Company Number.. 08746685
Charity Number.. 1158777
VOLA Consortium
IA Company Llmlted by Guarantee)
Annual Report
Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended
31 March 2023
Page I

Vola Consortium
Contents
Pages
3.12
Trustees, Annual Report
13-14 Independent Examiner's Report
15-16 Statement of Flnanclal Activltles
17
Balance Sheet
18
Cash Flow
19-28 Notes to the Flnanclal Statements
Page 2

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also Directors for the Purposes of the Companies Act, present their annval report and
flnancial staiements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been
prepared in accordance wtth the accounting policles set out in note I to the accounts and comply with the
charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and A¢¢ountlng and Reportlng by Charities.. Statement
of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with thè Financial
Reportln8 Standard 102 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective I january 20191.
The Charity
VOLA Consortium is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The
company is registered in England and Wales No. 08746685. The charity is registered with the Charity
Commission No. 1158777. The principal governing document 15 the Company Memorandum and Articles of
Association as amended on 25th September 2014.
Objectives and Activities
The charity's objects are:
al the advancement of education and lifelong learning in such ways a5 the trustees think fit,.
bl the provision of crime prevention and offender rehabilltatlon servlces,.
cl the promotion of the voluntary sector in the Lwerpool City Region and the Surrounding areas in particular
11 building the capacity of charitsble and voluntary organisations operating Wlthin the arèa of benefft
and providing them with the necessary support, information and services to enable them to pursue or
contribute to any charirable purpose but in particular the advancement of edutation and the
rehabilitation of offenders.. and
ill promotlng, organSsing and facllttating c04)peration and partnership working between charitable
and voluntary organisations and statutory and other relevant bodies within the area of benefit.
For the purposes of this ¢louse. "the voluntoryse¢tor" meons churftles ond voluntory orgunisations
defined osfollows. Chorltles ore orgonisatlons, whlth ore estobllshedfrrexclusively choritoble
purpose5 in accordtince wffth the low of Englond ond Wtrles. "Voluntory Orgunistition5' are whole or o
$19nlficant sertion of the communpty, t7nd which lire notpermitted by theirconstitution to muke u
profitforprivote distribution. Voluntary orgGniSLltion5 do not include locol govemmentorother
st(ttutory outhorities"
dl To further such purposes as are charitable wlthin the law5 of En8land and Wales as the Trustees shall from
time io time determine.
In 5ettin8 our objectNes and planning our activities the trustee5 have given care￿1 consideration to the Charity
Commission's Buidance on public benefit.
Page 3

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Membershi
In it5 nlnth year of operation as a regSstered charity, as at 31" March 2023, VOLA Consortium's membershlp stands
at 60 voluntary sector organisations160 last yearl,. having accepted one new membership application along wlth one
former member withdTawin8 their mernber5hip during the year.
Kitkstart
rtment for Work and Pension5
The Government's kn¢kstart s¢heme provlded fundlng to employers to create 6-month, 25 hour per week, pald
work placements for unemployed 16 to 24 year olds In receipt of Universal Credtt and at risk of long-term
unemployment. Between February 2021 and Sèptember 2022, VOLA acted as Kickstart Gateway Body on
behalf of a gmup of 20 local voluntary settor employers, the Majo￿ty of whlch VOLA members, to help them
create and fill job placements and put in Pla￿ a comprehenswe wraparound packa8e of training and support.
A5 a Kickstart Gateway, VOLA arted as an intermediary between the DWP, the scheme's funders, and city
re8ion employers to help them to mana8e their Kickstart grant. The key purpose of our Gateway role wa5 to
ensure that participants were well supported, trained and developed to enable theit onward progression to
paid èmpltsyrnent following their involvement with the scheme.
The project was delivered in partnershlp wlth consortlum member, Career Connect who, on behalf of VOLA,
provided participants with career5 advice and guidance, training and employability 5UPPOrt. Working directlv
wlth employers, VOLA'S ￿ntral team assisted with the advertisement and nlllng of placements. ensuring the
provision of adequate capacity and capability to effectively support the young people placed with them. Over
£400,000 in DWP grant payments were passed on to employers to cover participant 5alarie5 and other
associated costs.
Btheen April 2021 and September 2022, the prolert successfully placed 71 young people into placements
with 21 employers. The scheme c105ed to new starters in March 2022, so no new recruitment took place
durlng thls flnancial year. however, 28 of the 71 previou5 recruit5 remained on programme, with the final
cohort completinB in September 2022.
In terms of outcomes, the projert was extremely successful, with high retentton, completion and progression
rates. as demonstrated by the following key performance indicators..
76% of participants completed thelr placement, with a further 14% leavlng early to progress to
employment or Apprenticeships.
70% progressed to a p051tive destination, comprlsing 11 Apprentlceshlps, 37 lobs112 full-time and 25
part-timel and 2 higher education outcomes.
These perf0rrnan￿ indicator5 reinforce the claim that. although these type5 of job creation schemes are
relatively expensive in compari50n to other Government-fijnded employability programmes, they are highly
successful in achieving positive outcomes for young. unemployed people.
New Fu￿reS Pro
Educallon and Skllls Fundln
Euro
an Soclal Fub)d CO&finance
Led by Greenbank College (VOL4 memberl since its April 2019 launch, and delivered in partnership with 12 other
VOLA consortium members, the New Futures project provided targeted support to young people aged 15-24 who
were Not in Employment, Edutatlon or Tralning INEETI, or at risk of becoming NEET, to help them to progress
Page 4

