REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1175689
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
FOR
UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
Hartley Fowler LLP Chartered Accountants 4th Floor Tuition House
27-37 St George's Road Wimbledon London SW19 4EU
UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 12
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Uptown Youth Services was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to take over the assets and activities of Uptown UK a company limited by guarantee.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are to act as a resource for young people in the borough of Merton by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities as a means of helping young people by
a) developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals
b) advancing education
c) relieving unemployment
d) providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for young people who have need by reason of their youth, infirmity or disability , poverty or social and economic circumstances with a view to improving their conditions of life.
Significant activities
Uptown Youth Services operates three days a week at The Leyton Road Community Resource Centre in Colliers Wood and one day a week at the South Mitcham Community Centre in a youth club type format for young people from the surrounding areas and an additional Thursday session offering one-on-one individual mentoring to young people who need a little extra help. Uptown has a strong focus on mentoring the young people and providing support to them and their families. Uptown works in close conjunction with other parties, including the police and social services, in identifying young people who may benefit from attending Uptown. In a safe environment, which gets the young people off the streets, they can socialise with friends and take part in a range of typical youth club activities whilst also having access to a quiet room to do homework.
Young people with learning difficulties are encouraged to attend, participate and develop their social skills while making new friends.
Public benefit
In planning the activities of the charity, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission in relation to public benefit.
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
Uptown Youth Services is a registered charity supporting young people aged from 7 to 18, or up to 25 for those with disabilities, in a free to access fully inclusive youth club environment. Uptown has been operating within Merton for over 25 years.
Uptown provides a safe venue to get young people off the streets and develop their social skills, meet with friends, play pool and partake in positive activities such as music, dance and drama, sports, and arts and craft. An integral part of our provision is to encourage education and training. This includes providing homework support and the use of a quiet room with access to computers and printers. Uptown also runs workshops on issues such as budgeting, health, cooking, substance misuse, alcohol, domestic violence, mental health, bullying and anger management. From time to time, we offer first aid training programmes tailored to specific issues such as knife crime.
The core philosophy of Uptown is to provide mentoring to the young people - providing them with strong role models and helping them to make good life choices. The key outcomes we seek to achieve are for our young people to be: safe and happy; active members of their community; and moving onto positive destinations.
During the Covid pandemic there were periods when Uptown had to operate an online delivery model supplemented by outreach sessions in local parks, before moving to person delivery of sessions with Covid secure procedures in place in early 2021. Uptown finally restarted its full operations on an uninterrupted basis in late February 2022 and has been operating normally throughout this financial year. For health and safety reasons we have maintained good hygiene practice, for example ensuring that all attendees sanitise their hands on arrival for youth group sessions.
Uptown's core operations deliver three weekly 3-hour sessions (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoon) during term time at the Leyton Road Centre plus a Tuesday 2-hour session for our younger cohort at the South Mitcham Community Centre.
In response to the need we saw for one-to-one mentoring, plus feedback from parents and individual young people post Covid, Uptown decided it would like to offer extra sessions providing one-to-one mentoring. Uptown started these additional sessions in partnership with the Merton MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) team in March 2022 and have been operating continuously since then. These sessions are either hosted at the Leyton Road Centre or virtually or in an outdoor setting. Feedback and results to date are showing this programme is successful, and we plan to retain this as a core service.
Uptown has also operated a series of HAF (Holiday, Activities and Food) programmes for children who are eligible for free school meals facilitated by grants from Merton Council during each of the school holidays since the programme commenced in Easter 2021. We have actively engaged young people in menu planning and cooking as well as 'buying food in' from restaurants alongside the other activities. Uptown have supplemented the programme by extending attendance to other young people who we deem to be vulnerable or hungry or simply want to be with their friends in a safe place - but who do not qualify for free school meals - within our holiday provision.
Uptown's CEO has been supported during the year by six trainee youth workers (one with a disability) and volunteers - including parents and former Uptown members as well as Trustees. Our Trainee Youth Workers have enjoyed working, taking responsibility and earning income and this experience has enabled them to take on leadership roles to help build their CVs and self-confidence. Uptown pays its staff in compliance with The London Living Wage guidelines.
Uptown continues to broaden and deepen its reach to increase the membership as there is demand from the police and Merton Council staff for Uptown to work with more young people. To accommodate more of this hard to reach and potentially more difficult cohort, Uptown require additional youth workers to spread the day-to-day workload of running sessions and free up some of our CEO's time to focus on strategic issues and multi-agency partnership work. Uptown's CEO and Trustees are continuously applying for grants to diversify our funding sources and finance our operations and in January 2023 were awarded a five-year grant from The National Lottery commencing in January 2023. This grant has provided Uptown with greater financial certainty to allow us to start implementing our longer-term strategy.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
A summary of the financial position of the charity is provided in the balance sheet which forms a part of these accounts.
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW Principal funding sources
The principal sources of income for the charity are from donations and grants.
During the year ended March 2023, Uptown was awarded grants to fund its core activities and received donations from individuals. Grants used to fund Uptown's core activities during the year were awarded by The National Lottery, London Borough of Merton Neighbourhood Fund, Children in Need, The Wimbledon Community Fund and the Merton Community Panel. Uptown was also in receipt of funding from Merton Council for the running of Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programmes. Further grants have been awarded since the end of the financial year from Garfield Weston Foundation, Masonic Charitable Foundation and Merton's Investing in Neighbourhoods Fund to strengthen our financial position. We are very appreciative of the support offered by our donors and supporters.
