2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2023 Period start date. To 31/3/2024 Period end date. Charity name: JOINT CIVIL AID CORPS Charity registration number: 1160699

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Joint Civil Aid Corps (JCAC) is the Civil Defence organisational body responsible for the management and development of both the Civil Aid Volunteer Corps (CAVC) and the Community Resilience Volunteers, and the Civil Cadet Corps (CCC) which is planned for the future. Its purpose is to provide a credible and disciplined body of civilian volunteers in order to offer aid and support to the emergency services, civil authorities and agencies, and other voluntary organisations in times of need (including adverse weather), disasters and terrorist occurrence. It will achieve this through the provision of: training for all members; an organised and structured organisation; co-operation with other organisations and bodies whether professional or voluntary; Educating the public on matters relating to community resilience; and any other related and appropriate areas, at the Trustees discretion, in order to fulfil the aim of the protection of life and property.

Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	This charity is a Civil Defence (Emergency Support) organisation, training in emergency skills that will enable the members to support the professional services in times of need. In doing so, it also intends to help develop ‘Community Resilience’ throughout the areas it is based within. The training also enables members to support community events through first aid support, communications, and security. Civil Defence is a particular style of Emergency Support with volunteers being trained as ‘generalists’ in various key skills that will make them instantly useful in support of professional services. These skills include, but not limited to: Search and Rescue, First Aid, Security, Communications, Logistics, Auxiliary Fire. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES: • Our concept of ‘ONE PEOPLE’, regardless of the labels Society chooses to place on people and groups. Everyone’s beliefs, cultural background, and lifestyle is personal to each individual and should be respected as such. Barriers are formed from labelling people due to differences. Removing the labels helps to remove barriers. • Our expectation that inclusion and integration throughout all communities is the way forward in a Society that professes to be multi-cultural and must always be encouraged. • Our desire to make each community self- reliant and capable of supporting itself in times of need from the young to senior. • Our belief that there is a place for everyone wishing to be a part of the Corps, with roles available to suit the capabilities of our volunteers. • Our belief in Cooperation and Coordination, not Competition and Ignorance. • Our concept of ‘Bondship’ is the heart of the Corps – this is the camaraderie forged through training and working together operationally, and where bonds develop.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	You will see from above; the Corps has been setup to benefit the public in many ways and is at the heart of everything the Corps does. So, to answer the question, yes, the Trustees have regard for the guidance onpublic benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference

Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The organisation is a voluntary Civil Defence organisation, and the Chief Officer and Trustees are grateful for all the work the senior volunteers do to assist in the runningof the Corps.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The lack of funds, and difficulties obtaining suitable insurance, has held back the Corps’ ability to actively support communities or other organisations. However, that is already changing, with basic operations already starting. The Corps is a unique entity in the charity and non-profit arena and does not easily fit within the perceived scope of charities that deal with social issues that make the media, and therefore easier to understand. The Corps simply approaches such issues from a different direction. By its very nature, the Corps is open to all, and has considered how that could work. This means members will become a part of an organisation that cares. It will provide training and education; it can give direction and structure; respect and confidence; recognition and appreciation. It will make people feel a part of something that will help and support their communities from within. This in itself will help in someway towards supporting the resolution of some local issues in practical terms, and by providing opportunities for change. People can come to us, regardless of background or circumstances, and the Corps will do its best to help and support. The other aspect is being a voluntary reserve to the professional Emergency Services, particularly with their diminishing numbers and increased expectations, when and wherever support is needed to safeguard and protect communities and members of the public.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set.	Para 1.41	With the battle for funding continuing, the Corps has more than doubled last year’s income and continues to development strongly and building on the relationships with other organisations and authorities. The successful obtaining of suitable insurance has seen an increase in operational activities over the last twelve months. The long-awaited insurance has made a big difference in the Corps’ ability to develop towards full operational status. As the only Civil Defence (CD) charitable organisation known across the world, currently, such insurance has been difficult to obtain. All international CD organisations are supported by their governments, and so the insurance is automatically covered. Although, building a relationship and recognition with the UK Government, the Corps remains an independent charity, and unique amongst all other UK charities and resilience organisations. To assist with funding, the Corps took on a professional fundraiser on a retained basis. However, the fundraiser let us down badly, putting grant application out calling us a corporation, regardless of the information she was provided, and so we were not awarded any grants during the year. Needless to say, the fundraiser was released from her agreement. The reluctant, but necessary decision to instigate subscriptions, has certainly helped over the year, showing benefit and growth for the Corps, allowing for external courses to become available to volunteers and insurance gained.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set.	Para 1.41	Our uniqueness continues to see us sidelined for more mainstream, media and social friendly charities. At the time writing this review, the Corps has gained the support of another fundraiser with direct experience in the voluntary emergency service arena. As we move forward with a new fundraising adviser in support, we will be in a better position to monitor the performance of our fundraising activities.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A
Other		N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Although funding is slow, and a little sparse, the income for last year has increased by over a third from the previous 12 months. The commitment of the senior officers has ensured the Corps remains stable and set for its continuing development and future.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity does not currently have any reserves.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	N/A
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	The charity simply does not have sufficient funds to allow for reserves.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There are no uncertainties, the Corps will succeed.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements		where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The Corps is funded through donations and grants. From April 2023, the Corps instituted subscriptions from its members in order to provide much needed cashflow.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted.	Para 1.46	N/Aat this time.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The main risk is lack of funding. Without funding, training, uniforms, and equipment cannot bepaid for,nor costs covered.
Other		N/A

