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2021-03-31-accounts

CIS’ ters

An experience in learning, sharing, growing - individually and together

Trustees’ Annual Report

Please note, when CIS ’ters was founded in 1995, the name was chosen to represent CIS (Childhood incest survivors) and ‘ ters , for the sisters who had been victims within the same family as the founder.

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Contents

Section one: Reference and administrative details ................................................................... 3 Trustees .................................................................................................................................. 3 Section two: Structure, governance, and management ............................................................ 4 Policies ................................................................................................................................... 4 Conflict of Interest ................................................................................................................. 4 Risk management statement ................................................................................................. 5 Public benefit statement ....................................................................................................... 5 Financial review ..................................................................................................................... 5 Additional reference and administrative information........................................................... 5 Section three: Objectives and activities..................................................................................... 6 Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document ........................... 6 Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects ................................................. 7 Section four: Achievements and performance .......................................................................... 8 Maintaining existing services ................................................................................................. 8 Helpline: ............................................................................................................................. 8 Group meetings: ................................................................................................................ 8 Referrals/Signposting: ........................................................................................................ 9 Advocacy ............................................................................................................................ 9 Emotional Resilience of Workforce: .................................................................................. 9 Achievements......................................................................................................................... 9 Highlights of the year ............................................................................................................. 9 Section Five: Consultancy/Commissions ................................................................................. 10 Section Six: Acknowledgements .............................................................................................. 11 Section Seven: Declaration ...................................................................................................... 11

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Section one: Reference and administrative details

Charity Name CIS’ters –surviving rape and sexual
abuse duringchildhood
Registered charity number 1184857
Charity’s principal address CIS’ters
Po Box 119
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9ZF

Trustees

Trustee Name Office Dates Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee
Gillian Finch Trustee/ Manager 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Louise Bird Trustee 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Samantha Richley Trustee/Chair 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Mary Bridgman Trustee/Treasurer 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Catherine McEwing Trustee 12/08/2019 –
10/11/2020		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Elsa Montgomery Trustee/Secretary 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Shelley Unwin Trustee 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Eileen Gorrod Trustee 12/08/2019 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees
Catherine Handley Trustee 17/11/2020 -
present		 CIS’ters
Board of Trustees

3

Section two: Structure, governance, and management

Type of governing document: Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Foundation

The charity migrated from original registration (1123125) to a CIO format and achieved registration on 12[th] August 2019 (1184857). Funds were transferred from the original registration on 31[st] March 2020, to the new CIO and 1123125 was formally closed on 19[th] January 2021

This is, therefore, the first set of annual accounts produced for the CIO under the registration of 1184857. It is important that when reviewing the Annual Report and accounts, that consideration is given to the achievements gained whilst registered as 1123125 – as they cover a substantial part of the history of our charity.

Trustees are selected following skills gap analysis. They may be recommended by existing trustees, and selection is by unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees. Trustees are appointed on their abilities and skills. In appointing trustees CIS ’ters aims to ensure a majority of trustees are adult female survivors of childhood rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation and are therefore representative of those using the primary service. Where no such majority is possible the survivor trustees have a casting vote.

Policies

The policy framework, developed under the original registration, was adopted in January 2014 and distributed to the trustees and workers in the agency in April 2014. There is a rolling programme of review every three years. During the reporting period of 2020-21, the following policies have been reviewed and updated:

The following new policy was written:

Conflict of Interest

A Conflict-of-Interest Register was initiated at the Trustee meeting on 23rd May 2018 and is now a formal part of each meeting. The Trustees confirmed that they had no conflicts of interest.

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Risk management statement

The trustees take responsibility for management of risk in CIS ’ters . Major risks are reviewed by the Trustees at their regular meetings and control systems have been established to manage those risks. Ongoing risks relate to securing sustainable funding. A workshop on the strategic direction for CIS ’ters took place 11th May 2019. This was attended by Trustees and chaired by one of our patrons, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery. Work on the development of a Business Plan and Funding Strategy, funded by a Lloyds Enable Grant, initially experienced COVID-related delays, but work has recommenced and is reported on p9 of this report. We have reviewed contractual arrangements for staff during the year due to COVID-19. We were able to maintain delivery using flexible arrangements.

Public benefit statement

All trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to guidance on public benefit when exercising their duties.

Financial review

Income received during the year was £89,530.96, which included COVID-related grants of £58.800. Expenditure totalled £53,675. We therefore had an overall surplus for the year of £35, 855.96 (which includes restricted income rolled forward from 2020/21 into 2021/22 financial years).

The Reserves policy recognises the need to ensure cash reserves to:

CIS ’ters aims to have a minimum reserve amounting to seven months running costs for the organisation as a whole. We achieved our aim this year.

