## **Annual Report 2021**
**www.widowedandyoung.org.uk** Support. Understanding. Friendship
Registered Charity No: 1164988
**Introduction**
## **Our Story**
**A word from WAY’s Chief Executive and Chair of Trustees**
In spite of the many challenges, our WAY members raised more than £137,000 through a range of activities and donations – up 17.5% on the previous year. Without the efforts of our wonderful fundraisers, WAY simply could not operate. Their support not only ensures that our current members’ activities can continue, but also enables us to reach out to future members.
As we continued to navigate the pandemic, 2021 was hugely challenging for WAY and our members. The impact of Covid-19 continued to affect us all, especially those who lost loved ones – many of whom sadly became eligible to join our charity. The kindness and friendship shared between members was needed more than ever before. Despite the overwhelming obstacles presented by the ever-changing restrictions, our members came together to provide a listening ear, to lift each other’s spirits and to offer vital peer-to-peer support.
Sadly, more than 23,000 people aged 18-51 die every year.* This means that the need for WAY has never been greater. While it is sad to reflect that we welcomed more than 1,700 new members in 2021, we are pleased that so many young widowed people found our support.
The restrictions on face-to-face events acted as a catalyst for the huge expansion of digital engagement between our members. Online events and platforms removed all geographical boundaries, allowing our members to connect with each other across the UK.
However, we know that there is still much work to be done to make sure that everyone who needs WAY knows about our charity. In 2021, WAY launched a new five-year strategy plan that includes ambitions to reach out to more young widows, strive towards better engagement with underrepresented groups and continue to invest in our member services as we approach our 25th anniversary.
In 2021, we saw a 15.2% increase in the number of members joining WAY, and our army of member volunteers has grown to 150 – ensuring that our members are supported through digital platforms and through our 62 local homegroups across the UK.
A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who has contributed to WAY in the most difficult of years – our outstanding members, dedicated volunteers, supportive trustee Board, committed staff and our generous fundraisers and donors throughout the UK.
In May, we waved goodbye to **Rebecca Cooper** , who did a wonderful job as Chief Executive for WAY for three years. **Bill James** also stepped down as WAY Chair in July after serving since 2017 – our thanks and gratitude is extended to them both for the wonderful work they did in leading the charity through this challenging time and building strong foundations for future growth.
**Stephanie Patrick** Chief Executive since August 2021
**Joanna Sedley-Burke** Chair of Trustees since June 2021
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WAY Widowed and Young is the only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under when their partner died.
Founded in 1997, it’s a club that nobody wants to be eligible to join, but we are so glad that our members find us. We provide a safe space for people who have been widowed at a young age – offering friendship, support and understanding.
WAY offers a unique peer-to-peer support network, led by volunteers who have all been bereaved at a young age themselves so they understand exactly what other members are going through.
As well as offering a secure members only website and opportunities to meet and chat online and in person, our members also have access to a 24-hour confidential telephone helpline offering bereavement support, legal, financial and health advice.
WAY also raises awareness of issues affecting those widowed young, campaigns on current issues such as changes to bereavement benefits and seeks out opportunities to publicise the existence of the charity wherever possible, through the media and other avenues, to show that there is support out there to help people navigate life after loss.
**“I joined WAY over eight years ago and it has made a huge difference to my life – a safe place to talk, people to go on holiday with and a social life. Some of my best friends are still people I met through WAY, and it really has helped me rebuild a life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”**
WAY Member
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* Source: ONS death statistics for England and Wales (2020)
## **WAY in Numbers**
**WAY impacted the lives of 4,254 young widows in 2021**
**helping them to navigate their bereavement by offering support and advice, both online and in person.**
**WAY members organised 987 in person and virtual events that were attended by 3,392 people.**
**150 amazing volunteers helped to support our work across the year.**
**Generous supporters raised £137,000 helping us to reach more people in need of support.**
**173 young widows were gifted annual membership of £25, both from our Memorial Fund and through gift memberships.**
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## **Our Impact in 2021**
##
**Our small team grew to 79% of members found 3 employed that meeting others in the members of staff, helping to same situation has helped.* better support our members.**
**79% of members felt that 70% of members felt less they were better able to cope isolated.* with their grief.***
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24,332 people Members were
helped us to spread kept updated
the word about with
WAY by following 117,663
us across our communications
various social across the year.
media channels.
