First Step Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Number: 1165062
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023
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Contents
Administrative Information .................................................................................................................. 3 Trustees Annual Report ........................................................................................................................ 4 Charitable Objects ............................................................................................................................. 4 Our Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Public Benefit ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion ......................................................................................................... 5 Achievements & Performance .......................................................................................................... 5 Staff, Volunteers, Sessional Workers and Trustees. ...................................................................... 6 Celebrating 25 Years ......................................................................................................................... 7 Future Plans ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Structure Governance & Management ............................................................................................ 8 Statement on Reserves ......................................................................................................................... 9 Independent Examiners Report ......................................................................................................... 10 Statement of Financial Activities ....................................................................................................... 11 Balance Sheet ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Notes to the Accounts ......................................................................................................................... 13
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Administrative Information
First Step, Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland (First Step) was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity number 1165062, on 6th January 2016. The organisation operates under the rules of its constitution adopted on 6th January 2016.
First Step is located within the ground floor premises of a grade II listed building in the centre of Leicester city, facing onto an area of public open space within the Town Hall Square. There are three counselling rooms and a dedicated reception area within the office space. The property is leased from Leicester City Council.
The offices are open on Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 8pm to ensure that the service can be accessed by all clients including those who are in employment.
| Charity Name | First Step Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland |
|---|---|
| Charity Registration No. | 1165062 |
| Registered Office | Alliance House, 6 Bishop Street, Leicester, LE1 6AF |
| & Operational Address | |
| Trustees | Mark Evans (Chair) |
| Mick Studley (Honorary Treasurer) | |
| Andrea Cave | |
| Kirandip Gill | |
| Rahoul Naik (appointed January 2023) | |
| Staff | Caroline Freeman- Service Manager |
| Lisa Wan (resigned September 2022) - Service Coordinator | |
| & Clinical Lead | |
| Michelle Green- Emotional Support Worker & Receptionist | |
| Stuart Levers (appointed January 2023) - Service | |
| Coordinator & Clinical Lead | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank, High Street Leicester Branch (309497) |
| Independent Examiner | Paula Wilson, MAAT |
| 2 Hickman Road, Galley Common, Nuneaton, CV10 9NQ |
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Trustees Annual Report
The Trustees present their Annual Report and independently examined financial statements for the year ending March 31st 2023.
Charitable Objects
First Step’s charitable objects are set out within its Constitution as being:
-
The relief of the physical and mental sickness of young persons and adult males in need by reason of sexual abuse, in particular by the provision of counselling and support.
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The relief of the physical and mental sickness of supporters of male survivors of sexual abuse resident in Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland by the provision of support, information and advice.
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To advance the education of the public in the subject of all matters related to the sexual abuse of men.
Our Vision
Our vision is for a world where survivors of sexual abuse are empowered to live life as they choose, where their experiences no longer define who they are and who they can become.
We are committed to helping to create a world in which survivors can talk freely about abuse without fear, pressure or judgement; a place where male survivors, alongside secondary survivors and supporters, can readily access the help they need. This includes therapeutic services, practical advice and support to meet their daily living needs. This help would be accessible, kind, safe, free, confidential, and based on acceptance. As a result, survivors would have a sense of hope and opportunity for their futures, embedded within a supportive community that is open, welcoming and understanding towards their experiences.
Public Benefit
Each year, the trustees review the Charity’s objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect First Step’s aims. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The trustees confirm that First Step continues to meet its objectives and carries out its activities for public benefit through the provision of the following services:
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Adult Male Counselling Services
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Emotional Support Service
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Group Work
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Advocacy & Support Service
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Young People’s Service
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Specialist Prison Counselling Service
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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
First Step is a non-judgemental and fully inclusive organisation located in one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the UK. We welcome men and boys from all ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds , sexual identities and men and boys who have additional needs due to their neurodiversity or disabilities.
Throughout this document, use of the term ‘male’ includes all persons that identify as male or non-binary. Whilst terms may be used interchangeably depending on the narrative and context presented in this document, they each include all persons that identify in any of these ways.
Whilst First Step is primarily a male survivor organisation, we also actively support their male and female partners, family members and friends as secondary survivors. Additionally, we have also supported the male partners of females who are the primary survivors of sexual abuse and assault, as this was an unmet need that other services within the sector could not meet.
Key EDI Data:
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25% of all clients stated they were from a non-white British background.
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27% of all clients supported had a disability as defined by the 2010 Equality Act.
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20% of all clients identified as being gay, bisexual or pansexual.
Achievements & Performance
This report covers the operational and financial activities undertaken by First Step, during the year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.
Service Delivery
Our activities across the year increased in addition to the development and growth of existing services. Our key performance data:
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Referrals: Our referrals increased by 16% from the previous year’s figures, from 181 to 214. This increase was driven by the 33 referrals from our specialist prison counselling service together with an increase in referrals for supporters.
