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2023-12-31-accounts

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Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod
**From ** Period start date To Period end date
Day
1
Month
12
Year
2022
Day
30
Month
12
Year
2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Stand-by-Me Bereavement Support Service for Children Other names charity is known by Stand-by-me Registered charity number (if any) 1161035

Charity's principal address Hitchin Youth Trust Ltd Lambourne House 111 Walsworth Road Hitchin Postcode SG4 9SP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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2
3
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Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **
Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Lesley Carol Morag
READ
Chair and
Safeguarding
Sandra Rosamond
BLACKER
Clinical
John BOTLEY Treasurer
Keith Stuart
WADSWORTH
Secretary
James LAWRENCE Marketing
Jane WALTON
Andrew NELLIS Digital
Guy SKINNER Fundraising
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

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
Independent Examiner Charles Goldstein Charles Goldstein FCA
Brindley Goldstein Ltd
103 High Street
Waltham Cross
Hertfordshire
EN8 7AN

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

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Charitable lncorporated Organisation (ClO) with a 'Foundation' model Type of governing document constitution which was registered on 24 March 2015 (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Trust How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) New Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees to maintain and Trustee selection methods ensure an appropriate skillset. The Constitution sets terms of office in (eg. appointed by, elected by) order to secure stability and continuity but change, refreshment and expertise. Fundraising is clearly more and more demanding and a volunteer was recruited to the Trustees to take a lead on this. The Trustees already have one person with marketing experience and another to completely restructure digital record keeping and commensurate security, thus refreshing the charity's governance. The Trustees have also appointed a person with experience in Human Resources to ensure that employment practices, contracts and expectations of volunteers remain current, clear, proper and legal. New Trustees are appointed by invitation, consideration by all Trustees, references are sought and scrutinised. Consistent with that process two requests to join the Trustees have been politely declined after consideration of their circumstances and offers.

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

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You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

and other policies which are not mandatory but which guide the work of volunteers in the various types of work with both young people and adults. Counselling is now being offered to surviving parents and a policy has been devised for this.

DBS clearance is mandatory for all.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

To provide and protect the health of bereaved children and young people aged 0-19 living in North Hertfordshire and Stevenage by helping to prevent the negative outcomes of grief affecting their health, education and future life prospects through the provision of information, advice, support and guidance to them, their families, carers and associated professionals involved in their day-to-day care. This has recently included developing targeted support for surviving parents in relation to their own support of their child/ren, not specific adult bereavement counselling. This has been offered in groups running concurrently with the young peoples’ groups and occasionally on an individual basis.

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'Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.' (Anne Rolphe). All trustees read the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when they were drafting Stand-by-Me's charitable objects as part of the successful application for charity registration as a ClO. Stand-by-Me's charity classification is:

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

Trustees have received explicit evidence from self-assessment questionnaires filled in by bereaved children and teenagers and oral feedback from parents and family members that the charity's website and newsletter, free telephone advice line, and group programmes have all been beneficial and made a material difference to their lives following bereavement. These activities have

  1. helped children and young people know what is happening and what can help

  2. helped parents to understand and support their children

  3. given professionals information to support bereaved children and young people

  4. provided ways for bereaved families to meet and share their experiences.

The main benefits to children and families have been

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

During the period covered by this report the charity has continued to enjoy support from two types of volunteers:

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

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Volunteers continue to organise and manage the now annual 'Remember-me' day when young people who have used Stand-by-me’s programme, and their families, can reconnect. The Charity continues to enjoy free accommodation provided by Letchworth Heritage Foundation, Hitchin Youth Trust. All volunteers received a specially commissioned Safeguarding leaflet to explain the responsibilities placed upon them in accordance with the charity's Safeguarding Policy; and certificates for training have been created.

The Young Ambassadors programme has also initiated a number of fund-raising activities with young people who have benefited from the charity’s programme now raising its profile and taking a lead in promoting it and raising funds. This programme is a powerful continuation of the effectiveness and positive outcome of the clinical programme.

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance The Stand-by-me group sessions for children and young people remain Summary of the main at the heart of the Charity's work and have now supported over 650 achievements of the charity bereaved children and young people. The demand continues and a list of during the year prospective participants is maintained with support offered as early as possible. All children and young people are professionally assessed to ensure they are ready for involvement in group sessions. These full assessments, carried out prior to the young people joining a group, have increasingly led to volunteers offering support to other members of the children's families. The Big Lottery donation which initially funded a Family Bereavement Support Worker (FBSW) ended and a successful application was made for Global Make Some Noise funding was made in order to continue this part of Stand-by-me’s work. This allows for the employment of a person to draw a link between the children/young people, their families and their schools. This has proved to be enormously successful in linking school, families and bereaved young people but has also lead to ‘pressure’ to provide support directly to bereaved parents. A pilot and very limited scheme has run. Separate secondary and primary age groups are fully re-established for face-to-face sessions. The Contact-me programme for schools has been adopted by all the secondary schools in the Charity's area and most of the primary schools, schools, with volunteers (the primary author of the scheme and a clinician) continuing to provide training sessions primarily in schools. This revision and retraining programme will continue as schools seek more and more support in their work with bereaved children. All schools are facing increasing numbers of young people with mental health issues and bereavement is another factor which schools are expected to respond to. The growth in the scale, and success, of both these aspects of the Charity's work required a review of staffing in line with a full review of the Charity's business plan, in terms of its future sustainability. The input of the Trustee with digital expertise led to a further review of the administration side of the charity’s work and its implementation is well under way The Young Ambassadors programme has proved to be of great benefit to both the participants and to the Charity in terms of its profile and fundraising, with impressive presentations being made by the young people at various high-profile local events. A new compilation of videos made by the young people themselves will be used for fund- and awareness-raising purposes and this approach will be used with new ambassadors to involve them fully. Individual, corporate and local group donations have supplemented the initial three-year Children ln Need grant for continuation of which an application has been made. Funding is constantly under review and the continuation of the Uniting Families programme, supported by Global Make Some noise may depend on securing other funding streams. The ‘regular giving’ scheme the Trust designed has so far generated less than hoped but the marketing Trustee is actively seeking ways of promoting this, including exploring the possibility of contributions from local business.

