## **Ecovis London Foundation** The trustees’ report for the year ended 30[th] June 2023. The Ecovis London Foundation are delighted to present the trustees report and unaudited financial accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023. ECOVIS London Foundation, Waverley House enquiries@ecovis.co.uk 7-12 Noel Street, Soho, London W1F 8GQ +44 (0)20 7495 2244 ## **Contents** Charity Details ........................................................................................................................ 4  Ecovis London Foundation Details .................................................................................................................. 4  Ecovis London Foundation ............................................................................................................................... 5 Governing Document ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Organisational Structure ................................................................................................................................ 5 Ecovis Wingrave Yeats “Giving Back” Group................................................................................................. 5  Independent Director ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Trustees .................................................................................................................................. 7  ELF Trustees........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Appointment of Trustees................................................................................................................................ 8 Induction and Training of Trustees and others ........................................................................................... 8 Managing Risks ................................................................................................................................................ 8  The Trustees ..................................................................................................................................................... 10  Report of the Trustees .................................................................................................................................... 11 About us ................................................................................................................................ 12  Vision, Objectives and Achievements ........................................................................................................... 12 Our Vision ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Our Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Our Achievements ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Transition to Work Programmes ................................................................................................................. 13  Our Activities .................................................................................................................................................... 14 Ecovis Wingrave Yeats EWY internal employee engagement .................................................................. 14  Fundraising ....................................................................................................................................................... 15  Volunteers ......................................................................................................................................................... 15  Our Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Charitable Activities ............................................................................................................. 18  Background Information................................................................................................................................. 18  Charitable Activities Undertaken ................................................................................................................... 19  Prior Weston Primary School ......................................................................................................................... 20 A Head Teacher’s Welcome .......................................................................................................................... 21 > The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 **2** A message from Fiona McCorquodale .................................................................................................... 21 Bernie’s Breakfast Bagels ............................................................................................................................. 22 Christmas Carols ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Winter Clothing .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Ecovis London Foundation funding of the Reading Roadmap ................................................................ 23 A message from Deputy Headteacher, Bev Newman .......................................................................... 23  Ecovis & Friends ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Donation Information ................................................................................................................................... 24 How we’ve helped so far ............................................................................................................................... 24  Thames Reach .................................................................................................................................................. 25  An interview with Denise Vilanou .................................................................................................................. 25  House of St Barnabas ...................................................................................................................................... 26 A note of thanks from the Ecovis London Foundation ............................................................................. 27  Work Ready Programme ................................................................................................................................. 28  Christmas Hampers ......................................................................................................................................... 29 Contact Information ............................................................................................................ 30  Get in touch ...................................................................................................................................................... 30  Support Us ........................................................................................................................................................ 31  Contact Information ........................................................................................................................................ 31  ............................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Financial Accounts ............................................................................................................... 32  Financial Accounts ........................................................................................................................................... 32  Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation) ................................................................................. 