LEVENSHULME GOOD NEIGHBOURS CIO Registered Charity Number: 1163827 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 LEVENSHULME GOOD NEIGHBOURS CIO INDEX PAGE NUMBER CONTENTS TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 12 BALANCE SHEET STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Levenshulme Good Nei8hbours CIO Rèport of the trustees for the year ended 30, September 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financial statement% of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2023. The'finamcial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note I to the accounts and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Charitie5 Act 2011 ènd Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK and Republic of ITe1and published IFRS 1021 leffectwe l January 20191. Reference and administrative Information Charity Name.. Levenshulme Good Neighbours, Charity Number.. 1163827 Trustees lup to the date of slgning the accounts) Louise Such Chair of Trustees Michelle Griffiths Murtaza jawed Grantley Vernon Fatiha 8ougra5sa (resigned October 20231 Princlpal Office Inspire Centre 747 Stockport Road Manchester M19 3AR Independent Examiners Community AccoLJntancy Service Limited The Grange Pilgrim Dr¢ve Beswick Manchester MII 3TQ Bankers Co-operative Bank l Balloon Street Manchester Structures governance and management The Charity 15 3 reeistered charitable incorporated organisation and is constituted under a trust deed dated 5, October 2015. Levenshulme Good Nelghbouls CIO Objectlves and activities The purposes of the charity are to relieve the needs of the elderly for the public benefit through the provision of support services and activitie5 to help relieve social isolation caused as a result of their age and to en3ble them to live independently in Society. The main activitie5 are the provision of a volunteer befriending service as well a5 event5 and activities for older people in the Levenshulme area. The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission's Euidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives, in planning future activities, and setting the policie5 lor the year. The charity has furthered its charitable purposes for the public benefit through improving the live5 of vulnerable and i501ated older people in the community of Levenshulme. Many of the people we help don't have the support in their area to rely on for the practical things in life, or for companionship. Our work involve5 recruiting volunteer befriender5 from the area who heSp people in a wide range of social, emotional and practical ways, this includes.. V15iting a housebound person helping people with limited mobility get out into the community helping older people get online helping with odd jobs and errands escorting older people to appointments. social events and activities having fun days out together We Offer activities, social events, day5 Out and training opportunities to older people, $0 they can make the most of their time in ways that are meaningful to them. A review of our achievements and performance: How ou¥ actlvltles deliveled public benefit: In the year 2023, LGN ILevenshulme Good Neighbour51 saw some work that ha5 been going on peripherally (such as fundraising, report writing, and research into agingl bear fruit. Whilst at the 53me time the charity was greatly moved by the loss of two of its longtime service users (both over 93 years of age). There are 19,467 residents In Levenshulme a fraction (under 100 are 90 years of a8el, LGN has been catering to a significant number of this fraction (the over 90 in Levenshulmel over 10 years. Last year, the charity informally used the centr31 organising concept5 of the Theory of Change model (drawing influence from the case study of the Home Office and the settling of refugee5 in Inner cities) to make the best of well-treaded areas of knowledge the charity has held to be fed back to statutory stakeholders a5 well as to build campai8n5 around. This in effect benefit5 future Service users. a5 the needs of over 60's are becoming more complex in the mental health and cognitive detline area. Last year we went through 4 preconremplation pha5e/questions.'111 Having clearly defined perimeters with statutOTy referral sources, and network organisations on what the problem with socially isolated referra15 (SIRI are, the breadth of complexity, and what can or cannot be expected in a given time frame.121 What needs to change to alleviate the issues faced by complex cases of SIR. and what is blocking these areas that need to change? Are they interlinked? Homogenous or interdependent, heterogeneous, or sparse, and fluid? 