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report}
For the year ended 31 March 2023
towards thèir learnlng and work goals. Leamers were provided with a flexible, tsllored programme to help improve
their employability skills. personal. social and emotional development, compTising accfedited and non-accredited
training, mentorin& pastoral and wider wrap-around support. The project's ultlmate aim was to support onward
progrèssion to work or education.
De5Prte the voluntary, early release from the contract in July 2022, significantly ¢urtailing the recruitment wirsdow,
the delivery partnership was able to enrol a substantial 301 new recruits durin8 the 2Q21122 academlc year,
increasing the total number of learners supported overthe liletlme of the project to 1.226.
Analysls of partlcSpant demographic data clearly demonstrates ihe partnershlp's collective strength in engèging a
diverse range ol people, the majority of whom commonly reco8ni5ed 35 disadvanta8ed in relation to educational
attainment and employment pr05pètts. For example. on joining the project, 44% of learners declared a disability.
learning difficulty or lon8-term health conditron,. 93% lacked basic skills in either English or maths, the vast majority
lacking in both disciplines; 12% were young, Single p4rents.' and IO% were from a mlnorlty ethnlc background.
Indeed. 97% of learners declared at least one reco8nised barrier to progression (disability, lacking basic 5ki115, low
educatlon31 attainrnent. single parent. ethnic minority, workless householdl. many experiencing rnultiple and often
complex barrier5.
In terms of gender equality, the proportion of young women engaged by the project stood at 40%, moderately
bèlow the 46% national ESFWESF target.
Notwithstanding the long.term, adverse Smpact of the Covid pandemic on project deliverability, the partnership's
continued endea¥our5 resulted in respertable levels of performat)ce, in terms of achievement of outcomes and
results. Retention and achievement rates stood at 85% and 78% respectively, with 647, or 53% of learners
progressing to an eligible, positive destination of employment. education, Apprenticeship or Traineeship. vs 54%
contrattual target.
Contrartual complexities and targets aside, the project ha5 enabled a large volume of disenga8ed learners, often
with multiplè barrlers to Inclusion and progression, a solid entry point in moving towards further education and
employment, providing essential life skills, tonfidence and 5elf*steern; which 15 Something we are extremely proud
Thè number of NEETI'at risk of NEET young people supported by the consortSum through its collaboratlve
partnership projects now stands at close to 5,700, whl¢h is a commendable accompllshment.
To
ther for our Planet
Natlonal Lotte Communit Fund
Through grant funding secured from The Natlonal Lottery Cornmunity Fund'5"Togetherforour Planer
initiative in November 2021, this projert provided free building energy assessments to voluntsry sector
organlsatlons acros5 the Liverpool City Region.
In addition to an energy assessment and efficiency rating for èach property, recipient organisations rettived a
recommendations report containing practical proposals of attions they could take to Improve thelr energv
efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and energy biS1s.
BetN4een April and June 2022, the projett completed 12 surveys across 9 voluntary sector organisatlons, taking
the total number conducted over the Ilfespan of the project to 22 survey5 across 17 or8anisations.
Page 5

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Commumrt Based Di
ital IntlusitiEb Rèsearch
Uver
olcft Re
on Comblned Authorlt
VOLA Consortlum was commlssloned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ILCRCAI in April 2022 to
undertake a research project focused on mapping community-based Di8lt31 Inclu5i0n provision, priorities and
practi￿$ a¢ross the clty region.
The research took pla￿ between lune and September 2022 and included engagement with a wide ran8e of
Vol¢Jntary Community, Faith and Soeial Enterprise IVCFSEI sector or8anisatitsns- wlth 35 attending the
'listenIn￿ event In June and 137 provldln8 Information about their Servi￿$.
A survey was sent tQ gver 500 community or8anisations. 111 of 137 responding organisations indicated that
they deliver Digital Inclusion services. Survey responses ideniifièd..
143 public spaces acr05S the city re8ion providing computer and Internet access.
57 communlty-based organlsatlons providing di85tal skills training at 119 venues.
29 organisations providing IT equipment to people to use In thelr own home, elther through loan,
lftlng or dlscounted sale schemes.
32 organisations engaging over 110 Digital Champions in the delivery of Digital Inclusion SeN1￿5.
A key outcome of the researth has been the ¢reatlon and publlcatSon of a live. online map of Dlgftal Indusion
servlces,. open-access for public use and a useful resource to help cross.stctor service providers in advisin8 their
clients on places to go to access digital services. A planning version, ovÈrlaid to è Digital Exclusion heat map has
also been produced tts identify servicè supply against places of high need and identify potential gaps in provision.
The data collerted has provided the LCRCA with a rich source of information, with research findings and
recommendations helping tg irhform the city region's refreshed Digital Inclusion strategy and assocSated
investment decisions.
I Connectivit Grants Pro
ramme
UK Shared Pros èrtt Fund
In December 2022, VOLA was appolnted to manage a new di8ltal grants fund that will run until March 2025.
The 'Digitul connertlvltyft>r lotol communityfoclllties, grants programme is funded by the LCR Combined
Authority as part of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme. the UK governmenys successor to ELI Structural
funds and part of its Levelling Up strategy. The £1.3 million fund is open to VCFSE sector organisations across
the oty re8ion who providè, or are planning to provide public access digital facilitie5 in their communities.
The aim of the fund is to provide funding and support to..
Target neighbourhood5 where there is currentty a lack of community-ba5ed di8ital facilities to help
local community-based organisations to set up new digltal drop-Ins.'
Upgrade outdated and poor-qLtality digital kit andlor improve broadband connectivity where current
connections are poor- and
3. Increase capacfty, by provbdlng fundlng to purchase more dewce5, where current facilitles are
insufficient to meet demand.
Followin8 the agreernent of ellgibility crfterla and development of grant management systems, processes and
procedures. the flrst fvndln8 round ran from January to March 2023. £300,000 was all(>cated to 46 successful
appllcant organisations. creating 20 new facilities and upgrading andlor Increasing capacity of 26 existing sites.
Four further funding rounds are planned over the next two years, the first of which is due to launch June 2023.
Page 6

