The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1177257 **Report of the Trustees and** **Unaudited Financial Statements for the year Ended 31[st] December 2020** ## **For** **The Arts of Change Trust** ~~1~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ ## Contents |Reference and administrative details|page 3| |---|---| |Report of the Trustees|page 4-8| |Statement of Financial Activities|page 9-11| ~~2~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ TRUSTEES J Gregory Allyson Vowles Richard Morris REGISTERED OFFICE 27 Holloway Chambers Priory Street Dudley West Midlands DY1 1HA REGISTERED CHARITY 1177257 NUMBER NON-VOTING MEMBERS Christian Dixon ~~3~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ The trustees of the charity for the present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2020. ## OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The principal objective and aim of the Trust as defined in its Constitution is: “The relief of persons suffering from physical and mental health issues in particular but not exclusively emotional, social, spiritual and psychological difficulties by providing counselling and therapy services.” is to work for the benefit of young people and by such methods, as the Trust shall determine. ## ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Achievements and performance The AOC Trusts aim is to support vulnerable & at risk young people & adults who cannot access mainstream counselling services. The AOC Trust helps children, young people, adults & families by providing first rate counselling & creative arts therapies including dramatheraphy, play therapy & art therapy. It also devises & facilitates interactive & evidence based courses ranging from motivation & empowerment to mindfulness & relaxation to anger management. A registered charity the AOC Trust is a community driven organisation whose ethos is about community empowerment, social cohesion & works to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. Through our current work especially in local schools, with families & young children & with our partner organisations we have discussed about their needs & identifying new approaches to help support a wider range of people. During the year we continued the PROJECTME_MINDCRAFT, providing disadvantaged children with a programme of therapy sessions to help them overcome mental health issues that they face, this includes: - Depression - Anxiety - Schizophrenia - Bi Polar - ADD - ADHD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Hearing Voices ~~4~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ At the start of the year the Trust moved from it premises at St James Houser to Holloway Chambers, this provide the trust with more therapy and activity rooms to use for clients. Working with children from 3 to 16 years and either gender: male or female, who may have one or several mental health issues are supported in the project by qualified/therapists. Working with up to 40 children each year the project provides a range of therapy and counselling models to suit the client: including traditional 'talking' models such as integrative counselling or person-centred counselling and a range of creative arts models including art therapy and dramatheraphy. This project has been supported by a Children in Need grant to run over a 3 year period. Like many other organisations the Covid 19 Pandemic had a significant impact on the delivery of the Trusts projects. The number of referrals greatly increased due to people and young people suffering with mental health issue brought on and enhanced by the lockdown measures. This is predominately due to the stress, anxiety and mental health issues being caused with people trying to cope with the pandemic, self-isolation (especially separated, single parents and couples experiencing domestic violence) as well as those involved in combating it on the front line as key workers. In response to this the Trust established a project called Connect Me (funded by the National Lottery). The aims of the project were: • To provide daily online (telephone and video) counselling and therapy support for key workers, NHS, single parents, separated parents, victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and frontline staff who are not in self-isolation and are still in risk of contagion and are potentially working in stressful and high anxiety conditions. Support for all NHS staff of all levels across all major hospitals within the West Midlands • To continue to provide daily online (video –‘ZOOM’) child contact support for all Non-Resident parents who have lost jobs and struggling to pay for standard child contact centre fees. To help parents who have become estranged from their biological child/ren and cannot see them due to the national ‘lockdown’. • To create an online Creative ‘Connect Me’ Tool-Kit – for parents to utilise with their child/ren of different ages and abilities whilst interacting whilst both are in self-isolation and remotely. • Provide up to 6 free sessions per client, with clearly defined goals to work towards and to help reduce stress and anxiety and build resilience to cope with the coronavirus pandemic and maintain psychological health and emotional stability. The Creative Orchid Project was another new project using a variety of creative activities (e.g. collage, painting, paper-craft) to support the individual’s therapeutic journey in being able to manage their mental health. Through group engagement the project will focus on the individual gaining an understanding of their mental health condition: Anxiety, Body image, Self-esteem, Depression, Anger or Addiction (e.g. gambling). ~~5~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ They will learn about physical symptoms, their negative thinking patterns and how this has an impact on their relationships; they will then develop new coping strategies / techniques to allow them to move forward and achieve their goals. All group members will receive an information and activity pack prior to the beginning of their 6-week programme preparing them for the group. All creative work will be displayed in an exhibition both at the end of the 6 weeks and in a formal celebration after all 6 programmes have been completed. Another new project called the Lily Pad Counselling Project was established during the year working with Dudley Council Voluntary Service the project provides of provide face to face and telephone sessions to vulnerable adults suffering from a wide range of issues including, anxiety, trauma, depression, substance addiction and much more. During the year the AOC Trust also continued the ACC Child Contact Centre. ACC provides a supervised and supported contact centre for children to see their non-resident parent(s) or other non-resident family members. It offers a professional, safe, caring and supportive environment for all families who are having trouble seeing their children. Our contact centre is open daily and also during evenings and weekends and is affiliated and regulated by the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) which ensures all of staff team and volunteers are fully trained and will provide the best practice, experience and quality assurance for all children and families that visit out centre. The only such centre within the Dudley Borough. The Centre provides: Supervised Contact Service Supported Contact Service Indirect Contact Service