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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration Number: 1161275

Local Village Network

(Formerly London Village Network) Audited Annual Report and Accounts

For the Period 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023

Contents

A Message from our Founder Page 3
Trustees’ Annual Report Page 4-7
Reference and Administrative Details Page 8
Independent Examiner’s Report Page 9
Receipts and Payments Account Page 10-11
Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 12-13

A message from our founder

In the year 2022 to 2023, LVN continued to make significant strides to position itself as a leader in tackling network poverty. Different to other youth employment organisations we worked with behaviour scientists from Ogilvy Change to put together a programme that teaches the importance networking, our transition to deliver in schools, reaching those before they become NEET, has delivered significant impact, plus it is attractive to young people, businesses, and teachers alike.

2022 – 2023 Headlines

In addition to delivering the continuation of our ‘Amplify Me’ programme LVN also launched our when I’m older I’m going to be Primary School programme across 5 Primary schools in Islington. We also received funding from the Violence reduction unit at the Mayor’s office to improve our signposting app and develop a complimentary website.

We are extremely thankful to all the organisations, businesses and funders who have supported the LVN mission - it takes a village to raise a child - and we love how the village is continuing to grow.

Thank you

Rachael Box Founder and CEO

Local Village Network

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2023

The Directors present their report and the financial statements for the period 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023.

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comply with the Charity’s governing document and the Charities Act 2011.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Purpose of the Charity.

The objects are, for the public benefit, to advance in life and relieve the needs of young people, particularly but not exclusively, those not in education, employment or training (NEET), through providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

Principle Activity

Local Village Network addresses network poverty - one of the key contributing factors that keeps young people in poverty. Increasingly a lack of networks is being used as a new measure of poverty. Statistics show that good networks significantly increase the chances to finding employment, 85% of vacancies are filled through networks. When you couple this with the fact that 50% of our poorest young people are in 20% of the schools you start to see why providing a platform to increase the likelihood of building positive networks in crucial. LVN brings the community together to make a real difference in society. We help to bridge the gap between business and education in order to tackle social inequality. Our model supports youth to change their mindset and broaden their horizons in 2 ways.

Mentoring

LVN has developed a series of programmes that focuses on giving young people insight into employment opportunities and helps them to think about what they have to offer. We do this in a non-intimidating environment. The programmes are supported by volunteers from industry. We deliver these programmes in primary and secondary schools and colleges. We ask professional adults to come into the classroom where young people receive industry insights into a vast range of jobs and sectors and acquire life-ready skills including CV writing and interview techniques. They also build confidence to network with new and diverse people.

Signposting

The second part of our offering is our one-stop-shop signposting platform where young people can access local activities, job opportunities, employment support and youth provisions, all in one place. It features over 2500 opportunities across London and is endorsed by Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office. We strongly believe in partnerships and working collaboratively with the community and the provisions that already exist. We promote all provisions on our app to make sure that young people have the choice to pick the right route and the right provisions for them.

Public Benefit

The Trustees are satisfied that public benefit has been provided in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Volunteers

The charity deeply values the contribution from all our volunteers. Central to our programme are our volunteers. Our programmes could not happen without them. They give their time to help inspire the hopes of the next generation.

In line with the accounting framework used in this report, the Charity cannot assign any monetary value to donated volunteer time in the financial statements.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Schools programme – ‘Amplify Me’

This programme was developed in response to Deutsche Bank’s Black Leadership Forum looking for a platform that could support young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds in their local community. LVN took all the learning and evidence from previous programmes and created Amplify Me. The programme is delivered in 6-week blocks in a school setting. 20 students attend a one-hour session, once a week, for 6 weeks. 3-4 volunteers remain consistent throughout the programme and the final week is a trip to the volunteer’s office. Evaluation and impact surveys have shown the programme is having a huge impact on the students but is also proving a valuable and inspiring volunteer opportunity.

This financial year we have delivered the programme further and are now in 8 secondary schools and colleges with the most amazing corporate support. We have supported over 320 students who have told us they are now more confident to talk to new and diverse people and are now more confident about their future. This programme has become a core part of our delivery

Amplify Me: Design Future London

Because of the success of the Amplify Me programme we were asked to bring the Mayor of London’s Design Future London to 5 schools with challenging needs. We combined the elements of Amplify Me with the challenge. It was a remarkable success, especially with SEN students who found they had an outlet for their creativity. We had 4 entries shortlisted and received one Highly Commended.

College Programme

We are delighted to continue our relationship with City and Islington College and marketing agency, Open. This is the fourth year of the relationship which resulted in 25 students learning about the world of a marketing agency plus having the chance to put their skills to the test with a real live business challenge. Open then gave 6 students the chance of an internship. Thank you to Islington Giving for funding the internship and work experience.

Signposting Platform

We received funding from the Violence Reduction Unit at City Hall to develop our signposting app and also to create a signposting website. The Mayor decided to push all their youth marketing activity to the LVN platform As such in 2022-23 we had over 56,000 people access our platform to find opportunities in their area.

