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← Linking Lives UK

2024-03-31-accounts

LINKING LIVES UK

Annual Report and Accounts

1[st] April 2023-31[st] March 2024

Charity No. (England & Wales): 1170325 Charity No. (Scotland): SCO53855

Contents 1. Reference and administration information ................................................................................... 3 2. Structure, governance and management ..................................................................................... 3 3. Objectives and activities ........................................................................................................................ 3 4. Public Benefit ............................................................................................................................................. 4 5. Trustee & operational team ................................................................................................................. 4 6. National Director’s Report .................................................................................................................... 5 7. Chair of Trustee’s Report ...................................................................................................................... 6 8. Financial Review ....................................................................................................................................... 7

1. Reference and administration information

Registration History

Registered (England & Wales) 23[rd] November 2016 Registered Charity No. (England & Wales): 1170325 Registered (Scotland) 12[th] December 2024 Registered Charity No. (Scotland): SCO53855

Independent Examiner:

Mr John Wild ACA West Warren Warren Road Woodley RG5 3AR

Registered Address:

32 Selmans Hill Bloxwich Walsall West Midlands WS3 3RL

Bank:

Co-Operative Bank plc PO Box 250, Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 6WT

Trustees:

Paul Livingstone – Chair (Appointed 28[th] August 2024) Mr Peter Ashall Mr Alan Hare (Retired 15[th] April 2024)

Rev Bev Boden Catharine Worsley-Tomlinson – Finance trustee (Appointed 28[th] August 2024) Dr Ashley Liston Kola Oshin (Appointed 13[th] November 2024)

2. Structure, governance and management

Organisation Type:

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Governing Document:

Linking Lives UK Constitution

Recruitment and selection of trustees:

New trustees are selected by the existing board of trustees in accordance with necessary skills, experience, shared vision and values of the charity.

3. Objectives and activities

Linking Lives UK is a national charity working to reduce loneliness and social isolation amongst older people. We achieve this through the development of befriending schemes which are set up in partnership with local churches and other agencies. We also run regular volunteer training courses aimed at those engaging in local community activities as well as

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The trustees have established this CIO as a practical means of showing the love of God in accordance with their Christian beliefs, in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. The objects of the CIO are:

4. Public Benefit

Our objectives and activities are outlined above. All activities focus on combating social isolation and loneliness among older people across the UK. This is achieved through the establishment of befriending schemes in various parts of the country ranging from rural areas to inner city urban areas. These local schemes focus on arranging for volunteers to visit older people in their own homes once a week or through telephone befriending. In addition, volunteers are encouraged, where possible, to arrange visits to suitable local social events and activities or outings to places of interest.

We also provide training for volunteers engaging in various local community activities which benefit socially isolated people. This training addresses skills such as ‘effective listening’, ‘managing boundaries’ and ‘safeguarding awareness’.

As a result of these local interactions, the primary public benefit for our clients is increased self-esteem and confidence as well as stronger community links. Volunteers benefit from learning about the life of past generations as well as building strong relationships with their allocated scheme member. Also, there is a benefit for the wider community as people from various generations engage more effectively and those previously on the margins of society begin to re-engage with those around them. Through all our work, we also aim to value the diverse and rich experiences of older people and to celebrate their gifts and abilities in communities across the UK.

5. Trustee & operational team

We are grateful to our board of trustees (see page 3) who have served during this period. The trustees meet on a quarterly basis and focus on the continued development of our governance structure, medium to long-term strategy and financial stability.

We are also grateful to our central operational team which included Jeremy Sharpe (National Director), Angela Caley (Partnerships & Support Services Manager), Chris Driver (Finance/ IT), Tessa Trace (Trusts & Foundations Manager until 20[th] November 2023), David de la Haye (Training & Resources Manager), Richard Taylor (Regional Development Officer – Devon) and Michelle Candlish (Scotland Development Manager).

We also set up an Advisory Group in April 2023 to provide specialist advice to the National

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& wellbeing, charity management, fundraising, evaluation local government, faith and community development.

We would also like to thank our Patron, Bishop James Newcome – who has retired this year - for his encouragement and support since beginning this role with Linking Lives UK.

6. National Director’s Report

During this past year, we have developed a framework which enables us to allocate existing and new projects and initiatives according to the circumstances of individuals involved. We recognise, however, that there will be an element of ‘cross-over’ between these circumstances in many cases, and so are to be seen as a helpful guide. These fall into the following categories:

• Temporarily housebound – This group of people are likely to have been relatively active in the past and engaging in local activities. However, a life event such as bereavement, Covid-19 or health issues has resulted in a reduction in community participation.