Additional reference and administrative information

Bank HSBC 3 Leigh Road,
Eastleigh
SO50 9YW
Auditor Fred Bendall 8 Tenby Drive,
Chandlers Ford,
SO53 4NL

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Section three: Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity The Trustees shall hold the trust fund and its income upon trust to apply them for the set out in its governing document following objects (“the objects”): a. to promote and protect the health of female survivors aged over 18 who, born as female, during childhood were raped, sexually abused or sexually exploited in particular but not limited to those who were raped, sexually abused or sexually exploited by a member of their immediate or extended family; empowering such survivors in their own personal healing through the mutual affirmation, acceptance, respect and support of other survivors and, subject to funding, to assist in the provision or development of services for other persons affected directly or indirectly by rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation as the trustees shall think fit. b. to advance the education of the public, in particular those providing services, of the impact on child victims/adult survivors of childhood rape/sexual abuse/exploitation and the associated coping strategies used by some victims; and to promote an improved service response to the unmet needs of such child victims/adult survivors, and others affected directly or indirectly by experiences of sexual crimes.

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Summary of the main activities in
relation to these objects		 April 2020 – March 2021, delivery of the
service was adversely affected by
restrictions linked to the COVID-19
pandemic.
a. Production of our newsletter, available
to survivors; professionals working
within the specialist sexual violence and
abuse sector, or allied professions, and
to members of the general public,
continued with increased circulation.
b. Continued to provide a national
helpline, to offer support to adults who
have been affected by such abuse,
signposting where appropriate to other
services/agencies.
c. Awareness work was conducted via
social media with the general public, so
that they better understand core issues
including prevalence of such abuse.
d. Continued to network with key
professionals in other agencies,
including the statutory sector, to
highlight the unmet needs of child
victims and adult survivors.
e. Undertake fundraising activities to raise
funds to sustain the agency; recognising
the impact that restrictions would have
on those already accessing our charity;
and those that might reach out to us.
f. Planned physical peer group meetings
were cancelled due to social distancing
requirements.

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Section four: Achievements and performance

Maintaining existing services

Helpline: (phone and email): During the financial year 2020-21 there was a marked increase in demand for support. New contacts numbered 854 compared with 489 in the previous year. In addition, a total of 3583 support contacts were for individuals who were known to us, compared with 724 in prior year. These combined totals represent an increase of 366% on prior year. At some point, the increase reached 700% but reduced as lockdowns eased. Email provides more flexibility to those making contact, and it is therefore not surprising that these have risen at a faster rate, and calls reduced. All callers are treated with due respect regardless of gender, age, background. Those who meet our primary criteria of female, age 18+, who as a female child, were sexually abused within a family environment are offered ‘membership’ (a term we prefer to that of client or service user).

As of 31[st] March 2021, we had 524 members (compared with 508 members in prior financial year) of whom 52% live within combined Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton local government areas.

Group meetings: Core group and Drop-in sessions have been on hold this year due to COVID-19. As reported in last year’s annual report, review of group sessions to ensure they are meeting the needs of members was planned for 2020-21. Core group has been disbanded and focus groups with members are planned to develop the approach for Drop-in going forward. A weekly Zoom meeting for volunteers was instigated to ensure that they still feel part of the team during the pandemic. This is led by our external emotional (clinical) supervisor. The Volunteer Coordinator has provided one-to one support emotional support as required.

The Annual Weekend (Residential) Workshop for members was postponed.

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Referrals/Signposting: In recognition of the fact that CIS ’ters might be part of a survivor/members journey we have ensured that there is comprehensive information on our website which can be used by survivors and others to find additional services such as counselling. Within CIS ’ters when responding to emails and phone calls we continue to highlight the existence of additional services so that individuals have the widest choices open to them.

Advocacy: Increasingly we are finding that many of our members, whether they live in Hampshire or elsewhere, require advocacy or empowerment in addition to emotional support. Currently this is an under resourced area and will need sustainable funding.

Emotional Resilience of Workforce: The supervisor appointed last year continues to provide support for our workforce, in addition to that provided by both our Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. The majority of our workforce are members (i.e. survivors) and are carefully monitored to ensure that they are sufficiently resilient to undertake their respective roles.

Achievements

A COVID-19 related grant from NHSE&I has enabled us to work on a digital strategy which is being led by an external contractor, Jenni Bevis-Lacey. A new venture as part of this work has been the production of a podcast channel, Hidden Harm which can be accessed via our website (https://cisters.org.uk). Four podcasts had been recorded by the end of March 2021 and will continue on a weekly basis during 2021-22. The first of these was launched to coincide with International Women’s Day. Each one ends with a message to go away with:

We have conducted a survey of members and external stakeholders, including Trustees, as part of the work on our Business Plan and Funding Strategy. Analysis is in progress.

Highlights of the year

Our manager, volunteer Gillian Finch, was nominated by the Crown Prosecution Service for a ‘Safer Award’ which was part of an event organised by the Police and Crime Commissioner (Hampshire, IoW, Portsmouth and Southampton).

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Section Five: Consultancy/Commissions

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Section Six: Acknowledgements

We wish to give thanks to the following for their exceptional help and support during this difficult year:

Given the personal and financial pressures on individuals, we were unsure whether we would receive donations during 2020-2021. Trustees, on behalf of all of those who access our small charity, wish it to be known that we are hugely grateful to all those who donated directly or raised funds through sponsored events. The total sum donated is £15,522 and is a demonstratable and clearly visible effort during such a difficult year.

