Veterans in Sefton Charity No. 1168128 Trustees, Report and Unaudlted Accounts 31 March 2024
Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date 2y From ,2023 ., To 31 03 2024 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Vetsrans In Sefton CIO Other names charity Is known by NIA Reglstsrod charity number (rf any) 1168128 Charty's principal address VIS, CIO Brunswick Y&CC 104 Marsh Lane Bootle Merseyside L20 4JQ Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity acted if not forwhole rustee name ffi¢e (if any) ame of person (or body) enlitled to oint trusteè ifan on Prl ru5tees when quorate tephen Calderbank hirley Hunter aulette Lappin hair Names of the trustses for the charity. If any. (for examplo, any custodian trustees ame ates acted If not for whole ear Names and addresses of advlsern (Optional infornation) of adviser Name Address Name of chlef executlve or names of senlor staff members (Optional inforniation) David Smith - Chief Executive Officer TAR March 2012
Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Descrtptlon ofthe charlty's trusts Type of governing documen Constitution How the charity is conslituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection method ppointed by a quorate meeting of the Trustees properly notified as per our nstitution and considered to have skills valuable to the charity Additional govemance issues (Optional infomiation) You may clOse to indude additional information, where relevant, about: policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees: the charity's organisational slructure and any wider network with which the charity works: relationship with any related parties. trustees, considefi8tion of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Section C Ob"ectives and activities TAR March 2012
Veterans in Sefton have become embedded in the community, estsblish- ing links to multiple organisations, healthcare and council services, includ- ing housln& to ensure an integrated approach through Service Level Agreements and building relationships with local community service pro- viders and employers. Below is a comprehensive list of all the active partrers and originations that Vis work alongside: Sefton Metropolitsn Borough Council (MBC), Investment in Hous- ing Scheme- Commissioned Service Sefton MBC, Preventing Men's Suicide Scheme- Commissioned Service South Sefton, Formby & Southport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)- Formal NHS Partnershlp. Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)-Business and sustaina- bility advice Formal Partnership Talking Matters Sefton-mental Health-Fomal Partnershlp Sovini Group(One Vision Housing). Housing. Service level Agree- ment- Formal Partnership My Space, Rehousing Veterans with needs- Formal Partnership Creative Change Housing (CCH} Housing-Rehousing Veterans with needs- Formal Partnership Riverside Housing-Rehousing Veterans with needs - Formal Part- nership Launch Pad.. Speke House-Housing Provider- Formal Agreement Liverpool City Waterfront, Pathways to Employment - Formal Part- nership Complete Sklll Solutions- Pathways into Employment- Formal Part- nership Households into Work- Pathways to Employment, Vetsrans finan- cial support and advice- Formal partnership Department of Work and Pensions {DWP)- Pathways into Employ- ment- Formal Partnership The Royal British Legion- Veterans need5 and welfare- Service level Agreement- Formal Partnership Armed Forces Bikers- Grant providers asslsting veteran's need5- Formal Partnership B- Skills Training-Pathways into Employment- Formal Partnership St Leonard's, Debt Advice Service - Formal Partnership Veterans Welfare Services-welfare, pension and benefit adVI- Service level Agreement- Formal Partnership The Rucksack Club, Well-fare & well-being residential Breaks - For- mal Partnership Sale Sharks-activities- Formal Partnership Myerscough College- Myerscough specialises in education and training for the land-based and sports industries. Including hortlcul- ture, arboriculture and grounds maintenance skills Hope University- Psychologist placements. Southport College University Centre - Psychologist placements. Summary ofthe objects ofthe charty set out in its governlng document TAR March 21M2