Primary Schools

We also started a primary school programme in 5 Islington schools called “When I Grow Up, I Want To Be…”. It’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) focused and it aims to get Year 5 students to understand that what they are learning now has relevance to jobs they may want to do in the future.

Fundraising

We continue our strategy to build sustainable and diversified income in order to be able to invest in staff and assets/collateral so we can increase the number young people we are helping. We are having real success with corporate funding by putting together packages that corporates can give time and money to. We have gained 2 year funding from the Mayor of London and have secured repeatable income. This is reflected in our increase in income this year and our target for 2023/24.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves

LVN has a policy of keeping funds in reserve, equal to 3-6 months of regular operating expenditure. The expenditure figures are calculated and reviewed quarterly to ensure they stay up to date with current operations. These unrestricted reserve funds cover 3 months of expenses, including expenses which may already have specific funds earmarked to them (restricted funds). This is to protect against any delayed income.

At the end of the period, the Charity held £126,169 in reserves (2021-22: £94,051) of which 100% was unrestricted.

Reserves are held to ensure financial stability and continuity of the Charity’s core operations. As the Charity continues to grow and prepare to upscale, with the underpinning of the LVN app, reserves remain a key part of future planning.

Going Concern

The Trustees have reviewed the Charity's funding and financial standing and are satisfied that there are adequate resources to meet all operating commitments for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of the accounts.

Principle Funding Sources

Alongside receipt of in-kind support, our main sources of funding are from grants and donations. We would like to thank all our donors past and present for their support and acknowledge the following who provided funding during the financial year:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution and Governing Document

LVN is a charitable incorporated organisation registration number 1161275 with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It is governed in accordance with its constitution documents dated 14 April 2015 (unamended).

Recruitment and Selection of Trustees

Trustees are recruited from the Charity’s network and are selected either on relevant skills / experience and or belief in or alignment of the Charity’s objectives. New trustees are selected by existing trustees and inducted into the Charity upon appointment.

Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees meet regularly throughout the year. The day to day operation is delegated to the Charity’s CEO.

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 25 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………………………………..

Lucy Edwards, Trustee

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name: Local Village Network (Formerly London) Registered Charity Number: 1161275 Principle Address: 42 Morgan Mansions Morgan Road London N7 8NA Contact details knowmore@lvn.org.uk Website www.lvn.org.uk

Trustees who served during the financial period:

Nicole Alcee (15/3/15 – To date) Rachael Box (15/3/15 – To date) Julian Kirby (8/3/19 – To date) Catherine Ruggles (8/4/19 - To date) Noel Williams (7/10/19 – To date) Brian Cahalane (4/12/19 – To date) Lucy Edwards (17/6/20 – To date) Denzol Cemeron (Maxwell D) (11/2/21 - To date) Alan Rutherford (3/12/21 – To date)

INDEPENDF.NT EXAMINERS, REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LONDON VILLAGE NETWORK ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Charity Number 1161275 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are rcsponsible for th¢ preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees corisider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charilies Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to: cxaminc tlic accounts under s¢¢tion 145 of tlie Charities Acl: follow the procedures laid down in tlie general Direciions given by the Charity Commission (under se¢tion 145{5)(b) of the Cliarities Acl, and to state whetlier particular matters have com¢ to our att¢nlion. Basis of independent examiners, statement Our examination was carried out in accorda])ce with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by th¢ ¢harity and a comparisork of the accoun15 presctitcd with Ihose records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matlers. The procedures undertaken do nor provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opitiion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'tru¢ and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the stalem¢nt b¢low. Independenl examiners, statemeD¢ In connection with our examination no material matters have Come to our att¢nlion which gives us caus¢ lo believe that in, any material respect.. a¢¢ounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or the accounls do not accord with the accounting records. We have Come across no other matters in connection with the examinaiion to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the ac nts to be reached. RENNA PEARSON & CO Chartered AccountaDts 1101112 Lancaster Road New Barnel Herts EN4 8AL 22 S¢plember 2023

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Charity Name: London Village Network No: 1161275
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 1st of April 2022 31st of March 2023
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Grants and Donations 219,476 - 219,476 161,498
Debtors - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - 219,476 161,498
Sub total (Gross income for AR) [ 219,476 ]
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 219,476 - - 219,476 161,498
A3 Payments
Charitable Expenditure 163,798 - 163,798 119,188
Raising Funds 2,125 - - 2,125 2,380
Separate material item of expense - - - - -
Other - - - - 15
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total 165,923 - - 165,923 121,583
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 165,923 - - 165,923 121,583
Net of receipts/(payments) 53,553 - - 53,553 39,915
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 94,051 - - 94,051 54,136
Cash funds this year end 147,604 - - 147,604 94,051
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B3 Investment assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities		 (agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Current Bank Accounts
Total cash funds
Details
Details
Details
Details
Signature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
147,604
-
-
-
147,604
-
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
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-
-
-
-
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Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
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Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
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Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
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Print Name		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
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OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
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Current value
(optional)
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Current value
(optional)
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When due
(optional)
Date of
approval