## Annual Report 2023 www.widowedandyoung.org.uk Support. Understanding. Friendship Registered Charity No: 1164988 Our Story 94% of WAY members said that WAY membership is good/somewhat Introduction A word from WAY’s Chief Executive and Chair of Trustees In 2023, we faced ongoing challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis. Our 2023 Impact Survey highlighted that 68%* of WAY Widowed and Young members were concerned about their finances (up from 62% in 2022). to volunteer, with 170 people covering 196 roles, ensuring that our members are supported through digital platforms and WAY’s 62 home groups (see p10). Our campaign work has also been bearing fruit. In February 2023, we celebrated a historic success when cohabiting parents with dependent children were finally able to access bereavement benefit support following the death of their partner (see p9). This was the culmination of more than a decade of campaigning and we continue to campaign for the rights of young widowed people across the UK. Over the course of the year, we met the continuing demand for our services and were able to support members who were struggling to meet the cost of the membership fee by doubling the amount available in WAY’s Memorial Fund (see p4). Sadly, nearly 24,000** people aged 18-51 die every year, which means that the need for WAY’s peerto-peer support services has never been greater. 2023 saw the year end with 4,650 members and we were able to welcome 1,638 new members. We saw an increase in member retention rates, with 70% choosing to renew their membership this year. WAY continued to work alongside other bereavement charities and networks to achieve our shared goals. We were delighted to announce our new strategic partnerships with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish in 2023, with the goal of extending our advice and support for all WAY members (see p15). 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. Member feedback drives everything we do and we were delighted to be able to launch our new online Members Hub in October. This was in response to members reporting that the previous platform was outdated and difficult to use. This new platform has enabled our volunteers and members to organise their own in-person and online meet-ups – from walks in the park to group meals. WAY is incredibly fortunate to have so many people who are passionate about supporting our charity. We are sincerely grateful to all of our committed volunteers, trustees and dedicated staff team, who provide the structure for the charity’s day-to-day operations. And we’d like to say a huge thank you to WAY’s incredible fundraisers, donors and corporate partners without whom WAY simply could not operate. Between them, our volunteers and our members hosted 893 events in 2023, of which 253 were online. In person and online events offer friendship, support and understanding to our members – the special support that can only come from others who have faced the unique experience of losing your partner at a young age (see p8). Finally, and most significantly: thank you to our wonderful community of members, who are at the heart of everything we do. Stephanie Patrick Chief Executive **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Our army of volunteers are at the heart of everything that WAY does. In 2023, we had a 2% increase in members choosing Joanna Sedley-Burke Chair of the Board of Trustees - Based on feedback from 379 members in WAY’s Impact Survey 2023 WAY 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 confidential telephone support line 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. “When I found WAY, they helped me so much with support and friendship. Just knowing there were others who were going through what I was going through made it more bearable… I have found their peer-to-peer support invaluable.” Carol (bottom right), WAY member and fundraiser **----- Start of picture text -----**
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> * Based on survey responses for 2023 from 304 members in our May 2024 Impact Survey. - ** Based on ONS death figures 2022 ## WAY in Numbers **----- Start of picture text -----**
WAY impacted the lives of
4,650
young widows in 2023
helping them to navigate
their bereavement by
offering friendship,
support and
understanding.
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WAY members organised 893
in person and virtual events in 2023.
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## 170 amazing volunteers helped to support our work throughout the year. Generous supporters raised £137,217, helping us to reach more people in need of support. 157 young widowed people were gifted annual membership through our Memorial Fund. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## Our Impact in 2023 ## **----- Start of picture text -----**
Our small team of
79% of members found 5 employed
that meeting people in the members of staff
same situation has helped.* continued to support
our members.
81% of members felt
that they had better
83% felt less isolated.*
knowledge about grief and
bereavement.*
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More than 121,029
separate
30,000 people
communications
helped us to
sent out to our
spread the word by
members
following us across
throughout the year.
our social media
channels.
113 pieces of
72,617people
press coverage visited our website
were generated
in 2023.
throughout the year.
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* Based on survey responses for 2023 from 304 members in our May 2024 Impact Survey. ## Our Members ## 1,638 new members joined WAY’s ## Our Member Services WAY continued to provide a range of vital services and support for all of our members as they navigate their bereavement journey, including: peer support network in 2023. **----- Start of picture text -----**
70% of members
renewed their
membership.