131 Joining with some of the initiatives that MACC (Manchester's Local, Voluntary and Community Sector Support Organisationl had in relation to P051tive aging and Greater Manchester'5 Age-Friendly 'aging in place initiatives,, we tried to visttalise what can be Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO considered success cases.141 Finally, what could be implemented 'hurdle-free,' in terms of joined-up thinking and decision-making between sectors. networks, partners. and within the charity. This led to many threads of 5elf-discovery for LGN'S Staff, new angles of looking at operational and structvral traditions frorll the past, a drive for new ways of recruiting volunteer5, and modes of workin8. Another result from the first phase our LGN Theory of Change, was to evaluate to update some of our existing policies. The key findings from the University of Edinburgh social researcher on ageing confirmed sorne of our reasons for organi5ational arid service theory of change. Reset7rch Into Agffng In the UKfor levenshulme Good Neighbours. The key priority for our charity continues to be ensuring that no older person registered with us would fall through ihe Cracks if it were avoldable by having access to available community 5UPPOrt networks and service5. The AchievementsAor2023 Were os Follows.. 37 applicants on MACC IM3nchester Local. And Voluntary & Community Sector Support Organisationl for two key volunteer roles,. Music Playlist for Life Maker. and tradition31 Volunteer Befriender, with applicants having a variety of skills. work experience in the health and social care sector as well as the ability to speak multiple languages. l. Completion of the LGN'5 Longitudinal study into aging that looked at,. falls, social circles, life expectancy based on geographical region, and control, autonomy, 5elf-realisation. and pleasure. LGN was awarded £26,450 in funding from the National Lottery's Reaching Communities FLJnd, and Manchester City Council'5 Supporting Communities Fund, which has helped with longer-term thinking for the tharity, its Structure, staff development, and offers to service users, wolunteers, and loca15 in the area. 3. 15+ assessed Social Services/NHS contact referrals (complex cases) that looked at the above-mentioned 'theory of change., rnethodologies to investigate what needs to change and how if at all future complex cases can be registered for befriending. or have another type of social prescription in place. 4. LGN became a Living Wage Employer, ensuring that the staff members were recognised for their work in the local area and could live in security. 5. The 2nd annual Older People's Day with age-friendly activities in honour to our late member John Saunder5, and based on his executors, benevolent fund. LGN populated Manchester Metropolitan's Student Union Volunteer Opportunities scheme In5tagram with our 'Music Playlist Volunteer., recruitment campaign which generated a lot of interest from would-be intergenerational volunteers who would like to volunieer whilst they complete their degree. LGN became a member of Volunteers of Levenshulme An online platform for volunteering in Levenshulme. An intended eco system of volunteering provided bv organi5ations located in Levenshulme, which includes.. Station South, Leven5hulme Inspire, Inspired Taskforce, and more. The goal was to circulate volunteer5 Wlthin the groups to foster a Sense of stronEer networking between the groups and provide a rounded experlence of the communal needs for volunteers to pick from. 7. Successfully met the need5 of the cost-of-living crisis taking pl3ce in the year, we desi8ned a Sunday Lunch (Sunday Roast) offer once a month where over 555 can meet, save on energy, eat fresh food, and connect with others in similar circumstances in the area. Thi5 took place 12 times in the year, on the 3rd Sunday of every month. The average size of older peers dining was 30-something. Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO 8. Our trustee Grantley Ludlow wa5 able to promote the charity on the BBC programme 8argain Hunt. 9. We facilitated training and certification for9 volunteer5 acros5 the Levenshulme volunteer network in Emergency First Aid at Work. Performance, and Communlty Events for the Year 2022123.. We continue to join up with Levenshulme Volunteer Network members through the Lev Vol platform to deliver a joined-up offering of 11 various entertainment activitie5, 21 radio prograrns, 31 writing, and craft workshops, 41 day trips. 