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Corn
er Re¢ lin and Loan Scheme
In March 2022. 10 decommlssloned and refurbished laptops were received from WSP, a large intefnational
engineering and environmental consultancy business, via an introduttion from Sefton Councll, for use across
the Sefton area. This followed the previous donation and refurbishment of 50 decommissioned laptops from
Jaguar Land Rover in 2021, wlth fundlng and techniul support from LCR ConnecL
Our growlng bank of laptops are now being loaned to learners. member organisatlons and other voluntary
sector orEanisations that currently don't have 5uffichent access to IT equipment.
The Trustee Board, monagement team and members extend their gratitude to WPS fortheir kind donation,
and to Sefton Council for makin8 the connection.
Social Valu•
We continue to use the HACT wellbeing calculator to quantify the addèd soc131 valuè of attivltles undertaken by thÈ
charity, over and above the direct monetary benefits to the public purse, by way of increased tax revenue, reduced
welfare benefits and other cost savings derfved from supporting people into employment and further education.
In the past year, we have Created a conservatively estimated I'l soclal value, by way of a wellbein& totalling
£777,000. It should be noted that this relates to only a relatively small number of participanis. Compared to recent
years, wlth the two main delivery programmes comin8 to an end early in the financial year,. hence its lower than
usual value. However. overtheir full duration, the New Futures and ￿lekstart programmes have collertively created
an estimated I'l social value of £3,671,0￿.
Indeed, since the inttial formatlon of the VOLA partnership, including collaborative delivery prior to its incorporation
as a legal entity, consortium actlvfty has generated an estimated I'l social value of £33.4 million.
There are a number of key reosons why it is importont to stress that the above values ure considered conservt7tive
estlmotes.-
Due to rules within t17e HACT50cffuI volue ¢okulotitsn methodology, vulues of mony of the progression
outcomes ochievedon New Future5 and other historic NEETprogrommes coftnot be counted uddition to
the volue countedforleorners, inltial porticipqtion the progrurnme. Forexumple, prevention of NEET, by
way oAreengogement In moinstreom school/educution, progre￿10￿ to Trolr)eeships, voGationol troining und
generoleducotlon oll cunnot be counted. Therefore, this significontly under-volues the trué wffdersociol
volue generoted. Furthermore, the old flower) voluesfrom v4 of the HACTtolculotor ttre rtlll used, as more
recent versions ore no longerfreeforchorities to occess.
There huve been mony other wlderoutcomes ochleved to which u 59ciuI volue ct7n legitimotely be attrlbuted
that hove not been con5t5tently meusured ondso we hove not been t7ble to include them in our colculotions.
For exomple, Amproved he¢rlth, mentol heolth onLI conlidence,'fumity, crime. social und environmentol
bersefits and improvements.
The social value of eurfyproierts wos noi routlnely measured. purticult7rly in thepre-incorpomtlon phase of
the consortium. Where posslble. retr05pertlve esthinotes hove since been made. bosed on uv(7iloble historic
monitoring dutu, but we know this to be intomplete ond so significontly under-estin￿tes the widersoclol
volue of our work in the earlyyeors.
Page 7

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report {including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
In respect of the new UKSPF Digital Grants programme, we are currently exploring potential ways to calculate its
social value. It aims to support 130 voluntary sector organisations, who, in turn, will provide great social benefit to
their respective cornmunities and clients groups by way of improvin8 digital inclusion.
Future O
rtunttles and Develo
ments
Having achieved the primary aim of securlng the charlvs Immedlate, 'post-ESF' future through the UKSPF grant
ward, which provldes short to medium term sustainability until March 2025, we plan to capitalise on any further
suitable fundlng opportunities that ernerge through the fund in the coming two years.
The Consortium Manager will continue to work closely with key stakeholders. Sncludlng VS6 and the LCR Comblned
Authorrty to influence policy and strategy and keep abreast of emer8in8 opportunities.
Unfortunately, the New Future5 project was not allocated 'ESF cliff edge, funding to extend its delwery in the coming
year due to an overall lack of funding. WÈ wlll, therefore, prloritlse the exploration of alternatfve fundlng ftTrr
replacement NE￿ provision, which has been a long-standing cornerstone of the consortium's core business for
almost 13 years. Potential fundin6 opportunitie5 to establish another Intermedlate Labour Market IILMI programme
may also be explored, following the resounding success of the recent Kickstart programme.
Another prlmary aim 15 to consolidate our increasing role and reputation in the local digital inclusion arena. The
highly successful, Sefton CVS led Indude-IT Mersey digltal Incluslon project- part of the VOLA family, comprising a
delivery partnership of exclusively VOLA member organlsations - has been successfully awarded UKSPF funding to
extend its 'post-ESF' delivery for a further two years, until March 2025.
We will continue to explore other opportunities in the digital inclusion space, including work to attract new
donation5 of digital equipment from local business for repurpose and onward distribution. or loan to consortlum
members, leamers and the wider sector.
Finally, we also plan to invest in the development of a new webslte to improve the chariivs onllne irnage and
presence, as the current platform is dated and under-used.
Page 8