Reserves policy
The Trustees aim to hold a sufficient level of reserves to allow the charity to meet its commitments as they fall due and to ensure it can continue to deliver services for the foreseeable future. Uptown Youth Services' Trustees have accordingly adopted a policy to hold unrestricted reserves covering at least six months core operating costs to try and provide a cushion when managing the lumpy and unpredictable nature of grant and donation income and minimise the risk of disruption to its services. The reserves held at year-end are as set out on the statement of financial activities.
Going concern
The trustees consider that the charity has adequate resources to meet its operational commitments for the forseeable future and that it is a going concern.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with company number CEO11689 and registered charity number 1175689.
It was first registered with the charity commission in November 2017
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees when considered appropriate. Under its constitution, there is a requirement to have a minimum of three trustees.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1175689
Principal address
42 Veals Mead Mitcham Surrey CR4 3SB
Trustees
C R Bradley L M Conway-Hughes Chair J A Craddock A Jakobsen V McClean M E Rhys-Evans T L Simpson
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner
Jonathan Askew FCA Hartley Fowler LLP Chartered Accountants 4th Floor Tuition House 27-37 St George's Road Wimbledon London SW19 4EU
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 12 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
J A Craddock - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Uptown Youth Services
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Uptown Youth Services (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the 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 concerns 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.
Jonathan Askew FCA
Hartley Fowler LLP Chartered Accountants 4th Floor Tuition House 27-37 St George's Road Wimbledon London SW19 4EU
31 October 2023
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted fund fund Notes £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations 8,897 - Charitable activities Charitable activities - 77,753 Total 8,897 77,753 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 2 Charitable activities - 76,023 NET INCOME 8,897 1,730 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 42,979 21,247 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 51,876 22,977 |
2023 Total funds £ 8,897 77,753 86,650 76,023 10,627 64,226 74,853 |
2022 Total funds £ 12,336 81,990 94,326 76,360 17,966 46,260 64,226 |
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted fund fund Notes £ £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 - - Cash at bank 64,712 22,977 64,712 22,977 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 (12,836) - NET CURRENT ASSETS 51,876 22,977 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 51,876 22,977 NET ASSETS 51,876 22,977 FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2023 Total funds £ - 87,689 87,689 (12,836) 74,853 74,853 74,853 51,876 22,977 74,853 |
2022 Total funds £ 2,392 73,494 75,886 (11,660) 64,226 64,226 64,226 42,979 21,247 64,226 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 12 October 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
J A Craddock - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Assets and liabilities were taken over from Uptown UK at 1st April 2017 and restated at their fair value as estimated by the trustees at the date of the transfer.The fair value of the net assets taken over is shown as income in these accounts.
Other than as disclosed above there has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities or income and expenditure in these accounts.
The charity relies significantly on the services of volunteers in carrying out its activities. The value of voluntary help is not reflected as income in these accounts but their contribution is acknowledged and appreciated by the trustees.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Computers and equipment - at variable rates on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Financial instruments
The charity only has financial instruments of a kind that qualify as basic.
Cash at bank is measured at transaction price.
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Financial instruments
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivables or payables within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
| Charitable activities | Direct Costs £ 72,979 |
Support costs (see note 3) Totals £ £ 3,044 76,023 |
|---|---|---|
| 3. SUPPORT COSTS Charitable activities |
Finance £ 1,901 |
Other Totals £ £ 1,143 3,044 |
| Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: Finance Independent examiners fees Bookkeeping and accountancy |
2023 2022 Charitable Total activities activities £ £ 1,501 1,350 400 400 |
|
| 1,901 1,750 |
||
| Other Postage and stationery Other office costs Payroll administration Insurance |
2023 2022 Charitable Total activities activities £ £ 70 629 135 552 651 684 287 205 |
|
| 1,143 2,070 |
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund fund funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations 12,336 - 12,336
Charitable activities
Charitable activities - 81,990 81,990
Total 12,336 81,990 94,326
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 270 76,090 76,360
NET INCOME 12,066 5,900 17,966
Transfers between funds 5,420 (5,420) -
Net movement in funds 17,486 480 17,966
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 25,493 20,767 46,260
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 42,979 21,247 64,226
6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Computers
and
equipment
£
COST
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 1,080
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 1,080
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 -
At 31 March 2022 -
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Fees receivable - 2,105
Prepayments and accrued income - 287
-
2,392
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Other creditors 12,836 11,660
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1/4/22 in funds 31/3/23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 42,979 8,897 51,876
Restricted funds
Restricted fund 21,247 1,730 22,977
TOTAL FUNDS 64,226 10,627 74,853
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 8,897 - 8,897
Restricted funds
Restricted fund 77,753 (76,023) 1,730
TOTAL FUNDS 86,650 (76,023) 10,627
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UPTOWN YOUTH SERVICES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted fund |
At 1/4/21 £ 25,493 20,767 |
Net Transfers movement between in funds funds £ £ 12,066 5,420 5,900 (5,420) |
At 31/3/22 £ 42,979 21,247 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL FUNDS | 46,260 | 17,966 - |
64,226 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 12,336 (270) Restricted funds Restricted fund 81,990 (76,090) |
Movement in funds £ 12,066 5,900 |
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| TOTAL FUNDS | 94,326 (76,360) |
17,966 |
The vast majority of Uptown Youth Services' income is derived from grants. The majority of our grants are for core funding (although some are designated for specific items of expenditure) and are awarded to contribute to paying our operating costs over a specific time period . The restricted funds balance represents the unspent portion of grants which are to be allocated for time periods falling after the balance sheet date.
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.
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