2023-11-30-accounts

Registered number: 07849857 Charity number: 1158666

BALLOONS (DEVON)

(A company limited by guarantee)

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

CONTENTS

	Page
Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers	1
Trustees' report	2 - 10
Independent examiner's report	11 - 12
Statement of financial activities	13
Balance sheet	14 - 15
Notes to the financial statements	16 - 32

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Trustees	S Bright, Chairman
	R Bending, Treasurer (resigned 9 June 2023)
	M Betts
	H Roberts
	J Bearman, Treasurer
	A Monaghan
	C Holt
	C Campbell
	L J Martin
	I Stevens
	M Sharp
	E Thomas
Company registered number 07849857 Charity registered number 1158666 Registered office First Floor 6 Providence Court Pynes Hill Exeter Devon EX2 5JL Chief executive officer N Clarke Accountants Griffin Chartered Accountants Courtenay House Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5AZ Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC 234 High Street Exeter Devon EX4 3NL

Page 1

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Balloons (Devon) for the 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The charitable objectives of Balloons (Devon) are:

• To preserve and protect health, primarily in Devon, by providing advice, support and counselling in respect of pre and post bereavement suffered by children, young people and young adults (up to 25 years of age) and their families/carers.

• To advance education and training in pre and post bereavement support for the public benefit in particular for professionals and volunteers working with children, young people and young adults.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

Achievements and performance

a. Review of activities

Who we are:

Balloons provides pre and post-bereavement support to children and young people (aged 5-25) and their caregivers in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. We also provide advice and training to professionals working across a range of disciplines.

Research clearly indicates that the death of a significant loved one is a critical, traumatic moment for children and young people. Unsupported children and young people have poorer health and educational outcomes, are more likely to enter the criminal justice system, have higher teenage pregnancy rates, are more prone to a range of psychological disturbances. Balloons support mitigates against these negative health, educational and social outcomes.

Our Vision:

That bereaved children and young people have somewhere to turn when someone significant in their lives dies.

Our Mission:

To support bereaved children and young people in our area when someone significant in their life dies. To work alongside their families and the professionals who provide care to them to further enhance the support they receive.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Our overall social objectives:

• That death is talked about more openly and the taboo around death is lessened

• That grieving is seen as a natural process which is part of the human condition

• That the grief experienced by children and young people is honoured and respected and families and communities are better able to support bereaved children and young people

• That bereaved children and young people are more resilient and have enhanced coping strategies

Our Values :

1. Open, reflective and responsive: delivering a service which centrally positions the needs and concerns of bereaved children and young people and creates a safe space for them to process grief, remaining dynamic and responsive and building a bespoke and creative support package

2. Compassionate: ensuring that bereaved children and young people are treated with dignity and respect and listened to without judgement

3. Supportive: supporting the professional and family communities within which children and young people live so that they in turn can provide support to bereaved children and young people

4. Innovative: willing to engage with new developments in the field of childhood grief and ensure that our practice is relevant and forward thinking

5. Trustworthy: building relationships that are open, honest, collaborative and children and young people centred

Our Services:

This year we have delivered a wider range of services to support bereaved children and young people:

1. 1:1 support - we work with children and young people when someone significant in their lives has died (post bereavement) or is going to die (pre-bereavement). The majority of our work is where a parent or significant carer has died. Our 1:1 support work is bespoke, responding to the individual needs of the children and young people and resulting in a range of positive outcomes - the ability to maintain emotional and social health and to stay positively engaged in family and school life.

2. Telephone and email helpline – our helpline provides comfort, advice, information and coping ideas for the pre-bereavement and post-bereavement phase. We frequently send out care packages and resources following these conversations.

3. Training for partners and local agencies - we provide childhood grief training for professionals equipping schools and other agencies with the skills and knowledge to better support grieving children and young people. This means that our work doesn’t just impact on individuals and families, but also enables changes in the communities that children and young people live in.