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12,000 people
visited our website
82 press articles which was an
were generated with incredible
90 WAY members
taking part. 44% up
on the previous
year.
5
* Based on survey responses from 446 members in May 2022
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* Based on survey responses from 446 members in May 2022
## **Our Members**
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1,732 new members joined in 2021.
Some were newly bereaved,
whilst others reached out for further
support during the pandemic.
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**WAY’s membership grew by 15.2%**
**121 people used WAY’s 24/7 helpline, 70% of members enabling them to access counselling renewed their services, legal and financial advice. membership and retention rates continue to increase year on year.**
## **Demographics**
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Gender Age
3% 20-29
20%
18%
Male 20%
50+
30-39
80% Female
49% 40-49
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Diversity
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## **With/without Children**
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3.4% LGBTQ+ 9.3% BAME communities
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30%
without
children
70% with children
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## **Our Member Services**
In spite of the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic in 2021, WAY continued to provide a range of vital services and help for all of our members as they navigated their bereavement journey, including:
- **A members’ only website, which listed 987 events, provided access to forums, chat rooms and allowed members to connect and communicate privately with each other.**
- **A closed Facebook group and a large range of subgroups, which were accessed by 87% of members.**
- **117,663 regular members’ magazines and monthly e-newsletters provided information, resources and members’ stories.**
- **35 books about bereavement were loaned to members in 2021.**
- **27 members were nominated for member awards, including our Lockdown Legends award for members who had gone the extra mile to support each other during the pandemic.**
- **72% of members felt that they had an improved network of support.***
- **80% of members said that they have better knowledge about grief and bereavement.***
* Based on survey responses from 446 members in May 2022
## **Kirsty’s Story**
“During the pandemic, I quickly became very conscious of the fact that widowed people were already cut off from much of ‘normal life’. To be stuck in our houses, in our own heads, was not a good prospect during lockdown. I decided to set up a Saturday Zoom session for members which very quickly expanded.
I also set up a buddy system, which provided members with a buddy who they could contact during lockdown, someone they could check in on and someone who could check in on them. I have made amazing friendships from WAY and wanted other members to experience that too.
WAY has become my support network for so much of my life. It has integrated into my ‘normal’ life and, during lockdown, it was one of very few constants.” **7**
## **Events**
Many of our face-to-face meet ups were still on hold during 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in the first half of the year. However, we adapted quickly, and a huge number of meetings went online with some smaller gatherings going ahead towards the end of the year.
**3,392 people attended 987 events listed across the year - up 14% on the previous year.**
**75% of members said that face to face meetings and events are one of the most important services that WAY offers.***
* Based on survey responses from 446 members in May 2022
**“When Rob died, I didn’t know anyone in my situation and suddenly my social life changed too. WAY gave me both social contact and contact with people who I could talk to about Rob and who genuinely understood**
**what I was going through.”**
WAY Member
Here are just a few events from across the year.
## **Virtual Spring Festival**
## **Big Picnic**
With restrictions beginning to lift in May 2021, we were able to hold our annual Big Picnic event both in person and online – with **30 picnics** taking place up and down the country.
The day included yoga, quizzes, games, and tips on healthy eating. With **21** different sessions throughout the day, the festival was attended by more than **100** people.
## **Bingo**
Lots of members across the year joined in various online events including bingo and quizzes.
## **Creating Change**
Every year, around 3,000 young, widowed men and women with children are unable to access bereavement support payments to help support their families because they were not married to their partner when they died.
WAY has been campaigning on this issue for many years alongside other charities. In July 2021, we were thrilled when the Government finally responded by introducing draft legislation to extend bereavement support payments to cohabiting couples with children.
We are very disappointed, however, that the legislation has still not been finalised at the time of writing. We continue to campaign on this issue to make sure that our members both with and without children get the support they are entitled to – as well as highlighting other injustices that affect those who’ve been widowed young.
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## **Our Volunteers**
## **Volunteers are absolutely central to WAY’s peer-to-peer support network, with 150 volunteers covering roles up and down the country and online.**
We are pleased that we have been able to increase our support to volunteers in 2021. Our National Volunteer Manager **Veronica Currie** is now in a permanent position with WAY and works tirelessly to ensure volunteers are kept informed and offers ongoing support, training and practical guidance for our growing network of volunteers.
