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← Cornwall People First

2024-03-31-accounts

For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Annual report and financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 202 4

Registered Charity Number: 1160773

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Contents

Reference and administrative details 3
Trustee report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Project reports and statements 7
Independent examiner’s report 12
Balance sheet 14
Notes to the financial statements 15

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Reference and administrative details - For the year ended 31 March 202 4

Name of charity: Cornwall People First

Charity registration number: 1160773

Governing Documentation: CIO - Association Registered 5 March 2015

Trustees:

Linda Lake – resigned February 24 Mark Hutchings – resigned February 24 Laura Keeper – resigned February 24 Sam Axon Daniel Ball Julie Pape Jason Pape Ann - Marie Dean since October 23

No trustee has a beneficial interest in the charity, although some benefit from the services provided, however these are only the same as anyone else with their disabilities.

Principal address:

Cornwall People First C/O The Lescudjack Centre Penmere Close Penzance Cornwall TR18 3PE

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Independent Examin er:

Bankers:

Mr R Maule The Cross House South Woodchester GL5 5EL

Lloyds Bank Plc 11 – 12 Killigrew Street Falmout h Cornwall TR11 3RA

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Trustees' report

For the year ended 31 March 202 4

The Trustees of Cornwall People First present their annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 202 4 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP 2015.

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 their future activities. In particular the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to those aims and objectives.

Cornwall People First is a user led charity. It is run by and for adults with learning disabilities and autism. It provides a platform where self - advocates can have a voice and be heard by those who commission services in Cornwall and surrounding areas. We offer a range of different self - advocacy Speak Up Groups across the area as part of the projects that we are working on, all with the aim of improv ing the lives of those with learning disabilities and/or autism . Cornwall People First can also signpost our members to appropriate people and services. We attract members from a variety of sources from residential homes, day services, social worker referrals and self - referrals.

Cornwall People First’s membership has a wide diversity of age and gender. Our organisation assists and enables participation in policy development and planning of services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Results for the year

The results for the year are shown in the statement of financial activities.

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Review of Financial Activities

This year saw the continuation our two projects funded by the NHS Integrated C are B oard (ICB) . We received £ 19,054 in January for The Sunflower Project to continue for another year, and £70,034 for The Practice Partners Project. This money was split into two payments in May and January.

Alongside these projects we received £10,000 from the NHS to work with CIDER (Cornwall Intellectual Disability Equitable Research) on a research project called ‘Count Me In!’. This work ran from December 2023 to March 2024 and was paid in March.

As well as our larger projects we continue to find funding for smaller pieces of wok. In September we received £500 from the OPCC to facilitate a Speak Up G r oup for Hate Crime Awareness Week. We also facilitated a one - off event for Safer Streets. This was funded through The Women’s Centre Cornwall and provided us with £704.

We were also paid for Easy Read work. We received £1850 from Cornwall Council and £2000 from The Women’s Centre Cornwall.

We were able to support Cornwall Council with a piece of engagement work around housing in the Autumn. We received £2704.54 in October for this . The report led to another piece of work in early 2024 around the 7 Keys to Citizenship. We received £2784.11 for this second piece of work.

We continue to work without an office space and are paying for a storage facility to be able to hold our files, resources and equipment. Our volunteer treasurer Christopher Jordan offers his services to us for free.

The trustees would like to extend a special thanks to Christopher Jordan for working so tirelessly on our behalf.

We received £ 4850 on behalf of the Blue Light Day committee for the next Blue Light Day event.

We started and ended the year with three members of staff (2 full time equivalent) . However for 6 months, June - November, we had an extra outreach worker. In November she needed to leave for personal reasons so we returned to our team of three.

Our volunteers have grown this year to 19.

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Our work

We continued our two NHS projects this year – The Sunflower Project and The Practice Partners Project. The Sunflower Project is a research project looking at death, dying and loss. This year our closed group came to an end and changed into a monthly ‘leading change’ group until the Summer. We facilitated a series of Sunflower Project workshops in day centres , talking about loss, grief , and then preparing for the future with a letter of wishes.

