Fletton House Fletton Way, Glapthorn Road Oundle Peterborough PE8 4JA Tel: 01832 275433 E-mail: admin@volunteer-action.org.uk Web Site: www.volunteer-action.org.uk ## Volunteer Action Annual Statement Registered charity no. 1161080 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025 ## **Mission Statement** **Goal:** Volunteer Action aims to **maintain the independence** and **improve the quality of life** for people aged 65 and over and those registered disabled within the East North Northamptonshire community. **Community Focus:** Our emphasis is on making a positive difference for those in the local community, highlighting the importance **of volunteering to improve the lives of rurallyisolated people.** **Services Provided:** The Charity offers a **Community Car Scheme** , a **Befriending Scheme** and other Services tailored to local residents' needs, helping these individuals to live more independently and with a better quality of life. ## **Operational Activity** ## **Demand for our services** This 12-month period has seen continued demand for the car scheme. Total mileage driven increased to 133,463 (previous year 131,814), fulfilling 12,404 passenger trips, and we have experienced an increase in members, to 589 at end of 2024/25 financial year. Whilst over 63% of our drives are for medical related appointments the remaining drives are classified as “social drives” where we support individuals’ engagement in activities away from home thereby helping to reduce social isolation. In addition, we continue to support a small group in the community with a weekly shopping service, where we shop for our members and deliver to their house, this service is restricted to the most vulnerable. Our Befriending service has seen an increase in demand with the number of members increasing to 114 (68 last year). We offer face-to-face and telephone befriending which is split 57% and 43% respectively. Our Group Befriending Events have grown to support over 1,350 attendees at groups held across East Northants North and Rural Corby. We expect to continue and further develop this impactful project during 2025/26. ## **Running the services** It would be impossible for VA to deliver its services without its volunteers. The number of volunteers across all three schemes has increased to 168 (previously 136). The amount of volunteering hours provided by this team has also seen a sharp increase, which reflects the additional demands on the services. ## **Administration and management** VA runs its administration and operations from offices in Fletton House, Oundle, and is staffed by four part-time employees and one full time employee, totalling 2.8 FTE. In addition, in December we appointed an Operations Manager to support operations. A loyal group of 9 office volunteers support the operational and administrative functions. These volunteers have contributed 1,563 hours in this year. Apart from the normal activities of a small charity, the main workload is the weekly task of receiving bookings for drives and then matching them with drivers. In addition, the befriending service is supported by a volunteer assessor who visits people who have been referred to our service. There is also a trustee body of 7 volunteers contributing approximately 900 hours per year in volunteering time. ## **Community car scheme** During the year we have had up to 71 volunteer drivers available to support this service, seeing a return to pre-pandemic levels of volunteering. We compensate our drivers with 45 pence per mile being the passenger miles paid by the passenger, and their home to pick-up point which is paid for by the charity. We provide training for our drivers on subjects such as manual handling, lone working and safeguarding, and this year held a half-day driver training event in partnership with Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance. Both passengers and drivers thoroughly enjoy the opportunity for conversation, contributing towards reducing loneliness and social isolation, over and above getting the member out of their house. We estimate volunteer driver hours at 20,838 per annum, based upon the average journey/wait time of one hour, plus journey or driving times. ## **Befriending & Group Befriending** Befriending volunteers contribute approximately 3,000 hours per annum. We have a team of 73 volunteers across the schemes. ## **Collaborations** We have been at the forefront of coordinating two collaborative groups of charities across North Northamptonshire, working together to support older people with accessible