33 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 June 2023 ........................................................ 33 > The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 **3** ## **Charity Details** ## **Ecovis London Foundation Details** Some important information to know Charity Name: Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation) Charity Registration Number: 1170920 Address: 7-12 Noel Street, Soho, London, W1F8GQ Administration and Reference details of the charity, it’s trustees and advisors: For the year ended 30 June 2023 Bankers for ELF Name: Metro Bank Address: One Southampton Road, London, WC1B5HA > The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 **4** ## **Ecovis London Foundation** Structure, Governance, Management & Personnel ## **Governing Document** The charity is incorporated in England and Wales as a (CIO) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (not for profit). It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and the statement of recommended practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities. ## **Organisational Structure** The charity is led by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the governance of the charity and determine strategy and policy in conjunction with the Independent Director. The Independent Director is responsible for compiling all the charity policies and procedures, dealing with all charity related operational matters, other policies as required. He also coordinates the delivery of all projects that the charity and the Trustees collectively and, in conjunction with the Charity Director, determine to undertake and engage in within the homeless sector. The independent director advises and updates the Board of Trustees periodically on these and other matters at scheduled Trustee meetings. Compiling and implementation of all such policies, operational plans and strategies pertaining to the charity is delegated to the Independent Director and their team. Charity personnel implement and execute agreed actions in relation to policy and procedures in close consultation with the Board of Trustees. The Independent Director of the charity is the delegated authority for all day-to-day operational matters concerning the Ecovis London Foundation charity. This includes developing, managing, and overseeing all partnership projects. The Charity works in close cooperation with a number of other private and voluntary organisations within the sector that it operates. ## **Ecovis Wingrave Yeats “Giving Back” Group** Selective fundraising activities independently undertaken by individuals and select groups of Ecovis employees are wholly the responsibility of “Giving Back” Group or the individual employee. Such fundraising activities are not under the jurisdiction of the Charity nor does the ELF Board of Trustees have any legal responsibility or oversight of any of these fundraising activities. > The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 **5** ## **Independent Director** ## Meet David Whelen, ELF Independent Director Hello, I’m David. I am the Director of the Ecovis London Foundation since its inception. I was instrumental in setting up the Foundation and gaining its approval by the Charity Commission in 2016. Prior to that, I worked with vulnerable adults for over 20 years. In addition, I had a previous career in the hotel and catering industry and a business in the recruitment sector for a number of years. In 1989, I won the UK “Restaurant of the Year” Award. I have previously been an advisor to the Scottish and UK Governments (2008 to 2020) whilst being a previous member of a number of policy groups in the Scottish Parliament campaigning on behalf of vulnerable adults. I was directly involved in shaping and forming policy legislation and provided direct testimony and evidence to a number of Scottish Parliamentary committees between 2004-2021. I am also a founding member of the Interaction Review group 2012 led by the Scottish Human Rights Commission. I am also the author of “No More Silence” published by Harper Collins in 2010. The value of charitable work is sometimes unseen, but within the Ecovis London Foundation annual reports you can see the full range of charitable activities we undertake and the value that brings Ecovis and to the very vulnerable individuals we support who are less fortunate. For me, the values and ethos of the organisation and individuals within it are paramount in the charitable work that I undertake on its behalf. I have a wicked sense of humour and I like to see people enjoying themselves with a work-hard play-hard type of attitude, while being conscious of others less fortunate. ## David Whelan ## **David Whelan** ## Director of Ecovis London Foundation ECOVIS Wingrave Yeats Exclusive UK Member Firm of ECOVIS International +44 (0)20 7495 2244 david.whelan@ecovis.co.uk > The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 **6** ## **Trustees** ## **ELF Trustees** Meet the Trustees of ELF The Ecovis London Foundation has three trustees. Our trustees are: - Mr Ben Smith - Chair - Ms Emma Glancy - Mr F Robert McCann - David Whelan - Director of the Charity **7** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Appointment of Trustees** The Trustees and Independent Director who have served or been appointed during or after the reporting period are detailed on the previous and proceeding pages. Appointment of trustees is governed by the Articles of Association of the charity. Trustees serve for a period of 2 years and then stand for re-election in accordance with Constitution allowing for the Charity to continually review and reinvigorate the activities of the Board and its members. The Board of Trustees is authorised to appoint new trustees to fill vacancies arising from the completion of terms of office, resignation, or death of an existing trustee. All trustees can seek reappointment in accordance with the constitution of the Ecovis London Foundation. The Board continues to ensure that the Board and charity represents the diverse local communities in which it operates and serves, ensuring that’s its work ready projects are open to all within the community regardless. ## **Induction and Training of Trustees and others** All trustees are provided with a formal induction following their appointment. The induction covers the following: role and responsibilities of a trustee as per the Charity Commission guidelines, code of conduct, safeguarding, conflicts of interest and other charity policies which are in force throughout the tenure of the Trustees appointment. Thereafter, the Independent Director of the charity will provide continuous updates to Board members on their charitable responsibilities, operational and other matters pertaining to the Charity. Policies and Procedures including safeguarding policies, are reviewed annually, and updated accordingly by the board of the charity. ## **Managing Risks** The Board of Trustees is headed by the Chair, Ben Smith. The Board, collectively and in conjunction with the Independent Director, ensure governance and oversight of the Charity as determined by its constitution. Duties and responsibilities are delegated to various Trustees such as financial, safeguarding, fund raising, volunteering matters, marketing, conflict of interest and other policies and procedures. The Board of Trustees retains full legal responsibility for any and all fundraising activities undertaken in the name of Ecovis London