Section Seven: Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above:

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees (as at this date):

Signatures
Full Names Samantha Richley Gillian Finch Elsa Montgomery
Date 23/11/2021 24/11/2021 23/11/2021

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EXPENDITURE INCOME
A3.1 Salaries&traveletc(including
contractors)		 t23,050 Balanceb/f- Bank (GeneralLedger) t25,190.79
Balanceb/f-CASH f222.63
External Supervisionplusvolunteer t1,600
development Balanceb/f -Reserves L45,762.65
A3.21 Awareness Events(nonACE) L230 Depositfor Office Premises(SEC) t1,724.00
ACEs-specific (nonpayrollelement) €0 BalBfwdfromprioryear2019-2020t72,900.07
EntryFeefor LondonMarathon t0
43.22 SurvivorMeetings/VVksps/Residentials EO Grants FinancialYear2020-21 WITHIN YEAR
4.3.2.2 Volunteers: Recruit, Train, Travel &Food t1,409 OPCC(SCF1035 -2nd stase) €7,500 41.1A
43.2.4 Trustees: Recruit, Train, Travel &Food f0 lndigoTrust t2,000
43.3.2 Office Rent(s) & RoomHire t10,310 Grants-COVIDrelated20-21
A3.3.4 Electricity t526 OPCC(SCF1035 -covid extension) t7,s00
BusinessRates €594 Esmee Fairbairn Foundation t5,000
A3.3 POBox t278 NHSE&I €32,600
A3.4 Combined lnsurances(12monthspolicy) L1,004 LloydsBank Foundation t7,700
Stamps L2,985 CAFBank f6,000
43.5 Phone(s) & Broadband &DomainsMeb L1,529
Stationery t479 Otherlncome:
A3.6 PhotocopyinginclService Charge etc f.1,443 BespokeTraining f0.00 A1.3
A3.7 OtherAdvice, CRB Checks,lCetc fl83 Consultancy t,l,230.00
A3.7 AudiuAccountacy Advice t1,100 Pins& Ribbons(Awareness) t16.00
A3.7 Proffees/memberships t321 Donations(includingonlineGift Aid) t15,696.00 41.18
43.9 Equipment & Repairs & PurchaseBooks €0 Gift Aid- via H[/RC t1,154.39
Other: sundries, refreshments etc t105 HMRC -Job RetentionScheme L2,867.32
Covid specific additional equipment etc t5,600 Refunds L223.33 41.5
PatTestinq t0 Chequeswrittenback t'15.50
A3.10 BankCharges t0 lnterest L28.42 A1.6
Refunds -cancelledweekend workshop t929
Expenditure €53,675 lncome €89,530.96
BalancesCarriedForward:
General Ledger L21,073.'t9
Reserves (Restricted and Unrestricted) e85,791.07
Depositfor OfficePremises (SEC)incl key cards L1,724.00
Cash €'168.28
t1 08,756.54
Section A lndependent Examiner's Report
Reportto thetrustees/
membersof CIS'ters: survivingrape and sexual abuse during childhood
Onaccountsforthe year
ended		 31'tIVarch 2021
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(ifany)
1184857
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Respectiveresponsibilities Thecharity'strustees areresponsible forthepreparationoftheaccounts. The
of trusteesandexaminer charity'strusteesconsider that anauditis not required for thisyearunder section
144ot the CharitiesAct2011(theCharitiesAct)and thatanindependent
examination is needed.
It is my responsibilityto:
.
examine theaccountsundersection145of the Charities Act,
otofollowtheprocedures laiddowninthe generalDirectionsgivenbythe Charity
Commission (undersection145(5Xb) oftheCharities Act,and
oto statewhether particular mattershave come to my attention.
Basisofindependent My examinationwascarriedoutin accordance withgeneralDirectionsgivenby the
examiner's statement CharityCommission. An examinationincludesareview of theaccountingrecords
keptbythe charity and acomparisonof theaccountspresentedwiththoserecords.
Italso includes consideration ofanyunusual items or disclosuresinthe accounts,
and seeking explanationsfromthetrusteesconcerning anysuchmatters.The
procedures undertakendonot provide all the evidence thatwouldberequiredin an
audit, andconsequentlynoopinionis given as to whetherthe accountspresenta
'true andfair'view andthereport is limited tothosematters setoutinthe statement
below.
lndependent
examiner's statement		 ln connectionwithmyexamination,no matter has come to my attention (other than
that disclosed below*)
1.whichgivesme reasonable causetobelieve that in,anymaterial respect, the
requirements:
otokeep accountingrecordsin accordance withsection130of the Charities
Act;and
otoprepare accounts which accord withtheaccounting records andcomply
withtheaccounting requirements oftheCharitiesAct
have not been met;or
2.towhich,in my opinion, attentionshouldbe drawninorder toenable aproper
understanding of the accountstobe reached.
*Please delete the words inthebracketsifthey do not apply.
Signed:
Name:		 Date:
cfC
^il
SthJuly 2021
F BENDALL
Relevantprofessional
qualification(s) orbody C.I.P.F.A
(ifany):
8TenbyDrive
Address: ChandlersFord
Hampshire
t
SO53 4NL