VOLA Con50rtium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Financial Review
Durlng the 2022123 flnancial year, charitable activity generated an income of £522,934 to be used to further the
organisation's objectives. Following a modest surplus made last year. this year the charity is again able to report an
operating surplus of £143,723. The surplus primarily relates to unspent UKSPF grant funding whrch will be allocated
in upcoming rounds taking place in summer and winter 2023. However, p05itivèly. unrestrlcted reserves intreased
£12,367.
In addrcion to the chariV5 direct income and expendlture, nole 12 to the accounts details'ageny funds held and
distributed by VOLA Consortium on behalf of Greenbank College I'principal'l to third party New Futures delivery
partners- and similar'agent. fund5 distributed to Ki¢kstsrt employers on behalf of the Department for Work and
Pensions IDWPI. VOLA has no discretion or control over the use to which these funds are put by the third-party
or8anisations. a5 the charity simply distributes them in line with the instructions given by Greenbank and the OWP.
As such, they are not recognised as an asset in the chariws accounts, in accordance with Module 19 of the SORP.
As of 31$1 March 2023, the charity maintsined a healthy balance sheet comprlsing suffSclent cash at bank1£42,4131
and payment due from debt0rs1£475,O￿1. The charltf s Ilquid assets and fO￿aSt income. combined with prudent
financial management and future fundlng plans are forecast to cover planned activities and financial liabilities for
the coming financial year.
Reser¥es
Currently. the charfcy has a re5erve5 policy of £5.LMJO to cover the costs anticipated le.g. financial and legal c05ts1 in
the evtnt of the charitable company being wtsund up. Unrestricted reserve5 at year-end stood at £35,858, with
ample cash at bank to cover anticipated finan¢ial Ilabilitles In the event of the charl￿5 closure.
Thls pollcy reflects the charity'5 continued p951tion in relation to staffin8 and fixed asset5, in that it does not directty
ernploy any staff and, therefore, has no dlrect employment or redundancy liabilitie5, nor doe5 It have any loans or
other liabilities in relatTron to buildings either owned or leased.
The polity has been reviewed again thts year and will continue to be reviewed annually, subject to amendment
should the charity's risk profile change, for example, if the ¢harlty began to dlrectly employ staff or Secu￿ premises.
The charlty has no subsidiary undertaklngs. nor is any fund wlthin the charity's accounts materially in deficit.
With forecast income from the UKSPF Dlgltal ConnettivSty grants programme in relation to anticipated levels of
expenditure. current financial projections provide the 8oard of Trustees with a high degree of confidence in the
chartty's ability to continue as a going concern for the coming two financial year5.
Page 9

VOLA ConsortiLJm
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Reference and administrative details
Charity number:
1158777
Company nurnber..
08746685
Re8lStered Office:
Burlington House. Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool. L22 OLG
Our advlsors
Independènt Examiner-
Anita Mason BAIHon51 BFP FCA, BWM Chartered Accountants, SuTte 5.1
Tempest, 12 rrthebarn Street. Liverpool. L2 2DT
Bankers..
Unity Trust Bank Plc, 9 Brindley Place, Birmingham. 81218
Solicitors-.
8rabners, Horton House, E¥chan8e F138s, ￿VerPool. L2 3YL
Directors and trustee5
The directors of the charitable cgmpany (the tharityl are Its trustees for the purposes of charlty law. Thè
trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year-end were as follow5..
Trustees
James Brett
Nicola Crosby
Debbie Gayle
Mark Ord
Hèlen stephens
Claire Cook
Damian France Ichair of Trustees)
Rayrnond Moore (Appointed 13 December 20221
David Roberts
Angela White OBE
Structure, Governance and Management
Govemlng Document
VOLA Consortlum Is a company Ilmited by guarantee governed by it5 Memorandum and Article5 of
Assoclatlon amended on 25th September 2014. It is registered wtih the Charity Commissiofi. Anyone over the
age of 16 c3n become a member of the Company and there are currently 10 truslee members19 in 20211221,
each of whom agrees to contribute £1 irs the èvent of the charity windbng up. In addition to the trustees. the
charity had 60 mernbership organisations as at 31, March 2023, who also a8ree to contribute £1 in the event
of the charity winding up.
Appointment of trustee5
As set out in the Articles of Association the tr￿SteeS are elected by members of the charitable company
attending the Annual General Meeting. The longest servlce one third of trustees retlres each year and are able
to offerthemselves for re*lection.
Page 10