51 oNe-to-one befriendingi peer-to-peer befriending, public-5pace befriending las opposed to home-ba5edl, 61 weekly food delivery drop-offs, 71 tutorials on IT equipment, 81 weekly choir groups, 91 sale IT and digital usage sessions and 101 advocacy for service users who were struggling Wlth the risks of their social welfare entitlement being Stripped from them. LGN continues to feedback to the digital inclusion team on case studie5 and firTrdings as to the extent to which the tech 3nd device rollouts are for people who are digitally excluded and are older socially isolated. and over 70 years of age. LGN has this captured in both narrative and survey formats. An average of 12 beneficiaries of our weekly Computer Buddies sessions were designed to tackle digital exclusion amongst older people lover 50sl and were tailor-made to suit their personal, practical, utility-based requirements. The learning and development of all attendees was self-paced, thus everything from paying bills to pension credit applications, council letter follow-ups or socially connecting online was offered as well as the repair of faulty devices and identification of how to best Ljse them. 612 hours per person wa5 available throughout the year to meet their digital needs. MP Afzal Kahn was pleased to visit one of our sessions, speak to the beneficiaries, and go into the residences of one to observe how older service users of our5 are using digilal technologies. LGN made up the Southern Manchester contingent of Care Group A550ciated c>rganisations in the Manchester City Council, Our Manchester, Supporting Communitie5 Fund alongside Burnage Good Neighbours, Lady Barn, Withington Assist, and others. Celebrating the council's retrospective achievements from the last round of S-year funding in the VSCE sector, and the roadmap ahead. LGN successfully rolled out phase one of the Garden Project Delivery. LGN did so by first utilising the services of some local volunteer gardeners from our board members, circle of family and friends to help service users whose untended gardens were affecting their mental health. The gardene¥5 were willing to train volunteers to create a 'volunteer gardeners army. Befrlending in the Year 2022123: We have seen demand for our vital servites surge as more older people in our community found themselves isolated, as well as an increase in needs from those we already support, who have had to c105e off the social networks that we helped facilitate due to the personally felt effects of the global pandemic on their live5. As a result of this, LGN continues to implement the objective5 set out in its responsive plan which initially foresaw these factor5. Thus, LGN wa5 effectively but cautlOU51y able to continue to alleviate social isolation and loneliness experienced by older lover 55-year-oldsl who are suffering from bereavement, have had a recent fall, or are reported to Suffer from ment31 illness of some kind and have been referred to LGN for befriending, companionship and practical help. One of the areas of the ￿3Th which ha5 proved instrumenta1 is where LGN h3s altered it5 Thodel to allow for more change in people's lives. This can see our volunteers reach more service user5 in less Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO time. Intended to increase the contact hour5 some of our high-priority and complex need5 clients can get if they desired it. It could have onp service user be seen by two different befriender5 and vice versa. Increasing more choice and enabling less dependency, again reflects the big changes in people's lives at the moment. Our longest befriending companionship is 7yrs to date. The average age of OUT volunteers is 44. And the average a£e of our service users is 77. This displays our intergenerational reach that creates platform for sharing, learning. connectin& and mutual exchange of lived experiences. Our cohort of volunteers corne from mixed social and cultural backgrounds and as such languages other than English can be communicated if it is more effective to support and assist service user5 in booking appointment5, or other areas of advocacy, a focu5 on reflecting more of the BAME (census 2021 shows that more than 45% of the ward Levenshulme identify as Asian) cohort proportionally is also a key driver for the charitv. Organisational Performance for the Year 2022123: Benchmarks in the year include continual liaising with the Independent Age Winter Wise packa£es to alleviate those who would be hardest hit during the winter. LiBi5ing with Gorton Centralto See if there 3re any areas of joint service that would help older vulnerable people between the wards. In our initial p13ns for a warm hub, we described 422 Stockport Road. as è destination point for walkers and wheelers to eat, feel safe, warm and save on gas Icost of living) not to mention to eat healthv freshly cooked meals where peers lof same age rangel with similar situation5 can get together and bond. Feedback and quotes from the successful Sunday Lunch de5tinatlon point for walkers