In June, we hosted our first **Volunteers’ Festival** – an online event open to volunteers with a variety of activities throughout the day. This included a presentation from author Caroline Lloyd as well as a cookalong along with Masterchef contestant Theo Michaels.
We also appointed four new **Ambassadors** to our team of WAY members who help to promote WAY and raise awareness of the diverse and inclusive nature of the group.
**16% more people helped to volunteer in 2021 compared to 2020.**
## **150 volunteers covered 175 volunteering roles.**
**These volunteers helped to support WAY across the UK in 62 regions.**
## **Raising Funds for WAY**
Although many of our usual fundraising events continued to be on hold during 2021, WAY’s members and supporters did an incredible job of raising funds for our charity. Together they helped to raise more than **£137,000** by taking on amazing challenges and through generous donations including gift aid.
**London to Brighton**
## **Virtual Marathons**
**Walking Wingwalking**
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A
team
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## **£33k!**
We’d like to thank the following companies and foundations that have supported WAY in 2021:
Austin, Davis & Sons Funeral Directors Bakerwell Ltd Decanter Irwin Mitchell Masterserve Foundation
**78 amazing fundraising challenges took place across the year.**
Sandwell Council via the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) scheme S.E.A. Building Compliance Limited
## **How your support helps**
**82% of WAY regions are covered by a local volunteer member with 68% of them having more than one volunteer.**
**57% of members said that they have found it helpful being able to support peers.***
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* Based on survey responses from 438 members in May 2022
## **Interested in fundraising?**
Please get in touch with us at fundraising@widowedandyoung.org.uk
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**Financial Review**
## **WAY’s Board**
## **Accounts to the end of December 2021**
## **Income & Expenditure Account**
## **Balance Sheet**
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|**Trustee**|**Appointed**|
|---|---|
|Stuart Scarbrough|2016|
|Bill James|2017|
|Chris Lima|2018|
|Graham Briscoe|2018|
|Jo Sedley-Burke
Jacqueline Dewdney|2018
2019|
|Kate Siegler
Louise Dodds
Mike Etherington|2019
2019
2020|
Meet some of the people who make decisions about our strategic direction.
In 2021, our Board took on an ambitious brand refresh, holding **5** Board meetings and **10** working group meetings across the year looking at our website and branding.
We would like to thank Bill, who stepped down as Chair and Chris who stepped down as a Trustee at the end of the year, and all of our trustees, all of whom are volunteers and do a fantastic job.
## **AGM**
We were delighted that our online AGM was attended by more than **150 WAY members** , who had the chance to hear updates about the charity from the comfort of home.
**WAY has helped me a lot, particularly when I was newly widowed, and I see the help it provides to many other people today. I’d like to help the team in their quest to reach as many eligible widows as possible across the UK, so we can help to provide support to even more folks at a time when they most need it.**
Mike Etherington, Trustee
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## **Strategy and Charity Objectives**
**Our members help to shape our future and after going through an organisational transformation in 2018, WAY carried out a range of consultations with our members to help inform the direction our charity should take in future. We carried out an extensive survey of our members and volunteers to work out the best way forward as our charity continues to grow.**
From this, our 2021-2026 five year Strategic Plan was born and reflects the views of all our members and volunteers to make sure the charity meets their needs, to draw out our long-term ambitions, to help outline our organisational priorities and to reflect our new structure.
WAY’s new Strategic Plan has been developed in line with recommendations drawn from reports and takes on feedback from our members, staff and volunteers.
We would like to thank everyone who offered their valuable input – from completing WAY surveys to attending meetings, from talking to our team to taking part in working groups.
Our new strategic plan is split into three key areas:
## **Sachel’s Story**
## **Sachel (pictured above left) joined WAY in August 2021 after her 52-year-old husband died of Covid-19. Here’s her story…**
“I caught Covid in December 2020 and then a couple of days later my husband and nine-year-old son got ill too. My husband got worse and then was admitted to hospital on 6 January and died the following week. It was a lot to take on board – from having a fantastic Christmas together one minute to him not being there.