4. Coaching – we introduced a new coaching service in 2021. Where we couldn’t work alongside grieving children and young people ourselves through the pandemic, we seized the opportunity to provide intensive coaching support to school staff who could. In this way these pupils could still be supported in their grief, and school staff benefitted from our specialist guidance and support and gained new skills and knowledge. This service has continued but is very small scale, with schools preferring our workers to go in wherever possible.

5. Activity Days – we run a range of activities throughout the year to bring together those who have received a service from us to enhance their personal sense of wellbeing in a safe environment with others who have had similar bereavement experiences; reducing feelings of isolation.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, we continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

b. Reserves policy

Our Reserves Policy is carefully considered and reviewed on a regular basis. Balloons receives no statutory funding and is reliant on the generosity of the public and grant givers in order to provide its services. With limited exception, financial commitments to Balloons tend to be short term in duration, and as such Balloons income streams are variable across each year. For that reason the Trustee Board aims to maintain the charity’s reserves at a level commensurate with six to nine months of operating expenditure (between £114,000 and £171,000 based on the 2023/24 budget). In deciding the level of reserves, Trustees aim to ensure that we are not carrying too high a level of reserves which could be spent delivering our aims and objectives, but that we have a sufficient cushion to give us time to secure the future of Balloons should reserves fall to this lower limit. Balloons Free Reserves at year end were £252,236 which equates to just under 12 months of operational expenditure and therefore slightly higher than our targeted position.

Our 2023/24 budget indicates that we have a funding gap of just under £89,000. The lack of recurrent funding for Balloons means that it is usual for Balloons to have a funding shortfall at the start of each year and as always, we seek to reduce this funding gap during the course of the year. Whilst we are taking a prudent approach, we continue to remain positive that Balloons will successfully navigate the financial challenges, thanks to the generous support of all our funders and the great work of the staff team.

c. Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustees regularly review the major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. 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.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

d. Review of 2023

The Statement of Financial Activities shows total income received for the year to 30 November 2023 of £155,389 (2022 - £356,331) with total expenditure for the year of £217,606 (2022 - £216,001), to generate a deficit of £62,217 (2022 - surplus £140,330). The charity began the year with reserves of £331,884 and ended the year with reserves of £269,667, of which £17,431 (2022 - £53,709) was restricted and £252,236 (2022 - £278,175) was unrestricted, including £21,500 designated reserves (2022- £32,000).

Our financial position last year was buoyed by the receipt of a significant legacy donation. This legacy was the main cause of last year's surplus and the board took the decision in 2022 to designate funds of £32,000 in order to improve and develop the organisation's fundraising capabilities and ultimately the benefit of Balloons to our service users. £21,500 of this will be spent in the coming 2 years.

However, as we have come to the end of 2023, our financial position is much more challenging. We have had a harder year with the impact of inflation on costs, coupled with a reduction in income through fundraising. We like many charities are feeling the impact of the cost of living on donations and giving, as well as finding grants increasingly competitive to win. Therefore, we have had to use £62,217 of our reserves this year in order to cover our costs, and seeking new ways to bring in income will be critical in 2024.

Direct Work :

In terms of support to our beneficiaries, 2023 has been a positive year for Balloons; delivering one to one grief support sessions, running a programme of well received activity days, responding to parents, carers and schools through our telephone helpline and email support, sending out care packages.

Our work with bereaved children, young people and their families has continued to be crucial in the local community. Balloons is well placed to play a vital role in the prioritisation of bereaved children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The demand for our services is extremely high as parents, carers, social workers and schools have been reaching out to us to provide our specialist grief support. We respond to all calls and emails providing advice and information, sending resources, offering coaching or one to one grief support, as appropriate.

Our volunteer Grief Support Workers have given us a fantastic team out in the community, providing vital Grief Support Work and have reached 133 children and young people directly over the year.

The year ended with Balloons being featured on the BBC as part of its Children in Need coverage – both BBC South West radio and BBC Spotlight. This was a great opportunity to share about what we do and raise our profile locally. A huge thanks to the young people who bravely shared their story.