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Structure, Governance and Management (Continued)
Trustee Induction abxl training
New trustees undeTgo an induction process to brief them on.. their legal obligations under charlty and
ompany law. the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and infomi them of the content of the
Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes. Ihe business plan
and recent financial performante of the charity. Durin8 thè indurtion protess they mÈÈt kÈy employees and
other trustees. Tfustees are encouraged to atténd apprtspriate external trainlng events where these will
facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organlsatlon
The board of trustee5, which can have up to 12 rnembers. administers the Charity. The board norrnally meets
quartedy. A Manager is appointed by the trustee5 to manage the day-to-day operation5 of the charity. To
facilitate effertive operations the Mana8er h35 delegated authorttvi within the tèrms of dele8ation approved
by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment, and servlce delivery activity. The
Manager and other members of the staff team are Èmployèd by Sefton Councll for Voluntsry Service, a VOLA
membershSp organisation, with VOLA Consortium being rechar8ed for any staff time incurred in the operation
of project5. A wrltten membershlp agreement is In place outlining the terms of thi5 5taffin8 relatlonshlp.
Related partles and ¢o•peratlon wlth other organlsatlons
None of our trustees receives remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connection
between a trustee or Senior manager of the ¢harity and any client or suppller is disdosed to the full board of
trustees in the same way a5 any other contractual rel*ionship wfth a related party. In the current year no such
related party transartions were reported.
Rlsk Managem•nt
The trustees have a rlsk management strategy which comprises..
an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties th* the chzrity faces.
the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mttigate those risks identified in the annual
review,. and
the Implementatlon of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the
charlty should those rlsks materialise.
This work has identified that financial sustainabillty is the major ffinaneial rssk for the chartty. A key element in
the mana8ement of financial risk is a r￿Ular review of available liquid funds to settle debts as they fall due,
regular liaison with the bank and artive managèment of trade debtors and credltors balance5 to ensure
sufficient working capital by the ¢haritv.
Attention has also been focused on non-financlal risks arlslng from fire. hea￿h and safety of Clients and data
protection. These risks are managed by ensurint accreditation is up to date. having robust policies and
procedures in place and regular awareness training for staff worklng in these operational area5.
Page 11

VOLA Consortium
Trustees, Annual Report (including Directors, Report)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees, Responsibilities
The trustees. who ale a150the dlrectors of VOiA Consortlum forthe purposÈ tsf company law. are rosponslble
for preparing tha trustees, report and the finantial statsments in accordance with appllcable law and ￿n￿ed
Kln8d¢xn Accountiftg Starmlards Iunlted Kingdom Generally A￿pted Accountlr6 practi￿).
Company law requlre5 the chailtytnjstees to prepare flThanci81 ststements for eath finana￿ yearwhkh 8tve a
true and falrviewof the state of affa1￿ of the charltable company and of the lrttomln8 reso(Ir¢es and
appllcatlon of resources. Includin8 the 1ft￿me and expendtiure. of the charttsble ctsmpany for that year. In
preparln8the finandal statements, the trustee5 are requlred to."
l) sekrtsuikble acLDunllng polktes and then ap￿Y them conslstentlr,
2) observe the methods and prtndple5 In the Ch&rlt*s SORP:
3) makejudgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent,.
41 state whdher appllLzbk UK accounting stsndards have been follovéed. sublett to any mated81
d￿aMireS disclosed and explained In the Ilnan¢tal Statements;
Sl prepa￿ the fin8nclal Statements on th• 8oFngconcem b3sls unless It Is iftapproprlate to PTe5umethat
the ¢harlty wlll contlnue bu5ines$.
The trustee5 are responsible for kpepin8 r*wr?ccountlng records that dlsc105e reastsrnable atturacyat
anytlme the fftnanthal positlon ofthe thdrlly and to Ènable them to ensure that thÈ financial statements
comply wrth thè Companles Act 2(K16. They are also responslblefor the safeguardlnethe assets of the charity
and hence fortsknn8 reasonable steps forthe preventton and detectlon of or other iThe8ulaiitie
ThÈtrustee5 are rèsponsible for the malntenance and Integrity olthe cOT￿rate and financlal Inf0M￿￿On
Included on the tharttable companvs *Eb5ke. Le8L%latton in the Unlted fingdom 8overnln8thp preparat5on
ènd dlsseminition o*financTal statements mtydrfferfrom Iwslatlon in other Jurlsdirtlors.
Thts report wa5 approved bythe board of trustees on 15 Detsmbpr 2023 and signe(l on thelr behalf.
D¢mlqn Fronce
aM7fr•lTru5tees
Pa80 12

Independent Examiner's Report
To the trustees of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2023
I report to the charity trustee5 on rny examination of the accounts of VOLA Consortium for the year ended 31
March 2023.
Thls report is made Sole￿ to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance wtth Section 145 of the ChaTlties
Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken 50 that I m58ht State to the charlty's trustees those matters I
am required tg state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, I not accept or assume responsiblllty to anyone other than the charity and the
charity's trustees a5 a body, for my examlnatlon. forthls report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Re5pon5ibilities and basls of report
A5 the charity5 trustees tsf VOLA Consortium land also its dirertors for the purposes of company lawl you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Companie5 Act
2CKJ61'the 2006 Acf l.
Having satlsfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the
2CQ6 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examlnation of your charivs
accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Att 20111'the 2011 Acrfl. In tarrying out my
examination I have followed the Directions 8iven by the Charity Commission under settion 145151 Ibl of the
2011 Act.
Independent examlnerfs statement
Since the ch3rity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examlner must be a member of a body listed In
section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualrfied to undertake the examination because l am a
member of the ICAEW, whlch Is one of the listed bodies.
I have cornpletèd my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my aitention in ¢onnection
with the exarnination giving me cause to believe that in any matèrial respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act,.
or
the accDunts do not accord with those record5', or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other
than any requirement that the actounts give a 'true and fair Vie￿ which is not a matter considered as
part of an independent examinatlon,. or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the
Statement of Recommended Practice for a¢¢ounting and reportlng by charities applicable to Charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicablè in the UK and
Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which
attention should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.
Page 13

Independent Examiner's Report
To the trustees of VOLA Consortium
For the year ended 31 March 2023
JLJ/LI
AnSta ma￿1n BAIHons} BFP FCA
B WM Chartered Accountants
Sulte 5.1, Tempest
12 Tithebam Street
Liverpool
L2 2DT
o￿t. 15 December 2023
Page 14