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Clients Supported: Overall, we supported 185 clients and supporters across our 6 service areas, through over 2000 sessions of face-to-face support, online and telephone support.
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Our Impact: We use several outcome measurement tools to demonstrate the impact of First Step including SWEMWBS (Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Score) at intermittent stages of the clients counselling journey. 60% of our clients reported that their resilience and ability to cope with everyday life had improved, with 55% stating that their feelings of safety and their overall mental well-being had also improved.
Key Achievements
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Community Awareness Raising of First Step at Leicester Pride. In September 2022, First Step attended its first Pride at the request of our sector partner Trade Sexual Health and marched with our newly branded banner through Leicester City Centre in solidarity and support of the LGBTQ+ community. Our stand generated many enquiries about First Step services from the general public as well as raising our profile with local partners.
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Mental Health Community & Voluntary Sector Networking Event for Mental Health. Also in September, First Step were invited to hold a stall at a VCS mental health event
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where we talked to professionals working within the mental health sector from across LLR. We made links with Dear Albert a peer support Drug and Alcohol recovery service, LAMP, Turning Point and P3.
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SV Sector Wide Legal Clinic on Child Sexual Abuse Claims. This event was organised by First Step to enable practitioners from across the sexual violence sector in Leicester to gain vital knowledge regarding the legal aspects of historic child abuse claims from one of the country’s leading CSA claims lawyers Dino Nocivelli of Leigh Day Solicitors. Over 30 professionals attended representing 9 agencies within the city, including 3 officers from Leicestershire Police CAIU (Child Abuse Investigation Unit). The feedback from participants was extremely positive and for us as an agency this was a great opportunity to raise our profile and the work that we do with men. Both De Montfort University and the CAIU have requested that we visit their teams to talk about First Step Services.
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Partnership with Purple House Clinic. In early 2023, we partnered with Purple House Clinic in Leicester to pilot a project where their lead Psychologist would deliver EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing ) to a group of First Step clients who were still experiencing significant symptoms of trauma after their talking therapies had ended with us. This pilot has been a resounding success with positive improvements in the severity of trauma symptoms reported by clients. We hope to secure future funding to be able to offer this therapy as part of our in-house options for clients.
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Training and Development. During the course of the year First Step delivered a series of training courses, made available to staff, volunteers and representatives from partner organisations within the sector.
Staff, Volunteers, Sessional Workers and Trustees.
Staff (salaried):
Caroline Freeman was appointed as the new Service Manager in March 2022 and formally began her tenure in the role in April 2022.
Lisa Wan resigned from the role of Service Coordinator and Clinical Lead in September 2022.
Stuart Levers was appointed as Service Coordinator and Clinical Lead in January 2023.
Volunteers:
Overall at the end of March 2023 we had 15 active trainee and qualified counsellors delivering counselling sessions to our clients and supporters.
Due to the Ministry of Justice funding, we have been able to continue to pay our qualified counsellors to deliver counselling sessions to our most complex adult clients and boys aged 1317 years who are referred into the service, thus ensuring that we do not have extensive waiting lists for counselling. This has enabled us to retain counsellors after their placements have finished thus ensuring their specialist expertise in counselling male survivors of sexual abuse stays within the service.
Sessional Workers & External Consultants:
- Clinical Supervisors. First Step ensures that all counsellors receive clinical supervision in line with BACP guidance, to maintain ethical and quality counselling practice as well as to ensure that counsellors own well-being is maintained whilst working with traumatised
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clients. In 2022-23 a new streamlined model of clinical governance was implemented reducing the number of external clinical supervisors from 12 to 5.
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Sessional Workers. At the end of March, we had 4 sessional , qualified counsellors to deliver counselling to clients with complex needs. In addition we used the services of an external sessional worker to update our website and social media channels.
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External Consultants: We also use the services of an external management consultant from 3 Worlds Consulting to support us with our monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes in addition to outsourcing externally our IT, Payroll and accounting functions
Trustees:
No trustees resigned during the period.
Rahoul Naik was appointed as a trustee at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January 2023.
Mark Evans was voted to continue in the role of Chair and Mick Studley was voted to continue in the role of Honorary Treasurer at the AGM.
Celebrating 25 Years
First Step began as a survivor led community initiative set up by a small group of committed volunteers led by two male survivors. It has grown into a professionally run Charitable Incorporated Organisation with our own centre and specialist staff team.
Founded in 1997, this year marked the 25th anniversary of providing specialist support to male survivors of sexual abuse (SA) and rape, and their supporters. Our celebrations of this momentous milestone culminated in a Survivor Focused Event in September 2022, attended by over 30 survivors , supporters, staff, volunteers and trustees . All of our speakers were survivors of CSA themselves and involved in the male survivor sector both in the UK and globally as activists, advocates, academics and practitioners.