Foundation and with due regard to the Ecovis London Foundation constitution and Charity Commission rules and regulations relating to fundraising. The Charity will endeavour as it grows and evolves to maintain financial reserves as per the Charity Commission guidelines and recommendations. The board has nominated a Trustee with overall responsibility for financial governance and oversight of the charity’s finances on behalf of the Board. The nominated Trustee is also responsible for safeguarding. Overall, the Board Trustees have other delegated duties as required and responsibilities including marketing, volunteering, fund raising and dealing with potential conflicts of interests as well as ensuring compliance with all other Ecovis London Foundation policies and procedures. **8** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 The Board has in place a memorandum of understanding pertaining to Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP and its relationship with the charity and this has recently been updated. Ecovis also kindly donates some office space and all materials and equipment required by the charity. All significant risks that the charity may be exposed to are identified. The Board, in conjunction with the charity, has in place plans to manage the impact and severity of such identified risks. David Whelan, Director of Ecovis London Foundation, with the Trustees. Emma Glancy (second from left), Robert McCann (second from right), Ben Smith (right) **9** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **The Trustees** Meet the Trustees **Ben Smith** ELF Chairman +44 (0)20 7317 6655 ben.smith@ecovis.co.uk **Emma Glancy** ELF Trustee +44 (0)20 7317 6669 emma.glancy@ecovis.co.uk **Robert McCann** ELF Trustee Hello, I’m Ben. I’m proud to act as Chair of Trustees for ELF and I take great pleasure in seeing the tangible benefit we bring to those that we support as a charity. Working alongside David Whelan and my fellow Trustees we have achieved great things since our constitution in 2016 and it is a privilege to be a part of this journey. Supported by Ecovis Wingrave Yeats we continue to make a very real difference to the causes we support, ranging from our transition to work programmes through to supporting local schools. It is always humbling to hear the feedback from our charitable partners and to play our own small part in their achievements and furtherment. Hello, I’m Emma. I started my career as a Junior PA to the founding Partners of Ecovis Wingrave Yeats over twenty years’ ago. With the encouragement and support of our Partners, I developed and progressed my career in Human Resources and Practice Management. Becoming a trustee of ELF back in 2017, and working alongside David Whelan and my fellow Trustees, has allowed me a hands-on approach to giving back and using my skills and expertise to make a positive impact on causes we care about, from supporting those transitioning back into work through our workshops and assisting those we support with some of the tools and resources they need to achieve their goals to our wonderful work with local schools, children, teachers and parents. As an ELF trustee, it has allowed me to make meaningful contribution to society. Hello, I’m Robert. I am very happy and privileged to act as a Trustee of ELF and I am delighted with the role that we can undertake in supporting the homeless community in London through our work with our charity partners with whom we not only provide financial support but also hands on and practical input in supporting the services they can provide to their clients. I am pleased that such support, principally through the provision of CV building workshops which are personally delivered by our Independent Director, are well received and valued by those charity partners. +44 (0)20 7317 6674 robert.mccann@ecovis.co.uk **10** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Report of the Trustees** ## For year ended 30 June 2023 The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 30 June 2023. Following on from the Covid-19 pandemic, we restarted the delivery of our CV and Interview Workshops in person whilst maintaining social distancing procedures where appropriate. “Transition to Work” 1-1 session are person centred services which have been undertaken digitally and remotely to service users. The offices of our partner charities continued to operate with a hybrid working model during the 2022/23 year with certain staff continuing to work from home. Our priority remains that of ensuring that all those with whom we connect stay safe and healthy. Throughout the year under review and to date the Ecovis London Foundation charity has continued to deliver much needed services in developing our charitable partnerships with other charities, namely Thames Reach (Charity No: 1166311) and The House of St Barnabas (Charity no: 207242) in taking forward our “Transition to Work” projects. We have also been pleased to continue our established charitable partnership with the Prior Weston Primary School and Children’s Centre. In addition, we have supported charitable projects associated with Ecovis & Friends charity in Germany relating to the Ukraine crisis. Funding is made in accordance with Charity law having due regard to our constitution and for the public benefit. In making funding to our homeless “Transition to Work” projects, we endeavour to reflect the wishes of our donors, while adhering to our constitution, by directing funds towards alleviating homelessness, our key area of focus since our establishment in 2016, and in line with the Charity’s founding Vision and overall Mission. During the 2022/23 year, core funding of £18,000 has been received from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP. These funds have continued to support the expansion of our “Transition to Work” projects. When considering where to focus our attention our Board of Trustees has regard to the charity’s constitution, original vision and aims as well as the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and what this means for the Ecovis London Foundation charity and the local homeless community we seek to serve. **11** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **About us** ## **Vision, Objectives and Achievements** ## Things we care about ## **Our Vision** Our Vision is focused on the local homeless and vulnerable communities we serve. We aim to ensure that those vulnerable adults in need within the sectors we operate will have tangible support and access to the opportunities they need to develop. We help vulnerable children and adults to thrive and have mutually supportive relationships while being able to access the tools that help alleviate disadvantage. In supporting individuals in partnership with other homeless charities the Ecovis London Foundation charity continues to evolve and grow. **12** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Our Objectives** The relief of those in need, by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, or other disadvantage by such charitable means as the trustees shall from time to time determine. Other disadvantage arises typically where a hardship need is not currently met by the Department of Work and Pensions and current social care funds. ## **Our Achievements** Some of our achievements include: - Active pursuit of our Vision and development of initiatives to bring our Objects to life. - The continuing enhancement and practical rollout of our “Transition to