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← Voices

2023-08-31-accounts

Charity no. 1159445

VOICES

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements 31 August 2023

VOICES

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 August 2023 For the year ended 31 August 2023
Charity number 1159445
Registered office PO Box 5184
Bath
BA1 0RZ
Trustees The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this
report were as follows:
Peter Brandt
Francesca Carpenter appointed 1 August 2023
Joanna Hole
Brigid Musselwhite
Pedro Nunes resigned 27 February 2023
Benazir Ogunlende appointed 10 July 2023
Farha Rasul
Janet Ratcliffe Robertson appointed 10 July 2023
Jo Silver
Dr Helen Wehner
Lisa Whelpdale appointed 10 July 2023
Chief executive officer Ursula Lindenberg
Bankers HSBC UK
41 Southgate Street
Bath
BA1 1TN
Bath Building Society
15 Queen Square
Bath
BA1 2HN
Independent examiners Godfrey Wilson Limited
Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Objectives and activities

To promote and protect the good health of those affected by domestic abuse. To advance the education of the public in all issues relating to domestic abuse.

Group recovery programmes, free to clients, running weekly in term-time:

Individual domestic abuse recovery support sessions for survivors resident primarily within Bath & North East Somerset, based on a Personal Recovery Plan, designed in consultation with individual clients.

Advocacy, advice and signposting, and the provision of information for victims and survivors, family members, friends, and the wider public, via the charity’s website and social media.

The provision of specialist counselling and therapeutic support for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, free to clients.

The facilitation and provision of free legal advice and signposting relating to domestic abuse and family law through a weekly clinic for VOICES clients and those of partner organisations.

Support and facilitation for survivors wishing to consult or give feedback on service provision to local authority, national government or other agencies and services, researchers and local and national charity partners.

The provision of healthy relationship and domestic abuse awareness training to local agencies, professional bodies, community and educational settings, local services, and businesses.

Consultation with national/local strategic groups and local authorities on policy and service design, providing lived experience insights and survivor voice input.

The charity operates a hardship fund to which individuals can apply. Applications are considered according to a fixed set of criteria, and granted once approved by the CEO/Head of Services.

2

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Contribution made by volunteers

Volunteers with lived experience and those without direct experience of domestic abuse make a valuable contribution to the work of VOICES, modelling the benefits of recovery work and peer support, and are provided with appropriate management, support and training if working directly with clients.

Our role in development and research alongside academic and strategic partners offers our clients the opportunity to turn their lived experiences into valuable insights for policy makers and researchers. The contribution of volunteers through consultation and in feedback to VOICES about our own services confirms that effective change and successful services can only happen through co-creation.

VOICES’ founding mission was to ensure survivors are at the heart of the conversation locally and nationally around how best to prevent and respond to domestic abuse. Volunteers with lived experience contributed to consultations in family law (family law professionals and training needs, Cafcass, and child contact), health and mental health (through consultations with researcher members of the Violence and Abuse Mental Health Network), and local government (advocating for survivors to be creating, not rating services at local area level).

Among the various impacts of the post-COVID public health situation and the cost of living crisis was the impact on volunteer and peer support opportunities through 2022/23, which remained constrained by external pressures.

Other contributions by volunteers in 2022/23 included:

Achievements and performance

VOICES has become a centre of excellence for domestic abuse recovery, providing training and consultation that is informed by lived experience and long-term support work. Our model of integrated, accessible and tailored support plays a key role in building stronger relationships in the community; enabling people to fulfil their potential by working to safely address issues at the earliest possible stage, with peer-led and group programmes to combat social isolation and aid reintegration in working and social life.

VOICES’ integrated support and focus on recovery has proven effective in transforming selfconfidence and addressing the root causes of mental health problems associated with Domestic and Sexual Abuse.

VOICES supported 137 individual survivors and victims and their families between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, and continues to provide high-quality, effective and bespoke services in the community to support individuals, their families, and the wider community.

3

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

The charity provides value for money services, not only in terms of the benefit to individual clients, but in terms of the wider benefit to local families and communities, and through improving other service responses (e.g. Talking Therapies, housing or DWP) to domestic abuse.

We have continued to develop a unique space for trauma recovery in Bath, increasing options for partnership with other organisations to benefit local people and their community, and supporting their wellbeing needs.

