Year ending 31st March 2023 **Charity Number: 1159184**
|Reference & administrative details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustee report|3|
|Activities & achievements|6|
|Statements|7|
|Independent examiners report|9|
|Receipts and payments of accounts|12|
|Statement of assets & liabilities|13|
|Income &expenditure|14|
|Balance sheet|15|
**Reference and administrative details – Year ending 31[st ] March 2023**
**Name of charity:** North Somerset People First
**Charity registration number:** 1159184
**Governing Document:** CIO – Foundation registered 12[th ] November 2014
**Trustees:**
Stephen Campling (Chairperson) Christopher Bird (Treasurer) Kyle Hannan Hugh Ross Jane Haros Rebecca Keating Chris Garcia
No trustee has beneficial interest in the charity.
**Principle Address:**
North Somerset People First The Campus Highlands Lane Weston Super Mare BS24 7DX
**Website:** www.nspf.co.uk
**Page 1**
**Independent Examiner:** Kirsty Beechey 19 Boulevard Weston Super Mare BS23 1NR
**Bankers** HSBC bank 174 High Street Worle Weston Super Mare BS22 6JD
Cambridge & Counties Bank Limited Charnwood Court 58 New Walk Leicester LE1 6TE
Nationwide Building Society Kings Park Road Moulton Park Industrial Estate Northhampton NN3 6NW
CAF bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Virgin Money 7 Gold Street Northampton NN1 1EN
**Page 2**
## **Trustees’ report**
The trustees of North Somerset People First present their annual report and independently examined accounts for the year ending 31[st ] March 2023 and confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing their aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
## **Objectives & Activities**
North Somerset People First (NSPF) is a self-advocacy charity working for and led by the voices of people with a learning disability in North Somerset. NSPF promotes and encourages people with a learning disability to speak up for themselves, empowering them to be in control of their own lives, now and in the future. We provide speaking up forums across the county, facilitate training opportunities and services to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and provide activities that reduce the social isolation that many people with learning disabilities experience. We have clear access links to all statutory services locally and ensure the views and opinions of people with a learning disability in North Somerset are used to influence and develop these services.
**Page 3**
NSPF provides paid employment and opportunities for meaningful work experience programs for people with learning disabilities within North Somerset.
## **Structure, Governance and Management:**
The trustees are responsible for the overall management and control of North Somerset People First and meet as a minimum six times per year. All trustees give their time freely, remuneration for expenses have to date not been claimed.
## **Organisational & Operational Management:**
The day to day running of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer.
## **Advisory Committee:**
North Somerset People First’s Advisory Committee is made up of a group of people with a Learning disability. The Advisory Committee is responsible for finding out what services there are in North Somerset and if they meet the needs and expectations of their peers. It is a group of people who meet every 3 months, where they advise and inform our trustees what is important to the people who use our services. Committee members stand for one year and new Advisory Committee members are elected annually at our AGM.
**Page 4**
## **Risk Management:**
The trustees are responsible for the overseeing of the risks faced by the charity. Risks are identified and assessed, and controls established throughout the year. A formal review of the charities risk management is carried out annually.
The charity has taken out suitable insurance in order to cover any unforeseen problems.
## **Reserves Policy** :
Reserve funds (hereafter referred to as The Reserve Fund) will be maintained at a level equivalent to six months operational expenditure and will provide the charity with adequate financial stability for the foreseeable future. The reserves fund will be invested in deposit accounts agreed by the Board of Trustees. The amount of the reserves fund will be calculated as follows:
**1.** Six months of all employees’ salaries plus national insurance & pension contributions.
**2.** The amount of redundancy payment and any payment in lieu of notice to which each employee would be entitled if the charity were dissolved.
**3.** Six months of normal expenditure for the charity.
**4.** An amount to cover unforeseen costs.
**5.** Solicitors’ costs for winding up.
**6.** Expenditure for planned projects.
**Page 5**
The reserves fund will be reviewed ½ yearly and the figures adjusted accordingly. A report will be submitted to the Board of Trustees by the Business & Finance Manager. All withdrawals from the reserve accounts will be authorised by nominated persons from the Board of Trustees.
As of the 31[st ] of March 2023, the amount of restricted reserves: £139,942.22
**Activities and Achievements:** Please see full charity annual report containing activities and achievements for 20222023 at the end of this document.
## **Future Plans**
With funding in place to increase our demographic membership, we are exploring how to effectively develop an expansion of our core services in new geographical areas.
Our current key funding comes from range of sources which includes: The local authority, BNSSG ICB, National Lottery Community Fund and other small trust/charity project grants. We are mindful that there is always potential for further government cuts, which could affect our core funding from the local authority. We continue to identify new opportunities of funding that will enable us to carry out our aims and objectives.
NSPF has invested some of its unrestricted reserves to support social media development, technology upgrades, developing new branding materials, a photography portfolio and member enrichment programme.
**Page 6**
## **Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the financial activities for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- Prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charities Act. They have general responsibility for taking
**Page 7**
such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. Laws applicable to charities in England and Wales require the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements with the Financial Reporting Standard for smaller entities (effective Jan 2015)
**Statement of disclosure to independent examiner**
## In so far as the trustees are aware:
There is no relevant information of which the charity’s independent examiner is unaware; and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of the information.