Work,” “Step Up” and “Better to Work” workshops, initiatives, projects, activities, and outcomes, including the adaptation of these to online delivery capability, as appropriate. - Services and delivery of in person workshops have increased during 2022/2023 while still social distancing in workshops where appropriate. Instead of large groups in workshops these are now split into smaller groups with additional workshops. - Working closely with our chosen Charity partners, Thames Reach and The House of St Barnabas, in developing partnership projects aimed at supporting individuals in returning to the workplace. We have achieved an overall 66% success rate in placing clients in work, having supported over 121 clients in 1-1 CV and Interview skills sessions throughout 2022-2023. We provided additional Interview Skills workshops to Thames Reach throughout 2022 to 2023. - Establishing (in late 2022) a new partnership with the Prior Weston Primary School, including the funding of Bernie’s Bagels and the reading project (2022-2023) for the school. - Continuing to develop wider relationships with a number of potential partners across the wider business community with a view to taking forward a number of initiatives which can provide a sustainable level of support for its work going forward. ## **Transition to Work Programmes** Ecovis London Foundation (ELF) have developed and facilitated a range of “Transition to Work” programs, developed and delivered CV employment workshops and other back to employment initiatives, including our “Step Up” and “Better to Work” initiatives. These services are focused on vulnerable adults who find themselves excluded from other mainstream services due to a number of factors including long term homelessness and unemployment. These projects and initiatives seek to alleviate poverty and support those seeking career advancement opportunities which deliver the London living wage. **13** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Our Activities** ## What we’ve been doing Our Back to Work projects continue to be oversubscribed and funding continues to be a challenge to enable the Charity to achieve its full potential. We have, however, managed to secure additional funding from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP over the 2022/23 year which has been directed towards assistance projects related to the Ukraine crisis, as well as projects for Prior Weston Primary School (Bernie’s Bagels & The Reading Roadmap) and Back to Work related projects. The feedback from our partner charities is that we provide much needed valuable services that are person centred and puts the service user and their individual needs first. Feedback also from service users has been invaluable in helping to shape our services to their needs. Since our inception we have been successful in securing work placements for vulnerable adults from both Thames Reach, House of St Barnabas, and Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP have previously supported such placements within their offices and with organisations who work with our charity partners. The Ecovis London Foundation will continue to roll out these “Transition to Work” work placement programs with our charitable partners in the future. A key part of this programme is to broaden participation through identifying other suitable candidate companies, public bodies, and organisations through the various Job Fairs we have participated on. The Ecovis London Foundation has provided all the training personnel and volunteers, all materials required for all the projects, workshops, and further support initiatives. All our projects and initiatives have been delivered within our annual funding budget of £15,000 from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP. The Ecovis London Foundation will strive and continue to further develop our new partnership with the Prior Weston Primary School later in the coming year. This is being coordinated with the Independent Director of the Charity, David Whelan, and Fiona McCorquodale the headteacher at the school. We are exploring with the school further support opportunities whereby we can directly support school projects. ## **Ecovis Wingrave Yeats EWY internal employee engagement** We are grateful for the additional support from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP in accommodating the need for employee volunteers for our previous “Transition to Work” projects. Since Covid, the company has been unable to provide employee volunteers but opportunities in conjunction with Thames Reach remain. In addition, company employees have organised a number of non-monetary fundraising activities for the benefit of the Foundation, including clothes collections and putting together much needed Christmas food/hamper boxes for the vulnerable clients of our chosen charities. Ecovis employees have also fundraised for a number of other charitable initiatives highlighted in this report. Some of these initiatives have been part funded by ELF where we have been able to contribute. The company has also, throughout the year, continued to donate many refurbished laptops to support ELF and homeless clients participate on the online projects. **14** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received and would like to thank all the Ecovis Wingrave Yeats partners and employees who have supported the charity since 2016. ## **Fundraising** ## Where our funds come from The Foundation’s primary and core funding has been received from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP, who have supported all the “Transition to Work” and “Better to Work” programme costs and are committed to supporting the Foundation’s objectives and aims with our chosen Charities. As per the memorandum of understanding between both organisations the Ecovis Wingrave Yeats partnership determines funding annually. We would like to thank all our previous donors and sponsors who have donated funds to Ecovis London Foundation to date and especially the Partners of Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP for providing core funding to the charity. This has enabled the charity to continue and enhance the delivery of our community-based work ready projects and expand the “Transition to Work” and “Better to Work” programs to adults in the local homeless community. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Volunteers
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**15** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## Internal and External Volunteers The Trustees would like to pay tribute to all our volunteers for their time, support, and commitment. CV and Interview skills workshops have been run with additional attendee numbers and there has been an increase in interview skills workshops throughout the year for other Thames Reach teams. These continue to be managed and undertaken by David Whelan with the assistance of an external trainer, Danny West and external volunteers. The charity has a volunteering policy and has established procedures for all volunteers, including Ecovis employees, who have allocated their company time to the charity with the full support of the Ecovis Wingrave Yeats partnership. Training and induction are provided for all volunteers and this is undertaken by the Charity’s Independent Director. During the year we have also enlisted the services of additional volunteers and external qualified trainers due to increased workload and to reduce the foundation’s