VOICES’ domestic abuse recovery services

During the period, VOICES received 140 referrals, an increase of 31% compared to the previous year. There were then 37 internal referrals for additional services. The most significant referring organisation was Southside Family Project, the local commissioned service providing IDVA and family support, from which 24 referrals were received (17% of the total referrals that year).

Stronger together: group programmes

VOICES continued to provide a suite of domestic abuse recovery and peer support programmes through the period from September 2022 to August 2023. This service is free to clients, with travel and childcare costs provided for clients on low incomes, with some group provision arranged at venues in the local community to ensure access, capacity and safety.

For the period of the report, 48 women attended the Freedom Programme, 16 women attended social and creative groups, and 13 attended the Recovery Toolkit (only 2 out of 3 Recovery Toolkits were run this year due to vulnerability of clients after the Covid lockdowns. There was much hesitation amongst clients about joining groups again, especially as covid numbers increased that winter).

For the Freedom programme, three 12-week in-person group programmes took place, together with 2 online programmes. A drop-in programme for the creative and social group ran through the year, and three 12-week in-person programmes of the Recovery Toolkit took place. A drop-out rate of only 4% was recorded across all programmes.

Just over 40% of activities by the services team related to group work (principally individual support), and 50% of service team hours were undertaken with group programme facilitation and related work.

“The Freedom Project allowed me to understand the abuse and changed my perceptions of my ex. Recovery Toolkit gave me the strength to move on.” (A VOICES client)

Individual recovery support work - COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis

Individual recovery support was provided throughout the year by the team, and principally by two recovery support workers, with gateway support into services from VOICES’ referrals and law lead, 3 associate counsellors, access to a free legal clinic run with the University of the West of England, and services as a whole managed by VOICES’ Head of Services. This involved detailed casework with 89 clients and 1-2-1 gateway support to access group programmes from the referrals and law lead for 29 clients, while 44 clients received legal clinic, therapy, advice and consultation support. The largest areas of support needs concerned emotional support, and children and parenting, followed by mental health support. Other regular support needs included finances, family law, housing and physical health issues.

4

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Although VOICES did not provide dedicated services for children, the charity did so indirectly through advocacy and support work, as well as group programmes addressing parenting and impacts of abuse on children. In 2022/23, more than 70 children aged 0-18 were supported in this way, and c. 10-15 young adults 18-25, as adult children living with clients supported by VOICES.

January 2023 marked the first full year since VOICES opened a recovery centre in Bath for women and girls who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse, a confidential space where people can come to meet with others for peer support and group programmes, to receive individual recovery support and access other services such as counselling or our free legal clinic.

During this first year, the charity consulted with people we work with about how to develop and decorate the space and created a garden space with the pro bono help of an architect and designer. Both the garden and building have been designed with the trauma recovery aims of the charity in mind, to be inclusive, calm and welcoming spaces. VOICES made alterations to make the building accessible, with support from funders including the Bath & North East Somerset Community Infrastructure Levy fund, and Bath Disability Trust.

The Villa has provided space for partnership and co-location. In the first year in our new building, we provided space to co-located services, including 4 therapeutic and empowerment groups, 2 specialist counsellors providing weekly support, a monthly multi-agency practitioner network meeting and women’s music therapy and music groups. The space has great potential for further partnerships to support women and girls.

Most importantly for our beneficiaries, the Villa provides space for the VOICES model of traumainformed, multi-disciplinary domestic abuse recovery support to be developed.

“I learned, over time, to open up and share my experiences in a safe, friendly environment. I quickly began to own my thoughts and situation. It gave me confidence to begin the terrifying process of leaving my marriage.” (VOICES client)

Five core values of trauma-informed working

Having dedicated space to provide trauma-informed services is something that has been proven to increase the benefits of support services for people who have suffered trauma and abuse. VOICES have long subscribed to the principles of trauma-informed working and received training in 2018/19 from One Small Thing. Stephanie Covington has led the way in the development of gender responsive approaches to supporting people after and through trauma. VOICES are a member organisation of the South West Trauma Informed Network.

Research has shown that holistic services supporting women are best able to implement traumainformed approaches. The principles of trauma-informed working, upon which VOICES bases its holistic approach, are Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration and Empowerment.

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VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Safety

Our unique safe space is the physical representation of the emotional space we aim to foster for survivors. A place to be listened to, believed and where recovery is nurtured. This is psychological safety, an antidote to the tactics of coercive control and emotional abuse that have been used by perpetrators.