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## Demographics **----- Start of picture text -----**
Gender Age 2% 20-29
21%
33%
Male 18%
50+
30-39
79% Female
47% 40-49
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## With/without children ## Diversity 4% of new 5% of new members members identify come from minority as LGBTQIA+ ethnic communities **----- Start of picture text -----**
31%
without
children
69% with children
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We unveiled our new Members Hub in September 2023, which listed 893 events, and allowed members to connect and communicate privately with each other, as well as offering a wide range of geographical and individual interest groups. WAY members and volunteers organised 253 online events. Our closed Facebook group and a large range of subgroups were accessed by 65% of members. More than 290 people made use of the telephone support line offering counselling services, legal and financial advice. 68% of members who used the telephone counselling service found it helpful.* 109 events for new members were held. 157 members were supported financially through our Memorial Fund. - Based on survey responses for 2023 from 304 members in our May 2024 Impact Survey. “Knowing that WAY has a tailored telephone support line for us to use is really fantastic… It has been a comfort knowing that there is somebody available, just a telephone call away. I feel safer somehow knowing there is another human being available to listen to me cry and grieve. No advice, no judgement, just there for you.” Hannah, WAY Member “I want you to know that WAY helped me in ways I am still only now discovering. I’m still working my way back to a form of normal myself. There are still hard days and weeks but, in the main, life feels easier now than a year ago.” **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Steve, WAY member 7 ## Events **----- Start of picture text -----**
77%
of WAY
members rated
face-to-face
meetings
as one of the top five
WAY services*
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WAY members have been busy getting together in parks, pubs and cafes across the UK – as well as meeting for online bingo, quizzes, yoga and book groups. Many events are organised by members and volunteers in our 62 home groups, which stretch from Scotland to Cornwall. WAY’s Operations Team also organised five national events during the year for members across the country to get together with other young widowed people and their families: ## Big Picnic weekend The sun came out for WAY’s Big Picnic weekend in May, enticing more than 400 WAY members, friends and family to roll out their picnic blankets at 38 picturesque picnic locations from North Wales to Norfolk and from Jersey to Aberdeen. ## Weekends aWAY More than 60 WAY members and children headed to PGL Caythorpe Court near Grantham for a weekend of adventure in February. It was a great opportunity for WAY members and their families to spend some time in the company of other people who understand what they’re going through. WAY returned to the Pembrokeshire Coast for the second year in early May: it was an actionpacked couple of days and 15 members had the chance to enjoy the amazing countryside and do something completely different, while finding support and friendship. In June, 55 members and children got together in Derbyshire over the Father’s Day weekend to make new memories. In September, more than 100 members headed to Bristol for the charity’s biggest annual gathering – our Annual General Meeting, which included a dinner dance. “This was my first weekend away without my husband. I think I felt safe enough to enjoy it as I was around lovely people that just get it…. I had such a lovely weekend. If someone had told me a month ago that I’d be up dancing and singing, I would have thought they were crazy.” **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Hayley, WAY member and AGM attendee ## Campaigning for Change It’s core to WAY’s mission to raise awareness and understanding among the public of the needs of people who are widowed and young – and to campaign on their behalf. ## Campaign success After a decade-long campaign, from February 2023, bereavement benefit payments were finally extended to non-married cohabiting couples with dependent children. This followed rulings from both the High Court and Supreme Court that found it was against the human rights of the children involved to discriminate against them based on their parent’s marital status. As of 9 February 2023, bereaved cohabiting couples with dependent children can apply for and receive Bereavement Support Payments, in the same way as those who are married or in a civil partnership, to help them cope with the financial challenges of such a significant family bereavement. As many as 20,000 bereaved parents were also able to submit a claim for retrospective payments worth several thousand pounds. We were thrilled about this campaign success and continue to campaign on behalf of young widowed people across the UK to make sure their voices are being heard. ## We are calling for: - Bereavement Support Payments to be extended beyond 18 months and uprated in line with inflation. - Bereavement Support Payments to be extended to cohabiting couples without children. - • National Insurance eligibility to be reconsidered for Bereavement Support Payment applicants. ## Blank Space campaign Our Blank Space campaign is also calling for the birth