2023 Service Statistics:

• We responded to 401 enquiries regarding post-bereavement support

• We responded to 86 enquiries regarding pre-bereavement support

• We delivered 439 hours of telephone support

• We supported 133 C&YP in 1:1 grief support (14 pre bereavement, 113 post bereavement and 6 coaching cases)

• We sent out 217 care packages

• We had 4 new Grief Support Workers starting to volunteer with us following their training

• We delivered childhood grief training to 100 professionals

• We ran 6 activity days attended by 114 children and parents/carers. These days included a wellbeing day at the Donkey Sanctuary, pottery workshops, print making and a driving experience

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

For the children and young people that we provided one to one support to:

• The majority has been providing post bereavement support (87%) with the rest pre bereavement support (13%).

• The ages have ranged from 5 – 23 this year, with the majority of work being with 6 – 16 year olds. We have worked with those who identify as female 59% and male 41%, the majority are White British and 30% identify as having additional needs - a significant increase from 9% last year.

• 53% of our work has been when a parent or primary carer dies, 22% where grandparents have died and the rest where a sibling, friend, or other relative has died.

• Illness remained the main cause of death for 68% of our work, followed by sudden death, 19%, and a small number of cases where there has been suicide, accident or infant death.

Feedback:

We receive feedback and monitor our services to see how we can improve and best respond to the needs of those we work with. We provide additional training for our Grief Support workers and this year this has focussed on pre bereavement support, working with those where someone has died by and who has additional needs.

"C was so helpful and understanding, my sessions with her felt like an open space where I could say anything I felt I needed to get off my chest. I felt very safe in these sessions which definitely helped me to talk about how I was feeling... Thank you so much for everything:)" (Young Person)

"It was really good and L was a nice lady." (Child)

"Please pass on our gratitude to N. She’s been so lovely to M ….and it’s all been timed to perfection as next week will mark a year without her Grandad…. she’s now got some great ways to deal with her emotions related to her grief. It’s definitely been a very beneficial experience. Thank you again we are so grateful." (Parent)

"B is now in a better mindset about the death of her great Gran. She seems to of moved on in her stage of grief which is really good news." (Parent)

"Balloons have gone above and beyond our expectations. Y received a memory box and a quilt which were so lovely and thoughtful and has given her a massive boost. The sessions have given her a another place to share her emotions which I couldn’t provide as we go through our different grief journeys. I cannot thank Balloons enough and it is such a shame it doesn’t receive more funding to support children who are going through a difficult time" (Parent)

"F has seen T for 7 sessions and F has reported back to us that he has found these sessions really beneficial, he reports that he felt really comfortable opening up to T and that he felt that T really understood him in a way that not many people have before. Working with T has had such a positive impact on F's ability to deal with his grief and his well being." (Teacher)

"The child's parent commented recently how grateful they were for the Balloons grief support for the boys. We as a school cannot thank you enough for all you do to help the children and families at our school." (Teacher)

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Balloons Trustees:

The Board has continued to work hard and govern the charity appropriately, this has included updating our Articles of Association to make them more fit for purpose.

The Board has undergone a significant change in the last 18 months with a number of our longest serving trustees stepping down. This year we said goodbye to Rob Bending our Treasurer who provided invaluable guidance and leadership for Balloons. At the time of writing we have recruited a new trustee to our finance board who will be joining in 2024.

I am very grateful to my fellow board members for rising to the challenges of the last year. We have never lost sight of the role of governance in delivering the values and cultures across the charity.

Balloons Staff:

As ever I want to thank the small, dedicated staff team for everything they have done during the year. They never waver from their commitment to delivering a quality service to grieving children and young people.