Trust

VOICES works hard to establish a sense of trust with people who approach us for support.

Building and earning trust is something that requires time and an opportunity to question or explore different options for support. This begins with a conversation, and listening to the diverse experiences of people, with an emphasis on person-centred support.

Choice and transparency

From first contact with the charity, whether through our website or in a phone call, we aim to provide transparency and choice for people who we have the privilege to work with. This means explaining how we work and what we do, and providing as much information as we can about what choices are available for individuals and families dealing with the impacts of domestic and sexual abuse. Informed choice is the basis for support and recovery work at VOICES.

Collaboration

We understand our work with people as a collaboration, based on mutual respect and regard, recognising the strengths and strategies that people are already bringing to solve problems and mitigate their risks, while learning about the areas in which they might require help, and unlocking the support that working with other survivors in group settings can provide. We develop a personal recovery plan with people for whom we provide individual recovery support, dependent on our capacity to fund this work independently, as it is not currently foreseen in Domestic Abuse commissioning models.

Empowerment

Ultimately, support from VOICES should enhance a person’s sense of agency in their own recovery journey. We hope that by supporting people to regain a say in their lives and in their recovery, we can aid trauma healing and help survivors and their families to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential as unique and amazing individuals. Part of this work includes the opportunity to provide insights from lived experience to policy makers and services.

During 2022/23, VOICES’ trauma-informed practice expertise has supported a renewed focus by the Domestic Abuse Partnership Board on the need for self-referral options and better communication of domestic abuse support pathways, and underpins the new Practitioner Network initiated in BANES by VOICES with local commissioned services working with domestic abuse victims and survivors as founder members.

VOICES trauma-informed framework for multidisciplinary domestic abuse recovery support has been developed as a Theory of Change during 2023, to which the whole organisation and people with lived experience contributed. This work has been kindly supported by Dr Natalia Lewis at Bristol University. Our Theory of Change is available by request/on our website.

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VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Peer group programmes

“It has been great for learning how to be "me" again amongst women who have similar experiences. Sharing ideas and feeling valued is also a source of motivation. I've met some fabulous people along the way and many that I hope will continue to feature in some way or another in my future life. That's been great for confidence and not feeling so alone and misunderstood.” (VOICES client)

The delivery of VOICES group programmes to local survivors was supported by charitable funding, particularly from Garfield Weston Foundation and the Cobalt Trust, with creche costs supported by the Renishaw Charitable Trust during the period.

Recovery practitioner support

“My mental health has improved, my confidence has increased, my support network has grown, my boundaries have been tightened, my self-respect has grown, and my understanding of unhealthy relationships has improved, learning how to say 'no' has been one of the biggest challenges for me as well as calling the police when needed, due to an unhealthy upbringing, but VOICES have made me feel reborn and able to use the tools they have taught me to do this.” (VOICES client)

Small funds creating big changes: VOICES' hardship and cost of living support for domestic abuse survivors and their families

The cost of living crisis has made those subject to coercive control and financial abuse even more vulnerable. Specialist advocacy from VOICES and elsewhere is critical in understanding the whole picture around finances, debt and need that together create hardship for adult and child survivors of domestic abuse.

Crucial, small-scale financial and practical help at the right time can be instrumental in helping survivors make significant progress towards recovery and a productive and fulfilled life after domestic abuse.

During 2022/23, a significant majority of VOICES clients received hardship funding to overcome barriers at transition points in their recovery. During the cost of living crisis, VOICES hardship funding proved an innovative and flexible way to address unexpected expenses for clients relating to children's needs, financial abuse, court processes, wellbeing and mental health support, among others.

Having operated our own, similar Hardship Fund since 2019, VOICES have been part of a national scheme called the Circle Fund, run by national charity SafeLives and funded by NatWest Group, involving specialist services around the country. This groundbreaking national pilot concluded in June 2023 and the final report will deliver new knowledge about the nature of financial/economic abuse, gaps in provision of short-term crisis funding for abuse survivors, and about the barriers to recovery for survivors and their families.

We were able to support clients with 80 Circle Fund grants, meeting varied needs including increased home security, access to refuges, travel costs to attend court, cooking items, moving costs, new mattresses, flooring, maternity clothing and mobile phones.

