FOR THE CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT
Period start date 01-10-2021 Period end date 30-09-2022
Charity name: BETTER LIVING Charity Number: 1181947
Objectives and Activities
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The relief of those in need by reason of disability or age |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The primary consideration before any activities can be carried out is for the Charity to acquire premises in which to operate. The original intention was to acquire premises via the local PCTN – Surrey Heartlands – but this has been made impossible by the Corona Virus problems, as all premises are now totally in use. We have, therefore, explored alternative premises via the Methodist Church and local councils, but none have been appropriate to date. We are currently exploring the possibility of private premises in the Epsom area, and also council properties via the Chairman of Headley Parish Council. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We can confirm that the Trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit at all times. This will, of course, become more appropriate when the Charity is in a position to begin to operate. |
Additional Information
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers | Para 1.38 | Not applicable at this stage |
| Other | None |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the Charity, identifying the difference the Charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | As stated above, the impact of the Corona Virus has made it impossible for us to secure premises to date, and, in addition, has made it illegal to draw people together for community involvement at this time. Consequently, research on appropriate premises continues, and in addition, many contacts have been made, creating support for our concepts, and there has been participation in relevant conferences – the majority, virtual – notably with The Kings Fund; National Voices, and the Annual Public Meeting for The Charity Commission. Significant contacts made last year have been maintained and increased, and we have initiated and participated in virtual discussions with Care providing professionals, and MP’s, as well as visited and made enquiries about potentially suitable sites. We continue to be members of National Voices, participating in their virtual Policy Meetings, and have volunteered to join their Board as a Trustee. If some of our concepts are adopted by the government – as we hope they will be – they will make a significant difference to society as a whole, and our potential beneficiaries in particular. |
Additional Information
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objects set |
Para 1.41 | As stated, the pandemic has made it impossible to realise our principal objectives this year, so the opportunity has been taken to spread our concept and create good links with relevant organisations and significant contacts. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising activities have not been appropriate at this stage. We have been most fortunate to receive sufficient donations from concerned contacts to cover basic administrative requirements, and all involved to date provide their experience and expertise on a voluntary basis |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable |
| Other | None |
Financial Review
| SORP REF. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of the Charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As the charity is new and cannot operate at this stage, it has only required a small amount of seed funding to cover administrative costs, which has been provided by those concerned in assisting the charity to become established. There are no paid staff. All work is currently carried out on a voluntary basis. Opening Balance: 764.00 Income for the Period: 0.00 Balance 764.00 Expenditure for the Period: Website costs 87.00 Balance of funds held 677.00 |
|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | As illustrated above, no reserves are currently held – only a small amount of seed funding |
|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | None | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | None required at present | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
Additional information
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funding |
Para 1.47 | To date only limited seed funding has been required and this has been kindly donated by concerned individuals wishing to assist us in achieving our Aims–see above for details |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | None at present |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | None at present |
| Other | None |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts |
SORP REF. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted (eg unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions eg election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | There continues to be the five founding trustees, all of whom have a particular interest in the aims of the charity and have a wide range of skills to offer it. All have been (enhanced) DBS checked. We have been most fortunate to have attracted a new Trustee – Jonell Rowe – who is a TV Assistant Director, and private film-maker – and is currently undergoing the enhanced DBS check, as this was not possible through the Volunteer Bureau a few months ago. |
Additional information
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP REF. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Some of the trustees have served as trustees for other charities in the past. All are mature business people and are fully aware of their responsibilities. All have had enhanced DBS checks (with the exception of Jonell Rowe – see above), and all have been provided with the DSC trustee handbook |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is managed by the trustees who met regularly before the pandemic, but at present are obliged to communicate via the internet. The charity is a member of National Voices, and networks with many organisations but continues to be independent. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | No formal relationship with any other parties |
| Other | None |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Better Living |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | None |
| Registered charity number | 1181947 |
| Charity’s principal address | 1 Sir Abraham Dawes Cottages Putney Bridge Road London SW15 2PR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Howat | Honorary Chair | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Richard Rapazzini | Honorary Treasurer | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Howard Gilbert | Honorary Secretary | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Nigel Gilbert | Founding Trustee | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Frederick Watson | Founding Trustee | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Jonell Rowe | New Trustee | 1stJuly 2021 | Not applicable |
Reference and Administrative details
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year None Not applicable
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity None. Not applicable Name and objects of the charity on whose None. Not applicable behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and None. Not applicable segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information
Names and addresses of advisors
None. Not applicable
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members
Ms. Maggie Gilbert – Co-ordinator – Voluntary position
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Howard Gibson Gilbert
Position (eg- Secretary Chair, etc)
Honorary Secretary
Date
19[th ] October 2021
Exemptions from disclosure