the period
was 3.6 (2021: 3).
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the
Executive Director. The total employee benefts of the key management personnel of
the charity were £42,698 (2021: £13,968). The post of Executive Director was vacant for
part of the previous year.
2022
£
2021
£
104,395
77,636
6,432
3,265
4,723
2,525
115,550
83,426
7,949
24,957
107,601
58,469
115,550
83,426

11. 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 (2021: Nil).

No trustee received travel or subsistence expenses during the year (2021: Nil).

The aggregate donations from related parties was £3,593 (2021: £250). There were no conditions attached to the donations.

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 (2021: Nil).

12. Government Grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:
City of London – Emergency Grant
City of London – London Community Response Fund
National Lotery Community Fund
HMRC Covid Job Recovery Scheme
2022
£
2021
£

6,000

3,000

40,000

4,335

53,335

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

13. 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.

25

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

14. Fixed assets: tangible assets

Cost
At 1 March 2021
At 28 February 2022
Depreciation
At 1 March 2021
Charge for the year
At 28 February 2022
Net book value
At 28 February 2022
At 28 February 2021
15. Fixed assets: intangible assets
Cost
At 1 March 2021
Additions
At 28 February 2022
Depreciation
At 1 March 2021
Charge for the year
At 28 February 2022
Net book value
At 28 February 2022
At 28 February 2021
Ofce
furniture
£
Computer
equipment
£
Total
£
1,881
3,437
5,318
1,881
3,437
5,318
705
1,289
1,994
470
859
1,329
1,175
2,148
3,323
706
1,289
1,995
1,176
2,148
3,324
Website
£
Mobile
application
£
Total
£
7,800
4,710
12,510

10,350
10,350
7,800
15,060
22,860
2,925

2,925
1,950
2,244
4,194
4,875
2,244
7,119
2,925
12,816
15,741
4,875
4,710
9,585

26

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

16. Investments

Investment in the shares of the subsidiary company
MLF Productions Ltd
The charity owns the whole of the issued ordinary share
capital of MLF Productions Ltd, a company registered in
England, register no 12085071. The subsidiary started trading
in March 2021 and is used to produce flms on a commercial
basis and to operate My Life TV, the dementia-friendly
streaming service. My Life TV is within the remit of the
charity’s objects.
Proft and loss account
Income
Expenditure
Net proft/(loss)
Balance sheet aggregates
Current assets
Creditors due in less than one year
Total assets less current liabilities
Net liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Shareholder funds
17. Debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Amount owed to parent undertaking
18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals
2022
£
1

2021
£

1
2022
£
289
2,102
4,082
2022
£
71,802
(71,802)
2022
£
4,683
(4,682)
1
1
4,683
(4,682)
1

2021
£
421
4,207
6,473 4,628
2022
£
618
2,893

2021
£
1,854
6,081
3,511 7,935

27

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

19. Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Purpose
Life story Films
City Bridge Trust
The Frances Winham Foundation
National Lotery Community Fund
My Life TV
The Funding Network
McLay Dementia Trust
Richmond Parish Lands Charity (3)
100 Hours of Conversation
City of London – London Community Response Fund
My Life Films app
Hampton Fund
Other major donors
Others/rent
Richmond Parish Lands Charity (1)
Total
Balance at 1
March 2021
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
Balance at
28 February
2022
£
15,000
24,000
(16,500)

22,500
1,875

(1,551)
(324)

24,000

(24,000)



22,009


22,009

15,000
(15,000)


15,273

(15,273)


925

(720)
(250)

10,290

(491)
(9,799)
10,000


(10,000)

500
6,000
(6,000)

500
77,863
67,009
(79,535)
(20,328)
45,009

Transfers between funds

The Frances Winham Foundation and the City of London/London Community Response Fund

The funders agreed to the change from restricted to unrestricted funds as the related film projects had been completed.

Hampton Fund

This fund is used for the development of a mobile application for films being produced for the beneficiaries of the charity. The expenses capitalised from this fund this year were £9799 and £4710 in the previous year.

Other major donors for My Life Films App

These funds were only partially used for the development of a mobile application for films being produced for the beneficiaries of the charity. The expenses capitalised from these funds were £551. The remainder of £9,449 has been transferred to unrestricted funds for other operational use with the permission of the donors.

28

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

20. Comparative period

Purpose
Life Story Films
Bite Size Pieces
Cadbury Trust
City Bridge Trust
The Frances Winham Foundation
Kew Fete Charity
National Lotery Community Fund
Richmond Parish Lands Charity (2)
WG Edwards Charitable Foundation
My Life TV
Richmond Parish Lands Charity (3)
Weslyan Foundation
100 Hours of Conversation
City of London – London Community Response Fund
The Clothworkers’ Foundation
My Life Films app
Hampton Fund
Other major donors
Others/rent
Richmond Parish Lands Charity (1)
Total
Balance at 1
March 2020
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
Balance at
28 February
2021
£
500

(500)


1,000

(1,000)


6,000
18,000
(9,000)

15,000
5,000

(3,125)

1,875
1,500

(1,500)



40,000
(16,000)

24,000

15,000
(750)
(14,250)


750
(750)



23,865
(8,592)

15,273
2,500

(2,500)



3,000
(2,075)

925
682

(682)



15,000

(4,710)
10,290

10,000


10,000
500
6,000
(6,000)

500
17,682
131,615
(52,474)
(18,960)
77,863

Name of restricted fund

Life Story Films

My Life TV

100 Hours of Conversation

My Life Films app

Others/rent

Description, nature and purposes of the fund

grants toward film-making costs to produce life stories films for people affected by dementia

grants towards the costs of the viability pilot project for My Life TV channel for people affected by dementia

grants towards the cost of calls and conversations by the filmmakers with people affected by dementia

grant and donations towards the costs of developing a mobile application which allows families to create a life story film using their mobile phone. The application is free to use.

grant towards the cost of rent for the charity’s premises

29

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2022 (continued)

20. Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds

General fund
Comparative period
General fund
Name of unrestricted fund
General fund
Balance at 1
March 2021
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
As at 28
February
2022
£
88,331
191,755
(184,635)
20,328
115,779
88,331
191,755
(184,635)
20,328
115,779
Balance at 1
March 2020
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
As at 28
February
2021
£
53,354
137,582
(121,565)
18,960
88,331
53,354
137,582
(121,565)
18,960
88,331
Description, nature and purposes of the fund
The free reserves afer allowing for all designated funds

21. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fxed assets
Intangible fxed assets
Fixed asset investments
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
General
fund
£
Designated
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
1,995


1,995
15,741


15,741
1


1
98,042

45,009
143,051
115,779

45,009
160,788

Comparative period

Tangible fxed assets
Intangible fxed assets
Fixed asset investments
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
General
fund
£
Designated
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
3,324


3,324
9,585


9,585
1


1
75,421

77,863
153,284
88,331

77,863
166,194

30

My Life Films info@mylifefilms.org 2 Dickson House 020 8154 6220 3 Grove Road mylifefilms.org Richmond TW10 6SP @[mylifefilmsorg]

Charity registered in England and Wales 1157198 Company Registration 08898416

32