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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1181932

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Wearside Women in Need

Contents

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 - 7
Report of the Independent Auditors 8 – 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Statement of Cash Flows 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 28

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 March 2023

The trustees submit their annual report and the audited financial statements of Wearside Women in Need for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, to relieve the needs of women and their children who are the victims of domestic violence in particular but not exclusively by:

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the WWIN should undertake. In all financial matters and in governance the WWIN trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their power or duties.

Public benefit

The trustees have had regards to the Charity Commission’s guidance on their legal duty on public benefit, and are satisfied that the charitable company delivers public benefit, and due regard is paid to the guidance on public benefit whilst reviewing the charitable company’s aim and objectives and also when planning future objects and deciding what the new projects the charitable company should undertake.

Activities

Domestic abuse is a cross cutting issue impacting on every aspect of the lives of those affected, including the wider networks of family, friends and community. Partnerships are vital as no single agency can meet the wide-ranging needs and we work closely with key partners such as Criminal Justice agencies, Health, Housing and other charities that support our work.

As the nation recovers from the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic we now operate within a ‘cost of living’ crisis that impacts disproportionally on women and not only increases the risk of violence and abuse in relationships, but limits women’s choices in leaving abusive relationships.

In response, we have expanded and strengthened our services this year: successfully securing a five-to-seven-year contract with Sunderland Council in April 2022; securing additional funds for a variety of interventions from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and completed significant work on our own buildings thereby expanding our accommodation offer and support available.

WWiN moves forward with a comprehensive range of services and a secure mixed funding base including an ability to generate income as we strive to secure sustainable services. We look forward to strengthening our approach further and have some ambitious plans to take forward in the next three years.

1

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Current delivery

Family Refuge (Crisis) Accommodation A purpose-built refuge owned by a registered social landlord. This facility provides spacious self-contained accommodation for families in ten flats of varying sizes (one – three bedrooms) and extensive communal areas. It has full disabled access and accommodation. The refuge is staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days a year and accommodated seventy-five women and one hundred and forty-five children this year. Internal services have increased within the Refuge including counselling for women and children, children’s activities, and group work. We thank ‘We Make Culture’ for bringing music and the arts into the Refuge and the many charities and community groups who generously support our residents through donations and other goodwill gestures.

Stage 2 Accommodation and Support (Sunderland) Six modern, self-contained flats for single women with medium support needs. This project completed in May 2022 with the addition of an outreach office base on site, the project has acted as a ‘move on’ for women who do not need full Refuge support and has met the needs of a variety of women such women in employment, migrant women who share a language and culture and older women seeking a quiet safe space. Thirteen women and four children have moved through this accommodation within the year moving on into permanent housing.

Ukrainian Refugee Accommodation In response to the evacuation of Ukrainian women and children at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, WWiN worked closely with Sunderland Housing to reduce the risk of violence against women and girls arriving in Sunderland with insecure housing. Twenty-one women and three children have been safely accommodated whilst waiting for permanent housing.

Dispersed Property WWiN also owns a dispersed property used as Refuge ‘overflow’ and/or move on accommodation. This property has accommodated two women and three children in the year.

Sanctuary Scheme Domestic abuse is a major cause of homelessness for women and children and Refuge is not the only option. The Sanctuary Scheme aims to keep families in their own home when it is safe to do so through the provision of robust safety planning, legal protection and home security measures. One hundred and seventy two women with three hundred and fourteen children used this scheme enabling them to remain in their family home.

Community based support services

Outreach – Community Support Provision of a range of community-based services to women and children experiencing domestic abuse in a range of settings. This is our biggest team supporting one thousand and seventynine victims and survivors who had one thousand seven hundred and forty children. All cases receive a full risk and needs assessment and have an individual support plan. The ‘average’ length of a case is sixteen weeks and is dependent on the complexity, external systems such as legal processes, and the needs of the individual. The teams carry all risk levels of risk and are embedded in a range of settings to ensure we reach into our communities.

2

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

We also have targeted outreach projects to help us reach victims/survivors who might not otherwise get help. These include:

Counselling for Adults: Our Counselling service offers a range of interventions based on a six session ‘contract’ that can be extended to meet identified needs. Two hundred and three women and two men accessed the counselling service. Counselling for male victims is delivered outside of our women only spaces.