registration process to be made simpler and more compassionate for mothers whose partner died before their baby’s birth was registered. We don’t believe it’s fair that some babies have a blank space on their birth certificate where their father’s name should be. “WAY has been a brilliant support in all of this and the campaigning has made a very real difference… It was so incredible to see, after all these years, that unmarried widowed parents will now be able to claim a benefit that was denied to us until now.” **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Elanor, WAY member * Based on survey responses for 2023 from 304 members in our May 2024 Impact Survey. ## Our Volunteers WAY was built on volunteering and volunteers continue to help drive forward progressive change while supporting members in a variety of different ways. WAY welcomes volunteers from all over the UK and embraces diversity amongst its volunteer community in all its forms. Volunteering with WAY really is the ultimate in peer support. At the end of 2023, WAY had 170 volunteers covering 196 different roles. These included the new role of Outreach Volunteers, who help to regularly spread the word about WAY in their local communities, either by attending local events or attending bereavement networks where they can share WAY’s work and find out about the work of other bereavement organisations. WAY continued the work of our Diversity Working Groups. The goal of raising awareness of diversity and inclusivity was evident through our members and volunteers waving WAY’s Pride flag at several UK Pride events and participating in activities during Black History Month. We also provided tailored diversity training for WAY’s volunteers both in person and online. With volunteers based across the UK, it can be challenging to bring volunteers together. However, there were several opportunities in 2023 as WAY’s Volunteer Manager travelled to different locations to meet some of our volunteers for opportunities to engage in helpful discussions and training sessions. (Thanks to our partners at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who offered some of its office space to host these sessions.) ## Raising Funds for WAY WAY does not receive any government funding, so we rely entirely on memberships, donations and fundraising to support our members. In 2023, our supporters achieved some remarkable fundraising feats, and collectively raised an impressive £137,217* for WAY. Here are some of the highlights: - Two teams of intrepid WAY members went head to head with our supporters from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors at the Kingston-upon-Thames Dragon Boat Race in July – raising more than £5,000. - • WAY member Carol raised more than £4,700 cycling 100 miles through the heart of London by taking part in the RideLondon event. - WAY supporters Nick (pictured right) and Margaret raised more than £2,300 by taking on the London Marathon in April, while fundraising volunteer Chantal raised over £1,600 for WAY in the Marathon de la Loire in France. - Chantal also raised £1,000 by taking part in the Bournemouth Half Marathon. - Not prepared to be outdone, WAY supporter Matt ran a gruelling seven marathons over seven days in memory of his brother-in-law Clax – raising £4,400. - WAY member Kass raised more than £400 by taking part in a Winter Walk for WAY; and Ben, Claire and Karli raised an impressive £1,600 through the London to Brighton Ultra Challenge. - WAY member Natalie raised £350 by jumping from a plane in October. Huge thanks to all our fantastic fundraisers who help make our work possible! **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- 170 volunteers covered 196 volunteering roles – with some volunteers helping in multiple roles. 93% of members have volunteers in their local areas. 83% of new members reported in their three-month survey that they had been welcomed by a volunteer in the area. “Since starting volunteering, I have organised mostly weekend events so people with and without children can come… I would not have gone to many of these places if it was not for WAY. Whenever I feel lonely, there is someone to talk to and share thoughts and feelings with. As this is a peerto-peer organisation, each volunteer is helping members – whatever stage of the grieving process they are at – to cope with life.” Kristine, WAY volunteer and recipient of our 2023 Mandy Burrows Award We’d also like to thank the following companies and foundations that have supported WAY in 2023: - Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who joined in our Dragon Boat Race and our Santa run – raising £858 – and the Irwin Mitchell Charitable Foundation awarded a £10,000 grant which was used to boost our Memorial Fund. - A team from CrossCountry Trains, who got on board with WAY’s fundraising and raised more than £4,000. - 18 colleagues from Mainstay Recruitment, who took on an epic Snowdon challenge to raise funds and awareness for WAY, raising a fabulous £3,145. Two Mainstay team members also raised £550 in a fearless skydive. - - Purple Goat Agency, whose fundraising crowdfunder raised more than £14,000. - • WAY also received two donations totalling £24,000 through the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Recycling (ICCCM) from Mintlyn Crematorium in West Norfolk and Burnley Crematorium. How your support helps **----- Start of picture text -----**