## By order of the Board,
Christopher Bird (Treasurer / Trustee
**Page 8**
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
Report to the Trustees of North Somerset People First on accounts for the year ended 31[st ] March 2023. Charity Number 1159184.
Set out on pages 1,2 and 3
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5) (b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
9
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to
- enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent Examiner
> Signed�· _'3,. Wz_
Date: 2\[} ] 12 /Z02--3.
## Name: Kirsty Fowler
Address: 19 Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1 NR
Relevant professional body: Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) & Association of Tax Technicians(A TT)
10
Fo
## **Disclosure**
_Brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose._
The organisation is still located in the smaller accommodation based at The Campus; provided by the Local Authority.
11
## **Receipts and payments accounts**
North Somerset People First
## Charity Number 1159184
For the period O l /04/2022 to 31/03/2023
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Receipts**||**Restricted**
**funds**||**Total funds**
**2023**
137,756
136,578
4,979
2,610
**281,923**
- I~~I~~
**281,9231**~~**1**~~
217,799.23
39,104.47
9,768.51
11,700.00
TW
**278,481**
~~-~~
II
**278,48111**
**3,442**
-
162,028
**165,470**
**Total Funds**
**2022**
157,945
105,903
-
1,094
**264,942**
~~- I~~
**264,9421**
186,967
53,634
7,684
15,000
110
**263,395**
~~- I~~
**263,395 1 **
**1,547**
-
160,482
**162,029**|**Total funds**
**2023**
137,756
136,578
4,979
2,610
**281,923**
- I~~I~~
**281,9231**~~**1**~~
217,799.23
39,104.47
9,768.51
11,700.00
TW
**278,481**
~~-~~
II
**278,48111**
**3,442**
-
162,028
**165,470**
**Total Funds**
**2022**
157,945
105,903
-
1,094
**264,942**
~~- I~~
**264,9421**
186,967
53,634
7,684
15,000
110
**263,395**
~~- I~~
**263,395 1 **
**1,547**
-
160,482
**162,029**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Grant funded projects||||7,918||129,838||137,756
136,578|157,945
105,903|
|Service provision
Community Social fund||||47,900
-||88,677||||
|||||||-||||
|Miscellaneous sale income
Bank interest received||||4,979
2,610||-||4,979
2,610|-
1,094|
|||||||-||||
|**_Sub total_**
I**Investment income**
**_Total receipts_I**
**Payments**||||**63,408**
||**218,516**
||||
|||||||~~- II~~
**218,5161**~~**1**~~||||
|Staff costs||||41,409||176,391
34,980||217,799.23|186,967
53,634|
|Purchases||||4,124||||39,104.47||
|Overheads
Accrued costs||||2,371
11,700
||7,398
-
-||9,768.51
11,700.00
TW|7,684
15,000
110
|
|Bank charges||||109||||||
|**_Sub total_**
**59,712**
**I Asset and investment purchases**
I
•II
**_Total payments_I **
**_Net of receipts/_**
**_(payments)_**
**Transfers between**
**funds**
**Cash funds last year**
**end**
**_Cash funds this_**
**_year end_**
**59,712II**
**3,695**
55,895
333,820
**393,410**
-
-
-
-||||||**218,768**
||||
|||||||~~- II~~
**218,76811**
**253**
55,895||||
||
333,820
**393,410**
-
-|||||171,792
**227,940 **||||
**12**
## **Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 st March 2023**
|**Cash funds**
**Other monetary**
**assets**
**Assets retained for**
**the charity's own**
**use**
**Liabilities**|Details|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Bank Accounts|**265,141**||
||Building Society Accounts|**131,771**|**139,942**|
||Cash held|**98**||
||NetDebtors/Current Liabilities|~~-~~
**3,600**|~~-~~
**367,882**|
||**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
|
**393,410**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**
-
**227,940**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest£**
:**=====**:
�==========�
**Current value**||
||:
D
e
b
to
r
s
===================|||
||
Details|||
||Furniture, fixtures and fittings|**2,850**||
||Computers and Accessories|**3,425**||
||Other offce equipment|**4,240**||
||**Details**|**Amount due**||
||Business Charge card
PAYE, Nat Ins, Pension|**1,711**||
|||||
||Creditors|**1,889**||
||Deferred Income|**356,181**||
||Accruals|**11,700**||
A[pp] roved by the board of Trustees on .. :2.'5../9�{/2 ....[3'] _**.**_ Chair[p] erson ... _[d] ..........._ •• •• •• ..•• • .. •.. •.. _t!.-/Jc:S_ Treasurer ............................. l .......................... . Christopher Bird Jane Haros J OL I l
13
## **North Somerset People First Income and Expenditure Account Year Ended 31st March 2023**
|**Sales**
