## **Lifted Annual Report for 2022/2023**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
1
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Letter from our Manager**
Welcome to our first independent Annual Report.
We are so grateful to all our Supporters, Stakeholders, Volunteers and Funders and of course the amazing Parent Carer community whom we are privileged to be a part of in our journey to make a positive difference.
Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation (GMCVO) we wish to thank you for hosting us during our growth and development and Our Manchester for working with us over the years to develop our business plans and structure.
For our first annual report we are striving to showcase who we are and what we do, there is so much to share and to celebrate. It has been a long and challenging journey to have come so far and the resilience and resolve of our team is inspiring.
Lifted has been through a huge amount of transformation during this period. We have found and settled into our new home in “The Dandelion Community” at St Mark's Church in Wythenshawe. Here we have been integral partners in developing and supporting the community hub with our partners. The aim of this is to have services together in one accessible, warm and friendly space with access to support and information quickly.
We have continued our campaign alongside other amazing Carer Charities and under the Carers Manchester banner to reach out further to those carers not aware of the support out there. This is with a primary focus to reduce isolation and lack of resources and information. We are also working closely within our South Locality Partnership and this partnership approach is bringing on board so many fresh opportunities for Carers in the South of our City. Lifted are particularly focused on the bespoke group for Parent Carers of Adults with Autism and Carers affected by substance misuse issues impacting on their loved ones.
At a time where cost of living has hit crisis point, Lifted have adapted and sought additional support for families known to us. This has been through the “Fighting the cost of Living Crisis” Wythenshawe based action group, food bank referrals, support for the
dandelion Hub community Sunday lunches, referrals for carers grants, increased overall benefits support and additional cost of living grants for access to food, support with bills and prevention of crisis.
During this period we are also working with partners in the locality to tackle gender based poverty for women and this is through three year targeted funding from Smallwood Trust. It has been a powerful journey so far combining with other local women's groups to network, share and common ground.
Please enjoy reading all we have to share.
2
## **Content**
|Letter from our Manager|2|
|---|---|
|Our Vision|4|
|Our Purpose|4|
|Our Values|4|
|General Information|5|
|Lifted’s Offer|5|
|A look back at Lifted through the year|6|
||6|
|March 2022|6|
|April 2022|6|
|May 2022|6|
|June 2022|7|
|July 2022|7|
|August 2022|7|
|September 2022|8|
|October 2022|8|
|November 2022|8|
|December 2022|9|
|January 2023|9|
|February 2023|9|
|March 2023|10|
|Testimonials|10|
|Lifted Partners|11|
|Financial Review for the year 2022-2023|12|
|The Trustees|13|
|The future|14|
3
## **Our Vision**
Lifted’s organisation is called “Lifted” because their aim is to ‘Elevate parent carers of children & adults with special learning needs and autism’. Ensuring all carers have access to support, friendships, activities and most importantly know that their voice has been heard.
- `❖` Offering 1-1 support, guidance & advocacy and assistance with completing forms.
- `❖` Hosting special calendar events, lunches, days out and weekly walking sessions.
- `❖` Providing access to Training and information sessions for carers
## **Our Purpose**
Lifted, are a user-led organisation displaying empathy, understanding and care for all those visiting the centre. Lifted strives to make a positive difference and improve the health and well-being of those carers using the service.
Lifted principle visions are:
- `❖` To improve the quality of support and care that is given to carers who are full/part time carers within the local community and south Manchester through the provision of high-quality one to one appointment and advice and guidance given.
- `❖` To amplify the voice of carers in south Manchester by participating in research and making changes to the services that are on offer in Manchester.
- `❖` To increase support and opportunities for carers to meet and socialise with others who also are carers by providing weekly meeting opportunities within the community.
- `❖` To work with partners, using our collective expertise to support carers and to raise awareness and understanding of carers needs through information provisions, training and developing a growing community.