Nicola Clarke completed her first year in post as our new CEO, taking forward the work of the charity. Nicola has worked well with the new trustee board and has continued to make changes to modernise the way Balloons works. The charity is still enjoying its new base in Pynes Hill. The new location has been great for the team, and has meant that we are now able to run most of our meetings and training on site and provide some 121 grief support. Ikea have kindly improved our two meeting spaces so they are more appropriate for sessions with children and young people, and we had local Graffiti artist ‘Garf’ paint us a mural to brighten up our stairwell and make it a more welcoming place. Home working continues for staff for part of their weeks, and this works really well with Sharepoint, Teams and an online phone system. Nicola has also led the delivery of our new strategy, which was set last year with the board and staff team. Developments have included an overhaul of Lamplight – our children and young people’s monitoring system, a new website, introduction of a new fundraising database, building relationships with other local Child Bereavement Charities and introducing some new wellbeing support for staff. The strategy has recently been reviewed with clear priorities and plans for the coming year.

Donna James, Clare Hammond and Liz Cook continued to be excellent clinical managers throughout the year, supporting many families and carers over the phone, running activity days aswell as providing training, supervision and support to the volunteer team to in turn support our client group.

Our Office Manager, Tristan Billing, continues to play a key role supporting across the whole staff and volunteer team and working with the CEO on improvement projects to make the most of digital and online working. Tristan also brings a creative flair to the team and has helped us to professionalise our brand through designing resources for the team.

We were delighted to welcome Nasim Hartmann in July this year as our first ever fundraiser. Nasim is already known to Balloons, having been a Grief Support Worker for a number of years. Nasim will be working part time to focus on growing fundraising across individuals, corporates and community organisations. This additional support will be critical to Balloons in the year ahead with our priority on fundraising.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Grief Support Worker Volunteers:

We are extremely lucky to have a wonderful team of volunteer Grief Support Workers, trained and supported by the clinical team. We often receive very positive feedback on the quality of our volunteer training programme and know that the calibre of volunteers who are picked is at the highest level.

Throughout the year, 33 volunteer Grief Support Workers have supported 133 children and young people, and we are extremely grateful for their time, commitment and dedication. Our volunteers are at the heart of our service and we continue to provide excellent support, supervision and CPD opportunities. This year Devon Community Foundation (DCF) provided some funding to Balloons through their ‘Support the supporters’ programme which we were able to use to provide volunteer team meetings, run our annual conference including sourcing external training and speakers.

It has however been another difficult year for growing the team of volunteers. Our volunteer numbers have reduced slightly over the year. Despite training new people we have lost a number of others who have needed to step back for caring, health or work reasons.

Our focus on 2024 is to work again on promoting our volunteer opportunities and seeking new individual to train. The more volunteers we have, the more children and young people we can support, and therefore we will continue in our focus to find ways to promote and deliver our training to reach as any people as we can.

Balloons Funding:

Full details of all those who financially supported us during this year can be found in our accounts. We are incredibly grateful to them all. In many ways we ‘punch above our weight’ and deliver so much on quite modest amounts.

We continue to fundraise on a regular basis and have had a range of grants which have enabled us to deliver our services in 2023. In particular we benefited from our final instalment of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. This started in September 2021 and represented approximately 50% of our running costs. Seeking alternative funds to meet this gap is a priority for us.

We also received generous one-off funds from Trusts and Foundations including Comic Relief, Children in Need, Beacon Lodge, Devon Community Foundation, Farringdon House Trust, St James’ Place, Tesco, The Norman Family, Gibbons Family Trust, Albert Hunt Trust, Monica Rabagliati. Thank you to them all.

A huge thank you to those corporates and organisations that have supported us this year including: Whitehead Building Services, Armada Asset Finance, Exeter and Devon Crematorium, Puffins Nursery, Wilton Bradley, Skipton Building Society, Pertemps, Barratt Homes, Princess Theatre, Persimmon Homes, Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation, Exeter Chiefs, Practice Plus Group.

We are also extremely grateful for all the individuals who donate and raise money for us through fundraising.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

Balloons (Devon) is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Trust deed.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management (continued)

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

c. Pay policy for key management personnel

The Trustees are responsible for recruiting and appointing staff with the relevant skills and experience to deliver executive roles as required. Key management personnel receive regular appraisals.