**Supporting People**
**NHS Health Project**
**NSC Community Team for LO**
**NSC Childrens Centers**
**Employability Services**
**PC Psi Advocacy**
**Suppor Programs**
**Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales**
**The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL**
**NHS BNSSG ICB. A Better Life**
**NSC Infection Control**
**Henry Smith - Young Peoples Advocacy Service**
**NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG**
**Green Social Prescribing Programme**
**South Glous Development Fund**
**Quartet Community Fund**
**Fundraising**
**Miscellaneous Sales Income**
**Bank interest received**
**Staff Costs**
**Supporing People**
**NHS Health Project**
**NSC Community Team for LO**
**NSC Childrens Centers**
**PC Pi Advocacy**
**Support Programs**
**Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales**
**The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL**
**Henry Smith - Young Peoples Advocacy Service**
**NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG**
**Green Social Prescribing Programme**
**South Glous Development Fund**
**Quartet Community Fund**
**Purchases**
**Supporting People**
**NHS Health Project**
**NSC Community Team for LO**
**NSC Childrens Centers**
**PCPs/Advocacy**
**Suppor Programs**
**Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales**
**The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL**
**Henry Smith - Young Peoples Advocacy Service**
**NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG**
**Green Social Prescribing Programme**
**South Glous Development Fund**
**Fundraising**
**Miscellaneous Purchases**
**NSC Infection Control**
**Gross profit/(loss)**|**2022-2023**
**Income**
**38,196.37**
**26,296.55**
**7,918.00**
**26,995.64**
**2,000.00**
**13,276.25**
**32,624.04**
**0.00**
**42,238.60**
**0.00**
**0.00**
**18,454.34**
**43,227.26**
**2,500.00**
**8,775.91**
**11,830.85**
**2,179.39**
**2,800.00**
**2,609.90**
**281,923.10**
**Expenditure**
**32,363.13**
**20,492.21**
**7,425.68**
**24,459.92**
**4,001.59**
**29,981.27**
**0.00**
**28,136.34**
**15,406.82**
**35,126.96**
**1,666.02**
**6,908.44**
**11,830.85**
**217,799.23**
**4,750.50**
**5,204.34**
**500.65**
**2,772.99**
**1,131.14**
**43.19**
**0.00**
**11,515.48**
**2,872.22**
**5,190.68**
**837.87**
**1,835.97**
**1,049.44**
**1,400.00**
**0.00**
**39,104.47**
**25,019.40**|**2021-2022**
**Income**
38,369.93
7,837.37
7,918.00
26,995.64
0.00
11,273.80
29,263.32
20,321.46
119,711.78
0.00
685.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,471.56
0.00
1,093.69
264.941.55
**Expenditure**
32,937.14
5,691.93
7,469.00
25,110.57
0.00
23,471.41
17,626.49
74,660.75
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
186,967.29
5,046.32
1,874.09
497.92
1,890.95
0.00
237.97
1,344.20
40,610.97
1,446.19
0.00
685.00
53,633.61
24,340.65
**Change**
-173.56
18,459.18
0.00
0.00
2.000.00
2,002.45
3,360.72
-20,321.46
-77,473.18
0.00
-685.00
18,454.34
43,227.26
2,500.00
8,775.91
11,830.85
707.83
2,800.00
1,516.21
16,981.55
-574.01
14,800.28
-43.32
-650.65
4,001.59
6,509.86
-17,626.49
-6,524.41
15,406.82
35,126.96
1,666.02
6,908.44
11,830.85
30,831.94
-295.82
3,330.25
2.73
882.04
1,131.14
-194.78
-1,344.20
-29,095.49
2,872.22
5,190.68
837.87
1,835.97
-396.75
1,400.00
-685.00
-14,529.14|
|---|---|---|
## **Gross profit/(loss)**
14
|**Overheaos**
**Supporting People**
**NHS Health Projecl**
**NSC Childrens Centers**
**PCP/Avocacy**
**Support Programs**
**The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL**
**Lloyds**Baille**foundalion for England**1**Wales**
**Henry Smith - Young Peoples Advocacy Service**
**NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG**
**Green Social Prescribing Programme**
**South Glous 'oevelopmeni Fund**
**Fundraising**
**Accrued Expenses****_note_**2
**Legal Fees**
**Bank Charges**
Excess of Expenditure over Income
**Eitcess of Income over Expenditure**|281,923.10
1,086.39
600.00
0.00
1,224.79
1,146.13
2,586.78
0.00
175.30
2,909.62
8.00
31.50
0.00
11,700.00
0.00
108.60
21,577.11
3,442.29
281,923.10
264,941.55
464.00
271.35
13.50
0.00
1,225.65
4,440.06
1,269.81
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
15,000.00
0.00
109.50
22,793.87
1,546.78
264,941.55
622.39
328.65
-13.50
1,224.79
-79.52
-1,853.28
-1,269.81
175.30
2,909.62
8.00
31.50
0.00
-3,300.00
0.00
-0.90
-1,216.76
0.00
1,895.51|
|---|---|
## **18aia!l1lce Slheett as at 3'llstt Marrch 2023**
31ST **MARCH** 2023 31ST MARCH 2022
|**Fixed A ets**
**Equipment**
**Less Depreciation**
**C!r:e!i Assels**
**Debtors**
**HSBC Current**_ae_
**CPF Cash Account**
**CAf savings account**
**Virgin Money**
**Nationwide Building Soc****_note3_**
**Cambridge & Counties bank****_noto 3_**
**Cash in hand**
**less Currrl liabiiifies**
**Business Charge card**
**Accurals**
**Less Deferred Income ""'"****_1_**
**Less Creditors**
**Represented By**
**Balance Brought Forward**
**Profit this Period**
**Balance Carried Forward**
_(c:;/,r.,_
_<_
Chairperson ... l/�Y
G.................... .