Veterans in Sefton will relieve the need of persons living in Sefton, MerseysKle and surrounding areas, who are currently serving or who have served in the amied forces, regular and reservists, their f8mili8s and dependents, by advancing any lawful charitablè purpose at the discretion of the trust&s and in partilar but not exclusively by: _ Providing opportunities to participate in activities which promote their 8 cial inclusion- Providing cnSelling, advi and mentoring support; Promoting and protecting their health, mental health and well-being and well-being; Advancing the luclI0n and awareness of the public in the armed forces and; to promote and organise cooperation in the achi8vement of the above purposes. Since inception WIS has worked with over 1500 veterans and almost the same number of dependants and families. During this reporting period Wis has received 453 referrals from Veteran5 requiring varylng levels of support, many of which have been quite complex. These individuals have required intervention from multiple agencies, all the cases managed by the Vis staff and supported by the WIS wraparound service. An example a complex issue would be a combination of homelessness, debt, dependenry, social isolatSon and mental health. Thankfully not all are so complex, however managln8 and balancing the needs of so many has been a test of resources and acquired skills (Further details are included later in 'What have you learned,). Summary of the maln actlvlties undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustses have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefrt) At Vis we use the term "broker" as opposed to signpost, by this we mean that Vis fully support the individual through whatever the process in order to help lower anxiety levels as opposed to 'sIgnpostin which would be just giving them the contact detalls to self-sort. We hold weekly 2 NAAFI Breaks (coffee mornings) normally attended bv an average of 2540 individuals many of them being family members. we, voluntarily. receive regular feedback from individual who attend the NAAFI Break. At the end of any course, treatment plan or main attivity we issue feedback forms. The feedback forms inform of a constant review of how we deliver our services and any change required in order to achieve the best result. Since. we work with such a diverse and complex range of individual issues we find we are constantly responding or 'shifting the goal posts,, being adaptable is a trait which lends itself very well to our former military training. There are an estlmated 5 million veterans in the UK, an estimated 27,CKK) of whom reside in Sefton, Merseyside and a further 20,000 personnel leave the forces each year. When staff leave HM Forces, their healthcare TAR March 2012
transfers from the militsry to the NHS, a system military personnel are not familiar with. Only around 60A of regular seTvice personnel are discharged annually for mental health reasons. However, a large number of veterans develop mental health problems after leaving service, many of whom will be experiencing PTSD. (Iversen et al 2005). Until recently, little was known about these veterans. What we know is that only half of those experiencing mental health problems sought help from the NHS, and those that did were rarely referred to specialist mental I health services. We believe the key to unlocking the issue of poor mental health is the in- depth needs assessment and finding the base cause of the issue, we have the time to unravel the bits and pieces and strike at the core. In many cases it is either poor social indusion. financial issues, dependency issues, housing or homelessness, in nearly all cases it is a complex mixture of them all. Following the very successful additional funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Positive Pathways programme to support the Project Manager post. Tom Trainer, Head of Impact from the Trust, wrote detailed case study on the projert (please see the links attached at the end of question). At Vis we now deliver a wlde range of services for veterans, serving | personnel and their families, which includes: mentoring and befriending services; health and wellbeing advice and artivities. housing support; financial advice: employment support; volunteering opportunitles; early intervention psychological support. social events and activities that promote social inclusion and reduce isolation and anxiety. The organisation Is now the only approved provider of services to veterans In the Sefton area by the local council and other statutory agencies. We have now been made a Strategic Partner of Sefton Council and sit on the Sefton Armed Forces Community Convenys {SAFCC) Board, chaired by Sefton's Armed Force5 Champion, Councillor Carragher, who is now also a Trustee to Vis.. This links us direttly with the SAFCC including the veterans, leads for the Police. Ambulance Servi. Fire Department, Education, Health, Justice and Law. Vis have also recently negotiated a resigning of the SAFCC which will be held in April 2023. In 2023/24, Vis delivered 560 fully supported activities with over 1 1230individuals tsking part (please see charts below) Volunteers, Including veterans providing peer support, gave 1840 hours of their time to support these attivities, which included: peer support groups; gardening. walkin& cydin& yoga; cookery skills; and residential attivities in Wales. A holistic and joined up approach to pathways of care for veterans is central to everything they do. 'We look for veterans that are hard to find the guy5 that can't do it themselves, the ones that are in a bad way." TAR March 2012