Plans for future periods

Looking ahead:

In 2024 we will build on the great work from the last year; continuing to strengthen and grow the staff team and trustee board in order to effectively and safely support more bereaved children and young people who need our support.

Our key priority is to secure funding in light of the Lottery grant coming to an end. As well as seeking further grant funding, we also plan to also build on our strong history of community and corporate fundraising, supported by our new fundraiser – a first for Balloons.

We are passionate about supporting as many children and young people as we can and aim to grow our volunteer team to be able to reduce waiting times and work with more people, as well as piloting some group work.

Behind the scenes we will continue to modernise and further improve processes for the future.

As ever I am incredibly grateful to the staff team, my fellow Trustees, and the Balloons volunteers, who worked throughout the year to ensure that we were able to support so many grieving children, young people and their families.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);

• make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.

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

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

S Bright (Chair of Trustees) Date: 30/01/2024

J Bearman (Treasurer)

30/01/2024

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Balloons (Devon) ('the Company')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 November 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

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

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: Dated: 31/1/24

Laura Waycott FCA

Griffin Chartered Accountants Courtenay House Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5AZ

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments 6 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward	Restricted funds 2023 £ 87,599 - - 87,599 123,877 123,877 (36,278) 53,709 (36,278) 17,431	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 64,902 - 2,888 67,790 93,729 93,729 (25,939) 278,175 (25,939) 252,236	Total funds 2023 £ 152,501 - 2,888 155,389 217,606 217,606 (62,217) 331,884 (62,217) 269,667	Total funds 2022 £ 354,888 1,153 290
				356,331
				216,001
				216,001
				140,330
				191,554 140,330
				331,884

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 16 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

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(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07849857

BALLOONS (DEVON)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets excluding pension asset Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 14 Unrestricted funds 14 Total funds	842 269,660 270,502 (1,649)	2023 £ 814 814 268,853 269,667 269,667 269,667 17,431 252,236 269,667	421 330,445 330,866 (1,541)	2022 £ 2,559
				2,559 329,325
				331,884
				331,884
				331,884
				53,709 278,175
				331,884

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BALLOONS (DEVON)

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 07849857

BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2023

The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

S Bright (Chair of Trustees) Date: 30/01/2024

J Bearman (Treasurer)

30/01/2024

The notes on pages 16 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

1. General information

Balloons (Devon) is a charity, limited by gurantee, incorporated in England and Wales. It does not have share capital and each of the Trustees in liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. The registered office address is First Floor, 6 Providence Court, Pynes Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5JL.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Balloons (Devon) 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.

2.2 Going concern

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern and that there is sufficient working capital for the next twelve months.

2.3 Income

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

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

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BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure (continued)

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £250 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Office equipment - 25% Straight-line

2.7 Debtors

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

2.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and 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.

Page 17

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.10 Financial instruments

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

2.11 Pensions

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.

2.12 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Page 18

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. No estimates or assumptions were considered to be significant.

Page 19

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies Grants Donations and legacies Grants	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 87,599 87,599 Restricted funds 2022 £ - 143,448 143,448	Unrestricted funds 2023 Total funds 2023 £ £ 61,902 61,902 3,000 90,599 64,902 152,501 Unrestricted funds 2022 Total funds 2022 £ £ 211,440 211,440 - 143,448 211,440 354,888

5. Income from other trading activities Income from non charitable trading activities

	Unrestricted	Total
	funds	funds
	2022	2022
	£	£
Book sales	1,153	1,153

Page 20

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

6. Investment income

Interest receivable on bank deposits Interest receivable on bank deposits Analysis of expenditure by activities Bereavement support Bereavement support	Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ 174,552 Activities undertaken directly 2022 £ 167,530	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 2,888 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 290 Support costs 2023 £ 43,054 Support costs 2022 £ 48,471	Total funds 2023 £ 2,888 Total funds 2022 £ 290 Total funds 2023 £ 217,606 Total funds 2022 £ 216,001