I don’t know whether I coped or not in those first few days and weeks – I just existed. I just did what I had to do to get through the day. I found WAY through a Google search. I found I was in a pretty good head space, considering – but I didn’t want to suddenly explode because I hadn’t dealt with my grief or talked to anyone else who understood. I needed to be whole for my son.
Going along to my first WAY event was nerve-wracking but it’s been hugely beneficial. I’ve gone along to dinners, cafes, walks and me and my son are going on a day trip to Hunstanton with fellow WAY members in future.
Our local group is very active but there’s no pressure to attend things if you don’t want to. The best thing is knowing you’re not on your own and that people have been through what you’ve been through. It’s a place where you can be without judgement or expectation. You can talk if you want to and if you don’t, that is also fine.
What I found I struggled with was making the right decisions about my son. When you’re on your own, it’s relentless. Through WAY, I joined a subgroup on Facebook for other WAY parents who had children with special educational needs. Suddenly I had people to bounce those decisions off, which has been really valuable.
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I would definitely encourage people to join WAY – it’s been so helpful to be with people who get you without any judgement.”
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## **WAY’s Mission**
“To offer unique support for those aged 50 or under when their partner died, through an inclusive peer-led network based upon mutual self-help. WAY also campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of the issues affecting those widowed young, and to influence relevant policy.”
## **WAY’s Vision**
“To ensure ALL those eligible to be members are aware of WAY and have access to the peer-to-peer network and support that WAY offers.”
## **WAY’s Values**
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Caring
Respectful
Innovative
Valued
Transparent
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## **www.widowedandyoung.org.uk**
Registered Charity No: 1164988 Email: enquiries@widowedandyoung.org.uk | Telephone: 0300 201 0051 Registered Address: Advantage House, Stowe Court, Stowe Street, Lichfield WS13 6AQ
**Charity Registration Number 1164988**
**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
**3S Accountancy Services** Chartered Accountants
## **WAY Widowed and Young**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
|**CONTENTS**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Members of the board and professional advisers|1|
|Annual report of the trustees|2|
|Independent examiner's report|4|
|Statement of fnancial activities (incorporating income|5|
|and expenditure account)||
|Balance sheet|6|
|Notes to the fnancial statements|7|
## **WAY Widowed and Young**
## **MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS**
|**Trustees**|Trustees who served during|the year and up to the date of|
|---|---|---|
||this report were as follows:||
||Graham Briscoe||
||Chris Lima|_Resigned 18th September 2021_|
||Jacqueline Ann Dewdney||
||Louise Jane Dodds||
||Mike Etherington||
||William Thomas James|_Treasurer_|
||Katherine Denise Siegler||
||Stuart Alan Scarbrough||
||Joanna Sedley-Burke|_Chair_|
|**Secretary**|Current Vacancy||
|**Key management personnel**|Rebecca Jane Cooper|Chief Executive Resigned May 22|
||Stephanie Patrick|Chief Executive appointed Aug22|
|**Registered ofce**|Advantage House||
||Stowe Court||
||Stowe Street||
||Lichfeld||
||WS13 6AQ||
|**Trading address**|N/A||
|**Accountants**|3S Accountancy Services||
||Chartered Accountants||
||5-8 Priestgate||
||Darlington||
||DL1 1NL||
|**Bankers**|CAF Bank Limited||
||25 Kings Hill Avenue||
||Kings Hill, West Malling||
||Kent||
||ME19 4JQ||
|**Charity number**|1164988||
1
## **WAY Widowed and Young ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
The trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published on 16 July 2014. Legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report.
## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
WAY was established in 1997 and is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with an association Governing Document (the constitution). This was registered on 29 December 2015, amended on 4th March 2017 and 18th September 2021
The trustees meet at least five times a year, trustees serving during the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 are listed on page 1. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration for duties carried out as a trustee. However, trustees claimed out of pocket expenses while undertaking volunteer duties during the year and reimbursement of any expenditure incurred purchasing goods and services required by the charity. The trustees may also be members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity. At every Annual General Meeting, one third of the Trustees shall retire from office (The longest serving must resign first) but they are permitted to be reelected or re-appointed by the members. At any one time, the constitution stipulates there should be a minimum of five Trustees. Members are also able to appoint two Trustees that are not WAY members.