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VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

VOICES focus on whole family support, even though our programmes currently work only with adult caregivers and pre-school children via creche services. As such, when the cost of living crisis hit immediately following the relaxation of COVID-19 constraints, VOICES mobilised to provide as much targeted support as was possible for a small charity to the families we work with.

Examples of outcomes benefitting parents and children during the cost of living crisis include:

Lived Experience consultation work

“I hope at least some good can come from the awful experience I have had. I hope that the feedback and information I have given about my experiences, both during and after the abusive relationship, might help women in the future. If lived experience work can help services such as the legal profession understand and be more caring, then I will feel I have achieved something worthwhile.” (A VOICES Lived Experience consultation participant)

Our role in development and research alongside academic and strategic partners offers our clients the opportunity to use their lived experiences. In 2022/23, 60% of clients said that due to their VOICES experience they had been able to help others in a similar position.

These consulting activities are an opportunity for clients to transform negative experiences into valuable insights for policy makers, which feedback confirms can be healing and empowering for clients. Effective change and the creation of appropriate services can only happen through cocreation.

8

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

VOICES established a Lived Experience group in October 2022. As with similar initiatives around the country, there have been significant difficulties accessing dedicated funding to run and facilitate the group, and it is the area of support that has found least success with funding applications. VOICES continues to build the case for support, pointing to the influence survivors have had through the very founding of VOICES, in initiatives to support local authorities such as Bath & North East Somerset, participating in national studies during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing research advisory panels for national research investigations into interventions to support mental and physical health of adult and child survivors, and the impact of remote consultations on survivors seeking support through GP practices. The charity is still looking for support with facilitating this work to be able to fully develop its potential and to properly support people with lived experience of abuse to take part bravely and safely.

Despite the challenges of funding and resourcing Lived Experience consultation with survivors, VOICES continued to have a wide-ranging involvement in Lived Experience consultation work locally and nationally in 2022/23, which was both very productive and ground-breaking. We are extremely grateful to all those who bravely shared their individual experience and insights to support change and improvements across the system. The outcomes of our project involvement are detailed below.

“We have consulted with VOICES experts by experience group for several research projects to help ensure that our research design and process is ethical, does not cause harm to survivors and is relevant to people who use domestic abuse services. VOICES have given us feedback in group consultations or individual written feedback on documents; this has been invaluable throughout the past two years. VOICES has helped us re-evaluate how we deliver workshops online and face to face to ensure that participants feel safe and included. VOICES has improved the quality of our written materials and our research materials (such as interview schedules and survey questions) so that we ask relevant questions and communicate more effectively. VOICES has also helped steer the direction of research projects to ensure that we think about questions of interest to experts by experience, and not just health professionals, from the beginning of studies. We cannot emphasise how much the expert advice, guidance and critique has supported us to improve the quality of our research and its dissemination.” ( Dr Claire Powell, UCL, NIHR Children & Families Policy Research Unit)

VOICES’ founding mission to ensure survivors are at the heart of the conversation locally and nationally around how best to prevent and respond to domestic abuse has resulted in impacts both locally and nationally, which have become more concrete through 2022/23, and extend across family law (family law professionals and training needs, Cafcass and child contact), health and mental health (Violence and Abuse Mental Health Network), and local government (advocating for survivors to be creating, not merely rating services at local area level).

Results of Lived Experience consultation work

The production of “MORE HARM THAN GOOD: A guide for commissioners, policy-makers and service managers making sure health and social care services work for survivors of child maltreatment and domestic abuse” published by the National Institute of Health Research Policy Research Unit Children and Families 2022/23.

Conclusion of pilot Domestic Abuse training for family lawyers in mid-2023, and publication by SafeLives in September 2023 of a report detailing the impact and benefits of the training, “Is there a human being behind that?” SafeLives’ Domestic Abuse Training for Family Lawyers.”

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VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Publication in the BMJ in September 2022 of a National Institute of Health Research project funded by the Home Office led by Dr Claire Powell (UCL), involving VOICES as research advisory board members: Powell C, Feder G, Gilbert R, et al. Child and family-focused interventions for child maltreatment and domestic abuse: development of core outcome sets. BMJ Open 2022;12:e064397. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064397

Facilitation by VOICES of a Financial Abuse workshop involving lived experience consultation with the University of the West of England (UWE) and Pretty Digital. UWE researchers and Pretty Digital (a women-led media company) consulted with VOICES clients in March 2023 to look into ways to use technology to support people who are going through financial/economic abuse.