Jane Haros
Accounts examiner ..�.�\.:.
Kirsty Fowler|0.00
234,647.47
30,493.58
51,303.27
80,467.97
62,902.05
77,040.17
07.68
-1,710.97
-11,700.00
. ,;<3��/iiff.of
-1,889.22
165,470.98
162,028.69
3,42.29
165,470.98
165,470.98
165,470.98
987.00
288,623.08
0.00
50,948.89
0.00
61,880.86
76,277.39
107.70
-1,715.53
-43,000.00
-266,950.03
-5,130.67
162,028.69
160,481.91
1,546.78
162,028.69
162,028.69
-987.00
-53,975.61
30,493.58
354.38
80,467.97
1,021.19
762.78
-10.02
4.56
31,300.00
-89,230.99
3,241.45
3,442.29
1,546.78
1,895.51
3,442.29
3,442.29
3,442.29|
|---|---|
Notes to the accounts:
>Note 1. Deferred income consists of; NHS Health project £7330.98, Lloyds Bank Foundation £27250, National Lottery Community Fund ABL £78218.40, NHS ICB ABL £60000, Henry Smith YPAS £ 11495.66, NHS Rebuilding self advocacy£ 157772.7 4, SG Develpment fund £6224.09, Quartet Community Fund £7889.15.
>Note 2. Accurals as approved by the board;
ringfenced funds brought forward of £2000 for social media development, £2500 for technology upgrading, £4000 for the development of new branding materials, £2000 for member enrichment programme, £ 1200 for photography porfolio
>Note 3. Ringfenced reserves for wind-up costs £ 139942.22 (held in Nationwide and Cambridge & Counties accounts)
16
Funds which need the balance to be carried forward for deferred income, as payments made are for ongoing projects.
|**Fund**|**Sales**|**Purchases**|**Direct**
**Expenses**|**O/Hs**|**Balance to carry**
**forard**|
**Amended**
**Sales Figure**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**NHS Health Project**|33,627.53|
5,204.34|
20,492.21|
600.00|
**7,330.98**|
26,296.55|
|**Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales**|27,250.00|
0.00|
0.00|
0.00|
**27,250.00**|
0.00|
|**The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL**|120,457.00|
11,515.48|
28,136.34|
2,586.78|**78,218.40 **|
42,238.60|
|**NHS BNSSG ICB. A Better Life**|60,000.00|
0.00|
0.00|
0.00|
**60,000.00**|
0.00|
|**Henr Smith - Young Peoples Advocacy Service**|29,950.00|
2,872.22|
15,406.82|
175.30|
**11,495.66**|
18,454.34|
|
**NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG**|201,000.00|
5,190.68|
35,126.96|
2,909.62|
**157,772.74**|
43,227.26|
|**South Glous Development Fund**|15,000.00|
1,835.97|
6,908.44|
31.50|
**6,224.09**|
8,775.91|
|**Quartet Community Fund**|19,720.00|
0.00|
11,830.85|
0.00|
**7,889.15**|
11,830.85|
|356,181.02|||||||
17
## **Annual Report 2022-2023**
Speaking up for yourself feels good and really does make a difference. (Mark B)
## **CONTENTS**
**1.** Introduction **2.** Our Vision **3.** Chair of Trustees Report **4.** Chief Executive Report **6.** Advisory Committee **9.** Our Year in Numbers **10.** Speaking up Groups **13.** Young People's Advocacy Service **14.** Men's Wellbeing & Women's Wellness **17.** Walking Groups **19.** Friends Together Groups **21.** A Better Life (mental health service) **22** Post Covid Support **23** Parent Advocacy **24.** Poo Matters **26.** Visit from Merseyside People First **27.** Environmental Day with SUEZ **29.** Strawberryline Project **31.** Annual General Meeting 2022 **32.** Valentines Fundraising Event **33.** Thank you to our Funders & Donors **34.** Financial Information
## INTRODUCTION TO PEOPLE FIRST
**We are a self advocacy organisation run for and led by people with a learning disability. Anyone with a learning disability or autism who lives, works or attends college or day services in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire can become a member of the organisation. It is free to join.**
**Self Advocacy means speaking up for yourself about important things in your life. It also means doing things for yourself, making changes happen, talking about problems, knowing your rights and responsibilities, making friends and having fun.**
## **Self Advocacy supports us to:**
- **Have more control over our lives**
- **Share news and discuss things that are important**
- **Make friends and have fun**
- **Do things we want and in our way**
- **Become independent and responsible**
- **Respect and trust each other**
- **Share feelings**
- **Talk about problems and be listened to**
- **Help make big decisions to change things for**
- **ourselves and other people**
1
## VISION
**Our vision is for a society where people with a learning disability, difficulty and autism realise their hopes and dreams and live inclusive, happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives**
## MISSION
**North Somerset People First promotes and encourages people with a learning disability, difficulty, and autism to speak up for themselves, empowering them to be in control of their own lives now and in the future**
## VALUES
**We are passionate about working together with our members to achieve shared goals**
**We value our differences, and understand that being kind and respectful to each other makes us stronger**
**We act with integrity to develop strong and trusting relationships with our members**
**We embrace challenges with positivity and determination**
**We are driven to continuously develop, evaluate, and improve**
2
## **Report from our Chairperson Steve Campling**
**“This has been a very positive year for People First despite the impact of the recent Pandemic and current cost of living crisis.**
**The Charity has achieved important strategic growth goals, namely increased geographic and demographic coverage. It now provides services across North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This growth has only been made possible by winning the support of both Charitable Trusts and local authority & NHS service providers who value the services People First offers and delivers.**
**To support this growth both the operations team and the Trustee team have been enhanced whist continuing to exercise appropriate cost management. The challenge for the coming year will be to consolidate service provision within the widened catchment area and the broader demographic bands.**
**team, led by our CEO Michelle, that this challenge will be met and that our growing membership will benefit from our services portfolio delivered in a highly professional manner.”**
3