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If you’re interested in fundraising, please get in touch at fundraising@widowedandyoung.org.uk * All figures include Gift Aid. Financial Review ## WAY’s Board ## Accounts to the end of December 2023 **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## Income & Expenditure Account **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023 2022
Income £ £
Membership Fees 121,080 120,675
Donations & Fundraising 107,421 105,654
Other Income 2,735 2,799
Gift Aid 29,796 35,860
TOTAL INCOME 261,032 264,988
Expenditure
Staff Costs 210,416 191,137
Other Office/Admin Costs 24,951 29,638
Publications/Media/PR 44,624 51,305
Website 22,926 22,415
Helpline 18,996 8,663
Memorial Fund 5,230 5,635
Other 5,860 9,163
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 333,003 317,956
Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the year* (71,971) (52,968)
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## Balance Sheet |Net Surplus/(Defcit)for theyear*
(71,971)
Balance Sheet|(52,968)|| |---|---|---| |**CURRENT ASSETS**
**Fixed Assets**
IT
**Debtors**
Gif Aid
Prepayments|**2023**
**£**
36,816
5,000
1,113|**£**
**42,929**| |**Current Accounts**|153,577|| |Less Uncleared Payments/(Credits)|(6,322)|| |||**147,255**| |**Set Aside Funds**||| |Memorial Fund|(1,770)|| |Gif Membership|(650)|| |||(2,420)| |**CURRENT LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED INCOME**||| |Liabilites|(12,678)|| |Events|(3,963)|(16,641)| |**TOTAL Assets**||**171,123**| |FINANCED BY:||| |Accumulated Surplus Brought Forward||243,094| |Net Defcit/(Surplus)for theyear*||(71,971)| |||**171,123**| * The charity’s policy, as decided by the Board of Trustees, is to maintain WAY’s reserves at the level of 50% of anticipated running costs for the coming year. With total funds of just under £180k at the end of 2023, our reserves remain above that level. In previous years, it has been a key challenge for the charity to identify how to best use surplus funds to support our members and to reach more of those eligible to become members. In 2022 and 2023, the Board invested in new staff as well as improving our website for members. This resulted in a planned deficit during 2023 of £71,971 (and £52,968 in 2022). However, this level of deficit is not expected to recur. At our 2023 AGM in Bristol, WAY members approved the reappointment of Trustee Louise Dodds, who is a member of WAY in the North East. ## Appointed Trustee Stuart Scarbrough 2016 Bill James (Treasurer) 2017 (stood down in 2023) Graham Briscoe 2018 Jo Sedley-Burke (Chair) 2018 Kate Siegler 2019 Louise Dodds 2019 Mike Etherington 2020 Rammi Janack 2022 (stood down in 2023) Bobbie Kelly 2023 Marcos Eleftheriou 2023 AGM attendees also approved the appointment of new Trustees Bobbie Kelly and Marcos Eleftheriou, who were both co-opted onto the Board earlier in the year. Bill James stood down as Treasurer after seven years as a Trustee; and Rammi Janack stood down after one year in post. “I applied to become a Trustee of WAY to say thank you and to give something back to the charity that has helped me. I also work for a mental health charity in communications, and I intend to use my skills and ideas to raise WAY’s profile and help the charity to reach more widowed people at an earlier stage in their journeys.” Bobbie, WAY member and Trustee **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## Strategy and Charity Objectives WAY 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 the 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, which 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 Strategic Plan was 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 strategic plan is split into three key areas: ## Our Strategic Partnerships ## Irwin Mitchell In December 2023, we were pleased to announce our strategic partnership with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who have been supporting WAY with fundraising and legal advice over the past four years. Irwin Mitchell have been fantastic supporters of WAY, taking part in our Big Picnics, giving us opportunities to speak and share our work with their company, taking part in various fundraising events, offering meeting spaces and supporting our campaign work. As part of our partnership, Irwin Mitchell is taking over the financial and legal aspect of our telephone support line and they will be offering tailored support through a series of webinars. ## Winston’s Wish Together, WAY and Winston’s Wish are partnering to provide full circle support for the whole family following a bereavement. As well as referring bereaved families to each other’s services, the two charities are joining forces to provide tips and advice to offer help for the parents they support and their children. We are also partnering on campaign and policy work, advocating for improved services and experiences for bereaved families both now and in the future. “Having access to over 4,600 members who understand what I’m feeling and can support me through tough moments and celebrate my successes is invaluable, whether that be online through the Members Hub or in person at meet ups.” **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Kathryn, WAY member and volunteer 15 ## 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 Caring Respectful Innovative Valued Transparent 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 2023** **3S Accountancy Services** Chartered Accountants ## **WAY Widowed and Young** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** |**CONTENTS**|**Page**| |---|---| |Members