Involvement as Lived Experience advocates in the Cafcass Learning and Improvement Board, which concluded its work after three years in May 2023. Results of this work included adding a module to Cafcass training about trauma impacts and the potential weaponisation of victims’ mental health by perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Providing survivor consultation and lived experience expertise in consultancy work with Central Bedfordshire Council and Somerset Council to optimise survivor consultation and co-creation by local authorities developing their domestic abuse strategies in response to the duties and guidance resulting from the Domestic Abuse Act.

Fundraising targets set for 2022/23

Grant, room hire and public donations fundraising targets were not met (our success rate with regard to funding applied for fell, potentially due to increased competition for trust/foundation funds, while public donations continued to be negatively affected by COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis and room hire income was less than budgeted during the period). Despite considerable effort through our leadership and fundraising team, VOICES’ income fell by c. £86,000 from 2021/22.

Financial review

The charity ended the 2022/23 operating year with sufficient reserves to be deemed a going concern and no unplanned debtors.

With the exception of the single Recovery Tool Kit noted on page 4, we were able to deliver all other planned activities without compromise to quantity or quality.

VOICES finished 2022/23 in a relatively healthy position after a challenging year, with net assets of £245,097 compared with £257,719 in 2021/22. This decrease of 5% on the previous year reflected a reduced income position of £277,869 (2022: £363,602) and a difficult year for the sector as a whole.

Risks going forward were identified as continued funding required beyond summer of 2024 to meet the financial burden of funding for the charity premises, with operating costs/rent of c. £55K per year; a shift in funder focus away from domestic abuse to e.g. cost of living themes; public donations and community fundraising income still shrinking, as the wider community, public and private sector are all affected by the negative economic climate.

10

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Reserves policy

VOICES held general reserves of £99,374 as of 31 August 2023 (2022: £88,084) and designated reserves of £55,000 (2022: £55,000). The stated aim of the charity being to hold unrestricted reserves to cover 3 months’ operating costs (£87,485, based on annual expenditure of £290,491), the amount of unrestricted reserves held is above the target set, at the end of the period.

However, the charity’s commitment to provide long-term support over 18 months to 2 years and sometimes significantly longer to survivors of domestic abuse, among which there is a high incidence of PTSD (of which research has shown a higher incidence rate than among military veterans) and other profound impacts, means that higher levels than the minimum set out in our reserves policy are in the interests of our beneficiaries to ensure consistent support without unplanned gaps in vital services for our clients.

The board of trustees has considered its reserves policy and set itself the ambition to have reserves at a level that meet the following criteria:

Principle sources of funding

The charity’s principal sources of funds are trusts and foundations (incl. Tudor Trust; Lloyds Bank Foundation; Garfield Weston; Medlock Charitable Trust; Ludlow Charitable Trust; Cobalt Trust), Government grants (incl. The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund; Contain Outbreak Management Fund; Community Infrastructure Levy Fund).

Principle risks

The principle risks of the charity are:

Structure, governance and management

Trustee vacancies arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the AGM or by charity trustees “at any time” (clause 13 (4) and (5) of CIO Constitution).

Positions are advertised through local charity networks and appropriate social media. In addition informal personal networks are used.

A written role description is used and prospective trustees present CVs and have discussions with CEO and trustees prior to appointment. Any links with existing trustees are declared at this point.

11

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

During 2022/23, VOICES had a Board of Trustees, including the Chair, Secretary, and Chairs of Finance and HR Sub-Committees. VOICES was led by a CEO assisted by an Executive Officer, a Centre Administrator, a Finance Administrator, a Head of Services who manages the staff team comprising a Referrals and Law Lead, two Recovery Practitioners and two associate Psychotherapists.

No paid services were provided by related parties of either staff or Trustees during 2022/23.

Public benefit

The objects for which the charity is established are to provide public benefit through the:

The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report focuses on what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the progress of the activities that underpin each aspect of the charity's objectives and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it aims to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes. The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. The trustees also give consideration to how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been determined.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

12

VOICES

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 August 2023

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity have no liability to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 9 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Brigid Musselwhite Co-Chair of the trustees

Joanna Hole Co-Chair of the trustees

13

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

VOICES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of VOICES (the CIO) for the year ended 31 August 2023, which are set out on pages 15 to 31.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the CIO’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

Godfrey Wilson Limited also provides management accounts and payroll services to the CIO. I confirm that as a member of the ICAEW I am subject to the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2016, which I have applied with respect to this engagement.