## **OBJECTIVES**
The objectives of the Charity are:
i. To advance the education of the public to raise the awareness of the needs of people who are widowed and young.
ii. To relieve persons in need, following bereavement by offering a peer-to- peer support network for anyone aged 50 or under, at time of bereavement, who is overcoming the loss of a partner, married or not, with or without children, whatever their sexual orientation. **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
WAY is the only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under when their partner died. It’s a peer-to-peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.
WAY was founded in 1997 and had 4254 members across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the end of 2021. The charity aims to provide peer-to-peer support to young widowed people – married or not, with or without children, whatever their sexual orientation – as they adjust to life after the death of their partner.
In 2021 we continued to respond to the pandemic, adapting the way that we worked as a charity by continuing to implement procedures to protect the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and members including working from home and operating both online and face-to-face events. We met increased demand for our services and were able to offer innovative ways to support both members and volunteers.
We also reviewed budgets and forecasts to take account of the expected financial impact of the pandemic. This initially forecast a significant deficit for the year due to an aniticpated loss of fundraising income, however this is mitigated in full by increased engagement of our members in fundraising activities. We expect that demand for WAY services will continue to be high as the effects of the pandemic continue to take effect. Whilst it is difficult to summarise everything that WAY has been involved in over the last 12 months, we have included key achievements below.
**Membership –** the year closed with 4254 members, which included 562 new members. We have seen an increase in member retention rates, with 68.3% choosing to renew their membership this year. We are pleased that the time we have taken to listen to our members and respond to their needs is really helping to create a service that members truly value.
**Volunteers** - WAY ended the year with 150 volunteers across the UK, up 65% on pre-pandemic levels. WAY is incredibly fortunate to have so many members who are so passionate about the charity. The appointment of a volunteer manager in 2019 has meant that volunteers have been offered the chance to network, access training and support and there has also been the development of new roles such as Ambassadors and online volunteers.
**Events-** Although our members were unable to host face to face meetups, through our members only website, our volunteers and members are able to organise their own virtual meet ups – from chats to bingo. Between them, our volunteers and members organised 987 events hosted in 2021.
**Website –** We continued to make improvements to the members area and the public facing pages, with an understanding that wider investment is required to develop the members area to continue to meet member needs. The WWG continue to meet to set out future developments which are expected to be rolled out in 2022.
**Social Media -** We continued to make great strides on all our social media platforms, having a combined following which exceeds 24k. All of our social media platforms showed a strong performance in 2021, helping us to reach out to new audiences.
**Media Coverage** –WAY was featured in 65 media opportunities throughout the year including TV, Press and Radio. Whilst slightly lower than the previous year, the number of members and volunteers taking part increased, with 90 people helping to raise awareness of WAY.
**Awareness-raising** - WAY continued to work alongside other bereavement charities and networks to achieve our shared goals. Our staff spoke about WAY to Irwin Mitchell, Anthony Collins Solicitors and continued to meet with Hospices including hosting a stand at the National Sucide Conference which was held in Manchester. WAY also continues working alongside other bereavement charities as part of the National Bereavement Alliance and to promote National Grief Awareness week. We are also a member of the all-party parliamentary group for bereavement support.
**Fundraising** - Despite 2021 being such a challenging year for fundraising with so many organised events having to be cancelled, WAY members continued to find innovative ways to raise money for the charity. The year saw a variety of individual virtual fundraisers and a growth in Facebook Birthday Fundraisers. WAY members ran a number of successful fundraising campaigns, including participation in events such as the London2Brighton walk which 16 members particiated in.
**Strategic plan -** WAY's five-year strategic plan was unveiled to members in early spring and initial KPI's were set and achieved by the staff team and trustees.
## **WAY AGM 2020**
Every year since WAY was launched in 1997, the charity has held an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The annual gathering incorporating the AGM is the biggest WAY event of the year and has become a fixed and key point in the charity’s social calendar. Sadly, in light of coronavirus and government guidance at the time we had to cancel the planned 2021 face-to-face AGM in Glasgow. Instead, this event was held online in September 2021, being attended by over 150 members and the constitution was amended to allow this and future AGM’s to take place in this manner.