transport options and promote greater independence in later life. These groups serve as a platform for shared learning, joint problem-solving, and coordinated service delivery, ensuring that older residents receive the practical support they need to stay connected and active within their communities. By bringing organisations together in this way, we are helping to create a more accountable and transparent voluntary sector, while also driving change at a systemic level to improve long-term outcomes for older people across the region. ## **Risk Assessment** The charity maintains a wide range of risk assessments in relation to both the services we provide to our members and to our administrative operations. These are reviewed on an annual basis or as required. ## **Financial matters** ## **Income and expenditure** VA receives its income from a range of sources - Local Authorities, NHS, donations, fundraising and contracts. Salaries are the largest expense, however there are office costs including rent, IT, administration and we continue to fund the cost of mileage to get drivers to members’ pick-up points. In a large rural area, this is a key consideration and cost given that 37% of all mileage is funded by the charity. The financial year end delivered a surplus of £34,944 due in part to the new Group Befriending project income and an increase in grant applications to help support our activities. These funds will be designated to the continuation of the vital Group Befriending Project whilst the 2024 strategy review highlighted opportunities for VA to extend its services and outreach in the community - these initiatives will be developed during 2025/26. ## **Reserves** In the Trustees’ view, the reserves should provide the charity with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future. A number of significant risk factors for the future have been identified, including the uncertainty of future statutory funding from local government and the NHS. This continuing uncertainty over the level of funding and increasing day-to-day operational costs remain a key focus for the Trustees. Taking these factors into account, the Trustees have determined to maintain the charity’s reserves at a minimum level of six months running costs plus associated wind-up costs. ## **Public Benefits** The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. Rural isolation and loneliness are well known to be closely associated with poor mental wellbeing and we know that our services help tackle this. Older people value independent living, and we can help maintain that for longer by providing a reliable way to get to vital medical appointments, shopping and social engagements. In addition to the services provided, VA offers an opportunity for volunteers to engage with their communities and contribute towards the success of a highly regarded service. For many it provides the opportunity to be a valued member of a team and maintain a more active retirement. Maintaining that balance is a key ethos of our thinking. ## **Location** Our remit covers postal addresses in a largely rural area of approximately 340 square miles incorporating more than 50 villages and 2 small market towns. We are fortunate to have drivers throughout most parts of this, however matching members to local drivers or befrienders is a constant challenge and contributes to running costs. ## **Governance** The charity has been a CIO since 2015. Recent recruitment of Trustees has been by application from people who bring the skills needed to run the organisation. The 2024-25 board comprised: Ms Moira Froggatt Mr Charles Wallace (Treasurer) Mr David Cashmore (Chair) Mr Lloyd Martin (Vice-Chair) Mr Richard Allinson Mr John Pick In 2024-25 we appointed Mrs Sandra Church Signed on behalf of the board of Trustees: Name: David Cashmore (Chair) Signature: Date: 03.07.2025 VOLUNTEER AcfioN RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the perlod from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 Charttyr44unber. 11610 2024-25 202>24 nd5 Funds To￿1 F￿d$ Total Funds RECEIPTS page I Operationol InC￿rne Member payments Annual Membership Fees Or8ani5atiiM)s 48,451 48A51 9204 9566 67.221 4&215 7.416 ID.136 65,767 9,566 67,221 Furtdih7g6Trnts NNC-CommuniiyTfanspcrt Grant NNC - Highways NNC- Older People Grant NNC-Other gtants NNC- Rural Communlryfund Serve- fjroup Befrlendln8 Scherne Grant NHS OlheTgrants 10.777 15,777 6,630 148(KJ 6,630 lo,￿￿} 26.148 4,824 8,690 75,869 I0￿[x} 30.755 4.824 36.