## **Report from our Chief Executive Officer Michelle Burnett**
**"Throughout the year I’ve been inspired by the individuals who draw on People First’s support. They have demonstrated to me the significant difference our services are making. This highlights the integrity and passion of our staff team as they continue with dedication and commitment to deliver high quality, meaningful services, and activities for our members.**
**Whilst for most people, the covid pandemic feels like something of the past and have returned to living life to the full as they did before the pandemic hit. However, this is not the case for many people with a learning disability who were disproportionately affected, and we continue to provide support for individuals who remain isolated and struggling with their emotional wellbeing as a result of the pandemic. It is a delight to see the progess individuals are making and the on-going support they provide to each other**
**Speaking to one of our members earlier in the year, they said "life feels like an uphill battle, we have gone from one crisis to another"! I couldn't agree more. The cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on people with low incomes, which applies to the majority of our members. The team have been mindful of this and ensured that our members are receiving the benefits they are entitled to and making them aware of the help and support that is available for them to access.**
4
**We have made great progress in our strategic development by achieving further reach across Bristol & South Gloucestershire. Our ambition to establish relationships with new partners across Bristol and South Gloucestershire is developing well and I anticipate we will continue to create further opportunities to increase connections with partners and stakeholders, developing relationships that are deeply important to us and integral to ensuring the voices of people with a learning disability are heard and acted upon.**
**Our board of trustees has been strengthened through new appointments and I am delighted by the passion and vision they have demonstrated for our charity.**
**experience of our board, we will continue to succeed in our strategic direction.**
**As the year was coming to its end, we were delighted to receive positive news from the National Lottery Community Fund. Our application for funding to continue and expand our mental health and emotional wellbeing service was successful. We were awarded just under £500,000. This was also supported by Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, provided £60,000 to support this service.**
**We look forward to expanding delivery of the service across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.**
**As always, a huge thank you to our staff and volunteers for your dedication and commitment to People First. Your continued hard work and creative delivery has directly and positively impacted our members.**
**I would like to acknowledge the work of our volunteer advocates who undertake complex cases and endless hours of support for parents who are experiencing the difficult and emotional process of care proceedings.**
**Feedback I receive from clients and professionals is always positive and many clients say that they would not have coped without the help from their advocate.**
**Your work in commendable and we appreciate everything that you do. Thank you, you truly are amazing."**
5
## **ADVISORY COMMITTEE**
**We are a group of people who come together to represent people with a learning disability and/or autism and support them to speak up for themselves and have more control over their own lives.**
**We want to empower people with learning disabilities and make a difference to people’s lives.**
**We want people to have opportunities to access information and services that will help them to have control of their own lives.**
**The Committee will include a diverse range of representatives, for example, people who live independently, supported living, or residential care, people who are employed or volunteer locally, young and older people.**
6
## **ADVISORY COMMITTEE**
**We ensure that People First carry out services, activities, projects, and consultations that are important to our members.**
**We feedback information to the board of trustees, and make sure that the trustees are planning to do things that are important to the People First members.**
**Meet with the trustees and the staff team at least 4 times a year to review the work of our Advisory Committee and plan our priorities for future work.**
**We attend People First groups and activities to pass on information and gather information from our members.**
7
## **ADVISORY COMMITTEE**
**We take part in, facilitation of groups and training, consultations, audits and fundraising activities.**
**The role of the Advisory Committee is to check progress and review the work of the board. This is achieved by attending at least 4 trustee meetings a year.**
**We plan and participate in People First’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)**
**We are involved in setting up and leading specialist groups to develop the work of People First, for example project working groups and fundraising and social committees.**
8
## **OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS**
**PEOPLE ACCESSING ONE OR MORE OF OUR SERVICES 387**
**FACILITATED GROUPS INCLUDUNG SPEAKING UP, MENTAL HEALTH, FRIENDS TOGETHER & PEER SUPPORT** 1 **26**
**PEOPLE PROVIDED WITH 1-1 OR SMALL GROUP SUPPORT**
**37 PEOPLE WHO SELF ADVOCATED 311**
**SUPPORTED GROUP WALKS 25% WERE GREEN WALKS 72 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES 561**
9
