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2024-03-31-accounts

FIRST Y¥ DAYS CHILDREN'S CHARITY Impact Report & Annual Accounts 2023-2024 i¢'a"i _ I rj

First Days Children’ Charity

Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Welcome from the CEO

Welcome to the First Days Children's Charity Impact Report and Annual Accounts for 2023-24. Inside these pages, you'll discover the incredible impact we've made together this past year. Every statistic represents a child supported, a family empowered, and a future made brighter.

We are encouraged by a growing community of supporters, ensuring that the families we support are giving choice, dignity and power in their lives.

Supporting families is at the centre of all we do at First Days as we continue to pursue our long term ambition to close our doors for good, as we don’t believe charities like ours should exist at all. However, as demand grows for our services we are honoured to continue our work and grateful for every person, funder, business and trust who makes this possible.

Emma Cantrell MBE

Chief Executive

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First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Charity Information

First Days Children’s Charity was founded on 13th January 2012 and was a small Community Group until it received official incorporation from the Charity Commission of England & Wales in 2014.

Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Charity Number

1157855

Date of Incorporation:

15th July 2014

Purpose:

Prevention or relief of poverty through the provision of goods and services throughout the UK

Registered Address:

Unit 9, The Business Centre Molly Millars Lane Wokingham RG41 2QZ

Registered Bank:

Lloyds Bank 30-63-54 49153568

Trustees:

Rob Cant (Chair) Emma Paterson Emma Nolan Sarah Chaytor Hayley Blakeman

First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

What do we do?

We empower and support families suffering financial hardship to change their lives. We walk alongside them to give choice and restore dignity, so that every child can have the same start in life.

We believe that there is no place in society for charities like ours, and we would like to close our doors for good because there is no need in our community.

Until that time we will continue to be at the place where compassion meets action.

Who needs our help? of the families we support are lone 72% parents

12% 5%

have fled domestic abuse in the past few weeks

11%

31%

34%

are from the Global Majority, compared to 13% of the local population

of the parents we support are in work, but receiving low income related benefits

are employed but receive no benefits

have no recourse to are struggling 66% public funds with debts

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First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Supporting families is at the centre of everything we do at First Days

Our Family Support and specialist Coaches empower and encourage parents who are struggling financially to find the support they need, grow in confidence, and create a life they are proud of. We walk alongside parents for as long as they need, offering emotional and peer support, helping them access other services, life changing coaching and access to our essential items projects if needed.

n i Essential Items for Families*

We provide School Uniforms, laptops and equipment for learning to children aged 4-18 and we have a baby bank, with everything you need for babies and into the early years. We also provide beds to children who don't have anywhere safe to sleep and gifts at Christmas to children who would otherwise go without.

It's really important to us that parents have everything they need to meet their children's essential needs, and we do this by giving them choice and empowering them to access the support they need in a way that is dignified and compassionate.

The Chance to Thrive

We provide many opportunities throughout the year that give children a chance to thrive in the childhood. That might be opportunities to attend sporting events, join new clubs, go to the theatre or embrace a new hobby. All things that are financially out of reach for many, but vital to a thriving and inspiring childhood.

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First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Working with our Community

We work closely with SHARE Wokingham and Wokingham Foodbank, alongside Wokingham Lions and other members of our community to deliver a community supermarket, offering a choice of low cost food to local people who need it.

With the same organisations we offer a Christmas experience like no other - A Christmas Presence gives families the chance to experience all the joys of visiting Father Christmas, meeting animals, creating Christmas crafts and receiving gifts, without the hefty price tag that so often comes with Christmas events.

We also work with Wokingham Lions to recycle and reuse laptops, providing working devices to children and parents who need them for their education and learning.

Working to Improve our Community

We are part of the Hardship Alliance, alongside Wokingham United Charities, Citizens Advice Wokingham, Age UK Berkshire and Wokingham Borough Council, working to improve the lives of Wokingham Borough Residents who are experiencing hardship and inequality.

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First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Our Impact

This year we have made huge changes in how we support families, introducing Coaching and specialist family support alongside peer support to our core services, ensuring that whilst children get all the essential items they need, parents are supported too. We walk alongside parents to ensure that they have all the tools they need to not need charitable support in the future.