dependency on one source for our volunteers. **16** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Our Strategy** ## Looking to the future Our future plan for the Charity is to remain committed to the homeless sector and to roll out our “Work Ready” and “Transition to Work” projects and initiatives across the wider local community. We will also seek to widen our involvement with the local community through the development of partnerships with other charitable and private sector organisations. The success of the “Work Ready” programme is becoming more widely known and the charity has been approached by a number of other organisations seeking our help and support. The Charity will continue to explore the additional steps we can take to enhance and expand our offering in conjunction with our partner Charities. **17** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Charitable Activities** ## **Background Information** What we’ve been doing It is important that as we evolve, we remain independent and sustainable. The Charity is especially interested in local community initiatives that are sustainable, measurable and can deliver direct tangible benefits to those in need. Some of the organisations we work with include: - Ecovis & Friends - Thames Reach - House of St Barnabas (ended when charity dissolved in January 2024) - Prior Weston Primary School The Ecovis London Foundation has received funding of £18,000 from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats to enable it to work in partnership with our chosen charities above. **18** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Charitable Activities Undertaken** ## Here’s how staff and partners helped raise money It wasn’t just the three charities listed above that Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP helped and supported these additional Charitable causes over the course of the year. The table below outlines some of the other causes Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP (together with the Ecovis London Foundation) has helped raise funds for. |Charity Name|Date|Activity|Charity
Donation| |---|---|---|---| |Thames Reach & HOSB|December
2023|Christmas Food Hampers
Total Cost: £449.51|£338.50| |Save the Children|December
2023|Christmas jumper day|£175| |Men’s Health|November
2023|Movember Charity Pub Quiz
Staff Cost: £101.66|£1,180| |Breast Cancer Awareness|October 2023|Pink Bake Sale
Staff Costs: £9.99|£440| |Julia’s House|October 2023|Ellis’ Half Marathon|£629| |NSPCC|July 2023|JP Morgan Race
Staff Costs: £287|£665| |HARP, Southend’s
Homelessness|May 2023|World Cup on Sea
Staff Costs: £780.89|£600| |Turkey/Syria Earthquake
Appeal|February
2023|Donation: €2,500 monthly through
Ecovis & Friends|£5,000| **19** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Prior Weston Primary School** ## A sustained partnership for ELF “Welcome to Prior Weston Primary School. As a school, we strive to ensure that every child is happy, safe and enjoys learning.” Prior Weston Primary School Ecovis London Foundation continues to work in partnership with Prior Weston Primary School and Children’s Centre since 2022. ELF provides tangible hands-on help and support, using the skills and talents of our own staff to help and support people in the local community. “We didn’t just want to donate money or to form short-term relationships with our partners who we support and help in the community. We wanted to build a foundation with a sense of permanence and continuity with our partners who we work with including our staff volunteering.” ELF Trustees The ELF Trustees recommended that Ecovis London Foundation and EWY staff lends its full support and assist where we can the Prior Weston Primary School in ways the school wishes. Ecovis London Foundation had initially funded the school’s breakfast club and look forward to supporting and helping to improve the lives of those the school supports currently and going forward. The ethos and values of the school are grounded in the work that ELF undertakes. ELF look forward to building a strong relationship with the school and its staff led by Fiona the Headteacher, while sharing the same ethos and values, and a long-term commitment to support vulnerable people in the local community by working collaboratively in partnership. **20** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **A Head Teacher’s Welcome** A message from Fiona McCorquodale Prior Weston School and Children’s Centre is a special place in a unique location. Every morning, I have the pleasure of welcoming the children and families into our amazing building. We truly are a school in the heart of the community it serves in that we open our doors to the school community each and every day. I started as Head Teacher of Prior Weston in September 2019 but had worked in the local area as a teacher and school leader for 18 years before that, and so I know this neighbourhood very well. There are parents here at the school who I taught when they were children! As a school, we aspire for all of our young learners to aim high, develop resilience, be curious and respectful, and to value diversity. We strive to provide the highest quality of a broad and balanced education, but we also place a lot of importance on our children becoming happy, confident and fulfilled individuals. We believe that our children should be encouraged to do well academically, and should also be exposed to a fun, varied and creative curriculum so that they develop a thirst and love for learning. We do this by encouraging our children to explore, discover and question through a range of exciting learning opportunities, where we nurture creativity, independence, and individuality. Fiona McCorquodale – Headteacher, Prior Weston Primary School Fiona McCorquodale – Head Teacher of Prior Weston Primary School **21** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Bernie’s Breakfast Bagels** The Ecovis London Foundation supports an initiative that the school runs called Bernie’s Breakfast Bagels. On the back of our £600 donation, Bernie (the school’s safeguarding & welfare lead) met with the National School Breakfast Programme and secured some matched funding through their scheme. This means the payment we made will now cover the whole school year! ## **Christmas Carols** It was with great pleasure that the Ecovis employees and partners hosted the Prior Weston School Childrens choir (at the invitation of Ecovis London Foundation) for a Christmas carol concert at the Ecovis offices. This was the school choir’s first outing to a private organization. They came along to the Ecovis offices on the 12[th] of December 2023 to sing a range of Christmas carols. Ecovis had invited other organisations in the building to join in watching the Christmas Carol festivities in the foyer of the building. While they sang, they also had collection boxes for donation money to fund raise for school initiatives. The children raised a good sum of donations as well! Santa played his part as well, the overjoyed and happy expressions on the faces of the children was something to cherish when he arrived to give out presents to all the Choir children and staff who attended including Head Teacher Fiona. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Prior Weston School Chior sing carols for Ecovis and other firms in Weaverly House
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Bernie’s Bagels – a breakfast club incentive for the children of Prior Weston Primary School.
