Chair’s Report 2020-21
We thought that last year’s virtual Annual General Meeting would be a one-off event. Sadly, we were wrong. Last time we were in lockdown with little sign of how or when it would all end. This time we meet in a atmosphere of hope and the promise of opening up.
Our year was full of new challenges and reponses as we worked hard to keep in touch with so many isolated people. If Covid has told us anything, however, it is that our world had changed and that we wouldn’t simply be able to return to exactly the same world and activities. As well as overcoming the difficulties of keeping in touch over the past year, your trustees have consistently been looking ahead with Michelle and her team to see how Senior Solutions can continue to offer the best service to the isolated in our community
The success of our greatly expanded telephone befriending has underlined that use of the telephone and video internet communication is here to stay but, for most of us, nothing beats meeting up in person. I was delighted when we were able to restart visiting in May. As I write, we are working hard to restart lunches, the Tuesday Group and other activities once social distancing rules are relaxed and as venues become available. It won’t be exactly the same but, over time, it will be better. We understand when people are nervous of change but, together, we can make it work. Thank you for your continued support.
Annual meetings and reports are an opportunity to review the highlights, take a little time to congratulate ourselves on our achievements and thank everyone who has contributed. In Volunteers Week I was able to pay tribute to the fantastic way our volunteers had helped with our telephone befriending as well as with vitally needed shopping and prescription collection. At Christmas and Easter we teamed up with Rotary to deliver gifts to give local people which, judging by their reactions on the doorstep, gave them all a real boost.
Last year I stated we would continue to try and grow as a charity as we strived to meet the increasing needs of our community. I predicted more referrals and new volunteers. This was already happening in Westhoughton and Blackrod. Thanks to a new grant, we have been able to embark on widening our coverage to those not already covered in Horwich where local problems have restricted their ability to deal with new referrals or seek new volunteers.
As a result of our social media efforts, we have been receiving a host of new referrals and some very welcome new offers of voluntary support from across this wider area. Once again we are demonstrating our ability to gain new volunteers. If you are one of them, may I offer you a warm welcome.
To Bolton Borough Council (and their tax payers) our thanks. Your grant is a vital part of our funding and enables us to help you meet the needs we all know exist in the community. It’s great value too!
To the staff and students of Westhoughton High School, thank you for the way you brightened the lives of so many of our clients (and volunteers) in the past. We look forward to a full resumption of that activity to the benefit of both of us.
To Bolton CVS, we appreciate your valuable support and training.
To everyone who has supported us in any way, grateful thanks.
Our scheme manager Michelle and her team, Julie and Rebecca, have continued to work hard together and proved their worth throughout the year, rising to every new challenge. They have maintained contact both within the organisation and with each other despite having to work much of the time from their respective homes. On behalf of our trustees, a personal thanks to them for all they do.
I continue to be proud of chairing Senior Solutions with its great team of volunteers, trustees and staff. We all look forward to serving our community for another year. No doubt it will be challenging but I predict it will also bring excitement and success.
Ronald Bell
Charity Number 1177601
Senior Solutions
Financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Acting Chairman Ronald Bell OBE Treasurer Mark Preston ACMA Secretary Susan Phillips Trustees Frances Settle Ryan Calderbank Anne Burns Louise McDade David Chadwick Service Address Winifred Kettle C C C Washacre Westhoughton BOLTON BL5 2NG
Contents
Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Senior Solutions
I have reviewed the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 set out on the following pages
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the charities Act 1993 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts ( under section 43 of the Act)
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the charities Commission (under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in , any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act; have not be met; or
-
To which, in my opinion , attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
R Eastwood
Ruth Eastwood BA Hons
Senior Solutions
Financial Statement as at 31 March 2021
| Receipts Grants Fund Raising & Donations Activities Investment Income Total Receipts Payments Wages Insurance Expenses Office Expenses Events Total Payments Net Receipts / Payments Transfer Between Funds Cash funds last year Cash Funds this year end Current Account Savings Account Term account |
Unrestricted Funds 42,500 14,879 68 57,447 48,665 946 1,742 5,012 220 56,585 862 -36,863 78,245 42,244 |
Designated Funds 0 36,863 46,324 83,187 |
Restricted Funds 20,000 20,000 7,880 7,880 12,120 7,880 20,000 |
Total Funds 62,500 14,879 0 68 77,447 56,545 946 1,742 5,012 220 64,465 12,982 132,449 145,431 44,090 24,463 76,878 145,431 |
Last Year 51,880 5,596 14,182 241 71,899 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51,713 912 1,697 3,221 8,031 65,574 |
|||||
| 6,325 |
Notes to the accounts
Restricted Reserve
This reserve relates to funds received from the Bolton fund to expand the service into Horwich and surrounding areas.
Designated Reserves
The designated fund is to cover the costs of closure of the charity and funding for the staff for 12 months should the future funding of the charity (in these uncertain times) make the continuing operation of the charity unviable. The funds will allow for a controlled wind down of the charity.
Unrestricted Reserves
These are free funds that the charity has at its disposal. The charity is looking at a number of options for the future, but should future funding fall these reserves will need to be drawn upon
Charity Number 1177601
Senior Solutions
Financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2021
Acting Chairman Ronald Bell OBE Treasurer Mark Preston ACMA Secretary Susan Phillips Trustees Frances Settle Ryan Calderbank Anne Burns Louise McDade David Chadwick Service Address Winifred Kettle C C C Washacre Westhoughton BOLTON BL5 2NG
Contents
Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Senior Solutions
I have reviewed the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 set out on the following pages
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the charities Act 1993 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts ( under section 43 of the Act)
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the charities Commission (under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in , any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act; have not be met; or
-
To which, in my opinion , attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
R Eastwood
Ruth Eastwood BA Hons
Senior Solutions
Financial Statement as at 31 March 2021
| Receipts Grants Fund Raising & Donations Activities Investment Income Total Receipts Payments Wages Insurance Expenses Office Expenses Events Total Payments Net Receipts / Payments Transfer Between Funds Cash funds last year Cash Funds this year end Current Account Savings Account Term account |
Unrestricted Funds 42,500 14,879 68 57,447 48,665 946 1,742 5,012 220 56,585 862 -36,863 78,245 42,244 |
Designated Funds 0 36,863 46,324 83,187 |
Restricted Funds 20,000 20,000 7,880 7,880 12,120 7,880 20,000 |
Total Funds 62,500 14,879 0 68 77,447 56,545 946 1,742 5,012 220 64,465 12,982 132,449 145,431 44,090 24,463 76,878 145,431 |
Last Year 51,880 5,596 14,182 241 71,899 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51,713 912 1,697 3,221 8,031 65,574 |
|||||
| 6,325 |
Notes to the accounts
Restricted Reserve
This reserve relates to funds received from the Bolton fund to expand the service into Horwich and surrounding areas.
Designated Reserves
The designated fund is to cover the costs of closure of the charity and funding for the staff for 12 months should the future funding of the charity (in these uncertain times) make the continuing operation of the charity unviable. The funds will allow for a controlled wind down of the charity.
Unrestricted Reserves
These are free funds that the charity has at its disposal. The charity is looking at a number of options for the future, but should future funding fall these reserves will need to be drawn upon