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← Social Link

2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2024

Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

Consttuton

Social Link was formed on 14[th] August 2014 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 1[st] October 2014 by the Charity Commission. Its purpose is to provide support, practical advice and social and recreational facilities for adults with learning disabilities in Buckinghamshire. A revised constitution featuring the opportunity for Proxy Voting and Virtual meetings was approved by the Board and voting members in July 2021. No further changes have been made to the constitution.

A welcome from the Chair and CEO

We are delighted to present you with our 2023/2024 Annual Report.

This report sets out to provide a picture of the charity’s activities throughout this period, together with a summary and explanation of our current financial position.

In this report, the term beneficiaries refers to those who attend our day and evening projects. Members refers to you, those who support the charity and who will be in attendance at the AGM. The team refers to those who work in support of our beneficiaries.

An overview of the work of the Social Link Board in 2023/2024

From a Board perspective, we are delighted with the development of the charity under Wendy’s continuing inspirational leadership during 2023/2024. At the same time, we acknowledge the energetic support provided to Wendy by the senior leadership team and all those who work to ensure our beneficiaries enjoy the best possible experiences every day. You are a great team.

In the Spring, we agreed a strategic plan to guide the development and future sustainability of the charity over the next three years. This plan has been achieved through the collaboration and creative thinking of beneficiaries, team and the Board. Our strategic plan focuses on the following areas:

The plan is built around the four Social Link pillars that underpins everything we have set out to achieve:

  1. Development – Life-long learning

  2. Community and Environment – Volunteering and Outreach

  3. Socialisation – Making friends and creating networks

  4. Work experience – Being valued

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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We have also spent time clarifying the role and functions of the Board and anticipating the needs of the Board in the years ahead, including membership and future Board organisation. To this end, we are proposing to extend the Board membership. We remain committed, however, to ensuring a balance between those Board members with lived experience in Social Links’ world and those who may have other skills or experiences to support the work of the Board.

The Social Link (SL) Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the charity and must ensure that the charity complies with its constitution and charity law. Governance refers to the development of the long-term direction of the charity and holding the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to account for all aspects of the charity’s activities - the quality of experience for beneficiaries, safeguarding arrangements, including the health, safety and welfare of all, financial management and legal compliance. Current Board membership includes:

James Boylan (Chair) Claire Wheeler (Vice-Chair) Carole Harvey (Treasurer) Glynis Wiseman Janet Shuttlewood Steve Birch

Overview of Social Link’s services and actvites in 2023/2024

2023/2024 has been another year of challenging external factors. Organisationally, it has been a period of reflection and renewal. Social Link has always prioritised the development of the charity through the involvement of our beneficiaries and those who work with us and our trustees. The starting point during our time of reflection was the identification of the needs, wishes and desires of our beneficiaries. From here, beneficiaries have been encouraged to set their own personal goals and to voice their views on the services they would like to see offered at Social Link, including the opportunity for increased work based opportunities, member blogging rights on the new website, a member forum so that all members voices are heard at board level, a library club and weekends away, ultimately leading the creation of the 2023/2024 strategic plan previously referenced.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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a) Day Projects and Evening Clubs

Both the High Wycombe and Aylesbury day projects and evening clubs continue to flourish with a diverse programme of activities created by the team to ensure all beneficiaries are given every opportunity to grow and develop with their peers in a safe and supportive environment.

Social Link prides itself on pushing against boundaries, creating opportunities, giving our individuals the space to grow their self-esteem and confidence and to acquire knowledge and skills to support their personal development, including being safe and making informed choices through adulthood. Self-learning and development opportunities have included:

Alongside these, beneficiaries have been able to choose to participate in an array of other learning and development activities:

The Social Link team across all our services strive constantly to empower our beneficiaries and this they achieve by getting to know individuals and their capabilities as well as providing reassurance and encouragement.