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**22** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Winter Clothing** In addition, Ecovis employees had an adults and children’s winter coat and jacket collection for the school. This is a vital service for the school as it ensures that all students have warm clothing to wear through the winter months. Without it, come of the children may not have had suitable winter clothing to get them through the colder seasons. ## **Ecovis London Foundation funding of the Reading Roadmap** A message from Deputy Headteacher, Bev Newman The Reading Road Map is a reading for pleasure initiative set up by the Islington Education Library Service. Originally it was for schools in the borough but now has been extended nationally and has some schools overseas who run the challenge. Each year the library team devises a new reading ‘map’: - Y1 &Y2 have twenty books. - Y3 &Y4 have thirty books. - Y5 & Y6 have forty books. These books are across a range of genres and include a mixture of children’s classics and new titles and authors. Children receive a sticker for each book read. There are also bronze, silver, gold and platinum certificates that are awarded in celebration assemblies on Fridays. This is a well-loved reading challenge in the school. All children from Year 1 to Year 6 have the opportunity to change books on a daily basis. As part of this they have a conversation with the adult running the challenge about the book they have read, what they have enjoyed etc. Children also talk with each other as they are changing books, giving reviews and recommendations to each other. The reading challenge has had a significant impact on reading for pleasure at Prior Weston. There is a good take up in groups that usually are reluctant readers such as boys. They love the competitive element. More information can be found on their website: https://www.ukreadingroadmap.org/ We are a subscribing school so one set of books for each phase is £825. (this is for 130 books the stickers and certificates). Issues with having one set is that if a book is lost the set is immediately incomplete. Also, some children take longer to read a book, and this can cause frustration as some children like to complete sections at a time (e.g. read all the adventure books first.) An additional set of books would be £580. This would be £1,405 in total. With budgets becoming smaller and the cost of basics such as books and stationery rising the demands on the school budget are increasing. The Ecovis London Foundation donated £825 to sponsor the reading challenge at Prior Weston which will have a positive impact on over 190 children to promote reading for pleasure and at the same time have an impact on outcomes. **23** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis & Friends** ## Supporting young people affected by the war in Ukraine Through the Ecovis & Friends Foundation, we continue to identify specific projects which are focused on providing tangible support to children and young people from Ukraine. We will seek to fund these projects through donations from Ecovis member firms and other parties who have already pledged their support. Read more about our efforts and please donate now! It is with continuing dismay that we witness the relentless effects of the war in Ukraine. While we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the wake of this unprovoked attack, we also want to provide concrete help. Among those affected are many Ukrainian children and young people who have had to leave their homes either alone or with their mothers and embark on an arduous journey into an uncertain future. Robert McCann, ELF Trustee, Senior Partner Ecovis Wingrave Yeats https://www.ecovis.co.uk/news/ecovis-and-friends/ ## **Donation Information** We would ask you to use the following donation account which is now available to receive your donations: When donating, please could you give your name and address so that we may provide you with a receipt. - Account holder: Ecovis & Friends Foundation, Germany - IBAN: DE08 7016 0000 0000 12 74 30 - BIC: GENODEFF701 - Bank: DZ Bank Muenchen, Germany - Purpose: Ukraine aid – donation for children ## **How we’ve helped so far** Ecovis & Friends have already mobilised the assistance of certain partners across the Ecovis Germany network of more than one hundred firms and its international network across more than eighty countries. In this context, we have already been able to support four specific projects in Ukraine as well as in Poland and Germany. Our Polish colleagues have good local knowledge of the border region. In regular exchanges, we continuously learn where our donations can meet immediate needs either directly or through certain aid organisations that can help in the most effective manner. You can find more information on the Ecovis & Friends Foundation website. **24** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Thames Reach** ## Ending street homelessness Thames Reach is a London-based charity dedicated to ending street homelessness. Their mission is to assist people who are homeless or vulnerable in finding decent homes, building supportive relationships, and leading fulfilling lives. They specialise in supporting individuals with complex needs, such as poor mental health and substance misuse. Their charitable activities encompass a wide range of services. They run community day centres, offer hostel accommodation, and provide supported housing to help people recover from homelessness. They also offer employment and training opportunities so that people can find suitable, sustainable work and live more independently. Their services include street outreach, hostels, specialist supported housing, prevention work, health initiatives, and a range of employment, education and return to work schemes. They also encourage the public to volunteer their time, skills, and expertise to help make their services available to more people. [Source: https://thamesreach.org.uk/about-us/our-mission/] ## **An interview with Denise Vilanou** ## In the spotlight In this insightful interview, Ecovis Marketing Assistant Madeleine Stonehouse had the privilege of speaking with Denise Vilanou, a lead worker at Thames Reach. Denise shares the organisation’s mission, her role within the team, and the various services they offer to support people in need. She also discusses the challenges they face, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of digital skills in today’s society. The conversation further explores the partnership between Thames Reach and Ecovis, shedding light on their collaborative efforts to help individuals transition back into employment. This interview provides a profound look into the compassionate