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

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

Date: 9 February 2024 Rob Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

14

VOICES

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Restricted Unrestricted
Note
£
£
Income from:
Donations
3
500
32,798
Charitable activities
4
186,940
51,982
Other income
5
-
5,649
Total income
187,440
90,429
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
23,675
Charitable activities
211,352
55,464
Total expenditure
7
211,352
79,139
8
(23,912)
11,290
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
114,635
143,084
Total funds carried forward
90,723
154,374
Net income / (expenditure)
and net movement in funds		 2023
Total
£
33,298
238,922
5,649
277,869
23,675
266,816
290,491
(12,622)
257,719
245,097		 2022
Total
£
26,736
336,866
-
363,602
27,898
224,011
251,909
111,693
146,026
257,719

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 14 to the accounts.

15

VOICES

Balance sheet

As at 31 August 2023

Note
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
12
Net assets
13
Funds
14
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
53,699
200,746
254,445
(9,348)		 2023
£
245,097
90,723
55,000
99,374
245,097		 2022
£
16,833
250,829
267,662
(9,943)
257,719
114,635
55,000
88,084
257,719

Approved by the trustees on 9 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Brigid Musselwhite Co-Chair of the trustees

Joanna Hole Co-Chair of the trustees

16

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

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

VOICES meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

d) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

e) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

17

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

f) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

g) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the basis of staff costs:

2023 2022
Raising funds 5.3% 8.4%
Charitable activities 94.7% 91.6%

i) Debtors

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

j) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

k) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Financial instruments

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

18

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

m) Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities as they fall due.

n) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

o) Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from:
Donations
Charitable activities
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income and net movement in funds		 Restricted
£
£
8,500
18,236
224,814
112,052
233,314
130,288
-
27,898
212,681
11,330
212,681
39,228
20,633
91,060
Unrestricted		 2022
Total
£
26,736
336,866
363,602
27,898
224,011
251,909
111,693

19

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

3. Income from donations

Income from donations
Restricted
£
£
Donations
500
31,898
Gifts in kind
-
900
500
32,798
Gifts in kind were for labour costs of premises maintenance.
Prior period comparative:
Restricted
£
£
Donations
8,500
18,236
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
32,398
900
33,298
2022
Total
£
26,736

20

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

4. Income from charitable activities

Grants > £5,000
Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Cobalt Trust
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Medlock
National Grid
Stand With Us
The National Lottery Reaching Communities
Grants < £5,000
Training income
Total income from charitable activities
Prior period comparative:
Grants > £5,000
Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Circle Fund
Cobalt Trust
Garfield Weston
Legal Education Fund
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Persula Foundation
St John's Foundation
The National Lottery Awards for All
The National Lottery Reaching Communities
Tudor Trust
Grants < £5,000
Training income
Total income from charitable activities		 Restricted
£
£
21,667
-
23,607
-
-
10,000
-
27,250
-
10,000
9,990
-
24,000
-
104,766
-
2,910
1,800
-
2,932
186,940
51,982
Restricted
£
£
20,583
-
79,607
-
7,500
-
-
10,000
-
30,000
9,000
-
24,698
-
-
5,000
10,000
4,000
9,928
-
58,500
-
-
42,000
4,998
3,000
-
18,052
224,814
112,052
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
21,667
23,607
10,000
27,250
10,000
9,990
24,000
104,766
4,710
2,932
238,922
2022
Total
£
20,583
79,607
7,500
10,000
30,000
9,000
24,698
5,000
14,000
9,928
58,500
42,000
7,998
18,052
336,866

21

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

5. Other income

Room hire 2023
£
5,649		 2022
£
-

All room hire income in the current and prior year was unrestricted.

6. Government grants

The charity receives government grants, defined as funding from Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner, Bath & North East Somerset Council and The National Lottery. The total value of such grants during the year ended 31 August 2023 was £150,040 (2022: £168,618). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in the current or prior year.