Views of beneficiaries and their families

Social Link ensures that beneficiaries are at the very heart of everything we do and we thought you might like to see some comments from our beneficiaries and their families:

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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" Social Link is a great place for friends to meet. It's a great opportunity to be ourselves and for people with disabilities to get together ." R - Beneficiary

" Social Link is about the people. It is about making friends and being myself ." H - Beneficiary

" Social Link is a second family to me ." L - Beneficiary

" Social Link helps me to be independent. I learn a lot at Social Link. I have started to learn how to read. This means I am more confident ." S - Beneficiary

" Social Link is such a big help to our children. It has helped my daughter enormously. It gets them thinking about themselves, as individuals and helps them to speak up for themselves where they didn't do that before. It has helped shape her confidence and her independence. It is about looking forwards to the future ." Parent.

“ Thank you for believing in my daughter and for offering her the opportunity to try new challenges, too many organisations are risk adverse and don’t enable those with learning disabilities to be given the same choices and opportunities you and I are given in our lives. ” Parent.

b) Day Trips

As in previous years, the summer months included fun-loving daytrips chosen by our beneficiaries: 22 individuals chose to join the Rivertime Boat Trust for a voyage along the Thames starting at Henley. Our beneficiaries loved cruising leisurely down the Thames, waving to every passer-by and even taking part in a small boat race with each other. Thinking this couldn’t get any better they made their way to Windsor for a visit to Windsor Castle. Everyone had a fabulous day and continue to talk about all they learned at the castle six months on!

The second trip chosen by beneficiaries was a seaside trip to Brighton. Fish and chips, ice-creams, and feet paddling in the sea made it a wonderful day out with the only complaint being: “Why couldn’t we stay longer?”

The evening clubs participated too, with one club heading to Chessington World of Adventures, for exhilarating rides and the chance to visit the zoo, and another deciding to opt for two evening trips – they chose to attend the 80’s themed Club Tropicana evening at the Town Hall, tutus and leg warmers at the ready - dressed to impress! This was followed by a trip to the panto in December ( Oh yes they did )!

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Day trips may seem a tiny part of what we offer, but for our beneficiaries they are a really important part of our service. For some it may be the only opportunity they get to visit the seaside or enjoy a boat trip. We are thrilled to say that we have already gained £3.5k in grants to cover next years’ trips, thanks to Aylesbury Town Council, The Kaye Charitable Trust and The Trees of David Fund.

c) Football Teams

The Social Link football teams continue to go from strength to strength. They are currently competing for a third year in the BOBI League and the progression, not only of the teams, but also of the individual players has been an absolute joy to witness. This led to our very first Football Awards ceremony evening at the end of last season attended by all players, their families and friends. Every player was given an individual award reflecting their specific talents and qualities, including awards nominated by the team coaches Andy and Tom. It was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all, lots of fabulous words of encouragement, a real celebration of their achievements alongside fun and laughter and a cheesy disco to end the night.

Our fabulous football coaches also received their reward when they had the great honour of playing football at Wembley! They were invited to take part in a match with a handful of other representatives from organisations across the country. They did us proud and played a full 90-minute match. Well done Tom and Andy.

We have welcomed a couple of new players to the teams, Andrew and Zak, who are already making a positive impact and also a new Volunteer to assist with training sessions, we welcome Steve.

d) Implementation of the 2023/2024 Strategic Plan to date

(i) Establishment of the OpportuniTEA Café in Holmer Green

With funds successfully raised from the fabulous Latimer Ball, the café project took a giant leap forward when a venue was found in local village sports club, Holmer Green Sports Association (HGSA). HGSA is at the heart of the community with many local residents visiting for sports or social activities and a home for many clubs and associations. HGSA has a fully functioning kitchen which will enable us to provide hands-on training for adults with learning disabilities seeking employment in the hospitality industry.

The HGSA Committee has welcomed us and are keen to see the café and its trainees thrive. They hope to see the venue being used to its full potential while also attracting new members to their various clubs. Our beneficiaries are, of course, looking forward to enjoying a proper coffee when they attend!

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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The Holmer Green community has shown enthusiastic support for the initiative. As a result, we have had many offers of support and have secured an army of volunteers to help in the café once it opens. While the café is still in its planning and set-up phase, doors will open in September 2024, initially for two days a week as we establish the rhythm and routine of the new café. Beneficiaries will be able to join the café to start work experience from October and from January 2025 (after the installation of a brand-new kitchen) the café will be open four days a week. Our thanks go to Victoria and Laura for their hard work in setting up OpportuniTEA café, and to everyone at HGSA for providing the opportunity to do so.