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06

First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

The difference we make

We prevent families from getting into debt. 47% of the families we support said that without our intervention they would have got into debt with banks, credit cards or doorstep lenders. A further 20% said that they would have had to borrow money from friends or family to cover the costs of essentials.

Early Intervention and Prevention: Our aim is to make as big a difference as we can, as early as possible in order to prevent further trauma, harm or hardship in family life.

85% of the families we supported said that having choice over the options available to them was ‘very important’ to them.

We ensure that children have everything they need to meet their basic needs - 34% of the families we support said that they would have gone without essentials without the support of First Days.

“I was at my worst mental health due to multiple issues, I hadn’t eaten or left the house for 6 days. My anxiety was through the roof but I knew I had to go to get some help. 12% I was greeted by such wonderful, caring and amazing staff. They will have no idea how much their support means to me ... I don’t feel so alone anymore. I feel stronger and more ready to face life. Thank you.”

We support parents who are struggling with low self confidence, through our coaching programme, helping them grow their confidence and find solutions to any issues they are facing.

We save over £900k a year in household budgets

“To know that someone is ready to listen and understand is brilliant. The First Days team always make you feel that you matter and are not just a number.”

07

First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Our Community of Supporters

Our volunteers are essential to us delivering our services, we are lucky enough to have regular volunteers who give their time every week to help us sort donations, support families and deliver all of our services.

6,934 Regular volunteer hours

2,311 Corporate volunteer hours

Thanks to the generosity of so many corporate supporters we are able to achieve so much to help families, from lifting and shifting and sorting stock to redecorating our community spaces - there is always something for a willing team of volunteers to get stuck into at First Days.

First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Our Funders

We’d like to extend special thanks to the following community groups, businesses and funders who have enabled us to help so many families.

09

First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Bringing 5,000 people together in our Community

Our fundraising events are the highlight of the year not just for us at First Days but for the families we support and the wider community in Wokingham, Bracknell and Reading.

Our ticket pricing structure is inclusive of all financial situations and our events are welcoming and have a true community feel - we are very excited for the years to come as we grow these events to be bigger and better for our community.

£51,618 vital funds raised

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First Days Children’ Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

Trustees Annual Report

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The charity was incorporated on 15th July 2014; It is controlled by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and constitutes a limited

company, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Related Parties

There are no related parties and no related party transactions.

Risk management

Risks are reviewed at quarterly Trustee meetings.

Recruitment, Appointment and Induction of New Trustees

Details of the trustees are disclosed on page 2. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

The charity’s Articles of Association provide for a quorum of three members. Where there is a requirement for new trustees, these would be recruited and appointed by the Chairman and existing trustees. The Chairman and Chief Executive are responsible for the induction of any new trustees.

Governance

The trustees delegate the day-to-day running of the charity to the Chief Executive and she, in turn, works with senior managers across the organisation.

The trustees’ main contribution is at a strategic level and they retain overall responsibility for the charity’s governing document. They also retain responsibility for the budgets and reserve policy.

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

The board of Trustees reviews and agrees the annual remuneration of the CEO, which is benchmarked against similar organisations.

STRATEGIC REPORT

Mission and Goals

First Days aims to restore the dignity, choices and power that is often taken from people whose life experience is negatively affected by low-income. We do this by equipping families with the essential items they need for their children in the early years and at school, providing peer support and guidance and specialist coaching.

Public Benefit

First Days has helped 5,968 children this year by providing them with essential items; saving each household, on average £242 in their budget to help with other essential costs.

Fundraising

In 2023/4 our total fundraising income was £596,395 (£530,951, 22-23).

With a continued increase in demand for our services, we are seeking to develop and grow our fundraising portfolio and utilise our resources more effectively.

Policies

The safety and well-being of all the adults, children and young people we work with is at the heart of everything we do. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which is regularly reviewed.

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Performance

First Days’ total income including fundraising and grants was £597,911 (£530,951: 22-23) We invested £57,175 in raising this income and spent £480,260 in support of our core objectives.

Reserves Policy

The general reserves are required by the charity to meet its objectives of supporting families in need, to protect its current activities, and to allow the trustees to meet their responsibilities and ensure the charity continues on a going concern basis.

