2023-03-31-accounts

Charity Number 1177601

Senior Solutions

Financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Contents

Charity Info 2

Chairs Report 3

Independent Examiners report 5

Financial report 6

Chairman	Ronald Bell OBE
Treasurer	Mark Preston ACMA
Secretary	Susan Phillips
Trustees	Frances Settle
	Anne Burns
	Louise McDade
	David Chadwick
Service Address	Winifred Kettle C C C
	Washacre
	Westhoughton
	BOLTON
	BL5 2NG

Chair’s Report 2022-23

2023 has been both a time of change and of continuity. Though we have a new king on the throne, as his coronation showed, so much of what makes the royal family special is built firmly on our history and time-honoured institutions.

In the same way, our charity is still just as committed to combating isolation for older people in the local community as it was when we were founded in 1997. Since then we have always been open to new ways of service and covering an wider geographical area. In 2022 we formally took over the role of the Horwich Visiting Service. With an increasing body of new clients and volunteers, we are just starting to bring some of the same kind of service to Horwich as we provide in Westhoughton. I’m delighted to welcome Sue Denton from Horwich to our body of Trustees.

That lifeline our staff and volunteers provided during recent difficult times has become even more needed and appreciated. More people have come to share our awareness of and concern for the needs of isolated people. The referrals asking for help have continued unabated but so too have the new offers of help. As trustees, we are enormously grateful for our growing devoted team of volunteers both new and longstanding who really live up to the highly prized Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which we bear so proudly.

If you are one of our new volunteers, may I offer you a warm welcome.

In addition to our weekly Lunch Club, our Social Group is strongly supported and our Carer’s Group has an active range of activities. During the winter we started a Warm Space group which continues to meet on Wednesday mornings as a small, informal and greatly appreciated (late) breakfast club.

As I said last year, when we emerged from lock down, we found that some things had changed. Matched with the continuing growth in demand it meant that we have had to change too to meet the needs of a growing organisation. Last year, Kirstie and Kath joined Michelle as staff members. Thanks to some additional funding we were able to make a recent welcome further appointment when Lorna Bowman joined the team.

It means that, in addition to Michelle Todd as Scheme Manager, we have three coordinators:

Service Coordinator: Kirstie Willsdon Befriending Coordinator: Kath Lloyd Volunteer Coordinator: Lorna Bowman

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.

I have spoken of how much we appreciate the work of our all volunteers, long standing and new. On behalf of the trustees, very many thanks to all of you for your work for Senior Solutions.

To Bolton Borough Council (and their taxpayers) 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. I always stress that we’re great value too!

To the staff and students of Westhoughton High School, thank you for the way you brighten the lives of so many of our clients (and volunteers).

To Bolton CVS, we appreciate your valuable support and training.

To everyone who has supported us in any way, grateful thanks.

I told you about how our staff team and their man responsibilities were changing. As we all know, the one thing that doesn’t change is their hard work and dedication. On behalf of the trustees, a personal thank you for all they do for so many people. To Michelle, Kirstie and Kath, a big thank you for all your work over the year. To Lorna, many thanks for joining us and very best wishes in your new career.

Many thanks too to my fellow trustees. I never forget that they are volunteers who give invaluable service and support.

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. As ever, it will no doubt be challenging but I predict it will also bring excitement and success.

Ronald Bell

Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Senior Solutions

I have reviewed the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 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:

1. Examine the accounts ( under section 43 of the Act)

2. 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

1. 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

2. 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 2023

Receipts Grants	Unrestricted Funds 57531	Unrestricted Funds 57531	Designated Funds	Designated Funds	Designated Funds	Restricted Funds	Restricted Funds		Total Funds 57531	Last Year 40000
Fund Raising & Donations Investment Income		21870 621			9890				31759 621	8881 25
Total Receipts		80022			9890				89912	48906
Payments Wages Insurance Expenses		66086 1227 1398							66086 1227 1398	59070 704 1764
Office Expenses		3033							3033	3435
Total Payments		71744			0		0		71744	64973
Net Receipts / Payments Transfer Between Funds Cash funds last year	8278 -20000 46178			9890 20000 83187			0 0	8278 129365		-16067
Cash Funds this year end		34456		113077			0	147533
Current Account Savings Account Term account								50577 19502 77454		35548
								147533

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