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Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

The Trust’s policy is to hold reserves to cover no less than six rather than three months expenses.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The Trust has no funds invested. lts income is entirely through charitable donations from individuals, local organisations, fund-raising organisations outside the locality which have identified the Charity as one which they wish to support on a one-off basis and from national supporters i.e. Children in Need and The Big Lottery.

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

Section F Other optional information

After two very difficult years which placed huge remands on the Charity – ironically at a time when it was more needed than ever – operations returned to pre-pandemic status. Doubtless all charities have found fund-raising difficult and maintaining the charity’s work has required exceptional effort on the part of staff and volunteers. The Trustees are aware of the increasing demand for support from donors like Children in Need, Global Make Some Noise and The Big Lottery, all of whom are experiencing reductions in their income, so the Trustees are working tirelessly to secure Stand-by-me’s sustainability.

Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

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Full name(s) Keith S Wadsworth Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Secretary etc)

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Date October 14 2024 TAR Maich 2012

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1161035

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 FOR STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN - 1161035

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1
Independent Examiner's Report 2
Statement of Financial Activities 3
Balance Sheet 4
Notes to the Financial Statements 5
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 6 to 7

STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN – no. 1161035 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mrs Carol Read - Chair Mr John Botley - Deputy Chair & Finance Trustee Mrs Sandra Blacker - Clinical Trustee Mr James Lawrence - Marketing Trustee Mr Neil Cuthbertson - HR Trustee (resigned 4 September 2023) Mrs Jane Walton - Health Trustee Mr Andy Nellis - Digital Trustee Mr Keith Wadsworth - Secretary

The charity’s address is 111 Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP.

OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

The charity’s main activities continue to be to support bereaved children and young people and their families through our innovative group programmes. Following a successful pilot, the charity now also offers counselling for parents who had attended the parents’ group and need further support.

ACHIEVEMENT & PERFORMANCE

The key achievements during the last year were:

FINANCE

The charity received funds of £117,602 compared with £143,604 in the prior period. The decrease was largely due to receiving two substantial corporate donations in 2022. Expenditure was £135,806 compared with £100,908 the previous year mainly due to the investment in the new IT system mentioned above, (total IT costs increased by over £16,000 and overtime costs increased by £4,000) plus higher fundraising & marketing costs due to the rebranding.

The deficit for the year was £18,204 compared with a surplus of £42,696 the previous year. As explained above a deficit for the year was not unexpected given the investments made.

Cash resources at the year-end were £94,676 (2022 - £112,880) made up of £83,440 unrestricted and £11,236 restricted.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Risk Management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Public Benefit Statement

The charity trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit as published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 May 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Mrs Carol Read – Chair

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 set out on pages 4 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the 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 statements below.

Independent examiner's statement

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

have not been met; or

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Charles Goldstein FCA Brindley Goldstein Ltd 103 High Street Waltham Cross Hertfordshire EN8 7AN

Date: 15 May 2024

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STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

31 Dec 2023
31 Dec 2022
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Total funds Total funds
funds fund fund
Notes
£
£ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from
generated funds
Children in need - 33,380 - 33,380 31,380
Big Lottery 1,916 1,916 32,294
-
Global Make Some Noise 32,000 32,000
Herts CC Early Learning 1,400 1,400
Mrs Smith & Mount Trust - - 5,000
Costco local giving - - 1,500
Fundraising Events 1,308 - 1,308 1,682
Just Giving 8,620 - - 8,620 3,507
Grants and donations 34,455 - - 34,455 63,150
Enthuse Donations 3,164 3,164 4,648
Investment and other income 1,359 - - 1,359 443
Total incoming resources 48,906 68,696 - 117,602 143,604
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Costs of generating funds
Costs of generating voluntary
income - - - - -
Charity running costs 32,038 72,923 - 104,961 90,864
Charitable activities
Governance
Direct charitable spending 29,821 1,024 - 30,845 10,044
Total resources expended 61,859 73,947 - 135,806 100,908
EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE
OVER INCOME (12,953) (5,251) - 42,696 42,696
Gain/(Loss) on revaluation of
investments - - - - -
NET DEFICIT THE YEAR
(12,953) (5,251) - (18,204) 42,696
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Transfers between funds - - -
Total funds brought forward 96,393 **16,487 ** - 112,880 70,184
TOTAL FUNDS C/FWD. 83,440 11,236 - 94,676 112,880
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STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2022
Unrestricted Endowment Total funds Total funds
funds Restricted fund
fund
£ £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Investments - - - - -
- - - - -
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors - - - - -
Cash at bank and in hand 83,440 **11,236 ** - 94,676 112,880
83,440 11,236 - 94,676 112,880
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one - - - - -
year
NET CURRENT ASSETS 83,440 11,236 - 94,676 112,880
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES 83,440 11,236 - 94,676 112,880
NET ASSETS 83,440 11,236 - 94,676 112,880
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds 83,440 96,393
Restricted funds 11,236 16,487
Endowment funds - -
TOTAL FUNDS 94,676 112,880