## **WAY Widowed and Young ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
## **Income**
Income for the current year came from three main sources:
- Membership Fees
- Fundraising
- Donations and Grants
The continuing growth of our membership has been such that we now have over 4,200 members for the first time. Income from new memberships and renewals has therefore grown to £113,450 (2020 - £97,825). As noted elsewhere, pandemic restrictions continued to hinder membership fundraising activities but even so funds raised in 2021 at £47,007 (2020 £41,841) are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. During 2021 we did see a substantial fall in revenue from external donations and grants, since in 2020 we secured additional funds from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund.
As always we wish to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who have worked hard to raise funds or make a donation in 2021. This support is invaluable in providing the resources needed to continue the charitys work.
## **Public benefit**
The trustees have complied with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
## **Reserves**
Reserves - The Charity's policy, as decided on by the Board of Trustees is to maintain reserves at the level of 50% of anticipated running costs for the coming year. With total funds of almost £300,000 at the end of the year our reserves remain well above that level.
It remains a key challenge for the Charity to identify how and where to best use these funds to support our members and to reach more of those eligible to become members. To this end the Board is working hard to improve our website offering, has recently concluded a brand update and is expanding our staffing to better serve and support our membership.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks
## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities**
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting standards for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to:
a) select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
b) observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
c) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
d) state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; e) prepare the Financial Statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue operating.
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
the Charities Act 2011 and the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the board on 7th May 2022 and signed on its behalf
Joanna Sedley-Burke Chair
3#
## **WAY Widowed and Young INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WAY WIDOWED AND YOUNG YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
I report on the accounts of WAY Widowed and Young (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
This report is made solely to the trustees of the charity, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the trustees of the charity those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees of the charity as a body for my examination, for this report or the opinions I have formed.
## **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 of the 2011 Act and that an independent examination is needed. The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section
- 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **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 material matteras have come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
· to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements concerning the format and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination),
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Catherine Milbanke BSc BFP FCA
3S Accountancy Services, Chartered Accountants 5-8 Priestgate Darlington DL1 1NL
Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
## **WAY Widowed and Young**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating Income and Expenditure Account)**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
|**Note**
**Incoming Resources**
Income from:
Donations and legacies
**2**
Other trading activities
**3**
**Total**
**Resources Expended**
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
**Total**
**4**
**Net income / (expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**Fund balances brought forward at**
**1 JANUARY 2021**
**Fund balances carried forward at**
**31 DECEMBER 2021**
**10**|**£**
252,524
1,503
**254,027**
20,353
207,254
**227,607**
**26,421**
-
**26,421**
269,641
**296,061**
**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
**-**
-
-
**-**
**-**
-
**-**
-
**-**|**2021**
**£**
**252,524**
**1,503**
**254,027**
**20,353**
**207,254**
**227,607**
**26,421**
**-**
**26,421**
**269,641**
**296,061**|**2020**
**£**
**299,313**
**1,437**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**300,750**|
|||||13,469
198,434|
|||||**211,903**|
|||||**88,847**
-|
|||||88,847
180,794|
|||||**269,641**|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
5
**WAY Widowed and Young**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021**
|**Note**
**Current assets**
Debtors and prepayments
**8**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors**
Amounts falling due within one year
**9**
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted funds
**Total charity funds**
**10**|**2021**
**£**
**£**
**6,000**
**296,146**
**302,146**
**(6,085)**
**296,061**
**296,061**
**296,061**
**-**
**296,061**|**2020**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**
**6,000**
**296,146**
**302,146**
**(6,085)**|**£**
**9,169**
**276,627**
**285,795**
**(16,154)**|**£**
**269,641**|
||||**269,641**|
||||**269,641**
**-**|
||||**269,641**|
These financial statements were approved and signed by the trustees and authorised for issue on
Joanna Sedley-Burke Chair
The notes on pages 7 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
**6**
**WAY Widowed and Young**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
## **1. Accounting policies**
The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the charity's accounts.
- **(i)** The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011.