During this reporting period. there were 642 new referrals made to the projert, averaging more than one per day, and an increase on the previous year. As a proportion of our fundin& this is the equivalent of less than £50 per veteran, although the true cost of supporting them is much higher. Vis estimates that a further 450 individuals benefited indirectly from the fundin& which includes family members. There were 18 veteran Volunteers a150 engaged in the project. Our feedback has shown that the majority of our referrals that have engaged successfully with our services have all suffered from multiple issues. They have told us of the importance of finding an organisation that both resonates with their background of Armed Forces culture and is committed to work on most or all of issues at the same time thus reducing their need to go tiredly searching from one place to another, while providing the opportunity to engage in attivities and make new friend5 in a safe and friendly environment Additional d8tsils of objectlves and activities (Optional infonnation) role 2 Fully qualified Psycho- therapeutic Counsellors descrlptlon To work alongslde the Wellbeing Manager contrlbutlon 20 each week per person- weekly to- tal 40 hours Totsl weekly hours l Art theiapist to run 2 art therapy ses- sions per week To work alongside the Op- erations Manager to carry out Needs Assessments and deliver Personal Cen- tred Plans for Veterans in need of supporL responsible for the day to day activities of Veterans in Sefton including the mini- bus trips and coordination with outside organisations who wish to use the mini- bus Role provide bacon and sausage butties at the NAAFI Breaks and provide any catering beyond the 4 Fullytrained Develop- ment officers 10 hours each week per person- weekly total 40 hour5. You may choose to indude fvrther statements, where relevant. about: policy on grant making; policy programme lated investment; contribution made by volunteers. l Activity Coordinator weekly total 20hour5 2 Kitchen staff 10 hours each per week. Weekly total hours 20 TAR March 2012
NAAFI Break, i.e. buffets and BBQS to eliminate the need for expensive outside catering. Along with the general volunteers thev will be catering for the Vet- erans in Sefton Christmas dinner this year, which had 40 seated. drive and maints¥n the minibus. Average 2 hour5 per week each, depending on the length of a day out. Responsible for the maintenance and activity programrne on the allot- ment to assist with the daily run- ning of the charity across all areas of general help 6 Minibus drivers Weekly totsl 12 hours 4 Allotment coordinators 5 hrs each week per person, Weekly hours 20 4 General Volunteers 2 hours each per week. Weekly hours total 16 Weekly hours total 174 Section D Achievements and performance TAR March 2012
Section E Financial review We fund raise constantly lo ensure we have sufficient unrestricted funds to cover our operaling costs. We adjust expenditure inline with income. Regular contributions received from local Rotary Clubs and also a dedicated Veterans Charity Shop in Crosby. Restricted funds are used foi the purpose given and within the time period stated by the PTovider. These are not considered to be reserves. Brief ststement of the charitys policy on reserves DetaiLs of any funds matsrially in deficit Further flnanclal review details (Optlonal infomiation) You may choose to indude additional information, where relevant about: the charity's principal SoUS of funds (including any fundraising); how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustses, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's bwstees Signature{s) Full name(s) Posttion (eg Secretary. Chair, etc) Date SHIRLEY HUNTER CHAIR 15.1.25 TAR March 2012
Veterans in Sefton Independent Examlners Report Independent Examlner's Report to the trustees of Veterans in Sefton I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Veterans in Sefton for the year ended 31 March 2024. Re5ponslbllltles and basis of report As the charty's trustees YGU are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carrled out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrylng out my examlnation I have followed all the applicable Directions glven by the Charlty Commjsslon under sectlon 145151(b) of the Att. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examinatlon. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause tts bellevÈ that In, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act: or • the accounts do not accord wlth the accountlng records I have no concerns and have come acros5 no other matters in connertion with the examination to whlch attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order to Ènable a proper understanding of the accounts to be rèached, lart Wright FCA Sefton Councll for Voluntary Service Burlington House Crosby Road North Waterloo verpool L22 OLG 15 January 2025 Page 5