Counselling for Children: This is a relatively new and developing service with plans to expand provision in line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that asserts children are victims in their own right; one hundred and five children received therapeutic interventions across all service areas.

Group work: A range of groups are delivered across projects including therapeutic peer groups and accredited programmes for women and children. Twenty four groups were delivered with one hundred and seventeen attendees.

Telephone Helpline: Available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year; this freephone service is logged as ‘short term work’ as the helpline aims to respond and refer enquiries to the relevant service area, in year the helpline recorded three thousand three hundred and sixty-six contacts.

Training: WWiN delivers a range of formal and informal training to agencies, community groups and student placements from local Universities.

Findaway: Supporting Family, Friends and CommunitiesThis is year two (of five) in the development and delivery of a community-based approach to early intervention and prevention of domestic abuse. The project has launched a new website www.wefindaway.org.uk and some strong resources to share with other services with thirty six training sessions delivered to one thousand one hundred and twenty five members of the public. The scheme was well received when presented at three national conferences including the Domestic Abuse Commissioners (DAC) twoday conference highlighting best practice approaches.

Perpetrator Interventions – ‘Right Turn’, ‘Make a Change’ and ‘Hub & Spoke’

This service started in April 2022 with ‘Right Turn’, a programme for men who want to address their abusive behaviours, the initiative quickly attracted other funding and now includes the Respect ‘Make a Change’ (early intervention and prevention) module and the ‘Hub & Spoke’ model targeting high harm perpetrators as identified by Northumbria Police, thus offering perpetrator interventions at three levels. In the first year the project received one hundred and twenty one referrals.

3

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Headline achievements

Capital Assets We have invested heavily in property in the last three years, upgrading and expanding our accommodation offer and, in 2022, purchasing a large building in Sunderland as our main office base to house an expanding staff team. This acquisition forms part of the charities long term sustainability plan in making our reserves ‘work’ for our beneficiaries in real time, generating income and offering flexibility to changing needs and trends.

Outcomes WWiN uses three main outcomes measures Safety Social Justice Health and Well-Being

although outcomes vary in terms of what the survivor is seeking. This year we can see the benefit of the additional investment in staffing levels as our outcomes show eighty five percent of clients leaving the service feel safer and have improved their well-being scores (an increase of 20% on previous years).

FINANCIAL REVIEW

A number of new and/or expanded funding opportunities meant our income has increased this year to £1,930,331 (£1,804,873 in 2021-22). This increased resource enabled us to deliver more services, as our expenditure increased to £1,797,363 (2021-22 to £1,476,850)

The Trustees are committed to using the charities reserves in the best interests of its beneficiaries and have invested substantially in capital assets that deliver direct services and are independently sustainable, rather than building high levels of cash reserves.

Investment policy

The Trustees are committed to using the charities reserves in the best interests of its beneficiaries and have invested substantially in capital assets that deliver direct services and are independently sustainable rather than building high levels of cash reserves.

Reserves policy

Its reserves policy aims to mitigate any financial risks that the charity may encounter, with recognition of potential fluctuations in income streams that are difficult to predict in the longer term. A risk management plan is used to support the mitigation of any such risks and having agreed this plan, the Board have set a level of £350,000 as unrestricted reserves for the Charity. This figure is reviewed regularly and is based on a calculation of the likely real costs of dealing with any emergency or winding up the organisation. At 31st March 2023, unrestricted reserves stood at £355,472 (a decrease on the previous year when they were £395,247). In addition to this, designated (unrestricted) funds were also held for: property (£1,398,926); accommodation (£70,000), further details can be found in note 20.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The Trustees appreciate the significant support received from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Sunderland City Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) for Northumbria, independent grant funders, businesses and the communities across Wearside that have supported the Charities modernisation plans over the last four years.

This has enabled additional services, strengthened existing provision, and set the scene for further development work in 2023 and beyond.