of the board and professional advisers|1| |Annual report of the trustees|2| |Independent examiner's report|4| |Statement of financial activities (incorporating income|5| |and expenditure account)|| |Balance sheet|6| |Notes to the financial 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|| ||Ramanjit Janack|_Resigned 29/07/2023_| ||Marcos Eleftheriou|Appointed 10.12.2022| ||Louise Jane Dodds|| ||Mike Etherington|| ||William Thomas James|_Resigned 23/09/2023_| ||Katherine Denise Siegler|| ||Stuart Alan Scarbrough|| ||**Joanna Sedley-Burke**|**Chair**| ||Roberta Kelly|Appointed 10.12.2022| |**Secretary**|Current Vacancy|| |**Key management personnel**|Stephanie Patrick|Chief Executive appointed Aug 21| |**Registered office**|Advantage House|| ||Stowe Court|| ||Stowe Street|| ||Lichfield|| ||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 2023** The trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. 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, 18th September 2021 and 10th September 2022. The Charitable Objects were updated on 10th September 2022 to include 'gender, race and religion. The trustees meet at least five times a year, trustees serving during the period 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 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, trustees who have served a term of 3 years are required to retire, but they are permitted to be re-elected or reappointed by the members for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms or 9 years. 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, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender, race and religion. ## **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 4,658 members across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the end of 2023. The charity aims to provide peer-to-peer support to young widowed people – married or not, with or without children, inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender, race and religion – as they adjust to life after the death of their partner. In 2023 we faced a new challenge as the cost-of-living crisis overtook the nation. We met the continuing demand for our services and were able to support members who were struggling to meet the cost of the membership fee by doubling the amount available in WAY’s Memorial Find. We built strategic partnerships with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish so that we could extend our advice and support offer to WAY members. Community Fundraising was lower than expected and so we were unable to renew the contract for WAY’s Community Fundraiser. After a decade-long campaign cohabiting parents with dependent children who need support following the death of their partner were finally able to apply for bereavement benefits. Our substantial reserves still allowed us to continue to invest funds in developing member services and activities to increase the reach of the charity. Key investments were the development of the new members hub and the continued salary of a Digital Market Officer. 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 4,658 members, which included 1,638 new members. We have seen an increase in member retention rates, with 70% 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 170 volunteers across the UK, up 2% year-on-year. WAY volunteers are the backbone of the charity and WAY is incredibly fortunate to have so many members who are so passionate about supporting WAY. WAY's Volunteer Manager has provided invaluable support to our volunteers and has offered them chance to network and access training. There has also been the development of new roles such as social media Facebook Admins for WAY's many closed WAY Facebook groups which provide invaluable support to our members. Through our members-only website, our volunteers and members can organise their own in-person meet-ups - from walks in the park, to group meals. Virtual events continued to happen as well and between them, our volunteers and our members there were 893 events hosted in 2023, of which 253 were online. **Website –** Over the last few years, many members have fedback that the members platform is difficult to use, and the charity has worked hard to raise funds to invest in this area of member services. The Working Website Group responded by developing plans for a new platform and a tender process followed in 2022 which resulted in BinaryFold4 being appointed to deliver this project. Work continued for the first 6 months of the year and members were fully included in the process, via consultation, testing and focus groups. The new Members Hub was launched on 1st October 2023. Since then we have continued to bed in this new system and make improvements to the members area and the public facing pages. **Social Media -** We continued to make great strides on all our social media platforms, having a combined following which exceeds 30k. All of our social media platforms showed a strong performance in 2023, helping us to reach out to new audiences. **Media Coverage** –WAY was featured in 113 media opportunities throughout the year including TV, Press and Radio, which is higher than the previous year by 55%. **Awareness-raising** - WAY continued to work alongside other bereavement charities and networks to achieve our shared goals. Our staff spoke about WAY at various conferences which included Grief Loss Ceonference in Liverpool and Grief Care Annual