and volunteer companion5'. SUNDAY LUNCH FEEDBACK & COST OF LIVING AND SOCIAL EFFECT.. al I like to get out and see friends and not feel lonely at home- P.B (Local resident) bl Frtsm the good quality food to the company it positwely irnpacts 3151 Cost of Iwing included cl It's a great money saver, we turn off our heating in the morning, go out to the Sunday lunch. and won't have to turn the heating back on until much later that day. dl It 15 far too expensive now to heat your own homel J.A IA board membei of Inspired Taskforcel. One area of 5elf-discovery was unlocking the once-a-month over 50s book club to become fully peer- ran. LGN'5 over 50s book club began as an offshoot OF a Monday discussion group at the local Blue Bells pub. The literary tastes of certain members of the Eroup emanated from the midday talk5, and thus LGN helped facilitate a space with the support of Arcadia Library (Manchester City Council'51 Age Friendly space and Inspired Taskforce coordinatinE. The group averaged 8 members, and genres ranged from horror, and HLJtobiographical to whodunnits. A points System was put in place to score how well the book was written and what made the book significant. Irla lin her late 60sl was a beneficiary who found her voice within this group while at the same time taking flight with her digital Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO gadgets and making social connettions in ttsw. Our book club featured in the Age Friendly bulletin over the springlsummer of 2023 and generèted interest from writers to researchers. Genres are open to voting. So far, The Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory has been the most well- received, but detective and thrillers are also in the rank5 for possibly taking that spot. When members meet on the 1st Wednesd3y of the month, they would normally vote on how 'intere5ting,' and 'well written,, the previous month's book was. Comrnents on The Woman in Black were, 'better than the film,, 'glad I didn't watch the film first with it5 Hollywood twist, and'genuinely enjoyed it and its twist. Irene la Blue Bell Talk Group regularl gave it a IOIIO, she seems to be enjoying the group. The Eoal all along wa5 to have it run by the member5 for the members, co-produced, and dellvered by the very service user5 themselves, and this was duly achieved in the year. C3se study I, feedback from a volLJnteer befriender, CB.: "August tirne was more 5ucce55ful, we went to Sain5bury5 in Fèllowfield which she ernjoyed. Another time I brought my sister's dog around to visit and last week we went down to the garden and played dominoes. Tomorrow, I might take her to Station South for a coffee as the weather5 looking nite. I received the booklet on activities in the area, thank you for that. I'll di5CUSS trying one or two out with her tomorrow." CB was matched with service user M, who has memory Issues, had a recent 5tini at the hospital and 15 prone to falls in her flat. M, used to go out pre-pandemic but had gone into her shell since her friend passed away. CB'S goals were to remind M, of the chair exercise from the physio. motivate M, to go outdoors for Shopping, aryd try and pique the interest ol M to meet other people at the community scheme, 213 were achieved. Case study 2, achievements of a volunteer befriender.. Jeanette was able to see our late member of LGN laforementionedl Joan in her last days and even on the day of her passing. She always brought a smile to Joan's face and offered many instrumental ideas to tackle social i501ation such as broadband, and healthy eating, and even shared her professional experience with the professional carers as to how to rotate and balance loan so that her posture and sleeping position did not aggravate pain but alleviated it. In the end, it Was not just Joan but Joan's family that appreciated Jeanette's volunteering and they made this clear on the day of the funeral and wake at the Woodstock Barlow Moor Road. Financial review al The long-ierm fundraising 5tTategy of Leven5hulme Good Neighbours ha5 seen the organisation celebTate its Il, consecutive year. This year we further aligned with local community groups such a5 Inspired Tasklorce, Inspire Comrnunity Centre, 422 Hub Stockport Road, and the associated Good Neighbours groups in South Manchester towards the jc)Int goa15 of improving ihe lives of older and social* isolated lonely people. bl A financially instrurnental gain from such above-mentioned partnerships has been a further collaboration of the Eroups that has resulted in the formation of Cost of Living-ready activities and services such as Sunday Lunch, and Computer Buddies with Inspired Taskforce. Our legacy with OLJf Service users has been very moving. This year our