(ii) Development of the gardening project

Grants and donations to the charity last year enabled us to secure a new gardening vehicle and to create new work opportunities for our gardeners. This has directly led to the growth of this service. The gardening project is a thriving community-based service offering Social Link beneficiaries the opportunity of gaining work-based skills. This year saw the Gardening Crew continue regular contracts alongside new contracts with:

We would like to thank Sally Warminger, Angela Aldessi, Jim Smith, Rob Shed, Michele Gasper and Kim Galvani for investing in our gardening service and for giving our beneficiaries the opportunity to practise their new-found gardening skills within such supportive environments. The opportunity to work in new locations has increased the participants confidence, resilience, and self-belief. We aim to increase this fabulous service to three days a week, enabling the opportunities to be open to a greater number of young adults. Our appreciation also goes to Rob, Karen and our fabulous gardeners Shaun, Karla, Ryan, Ali and Kevin without whom this service wouldn’t be possible.

(iii) Increasing the profile of Social Link

New Website

A key objective for the year was to build a new website in order to clearly present information about all our services, further increase our profile generally, assist with referrals, provide easier site navigation and to develop opportunities for partnerships. The website will also provide a platform for members to add their own content in future. Really exciting!

(iv) Extending our partnerships

During the last year partnership working has become a real focus across all our services. Not only does it raise the charity’s profile, but it also has the potential to increase our chances of gaining donations and grants as well as creating more opportunities for our beneficiaries.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Our Day Projects and Gardening Crew welcomed volunteers and joint working throughout the year from:

Not only has it been great having a helping hand, but it has given our beneficiaries the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. An outcome of this has been that our beneficiaries have been invited to work at the Red Kite offices for a day. Watch this space next year!

Numeracy Skills for All in partnership with Multiply has remained a regular feature, ensuring a greater number of beneficiaries have had the opportunity to learn and develop their numeracy skills through hands-on cooking sessions. This has been enabled due to our collaborative working with Buckinghamshire Council Adult Learning. The feedback on these sessions from our beneficiaries and team has been incredibly positive, with beneficiaries managing to repeat recipes learned at Social Link at home in their own kitchens. Due to the success of this programme, the partnership has developed further, enabling beneficiaries across both our day projects to experience new opportunities such as self-defence classes and drumming.

Last year we reported on a new literacy partnership we had initiated with the Read Easy Charity. This was established to assist a couple of beneficiaries with achieving their desire to learn to read. We are thrilled to report that not only have their reading skills improved, but Stefan was also invited to talk about his experiences of Read Easy and his remarkable progression at the Read Easy AGM! A huge achievement, well done Stefan! Having witnessed first-hand Stefan’s success other members have requested to begin their own Read Easy Literacy journey in the coming months.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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NHS Partnership

An appeal went out from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) for adults with learning disabilities to apply to be part of a panel, advising SCAS on formulating their best practice and policy. This was to include sharing personal experiences and suggesting improvements concerning 999 calls, ambulance emergency transport and pre-booked hospital transport. Two Social Link members, Anthony and Tony, both expressed an interest in applying and had to go through quite an application and approval procedure before being accepted on to the panel. They have been attending formal monthly meetings on zoom with NHS staff, often given questions on the spot, which they navigated with professionalism and provided much appreciated advice. The resulting policy is to be agreed by the NHS board in late July and will be distributed across the whole of SCAS and it will be a requirement that this is followed throughout the NHS. We can’t share the policy information before it is agreed but we can say that the quotes in the policy about how patients should be treated in ambulances and hospital came directly from Anthony and Tony. This includes:

“ Everyone has their own views and you should not assume someone can’t make their own decisions [because they have a learning disability]”.

(v) Establishment of a post-16 transitional service

A current aim is to ensure we build relationships with local specialist schools with a view to developing a transitional service for those young people leaving education. To this end, our SL Co-ordinators have been attending school transitions events and once the OpportuniTEA Café is open, specialist schools will be invited to further promote this mutually beneficial partnership.