Conference in London. WAY hosted a stand at various national events including the National Suicide Conference, National Hospice Conference and Scotty's Adventure Day which directly reached over 300 bereavement professionals and led to relationships being developed at various hospices. WAY also continues working alongside other bereavement charities as part of the National Bereavement Alliance and to promote National Grief Awaremess Week. **Fundraising** - 2023 proved to be a challenging year for fundraising due to the cost of living crisis meaning that people have had less to give. The year saw a variety of individual virtual fundraisers and a growth in Facebook Birthday Fundraisers. WAY members ran several successful fundraising campaigns,including participation in events such as the London2Brighton Walk and London Marathon. Corporate partners who also raised fundsincluded Irwin Mitchell, Mainstay Recruitment and Purple Goat. **Strategic plan** – The staff team and trustees continued to successfully progress through the set KPIs of WAY’s five-year strategic plan which was unveiled to members in early spring 2021. ## **WAY AGM 2023** 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. WAY's 2023 AGM was held at the Marriot Hotel in Bristol and was attended by over 92 members in person and 15 virtually. 2 ## **WAY Widowed and Young ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **Income** As previously, 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 4,650 members for the first time. Income from new memberships and renewals has therefore grown to £121,080 (2022 - £120,675). Membership fundraising activities showed a decline compared to the previous year at £32,982 (2022 £49,256) which reflects the 'cost of living' crisis and is a common trend across the third sector And during 2023, despite the sector-wide difficulties in generating charitable donations, we saw only a small decline in revenue from external donations and grants to £74,439 (2022 £56,408) 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 2023. This support is invaluable in providing the resources needed to continue the charity's 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 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 just under £180K at the end of the year, our reserves remain above that level. It has, for a while, been a key challenge for the Charity to identify how and where to best use surplus funds to support our members and to reach more of those eligible to become members. To this end the Board has invested during 2023 in both new staff and in improving our website offering. This has resulted in a new deficit during the year of £71,971 (2022 deficit of £53,758) but this level of deficit is not expected to recur. ## **Risk management** The trustees have assessed the 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 13th July 2024 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 2023** I report on the accounts of WAY Widowed and Young (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023, 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** charity s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of· examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Actthe Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Having satisfied - 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** p y the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures ## **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: ·requirements concerning the format and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or Regulations 2008 (other than any requirement thathave not been met; or the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter - (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: . 13th July 2024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ## **WAY Widowed and Young** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating Income and Expenditure Account)** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** |**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 2022**
**Fund balances carried forward at**
**31 DECEMBER 2023**
**10**|**Unrestricted**
**£**

249,675

1,357
**251,032**
26,015
298,757

**324,772**
**(73,740)**
-
**(73,740)**
243,094

**169,353**|**Restricted**
**£**
10,000
-
**10,000**
-
8,230
**8,230**
**1,770**
-
**1,770**
-
**1,770**|**2023**
**£**
**259,675**
**1,357**
**261,032**
**26,015**
**306,987**
**333,002**
**(71,970)**
**-**
**(71,970)**
**243,094**
**171,123**|**2022**
**£**
**263,704**
**1,283**| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||**264,988**| |||||32,929
285,027| |||||**317,955**| |||||**(52,968)**
-| |||||(52,968)
296,061| |||||**243,094**| 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 **----- Start of picture text -----**
WAY Widowed and Young
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
2023 2022
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Intangible Assets 11 35,709 20,267
Tangible Assets 11 1,107 1,865
36,816 22,132
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments 8 6,113 16,733
Cash at bank and in hand 163,018 205,990
169,131 222,722
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year 9 (34,824) (1,760)
Net current assets 134,307 220,962
Net assets 171,123 243,094
Funds
Unrestricted Funds 169,353 243,094
Restricted funds 1,770 -
Total charity funds 10 171,123 243,094 the net assets have changed by £1770 - should be same, just split out between unrestricted and restricted?