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:	Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g.: unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Appointment by the Chief Officer and Board of Trustees

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and trainingof trustees.	Para 1.51	This is currently continuously under review and added to as the Corps continues its development.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Corps, as an operational voluntary emergency support organisation, works on a hierarchical structure and works alongside other voluntary organisations, as well as in support of the professional emergency services.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	The Corps is a key member of the Civil Defence Association and a founding member of the new Council of Civil Defence organisations.
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname	Joint Civil Aid Corps
Other name the charityuses	It is also beingtermed as “The Corps”
Registered charitynumber	1160699
Charity’s principal address	20 Crowborough Lane Kents Hill Milton Keynes MK7 6HF

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for **whole year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Julie Hooker			Colin Harmsworth, Chief Officer
	Edward John Firmin			Colin Harmsworth, Chief Officer
	Suzan Bull			Colin Harmsworth, Chief Officer

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity. Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this N/A falls within the custodian charity’s objects. Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets N/A from the charity’s own assets.

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser	Name	Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Colin Thomas Harmsworth ~~OO~~ Position (e.g., Founder and Chief Officer of the Joint Civil Secretary, Chair, etc) Aid Corps ~~a~~ Date: 04/10/2024 ~~oo~~

Statement of Financial Status

Income and Expenditure
	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24
	(1 Apr - 31	(1 Apr - 31	(1 Apr - 31
	Mar)	Mar)	Mar)
	Total	Total	Total
Incoming resources:	£	£	£
Donations	3,115.08	4,350.53	5,447.40
Grants	0.00	2,611.66	0.00
Interest			0.91
Subscriptions			3,590.06
Other			868.21
Total Incoming resources:	3,115.08	6,962.19	9,906.58
Resources Expended:
Stationery & Sundry	150.00	0.00	195.04
Fuel			121.00
Fundraising			629.99
Printing & Postage	95.72	0.00	38.43
Insurances	259.26	0.00	995.00
Website & I.T.	1,570.02	1,801.43	1,125.12
Accreditations	234.00	234.00	114.00
Training			3,583.60
Uniforms	569.37	196.45	2,243.47
Bank fees			77.61
Catering			921.19
Ads/ Marketing	0.00	0.00	846.48
Miscellaneous	598.16	120.03	904.98
Depreciation	601.00	942.98	660.09
Total Resources Expended:	4,077.53	3,294.89	12,456.00
Income - Expenditure:	-962.45	3,667.30	-2,549.42
Assets brought forward	1,544.34	1,402.33	2,200.29
Cash balances brought forward	1,219.96	399.52	3,268.86
Reconciliation of Funds:	1,801.85	5,469.15	2,919.73
Represented By:
	Total	Total
Assets:	£	£
Tangible Assets	1,402.33	2,200.29	1,540.20
Cash at bank and in hand	399.52	3,268.86	1,379.53
Total Funds:	1,801.85	5,469.15	2,919.73

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