Veterans In Sefton Recelpts and Payments Account forthe year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrirted funds 2024 Restrirted funds Total funds Totsl funds 2024 2024 2023 Receipts from: Donations, legaues and similar income 57,730 57,730 34,448 23,386 90,456 900 Grants 34.448 Fundraising Total gross income 57,730 34,448 92,178 114,742 Total recelpts 57,730 34,448 92,178 114,742 Payments on: Charitable payments Charity costs Total gross expendlture 322 56,918 4,052 48,919 4,374 105,837 11,262 116,417 57.240 52,971 110,211 127,679 Total payments 57.240 52,971 110,211 127,679 Trlet of receipts/lp8yments) 490 118,5231 118,033) 112,9371 Transfers between funds Cash funds last year 325 30,812 31,137 44,074 Cash fund5 thi5 year end 815 12,289 13,104 31,137 Page 6
Vèterans in Sefton ststement of Assets and Liabilitles at 31 March 2024 Charity No. 1168128 Unrestrirted funds 2024 Restrlrted funds 2024 Total funds Total funds 2024 2023 Cash funds Current accounts 815 12,289 13,104 31,137 Total cash funds 815 12,289 13.104 31,137 518ned by the trustees on 15 January 2025 And sned on their behalf by: SA. Hunter Trustee 15 January 2025 Page 7
Veterans In Sefton Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 l Accountlng polldes Basis of preparatlon The financial statement5 have been prepared on the 'Receipts and Payments, basis. Fund attounting Unrestrlcted funds These are available for use at the dls¢retlon of the trustees in furtherance of the general object5 of the charity. These are unrestricted funds earniarked by the trustees for partlcular purposes. These are unrestricted funds which include a revaluation reserve representlng the restatement of investment assets at their market value5. These are available for use subject to restrirtion5 imp05ed by the donor or through terms of an appeal. Designated funds Revaluatlon fund5 Restricted funds 2 Income from grants Restricted funds Total Total 2024 2023 Lottery Maln Grant One Vision 19,725 350 19,725 350 78,901 HSBC SFX Foundation 4.500 4,500 Armed Forces Conv 2 1,750 Veterans Foundatlon Grant SCVS Community Herltage Grant Anabasis (Awards for All) Grant 8.793 8,793 1.080 9,805 34,448 34,448 90,456 Page 8
Veterans In Sefton Detsiled Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 March 2024 Lthrestrlrted funds 2024 Restrfcted funds Total fund5 Total lunds 2024 2024 2023 Recelpts from: Oonatlons, legacles and slmllar Income Donations 8.230 49500 57,730 8,230 49,500 57,730 8,386 15,000 23,386 Sefton MBC Housing Grnnts Lottery Main Grant One IAsion HSBC SFX Foundatlon Armed Forces Conv 2 Veterans Foundation Grant SCVS Communlty Herltage Grant Anabasis (Awards for All) Grant 19,725 350 4.500 19,725 350 4,500 78.901 1,750 8,793 1,080 8.793 1,080 9,805 90.456 34,448 Fundralslns Normandy Trip 900 Total gross Incoffte 57.730 34.448 92,178 114.742 Total recelpts 57,730 34,448 92.178 114,742 Payments on: Charftable payments Charitable Activitles Cost 322 322 4,052 4,052 4,374 4,374 11,262 11,262 Employee costs Salaries/wages Pension costs 42,590 4,803 47.393 37.361 79.951 4,803 84,754 87.289 5.229 92.518 37.361 Motor and travel costs Vehicles - General costs Vehicles - Fuel Vehlcles - Insurance and licences Vehicles - Repairs and maintenance 850 170 850 196 26 131 1,221 1,221 1.156 167 167 307 193 2.241 2,434 1,594 Premise5 COSt5 Rent 3,083 4,717 7,800 13,000 Page 9
Veterans In Sefton Detailed ReIPtS and Payments Account 3,083 4,717 7,800 General administrative cost.% Bank charges Equipment expensed Equipment leasin8 and hire charge5 Equipment repair5 and maintenance G'eneral Insurances Software, IT support and related costs Statlonery and prlntin8 Subscriptions Sundry expenses Telephone, fax and broadband 13,00) 328 328 417 80 417 214 190 404 224 1,089 1,089 1,089 1,972 1,625 3,597 2,792 197 36 35 2,484 5,456 197 216 35 3,448 9,731 180 736 24 %4 4,275 3,236 8,645 Legal and professlonal costs Accountancyand bookkeeplng 793 793 325 325 1,118 1,118 660 660 Total gross expendlture 57,240 52,971 110,211 127,679 Total payments 57,240 52,971 110,211 127,679 Net receipts Ipayments) 490 118,5231 118,033) (12,9371 TraTrsfer5 belween funds Cash fund last year end 325 30,812 31,137 44,074 Cash fund this year end 815 12.289 13,104 31,137 Page 10