**----- End of picture text -----**
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 2023** ## **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. ## **(v) Tangible and Intangible Assets** Tangible and intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The only tangible asset of the charity is computer equipment and this is capitalised at cost and depreciated over three years reflecting the expected useful life. Intangible assets reflect the cost of the development of the new member portal and is being depreciated over three years from the date at which the new portal was launched, which was October 2023 ## **2. Donations and legacies** |Donations and Grants
Gift Aid
Membership Subscriptions
Fundraising
Other|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
64,439 10,000**74,439**56,408
29,796 -**29,796**35,860
121,080 -**121,080**120,675
32,982 -**32,982**49,246
1,378 -**1,378**1,516| |---|---| ||**249,675 10,000 259,675**263,704| In 2023 a grant of £10,000 was classed as restricted funds. In 2022 all income from donations and legacies was unrestricted. **7** **WAY Widowed and Young** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **3. Other trading activities** |**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from activities**
Merchandise
1,357 -**1,357**1,283
**1,357- 1,357**1,283
In 2023 and 2022 all income from activities was unrestricted.
**4.**
**Analysis of total resources expended**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Cost of generating funds**
Media & PR
26,015
1,800
**27,815**
32,929
**26,015**
**1,800**
**27,815**
32,929
**Charitable Activities**
Staff Costs
209,216
1,200**210,416**191,137
Member Services - WAY Forward, Helpline etc
35,805
-**35,805**27,039
Website Maintenance
28,088
-**28,088**25,745
Merchandise
2,863
-**2,863**5,278
Administration
8,205
-**8,205**9,897
Bank charges & other fees
5,071
-**5,071**7,117
Insurance
2,111
-**2,111**1,820
Independent Examination & Legal Fees
780
-**780**1,788
Volunteer Costs
2,014
-**2,014**2,428
Members Events
3,845
5,230**9,075**12,370
Project Swan
-
- **-**-
Depreciation
758
-**758**408
**298,757**
**6,430**
**305,187** 285,027
**324,772**
**8,230**
**333,002**
317,955
**5.**
**Governance**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
Accountancy and professional fees
**780**720
**780 **720|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,357 -**1,357**1,283|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,357 -**1,357**1,283| |---|---|---| ||**1,357- 1,357**1,283|| ||**26,015**
**1,800**
**27,815**
32,929
209,216
1,200**210,416**191,137
35,805
-**35,805**27,039
28,088
-**28,088**25,745
2,863
-**2,863**5,278
8,205
-**8,205**9,897
5,071
-**5,071**7,117
2,111
-**2,111**1,820
780
-**780**1,788
2,014
-**2,014**2,428
3,845
5,230**9,075**12,370
-
- **-**-
758
-**758**408|| ||**298,757**
**6,430**
**305,187** 285,027|| ||**324,772**
**8,230**
**333,002**
317,955|| |||**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**780**720| |||**780 **720| ## **6. Trustees' remuneration** Except below, the trustees received £nil (2022: £nil) worth of emoluments during the period. Expenses amounting to £573 (2022: £1,603) were reimbursed in 2023 **8** ## **WAY Widowed and Young** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** |**7.**
**Staff costs**
Wages and Salaries
Employer National Insurance
Employer Pension Contributions (Defined Contribution Scheme)
Temporary Staff
Other Payroll costs
**TOTAL**|**2023**
**£**
**180,542**
**15,040**
**4,318**
**-**
**10,516**
**210,416**|**2022**
**£**
162,975
11,973
3,882
-
12,307| |---|---|---| |||191,137| By the end of 2023 there were five permanent members of staff (2022: 6). |**8.**
**Debtors**
Gift Aid
Other
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors|**2023**
**£**
**5,000**
**1,113**
**6,113**
**2023**
**£**
**34,824**
**-**
**34,824**|**2022**
**£**
7,991
8,742
16,733
**2022**
**£**
1,760 Audit, Events, Gift Mship
-
1,760| |---|---|---| **9** **WAY Widowed and Young NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **10 Statement of Funds** |**Statement of Funds**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted funds - general
Designated - Memorial Fund
Designated - Gift Membership
Designated - Operating Fund
**Total unrestricted funds**
**RESTRICTED FUNDS**
**Total restricted funds**
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Balance**
**b/fwd**
**£**
83,694
-
400
159,000|**Incoming**