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Financial Activities
Ilncorporating Income & Expenditure Account)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Current Year Ended 31 March 2023
Unre5tricled
Fund
Re5trirted
Fund
Totsl 2023
Total 2022
NDte
Income and
endowments from:
Donations and
Le8acies
Charitable activities
8,473
8,473
37,743
476,718
514.461
150.305
Total Income
46,216
476,718
522.934
150.305
Expendlture on:
Charitable activities
33,849
345.362
379,211
140.824
Total expendlture
33.849
345,362
379,211
140,824
Nèt
incomÈ/{expend5turel
Transfers between
fund5
Net movement In
funds
12,367
131,356
143,723
9,481
14
12.367
131,356
143,723
9,481
Re¢ontillatlon of
lunds:
Funds blfwd
Funds cl￿d
23,491
35,858
15,197
146,553
38,688
182,411
29,207
38,688
The Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles also complies with the requirernent5 for an in￿rne and expendrture
account under the Companles Act 2006.
All income and expenditure derive from continulng actlvlties.
Page 15

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Financial Activities
Ilncorporating Income & Expenditure Account)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Previous Year Ended 31 March 2022
Unre5trided
Fund
Restricted
Fund
Note
Totsl 2022
Income and
endowments from:
Donatlons and
Legacies
Charitoble activitles
50.613
99,692
150,305
Total Income
50.613
99.692
150,305
Expenditure tsn:
Charitable activities
56,329
84,495
140,824
Total expenditu
56,329
84,495
140,824
Net
Intomellexpenditurel
Transfers between
funds
Net movement in
funds
15,7161
15.197
9,481
15,7161
15,197
9.481
Re¢ondllatlon of
funds..
Funds blfwd
Funds c1fv4d
29,207
23,491
29,207
38.688
15,197
The notes on pages 18 to 29fvrm partof thesefinancialstotements
Page 16

VOLA Consortium
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2023
Qimpany Number.. 08746685
2023
2022
Debtors
Cash at bank and In hand
475.CKIO
42A13
517,413
5.515
69.270
74,785
io
Credltors: Am¢)unts falllnzduo wlthln
on• yoar
li
335,(102
36,097
Net CurYL)nl Assets
182,411
38,688
Total Net ￿sets
15
182,411
38,688
nds ofthe charlty
Desl8nated Funds
General Fund
35.858
23,491
Total un￿StrIcted Funds
13
35,858
23A91
RertActed Fund
146,553
15.197
Total Restricted Fund
14
146,553
15,197
Totsl Funds
182,411
38,688
The cornpany ts entltted tothe exemptX￿ from the ￿dItreqUlrem￿￿t contsined In secdon 4n of thè Companks
Act 2006, fOrthe￿art￿ded 31 March 2023.
The members havè r#)t required the company to obtsin an aldlt of Its finandal statements fortheye•r In quest
In accordan￿W￿seL-￿n 476.
Thetwstees atknowled8e thelr r•5ponSIbl￿tIèStOrenyjrt￿thètthe chartty keeps accountlng re¢Ords￿l¢h ¢omplv
wlth s¢ctlDn 386 ofthe Aa andfor prÈpariTrgfinancial statem•nts vthlch glve a true and falrwewof the state of
affalrs of the comp&ny a5atthe end oltheflrjanclal year and of Its Incomln8 resources ahd opplitatlon of re50vrce4
Indudlng Its income ar￿ expeTrJl￿rÈ. forihe fftnanfJal year In a¢¢ordance with the reguk•ments of sectlons 394 and
395 and whlch otherwtse ￿mplyW[th the requFrements of the cOm￿nIeS Art 2006 relatln8to ftnandal 5t3tsmet)ts,
sofar •5 Op￿0¢4￿*tOthecompaTrv.
These ?Lrounts have b8en pre￿red in accordance whh the p￿$10￿5 applltsble tocoMpan￿$ subjertto the sma
companle5' reglme.
Th ftnarthl stat•monts apprn%*d byth• board oFtru#ew Dg¢•mbw20
7henotes onpagts 19 to 29fomi port Df theseflnonclolrtutements
Page 17

VOLA Consortium
Statement of Cash flows
For the year ended 31 March 2023
2023
2022
Cash flows from operatlng actlvitles
Net income per Statement of Financial Activities
Adjustments for..
Increase in trade and other receivable5
Increase in trade and other payables
143,723
9.481
1469,4851
289,905
17991
22,267
Net cash (used in) Iprovlded by operatln8 artivities
126.8571
30,949
Net cash from Investlng artlvltles
Net cash from flnan¢ing actlvltles
Net Idecreasel lincrease sn cash and cash equlvalents
126.8571
30,949
Cash and osh equivalents at the beginning of the year
69,270
38,321
Cash and cash equlvalents at the end of the year
42.413
69,270
Component5 of cash and cash equlvalents
Cash and bank balances
42.413
69,270
42,413
69,270
Page 18