The Practice Partners project progressed this year. We continued to attend Patient Participation groups in GP Surgeries in St Austell, Saltash and Hayle with patients with LD/Autism. However in June 2023 we left St Austell PPG and joined Marazion PPG in November instead.

We attended the PPG meetings with a Self - Advocate and we worked together with the surgeries to support accessibility and better communication. This included the creation of a number of easy read resources, as well as surgeries taking on new practices such as one GP Surgery introducing new signage to make it easier to find rooms. We were able to provide support to the surgeries that were part of the project as well as others that got in touch for advice. In January 2024 we launched our first Access All Areas g roup as part of this project. We started with a bi - monthly group in Hayle and welcomed the surgery Learning Di s ability nurses, the S ocial P rescrib er and the Learning Disability L iaison n urses to talk about health checks. These groups were very popular and provided a space for self - advocates to ask health professionals questions about their appointments, health conditions, or what they do.

Through both of these projects we have learnt a lot about how the NHS works and have been able to support our members to navigate the system more effectively.

In September 2023 we facilitated a half day event in Truro for Safer Streets. We talked about how safe people felt when they were out in Truro, in the day and evening. We also talked about the Safe Places scheme and we went out into Truro to test the scheme out.

In October we facilitated a Speak Up Group for Hate Crime Awareness week and welcomed the Police Diversity Team along to talk about what it is, and what they do.

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Throughout September and October we met with group s in day services and out in the community to talk to them about the Council’s Housing Engagement work. We found out what people were struggling with in terms of housing and choice, and put it into a report for the Council. We later presented the report at the Council with the help of two trustees.

This report then led to a further piece of work with the Council. We set up a group in January all about ‘Home’ and asked the group what it means to them. We then produced a report and a folder full of potential person - centred worksheets that could be used to fully explore how someone is feeling about where they live. We finished this in February and presented it to the Council in Marc h alongside a trustee.

From December to March we worked with the NHS CIDER team on a project called ‘Count Me In!’. This was all about creating a toolkit to give to commercial companies so that they know how to include people with learning disabilities and/or autism in research. We spent 4 sessions with a small closed group of Self - Advocates talking through the process of research and discussing the barriers to someone taking part. In the end we created a list of ways that they would like to be included.

In June we held a Big Walk, Talk and Art Day in celebration of Learning Disability Awareness week. These days are always a highlight of the year and we try to find something to do that fits within the national theme. This year’s theme was about art so we t ook a walk with a nature art activity, then returned to the hall for lunch together and a chat.

We remain a part of the Blue Light Day planning committee and organised the stage and finances for the 2023 day. It was considerably busier this year than the previous year, possibly due to people relaxing about Covid.

We have continued to grow our social media presence. Facebook has been a really useful way of contacting people and sharing the groups and work we are doing.

Our Saltash group has continued to meet . Two of the group members are members of the Practice Partners Project so we have been able to talk about health related issues within the group and they have shared what they have learnt at the PPG meetings.

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day was held in person as well as being shown remotely and shared online afterwards. Our longstanding lead volunteer lit a candle .

Structure, Governance and Management

The trustees are responsible for the overall management and control of Cornwall People First and meet as a minimum, quarterly. The treasurer gives regular financ e reports. All trustees give of their time freely and a small remuneration and expenses were paid in the year.

Organisational Management

The day to day running of the charity is delegated to the Operational and Development Leads , and is supported by Trustee Advisors and additionally by staff and Trustees.

Risk Management

The trustees and advisors 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 charity’s risk management processes is undertaken.

Risk is managed under the headings of financial sustainability, safety, welfare, employment, events and community access. Through the risk management processes established for the Charity, the Trustees are satisfied that the major risks identified have been adequately lessened where necessary. It is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed. The charity has taken out suitable insurance in or der to cover any unforeseen problems

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to create sufficient reserves to cover three months expenditure to ensure the charity’s long term viability and maintain its activities if incoming resources temporarily cease. The trustees have

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

agreed a reserves policy for designated funds. This totals £ 102 , 700 [2023: £ 102.700 ]

This p o licy is reviewed annually.