Supervised Handover Service Escorted Contact Service Preparing Children & Young People via an Introduction to Contact Services Parenting Plan Service Counselling & Therapy Service Life Story Service Mediation Service Miscellaneous Report Writing Service Attachment in Play & Drama Teaching Parenting Skills Service Emotional Management Service ~~6~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position The financial situation for the Trust in its early stages remains challenging, in common with many similar smaller third sector organisations. However, recent bequests and the provision of consultancy services continue to ease the situation somewhat in meeting our core costs. The Trustees will continue to keep a close eye on cash-flow. FINANCIAL REVIEW Partnerships The Trust has entered into various partnership arrangements with a number of organisations both as delivery partners and funders. These are itemised below: Delivery Partners Children In Need Dudley Council for Voluntary Service National Lottery The Arts of Change Ltd St James House Holloway Chambers Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Royal Shakespeare Company Royal Society of Arts Lutley Primary School Bramford Primary School Accord Housing Group National Association of Child Contact Centres ~~7~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ ## Reserves policy As the Trust has no direct employees, there are no liabilities for the costs associated with this aspect and it is considered that the current level of free reserves will be sufficient for the organisation to operate effectively during the current period. Although the trustees are constantly looking for sources of additional core funding to enable the Trust to stay financially viable. FUTURE PLANS The Way Forward Through consultancy arrangements, the Trust continues to identify future projects and sources of funding. The Trustees also agreed that the Trust should continue to identify project delivery potential partners as a strategic aim. A number of bids have been submitted to several funders but the environment is becoming increasingly difficult as more and more organisations are applying for a diminishing pot and concerns over Brexit and further restrictions brought on by the Covid 19 Pandemic. However, a number of other projects are being explored involving a wide range of partners. During the year the Trust was supported by kind donations from a variety of Charitable Trusts which were gratefully received. ~~8~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ ## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The affairs of The Arts of Change Trust ("the Trust"), which is a community organisation with charitable status, are governed by its Constitution and are the responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees. ## Recruitment and appointment of new trustees The Board currently comprises three individuals who have an interest or expertise in working through therapy and the arts with at risk people. There are, in addition, two non-voting members, who act as consultants to the board. The Review of the Trust has identified a need for additional expertise and perspectives: accordingly, approaches are currently being made to a number of other field experts to join the Board. ## Organisational structure The Board is responsible for the affairs of the Trust. The Chief Executive and consultant team deal with the day-to-day operation of the organisation. ## Induction and training of new trustees Board members are experienced individuals in the fields of the arts, local government, therapy and vulnerable people and most are also members of boards and management committees of similar organisations. Full induction is offered to all new Board members. Ongoing training is organised and delivered to deal with the strategic development of the organisation and to address any outstanding identified needs. ~~9~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ ||Unrestricted|Restricted|2020| |---|---|---|---| ||Funds|Funds|Total Funds| |Opening Balance|£514.03|£1000|**£1514.03**| |INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS|||| |**Charitable activities**|||| |Donations and Legacies|£1200|£0|£1200| |Project ME: Mindcraft|£0|£9900|£9900| |ACC Contact Centre|£3895|£0|£3895| |Connect Me/Plus|£0|£142,910|£142,910| |Lily Pad Counselling Project|£0|£38680|£38680| |Creative Orchid Project|£0|£3500|£3500| |Total Income|£5095|£194990|**£200,085.00**| |Total Funds available|||£201,599.03| |EXPENDITURE ON|||| |Charitable activities|£2,224.86|£137,449.77|£139,674.63| |Total|£2,224.86|£137,449.77|**£139,674.63**| |NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|£2,870.14|£57,540.23|£60,410.37| |Transfers between funds|£0|£0|£0| |RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS|||| |Total funds brought forward|£3,384.17|£58,540.23|£61,924.40| |NET CURRENT ASSETS|£948|£0|£948| |TOTAL FUNDS|||| |CARRIED FORWARD|£3,384.17|£58,540.23|**£61,924.40**| ~~10~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ ## ACCOUNTING POLICIES ## 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. ## 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 a cash 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. ## Governance costs Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. ## Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation 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 and/or when funds are raised for a particular restricted purpose. ## ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS Insurance Total Other resources expended £195.96 £195.96 ~~11~~ The Arts of Change Trust Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ___________________________________________________________________________ Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st December 2020 Trustees' expenses There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st December 2020 ## STAFF COSTS The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 2020 Staff 0 No employee was paid more than £60,000 Signed Richard Morris Treasurer ~~12~~ ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** ## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** |**Report to the trustees/**
**members of**
**On accounts for the year**
**ended**
**Set out on pages**
**Responsibilities and**
**basis of report**
**Independent**
**examiner's statement**|Charity Name
The Arts of Change Trust|Charity Name
The Arts of Change Trust|Charity Name
The Arts of Change Trust| |---|---|---|---| ||||| ||31/12/2020|**Charity no**
**(if any)**|1177257| ||||| ||1-11
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)||| ||I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 12 / 2019.
As the charity's trustees, 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 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.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that
disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material
respect:||| - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did 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. * _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ **Signed: Date:** 09/10/2021 **Name:** Jonathan Hipkiss **Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):** 1 **Oct 2018** **IER** **Address:** 192 Lichfield Road Walsall Wood WS9 9PD ## **Section B Disclosure** Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . 2 **Oct 2018** **IER**