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Page 21

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs Direct delivery costs Supervision and other staff costs Travel Staff costs Direct delivery costs Supervision and other staff costs Travel Recruitment costs	Bereavement support 2023 £ 159,358 5,544 2,968 6,682 174,552 Bereavement support 2022 £ 149,417 3,827 2,215 5,171 6,900 167,530	Total funds 2023 £ 159,358 5,544 2,968 6,682 174,552 Total funds 2022 £ 149,417 3,827 2,215 5,171 6,900 167,530

Page 22

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Depreciation Rent Light, heat and power Insurance Administration Subscriptions Governance costs Depreciation Rent Light, heat and power Insurance Administration Subscriptions Governance costs 8. Independent examiner's remuneration Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent examination of the Company's annual accounts	Bereavement support 2023 £ 1,745 18,971 557 1,531 13,485 840 5,925 43,054 Bereavement support 2022 £ 2,323 27,172 614 590 14,397 1,001 2,374 48,471 2023 £ 1,649	Total funds 2023 £ 1,745 18,971 557 1,531 13,485 840 5,925 43,054 Total funds 2022 £ 2,323 27,172 614 590 14,397 1,001 2,374 48,471 2022 £ 1,541

Page 23

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

9. Staff costs

Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes	2023 £ 144,576 7,663 7,119 159,358	2022 £ 134,850 7,822 6,745
		149,417

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:

	2023	2022
	No.	No.
Employees	5	5

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel is £50,715 (2022 - £51,806). During 2022, there was an overlap in Chief Executives which has had an impact on the cost of key managment personnel.

10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 30 November 2023, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2022 - £NIL) .

Page 24

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

11. Tangible fixed assets Cost or valuation At 1 December 2022 At 30 November 2023 Depreciation At 1 December 2022 Charge for the year At 30 November 2023 Net book value At 30 November 2023 At 30 November 2022	Office equipment £ 9,292
	9,292
	6,733 1,745
	8,478
	814
	2,559

12. Debtors

Due within one year Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income	2023 £ 50 792 842	2022 £ - 421 421

Page 25

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

	2023	2022
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	1,649	1,541

Page 26

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

14. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Statement of funds - current year
Balance at 1 December 2022 £ Unrestricted funds Designated funds Improvement and development fund 32,000 General funds General funds 246,175 Total Unrestricted funds 278,175 Restricted funds National Lottery 32,864 Other grants 20,845 Children In Need - Tesco - Beacon Lodge - Comic Relief - St James Place - 53,709 Total of funds 331,884	Income £ - 67,790 67,790 57,994 1,500 13,950 3,375 3,280 5,000 2,500 87,599 155,389	Expenditure £ (10,500) (83,229) (93,729) (90,858) (16,968) (3,771) (1,500) (3,280) (5,000) (2,500) (123,877) (217,606)	Balance at 30 November 2023 £ 21,500
			230,736
			252,236
			- 5,377 10,179 1,875 - - -
			17,431
			269,667

Page 27

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

14. Statement of funds (continued)

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

National Lottery - £57,994 was received in year to support salaries of the service.

Children in Need - £13,950 was received in year for rent.

Tesco - £3,375 was received in year to support Bereaved Children.

Beacon Lodge - £3,280 was received in year towards the costs of developing pre-bereavement resource packs.

Comic Relief - £5,000 was received in year for Pre-Bereavement support for children and young people.

St James Place - £2,500 was received in year to support volunteer grief support workers through CPD, peer support, supervision and training.

Other restricted grants included - Devon Community Foundation Supporting the Supporters, The Norman Family Trust, Gibbons Family Trust, Albert Hunt Trust, Farringdon House Trust.