22

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

7. Total expenditure

Total expenditure
Staff costs (note 9)
Project / session expenses
Other staff costs
Volunteer expenses
Provision of charitable services
Fundraising expenses
Office expenses
Insurance and premises costs
Consultation for counselling
Legal and professional fees
Survivor consultation
Accountancy
Sub-total
Total expenditure
Allocation of support and
governance costs		 £
7,792
-
-
-
-
12,259
204
-
-
-
-
-
20,255
3,420
23,675
Raising
funds		 £
140,520
10,191
7,695
17
8,020
-
9,107
20,271
7,566
-
1,765
-
205,152
61,664
266,816
Charitable
activities		 £
21,010
2,688
-
-
-
-
6,270
21,754
-
4,545
-
8,817
65,084
(65,084)
-
Support and
governance
costs		 £
169,322
12,879
7,695
17
8,020
12,259
15,581
42,025
7,566
4,545
1,765
8,817
2023 Total
290,491
-
290,491

Total governance costs were £3,391 (2022: £2,583).

Other staff costs includes £2,034 from a Funder specifically granted and restricted to staff wellbeing, £2,541 from restricted core funding for staff supervision, and £2,025 from restricted funding specifically granted for training. The remaining balance was outlay on staff recruitment, subsistence and travel costs.

Provision of charitable services includes resources to provide direct cost of living/energy support to clients came from the Community Matters Fund and were distributed directly to clients by VOICES.

23

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

7. Total expenditure (continued) Prior period comparative

Total expenditure (continued)
Prior period comparative
Staff costs (note 9)
Project / session expenses
Other staff costs
Volunteer expenses
Provision of charitable services
Fundraising expenses
Marketing
Office expenses
Insurance and premises costs
Consultancy
Legal and professional fees
Accountancy
Sub-total
Total expenditure
Allocation of support and
governance costs		 £
7,171
-
-
-
-
13,859
340
-
-
-
-
-
21,370
6,528
27,898
Raising
funds		 £
78,516
9,267
1,716
291
2,260
-
-
10,585
32,493
12,581
-
4,832
152,541
71,470
224,011
Charitable
activities		 £
42,475
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,694
20,545
-
5,229
3,055
77,998
(77,998)
-
Support and
governance
costs		 £
128,162
9,267
1,716
291
2,260
13,859
340
17,279
53,038
12,581
5,229
7,887
2022 Total
251,909
-
251,909

24

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

8. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Operating lease payments
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Independent examiners' remuneration:
▪Independent examination (excluding VAT)
▪Other services (excluding VAT)		 2023
£
34,000
Nil
46
2,150
4,647		 2022
£
28,333
Nil
260
1,950
4,333

Trustee reimbursed expenses were for DBS checks for two trustees (2022: travel and subsistence for two trustees).

9. Staff costs and numbers Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2023
£
158,910
7,268
3,144
169,322		 2022
£
120,763
4,922
2,477
128,162

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Services. The total employee salary and benefits of the key management personnel were £69,524 (2022: £64,260).

Average head count 2023
No.
7.50		 2022
No.
6.00

10. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

25

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

11. Debtors

Prepayments
Accrued income
Deposits		 2023
£
2,833
42,366
8,500
53,699		 2022
£
-
8,333
8,500
16,833

12. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year

Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other taxation and social security
Pension
Analysis of net assets between funds
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 August 2023
Prior year comparative
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 August 2022		 £
92,304
(1,581)
90,723
£
114,635
-
114,635
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds		 2023
£
1,844
3,968
2,796
740
9,348
£
162,141
(7,767)
154,374
£
153,027
(9,943)
143,084
Unrestricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds		 2022
£
1,629
6,252
1,509
553
9,943
£
254,445
(9,348)
Total
funds
245,097
£
267,662
(9,943)
Total
funds
257,719

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

26

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
Restricted funds
Circle Fund
ROSA Fund
Renishaw
Lloyds Bank Foundation
Community Matters Fund
BANES COMF
Legal Education Fund
BANES CIL
Total restricted funds
Designated funds:
Salaries
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
The National Lottery (New
Premises)
Unrestricted funds
Women's Aid Training
The National Lottery
Reaching Communities
St John's Foundation
(Admin, Comms &
Marketing)
The National Lottery
Awards for All
The National Lottery
(Uplift for Cost of Living)
St John's Foundation
(Programme)
Avon & Somerset Police &
Crime Commissioner		 £
5,169
4,437
-
124
-
885
-
21,411
-
10,000
6,085
10,991
34,307
8,060
13,166
-
114,635
55,000
55,000
88,084
143,084
257,719
At 1
September
2022		 Income
£
-
21,667
24,000
-
66,500
500
38,266
-
9,990
-
-
-
-
-
23,607
2,910
187,440
-
-
90,429
90,429
277,869		 £
(5,169)
(24,578)
(16,623)
(124)
(66,409)
(1,385)
-
(21,411)
(9,990)
(10,000)
(43)
(4,223)
(30,787)
(254)
(18,832)
(1,524)
(211,352)
-
-
(79,139)
(79,139)
(290,491)
Expenditure		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Transfers
between
funds		 £
-
1,526
7,377
-
91
-
38,266
-
-
-
6,042
6,768
3,520
7,806
17,941
1,386
At 31
August
2023
- 90,723
- 55,000
- 55,000
- 99,374
- 154,374
- 245,097