The accounts ahave been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the notes to these accounts.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
## **(ii) Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
## **(iii) Incoming resources**
Income is accounted for on an accruals basis. Grants are recognised as an incoming resource when the conditions for the receipt have been met and are accounted for in accordance with the headings they have been allocated to on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
## **(iv) Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure, it is probable settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
## **2. Donations and legacies**
|Donations and Grants
Gift Aid
Membership Subscriptions
Fundraising
Coronavirus Pandemic Support
Other|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
58,718 -**58,718**126,035
31,679 -**31,679**27,447
113,450 -**113,450**97,825
47,007 -**47,007**41,841
- -**-**5,000
1,670 -**1,670**1,165|
|---|---|
||**252,524 - 252,524**299,313|
In 2020 £40,752 donations and grants were restricted.
**7**
**WAY Widowed and Young**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
## **3. Other trading activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
**Income from activities**
Merchandise
1,503 -
**1,503 -**
In 2021 and 2020 all income from activities was unrestricted.
**4.**
**Analysis of total resources expended**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
**Cost of generating funds**
Media & PR
20,353
-
-
-
-
-
**20,353**
**-**
**Charitable Activities**
Staf Costs
110,906
-
Member Services - WAY Forward, Enews, Helpline etc
31,349
-
Big Picnic
-
-
Website & IT Expenditure
36,572
-
Merchandise
699
-
Administration
17,406
-
Bank charges & other fees
6,218
-
Insurance
1,096
-
Independent Examination
720
-
Committee Expenses
-
-
Members Events
1,443
-
Project Swan
845
-
**207,254**
**-**
**227,607**
**-**
In 2020 expenditure of £40,752 was restricted.
**5.**
**Governance**
Accountancy and professional fees|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**£**
**£**
1,503 -|**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**1,503**1,437|
|---|---|---|
||**1,503 -**|**1,503**1,437|
|||**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**20,353**
13,469
|
||**20,353**
**-**
110,906
-
31,349
-
-
-
36,572
-
699
-
17,406
-
6,218
-
1,096
-
720
-
-
-
1,443
-
845
-|**20,353**
13,469
**110,906** 111,834
**31,349** 26,349
151
**36,572** 25,343
**699** 1,801
**17,406** 16,769
**6,218** 4,351
**1,096** 997
**720** 1,000
86
**1,443**- 198
**845**
9,950|
||**207,254**
**-**|**207,254**
198,434|
||**227,607**
**-**|**227,607**
211,903|
|||**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**720**1,000|
|||**720**1,000|
## **6. Trustees' remuneration**
Except below, the trustees received £nil (2020: £nil) worth of emoluments during the period.
Expenses amounting to £0 (2020: £86) were reimbursed in 2021
8 **8**
## **WAY Widowed and Young**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
## **7. Staff costs**
|**Staf costs**||
|---|---|
|Wages and Salaries
Employer National Insurance
Employer Pension Contributions (Defned Contribution Scheme)
Temporary Staf
Other Payroll costs
**TOTAL**|**2021**
**£**
**90,698**
**5,526**
**5,934**
**-**
**8,748**|
||**110,906**|
By the end of 2021 there were three permanent members of staff (2020: 3).
## **8. Debtors**
|Gift Aid
Other|**2021**
**£**
**6,000**
**-**|
|---|---|
||**6,000**|
## **9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors|**2021**
**£**
**6,085**
**-**|
|---|---|
||**6,085**|
## **2020 £**
98,972 6,655 3,655 1,359 1,193 111,834
**2020 £** 9,169 - 9,169
**2020 £** 16,154 **-** 16,154
**9**
**WAY Widowed and Young NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021**
## **10 Statement of Funds**
|Unrestricted funds - general
Designated - Memorial Fund
Designated - Project Swan
Designated - Gift Membership
Designated - Operating Fund
**Total unrestricted funds**
**RESTRICTED FUNDS**
**Total restricted funds**
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Balance**
**b/fwd**
**£**
143,539
1,852
3,775
475
120,000
269,641
-
-
**269,641**|**Incoming**
**£**
252,304
1,723|**Outgoing**
**£**
( 220,232)
( 3,575)
( 3,775)
( 25)
(227,607)
-
-
**( 227,607)**|**Transfers**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**-**|**Balance**
**c/fwd**
**£**
**175,611**
**-**
**-**
**450**
**120,000**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||254,027|||**296,061**|
|||-|||-|
|||-|||-|
|||**254,027**|||**296,061**|
The designated Gift Membership represents funds received to cover membership costs for the recipient of the voucher
The designated Operating Fund represents 50% of our projected operating costs in 2021, in line with our reserves policy
|Made up of:
**Current assets**
Stock
Debtors and prepayments
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors**||**2021**|||**2020**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Restricted **
-
-
-|**Unrestricted**
-
6,000
296,146
302,146
(6,085)
296,061|**Total**
**-**
**6,000**
**296,146**|**Restricted**
-
-
-
-
(52)
(52)|**Unrestricted**
9,169
276,627
285,795
(16,102)
269,693|**Total**
**9,169**
**276,627**|
||-
-||**302,146**
**(6,085)**|||**285,795**
**(16,154)**|
||-||**296,061**|||**269,641**|
**10**
WAYTMdowed and Young
INDEPENDENT LWINER'S REPORTTO THETRUSTEES OFWAYWIDOWED AND YOUNG
YEAR ENDEO 31 DECEMBER 2021
l Teport on th8 ao)Junts ofWAYWidth*d wd Ytyjng Trust) fcfjthe year er*Jed 31 December2U21.