We are the only organisation that solely supports male survivors of SA in the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland area, and across the East Midlands region. In fact, there are only seven primarily male survivor organisations in the whole of the UK. We strive to work closely with these organisations and are actively developing new partnership projects with them in order to strengthen the male survivor sector to meet the needs of men and boys. Locally, we work in close collaboration with services across the SV sector that provide support to female only survivors, Quetzal and Jasmine House - Leicester Rape Crisis and co-gendered providers of services including FreeVA, Juniper Lodge-SARC and Trade Sexual Health.
With a specialisation in therapeutic counselling, our work has evolved over the years to include a range of therapeutic support pathways for adult male survivors; a unique service for children and young people aged 13 years and above; therapeutic and peer support for secondary survivors (i.e. the friends and family of people who have experienced sexual abuse); and projects, such as our specialist counselling provision in HMPs Leicester and Stocken.
Future Plans
As part of our anniversary year activities, we held a stakeholder strategy day on March 2023 involving the staff team, volunteers, service users and the Board of Trustees and other key stakeholders in the organisation.
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During the day we focused on the organisation’s vision, mission and aims, and envisaged how First Step could build on its strong foundation and credentials for excellence to address the shifting landscape of needs among male survivors.
Discussions were animated and engaging, with everyone contributing to the creation of a clear forward vision for First Step. This reflected on key factors shaping the organisation, both internal and external, alongside critical changes taking place in the world in which we operate.
We imagined a world in which all boys and men affected by sexual abuse and assault get the support they need to live their lives to the full. We challenged ourselves to look at new ways of helping survivors and their supporters, considering the changing landscape around us and to understand what is needed from us now in 2023, and beyond. We thought about how the holistic support we offer relates to the counselling we know is so desperately needed, and how we can further develop this as we continue to grow.
Building our longer term strategic plan for development will remain a focus for the coming year, underpinned by a funding strategy that will enable us to both continue and develop the great work we do, reach more people in need of support, educate others on all matters related to the sexual abuse of men, and extend the public benefit we deliver to society as a whole.
Structure Governance & Management
First Step, Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity number 1165062, on 6th January 2016. The organisation operates under the rules of its Constitution adopted on 6th January 2016.
Overall strategic management and governance of the charity is the responsibility of the board of trustees who are elected by members. Day to day operational activity is managed and carried out by paid staff and volunteers.
One third of trustees retire by rotation every year and can stand for re-election with no limit on terms. Existing trustees can co-opt additional trustees but these must stand for election at the next AGM.
Methods of recruitment and appointment of Trustees are set out in the Constitution and the Trustee Recruitment Policy and Procedure. This includes identifying the additional skills and/or capacity required by the board and proactively seeking suitable candidates through networks and advertising on websites such as Reach Volunteering. Short-listed candidates are interviewed to explore their fit to the ethos and values of the organisation and to clarify the skills, experience and capacity they can add to the board.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed are set out in note 7 to the accounts.
The Board of Trustees meet every two months, with the Service Manager providing an operational report and attending the meeting. The agenda for every meeting includes a standing item of Financial Updates and any additional information can be requested by the external accountant.
At the start of 2022-2023 period the board comprised of four permanent members following former trustees stepping down at the end of the previous year. Recruitment was ongoing through this period with an additional trustee being appointed at the AGM in January 2023, and additional candidates identified for subsequent recruitment following the end of the annual reporting period in March 2023.
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Statement on Reserves
The Charity’s policy on reserves
The Trustees believe the minimum level of reserves should be the equivalent of three months operating costs calculated and reviewed annually.
On 31st March 2023, free reserves (unrestricted funds) amounted to £57,647 representing 4.2 months of annual expenditure.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signed: M Evans, Chair
Date: 22 January 2024
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Independent Examiners Report
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of First Step Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland for the year ended 31 March 2023
I report on the accounts of First Step, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 11 to 15.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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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
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
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 matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
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.