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 15 May 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Mrs Carol Read - Chair

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STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when received.

Resources Expended

Expenditure is accounted for on a cash basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Reserves

Given experience during the Covid pandemic, the charity’s policy on holding was amended to hold reserves equal to 6 months (previously 3 months) of expenditure in separate bank accounts.

2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

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STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023


Receipts
unrestricted

£
-
-
-
3,164
34,455
8,620
1,308
1,359
48,906
restricted
£
-
33,380
1,916
32,000
1,400
-
-
-
-
-
68,696
2023
£
-
33,380
1,916
32,000
1,400
-
3,164
34,455
8,620
1,308
1,359
117,602
2022
£
Grants - - - -
Children In Need 33,380 33,380 31,380
Big Lottery 1,916 1,916 32,294
Global Make Some Noise - 32,000 32,000 -
Herts CC Early Learning - 1,400 1,400 -
CostcoLocalGiving - - 1,500
Mrs Smith&MountTrust 5,000
Enthuse Donations 3,164 3,164 4,648
Donations 34,455 - 34,455 63,150
Just Giving 8,620 - 8,620 3,507
Fundraising events 1,308 - 1,308 1,682
Other income 1,359 - 1,359 443
**Total ** 48,906 68,696 117,602 143,604

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STAND-BY-ME BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Payments
unrestricted
£
Project Managers Salaries
3,098
Administrator & other salary costs
19,890
-
Recruitment
-
Supervision & Training
1,662
Travel expenses-volunteers / clients
234
Group-Resources / expenses incurred
3,036
Family Event & Other Childrens
Group
2,506
DBS Clearance
342
Youth Ambassadors Project
1,271
Uniting Families Project - other direct
costs
-
Communications-Mobiles / Postage
1,381
-
Website support / IT costs
19,687
Access Insurance - Public & Liability
Insurance
836
Stationery / office costs
229
Fund raising & Marketing costs
5,667
Consultancy
Accountancy
792
Other miscellaneous costs
1,228
Total
61,859
Payments
unrestricted
£
Project Managers Salaries
3,098
Administrator & other salary costs
19,890
-
Recruitment
-
Supervision & Training
1,662
Travel expenses-volunteers / clients
234
Group-Resources / expenses incurred
3,036
Family Event & Other Childrens
Group
2,506
DBS Clearance
342
Youth Ambassadors Project
1,271
Uniting Families Project - other direct
costs
-
Communications-Mobiles / Postage
1,381
-
Website support / IT costs
19,687
Access Insurance - Public & Liability
Insurance
836
Stationery / office costs
229
Fund raising & Marketing costs
5,667
Consultancy
Accountancy
792
Other miscellaneous costs
1,228
Total
61,859
restricted
£
55,916
14,195
-
-
268
182
-
-
-
-
2,363
300
-
144
-
420
-
160
73,947
2023
£
59,014
34,084
-
-
1,930
416
3,036
2,506
342
1,271
2,363
1,681
-
19,831
836
649
5,667
-
792
1,388
135,806
2022
£
Project Managers Salaries 3,098 55,916 59,014 56,362
Administrator & other salary costs 19,890 14,195 34,084 27,708
- - - -
Recruitment - - - -
Supervision & Training 1,662 268 1,930 1,491
Travel expenses-volunteers / clients 234 182 416 362
Group-Resources / expenses incurred 3,036 - 3,036 2,102
Family Event & Other Childrens
Group
2,506 - 2,506 1,766
DBS Clearance 342 - 342 144
Youth Ambassadors Project 1,271 - 1,271 339
Uniting Families Project - other direct
costs
- 2,363 2,363 591
Communications-Mobiles / Postage 1,381 300 1,681 1,685
- - -
Website support / IT costs 19,687 144 19,831 3,762
Access Insurance - Public & Liability
Insurance
836 - 836 695
Stationery / office costs 229 420 649 461
Fund raising & Marketing costs 5,667 5,667 846
Consultancy - 1,050
Accountancy 792 - 792 816
Other miscellaneous costs 1,228 160 1,388 729
Total 61,859 73,947 135,806 100,908

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