4

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Our ambitions include:

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered charity number: 1181932 Registered office: 28 Bridge House, Bridge Street, Sunderland, SR1, 1TE

Advisors

Auditors: Haines Watts North East Audit LLP - 17 Queens Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RN

Bankers:

Lloyds Banking Group - 54 Fawcett Street, Sunderland, SR1 1SF

Directors and trustees

The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

S Gould J Hayden M Hull C Donovan C Warnock J Gillespie P McManus A Fry C Cetinoglu Resigned 03 February 2023 M Roushan N Akhtar Appointed 13 September 2022

Key management personnel

The key management personnel are the non-executive directors of the organisation; they are responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity’s activities:

Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary: R Rogerson Assistant Director K Wheatley Asset Manager G Ridley

5

Wearside Women in Need

Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Objectives and policies

The charity's activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity's policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Governing Document

Wearside Women In Need CIO was established on 7th February 2019 and became operational on 1st April 2019 with the assets transferred from the previous charity at that date.

Risks

The major risks have been reviewed by the trustees, with systems in place to manage the risks. Key risks have been identified below.

Cash flow risk

The charity's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows.

Credit risk

The charity's principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments.

The charity's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows.

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.

Liquidity risk

In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance. Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements.

Appointment of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consider the recruitment of new trustees as the need arises and Trustees are appointed following rigorous review. Once appointed they undertake training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to perform their duties.

Remuneration policy

Remuneration is set by an HR sub-group made up of a subset of trustees and advised by an independent HR advisor. All staff are paid at least the living wage, decisions about executive pay are determined by the trustees.

6

Wearside Wom9n In Neod Report of the Trustse8 (Conthued) For tho year onded 31 March 2023 TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicatr￿e law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel. The law applicable lo chafilies in England & Wales requlffts the trustees lo prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the ineoming resources and applicats'on of resources, incIL￿ing the in¢c¥ne and expenditure of the charity. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required lo- seleel suitsble accounting poilcies and then appty them consistently.. observe the methods and principles in the Chartlies SORP 2015 IFRS 102}-, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., stale whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been foilowed, subject lo any material departltres disclosed and explained in th¢ financial slalements., prepare the financial slalements on the going concem bass unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disdose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial statemen15 comply with the Charities Act 2011 They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen￿ for tsking reasonable 8tep8 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. So far as each of the trustees is aware at the line the report is approved.. there is no relevant audit infomiation of which the charities auditors are unaware, and the trustees have taken all sl$ps that they ought to have taken lo make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and lo establish th81 the auditors are aware of that infomiation. Auditors A resolution to appoint auditors for the ensuing year will be proposed al the annual general meeting in line with the charity's policies and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006. This re as apFxoved by the trustees on ...... . 2023 and signed on ils behalf, by.. Warn￿k Trustee J Hayd

Wearside Women in Need

Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Wearside Women in Need For the year ended 31 March 2023

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Wearside Women in Need for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charities ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

8

Wearside Women in Need

Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Wearside Women in Need (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 7, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charities ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

9

Wearside Women in Need

Independent Auditors’ Report to the members of Wearside Women in Need (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the regulations made under section 154 of that Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to both the charity itself and the industry in which it operates. We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our sector experience and through discussion with the trustees and other management. The most significant were identified as the Charities Act 2011, UK GAAP (FRS102) and relevant tax legislation. We considered the extent of compliance with those laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statements. Our audit procedures included:

Our audit did not identify any key audit matters relating to the detection of irregularities including fraud. However, despite the audit being planned and conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) there remains an unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected owing to inherent limitations of the audit, and that by their very nature, any such instances of fraud or irregularity likely involve collusion, forgery, intentional misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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Wearside Womon in Need Independent Auditors, Report to the members of Wearside Women in Need (Continued) For the year ended 31 March 2023 Use of Our Report This report is made solely to the charities Iruslees, as a body. in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken $0 that we might slate to the charitable c￿panY'S members those matters we are required lo slate lo them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law. we do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyone other than the Gharily and the charities Iruslees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Craig Henderson {Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Haines Watts North East Audit LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 17 Queens Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RN 11