Signed:
Date: 22 January 2024
Paula Wilson, MAAT
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Statement of Financial Activities
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Note Incoming resources Grants 2 Other Income Total incoming resources Resources expended Salaries, NI 6 |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 5,346 5,346 - |
Restricted Funds £ 262,966 - 262,966 74,330 |
2023 2022 Total Total Funds Funds £ £ 262,966 217,601 5,346 7,099 268,312 224,700 74,330 69,008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sessional Workers | - | 14,462 | 14,462 1,653 |
| Rent & Room Hire Training Volunteer Expenses Staff Expenses Insurance Promotion IT & Comms Office Costs Client Hardship Fund Professional fees (clinical) Premises Maintenance Trustee Expenses 7 Consultancy and Evaluation Accounts & Independent Examination 8 Service User Activities & Resources Paid Counsellors Adult Paid Counsellors CYP Miscellaneous Expenses Professional Fees Events Prison Project Bank Charges Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Transfers between funds 5 Prior year adjustments Funds b/f 5 Total funds carried forward |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5,346 (296) 52,597 57,647 |
13,000 7,118 5,858 296 1,348 3,134 8,244 6,727 614 17,578 - 664 6,000 350 8,235 13,906 9,908 50 1,351 6,719 41,713 113 241,717 21,248 296 - 83,834 105,378 |
13,000 13,270 7,118 4,492 5,858 6,461 296 304 1,348 1,275 3,134 119 8,244 4,372 6,727 16,185 614 17,578 18,680 - 199 664 144 6,000 7,444 350 2,330 8,235 2,481 13,906 56,136 9,908 2,565 50 45 1,351 1,540 6,719 - 41,713 9,962 113 194 241,716 218,859 26,596 5,841 - - - 4,092 136,430 126,496 163,026 136,430 |
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Balance Sheet
Balance sheet at 31 March 2023
| Note £ Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 160,442 Debtors Prepayments 3 3,490 Total current assets Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 4 Net Current Assets Net Assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted income funds 5 Restricted income funds 5 Total funds |
2023 £ £ 134,990 - 3,452 163,932 (906) 163,026 57,647 105,378 163,026 |
2022 £ 138,443 (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| 136,430 | ||
| 52,597 83,834 |
||
| 136,430 | ||
These financial statements are accepted on behalf of the charity by:
Signed Dated: 22 January 2024 M Evans, Chair
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Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Act.
Incoming resources
All material incoming resources have been included on a receivable basis – i.e. they are included if the date receivable falls within the period covered by these accounts.
Resources expended
These have been analysed using a natural classification.
2. Grants & donations
| Big Lottery Ministry of Justice – Core Ministry of Justice – CSA Ministry of Justice – Uplift Ministry of Justice – Rape Leicester Police Henry Smith Allen Lane Carlton Hayes Leicestershire Shire Trust 3. Prepayments LCC Rent Insurance 4. Creditors Sundry Creditors Pension Accounts & IE |
2023 £ 38,420 94,212 28,674 25,531 9,926 46,203 20,000 - - - 262,966 2023 £ 3,250 240 3,490 2023 £ - 556 350 906 |
2022 £ 44,025 53,250 28,674 40,962 9,926 18,775 - 9,245 9,245 3,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 217,101 | ||
| 2022 £ 3,250 202 |
||
| 3,452 | ||
| 2022 £ 1546 117 350 |
||
| 2,013 |
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5. Movements in Funds
| Unrestricted funds Prior year adjustment Restricted funds Big Lottery Ministry of Justice – Core Ministry of Justice – CSA Ministry of Justice – Uplift Ministry of Justice – Rape Leicester Police Henry Smith Allen Lane Carlton Hayes Leicestershire Shire Trust Total Funds |
Opening balance 01.04.22 £ 52,597 - 52,597 30,080 5,697 21,551 1,697 - 3,550 (232) 9,245 9,245 3,000 83,833 136,430 |
Incoming resources £ 5,346 - 5,346 38,420 94,212 28,674 25,531 9,926 46,203 20,000 - - - 262,966 268,312 |
(Resources expended) £ - - - (16,161) (97,933) (28,899) (25,531) (9,926) (41,713) - (9,245) 9,309 (3,000) (241,718) (241,718) |
Transfers between fund £ (296) - (296) - - - - - - 232 - 64 - 296 - |
Closing balance £ 57,647 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57,647 | |||||
| 52,338 1,976 21,325 1,697 - 8,041 20,000 - - - |
|||||
| 105,378 | |||||
| 163,026 |
6. Staff Costs and Numbers
| Wages | 2023 £ 74,330 74,330 |
2022 £ 69,008 |
|---|---|---|
| 69,008 |
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The average weekly number of employees during the year was 2.2 full time equivalent (2022: 2.2).
7. Trustees’ remuneration, benefits and expenses
Two trustees received out of pocket expenses of £663.62 (2022: £0) during the year.
8. Independent examination and accountancy services
During the period, the cost of the examination and accountancy services was £350.
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9. Glossary of terms
Creditors: These are amounts owed by the charity, but not paid during the accounting period. Debtors: These are amounts owed to the charity, but not received in the accounting period. Prepayments: These are services that the charity has paid for in advance, but not used during the accounting period. Restricted funds: These are funds given to the charity, subject to specific restrictions set by the donor, but still within the general objects of the charity.
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