are set outm pages S to 10.
Thts report 15 made solety to Ihe tNStees of the tharity, as a W, in accordance se(*on 145 of the
Chariltes ArI2011 Ithe 2011 Artl. My examinaOn has been undertaken so thal l rnight state lo the trustees ol
tharity those matters l am required lo stale to them In an independent 8xamlnerf$ report and lor no other
puw. To the fulltsl extent pemiitted by law. I do 1 8Pt or assume responsibilty lo anyone other than
the tharity and the trustees of the c*anty as a bjdy for my examinatim, for this rewt ¢¢ the opinn8 I have
fonned.
Re9CO¥e r•sponslbllltF•8 ottrustè¢s #nd examlner
The trustees are responsib forthe preparation ofthe 4)UThts. The trust o)erthal an oudit is not
required foTthis year undef 144 ofthe 2011 Act and that an indewndenl examinati 1$ needed.
th8ritys gr05s inrxjmfr exc*8ded £250,10 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being 8
qualrfied mernber ol the Institute of Chartered Aco)untants in ErrfJland and Wale5 IICAEW). Hawing Satisfied
my3eJfthat the chaiity is not 5ubjec* to audit and is e1vJ1ef0r independent examiThaion, it 15 my respon&lylty
to..
examine the aeownls underse¢*on 145 olthe 2011 Aet
to follrYwlh& prwedures laid in the general DIreCS byth& Charty Commlsshjn under
section 14515llbl oflhe 2011 Art and
to statewhether paiUrJJlar matters havocoma lo my attents)n.
Basis of ind•pend•nt•xaminorf$ rèport
My examination was carried oul in accordancelth Ihe general Directions gNen bythe Charity C(MIssI)n.
An exarnination inrAudes a rewewofthe aCUnting rerdS kept by the charity and a cornparison ofthe
accounts presented with those reMrds.11 also Iude cork8Kleration olany Unusu items cf disdosure5 in
the ants, and seeking eyplanakns frvm you aslrustees o)nceming any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do noi provide all the evideno that woukl be Uired in an audit and con5equenty noopinion is
glven asto whether Ihe aCcUnts present a Irue and fairwew aTrJ the report is limited lo those rnatiers set ¢yJl
In Ihe statement below.
Indep8ndontex•mlnerfs statsment
In connection mytramination. no material matteras haw comg to my attention..
111 *thich gives me re8$0nabb U$*I0 believe that In any m*erial Spec1th rquirements..
lo keep aUting records in 8rxordan¢eiwlh sethon 130of the 2011 Act,. or
lo yepare a¢o)unts which accord wth the acunI1ng records and Mplywith the ao>)untiro
requirements concemi#g the fomiat and content of aco)unts set twt in Ihe Charibes {Aunt5 and Rèports)
Regulations 2QJ8 lotherlhan any requiremenllhallhe ao>)unts gNe a Inje and fairf eW1th 15 not a matter
considered as part of an independent examinalionl,
have not been metr, or
121 towhKh, in my Opi[, attenti shwld be dravm li orderto enablp a PYOFor understandlng of ths
accounts to be reachod.
Catr*1M11b0nke B8c8FP FCA
11