charity celebrated stage 2 of the Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO National Older People's Day with the £6,701.81 given to LGN by the executors of one of our beloved member* Ifrom the Irish community) who passed away last year. As a result of this benevolent fund, we continue to develop our yearly National Older People's Day event on the Isl of October every year for the next 8 years, utilising this fund - he would be proud. cl Our successful funding strategy saw us awarded grants from the National Lottery1£20,0001, for our befriending project, gardening services, boosting the mental health of older service users in the area and providing an overall h3nds-on 50eial prescription package as an intervention to those who are housebound lor residing in Independent Living Schemes). with little to no link5 or 3Ctess to public services or community centres. With the National Lottery lunds, we were able to train our staff members with emergency first aid training at work, recruit a new fleet of multi-lingual volunteers, and continue to meet the needs of patients in Ihe M19 area who have been recently released from hospital but have low mobility or confidence to use their limbs, get some exercise or desire to go out for fresh air. dl Another funding stream we were able to acquire wa5 from Manchester City Councll, Supporting CommLJnities Fund. This went towards outcomes such a5 integrating more BAME members as beneficiaries of our service. monitoring and where possible reducinÈ the amount of crucial falls experienced amongst those over 60 years old Ithe ratio of which 15 more weighted towards females), and facilitating warmer spaces as destination centres that service users can come to, to eat, share, chat, or take part in an activity of some kind. The future will see LGN work closer with the National Lottery for a 2-3 year fund with their Reaching Communities objectives, and Supporting Communities Fund to sustain these gain5 and goals, whilst opening the door to other grantors who are equally keen to tackle social isolation experienced amongst the house bound over 70s who on top of these two factors tontinuallv face the financial burdens of the rising cost of living. Investment power5 & pollcy The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of operating the charity. will keep available funds in an interest-bearing dep051t account, Rlsk management The trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and system have been e5tabli5hed to mitigate those Tisks. Reserves policy and going concern The balance held in unrestricted reserve5 at 30, September 2023 was £34,586 all of which are free reserves after allowing for funds tied up in tanEible fixed assets. The tru5tee5 aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equate5 to approximately three months of unrestricted expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to èpplications for grants and ensure that support and governance costs are covered. Future plans LeveM5hulme Good Neighbours aim5 to develop a full-cycle referral system. A system of referra15 that covers the mental, physical and other needs of our clients. Through this, the charity aims to reduce Levenshulme Good Neighbours CIO the age of new registrants. Last year we highlighted how we aimed to boost our s3fe-guardinÉ training arnd knowSedge post-pandemic and would develop a permanenl place-based activity with one of our network partners. These two objective5 have been fulfilled. Our plan now 15 to align these gains towards more depth of service, quality of care, attention and personal engagement and using long- term funding to keep our companion5hip5 5VStain3ble, not too affected by the cost-of-living crisis and developing towards a mutual benefit for both the befriender and their match. The Jvext 12 months Would See LGN l. To continue local outreach campaign5 making religiou5, cultur31, local Eovernment, and community partners aware of the ways in which they can support LGN in alleviating Social Isolation within the area of Manchester where the organi5ation is most active. The retraining of volunteers and staff in key area5 of functionality including Emergency First Aid TraiNing at Work, èmong other areas of profe55ional development. For the foreseeable future, LGN intends to incorporate me55ages reEarding Climate Change and the cause for concern about it in our bi-monthly newsletters to volunteers and Service users as an awarene55-building Instrument. 3. To review our internal policies concerning safeguarding where pets, and going to certain venues for befriending is concerned. 