**£**
250,407
-
625|**Outgoing**
**£**
( 324,397)
-
( 375)
( 324,772)
( 8,230)
( 8,230)
**( 333,002)**|**Transfers**
**£**
( 5,500)
-
-
5,500
-
-
-
**-**|**Balance**
**c/fwd**
**£**
**4,203**
**-**
**650**
**164,500**| ||243,094|251,032|||**169,353**| ||-|10,000|||**1,770**| ||-|10,000|||1,770| ||**243,094**|**261,032**|||**171,123**| 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 operating costs in 2023, in line with our reserves policy |Made up of:
**Restricted**
**Fixed assets**
-
**Current assets**
Stock
-
Debtors and prepayments
-
Cash at bank and in hand
10,000
10,000
**Creditors**
-
10,000
**11 Fixed Assets**
**Cost**
As At 1 Jan 2023
Additions
Disposals
**As at 31 December 2023**
**Depreciation**
As At 1 Jan 2023
Disposals
Depreciation / amortisation
Impairment
**As at 31 December 2023**
**Net Book Value at 31 December 2023**
**Net Book Value at 31 December 2022**||**2023**|||**2022**|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Restricted**
-
-
-
10,000|**Unrestricted**
36,816
-
6,113
153,018|**Total**
**36,816**
**-**
**6,113**
**163,018**|**Restricted**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**Intangible**
**Website**
20,267
18,895
-
**39,162**
-
-
3,453
-
3453
**35,709**
**20,267**|**Unrestricted**
22,132
16,733
205,990
222,722
(1,760)
243,094|**Total**
**22,132**
**16,733**
**205,990**| ||10,000
-|159,131
(34,824)|**169,131**
**(34,824)**|||**222,722**
**(1,760)**| ||10,000|161,123|**171,123**|||**243,094 **| ||||**Tangible**
**IT equipment**
2,273
-
-|||**TOTAL**
**22,540**
**18,895**
**-**| ||||**2,273**|||**41,435**| ||||408
-
758
-|||**408**
**-**
**4,211**
-| ||||1,166|||**4,619**| ||||**1,107**|||**36,816**| ||||**1,865**|||**22,132**| **10** WAY Widowed and Young INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WAY MDOWED AND YOUNG YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 I report on the accounts of WAY WKltr•Rd and Young (the Trust) forttE year ended 31 Decemb8r 2023. which are set out on pages 5 to 10. This report is made sobty to the trustees ofttE rt￿rity. as a b(Mty. in a¢￿dance vAth 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 l am required to state to them in an independent examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fvllest extent pe￿itted by law, I do rK)t accept or assume reswnsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees ofthe charity as a for my examinatkin. for this report or the opinions I have fomied. Respective responsibililies of tntstees and examiner The trustees are [esponsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consrder that an audit is not required for this year under seclb)n 144 of the 2011 Act and that an independent examination is reed&l. The charitys gross in¢ome exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered AQx￿ntants in England and Wales IICAEW). Having sati8fied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for in(*ndent examuiation. it is my responslbilty examine the accounts under secaion 145 of 2011 Act to follow the procedures laid down in th8 general Directions gp4W by the Charity commiss￿ urbjer seclion 14515)(bl of the 2011 Art arKI to slate whether parbcutar watters come to my atten11￿. Basis of indeptndont exaMine￿S report My examination was carried out in aC￿rdan￿ with the gerwal Directions gNen by th8 Charity Commission. An examination includes a rewe•V of the accounting re￿dS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented valh those rectyds. It aL￿ indudes COn￿deration of any unusual rtems or disdosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees ¢oncerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the e￿den￿ th*woukJ be requwed in an audrf( and consequenty no opinion is gNen as to whether the xcounts present a Irue arKI fair aTrJ the rer#Xt 15 limited to those matter5 set out In the statement below. Independent •xamlneVs statement In connection with my examination. no materoE rnatte￿ haNE to my attention: (1) whi¢h gives me ￿asonable cause to believe that in any material respectthe ￿UIreMen￿. to keep accounting records in axordance with section 130 of the 2011 A¢ or to prepare accounts whtch accord ￿ the acc￿nting records arKJ compty wilh the &£ounting have not been meL or {21 Ip ythjch, ip my opjpion. attention slKwhl be drawn in cKd8r to enab￿ a proper understanding of the account*to beyeached. Calherfne Milbar*e Bsc BFP FG4 Prlestga Dath9ton DL1 1NL Dale.. 13th Juty2024