Tax Status

As a registered charity, Cornwall People First is exempt from corporation tax on its investments and other non - trading income.

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. Unde r that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

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 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 to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charities Act. They have general responsibility for taking 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 fina ncial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

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For the year ending 31 March 202 4 Name of Charity: Cornwall People First Charity registration Number: 1160773

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 that information .

B y order of the b oard

..................................................

C B Jordan (Treasurer)

C/O The Lescudjack Centre Penmere Close PENZANCE Cornwall TR18 3PE

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Cornwall People First

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st ] March 20 2 4 which are set out on pages 1 3 to 20 .

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed . It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as 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.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Dick Maule FCA

The Cross House South Woodchester GL5 5EL

Date

12

Cornwall People First

Statement of Financial Activities [including Income and Expenditure Account] for the year ended 31st. March 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
Notes 2024
2024		 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Income from
Donations 1,720 - 1,720 12,699
Investment income 2,308 - 2,308 413
Grants and contracts 10,500 91,588 102,088 88,914
Fee and miscellaneous income 10,672 - 10,672 2,885
Total Income 25,201 91,588 116,789 104,911
Expenditure on (7)
Charitable activities 30,524 56,589 87,113 72,995
Net income/[expenditure] (5,323)
34,999		 29,676 31,916
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 144,265 89,501 233,766 201,850
Tranfers between reserves - - - -
Total funds carried forward 138,942 124,500 263,442 233,766

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Cornwall People First

Balance sheet as at 31st. March 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(2)
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
Cash at bank and on hand
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within 12 months
(3)
Net Current assets
Net assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
(6)
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds
Total charity funds		 2024
£
-
264,192
264,192
(750)		 £
-
263,442
263,442
36,242
102,700
124,500
263,442		 2023
£
-
234,516
234,516
(750)		 £
-
233,766
233,766
41,565
102,700
89,501
233,766

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees.............

On behalf of the Trustees ...............................

dated:-

page 14 of 20

Cornwall People First

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st. March 2024

(1) Principal Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below and have remained unchanged from the previous years.

(a) Basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial

statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) as updated by Update Bulletin 2, and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

(b) Fund accounting

[i] Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

[ii]Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Management Committee for particular purposes.

[iii] Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

(c) Income

Income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity

is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.

[i] Income received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full

in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not

conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

[ii] Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.

[iii]The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

[iv] Investment income is included when receivable.

[v]Income from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned.

[vi]Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables,

are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

(d) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered

[i]Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

[ii] Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them [iii]All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

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Cornwall People First

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st. March 2024

(1) Principal Accounting Policies

(e) Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are written off over the expected useful life of the asset, at 25% per annum on the reducing balance method .

Items costing over £500 are capitalised.

(2) Fixed Assets
Fittings
& equipment
£
Cost : balance brought forward
6,285
Depreciation
balance brought forward
6,285
charge for the year
-
6,285
Net book value 31st. March 2024
-
Net book value 31st. March 2023
-
(3) Debtors
2024
£
Sundry debtors
-
(4) Creditors
Amounts falling due within 12 months
Sundry creditors
750
(5) Employee information
Number of employees
2.5
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The average weekly number of employees during the year were calculated on
the average head count basis.
The total employee benefits of key management personnel were £54,203 [2023: £30,780]
£
Salaries and wages
60,135
Pension
4,594
Social security costs
6,072
70,801
(6) Trustees information
£
-		 2023
£
-
750
2.5
£
46,591
3,121
3,904
53,616
£
-

Expenses relate to Trustees' travel and subsistence at meetings.

