Our Barn Community Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2023
Our Barn Community
Financial Statements
For the period ended 31 March 2023
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Chair’s report | 1 - 8 |
| Statement of financial activities | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11-14 |
Our Barn Community
Legal and Administrative Information
| Trustees | Tom Ruchniewicz (Chair) |
|---|---|
| Beverley Stansby | |
| Rachel Smith | |
| Charity Number: | 1181421 |
| Chief Executive Officer | Karen Adams |
| Principal Address and Registered Office | Jubilee Lodge |
| Jersey Road | |
| Isleworth | |
| TW7 4RB | |
| Bankers | National Westminster Bank plc |
| 314 Chiswick High Road | |
| London | |
| W4 5TA |
Our Barn Community Chair’s Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2023
The Chair of Trustees presents Our Barn Community’s report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023
Structure, government and management
Our Barn Community is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charities Commission, under number 1181421.
Our formal charitable aims are:
To advance in life and to help people with learning difficulties or other disabilities, especially but not exclusively, through:
(a) The provision of social, recreational, educational and other activities as a means of developing their confidence and independence, and their skills, capacities and capabilities for work, and participation in adult life and the community; and
- (b) The provision of support to family carers.
Our ethos has also developed to include strands of work that:
-
Make a contribution to our local community (giving back)
-
Incorporate elements of environmental protection and conservation
-
Raise expectations of what disabled people can achieve
2023 has been a year a challenging year. We have had to utilise our unrestricted funds to bridge some funding gaps and increased costs. By the end of the year we have a healthy spread of grant funding that allows us to continue to provide a broad range of services.
During the year our activities consisted of:
Our Barn Youth Club
Our ‘flagship’ youth club takes place on Sundays at Redlees Play Centre in Isleworth. Participants are aged 16 to 25 and most of the funding continues to come through Hounslow Council’s Short Breaks budget. We have brought our Multisport sessions under the Youth Club umbrella and sessions offer variety, teamwork, friendly competition and individual achievement. It is our most popular activity.
Our Futures
Funding from the National Lottery Communities Fund for this employability project has been renewed after a tense period of ‘waiting to hear’ that was much longer than our previous experience. We made a decision to sustain this valuable project through the use of unrestricted funds. The position of Assistant Project Leader was not renewed.
Our Futures now features a greater element of community involvement and life skills development in addition to employability. We have also increased our internal work experience projects to broaden the range of opportunities available. Participants are given intensive, individual support to create an individualised pathway towards future goals and aspirations, including paid work whenever appropriate.
– Pump & Grind Coffee Shop work experience
Working in partnership the London Museum of Water & Steam at Kew Bridge (a former pumping station) we offer barista-style coffee, cakes and some hot food to the general public. Not commercially viable as a café, the Museum gains a refreshment facility for their visitors and Our Barn gains a training and work experience venue. We also offer the café space for community groups to use on quieter days, all for the price of a cup of tea or two.
– Digital Inclusion work experience
This project has expanded substantially with funding from Hounslow Council’s Community Solutions the project offers access to laptops, data and guidance to get online safely with a target of 1,000 laptops being allocated in 2023 to Hounslow’ most excluded residents.
This activity also offers our members a volunteering and work experience opportunity, getting involved with the refurbishment and distribution of devices. To facilitate this, we have taken on new office space at Qwest in Brentford. The lease is for the duration of the project and the space is used to work on the laptops being upgraded.
Carers Project
We offer a social coffee morning at the café and one-to-one appointments to carers dealing with more complex matters. Access is open to anyone with a disabled child with many referrals coming from the borough’s primary special school.
Having gained an increase in funding, our project is still ‘fully booked’. We have supported many families to gain higher (more appropriate) rates of welfare benefits as well as parent carer volunteers sharing lived experience.
Gardening Project
Gardeners at Jubilee Lodge learn work-related and independence skills through gardening and horticulture.
We also embrace an environmentally friendly approach to looking after the space at Jubilee Lodge that includes Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, making bee hotels, creating a wildlife-friendly habitat and observing the plentiful wildlife in Osterley Park. Gardeners learn about food from seed to plate and surpluses are delivered to our café.