(vi) Ensuring the future sustainability of Social Link

While the developments described above all have a value in their own right, they are equally making a contribution to ensuring the sustainability of Social Link into the future. A work in progress, of course.

Public Beneft

The Trustees confirm that they have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when meeting the organisation’s charitable objectives. The Charity is providing valuable advice and support and social, recreational, educational, and work-based experiences for adults with learning disabilities in the local area. The activities of the Charity are made available to all who are in need and are affordable to all who qualify. The Trustees regularly review the circumstances of the Charity’s beneficiaries and provide the financial support that is needed with appropriately lower charges in cases of financial hardship.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Finance Overview

a) Financial Report and Reserves

In the year 2023/2024, Social Link were successfully awarded £48k of grants but only £5k of these were for core (general) costs while the remaining £43k was ringfenced for a new vehicle, the new website/IT costs and activities in 2024/2025 including our new Café opening later in 2024. Our net assets have increased to £135k.

As a result, the 12 months to the 31[st] March 2024 Social Link has reported a deficit of £33k. Like personal households, Social Link has felt the effect of cost-of-living pressures, which for the charity led to a considerable shortfall in expected general grants and donations.

To mitigate the increasingly challenging financial operational environment, an Extraordinary Board Meeting (EBM) was convened in November 2023, with a view to reviewing controllable costs, minimising the anticipated budget shortfall and looking ahead to the 2024/2025 budget.

Following our annual review of costs and charges in March 2024, we have made the smallest possible increases in our charges and have also restructured our services. As a result, the Board has approved a budget for the 2024/2025 financial period where income and expenditure are balanced and not reliant on external support through grants and donations.

b) Fundraising

Social Link’s fundraising activities have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels but are on their way to During 2023 – 2024, £23,650 was received by the charity through joint fundraising activities:

(i) Jumble Sale

Thank you to everybody who supported our jumble sale last April. The fabulous array of donations had the Jumblers rummaging and spending. A very impressive £930 was raised!

(ii) Prudential Ride London

May 2023 witnessed Social Link’s Trustee, Steve Birch, sign up and successfully complete the challenge of cycling 100 miles in the Prudential Ride London 100. It was a gruelling bike ride spanning the Surrey Hills and the streets of London. Despite having not ridden a bike for over a year, Steve courageously committed to raising funds for Social Link. Steve successfully raised a whopping £1,752!

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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(iii) Charity Ball

Early last year we had the pleasure of meeting a group of friends who were looking to support a local charity by hosting a formal ball. This was with a view to raise funds towards a new project or opportunity that would help increase the profile of adults with learning disabilities. A committee was established, and they set to work planning a wonderful September summer ball fundraiser. It really was the Social Link event of the year where 120 like-minded people came together to raise money for the Social Link OpportuniTEA Café project. The highlight of the evening was a singing performance by our very own talented beneficiaries who managed to win the biggest applause of the evening. Three SL beneficiaries joined us for dinner with their glad rags on, Chris – dressed as our very own James Bond, Claire and Alison – the glamorous Bond leading ladies. This incredibly successful and fun event managed to raise a staggering amount of £17k on the night. What a remarkable achievement. We would like to express our sincerest thanks for organising such an incredibly successful event to Sarah Fox, Nicola Vamos and the entire Ball Committee.

(iv) Spindle & Thread Summer Family Festival fundraiser

The Spindle & Thread pub in High Wycombe hosted a summer family fun day in aid of Social Link in August. The day incorporated live music, fairground stalls and games and even a beach and pool to really make you feel like you were on holiday! This successful event managed to raise £1120. We would like to thank Sue Lightbown, Landlady Tina and her dedicated team for organising such a fun and successful community day.