Wearside Women in Need

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2023

Unrestricted Designated Restricted
Total		 Total
funds
funds
funds
2023		 2022
Notes £
£
£
£		 £
Income from:
Donations 4 43,741
-
-
43,741		 22,339
Charitable activities 5,6
- Grants and contracts 817,817
-
701,582		 1,519,399 1,490,472
- Rents and support 361,369
-
-		 361,369 268,628
Investment income 7 1,020
-
-
1,020		 50
Trading activities 8 3,550
-
-
3,550		 23,384
Other Income 1,252
-
-
1,252		 -
_
_
_		 _ _
Total income 1,228,749
-
701,582		 1,930,331 1,804,873
_
_
_		 _ _
Expenditure on:
Costs of raising funds 216
-
-
216		 216
Charitable activities 9 853,256
60,939
882,952		 1,797,147 1,476,634
_
_
_		 _ _
Total expenditure 853,472
60,939
882,952		 1,797,363 1,476,850
_
_
_		 _ _
Net movement before transfers 375,277
( 60,939 )
( 181,370 )
132,968		 -
Transfers between funds 20 ( 415,052 )
415,052
-
-		 -
_
_
_		 _ _
Net movement in funds ( 39,775 )
354,113		 ( 181,370 )
132,968		 328,023
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 395,247
1,114,813
418,757		 1,928,817 1,600,794
_
_
_		 _ _
Total funds carried forward 355,472
1,468,926
237,387		 2,061,785 1,928,817
_ _ _ _ _

The results for the year derive from continuing activities and there are no gains or losses other than those shown above.

12

Wearsidg Wc4non In Need Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2023 2023 2022 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 1,404,926 1.054,613 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 16 120.822 806.834 74,961 997,395 927,656 1,072.356 Liabilities Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 17 1120,9981 { 163,9851 Net current assets 8LIS,658 908.371 Total assets less currenl liabllittes 2,211.584 1,962,984 Cfedilors.. falling due after more than one year 18 1149,7991 {34,1671 Total net a880ts 2,061,785 1.928,817 The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds Designated fund5 355,472 1,468,926 395,247 1.114,813 1,824.398 237,387 1,510,060 418,757 Restricted funds 20 2,061,785 1,928,817 These financial Stat￿entS have been prepared in accordan￿ ¥Mlh the provisions applicable to companies subjed to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on ................ signed on its ￿haN by.. . 2023 and were arnock- Trustee JHa usle the notes on pages 15 to 27 fomi part of these financi￿ statements. 13

Wearside Women in Need

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2023

2023
2022
Notes £
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash generated from operations 24 74,811
66,327
Interest paid ( 8,145 )
( 1,992 )
_ _
Net cash provided by operating activities 66,666
661,335
_ _
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets ( 391,323 ) ( 106,134 )
Interest received 1,020
50
_ _
Net cash used in investing activities ( 390,303 ) ( 106,084 )
_ _
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings ( 19,424 )
( 5,833 )
Proceeds from new borrowings 152,500
-
_ _
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities 133,076 ( 5,833 )
_ _
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year ( 190,561 ) 549,418
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 997,395
447,977
_ _
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 806,834
997,395
_ _
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank and in hand 806,834
997,395
_ _

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Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies

Wearside Women in Need is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”) registered in England. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 5 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are detailed on page 1.

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Wearside Women in Need meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). The financial statements are prepared in Sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

1.2 Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees have reviewed and considered relevant information, including the annual budgets in making their assessment. Based on these assessments, the increased level of demand for the services and the additional funding available the trustees have concluded that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

1.3 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes 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.

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Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

1.4 Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions and is recognised as earned. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income received to deliver services over a specific period covering more than one financial year is accounted for over the specific period; related expenditure is accounted when incurred.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing.

Fixed asset gifts in kind are recognised when receivable and are included at fair value. They are not deferred over the life of the asset.

Interest receivable on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity, this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

1.5 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is possible 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.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the cost against the expenditure was incurred.

1.6 Allocation and apportionment of costs

Support costs are those functions which assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity’s programmes and activities.

1.7 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property - 2% straight line Motor Vehicles - 20% straight line

Fixed assets costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised.

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Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.9 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.10 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments which are instantly accessible from the opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.11 Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.

1.12 Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.13 Pensions

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2. Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The trustees consider that there are no significant estimates or judgements in the preparation of the financial statements.