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2023
l Accounting Policie5
la. Basis ol preparation
The flnancial statements have been prepared in accordance wtth Accountlng and Reportin8
by CharitÈes: Ststement of Recommended Practice applicable io charities preparing their accounts in
accordance wfch the Flnanclal Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS
1021 (effective l January 20151- ICh3ritiÈs SORP IFR5 10211, and the Companies Act 2006 and the UK
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice amènded for accounting periods commencing from l January
2019.
VOL4 Con50rtium meets the definkion of a publlc benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilltles
are initially rètoÈnlsed at historlcal cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant
accountin8 policy note.
The functional currer5Cy Used by VOLA Consortlum Ss the £ Sterllng.
Financlal Instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section
12 '0ther Financlal Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are re¢oBnlsed in the charity's balance sheet when the charlty becomes party to
the contractual provisions gf the rn5trument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the flnancial statements,
when there is a legally enforceable right to Set off the recognlsed amounts and there Is an intention to
settle on a net basis or to reallse the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Crltltal actountlng estlmate5 and judgements
In the application of the tharitVs accounting policies, the twstees are required to make judgements,
estlmates and a55umptions about the carrying amount of asset5 and liabilities that are not readily
appo￿nt from other sources. The è5timatÈs and associated assvmptions are based on historical
experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these
estimates.
The estlmate5 and underlyin8 assumptions are reviewed on an ongoinE basis. Revisions to accountinB
esilmates are recognised in the period in which the estimate Is revlsed where the revlsion afferts only
that period, or in the period of the revision and futtsre perlods where the revlslon affects both Current
and future periods. There were considered to be no critlcal aecountlng estlmates orludgements
applied in the preparation of these financial statements.
Ib. Preparatlon ot the aCc￿ntS on a golng Concern basls
An assessment of income strèams and the required fixed and variable overheads ￿qUired to
complete the ongoing projects Succe￿fUlly, the trustees consider that the accourhts should be
prepared on a goin8 concern basis.
Page 19

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
l Accounting Policies (cont.)
l& In¢ome
Income is recognised when the charity ha5 entitlement to the funds. any performance conditions
attached to the itemlsl of incorne have been met. it is probable that the Incorrte wlll be received and
the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other gr4nts, whether'capital, grants or'revenue, grants, Is retognised
when the charity has entitlement to the funds. any performance conditions attached to the ttemlsl of
income have been met. ft Is probablÈ that the Income will be received and the amount can be
measured reliably and 15 not deferred.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when recelvable and the amount can be measured
reliably by the charity.. this is normally upon notificat￿On of ihe Interest paid or payable by the bank.
Id. Deferred Income
Income from donations and grants, including capltal grants are deferred when the following
conditions are met-
al when donors specify that donations and Èrants given to the charity must be used In futvre
accounting periods, thè income 15 deferred until those periods
bl when donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to
use such inctsme, the Incorne is deferred and not induded in incoming resources until the
preconditions for use have been met.
le. Donated servlos and fa¢llltie5
Donated professional sèrvices and don*ed facilities are re¢o8nised a5 income when the charity has
control over the item, any ¢ondition5 a550Ci3ted with the donated item have been met, the receipt of
Ètonomlc benefrt from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that the economic benefit
can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021, the general volunteer time
is not reco8nised and refer to the trustees, annual report for more information about their
contribution.
On ieceipt, donated professional servites and donated facilities are retogni5ed on the basis of the
value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been wllllng to pay to
obtain servlce5 or facSlltles of equlvalent economic benefit on the open market,. a correspondlng
amount is then recognlsed In expenditure in the period of re¢eipt.
If. Expendlture
Expenditure is Tecognised once there Is a legal or construttive obll8atlon to make a payment to a thlrd
party, it 15 probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be
measured reliably. Expendrture is classified under the following actlvlty headlngs:
al Expenditure on charitable activities includes the e(lucational activities undertaken to further the
purposes of the charlty and their assoclated support Costs.
bl Other expenditure represents those items not fallin8 into any other heading.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a ¢ost agatnst the a¢tivlty for which the expenditure was incurred.
Page 20

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
l Accounting Pollcles {cont.)
IE. Funds Attounting
All income and expendtture together with gains and losses are allocated to a specific charitable fvnd.
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity.
Restrirted funds are donations which the donor has speclfled are to be used solety for partictslar areas
of the charf(y's work or for specific projerts being undertaken by the charity.
Further details of restricted fund5 tO8Èther with thelr purposes are set out In note 14.
Ih. Debtors
Trade and other debtor5 are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount
offered. Prepayments are valued al the amount prepaid net of any trade dlscounts due.
li. Cash at bank and In hand
Cash at bank and tssh in hand Includes cash and short term highly liquid investments wlth a short
maturity of three month5 or le55 frorn the date of atquisition or opening of the deposit or similar
account.
IJ. Credltors and provlslon5
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a
past èvènt that wlll probably result in the transfer of funds to 3 third party and the amount due to
settle the obligation can be measured ur estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normallv
recognised at thelr Settlement amount after all¢)wing for any trade discounts due.
IK Taxatlon
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gain5 falling within section 505 of the Taxes Art 1988 OT
sertion 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its
chariiable objects.
Page 21

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Donation5 & Legaclos
UnTestwirted
2023
2022
Donations
8,473
8.473
Charftable Artl¥fty Income
Restrlrted
20Z3
Unre5trirted
2023
2022
Greenbank College- New Futures
LCR CA- Digital Mapping
UKSPF- DlgStal Connectivity Grants
The National Lottery Community
Fund- Together for our planet
DWP- Kickstart Intermedlary
LCR Conneci
27.993
9,750
50,613
475,000
9,947
86,745
3,000
150,305
1,718
476,718
37.743
Page 22