## SPEAKING UP GROUPS
## Bristol, North Somerset &
## South Gloucestershire
**Our speaking up groups provide an opportunity for members to share their views and opinions about things that are important to them. The groups support members to develop their communication skills and build confidence, empowering them to have their voices heard in important topics.**
**Members are able to provide feedback about local and national services in a safe and welcomimg environment, feedback is used to influence the development of current and future services.**
**The Speaking up groups agenda is always member led and structured in accordance with members' needs, suggestions and ideas.**
**Our groups are a great platform for extenal bodies to consult directly with our members.**
10
## Topics and consultations have included
- **A visit from Read Easy to provide information about their free reading tuition service supporting people to develop their reading skills.**
- **Elections and voting.**
- **Preparations to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.**
- **Scams and personal safety**
- **their**
- **mobile phones and what will happen.**
- **Visit from Avon & Somerset Police.**
- **Visit from Bristol Austistic Spectrum Service.**
- **Participated in North Somerset Council consultation on Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategy.**
- **Review of online information for Annual Health Checks -South Gloucestershire Council**
- **Bus travel in North Somerset - Feedback of impact on members sent to bus service following the discontinuation of service to our office base**
11
a4
SPEAKING UP GROUPS
12
## YOUNG PEOPLES' ADVOCACY SERVICE
**We have been given a great opportunity to support young people aged between 16-25 with one to one and group advocacy. The team have been busy setting up this new service and spreading the word about the support on offer.**
**We have made connections with local schools and colleges and regularly attend Weston College to facilitate a speaking up group.**
**So far, we have supported a range of young people to ensure their voice is heard with accessing college courses, help with independent travel and housing.**
**This is just the start, we have many more plans ahead, including drop in sessions at Weston College and a programme of financial support and well-being within local SEN schools.**
13
## MEN'S WELLBEING
**This men-only group aims to focus on peer support. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere to promote thematic discussion of topics that affect or are often overlooked by them (such as, consent, Physical and Mental Health)."**
## **Themes and topics over the last year have included;**
- **Sporting meet-up's, bowling and pool, to develop social skills and team bulding.**
- **Cultural difference - awareness & celebration of diversity**
- **Postrate cancer awareness - self checks**
- **Movember challenge**
- **Sex, relationships and the law**
## WOMENS WELLNESS
**The purpose of the group is to provide a safe space for our female members, where they feel they can discuss, question and explore areas which they may not feel comfortable exploring in front of the opposite sex. In addition to this it gives members the further opportunity to build strong bonds with other women and develop friendships.**
## **Themes and topics over the last year have included;**
- **Trip to meet police horses and learn about their role within the police force**
- **Line dancing lessons to promote fun physial well-being**
- **Knitting to experience creative activities that support relaxation and mental well-being**
- **Cervical screening and breast checks to inform and support personal health**
- **Sex and relationships talks**
- **Handing out daffodils to members of the public, taking part in acts of kindness**
14
d7
MENS WELLBEING
15
47
TA
WOMENS WELLNESS
16
## WALKING GROUPS
##
**Our range of walking activities & groups have provided varied opportunities for members to get involved, meet with peers and improve their mental & physical well-being**
**The activities have been well attended over the last year, come rain or shine, we always have a good turn out.**
**Our regular walks in North Somerset generally offer accessible, slower paced and flat walks, which take place in Weston, Clevedon and Portishead.**
**Our walk and talk groups which take place across Bristol and South Gloucestershire have been a great way to explore beautiful parks and open spaces, increase our membership and for developing peer friendships.**
**Our ‘Green Walks’ project very much builds upon and extends the existing activity base of our Walking Groups, incorporating elements that have been specifically requested by our members**
**These walks were designed around opportunities to connect participants with nature even more, including:**
- **litter picking**
- **beach cleans**
- **exploring local natural landscapes, including, Uphill, Sand Bay, Weston Woods.**
**At the request of our members, all of our walks generally end with a cuppa in a community cafe.**
17
AT AA Q
47
WALKING GROUPS & ACTIVITIES
•'
18
## **FRIENDS TOGETHER**
**"Our Friends Together Groups are one of our most popular groups. The groups meet in a variety of community venues, such as cafes and bars.**
**The group is a chance to meet friends, make new ones and be a part of something positive. We meet in community venues across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.**
**Activities include, quizzes, darts, skittles, bingo, board games and more...**
19
,IF,i* T
47
FRIENDS TOGETHER
20
## A BETTER LIFE
## **Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing**
**Our 'A Better Life’ service, provides a range of Pychoeducational courses which are focussed on providing members with knowledge and techniques that aid with emotional health and well-being.. The following course topics were delivered:**
- **Anger management**
- **Anxiety management**
- **Grief and bereavement**
- **Health and well-being**
- **Keeping safe**
- **Self-esteem**
- **Sex, relationships and the law**
- **Social skills**
**In addition and to support members needs, we also provided a bespoke 'Back to Life' course which helped members returning to in-person activity following Covid restrictions**
21