• Active – We also recognise that there are a large number of people who have good levels of mobility but who also experience feelings of loneliness and may be socially isolated. This framework acknowledges that loneliness can be experienced by anyone in any circumstances and that includes those with good levels of mobility and access to community activities as well as those unable to leave their home. There were 44 schemes at the year-end making regular home visits, telephone calls or both to around 770 people experiencing loneliness across England, Scotland and Wales. As with many charities across the UK, we have seen a decline in partners being in a position to maintain their befriending services. The ‘Time Well Spent’ report (NCVO, May 2023) found that those organising or helping to run an activity had fallen by 52% from 14% to 7%. Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO, explained “People who were lifelong volunteers broke their habit during the pandemic and haven’t yet got back to it. Millions more who would have committed to longerterm volunteering didn’t have the chance.” We have seen a corresponding reduction in volunteer availability across our local schemes. We ran 39 Good Conversations courses and 296 volunteers from 117 distinct organisations benefited from attending. We also ran 8 Power of One webinars which were attended by 41 individuals and you can read more about our wider work later in this report.

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Britain is a lonely nation ...... Exclusive polling for a report by this name and published earlier in 2024 by the Centre for Social Justice has revealed that nearly six in 10 adults feel lonely most, often, or some of the time. This equates to 31.4 million people. [1]

Also, ‘62% of lonely young people say that ‘feeling lonely makes them lose confidence in themselves’ [2] and research shows that loneliness is associated with elevated blood pressure and acute stress responses [3] . Other side effects have also long been recognised including ’loneliness [being] associated with ‘poorer sleep quality’ in young adults and ‘sleep inadequacy and dissatisfaction’ in the general population [4] .

This is the reason why Linking Lives UK was first set up in 2016 and why we continue to look for effective ways to work with local partners and individuals to reduce loneliness among older people. We have been pleased to see many new organisations, groups and initiatives begin to join efforts in addressing loneliness in recent years including warm spaces, local and national charities and local government. We have also been in a position to play our part in the shaping of the governments’ Loneliness Strategy which has led to various actions and policies as well as ongoing multi-agency dialogue on this subject including the creation of an All Party Parliamentary Group on Loneliness and Connected Communities of which we have been members.

We are also excited to be joint founding members of the coalition ‘Christians Together Against Loneliness’ which is now made up of ten national charities involved in addressing loneliness in various ways.

In an ideal world, there should be no need for organisations such as Linking Lives UK and other initiatives which address loneliness. We would much prefer to see communities in which friends, neighbours and relatives ensure that no one is left alone unnecessarily. We would therefore encourage all of us to play our small part in look after those around us and we look forward to a day when loneliness is no longer an issue.

1 ‘Lonely Nation’, Centre for Social Justice, May 24

2 (Co-Op Foundation, A Friend in Need, 2022

3 E. G. Brown, S Gallagher and A. Creaven, ‘Loneliness and acute stress reactivity: A systematic review of psychophysiological studies’, Psychophysiology 55.5, 2018

4 (S. C. Griffin et al., ‘Loneliness and sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Health Psychology Open 7:1 (2020)

7. Chair of Trustee’s Report

It has been a privilege to serve as the Interim Chair of Trustees for Linking Lives UK and to see their continuing work in addressing the issue of loneliness that remains so prevalent in our society. As a retired GP I am only too aware of the impact it can have on individuals’ emotional wellbeing as well as on their mental and physical health. The heart of the charity is in supporting the development for befriending schemes with a vision to expand these into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The extraordinary growth in schemes that occurred during the pandemic has been followed by a predictable decline. Nevertheless, the numbers

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new models and explore new ways to support churches that wish to address the problem of loneliness in their area.

It was with a deep sense of sadness that we received the news that our National Director has felt the call to hand over the reins of Linking Lives UK from the start of 2025 and move on to a portfolio career including Christian community development work and fundraising consultancy. Jeremy had the vision and drive to set up Linking Lives in 2016 and his commitment and skilled leadership has seen the charity steadily develop and expand its operations during his time with us. We wish him all the very best for the future and thank him for all he has done to help address the problem of loneliness as well as inspiring churches across the country to engage with their local communities in such a tangible way. We are pleased that we have been able to appoint his successor Simon and that they have been able to have a good period of handover.

Dr. Ashley Liston – Interim Chair of Trustees (until 13[th] November 2024)

8. Financial Review

We continue to be grateful for the various trusts and foundations that have supported the work of Linking Lives UK and enable us to continue to develop our services. This amounted to £121,372 in grants (£75,899 of which was restricted funds) received throughout the year.