At the balance sheet date of 31 March 2024, the total unrestricted reserves were £162,270.

The Reserves Policy requires that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of 3 months of core operating costs for the following year. Therefore, £43,986 has been retained for use in the financial year 2024-25.

Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about First Days’ ability to continue as a going concern. There are no material uncertainties affecting the current year’s accounts.

Principal Funding Sources

First Days has a broad funding base, attracting support from a wide range of sources, including: corporate supporters (large and small), individual donors (giving on either an ad hoc basis or in a more regular way), fundraising events, individual and group challenge activities and community fundraising groups.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are constantly learning and evolving to ensure that we are doing the best we can for all communities across our area. We are recruiting volunteers from the communities we serve, and now have these volunteers in all of our teams across the organisation. All of our front line staff have lived experience of the communities we serve.

PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. A risk register is regularly reviewed by the trustees and helps shape the ongoing development of our plans. The Trustees consider the key strategic risks to be in the areas of:

•Ability to meet demand for services especially in the cost of living crisis.

•A fixed cost base.

Risks are deemed to be of a strategic nature if their potential impact could have a material effect on our ability to meet our mission and goals. Their presence is therefore a reflection of the priority we attach to them as opposed to our confidence in our ability to mitigate them. Sustainable income – Whilst the external environment is challenging for fundraising, there are opportunities as well as risks associated with it.

The trustees recognise the importance of developing and maintaining a variety of revenue sources, thus providing continued stability of income in the future, and maintaining this breadth and variety of income source will remain a key component of our long term fundraising strategy.

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing this report in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Charity 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and group enabling them to ensure they comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and group 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 including on the charities website. Legislation in the United Kingdom may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The Trustees’ annual report has been approved by the Trustees ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

Rob Cant – Chair of Trustees Date:

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st March 2024

All transactions are derived from continuing activities. All recognised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. Except for gains/(losses) on investments, there is no difference from the results above and the historical cost position.

Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
218,776
218,776
215,898
Charitable Donations
145,037
227,072
372,109
315,053
Charitable Activities
7,027
7,029
Other Trading Activities
Incoming resources
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
218,776
218,776
215,898
Charitable Donations
145,037
227,072
372,109
315,053
Charitable Activities
7,027
7,029
Other Trading Activities
Incoming resources
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
Charitable Donations 218,776 218,776 215,898
Charitable Activities 145,037 227,072 372,109 315,053
Other Trading Activities 7,027 7,029
Total 370,839 227,072 597,911 530,951
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
57,175
60,549
Raising Funds
256,061
224,199
480,260
462,884
Charitable Activities
Resources expended
57,175
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
57,175
60,549
Raising Funds
256,061
224,199
480,260
462,884
Charitable Activities
Resources expended
57,175
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
Total 313,237 224,199 537,435 523,433
57,176
2,873
60,475
7,518
Net income/expenditure before investment gain losses
57,602
2,873
60,475
7,518
Net income/expenditure
22,586
22,586
Extraordinary Items
(190)
(190)
Other gain/loss
Net income/expenditure before investment gain losses 57,176 2,873 60,475 7,518
Net income/expenditure 57,602 2,873 60,475 7,518
Extraordinary Items 22,586 22,586
Other gain/loss (190) (190)
Net movement in funds 79,998 2,873 82,872 7,518
7,518
7,518
-
Total funds brought forward
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 7,518 7,518 -
Total funds carried forward 87,516 2,873 90,390 7,518

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First Days Children’s Charity

Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st March 2024

Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
Fixed Assets
Er
15,513
15,513
14,936
Tangible Assets
15,513
15,513
14,936
Total fixed Assets
———_———
Current Assets
29,263
29,263
20,183
Debtors
123,493
123,493
72,738
Cash at bank in hand
152,756
152,756
92,921
Total current assets
~~SO~~
5,999
5,999
28,884
Creditors due falling within one year
146,757
146,757
64,038
Net current assets/liabilities
162,270
162,270
79,398
Total net assets or liabilities
~~a~~
Funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds
162,270
162,270
79,398
Unrestricted Funds
162,270
162,270
79,398
Total Funds
~~rr~~
The net movement of funds in the year relating to 2023-24 was£8,872.
The financial statements are approved and authorised by the Board of the Trustees on 26th
January 2025 and were signed below on its behalf by:

Rob Cant - Chair of Trustees

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 Accounting policies

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) – (Charities SORP 2015 (Second Edition, effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. First Days Children’s Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Judgements and estimates

The Trustees have made no key judgements 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.

Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

Trustees have reviewed forecast income, expenditure and cash flows in the planning process and consider that the charity will have adequate resources to continue for the foreseeable future, despite what they anticipate to be a prolonged period of ongoing economic challenge and uncertainty due to external economic conditions. There are no material uncertainties faced by the charity. It is therefore appropriate to continue to prepare the accounts is on a going concern basis.

Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to income, it is probable that income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Income from 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.

Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.

Irrecoverable Value Added Tax (VAT)

Expenditure on which there is irrecoverable VAT is shown within each relevant cost category gross of VAT.

Raising Funds

These costs are incurred in relation to the fundraising events. As well as the direct costs associated with each event, costs are included in relation to staff members who are engaged directly in fundraising events, publicity

campaigns to generate income and an appropriate proportion of their use of shared facilities and central services.

Charitable Activities

Liabilities for expenses are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a specific commitment creating an obligation and an expectation that a wish will be fulfilled.

The liabilities at the balance sheet date are included both as creditors due within one year and creditors due after more than one year.

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

Gifts in Kind

The charity receives the benefit of work carried out by volunteers, the value of which is not included in these accounts.

Donated goods

The charity receives donations from the public of second-hand items for babies and children which are passed onto families in need, free of charge. The value of these goods are not included in these accounts.

Cost of Administration

These costs are allocated to the cost of raising funds and charitable activities on the basis of an appropriate apportionment of resources and activities.

Leases

Payments under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the life of the lease.

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.

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.

2. Legal status of the charity

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission and has no share capital.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment 20% on cost Motor Vehicles 20% on cost, when the vehicle is less than 12 years old.

The registered office is:

Unit 9, The Business Centre, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham RG41 2QZ.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can be used only for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Pensions

Employees of the charity are entitled to join the NEST pension scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions enclosed. Pension costs are allocated in line with associated costs of the relevant employee.

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
168,533
168,533
195,428
Charitable donations
702
Gift Aid
3. Analysis of Income
145,037
227,072
372,109
315,053
Grants
50,242
50,242
19,243
Event Income
7,027
7.027
525
Sale of Product Income
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
168,533
168,533
195,428
Charitable donations
702
Gift Aid
3. Analysis of Income
145,037
227,072
372,109
315,053
Grants
50,242
50,242
19,243
Event Income
7,027
7.027
525
Sale of Product Income
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Prior Year
funds (£)
Event Income 50,242 50,242 19,243
Sale of Product Income 7,027 7.027 525
Total 370,839 227,072 597,911 530,951

4. Analysis of Receipt of Government Grants

This Year

This Year
Wokingham Borough Council - Household Support Fund 30,000
Wokingham Borough Council - Tackling Poverty 110,343
Bracknell Forest Council - Household Support Fund 30,000
Reading Borough Council 1,287
Central Government Cost of Living Fund 75,000
Total 246,630

Last Year

Wokingham Borough Council - Household Support Fund 64,116
Wokingham Borough Council - Tackling Poverty 30,010
Reading Borough Council 3,000
Wokingham Borough Council - Ukrainian Response 17,960
Wokingham Borough Council - HAF 5,140
Total 120,226

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First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

5. Donated Goods, Facilities and Services

Donated goods are not recognised at a value as they are donated to the charity and distributed as part of our charitable activities. Unpaid volunteers are a key element of delivery of our charitable services.

Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Incurred seeking donations
This Year
4. Analysis of expenditure
8,189
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
8,189
9,516
9,516
Incurred seeking grants
41,402
41,402
38,914
38,914
Staging fundraising events
7,584
7,584
11,950
11,950
Direct Mail
169
169
Expenditure on raising funds
Last Year Last Year Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Incurred seeking donations 8,189 8,189 9,516 9,516
Incurred seeking grants 41,402 41,402 38,914 38,914
Staging fundraising events 7,584 7,584 11,950 11,950
Direct Mail 169 169
Total 57,175 57,175 60,549 60,549
Staff costs
This Year
189,855
Last Year
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
Unrestricted
funds (£)
Restricted
funds (£)
Total
funds (£)
128,679
318,543
62,998
137,959
200,957
Building & Insurance
60,346
30,546
90,892
83,653
83,653
Administrative costs
5,880
16,449
22,309
24,042
24,042
Cost of goods to beneficiaries
48,525
48,525
90,115
90,115
Expenditure on
charitable activities
Household Support Fund
(Direct payments to beneficiaries)
64,116
64,116
Staff costs
Building & Insurance
Administrative costs
Cost of goods to beneficiaries
Household Support Fund
(Direct payments to beneficiaries)
256,061 224,199 480,260 260,809 137,959 464,884
Last Year
Total
Last Year
Total Expenditure
313,236 224,199 537,435 321,358 137,959 523,433
4. Paid Staff
This Year
Last Year
296,909
195,467
53,557
19,437
9,470
3,055
Salaries
Social Security Costs
Pension costs
Salaries 296,909 195,467
Social Security Costs 53,557 19,437
Pension costs 9,470 3,055
Total Staff Costs 359,936 217,959

One employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period between £60,000 and £69,999. The total amount paid to key management personnel (including trustees and senior management) for their services to the charity is £62,223.

The charity has 17 employees, FTE 10.1; last year this was 13 employees, FTE 6.4.

19

First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Accounts 23-24

This Year (£)
8 Defined contribution
pension scheme
Last Year (£)
This Year (£)
8 Defined contribution
pension scheme
Last Year (£)
This Year (£)
8 Defined contribution
pension scheme
Last Year (£)
Amount of contributions recognised in
the SOFA as an expense
9,470 3,101
9 Tangible Fixed Assets
Plant, machinery &
motor vehicles (£)
Fixtures, fittings &
equipment (£)
Total (£)
11,544
7,242
18,786
At the beginning of the year
Trade debtors
This Year
10 Debtors &
Prepayments
Last Year
0
7,242
7,242
At the end of the year
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income 29,263 20,183
Total 29,263 20,183

Analysis of debtors recoverable in more than 1 year (including debtors above)

Prepayments and accrued income This Year Last Year
Total 20,183 20,183
Last year
(£)
This year
(£)
Last year
(£)
This year
(£)
22,586
Accruals and deferred income
5,667
3,717
Taxation and social security
11. Creditors and Accruals
Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Trade Creditors
332.50
332.50
Other creditors
5,999
26,846
This Year (£)
12 Cash at Bank in hand
Last Year (£)
Last year
(£)
This year
(£)
Last year
(£)
This year
(£)
22,586
Accruals and deferred income
5,667
3,717
Taxation and social security
11. Creditors and Accruals
Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Trade Creditors
332.50
332.50
Other creditors
5,999
26,846
This Year (£)
12 Cash at Bank in hand
Last Year (£)
Amounts falling due within one year Amounts falling due within one year Amounts falling due within one year Amounts falling due after more than one year Amounts falling due after more than one year
This year
(£)
Last year
(£)
This year
(£)
Last year
(£)
Cash at bank in hand 123,429 72,738
Total 123,429 72,738

20

First Days Children’s Charity Impact Report & Annual Accounts 23-24

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st March 2024

Report to the Trustees of First Days Children’s Charity Registered Charity Number: 1157855

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (the Trust) for the year ended 31/03/2024.

Responsibilities and basis of the report:

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the application Directions given by the charity commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiners Report: The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in other to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Full Name

Ashley-Martin Llewellyn Teppler

Relevant professional qualifications or body:

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (member ID 1-7IMMQX)

Address:

14 Wallis Drive, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire. RG26 5XQ

21

FIRST DAYS CHILDREN’S CHARITY

First Days Warehouse (Donations, Admin & Fundraising): Unit 9, The Business Centre, Molly Millars Lane. RG41 2QZ Elevate Centre (Family Support Team, Coaching, CEO and Logistics): Seymour House, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2AZ School Days (School Uniform Project & Babybank):

3 The Courtyard, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2AZ

Phone: 0118 921 9338

email: info@firstdays.net web: firstdays.net

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