(v) Social Link Christmas Cracker

Social Link hosted its annual Christmas music event for day project members from across the charity at Wycombe Art Centre. There were craft stalls and games, plus the traditional raffle. The event raised £1,084 pounds for our charity.

c) Donations

Donations continue to be as important as ever, enabling Social Link to go that extra mile for beneficiaries and their families. Without the wonderful donations we receive, we wouldn’t be able to offer such a varied programme and development opportunities. We would like to say our sincerest thanks to Richard and Sandie Baldwin, Mr Hurd, Bernie Till, Lynn O’Regan, the friends and family of Brian Butler and finally John Scanlon for his private donation and that of his team at Suez.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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d) Grants

Social Link continues to apply for grants to support the charity’s income, to make it as affordable as possible for our beneficiaries and to enable us to increase opportunities. This year we were successfully awarded £48,259 in Grants. We would like to say a special thank you to The Penn Trust, Patricia and the Board at The Mencap Society (Amersham and Chesham branch) The Kaye Charitable Trust, The Trees of David Trust, the Heart of Bucks, The HR Surgery, John Lewis PLC, Asda, Kenvue, Aylesbury Town Council and St James Place Foundation.

Appreciaton

The Social Link Team is renowned for its creativity, passion and drive to provide the best service possible for our members. Our Team is always looking to go above and beyond, welcoming new challenges and always thinking creatively to ensure the growth and development of all those who attend our services – it is at the heart of what we do. Everyone, regardless of role, is essential to the delivery of Social Link services and in ensuring that the Charity continues to provide an exceptional experience for our beneficiaries. The Board of Trustees and CEO would like to extend a huge thank you to every member of the Social Link Team for their contributions to the work of the charity. The Aylesbury Day Project introduced two new members of the team, welcome Jan and Claire.

We would also like to thank all those supporters who have contributed to the activities of the charity over the year, especially Sarah Fox and the Ball Committee, Holmer Green Sports Association, SUEZ, Rivertime Boat Trust, Red Kite Community Housing and MCP and Shirley Parsons.

Trustees’ responsibilites in relaton to the Financial Statements

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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statements comply with Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.

James Boylan, Chair of Social Link Board of Trustees,

Wendy Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, Social Link

July 2024

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk

Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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The notes of pages 17 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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The notes of pages 17 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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The notes of pages 17 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the 12 months ended 31st March 2024

1. Statement of accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies have been consistently applied. The financial statements also comply with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities SORP (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2022, subject to the following amendment prepared by the Charities SORP-making body in its discussion document which would bring it in line with FRS102 for other organisations. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

At its meeting it was noted that the SORP Committee had considered the accruals model for grant accounting as a good option. The ability to use the accrual model could help those more familiar with the concept of profit and loss in a commercial entity, including charity trustees and funders, to better understand a charities financial performance. The recognition of income in advance of related expenditure being incurred can give the impression that the charity's financial position is better than it is and this may impact on funding applications. Conversely, the recognition of related expenditure in future years. creating a deficit position, may be interpreted as the charity being in a less favourable financial position than is the case.

Specifically in the case of Social Link, we have deferred the grant income for our van and copier to be released to match and offset the depreciation of those assets, thereby not creating an income surplus this year and deficits during the following years.

b) Incoming resources

All incoming resources are recorded in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income, the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy, and it is probable that the amount will be received. Donations under gift aid together with income tax recoverable are recognised when the donation is receivable.

c) Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to that activity.

The cost of small items of equipment is written off in the year it is incurred.

d) Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal of constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligations can be measured with reasonable certainty.

2. Donations

Donations include subscriptions for membership of the charity, gift aid rebates for the new football services and the gardening services. Donations were also received from our many kind supporters.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk

Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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3. Charitable activities

2024 2023
Evening club revenues £19,683 £14,723
Gardening services £23,470 £15,429
Football services £1,020 £240
Day sessions revenues £368,467 £359,807
£412,640 £390,199

4. Other trading activities

We have held some wonderful fund-raising activities including those organised by our fabulous friends and volunteers. Fund raising has included the annual Christmas Cracker Celebration, The Latimer House Ball, a Jumble Sale, Sponsored Bike Ride, Craft Sale and a fund-raising event at the Spindle & Thread Pub.

5. Interest

This comprises income from the charity's bank deposit accounts.

6. Expenditure on raising funds

This represents direct expenditure on fund raising events.