17

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

3. Statement of Financial Activities for the prior year

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations 4 22,339 - - 22,339
Charitable activities 5,6
- Grants and contracts 637,867 - 852,605 1,490,472
- Rents and support 268,628 - - 268,628
Investment income 7 50 - - 50
Other trading activities 8 23,384 - - 23,384
_ _ _ _
Total income 952,268 - 852,605 1,804,873
_ _ _ _
Expenditure on:
Costs of raising funds 216 - - 216
Charitable activities 9 756,889 22,789 696,956 1,476,634
_ _ _ _
Total expenditure 757,105 22,789 696,956 1,476,850
_ _ _ _
Net movement before transfers 195,163 ( 22,789 ) 155,649 328,023
Transfers between funds 19 ( 86,135 )
86,135		 - -
_ _ _ _
Net movement in funds 109,028 63,346 155,649 328,023
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 286,219 1,051,467 263,108 1,600,794
_ _ _ _
Total funds carried forward 395,247 1,114,813 418,757 1,928,817
_ _ _ _

18

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

4. Donations

4. Donations
2023 2022
£ £
Donations 43,741 22,339
_ _
43,741 22,339
_ _
5. Income from charitable activities by activity
2023 2022
£ £
Housing and support 1,359,661 984,327
Outreach 521,107 774,773
_ _
1,880,768 1,759,100
_ _
6. Grants and contracts
2023 2022
£ £
Grants 778,569 1,037,844
Contracts 737,830 452,628
_ _
1,516,399 1,490,472
_ _

7. Investment income

All of the charitable company’s investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts.

8. Other trading activities

Training income
Fundraising income		 2023
£
3,550
-
_
3,550
 2022
£
4,600
18,784
_
23,384

19

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2023

9. Charitable Activities expenditure

Direct
Costs
Housing and support
1,028,287
Outreach
479,668
_
1,507,955
_
10.
Support costs
Staff costs
Insurance
Subscriptions
Professional fees
Office costs
Governance costs
11.
Governance costs
Audit fee
12.
Auditors remuneration
Audit fee
13.
Net income/(expenditure)
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation – owned assets		 Support
2023
2022
Costs
Total
Total
£
£
209,065
1,237,352
798,475
80,127
559,795
678,159
_
_
_
289,192
1,797,147
1,476,634
_
_
_
2023
2022
Total
Total
£
149,224
137,342
11,321
10,283
1,164
541
41,652
40,439
77,431
68,654
8,400
8,040
_
_
289,192
265,299
_
_
2023
2022
£
£
8,400
8,400
_
_
2023
2022
£
£
8,400
8,040
_
_
2023
2022
£
£
41,010
22,317

20

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

2023
£
Wages and salaries
1,151,241
Social security costs
100,281
Other pension costs
32,041
Redundancy costs
3,110
_
1,286,673
_
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
2023
No.
Chief Executive
1
Core Staff
52
_
53
 2022
£
851,041
64,771
22,400
-
_
938,212
_
2022
No.
1
40
_
41

There was one employee who received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 (2022 – one).

The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment in the year (2022 - £nil) One trustee was reimbursed expenses during the year of £101 (2022 - £178). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2022 - £nil).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, the Assistant Director and the Asset Manager. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £164,487 (2022 - £105,286).

21

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Tangible fixed assets

Freehold
Property
Cost
At 1 April 2022
1,095,373
Additions
391,323
_
At 31 March 2023
1,486,696
_
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
48,760
Charge for year
39,010
_
At 31 March 2023
87,770
_
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
1,398,926
_
At 31 March 2022
1,046,613
_
16.
Debtors
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
17.
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Other loans
Bank loan		 Motor
Vehicles
Total
£
£
10,000
1,105,373
-
391,323
_
_
10,000
1,496,696
_
_
2,000
50,760
2,000
41,010
_
_
4,000
91,770
_
_
6,000
1,404,926
_
_
8,000
1,054,613
_
_
2023
2022
£
£
48,088
17,429
-
1,151
72,734
56,381
_
_
120,822
74,961
_
_
2023
2022
£
£
23,638
77,197
22,897
18,746
4,125
4,702
41,054
36,230
1,840
17,110
10,000
10,000
17,444
-
_
_
120,998
163,985

22

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2023

17. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (Continued)

Deferred income

Deferred income relates to income received for future periods.
£
At 1 April 2022 17,110
Amounts released to income ( 17,110 )
Additions during the year 1,840
_
At 31 March 2023 1,840
_

18. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

Other loans
Bank loans
Loans
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
Amounts due within one year or on demand
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Repayable by instalments:
Bank loans of 2-5 years by instalments
Amounts falling due in more than five years:
Repayable by instalments:
Bank loans more 5 years by instalments		 2023
£
24,167
125,632
_
149,799
_
17,444
61,411
64,221
_		 2022
£
34,167
-
_
34,167
_
-
-
-
_