## **Our Values**
Lifted’s work is underpinned by these core values:
- `❖` Lifted’s services are high quality and are friendly and professional
- `❖` Lifted are inclusive and accessible
- `❖` Lifted collaborate to increase their impact
- `❖` We are committed to future development in the Wider Manchester Carer Community as well as our local Community in South Manchester
4
## **General Information**
Lifted have been supporting carers for more than 13 years in South Manchester and now central and North Manchester. For the last 12 years Lifted has been supported by GMCVO who has helped monitor us and support us while we do what we do best.
This year, is the first year Lifted became fully independent, and has full control over the running and direction of Lifted.
Lifted offers a fully open and transparent service with all its carers and network partners. We have an elected board of trustees that oversee all projects, funding and development of the Lifted team, vision and growth.
All staff, volunteer and trustees are or have been a carer’s and have a strong and personal connection to the work that Lifted provides to those in the community
For more than 12 years, Lifted have been delivering and providing high quality support and guidance to the carer’s community. Lifted offers their services for free ensuring that all our services can be freely accessed.
Lifted are proud of the ever growing network of partners and organisations that we work with and look forward to developing these even further each year.
## **Lifted’s Offer**
- We offer 1 – 1 support with complete form completion of
- DLA, PIP, Universal credit, Carers Allowance and other individual grants.
- Lifted will also support those who are appealing a review of the verdict.
- We offer advocate service and information and guidance. Lifted can attend meetings along with carers for additional support such as CAMHS, School meetings.
- We hold a weekly drop in session on a Monday for carer’s to catch up with each other
- We half a weekly walking group on a Wednesday in Wythenshawe Park
- We hold multiple events and courses over the year with our network partners
Lifted have a strong core team who oversee all appointments and guidance on offer, along with our excellent volunteers who are dedicated, passionate and support us in maintaining our high quality service and lead on many of our events and activities that take place over the year.
5
## **A look back at Lifted through the year**
## **March 2022**
Our volunteer Kate took the opportunity to write one of her many blogs for Lifted, this month's topic was mental health and how important it is for carers to make sure that they find a moment a day to themselves. You can read it here: - https://liftedmcr.org.uk/2022/03/04/wellbeing blog/
37 support cases were completed
## **April 2022**
April is stress awareness month and it’s something that affects the carers community hard. Lifted partners with local networks who we can refer to our clients to help with their own stress.
Lifted have a weekly walking group, which is open to all carer’s during these walks, you can walk and talk your stress away or just to be in the moment and breath. Along with a weekly drop in session, where you can be with other carers
27 support cases were completed
## **May 2022**
As always our appointment system is incredibly busy with complex information and systems for carers to navigate and follow. We have been successful in a number of new claims and appeals this month and this is a key motivating factor for our team knowing we are making that small difference from the work that we do.
36 support cases were completed
6
## **June 2022**
We have some fantastic news to share with you all! The official opening of the community hub is taking place on the 30th June. When you are next in the area, pop in and say hello to the members of the community hub.
We are proud to working with the following Hub members
- The Dandelion Community – part of The United Reformed Church
- Lifted
- Manchester Local Care Organisation
- Tone and Trim
- Connect Support
Blending with existing amazing groups already in the Dandelion Community and Church
We have also had the privilege of working with Bounce back food in order to help facilitate cookery sessions, health and hygiene training and batch meals to share within the Hub Community.
45 support cases we completed
## **July 2022**
43 support cases we completed
## **August 2022**
While summer is upon us, we thought why not give the website a summer clean.
We are also adding a new section, where you can have your say about Lifted. We would love to hear about your experience and thoughts about Lifted. We look forward to hearing from you all.
Come visit us on our new website www.liftedmcr.org.uk
30 support cases were completed
7
## **September 2022**
Drop in session Every Monday we have hold a catch up session for the #liftedFamily and any new carers that would like to join the family.
We have this catch up every Monday at 10am at the Dandelion building. Were you will always be greeted by a fantastic smile and brew (or cold drink if you’re like me and don’t drink hot drinks)
This is our time to just sit back and catch up with everyone and laugh and just be ourselves for a few hours.
Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone yet, you will be made to be part of the family from the moment you arrive.
22 support cases were completed
## **October 2022**
There have been a lot of new projects that have been going on behind the blog that have needed my attention! I can now spill all the gossip and share with you all, all the new exciting new things we have created at Lifted. We really hope that the #LiftedFamily really loves the new projects we have been involved in. You can read all about these projects here:
https://liftedmcr.org.uk/2022/10/14/the-goings-on-at-lifted-blog/
47 support cases were completed
## **November 2022**
Lifted have joined up with Smallwood trust to become of the 10 local charities in Wythenshawe to help create the Women of Wythenshawe Project.
The goal of the project is to give women from the local area a chance for their voices to be heard and to make a change within the community itself. Lifted have selected it’s volunteers for the project and the volunteers want to look at developing the communities understanding and knowledge of SEND and also SEND Mental Health. The project will run for three years and will provide skills and training for the WOW volunteers to become advocates within Wythenshawe
29 support cases were completed
8
## **December 2022**
Lifted held their annual Christmas party for carers and their families that use the Lifted services, it’s a great time of year as we can all come and celebrate the year we have had at Lifted. This event is our main each year and we cater for a minimum of 30 families. This was Lifted first Christmas after locked down and being at the dandelion. Lifted also have their own Santa for the event
13 support cases were completed
## **January 2023**
In Wythenshawe, a women’s group was recently granted £500,000 to enhance the services of ten charities in the area and empower women to decide for themselves where they think funding should go. Charities such as Lifted, who work with female carers to offer them financial support, will receive a total of around £20,000 in instalments over the next three years.
“It’s making women feel stronger about themselves,” Sue, a family support worker at Lifted Carers, told us. “You’re not just a little woman at home; do you know what I mean? You’re powerful. You can be a powerful woman.”
16 support cases were completed
## **February 2023**
Carers from Lifted enjoyed celebrating the Chinese New Year with the Manchester Carers South Partners; the event was hosted by our network partner Wai Yin Society.
Lifted had an amazing day out learning about the Chinese culture and why the New Year is so important and created an even stronger bond with the Manchester Carers South Partners teams
Wai Yin Society put on an amazing event; we were treated to a beautiful Chinese banquet. We also learnt to write our names in Chinese and we were also treated to a dragon dance. We also took part in singing and karaoke. Thanks to Wai Yin for such a warm welcome and enjoyable time.
44 support cases were completed
9
## **March 2023**
Lifted held our Mother’s day bingo event. It was a fantastic day and we had so much fun, there was so much laughter it was a great time catching up with everyone.
We were also blessed with fantastic gifts that were donated for event.
37 support cases were completed
## **Testimonials**
- _“I have been doing the walks on Wednesday for some months now. The people there are friendly and helpful so make for good companion we usually have a drink and a chat afterwards. Ms F”_
- _“I have used Lifted personally and would highly recommend there help and advice, I help at a foodbank and I am always referring customers to them, I trust that the help and advice is always there and up to date, they are a fantastic team, if you need any help being a carer or with benefit advice, pick up the phone! It may be hard at first but they are so welcoming and you will soon become part of the Lifted family. Mr K”_
- _“lifted are amazing very helpful. staff there are very friendly. they are lovely group of people always have the time to listen to us and help with my child send needs, highly recommend. Mr J”_
- _“Lifted has helped me and my family .Be able to part of a larger family. Mr C”_
- _“Lifted are great, very welcoming to everyone. Very very helpful with lots of knowledge and info, especially when you need help with forms. Emma and her team are the best. Ms C”_
- _“Lifted have helped me so much over the years since I was first introduced to them. They help with everything form filling and benefits advice to breaks and days out. I’ve made friends for life at Lifted. Ms T”_
- _“Friendly nothing is too much bother for them, very efficient and welcoming, which put me at ease. Ms B”_
- _“A place that feels like home. Ms S”_
- _“My sincere thanks for all your help, I would of been lost without you. Ms K”_
10
## **Lifted Partners**
Lifted prides themselves on their strong and dedicated networking skills that the team have spent the past fourteen years building. Below is a quick summary of those that we work with;
- The Dandelion
Community - 7 years
- Schools and Colleges including Specialists 13 years
- Tone and Trim - 8 years Years.