7. Charitable expenditure

2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
Direct
Costs		 Support
Costs		 Total Direct Costs Support
Costs		 Total
Evening Clubs £12,115 £5,642 £17,757 £10,694 £4,380 £15,074
Gardening Services £31,184 £14,522 £45,706 £24,970 £10,226 £35,196
Football £2,291 £1,067 £3,358 £6,234 £2,553 £8,787
Day Sessions £283,397 £131,974 £415,371 £277,310 £113,575 £390,885
Total £329,567 £153,205 £482,192 £319,208 £130,734 £449,942

Support costs, which are mainly the employment costs of the charity's employees, IT, office, insurance and other related costs, are allocated in proportion to the direct costs of the evening clubs, the gardening services, football and the day sessions respectively.

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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8. Assets at cost

Intangible Assets
The trademark "Social Link" is held at cost on the balance
sheet		 2024 2023
At the beginning of the year £250 £250
Additions £0 £0
Disposals £0 £0
At the end of the year £250 £250
Tangible Assets 2024 2023
At the beginning of the year £40,464 £0
Additions - Photocopier £2,634
- Van £37,830
Depreciation -£8,444
Disposals £0
At the end of the year £32,020 £40,464

9. Cash at bank and in hand

This comprises bank current and deposit accounts plus petty cash. These are all liquid funds available for immediate use by the charity.

10. Debtors

Debtors comprise outstanding invoices in respect of day session beneficiaries.

11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year and Grants

a) These provisions represent liabilities for services provided but not yet invoiced and accrued costs, all of which have been settled since the year end.

2024 2023
Trade creditors and accruals £11,372 £18,102
Consultants £4,671 £10,641
HMRC £4,869 £4,558
Pensions £1,276 £0
£22,188 £33,300

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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b) Grants 2023 Grants
received in
the year		 Grants
released in
the year		 2024
Grants for Van (depreciated/grant released
over 5years)		 £30,464 £7,366 -£7,566 £30,264
Grant for photocopier (depreciated/grant
released over 3years)		 £2,634 £0 -£878 £1,756
Grants for Café £2,000 £18,999 £0 £20,999
Grants for Snowdon Walk £0 £2,000 £0 £2,000
Grants
for
Holidays
and
Christmas		 £0 £6,344 £2,844 £3,500
Grants for IT £0 £8,000 -£1,680 £6,320
Grants for Core Costs £0 £5,550 -£500 £5,050
£35,098 £48,259 £13,468 £69,889

12. Trustees and Governance costs

No remuneration was paid to Trustees neither did they receive re-imbursement of out of pocket expenses but they were reimbursed for purchases made from time to time on behalf of the charity. There were no Governance costs.

13. Staff costs and volunteers

**13. Staff costs and volunteers **
12 months 12 months
2024 2023
Salaries and wages £215,071 £192,625
Social security costs £15,123 £12,976
Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) £8,380 £7,464
Other employee benefits £0 £0
Total staff costs £238,574 £213,065

There are no staff working for the charity whose contracts are with and are paid by a related party

No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000

No employees received employee benefits (excluding ~~[~~ ~~[~~
No employees received employee benefits (excluding
employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more		 ~~[~~ ~~[~~ TRUE TRUE
than £60,000
The total amount paid to key management personnel 12 months 12 months
(includes trustees and senior management) for their 2024 2023
services to the charity.
Key management this year includes the full year of both
the Chief Executive and the Chief Operating Officer. £90,193 £65,429

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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13.2 Average head count in the year

Parts of the charity in which the employees work 2024 2023
Number Number
Fundraising
Charitable Activities 8 8
Governance
Total 8 8

Parts of the charity in which the employees work

13.3 There were no ex-gratia payments to employees and others (including trustees).

13.4 There were no redundancy payments.

13.5 The charity relies on the generous contribution of time from unpaid volunteers in carrying out its activities. Volunteers provide substantial support to the beneficiaries at the evening clubs, day sessions and trips away. The value of this contribution, which is difficult to measure, is not included as income.

14. Taxation

Social Link is registered as a charity with both the Charity Commission and HM Revenue & Customs and is thus exempt from corporation tax on its income which is applied for charitable purposes.

15. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions.

Approved by the Trustees on 08/07/24 and signed on their behalf by-

James Boylan – Chair

Address: 3 Bridleways, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6DN

Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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Registered office: Social Link, 3 Bridleways, Wendover, BUCKS, HP22 6DN Sociallinkcharity.org.uk Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1158743

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