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Cornwall People First

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st. March 2024

(7) Movements in funds

(7) Movements in funds
Balance Balance
1st April Income Expenditure Balance 31st. March
2023 Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Designated Funds 102,700 - - - 102,700
General Fund 41,565 25,201 (30,524) - 36,242
144,265 25,201 (30,524) - 138,942
Restricted funds
Blue Light Day 2,467 2,500 (2,480) 2,487
Better Together 20,011 - (14,854) 5,157
Practice Partners Project 21,998 70,034 (19,601) 72,431
Sunflower Project 45,025 19,054 (19,654) - 44,425
89,501 91,588 (56,589) - 124,500
Total funds 233,766 116,789 (87,113) - 263,442
Designated Funds
The trustees have designated the following funds: 2024
2023
£ £
Long term staff sickness, maternity leave, staff leaving and recruitment costs 10,000 10,000
Redundancy costs 11,000 11,000
Legal and accountancy costs for closure of CPF 4,500 4,500
The time to the expiry of leases on property - 6 months (Penzance) 1,200 1,200
That staff can continue working, primarily to secure new
funding (3 months) 30,000 30,000
Employee Pensions 1,000 1,000
Deficit through reduction in Cornwall Council funding 3,000 3,000
Grant not renewed CPF (6 months) 40,000 40,000
Other contingencies 2,000 2,000
TOTAL 102,700 102,700

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Cornwall People First

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st. March 2024

(8) Movements in funds prior year

Balance Balance
1st April Income Expenditure Balance 31st. March
2022 Transfers 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Designated Funds 101,750 - - 950 102,700
General Fund 48,787 4,117 (28,353) 17,014 41,565
172,719 4,117 (28,353)
17,964		 144,265
Restricted funds
Cornwall County Council - - - -
Blue Light Day 3,000 2,280 (2,813) 2,467
Better Together 20,000 7,000 (6,989) 20,011
Disability Cornwall : COMF 28,313 (10,349)
(17,964)
-
Practice Partners Project - 31,690 (9,692) 21,998
Sunflower Project - 59,824 (14,799) - 45,025
51,313 100,794 (44,642) (17,964) 89,501
Total funds 224,032 104,911 (72,995) - 233,766
Designated Funds
The trustees have designated the following funds: 2023
2022
£ £
Long term staff sickness, maternity leave, staff leaving and recruitment costs 10,000 3,000
Redundancy costs 11,000 7,500
Legal and accountancy costs for closure of CPF 4,500 3,500
The time to the expiry of leases on property - 6 months (Penzance) 1,200 250
That staff can continue working, primarily to secure new
funding (3 months) 30,000 15,000
Employee Pensions 1,000 1,000
Deficit through reduction in Cornwall Council funding 3,000 15,000
Grant not renewed CPF (6 months) 40,000 35,000
Other contingencies 2,000 2,000
TOTAL 102,700 82,250

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Cornwall People First

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st. March 2024

(7) Charitable expenditure Total Total
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 70,801 53,616
Staff costs 1,163 -
Telephone 502 544
Print, post and stationery 349 87
Insurance and subscriptions 1,416 1,316
Room hire 1,950 2,096
Refreshments & CPF forums 670 1,246
Travel expenses 4,212 4,510
Computer and IT costs 1,073 1,975
Legal and professional fees 424 4,568
Reporting accountant's fees 750 750
Rent and rates 2,278 656
Depreciation - -
Sundry expenses 68 193
Office equipment charges 1,280 1,164
Non capitalised equipment 178 273
87,113 72,995

(8) Analysis of net assets between funds

General Designated Restricted
Funds Funds Funds Total
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets - - - -
Current assets 36,992 102,700 124,500 264,192
Current liabilities (750) - - (750)
Net assets at 31st March 2024 36,242 102,700 124,500 263,442

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Cornwall People First

(9) Analysis of prior year funds

Statement of Financial Activities [including Income and Expenditure Account] for the year ended 31st. March 2023

for the year ended 31st. March 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
2023
2023		 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Income from
Donations 699 12,000 12,699 -
Investment income 413 - 413 11
Grants and contracts 120 88,794 88,914 104,442
Fee income 2,885 - 2,885 3,175
Total Income 4,117 100,794 104,911 107,628
Expenditure on
Charitable activities 28,353 44,642 72,995 63,000
Net income/[expenditure] (24,236) 56,152 31,916 44,628
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 150,537 51,313 201,850 157,221
Tranfers between reserves 17,964 (17,964) - -
Total funds carried forward 144,265 89,501 233,766 201,850

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