work being done to support vulnerable individuals and strive towards a society where no one is forced to sleep rough. ## Read our interview with Denise here. **Bill Tidnam** CEO, Thames Reach Bill Tidnam is the Chief Executive of Thames Reach. He has worked as a frontline worker in various roles, including day centres, hostels, supported housing, and resettlement. He held a number of management roles at team and second tier management levels before joining the Senior Management Team at Thames Reach in 2004 and became Chief Executive in 2018. Bill has experience developing innovative new services, and of multi-agency working, including developing a range of integrated services. He represents Thames Reach on the national Rough Sleepers’ Advisory Panel, and in the pan-London Life Off The Streets Executive Board. Source: Bill Tidnam - Thames Reach **25** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **House of St Barnabas** ## The club that never joined a club ELF has had the privilege of running four workshops with House of St Barnabas up until January 2024. It is with great sadness that the House of St Barnabas charity and members club has announced its closure with immediate effect. Please see below, the HOSB closing part statement announcement: Thank you so much for all your support and dedication helping on our employment programmes over the years which has made such a difference to all our graduate’s lives. Over the last 10 years, 307 individuals who have experienced homelessness have graduated from our programmes and we have supported them to achieve good work, a secure home and a supportive network. The building and chapel at 1 Greek Street will continue to be held in trust for charitable purposes. We have explored other options for our model, but we no longer have the resources to invest in a new approach. We have been uncompromising in our values throughout, continuing to pay London Living Wage as basic and providing guaranteed hours and sick pay for our hospitality colleagues. Over the next few weeks, we will provide as much support as possible to staff, graduates and our wider community. We want to express our sincere thanks to all our members and supporters. We are so very sorry that the journey is ending here, but every penny you have spent or donated to us has helped us break the cycle of homelessness. Thanks to our incredible staff, senior leadership and wider staff team, past and present, who have worked passionately to try to overcome the challenges of the last few years and always prioritised our impact. You are all brilliant. And most of all thank you to our programme participants and graduates who have inspired us with their creativity, their resilience, and their ability to overcome and start anew. Finally, thank you to everyone who made our community so special. We are proud of what we have built over the past 10 years. We have been the club that never joined the club. Best wishes, The Employment Academy and Impact Team **26** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **A note of thanks from the Ecovis London Foundation** The Ecovis London Foundation would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the remarkable work the House of St Barnabas have done for the homeless community over the last decade. Your unwavering dedication and commitment have made a significant difference in countless lives. Our partnership with House of St Barnabas has been not only a privilege but an honour that we have cherished over the past ten years. Your team's passion and resilience in the face of challenges have been truly inspiring. We are deeply saddened by the news of your closure. However, we take comfort in knowing that the impact of your work will continue to resonate in the lives of those you have helped. The 307 individuals who graduated from your programmes, found good work, a secure home, and a supportive network are a testament to your invaluable contribution. Thank you, House of St Barnabas, for your incredible service. You will be greatly missed. **27** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Work Ready Programme** Programmes and activities for 2022-2023 In partnership with Thames Reach & The House of St Barnabas we have continued to deliver our “Transition to Work” - “Better to Work” projects” and “Work Ready” within the homeless community. Supporting both charities deliver services to those most in need. Successfully piloted and supported Thames Reach additional “Step Up” program. All materials and resources for the projects and workshops are provided by Ecovis London Foundation. ## CV and interview skills workshops - Delivery of workshops both on site and in person. ## 1-1 CV and Interview skills sessions - Creates/updates a client's CV on a 1-1 basis - working directly with the client and thereafter clients participate in mock interview scenarios to help prepare them for a return to work or a "step-up" in their employment and career prospects. ## Ecovis Employee's donation of smart work clothing - Provides suitable clothing for clients to attend interviews/jobs starts. ## Donation of recycled laptops from Ecovis Wingrave Yeats - An invaluable resource for clients who are digitally poor. ## Facilitates work experience/placements - Provides clients with the opportunity to experience a "hands on" true working environment ## Support job fairs/events & mentoring support - CV workshops, 1-1 CV sessions, HR support advising clients of recruitment processes/do's and don'ts. How to present the very best of yourself. Interview skills and mentoring support for individuals in a mentoring program. **28** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Christmas Hampers** ## Delivering hampers to Prior Weston School and Thames Reach clients Donation of food by Ecovis employees for parcels/hampers – these kind donations to clients of both charities support the most vulnerable in our society at a particularly challenging time of the year and given the cost-of-living crisis in our society. Food hamper deliveries to Thames Reach were undertaken by the Senior Partner of Ecovis Wingrave Yeats, Robert McCann and Ecovis Associate Billy Iden. Deliveries to Prior Weston School were undertaken by Robert McCann and ELF charity director David Whelan. I am on benefits and a single parent. I was really worried and pressurised into thinking how I was going to cope with little money for essential things given the cost-of-living crisis. This hamper is a lifeline. I cannot thank Ecovis London Foundation enough. Another recipe Delivery of hampers to Thames Reach by Robert McCann and Billy Iden Delivery of hampers to Prior Weston by Robert McCann & David Whelan **29** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Contact Information** ## **Get