We also received fees from churches that are setting up or have set up befriending schemes as well as other training fees and the total income derived from these sources was £7,090.

Our expenditure was £129,487 (£60,127 of which was expenditure in respect of restricted expenditure) and a detailed breakdown of this figure is provided below. We recorded a deficit in our unrestricted funds for the year of £9,297 (we had been notified of two key grants having been awarded but which were received at the start of the following financial period). Our yearend unrestricted reserves balance remained in line with our Reserves Policy. The trustees are confident that the charity continues to operate as a going concern in view of confirmed income shortly due to be received.

Reserves Policy

The trustees’ policy is to retain sufficient funds to cover the notice periods of all members of our core operations team. The value of the reserves will be re-assessed at least annually, or when significant changes in financial obligations occur.

Investment Policy

The charity does not hold investments.

Risk Statement

A Risk Register is reviewed and amended where necessary at each trustee’s meeting. This

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compliance, finance, and operations. Our current identified top five risks are below, along with the respective controls put in place to mitigate these risks:

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IMPACT -=. . Pe REPORT 2023 - 2024

Mc Improving quality of life through friendship

CONTENTS

"A father to the fatherless is God in His Holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families." Psalm 68: 5-6

ABOUT LINKING LIVES UK

Linking Lives UK is a national Christian charity set up to address social isolation and loneliness particularly among older people. We achieve this through a variety of means including the development of befriending schemes in partnership with local churches and Christian charities as well as training volunteers and individuals in techniques which address loneliness.

During the year, we have developed a framework which enables us to allocate existing and new projects and initiatives according to the circumstances of individuals involved. We recognise, however, that there will be an element of ‘cross-over’ between these circumstances in many cases, and so are to be seen as a helpful guide. These fall into the following categories:

This framework acknowledges that loneliness can be experienced by anyone in any circumstances and that includes those with good levels of mobility and access to community activities as well as those unable to leave their home.

There were 44 schemes at the year end making regular home visits, telephone calls or both to around 770 people experiencing loneliness across England, Scotland and Wales. As with many charities across the UK, we have seen a decline in partners being in a position to maintain their befriending services. The ‘Time Well Spent’ report (NCVO, May 2023) found that those organising or helping to run an activity had fallen by 52% from 14% to 7%. Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO, explained “People who were lifelong volunteers broke their habit during the pandemic and haven’t yet got back to it. Millions more who would have committed to longer-term volunteering didn’t have the chance.” We have seen a corresponding reduction in volunteer availability across our local schemes.

We ran 39 Good Conversations courses and 296 volunteers from 117 distinct organisations benefited from attending. We also ran 8 Power of One webinars which were attended by 41 individuals and you can read more about our wider work later in this report.

2023-24 ACHIEVEMENTS

We are excited to have been able to continue developing our existing services during this year as well as piloting new initiatives which will help us to broaden the ways in which we address loneliness. Some of our key achievements are below.

FOCUS AIMS PROGRESS MARCH 24 PROGRESS MARCH 24
Continue developing 44 befriending schemes in
befriending schemes & operation
building affiliate links
SUPPORTING
CHURCHES Encourage strong and
sustainable local partnerships		 64% of schemes successfully
continued
Begin developing new models Continued development of two
of operation new befriending models
Roll out online & face to Delivered 39 courses
EQUIPPING face Good Conversations
VOLUNTEERS courses across UK
Provide quality befriending Delivered 20 sessions to
training to coordinators & volunteers & coordinators
volunteers
INSPIRING Continue monthly ‘Power
of One’ webinars		 Delivered 8 webinars
INDIVIDUALS
Highlight the work of Attended 30 events either as
Linking Lives across the speakers or exhibitors
PROFILE RAISING UK through events
Engage in media articles Participated in 10 interviews
and interviews and stories
NATIONAL
MULTI-AGENCY/ Attend key national Attended 8 national events
GOVERNMENT ‘loneliness’ events focusing on loneliness
EVENTS

BEFRIENDING FOCUS

Through our partner befriending schemes across the UK, we have been excited to see continued positive outcomes in the lives of those receiving regular calls or visits as well as benefits to volunteers. Most schemes offer both home visits and telephone befriending (Pie chart 1) and 61% of scheme members are over 80 years old (pie chart 2).

Pie chart 1

Pie chart 2

By far the majority (74%) of schemes employ a coordinator and the average hours worked is 13 per week. The total number of referrals received was 555 with the majority of these coming from social prescribers or other health and social care professionals (Graph 1).