￿￿ I￿.686 29.562 778 17.564 71,204 28,210 43,817 Donations fieneral donations Friends aiiounl Glft Atd tax re£laimed I7￿37 17 IA88 1918 23311 18,274 3,596 1,573 23.443 2,918 23.243 FuMlraisinBlr*ome 2(K) Club Quii & Raffie Fundraisingevents 6,410 2,797 1,1 10.387 3.721 1,105 10,626 3.721 1,105 10.626 (x1￿ Inco g)ftware Ilcen Sundries Bankintere5t &50 650 131 L969 2.750 3AVJS 3.745 3,745 Total Re￿Ipts 14651 75.937 173551 PAYMENTS Drivers Shopping 56571 56,5n s2.1￿4 6.475 S8529 59,1E4 59,054 Salary Costs Salarle5 Payroll bureau costs 24244 92342 75508 935 76.443 24992 68,098 EstablTshmrt Rent Buslness Rale5 5rsurance 4,320 4.320 4,320 357 795 5,472 897 5.597 5,597 MarketinE Ad￿rtisIng& publiclty L495 Office Expufje$ statiurnery & offlosupplSes Telephone l.T. Cotts other expenses 2,704 1.281 6.253 1.714 11,952 1,721 6,261 559 11,540 Iz 1.734 7,691 559 12.983 1,430 IA43 VARecelpts Payernenta Arcount2024-25- Charltycomrnisslon lsi8nrngcopyl.￿SX VOLUNTEER AcfioN RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 rltyNumlJer. 1161080 20Z+3S Unr•strlcted Total FWMIS Total Fwd5 PAYMENTS (CO￿rINUED) Pap2 Volunteerexpenses Ilncl. trainin Recognllion Events ImeTnbers& volunteers) Group BefriendirT8 ExwTrses VABefTlending e)ryRnses Recrultment consultancv Bank ch3rges 2,373 IA19 2373 1.419 2.983 1,494 4051 963 864 304 1.332 6.292 1.332 9.275 1,322 &211 1983 FuN1ra151￿ EMpensQS 21X) Club priiÈs other Fundraisin8 Costs 1475 232 1707 475 232 1,650 1707 RegulatthyExpeiises Legal Independent Examiner's fee Trustees Meetlng & Trainlng 354 354 ObR-off MaiorPfoJects New aoud-Based Ser¥erSystem 4.191 4.194 4,191 4,1 Total Paympnts 117.121 72524 16UI52 NET RECEirfsi(PAThIÉNTSI 3A13 9.499 VOLUNTEER ACTION Statement of assets and liablllties at the end of the period As at 31st March 20Z5 31th.21)25 11.03.2024 H FUNDS Bank and Cash Balances 147,108 112.164 TOTALASSETS 147, 114 FVNDS General Funds - Unre5triLted . Restricled 140.148 108,617 3,547 147J08 11&164 Stgned on behaw of all the trustees: Print Name.. DC35hmore Oate of approval: Inh July 2025 VA Re￿Ipts Payementa Account 2024-25- Chartty CornmÈssion (Si￿1n8 copyl.xlsx Charily No. 1161080 Volunteer Action Accounts for the year ended 31 st March 2025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of VOLUNTEER ACTION On accounts for the year ended 31 MARCH 2025 Charity no (if any) 1161080 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended 3110312024. Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Acl. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no rnaterial matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounls do not accord with the accounting records Independent examlner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: Of/oi12<>1 Name: MR GRAHAM DARBOURNE Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (If any): FCA Address: THE OLD TOWN HALL, MARKET PLACE OUNDLE PETERBOROUGH. PE8 4BA IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any items that the examiner wlshes to disclose. IER October 2018 VOWNTEER ACTION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT For the perlod tst April 2024 to 31st March 2025 (h•thN4th1bor. 11610 Fum Toi•lknth T•tsl Fw RE￿IpTs Pa8e I Memtserp*mieffls Annual Memberthlp F• 9,204 9566 9204 7.416 10.136 65.767 NNC. NNC . Iwways NNC-OklÈf People Gw*)I NWC-Other8rnnts N14C. f¢urnlComrnunltyFund Serne. Gnyjp Befrlent1ln8Sthem•C￿t 7Y7 14 7&70 141 4824 so,￿5 4.824 29¥1 778 17564 71.204 28,210 119,686 (ien•rnl dorauons FTbends•ccouni GfftAld tyx wrflalmed 17M37 I7￿s 3596 1,573 23.443 918 243 918 23311 Club Qylz& Rrf 6,410 >721 iCL5 3.721 10.387 Software Ik•R£e Sundrles fftkknt•r•st iai 3.745 3,745 1750 75JJ7 PAYMENTS 71 $45n 1483 59.oy SU￿4 6,475 50529 Shopplry 59, 24244 935 76.443 24932 4,32Q 4320 43>) 357 Insurance 5.597 p4l¥*ruY￿￿pUt1ldry L495 Stthonery &olncÈ Tdephon• l.T. Costs L704 L721 4261 7.691 559 11983 253 L714 11.540 VARKebJts Piprnenta kcourt 20Z+IF chartty¢￿￿￿155IQn IWlTr8Cow1￿>1 vowriTEER AcnoN RECEIPTS AND PAYMEPITS ACCOUNT For the perlod from tst Apvll 2024 to 3tst March 2025 TotslFW PAYMENTS (CONTINUEDI vo1unteerexpen￿0fft￿ traknlry) Rett•"on Ebvtslmembe￿&Tffjl￿￿tV1 1373 L4 2373 Ih19 L49¢ 8ankchJry iJ32 9.275 292 ZLXJatsbprk othvFundrn1￿rygc09ts 1475 14 1707 dependentEwknErfsf•• 354 4194 194 117 T NECfimllPA)TrIENTS) VOLuNfEER AcnoN ststement of assets and Ilabllltles •t the end ol th• perfod A5 at 31st March 2025 nk •ThltsthWrKeS 147.1(WJ U1164 147,11 N05 Genernl F￿￿$ . UnresirfLted 14148 3547 147 IW64 Sil￿d (ffj bFJ4W ot•H tr*truW' prtnt r4Th'. DatefAappr0￿. 17thJub72025 VAA*¢etpts pa¥en*Account202*25.Ch•rttyCr*Nrt5kn I*irq￿lAl$M