- Women of Wythenshawe (WOW)2 years
● Manchester City Council including Adult Social Care, Parent Inclusion and Early Help - 13 years ● Voluntary Sector organisations City wide 13 years
- Connect Support – 13 Years
- Carers Manchester - ● Network of 18 Carer groups across the City (6 years)
- Foodbank - 4 years
For more information on how we work within these networking groups please see below -
Lifted work within multiple community Networks. These include the Dandelion Community Hub where we are based. This is a shared home and network of support agencies all based in one place. We have worked closely together in order to build up a network of support within the community where we can share referrals amongst multiple agencies all in one location providing a carousel of support.
Lifted have also been an integral partner in the strengthening and cohesive approach to supporting Carers across the City of Manchester. This has been through a sharing of resources and networks of support across the Carer population. In 2020 Lifted were successful in securing a contract to work with partners in the South of the City to develop a locality offer from a cohesive multi carer support team.
11
## **Financial Review for the year 2022-2023**
The funding for Lifted to continue became uncertain in Feb/March 23and this was an unsettling process. The resolve and commitment of the team, stakeholders and partners to find additional funding came to the fore and numerous applications to funding organisations were made. This process included the national lottery for a three year core funding bid.
In particular we wish to thank MCC Adult Social Care for providing us the opportunity to apply for funding from the carers emergency fund. We also extend a warm thanks to our partners in the South Locality, The Dandelion Community and the Carers Manchester Team
Our finical accounts can be access on the Charity Commission Website.
*Note – Lifted took control of financial responsibilities from July 22, prior to this we were finically managed by GMCVO
12
## **The Trustees**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
John – Trustee Nina – Trustee
**----- End of picture text -----**
13
## **The future**
- Provide opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills and change the shape of Lifted
- Continue to work with Manchester City Council with funding opportunities for development of Lifted access in Manchester
- Expand the core team with the employment of an additional member of staff Develop and expand partnership collaboration
- Secure long term funding for core services
- Continue to respond to and consult closely with Carers to amplify their voices.
## **Thank you for reading and sharing our journey. We welcome your feedback and responses**
**CN: 1184747**
**The Dandelion Oatlands Road Wythenshawe Manchester M22 1AH**
**info@liftedmcr.org.uk www.liftedmcr.org.uk**
14
## **Profit and Loss**
## **Lifted**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2023**
|**Profit and Loss**
**Lifted**
**For the year ended 31 March 2023**||
|---|---|
||**2023**|
|**Turnover**||
|CRF Grant|(2,512.50)|
|Donations|1,179.89|
|Living Well Fund|1,063.54|
|Our Manchester|21,083.69|
|South Locality Partnership Work|10,618.74|
|Women of Wythenshawe|10,600.00|
|**Total Turnover**|**42,033.36**|
|**Gross Profit**|**42,033.36**|
|**Administrative Costs**||
|General Expenses|105.00|
|Insurance|170.00|
|IT Software and Consumables|458.88|
|Rent|1,400.00|
|Salaries|34,174.61|
|**Total Administrative Costs**|**36,308.49**|
|**Operating Profit**|**5,724.87**|
|**Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation**|**5,724.87**|
|**Profit after Taxation**|**5,724.87**|
Profit and Loss Lifted
31 Jan 2024 Page 1 of 1
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
**Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees/** Charity Name LIFTED **members of**
**On accounts for the year** 31[st] MARCH 2023 **Charity no** 1184747 **ended (if any)**
**Set out on pages**
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2023.
- **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
**Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**Signed: Date:** 31-01-2024 **Name:** Jayne Price **Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** Charter House, 63 Main Street, Frodsham WA6 7DF
**October 2018**
1
**IER**
**Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
**October 2018**
2
**IER**