Gardening continues to offer a great all-round activity for our members. During the coming year we will refresh and develop this offer to ensure it stays appealing to participants. We have received feedback that Jubilee Lodge has accessibility difficulties and will review whether this venue continues to meet out needs in the next year.
Committee Membership Recruitment, Roles and Responsibilities
Our Trustees set and monitor the strategic direction of Our Barn, ensure that Our Barn meets its charitable objectives by using the best possible practice and financial prudence, and take a strong role in Safeguarding.
They also ensure good management of the team leaders, support the day-to-day running of Our Barn’s activities and set some performance management targets for the leaders and manager.
The Trustees meet formally on a quarterly basis and the board is responsible for a strategic plan formed in consultation with service users and staff. Service user consultation is embedded in our practice and is continually being strengthened.
We continue to use the Outcomes Star measurement tool, tracking individual participants’ progress over time.
The committee has assessed the major risks to which the organisation is exposed and is satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to those risks. This has included a thorough review of Covid precautions.
Objectives and Activities Our Barn’s Charitable Objects
Our Barn’s mission is to support young people and adults to achieve their potential. This aim is delivered through providing learning, life skills and social interaction, and meaningful support to their families and carers. Our Barn is committed to:
-
Promoting full participation in the community for all its service users
-
Developing community resources
-
Linking with a range of external services to meet this goal
Service users and potential service users can expect Our Barn to:
-
Provide a high quality of service to all our service users (including carers, other agencies and funders)
-
Provide information that is clear and easy to understand
-
Provide a secure, safe and confidential environment
-
Treat people with respect and courtesy at all times
-
Work with all service users regardless of their colour, race, gender, sexuality, disability or religious beliefs
-
Ensure staff receive appropriate training and support
-
Demonstrate good practice in quality assurance, management and financial systems
-
Seek funding from a range of statutory, grant-making, corporate and private sources
Financial review
Funding continues to be mostly on a year-by-year basis and this poses a threat to sustainability. Our approach is to plan a widening fundraising strategy, demonstrating the effectiveness of our work, seeking longer term contracts and partnerships, and the development of new services.
We have built a strong foundation for post-pandemic recovery and are clearly in a stronger position than at the end of 2022. Challenges lie ahead but we are prepared to respond appropriately.
Management Committee Members’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The Management Committee Members are responsible for preparing an annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity members to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the committee are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The committee are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The committee are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website at www.ourbarn.org.uk. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
On behalf of the Trustees
Tom Ruchniewicz
Our Barn Community Independent Examiner’s Report to the Management Committee
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 as set out in pages 5 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of Management Committee Members and Examiner
The Management Committee Members are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Management Committee Members consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Management Committee Members concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's statement
In connection with 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 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and ▪ to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been 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.
Jasmin Aktar 12 Davmor Court, Manor Vale, Brentford TW8 9JW
Date: 12 December 2024
Our Barn Community Statement of Financial Activities
Including Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes Incoming resources from generated funds – Voluntary income 2 Investment income 3 Incoming resources from charitable activities 4 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities 5 Total resources expended 6 Net income for the period/ Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Transfer of funds 10 Total Fund brought forward 10 Total Fund carried forward 10 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 58,714 27 58,741 37,327 96,068 121,969 121,969 (25,901) - 26,867 966 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - 145,715 145,715 128,060 128,060 17,655 - 14,938 32,593 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 58,714 27 58,741 183,042 241,784 250,029 250,029 (8,246) - 41,805 33,559 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 49,801 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49,801 122,821 |
||||
| 172,625 | ||||
| 234,726 | ||||
| 234,726 | ||||
| (62,101) - 103,906 |
||||
| 41,805 |
Our Barn Community
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2023
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 8 | - | 5,625 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 97,167 | 57,516 | |
| Accruals and Prepayments | 9 | (51,155) | - |
| _ | __ | ||
| 46,012 | 63,141 | ||
| Creditors | |||
| Amount falling due within one year | 9 | (12,452) | (21,336) |
| _ | __ | ||
| Net current assets | 33,559 | 41,805 | |
| ======= | ======== | ||
| The funds of the charity: | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 966 | 26,867 | |
| Restricted funds | 32,593 |
14,938 | |
| _ | __ | ||
| 33,559 | 41.805 | ||
| ======= | ======== |
The accounts were approved by the committee on 24 January 2024.