4. To welcorne and liaise with public service corporations like BBC Radio Manchester highlighting the work that LGN does for more awareness raisin8 of the charity's cause, and the asset-based community development advantages working on the A6, public route for bus 192. 5. To appear and prornote activities for older people in more published outlets via electronic media such as the Loads to Do directory of activities and Age Friendly bulletin on a monthlv basis. 6. Looking to make more use of the Inspire Community Centre to capture older people's memories by way of a heritage groLJP, and looking at the feasibility of drop-in mental health support group predominately for the over 50s. Appointment of trustees New trustees are appointed by existing trustees and serve for three years after which they may pvt themselves forward for re-appointment. The Trust Deed provide5 for a minimum ol three trustees, to a maxlmum of twelve tru5tee5, Wlth no more than three trustees due for re-appointment in any one year. At the quarterly trustee meetings, the trustees agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the Charity, including investrnent. reserves and risk management policies and performance. The day-to- day administration of the Charity 15 delegated to the Leven5hulme Good Neighbours, Coordinator. Trustee induction and tralning The CIO train5 and inducts trustee5 via a system of mentoring and internal training. Levenshulm¢ Good Nei8hbour5 CIO Trustees, responslbllitles In relatlon toihellnanclal staiements The charity iru5tees are re5ponsiblE for preparing a tru5tee5' 3nnual report and t1nancial staternents in actordance wrth applicable law and United Kingdom Aicountill8 Stèndard5 Iunited Kingdorn Generally Accepted AccDUnting Praditel. The law applicable to charitie5 in EnEland and W31e5 require5the charrty trustees to prepare financial 5tatement5 fur each yearwhiih give a true and fair ¥iew of the State of affair5 of the charitv and of the incoming resources and application of resource5. of the charrty for that period. In preparing the financial staternents, the trJ5tees are required to.. Select suitable accounting principles ?nd then 3pply them con515tently,' Observe the methods and principles In the opplicable Charities SORP.. Make judements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable account1nE 5tand8rd5 have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained In the financial st8tement5,' Prepare the financial stètetnents on a 8oing ioncern bas$ unless It is appropri3te to Pfe5ume th?t the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting record5 that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial $14ternent5 comply with ihe Chèritie5 Att 2011, the applitable Charities (Accounts ènd Reports) Regulations, and the provision of the Twst deed. They are also responsible for 5afeguaTdin8 the assets of ihe ch?rity and taking re350nable steps forthe preVent￿n and detection of fraud and Approved by the trustee5 On 24 Junp 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. Leuise such CHA1R OF TRUSTEES io INDII PENDENT F.XAMINF,RS IIF.PORT TO THE TIIUSI'EI ES OF LEI VENSIIULME GOOI) NF.IGIIIIOUIIS RF.GIS'I'CI RF.I) CHARII'Y NO. 1163827 I report on the accoui)ts of the chai'ity, for the Yeai. Ended 30, Septeinbcr 2023, Ivhich are sel out on i)agcs 11 to21. Respeetiye Responsibilities of Triistec5 and F.Xcimin¢r "he Llidl'ily's Ii'iislLes (ire reqi)oiisible lor tlic prcpai'alioii of the accoiints. The ¢harity ti'ustees consider that an aiidit is not required for this yeai. under section 144(2) of the Chai'itie5 ALI 2011 (the 201 l Act) aiid Ilidl an indep¢iident exaininatioii is nccdcd. Tlic charity 1% prei)aring acci'ued accoiiiit8 and l ain qLlen¢ral Dii'ection5 gTivcn by the Charity Coiiiiiiission iii)dei' section 145(5)(bl of thc 201 l Act; and -ro stale wlieihcr pai'liciilar Inattei's liavc coine lo i)iy allention. Basis ol. IndL'pen(lont F.xAmincrs Ileport My exaininatioii was cai'ricd o)Lil ii) accordaiice with tlic Gcnei'al Dii'eclions given by the Charity Coinmission. Ali examiiialion iiicludes a I'evicw ofil)L accounting records kept by tlic charily aiid a Colllpdl'ison of the accouiits presentcd witli iliose records. It also iiicludes coi)sideration of any Iinusual iteins or disclosiires in the accounts, aiid SCLking explanations froin YOLI a5 1i.u51ces concci'iiingJ any suclJ ii)atlei's. -1lie procediires iindertL1ken do not i)rovide all the evidence that woiild be I'cquii'cd ii) an audit, and conseqlieiitly no upinion is &iiven as to wlieilici. the a¢coiinls pi'esenl a "Ii'ue and fair view" and the I'epoi1 is liiiiited to those Inalters set out below. Independent Examiiier's Statemeiit In conneclioii with Iny e¥aininalioii, otliei. Ili¢ili lislcd beloiv, iio mattel. lias coime to my attention I l ) which gives iiie I'casoiiablc cause lo believe tli