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2023-03-31-accounts

Levels Annual Report 2023 LIVING EN4A4ING VOLIANTEERI N4 EMPOWERI N4 LEAEWtW4 SOCIALISIN4 LEVELS

Welcome to Levels’ Annual Report for 2023

Our central focus during the year was on improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and supporting healthier lifestyles across all age groups. We worked both in partnership with our amazing primary care and public health colleagues, and together, for and with our local population to improve health and wellbeing and tackle the health outcomes gap within the city.

We also continued to support and introduce a range of facilitated community peer support groups to bring together people experiencing mental health issues. We jointly provided a huge variety of free exercise groups, activities, and wellbeing opportunities, alongside engagement and education events.

Our methods remain resident-led, asset-based, grassroots community development and, together with a huge range of partnerships with other voluntary organisations, ensure that our communities benefit from all the city has to offer.

This Annual Report captures just some of the extraordinary work accomplished by the CIO and its partners over the past year. You can read about these accomplishments and more in this report.

During 2024 we are hoping to strengthen our collaboration with ‘The Shed’ project by updating our constitution and incorporating the two Boards so that we can make the most of our combined knowledge, experience, and valuable resources to help even more people in the city of Hull.

We want to thank all the people, volunteers, and Board members that are so committed to making a real difference, along with the incredible partners, funders, and donors for their support in making our work possible.

Equally important is the ongoing work with our partner Groundwork and in particular ‘The Shed’ project that runs from the old workshop and offices at West Dock Street. Our plans for 2024 include combining this constituted group and its charitable objectives into Levels-CIO in order the most of our joint assets, volunteers and fundraising experience.

We continue to play an active role in the VCSE Assembly to support co-production and co-design processes; enabling those with the experience to make the most impact to service development, commissioning, and review.

Highlights of 2023

April

In April, we played a big role in our infrastructure’s Forum setting up the VCSE Assembly and ‘Connect Hull Website- an exciting new development for the city.

Operating on the principles of inclusivity and collaboration, the Assembly brings a range of opportunities for VCSE organisations to be involved in, including service delivery opportunities and access to commissioning and grants available to the sector.

As part of this new assembly, Forum-CIO and CVS Hull also introduced a brand-new website called ‘Sector Connect Hull, a onestop-shop for information, advice and support for the people of Hull, in which Levels-CIO plays a pivotal role.

July

Once again, Levels took part in Global pride using online platforms to broadcast Pride events, including musical performances, speeches and more to represent LGBTQI+ people in our communities in a massive celebration of equality and diversity.

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November

During November we teamed up with Hull CVS and partners across the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to shine a light on loneliness at the Be Connected Loneliness Conference.

It brought together likeminded individuals (staff and volunteers) to explore the factors that lead to loneliness and some of the amazing solutions to this wicked issue being delivered by VCSE groups in our area.

December

‘The Shed’ started Winter Crafts in the warm space at West Dock Street, where Levels also supports a range of fun crafts to help keep you warm this winter. Thanks also to Ideal Heating and Hull City Council for supporting us to be able to provide additional essential items for winter.

One of our volunteers attended special training on the Affordable Warmth and Energy Saving Community Grant, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (Household Support Fund) to help people apply for an additional £90 financial support over the winter months.

Placing a value on Community Development

In real monetary terms, the services we deliver continue to appear insignificant, however, as has become customary, we continue to assess and measure also how we improve the lives of the people we support in terms of added Social Value. The ability of Levels-CIO, to create social value stems from bringing together, and coordinating activities, events and support that are already embedded in our communities, so that they can make better use of available resources and become better accessible to more people. Compared to 2022, we have seen a slight increase in Social Return on Investment. This is mainly due to increased collaboration with partner organisations, particularly The Shed project, which has seen a significant increase in HCHA tenants attending their workshops and support sessions.

Many of Levels’ activities are provided in line with a time-banking principle, thus reducing the need for high monetary investment. The key to this principle is nothing more than a group of people (our communities) and partner organisations contributing to service provision in exchange for services they may need, such as volunteering or providing training and knowledge sharing.

We feel we can be very proud of our achievement, and our success is mainly attributed to the commitment and loyalty of our many partnership organisations and volunteers, including Hull Churches Housing Association, who provide employer supported volunteering.

Levels uses HACT’s Social Value Calculator to provide a basic assessment of the actual social value delivered through our activities. Our Social Return on Investment Ratio for 2023 is £84.11 for every £1 invested.

ii ll bd ll il i Analysis of benefit Analysis of benefit
Actvty Overa uget Overa soca mpact Budget : social impact Net benefit
TOTALS: £9,550 £803,257 1 : 84.11 £793,707
Cooking up a Community £2,000 £79,833 1 : 39.92 £77,833
Online events £1,500 £82,270 1 : 54.85 £80,770
Older people partnership £1,500 £109,702 1 : 73.13 £108,202
Walking Group £200 £143,451 1 : 717.26 £143,251
Cancer Champion
Training		 £300 £3,184 1 : 10.61 £2,884
Mental Health Awareness
Training		 £200 £9,553 1 : 47.77 £9,353
Tooled-up £500 £98,638 1 : 197.28 £98,138
The Shed £750 £107,946 1 : 143.93 £107,196
Winter Warmth £2,600 £168,677 1 : 64.88 £166,077

Fig 1. HACT Social Value Calculator – results overview 2023

‘Levels’ Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period start date Period end date
From Day
1st		 Month
April		 Year
2022		 To Day
31st
Month
March		 Year
2023

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any)
Charity's principal address		 Levels
Postcode

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee(if any)
Petra van de
Zande		 Chair
Kial Leigh
Sigsworth		 Secretary August 2023 - present
Tia Scutt Treasurer August 2023 - present

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) How the charity is Elected by members of management committee constituted Trustee selection methods

Section C

Objectives and activities

The development of the capacities and skills of the inhabitants of the economically and socially disadvantaged communities of the City of Kingston upon Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire with a high percentage of social housing (“the Area of Benefit”) and in particular, but not exclusively individuals who are tenants of Hull Churches Housing Association (“Tenants of HCHA”) in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs, and to participate more fully in society; and

  1. To promote social inclusion by preventing people living in the Area of Benefit and in particular, but not exclusively individuals who are Tenants of HCHA from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people living in the Area of Benefit and in particular, but not exclusively individuals who are Tenants of HCHA who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society in such ways as the Trustees of the CIO shall think fit; and

For the purpose of this clause 3(2) “socially excluded” means being excluded from the society, or part of society, as a result of being a member of an economically and socially deprived community.