19. Loans

23

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

20. Statement of funds

For the year ended 31 March 2023
At At
1 April 31 March
2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2023
£ £
£
£		 £
Unrestricted fund
General fund 395,247 1,228,749 ( 853,472 ) ( 415,052 ) 355,472
Designated fund
Property fund 1,046,613 - ( 39,010 ) 391,323 1,398,926
Minibus 3,065 - ( 3,065 ) - -
Accommodation 65,135 - ( 18,864 ) 23,729 70,000
_ _ _ _ _
Total unrestricted funds 1,510,060 1,228,749 ( 914,411 ) - 1,824,398
_ _ _ _ _
Restricted funds
Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) 299,042 - ( 248,986 ) - 50,056
NHS England – Health Advocate 10,584 - ( 10,584 ) - -
BBC Children in Need - 10,500 ( 10,500 ) - -
Sir James Knott Trust 10,084 15,000 ( 5,286 ) - 19,798
Ballinger Trust 3,825 15,000 ( 5,286 ) - 13,539
Comic Relief 58,971
111,941		 ( 86,657 ) - 84,255
Office of Police and Crime Commissioner - 351,875 ( 351,875 ) - -
Respect - 25,833 ( 25,833 ) - -
Virgin Money - 8,000 ( 1,469 ) - 6,531
County Durham Community Foundation 23,863 114,942 ( 84,879 ) - 53,926
Jill Franklin Trust 4,888 29,916 ( 29,818 ) - 4,986
Winston Churchill 7,500 8,750 ( 11,954 ) - 4,296
Harbour - 9,825 ( 9,825 ) - -
_ _ _ _ _
Total restricted funds 418,757 701,582 ( 882,952 ) - 237,387
_ _ _ _ _
Total funds 1,928,817 1,930,331 ( 1,797,363 )
-		 2,061,785
_ _ _ _ _

Transfers

The transfers relate to spend on capital assets, once purchase is made the asset is designated into property funds.

24

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

20. Statement of funds (continued)

For the year ended 31 March 2022
At At
1 April 31 March
2021 Income Expenditure Transfers 2022
£ £
£		 £ £
Unrestricted fund
General fund 286,219 952,268 ( 757,105 ) ( 86,135 )
395,247
Designated fund
Property fund 970,795 - ( 20,317 ) 96,135 1,046,613
Minibus 15,537 - ( 2,472 ) ( 10,000 ) 3,065
Accommodation 65,135 - - - 65,135
_ _ _ _ _
Total unrestricted funds 1,337,686 952,268 ( 779,894 ) - 1,510,060
_ _ _ _ _
Restricted funds
Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) 246,849 237,648 ( 185,455 ) - 299,042
NHS England – Health Advocate - 29,154 ( 18,700 ) - 10,584
BBC Children in Need - 10,000 ( 10,000 ) - -
Sir James Knott Trust 6,259 15,000 ( 11,175 ) - 10,084
Ballinger Trust - 15,000 ( 11,175 ) - 3,825
Comic Relief - 90,318 ( 31,347 ) - 58,971
Office of Police and Crime Commissioner 267,181 ( 267,181 ) - -
Together for Children 95,000 ( 95,000 ) - -
LGA Foundation 10,000 - ( 10,000 ) - `-
County Durham Community Foundation - 47,726 ( 23,863 ) - 23,863
Jill Franklin Trust - 29,328 ( 24,440 ) - 4,888
Churchill Memorial Trust 16,250 ( 8,750 ) - 7,500
_ _ _ _ _
Total restricted funds 263,108 852,605 ( 696,956 ) - 418,757
_ _ _ _ _
Total funds 1,600,794 1,804,873 ( 1,476,850 )
-		 1,928,817
_ _ _ _ _

Restricted Funds

Sunderland Council: Main contract to deliver a range of services across Sunderland including Refuge, Outreach, Children’s support, Perpetrator interventions, Sanctuary Scheme, and Counselling.

Together for Children: Linked to the Main Council contract for domestic abuse in Sunderland this element is to deploy specialist domestic abuse workers into Together for Children (TfC) teams providing support to TfC staff in safeguarding children and adults subject to domestic abuse and the delivery of a range of group work programmes for women and children.