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Charttable actrvfties
Educatlon
and
tralnln8
VCF
Capaclty
Building
Totsl
2023
Totsl 2022
Direct staff costs
Project costs
23,097
7.917
24,920
314,073
48.017
321,990
71,759
53,569
Share of support cost5 (see note 51
3,569
3,162
6,731
13,336
Share of governance c05ts15ee note 5)
2,376
2,376
2,160
Bad Debt
97
97
37,056
342,155
379,211
140,824
The direct staff costs are the total seconded staff costs charged
to VOLA
Analysis by fund
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
11,061
25.995
37.056
334,301
7,854
342,155
345,362
33,849
379,211
For the year ended 31 March
2022
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
80,401
56,329
136,730
4,094
84,495
56,329
140,824
4,094
S. Support ¢osts
Support
costs
Governance
costs
2023
2022
Basis of allocatlon
Allocated to education
& training, VCF Capacitv
13.336 &uilding
Allocated to educatlon
& trainin8, VCF Capaclty
2,160 8uilding
Contribution to
overheads
6,731
6.731
Independent examlners
fee5
2.376
2,376
6,731
2,376
9,107
15,496
Page 23

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Financlal instruments
2023
2022
Carrylng amount of financlal assets
Debt instruments measured at amortlsed cost
517.413
74.78S
Carrylng amount of ftnanclal Ilabllltles
Measured at amortised cost
333,573
36,097
Trustees
No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year12022- nil)
No Expenses were reimbursed to trustees during the year12022- nil)
Related Party transartion5
Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel Is as follows-
2023
2022
AggreEate compensation
21,605
21,605
19,624
19,624
There We￿ no other related party transactions during the year
Debtors
2023
2022
Trade debtors
Accrued Income
5.515
475,000
475,000
5,515
10. Cash at bank and in hand
2023
2022
Cash at bank
42,413
42.413
69,270
69,270
11. Credltor5: Amounts fallin8 due within one year
2023 £
299.234
31,963
2,376
1,429
335,002
2022 £
Grants Payable
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Funds held as Agent
33,937
2,160
36,097
Page 24

VOLA Con50rtium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
12. Funds held as agent
VOLA ConsortiLtm holds £1.429 funds as agent12022.. £31. in a bank account operaied by the charitable
company. which Is payable to thlrd parties. The bank balance and an eoulvalent amouni payable to third
parties are excluded frorn these acwunts.
Previous yeor ended 31 Morch 2022
Balance
carried
forward
2022
Balance
brought
forward
Received
Funder
DWP- Kickstart
Greenbank College
New Futures Programme
Totalfunds held 05 ogent Iprevious
yeorj
Spent
1271,8101
271,810
528
403.208
1403,7391
131
528
675,018
1675,5491
131
Current year ended 31 March
2023
Balance
carried
forward
2023
Balance
brought
forward
Recelved
Funder
DWP- Kickstart
Greenbank College
New Futures ProgrL7mme
Total funds held as agent Icurrent
yearl
Spent
1121,5951
121,595
242,990
1241,5581
1,429
364,585
1363,1531
1.429
Page 25

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
13. Unrestrlcted Funds
Previous ye¢7r ended 31
Morch 2022
Balance
carried
forward
2022
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Income
Expenditure
General Fund
26.784
2.423
29,207
(4,287)
152,042)
156,329}
22,497
994
General Fund- New Futures
Total Funds (previous yearj
50,613
50,613
23,491
Current year ended 31
March 2023
Balance
carrled
forward
2023
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Income
Expenditure
General Fund
22,497
8,473
27,993
13,6171
122,3781
17.8541
8.505
16,6091
11,8961
35.858
General Fund New Futures
994
LCR CA DI Mapping
9,750
Total Fund5 (current yearl
23,491
46,216
133,8491
35,858
Page 26

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
14. Restricted Funds
Balance
carried
forward
2022
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Previous ye17r ended31
March 2022
Income
Expenditure
DWP- Kickstort
TNLCF- TFOP
LCR- Chority Digitol
Total Funds
(previous year)
86,745
9,948
177,402)
(4 094)
9.343
5.854
99,693
(84,496)
15,197
Balance
carried
forward
2023
Balance
brought
forward
Transfers
between
funds
Current year ended 31
March 2023
Income
Expenditure
DWP - Kickstart
TNLCF-TFOP
UKSPF- Di8ltal Grants
Total Funds
(current yearl
9,343
5,854
1,718
{11.0611
(5,8541
1328.4471
475,000
146,553
15.197
476,718
1345,3621
146,553
* The Governments Kickstart scheme provided funding to employers to ereate fvmonth job placements for
unemployed 16 to 24 year olds in receipt of Universal Credit. As a Gateway Body. VOLA acted as an
intermediary between the DWP and local employers to help them to manage their Kick5tart grant and ensure
that participants were well trained and s¢Jpported while engaged in the scheme to enable their c*nward
progression to poid employmeTht.
* The Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund's Yogether for our Planet" ITFOPI fund provlded freè energv
assessments to voluntary sector organisations. VOLA coordinated thls small prolett across the Liverpool City
Regiorh ILCRI.
UKSPF- Di8ltal Grants projett provides grants and sUPPOrt ftsrthe voluntary. community, faith and social
enterprise IVCFSEI sector to Improve publlc-facing IT facillties & create new facilities in priority areas. The
Digttol ConnectivityforLocal Community Focilities Grants project is funded by the UK Government through the
UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Comblned Authority as the lead authority.
Page 27

VOLA Consortium
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2023
IS. Analysis of Net Assets
Previous yearended 31 March 2022
Unrestrlcted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
Net Current Assets
23.491
23,491
15.197
15,197
38.688
38,688
Current year ended 31 March 2023
Unrestrirted
Fund5
Restrlcted
Funds
Total Funds
Net Current Assets
35,858
35,858
146,553
146.553
182,411
182,411
Pase 28