  1. The relief of unemployment amongst individuals living in the Area of Benefit and in particular, but not exclusively individuals who are Tenants of HCHA in such ways as the Trustees of the CIO shall think fit including, but not limited to the provision of education, training, retraining, volunteering and work experience opportunities and assistance to find employment; and

  2. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals living in the Area of Benefit and in particular, but not exclusively individuals who are Tenants of HCHA who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Summary of the main activities undertaken in 2023

We have increased focus on working with community navigators, which links to the direction of travel Hull Churches Housing Association has also taken at a time where the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect us all.

The focus of our work remains on bringing together the signposting, advocacy and navigation to services that are ‘out there’ and helping people navigate their way in finding the support that suits them.

We focus on upcycling and re-use projects, improving DIY and ‘eating on a budget’ skills. We are in the process of expanding the number of warm spaces, winter warmth grant applications and green energy advice to reduce energy bills.

Supporting Organisations and Grant Support for this period

OPP-HER Partnership Organisations Hull Food Partnership Neighbourhood Network Hull Groundworks Hull – The Shed project Hull ICP – Hull Champions Forum - CIO Hull City Council

Our thanks and appreciation also go to tenants, customers and staff of Hull Churches Housing Association, the Supporting and Membership Organisations’ staff and volunteers from Older People Partnership Group and Groundwork Hull, who have given their time freely in support of the Charity’s objectives and events throughout the past year.

Section D

Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

We follow the recommendation in the Charity Commission guidance RS3 which states our Reserves Policy must quantity and explain the purpose of any designated funds, along with the likely timing of that expenditure. Additionally, that the amount of any funds held as designated funds is appropriate to the purpose or use for which the funds have been designated.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

NA

Further financial review details

See attached Statement of Financial Position.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the Chairs report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Full Name Signature Position
Petra van der Zande Chair
Tia Scutt Treasurer

Date: 26 January 2024

Balance at a Glance

LEVELS

Ending Balance: £3,554.34

Lloyds Account Number: 77855168

Sort Code: 30-65-22

Date Ref Details Fund Category Money In Money Out Balance
Balance Brought
Unrestricted Forward £2,234.61 £2,234.61
04/04/2022 366627518 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £16.17 £2,218.44
03/05/2022 368962611 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.74 £2,202.70
09/05/2022 4583365474687353 Amazon Smile Unrestricted Donations £5.00 £2,207.70
31/05/2022 371308245 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.37 £2,192.33
04/07/2022 373666444 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.00 £2,177.33
08/07/2022 3602500909212200N Rank Foundation - Hull Activity Grant RF - Activity Grant Income £813.00 £2,990.33
Charitable
19/07/2022 CD 7724 SP Vegepod RF - Activity Expenditure £870.30 £2,120.03
02/08/2022 376032758 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.37 £2,104.66
02/10/2022 378382796 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.37 £2,089.29
03/10/2022 380761245 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.00 £2,074.29
01/11/2022 383125990 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.00 £2,059.29
10/11/2022 500005 Paypal Giving Unrestricted Donations £105.00 £2,164.29
15/11/2022 9486395674867670 Amazon Smile Unrestricted Donations £9.25 £2,173.54
05/12/2022 385496221 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.00 £2,158.54
15/12/2022 608301 Winter Warmth Grant RF - Activity Grant Income £4,000.00 £6,158.54
03/01/2023 387872941 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £16.97 £6,141.57
31/01/2023 95874353348899487 Amazon Smile Unrestricted Donations £5.99 £6,147.56
31/01/2023 390247547 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.37 £6,132.19
06/03/2023 392652696 Service Charges Unrestricted Bank Charges £15.37 £6,116.82
Charitable
28/03/2023 CD 7724 Winter Warmth Grant RF - Activity Expenditure £2,562.48 £3,554.34

LEVELS

Total Receipts & Payments for the year ending 31/03/2023

Receipt
Donations
Grant Income
Contracts
Payments
Bank Charges
Charitable Expenditure
Indirect Staff Costs
IT & Communications
Marketing & Recruitment
Rates & Rent
Salaries & N.I.
Stationery
Subscriptions
Sundry Items
Training
Travel & Subsistence
Net receipts / (payments)
Balance Brought Forward
Balance Carried Forward
Made up of:
Bank
Cash		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
125.24
0.00
125.24
0.00
4,813.00
4,813.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
125.24
4,813.00
4,938.24
(185.73)
0.00
(185.73)
0.00
(3,432.78) (3,432.78)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(185.73)
(3,432.78) (3,618.51)
(60.49)
1,380.22
1,319.73
1,813.13
511.48
2,324.61
1,752.64
1,891.70
3,644.34
3554.34
90
**3644.34 **		 Previous
Year
109.53
0.00
0.00
109.53
(184.25)
(899.99)
0.00
(20.16)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(1,104.40)
(994.87)
2,808.00
1,813.13