Graph 1

BEFRIENDING FOCUS (CONT)

The most common reason for the need for befriending was scheme members being housebound due to physical health (Graph 2). 260 new volunteers were collectively recruited with the majority of these coming from local churches (Graph 3) and this enabled 312 people to be linked to a volunteer. By the end of the year 763 people had been receiving regular calls or visits.

Graph 2

As a Christian charity, it is also encouraging to note that 42% of our partner befriending schemes had seen scheme members engaging with wider church activities as a result of participating in their befriending scheme.

Graph 3

2023 - 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

This year has seen the start of the strategic development of our work in Scotland as we employed Michelle Candlish as our Scotland Development Manager in March 2023. Michelle has been busy raising the profile of Linking Lives UK with key organisations and churches and this has led to interest and engagement in many of our available training packages and resources. We also plan to begin some research into options to begin similar work in Northern Ireland & Wales in May 2024.

We were pleased to begin a collaboration with Anna Chaplaincy (part of Bible Reading Fellowship) which has led to the development of chaplaincy training for Linking Lives/ Two’s Company volunteer befrienders. Two 6-week training courses were run during the year with more planned in the future.

Both of these initiatives have been funded by Benefact Trust as part of a three year strategic grant, along with further funding from TOR Christian Foundation for the work in Scotland and we are very grateful to be partnering with them in this way.

Our annual online conference in May 2023 was entitled ‘Together for the Journey’ and was run across two days with day one being attended by almost 70 people. We were privileged to be joined by Kim Leadbeater MP who inspired us all with her perspective on ‘The Role of Faith Groups in Addressing Loneliness’. We also heard from Phil Knox of Evangelical Alliance about the value and importance of strong friendships as a proactive way to reduce loneliness. Finally, Matt Smith from the Waffle House in Devon shared the story of his charity building opportunities for companionship.

We have also continued to develop and build on national partnerships including with the Warm Welcome initiative, Christians Together Against Loneliness and the Together Network. It is also important that we continue to engage with national dialogue focusing on addressing loneliness and we remain members of the ‘Loneliness and Connected Communities APPG’ and the Loneliness Champions Network.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

“I have been volunteering for Linking Lives Our Partners Northampton since 2021.The best part is the flexibility and joy that volunteering brings. Volunteering at Linking Lives is the best gift that I have ever given and I am grateful.” Chris

Northampton Linking Lives

“It’s very important. Honestly and truly, you’ve no idea how much I look forward to Linda coming. She’s like a ray of sunshine coming through my door.”

Molly, Scheme Member

“One gentleman had not been out of the house for 18 months, but now attends the Place of Welcome once a week.”

Linking Lives Coordinator

“One volunteer built up a really good relationship with a lady with dementia and she has been able to have more clear conversations with her and taught her to knit. She also brought her along to a church Easter event and the lady had a lovely time.”

Linking Lives Coordinator

"I get on well with my befriender; we are never short of conversation. We sometimes stay in or more often go out. He is lovely"

Scheme Member

“One befriender who had recently lost her husband is now visiting a scheme member in a similar situation.” Two’s Company Coordinator

“My befriender is the kindest person I’ve ever met and loves and supports me so much, it's made a huge difference to my mental health!” Scheme Member

OUR NATIONAL REACH

Scheme numbers and locations across the UK

44 schemes were offering befriending across the United Kingdom.

----- Start of picture text -----
Scotland
Northern
3
Ireland
Cl)
1
North East
KE
2
Midlands
D \w (Cl)
North West
3
8
East
West Mids
4
Cl) 1B
4
South West
London
6
6
South East
C.)
Number of schemes
a 7
----- End of picture text -----

Spotlight on Guernsey Linking Lives

We have been partnering with Holy Trinity Church in Guernsey since 2016 and their coordinator has carried out an interview with one of their volunteers, Helen, who visits Pam.

Coordinator : "How did you hear about Linking Lives?

Helen : I was looking to do some volunteering locally and I was online looking at the different charitable organizations and my friend told me about Linking Lives locally so I got in touch through that way.

Coordinator : Can I ask you what sort of things do you do together?

Pam: Just have a lots of lovely chats about family, everyday life, put the world to rights and also have a cup of coffee. We sometimes we go out and have fish and chips!

Coordinator : I can tell that you both obviously enjoy it, so what difference do you think in particular it has made to you?

Pam & Helen

Pam : Well, it's brought me out where before I was stagnating - just watching television and waiting for bedtime. Now I've got something to do and the days are not long enough.

Coordinator : And Helen, what difference is it made to you do you think?