Page 28

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

14. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds Designated funds Improvement and development fund General funds General funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds National Lottery The Elmgrant Trust Other grants Total of funds	Balance at 1 December 2021 £ - 166,561 166,561 23,008 1,985 - 24,993 191,554	Income £ - 212,883 212,883 111,998 - 31,450 143,448 356,331	Expenditure £ - (101,269) (101,269) (102,142) (1,985) (10,605) (114,732) (216,001)	Transfers in/out £ 32,000 (32,000) - - - - - -	Balance at 30 November 2022 £ 32,000
					246,175
					278,175
					32,864 - 20,845
					53,709
					331,884

Page 29

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

15. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Designated funds General funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 December 2022 £ 32,000 246,175 53,709 331,884 Balance at 1 December 2021 £ Income £ - - 166,561 212,883 24,993 143,448 191,554 356,331	Income £ - 67,790 87,599 155,389 Expenditure £ - (101,269) (114,732) (216,001)	Expenditure £ (10,500) (83,229) (123,877) (217,606) Transfers in/out £ 32,000 (32,000) - -	Balance at 30 November 2023 £ 21,500 230,736 17,431
				269,667
				Balance at 30 November 2022 £ 32,000 246,175 53,709
Summary of funds - prior year
Designated funds General funds Restricted funds
				331,884

Page 30

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 17,431 - 17,431	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 814 253,071 (1,649) 252,236	Tota funds 2023 £ 814 270,502 (1,649) 269,667

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets Current assets Creditors due within one year Total	Restricted funds 2022 £ - 53,709 - 53,709	Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 2,559 277,157 (1,541) 278,175	Total funds 2022 £ 2,559 330,866 (1,541) 331,884

17. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £7,119 (2022 - £6,745). £Nil (2022 - £Nil) is payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and is included within creditors.

18. Related party transactions

No related party transactions took place in the period.

Page 31

BALLOONS (DEVON) (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023

19. Operating lease commitments

At 30 November 2023 the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years	2023 £ 15,000 40,000 55,000	2022 £ 12,500 45,833
		58,333

Page 32

SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE

REFERENCE NUMBER ADD3F38F-0B2E-40C9-9D6D-15907A33CEA9

TRANSACTION DETAILS DOCUMENT DETAILS Reference Number Document Name ADD3F38F-0B2E-40C9-9D6D-15907A33CEA9 Balloons Devon 2023 - Final Accounts preparation Transaction Type Filename Signature Request Balloons_Devon_2023_-_Final_Accounts_preparation.pdf Sent At Pages 29/01/2024 10:13 EST 34 pages Executed At Content Type 30/01/2024 13:17 EST application/pdf Identity Method File Size email 330 KB Distribution Method Original Checksum email 9414de835ab91f695018809adbdc8b681034a4edb78c547de9ff603dc459f30f Signed Checksum 099d9d0a6a2e30b3b5de5bc1503e554e3a008c0394547619c35ded5bd4b691a3 Signer Sequencing Disabled Document Passcode Disabled

SIGNERS

SIGNER	E-SIGNATURE	EVENTS
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John Bearman	signed	30/01/2024 13:11 EST
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[e-mail]	a8b38ff8aba9fa53eae46d1156f1d3049b2cad4f632ff953147a5b96111c0e5d	30/01/2024 13:17 EST
Components	IP Address	Signed At
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	6EAAF7DB
Name	Status	Viewed At
Steve Bright	signed	30/01/2024 09:04 EST
Email	Multi-factor Digital Fingerprint Checksum	Identity Authenticated At
[e-mail]	b0f3902708d070d5f91b46cdb097e08267f87605c218cb5d50cc0ff73af98268	30/01/2024 09:06 EST
Components	IP Address	Signed At
4	5.67.232.224	30/01/2024 09:06 EST
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TIMESTAMP 29/01/2024 10:13 EST 29/01/2024 10:13 EST 29/01/2024 10:13 EST 30/01/2024 09:04 EST

AUDIT Team Griffin ([e-mail]) created document 'Balloons_Devon_2023__Final_Accounts_preparation.pdf' on Chrome via Windows from 185.253.179.97. John Bearman ([e-mail]) was emailed a link to sign. Steve Bright ([e-mail]) was emailed a link to sign. Steve Bright ([e-mail]) viewed the document on Chrome via Mac from 5.67.232.224.

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