J Sheppard Treasurer
Our Barn Community Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023
- Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
Incoming resources
Income has been recognised gross on the basis of entitlement, certainty and measurement.
Donations and other voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement.
Grants are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they are receivable or any requirement imposed on the grant is fulfilled.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis inclusive of Value Added Tax.
Expenditures relating to supporting people with learning disabilities are those elements of expenditure directly incurred in performing these activities.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
There has been no expenditure on fixed assets.
Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Our Barn Community Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2023
| 2. | Voluntary income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ |
£ | ||||
| Café Income | 41,867 | 35,594 | |||
| Donations and gifts | 16,847 | 14,207 | |||
| 58,714 | 49,801 | ||||
| 3. | Investment income | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Interest receivable | 27 | 3 | |||
| 4. | Incoming resources from charitable activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2023 Total | 2022 Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Supporting people with | 37,327 | 145,715 | 183,042 | 122,821 | |
| learning disabilities (LD) | |||||
| Included with unrestricted income related to supporting people | with learning disabilities are | ||||
| the following grants | |||||
| Local authority service agreement | 28,000 | ||||
| Small grants | 3,300 | ||||
| 31,300 | |||||
| 5. | Total resources expended | ||||
| Staff costs | Other | 2023 Total 2022Total |
|||
| costs | |||||
| Charitable activities – | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Supporting people with LD | 175,494 | 74,535 | 250,029 | 234,726 |
Activities undertaken directly
Our Barn Community Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023
- Activities undertaken directly
Other costs relating to supporting people with learning disabilities comprise:
| Venue hire and rent Professional fees Independent examiner's fees Cost of activities Cost of goods for café Telephone Electricity Printing, postage & stationery Refreshments and gala dinner Insurance Website costs Equipment purchases, repairs & renewals Subscription Cleaning Bank charges |
2023 £ 22,096 550 - 11,375 17,873 2,193 2,966 1,276 3,499 3,335 3,140 4,548 634 - 1,050 74,535 |
2022 £ 12,360 - 800 2,835 10,469 1,441 2,430 657 193 2,811 886 5,222 399 184 560 54,608 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
- Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the period was 5 (2022: 6) full time equivalent
Supporting people with learning disabilities
| Employment costs – Wages and salaries |
2023 £ 175,494 |
2022 £ 193,479 |
|---|---|---|
There were no expenses paid to the Trustees during the period.
Our Barn Community Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2023
| 8. Debtors Trade debtors 9. Creditors Amounts falling due within one year – Trade creditors Taxes and social security costs Other creditors Accruals Prepayments Digital Inclusion (Hounslow Council) Carers Project (Peoples Health Trust) 10. Statement of funds Balance at 01/04/2022 Restricted Funds £ Gardening 5,434 Digital Inclusion 5,334 Café - Carers 4,170 Our Futures - Total Restricted Funds 14,938 Unrestricted Funds 26,867 Total Funds as at 31 March 41,805 |
2023 £ - 2023 £ 1,226 - 11,226 - 12,452 43,500 7,655 51,155 Incoming Resources Transfer Resources Expended of funds £ £ £ 11,500 (16,934) - 49,770 (42,755) - 18,140 (18,140) - 28,405 (26,730) - 37,900 (23,500) - 145,715 (128,260) - 96,068 (121,969) - 241,783 (250,029) - |
2023 £ - 2023 £ 1,226 - 11,226 - 12,452 43,500 7,655 51,155 Incoming Resources Transfer Resources Expended of funds £ £ £ 11,500 (16,934) - 49,770 (42,755) - 18,140 (18,140) - 28,405 (26,730) - 37,900 (23,500) - 145,715 (128,260) - 96,068 (121,969) - 241,783 (250,029) - |
2022 £ 5,625 2022 £ - 4,045 16,894 397 21,336 - - - Balance at 31/03/2023 £ - 12,349 - 5,845 14,400 |
2022 £ 5,625 2022 £ - 4,045 16,894 397 21,336 - - - Balance at 31/03/2023 £ - 12,349 - 5,845 14,400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
32,593 966 33,559 |