## POST COVID PANDEMIC SUPPORT
**An extention of our existing mental health & emotional wellbeing service. This additional provision has enabled us to provide bespoke support for people with a learning disability who have experienced poor mental health and remain isolated as a result of the impact of the pandemic.**
**Our support has included a range of interventions to address the identified issues/needs of each individual. Interventions have included psychoeducational sessions using techniques and strategies based on the CBT model and following NICE guidelines to address mental health issues. We have supported access to GP and other medical practitioners to address physical health concerns identified, as well as provided practical help and support around daily living, i.e., housework, menu planning, shopping and encouragement and support to re-engage in community activities.**
**"Covid scared me, I thought I would get it if I went out. I didn't sleep, it was in my head all the time. Joseph helped me to think more positively, it took a long time though.**
**Now, I meet with my friends every week in the cafe and I smile alot more."**
22
## PARENT ADVOCACY
**Our parent advocacy service provides independent advocates for parents with learning disabilities who are involved in child protection cases. The concerns in these cases can range from neglect due to poor parenting skills, physical abuse, chaotic lifestyles, domestic abuse within the relationship, substance misuse, lifestyle and previous concerns.**
**Nic, our volunteer and parent advocacy service manager reports that this year has been one of the busiest to date, and the number of referrals has, for the first time in the five years of delivering this service over exceeded our capacity. Despite the team taking on more cases than normal, we have still had to decline some referals we have received.**
**Nic also reports that our client group has developed and we have recieved referrals for, and are working with a more diverse group of clients. This includes learning disabilities, autism, mental health and physical disabilities.**
**Many of our parents do not get to keep their children but they are supported through the process by us. We have positive feedback from the local authority who often thank us for our help. Solicitors appreciate our input as it reduces appointments and eases the sharing of information. Finally our clients feel listened to, often they feel we are the only person who does listen to them.**
**Our volunteers advocates are invaluable to us and are instrumental to the success of this service. We are very keen to recruit further volunteers to support this service. If you are interested in volunteering with us and feel you have tranferable skills and knowledge that would complement the role of an advocate, please contact Nikki at nikki.williams@nspf.co.uk**
**Successful applicants will have the oportunity to obtain a Diploma in Independent Advocacy.**
23
## POO MATTERS
**Constipation affects up to half of all people with learning disabilities. At its worst, Constipation can kill. For many it can cause pain and affect a person’s physical and mental health. Nationally, Constipation is recognised as a preventable and avoidable health condition, however many people with learning disabilities continue to be prescribed laxatives and have problems linked to Constipation.**
**Our Poo Matters project aims to raise awareness of issues and risks constipation poses to people with a learning disability. Our training programme and workshops educate individuals, their carers and health & social care professionals on simple ways to promote and maintain a healthy bowel, as well as how to see and act on issues in a timely manner.**
**BNSSG ICB - NHS England LeDeR Event**
24
**ACA CONFERENCE**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
PROMOTING THE PROJECT IN DEVON
**----- End of picture text -----**
**AWARENESS SESSION**
POO MATTERS
**AWARENESS SESSION**
25
## **A DAY WITH OUR FRIENDS FROM MERSEYSIDE PEOPLE FIRST**
**We were delighted to have a visit from our friends at Merseyside People First. We spent time learning about each others work and how and where we got our funding to deliver services and projects.**
**We learned that we both face the same challenges. We all found the day very interesting and we hope to visit Liverpool to see our friends next year.**
**Many thanks to Pete Le Grys from PhotoSymbols for organising the visit.**
26
## SUEZ ENVIRONMENTAL DAY
**We were delighted to welcome volunteers from Suez Recycling & Recovery and join with them to celebrate Environmental Day.**
**We spent one and a half hours litter picking around the area of our office base, The Campus. In that short time we found 104 plastic bottles!!!!**
**After our litter pic and a bit of lunch, we made some Christmas crafts out of recylcling materials.**
27
**27**
UU
4P
Fun Xmas recycling with SUEZ
S-ffts ..
28
## **STRAWBERRYLINE PROJECT**
**The Strawberryline project believes that cycling is for everyone and their range of traditional and adaptive bikes reflects that. Members have had many visits and have enjoyed using the bikes which have been provided free of charge.**
**It has been delightful to see our members develop their skills and confidence in using the various bikes.**
**A visit to the cafe afterwards is always enjoyed by all.**
**The Strawberryline Project, like ourselves, also offers people with learning disabilities meaningful employment, training and volunteering opportunities.**
**As a result of our engagement with the project, providing support for our members to develop skills and confidence, one member works in cafe and three members now volunteer with bike maintenance.**
**We continue to have positive on-going relations with the Strawberryline team.**
29
Pw
11
Iiiiii,,
*rfltJU
lj
J-
30
## ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
**Our AGM was held in October at The Royal Hotel in Weston. This was a special event, not only was it our first public gathering since before the pandemic, but was also a belated celebration of our 30th Birthday and lauch of our fourth generation logo and new branding.**
**As well as celebrating our successes over the last year, we used a time-line to take attendees through a 30 year journey of NSPF. The team and members shared their very poignant, emotional experiences of life during the pandemic.**
**.**
**Each year a People First member or volunteer is awarded with our Jack Passerelli Driving Forse memorial award. Shaun Harvey was our worthy awardee this year. Like Jack, Shaun has gone above and beyond to face personal challenges and supporting other members. Shaun has given endless hours of his own time devloping and co-facilitating our Poo Matters project.**
**Scan the QR Code below to view our full AGM**
31
## VALENTINES FUNDRAISING EVENT
**since the covid pandemic.**
**A fabulous night was had by over 80 supporters, The Lipinski Band had everyone on the dancefloor. Thanks to our hosts at the Royal hotel, delcious food was consumed.**
**People took to the photobooth to have fun with the props and captured some great memories of the night.**
**Over £1000 was raised to support our service activities. Thank you to everyone who supported our charity.**
32
**----- Start of picture text -----**
OUR FUNDERS & DONERS
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
WHO HAS GIVEN MONEY OR
ACCESS TO SERVICES TO
ENABLE US TO DELIVER OUR
SERVICES AND PROJECTS
Add your
new text
**----- End of picture text -----**
33
## **Income and Expenditure 2022 - 2023**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
INCOME 2022-2023
South Gloucestershire Fundraising Miscellaneous Sales
Development Fund Quartet Community Income
Fund
Bank Interest Received NSC Supporting People
Green Social
Prescribing Programme
NHS Health project
NHS CCG Rebuilding
Self Advocacy across
BNSSG NSC Community
Team for LD
NSC
Children’s
Henry Smith – Centres
Young Peoples Employability Services
Advocacy Service
PCPs/Advocacy
The National Lottery
Community Fund. ABL Support Programs
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
EXPENDITURE 2022-2023
Overheads
Purchases
Staff Costs
**----- End of picture text -----**
34
## **- Income and Expenditure 2022 2023**
|**Income**|||**2022-2023**|**2021-2022**|**2021-2022**|**Variance + (-)**|**Variance + (-)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**£**|**£**||**£**||
|Supporting People|||38196.37|38369.93||(173.56)||
|NHS Health project|||26296.55|7837.37||18459.18||
|NSC Community Team for LD|||7918.00|7918.00||0.00||
|NSC Children’s Centres|||26995.64|26995.64||0.00||
|Employability Services|||2000.00 0.00||2000.00|||
|PCPs/Advocacy||13276.25
11273.80|||2002.45|||
|Support Programs|||32624.04|29263.32||3360.72||
|Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales|||0.00|20321.46||(20321.46)||
|The National Lottery Community Fund. ABL||42238.60
119711.78|||(77473.18)|||
|NHS BNSSG ICB. A Better Life.|||0.00|0.00||0.00||
|NSC Infection Control|||0.00|685.00||(685.00)||
|Henry Smith – Young Peoples Advocacy Service||18454.34
0.00|||18454.34|||
|NHS CCG Rebuilding Self Advocacy across BNSSG||43227.26
0.00|||43227.26|||
|Green Social Prescribing Programme|||2500.00 0.00||2500.00|||
|South Gloucestershire Development Fund||8775.91|
0.00||8775.91|||
|Quartet Community Fund||11830.85
0.00|||11830.85|||
|Fundraising|||2179.39|1471.56||707.83||
|Miscellaneous Sales Income|||2800.00 0.00||2800.00|||
|Bank Interest Received|||2609.90|1093.69||1516.21||
|Total Income|||281923.10|264941.55||16981.55||
|**Expenditure**|||**2022-2023**|**2021-2022**||**Variance + (-)**||
||||**£**|**£**||**£**||
|Staff Costs|||217799.23|186967.29||30831.94||
|Purchases|||39104.47|53633.61||(14529.14)||
|Overheads|||21577.11|22793.87||(1216.76)||
|Total expenditure|||278480.81|263394.77||||
|**Net Profit/(Loss)**||**3442.29**|**1546.78**|||||
|**Income and Expenditure**|**2Balance Sheet**|**as at 31st March 2023**||||||
||||**31st March 2023**|||**31st March 2022**||
|Debtors|||0.00|||987.00||
|HSBC Current account|||234,647.47|||288,623.08||
|CAF Cash account||30,493.58|||0.00|||
|CAF Savings account|||51,303.27||||50,948.89|
|Virgin Money|||80,467.97|||0.00||
|Nationwide Building Society_(note3)_||62,902.05|||61,880.86|||
|Cambridge & Counties_(note3)_|||77,040.17|||76,277.39||
|Cash in hand|||97.68|||107.70||
|Business Charge Card|||(1,710.97)||||(1,715.53)|
|Less Accruals (note2)|||(11,700.00)|||(43,000.00)||
|Less Deferred Income_(note1)_||(356,181.02)|||(266,950.03)|||
|Less Creditors|||(1,889.22)|||(5,130.67)||
||||**165,470.98**|||**162,028.69**||
|_Represented by:_||||||||
|Balance brought forward|||162,028.69|||160,481.91||
|Profit/(loss) this Period|||3,442.29|||1,546.78||
||||**165,470.98**|||**162,028.69**||
**>Note 1. Deferred income consists of; NHS Health project £7330.98, Lloyds Bank Foundation £27250, National Lottery Community Fund ABL £78218.40, NHS ICB ABL £60000, Henry Smith YPAS £11495.66, NHS Rebuilding Advocacy £157772.74, SG Development fund £6224.09, Quartet Community Fund £7889.15. >Note 2. Accruals as approved by the board; ring-fenced funds brought forward of £2000 for social media development, £2500 for technology upgrading, £4000 for the development of new branding materials, £2000 for member enrichment programme, £1200 for photography portfolio >Note 3. Ring fenced reserves for wind up costs £139,942.22 (held in Nationwide and Cambridge & Counties accounts)**
35
**Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising a free donation for North Somerset People First?**
**It’s really simple. All you have to do is head to: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/nspf/ and sign up for free.**
**Scan the QR code to enter our Community Lottery for your chance to win a prize!**
**The Campus, Highlands Lane, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7DX Tel: 01934 426086 Email: info@nspf.co.uk Website: www.nspf.co.uk Registered Charity No: 1159184**