27

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds

Circle Fund Hardship payments for clients, administered by VOICES and monitored by SafeLives via monthly reports. Avon & Somerset Police & Funding for VOICES' Gateway service. Crime Commissioner ROSA Fund Funding from Stand With Us for new Executive Officer and Centre Administrator roles, staff training, travel and wellbeing support, and consulting, IT or website improvements.

The National Lottery Associate counsellor costs, management and overheads. Awards for All The National Lottery To go towards core costs including salaries for CEO and Finance Reaching Communities Administrator. Renishaw For Creche costs for group programmes over 12 months. The National Lottery To go towards cost of living increases to core and staff costs. (Uplift for Cost of Living) Lloyds Bank Foundation Continuation funding for an additional 12 months to cover the costs of the recovery practitioner up until 31 July 2023. Communities Matter Fund Cost of living and heating support fund for clients. St John's Foundation To go towards expenses relating to our new premises. (Admin, Comms & Marketing) St John's Foundation To cover the salary for the head of services and costs associated (Programme) with group work. The National Lottery (New Uplift funding as part of existing Reaching Communities grant. Premises) Designated for premises project costs. BANES COMF Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) - Recovery work salary and overheads grant. Legal Education Fund LEF funding was provided for the facilitation of survivor consultation groups by SafeLives.

28

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds (continued)

BANES CIL

Grant for new premises.

Women's Aid Training For staff training at Women's Aid and Women's Aid membership fees.

Purposes of designated funds

Salaries

Funds to cover salary costs if a shortfall in funding arises.

29

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued)
Prior year comparative
£
Restricted funds
Circle Fund
-
4,123
Allen Lane
453
10,000
-
-
1,227
Renishaw
-
Quartet Express
-
18,516
774
686
10,000
3,966
12,463
31,794
BANES COMF
-
Legal Education
-
BANES CIL
-
Total restricted funds
94,002
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
Salaries
-
Total designated funds
-
General funds
52,024
Total unrestricted funds
52,024
Total funds
146,026
The National Lottery (New
Premises)
Counselling Pot Various
Funders
St John's Foundation
(Programme)
St John's Foundation
(Freedom)
St John's Foundation
(Admin, Comms &
Marketing)
Lloyds Bank Foundation
At 1
September
2021
Avon & Somerset Police &
Crime Commissioner
Quartet Community
Foundation
The National Lottery
Awards for All
The National Lottery
Reaching Communities
Group Costs Various
Funders
Care Forum Health Watch
BANES		 Income
£
7,500
20,583
-
-
9,928
58,500
-
3,500
4,998
24,698
-
-
15,000
-
-
-
56,000
9,000
23,607
233,314
-
-
130,288
130,288
363,602		 £
(2,331)
(20,269)
(453)
(10,000)
(9,804)
(58,500)
(1,227)
(2,615)
(4,998)
(21,803)
(774)
(686)
(15,000)
(3,966)
(6,378)
(20,803)
(21,693)
(940)
(10,441)
(212,681)
-
-
(39,228)
(39,228)
(251,909)
Expenditure		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Transfers
between
funds		 £
5,169
4,437
-
-
124
-
-
885
-
21,411
-
-
10,000
-
6,085
10,991
34,307
8,060
13,166
At 31
August
2022
- 114,635
55,000 55,000
55,000 55,000
(55,000) 88,084
- 143,084
- 257,719

30

VOICES

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

15. Operating lease commitments

The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows:

Amount falling due:
Within 1 year
Within 1 - 5 years		 2023
£
34,000
39,667		 2022
£
34,000
73,667
73,667 107,667

16. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the current or prior period.

31