Clinical Commission Group (CCG): (i) Delivery of an advocacy/training project to general practitioner surgeries across Wearside (ii) Residential therapeutic service for women with complex needs, (iii) Therapeutic counselling service for adults suffering abuse and trauma.

25

Notes to the financial statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Wearside Women in Need

20. Statement of funds (continued)

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC): (i) Provision of Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates f(IDVA’s) to support high-risk victims of abuse including cases subject to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing (MARAC). (ii) Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) (iii) Two grants to support children and parents including therapeutic interventions. (iv) Grant to support community engagement and training for Family, Friends and community members (Findaway Project). Also to support the ‘legacy’ of the Ask Me (2021-22) scheme.

James Knott Foundation: Part funding for a Volunteer Co-ordinator to recruit, supervise and deploy volunteers across service areas.

Ballinger Trust: Part funding for a Volunteer Co-ordinator to recruit, supervise and deploy volunteers across service areas.

Jill Franklin Trust: Provision of a Mental Health Outreach Worker supporting women with mental health problems within accommodation and community services.

BBC Children in Need: Small grant to support activities for children in Refuge.

Comic Relief: A five-year grant to develop and deliver a service for Family and Friends of victims of abuse. A partnership approach with Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (Aafda).

Respect: A new early intervention and prevention initiative for Perpetrators of domestic abuse delivering one to one and groupwork for men over 18yrs of age.

Winston Churchill Memorial Trust: An ‘Activate Grant’ to promote and activate the role of Family and Friends in the prevention and early intervention of domestic abuse.

Virgin Money Foundation: A grant to strengthen Charity Leadership and sustainability.

Durham Community Foundation: A grant administered by the Foundation on behalf of NHS Charities Together. This grant funds delivery of an adult Counselling Service in partnership with ‘My Sister’s Place’ (Middlesbrough).

Harbour: A grant from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner administered by Harbour to deliver [in partnership with Harbour] a support service in the Police Control Room at weekends.

Designated funds

Property Fund: The Board have designated funds for the ongoing support of our buildings. This includes plans in the coming year to, (i) complete works in Sunderland and (ii) establish a new base in Sunderland from which to deliver front line services.

Accommodation Fund: To improve accommodation at the Washington site.

Minibus: Funds are also designated for ongoing running costs of the minibus which is used for children’s trips and transport for families moving in and out of refuge.

26

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) for the year ended 31 March 2023

21. Analysis of net assets by fund
For the year ended 31 March 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total
£ £ £
Fixed assets 1,404,926
-		 1,404,926
Net current assets 747,974 58,684 806,658
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year ( 149,799 )
-		 ( 149,799 )
_ _ _
2,003,101 58,684 2,061,785
_ _ _
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total
£ £ £
Fixed assets 1,054,613
-		 1,054,613
Net current assets 858,324 50,047 908,371
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year ( 34,167 ) ( 34,167
_ _ _
1,878,770 50,047 1,928,817
_ _ _

22. Pensions

Defined contribution

Pension contributions payable for the year ended 31 March 2023 amounted to £32,041 (2022 - £22,400). There were no amounts outstanding at the year end (2022 – nil).

23. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).

24.
Net cash provided by operating activities
2023
£
Net income/(expenditure) for the period
132,968
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
41,010
Interest received
( 1,020 )
Interest paid
8,145
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
( 45,861 )

Increase in creditors
( 60,431 )
_
Net cash provided by operating activities
74,811
 2022
£
328,023
22,317
( 50 )
1,992
232,930
78,115
_
663,327

27

Wearside Women in Need

Notes to the financial statements (Continued)

for the year ended 31 March 2023

24. Analysis of changes in net debt

Analysis of changes in net debt
At 1 Apr Cash At 31 Mar
2022 flows 2023
£ £ £
Long term borrowings ( 34,167 ) ( 115,632 ) ( 149,799 )
Short term borrowings ( 100,645 ) 73,201 ( 27,444 )
_ _ _
Total liabilities ( 134,812 ) ( 42,431 ) ( 177,243 )
Cash and cash equivalents 997,395 ( 190,561 ) 806,834
_ _ _
862,583 ( 232,992 ) 629,591
_ _ _

28