in touch** Our website, supporting us and useful contact information The Ecovis London Foundation highlights the work that it does through the charity portal on the website of our core funder, Ecovis Wingrave Yeats. Here we seek to highlight and promote our activities, and the other charitable activities of the Ecovis employees and partners. Through the portal you can also access all of our previous annual reports since 2016 and review all our charitable partnerships and causes we engage in and support. Click below to view our website page where you’ll find more information regarding what we do and upto-date news: ECOVIS London Foundation | ECOVIS Wingrave Yeats **30** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Support Us** ## Here’s how you can help The Ecovis London Foundation charity is seeking to expand and develop our partnerships within the wider corporate, private, and volunteer sectors in supporting our work ready “Transition to Work” projects and initiatives whereby we can offer additional placements and employment opportunities more widely. Please consider supporting the work we do. The challenge facing the charity is how we continue to make a real difference and provide much needed support to improve the life chances and opportunities available to some of the most vulnerable adults in our society. If you would like to make a donation or support any of our fundraising activities you can donate through the Ecovis London Foundation gift giving page. ## **Contact Information** ## Who to call If you are interested in finding out more about ELF or require specific information, contact ELF Director, David Whelan who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. ## **Message of Thanks** ## To Madeleine Stonehouse The Ecovis London Foundation would like to express our special thanks to Madeleine Stonehouse (Ecovis Marketing Assistant) for all the support and assistance in compiling this year’s annual report). **31** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Financial Accounts** ## **Financial Accounts** For the year ended 30 June 2023 (attached) The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirement of the Charity Commission with respect to accounting records and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as of 30th June 2023. Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees: Ben Smith, Chair Date: 28th April 2024 **32** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation)** ## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 June 2023** |||Unrestricted
Funds 2023|Restricted
Funds 2023|Total Funds
2023|Total Funds
2022| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Notes|£|£|£|£| |Income from:|||||| |Donations|2|24,950|-|24,950|29,710| |Total incoming resources||24,950|-|24,950|29,710| |Expenditure on:|||||| |Charitable activities|3|30,406|-|30,406|27,375| |Total resources
expended||30,406|-|30,406|27,375| |Net (expenditure) /
income|4|(5,456)|-|(5,456)|2,335| |Transfers between funds||-|-|-|-| |Net movement in funds||(5,456)|-|(5,456)|2,335| |Total funds brought
forward||12,526|-|12,526|10,191| |Total funds carried
forward||7,069|-|7,069|12,526| **33** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation)** ## **Balance Sheet for the year ended 30 June 2023** ||Unrestricted
Funds 2023|Restricted
Funds 2023|Total Funds
2023|Total Funds
2022| |---|---|---|---|---| ||£|£|£|£| |Current Assets||||| |Cash at bank and in hand|18,142|-|18,142|17,542| |Total Current Assets|18,142|-|18,142|17,542| |Creditors:||||| |Amount falling due within one
year (note 6)|11,073|-|11,073|5,017| |Net current assets/(liabilities)|7,069|-|7,069|5,017| |Net Assets|7,069|-|7,069|5,017| |Charity Funds (note 7)||||| |Restricted Funds|7,069|-|7,069|12,526| |Unrestricted Funds|-|-|-|-| |Total funds|7,069|-|7,069|12,526| Financial statements were approved by the trustees and signed on 12 April 2024 by: Ben Smith Chairman of the Board of Trustees **34** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation)** ## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023** ## 1. Accounting policies ## 1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared 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 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011. Ecovis London Foundation constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. ## 1.2 Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the company is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable. Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service. Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA. ## 1.3 Resources expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements. All resources expended are inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. **35** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation)** ## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2023** ## 2 Income received ||Unrestricted
Funds 2023|Restricted
Funds 2023|Total Funds
2023|Total Funds
2022| |---|---|---|---|---| ||£|£|£|£| |Donations and charitable activities|24,950|-|24,950|29,710| |Total income received|24,950|-|24,950|29,710| ## 3 Resources expended ||Unrestricted
Funds 2023|Restricted
Fund 2023|Total Funds
2023|Total Funds
2022| |---|---|---|---|---| ||£|£|£|£| |CV Workshops and 1-1 support|22,556|-|22,556|13,061| |Thames Reach 18-25’s project|-|-|-|4,114| |Ukraine Support initiatives|7,850|-|7,850|10,200| |Total Resources expended|30,406|-|30,406|27,375| ## 4 Net incoming resources During the year renumeration of £nil (2022: £nil) was paid to the trustees) ## 5 Staff Costs During the period staff costs of £nil (2022: £nil) were paid. **36** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Ecovis London Foundation (non-profit organisation)** ## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2022** 6 Creditors: falling due within one year As at the balance sheet date the Charity owed Ecovis Wingrave Yeats UK Limited £11,073 (2022: £5,017) in respect of expenses incurred on behalf of the Charity associated with events and activities held. 7 Summary of funds ||Brought forward|Incoming resources|Resources expended|Resources expended| |---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted
funds|12,526|24,950|(30,406)|7,070| |Restricted
funds|-|-|-|-| |Total|12,526|24,950|(30,406)|7,070| **37** The Ecovis London Foundation Annual Trustees Report | 30 June 2023 ## **Taking the next step** Thank you for taking the time to review our report If you have any questions, please contact: ## **David Whelan** Ecovis London Foundation Independent Director +44 (0)20 7495 2244 david.whelan@ecovis.co.uk ECOVIS Wingrave Yeats, Waverley House 7-12 Noel Street, Soho, London W1F 8GQ enquiries@ecovis.co.uk +44 (0)20 7495 2244