Helen: It's lovely to hear Pam say saying that. For me, I get as much out of it I think as Pam does - it's one of my favourite times of the week. Really look forward to coming and visiting and listening to Pam's stories. She's had an amazing life and it's just improved my well-being I think as well as Pam's, so I would recommend it to anybody.

Coordinator : That's good to hear. So would you encourage anyone to volunteer?

Helen : Yes, absolutely. If you're thinking about it, please give it a go because it's an hour of your week and it makes such a difference to somebody else but also to yourself.

KEY STATISTICS

Changing responses to loneliness during the year.

39 ‘Good Conversations‘ courses delivered to

296

people from

117

distinct organisations

We supported 763 older people nationally to reduce their loneliness & isolation

2 community organisations joined us as Affiliate Partners

5 new Two’s Company befriending schemes were launched

6 exhibitions engaging with 7 1,250 attendees other training sessions delivered 8 to 294 people ‘Power of One’ courses Readers appreciatedelivered to accurate information 41 individuals

Delivered online conference for 110 attendees

4 other training sessions delivered to 240 people

PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH

2023/24 Financial Performance

Our Progress since 2018

Financial Growth

Development of Befriending Schemes

Development in Befriending Calls and Visits

OUR THANKS GO TO...

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our local partners volunteers across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland whose dedication at the frontline makes all of our impact achievable.

We would also like to thank our delivery partners and project coordinators for their commitment and motivation to make a difference in the lives of so many older people.

Finally, and very importantly, thank you to our supporters, donors and funders. We are privileged to receive your kind support without which Linking Lives UK would not be able to reach out to those most in need at the margins of society.

Linking Lives UK

PO Box 8279, Reading RG6 9UN www.linkinglives.uk info@linkinglives.uk 0300 302 0225

Charity No. (England & Wales): 1170325 Charity No. (Scotland): SCO53855

Find out more about our work and impact at www.linkinglives.uk

@LinkingLivesUK Linking Lives UK

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Linking Lives On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1170325 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('*he Trust") for the year ended 3110312024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm Ihal no material matters have examiner's statement come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply wtth the applicable requirements concerning Ihe form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no COn￿rn5 and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Date: 1110212025 Signed: Name: John Wild Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): ACA ICAEW Address: West Warren, Warren Road IER Oct 2018

Woodley RG5 3AR Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018

CHARITY COMMISSION Hjk &N(JiANU ANU ¥YALt5 Linking LI￿ UK Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the tv.ftod To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted fund5 Resiricted Endowmenl fund5 Tolal funds L•sty¢aT tolh• Do•I•$1 £ ioth•M•rnst£ Ip>tt no•rst£ xith• nrest£ toth• nurn5t£ A1 Receipts Donakns F￿S Grants Sank interest Other 5373 7,090 121372 526 1,7 6.677 6.202 160,217 38 44473 74859 1.7 ota ross income AR) 78J99 135962 In￿4 A2 A55et and investment 5ate5, (see tsble). to 136￿62 Conlrador5 Slaff Costs Insurance Traning & Accotrwnt¥lax)n M8rketr Expenses & Iravel Postage. winiing & Stat￿ery weDSrte Database Membership ￿Other￿98nL%akns 19,724 41119 478 163 29.215 44.888 71.334 478 47,663 62.815 1203 866 4536 805 887 4.698 1.120 1.187 1.181 1325 650 CTAL Man￿en￿nt dwes HR Pap.kpAJ C¢ftf•r*f2C• 132 &2 132 138 11.982 1.IS2 1.1S2 Sub total fi0.127 129487 135,2B2 A4 Asset and in¥&¥tsnent urchases. see table Sub total 69.359 60,127 129A87 135.282 Net of reCeipt￿(payments) A5 Trdnsfers between fund5 A6 Cash fl￿d$ last year end Cash funds this year end 939 15.77 6,475 38.301 24.077 14.78 90.311 96,786 52,010 90.311 82,0 CCXX R1 ￿COUnts ISSI 1110212025

Saction B Ststament of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds Restricted nds Endowment funds C2tÈgo to noarogt£ 61 Cash funds 14780 14,232 07,714 Total cash funds 14.780 82.006 $)) UnTrstricted funds Restrlctsd fund$ lo noa￿51£ Endowment funds 10 ttEarpst£ Detai1$ Flu￿{￿ 855et be CEtail Cost loptionall Curr•nt valuè na Fund to whkh Cun•ntvaluo B4 Assets retsined for the charlty's own use Fund IDT*thith Wh•n du• ona B5 Liabllitles Signed by one or tvl) trustees L tFof ¥1 the trustees Print Name Date of roval CCXX R2 a(tounts ISSI 1110212025