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2024-09-30-accounts

ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2024

Registered Charity Number 1185335

EDMUND CARR LLP Chartered Accountants 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW

ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

CONTENTS

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||| |---|---| |Trustees' report|1| |Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees|5| |Statement of Financial Activities|6| |Balance Sheet|7| |Statement of cashflows|8| |Notes to the accounts|9|

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION CHARITY INFORMATION

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Charity Name Essex Recovery Foundation
Charity Number 1185335
Address Moulsham Mill
Parkway
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 7PX
Trustees Dr M Roberts
Mrs M Goldie
Mr J Harrington
Mr D Clarke
Mr A Sheldon
Mrs D Patel (Resigned 21/03/2025)
Mrs K Mitchell (Appointed 12/01/2024)
Mr J Cook
Mr N Marsh
CEO Mr L Hickmott
Independent Examiner Alex Stone FCCA
Edmund Carr LLP
146 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM2 0AW
Banks Lloyds Bank Virgin Money
25 Gresham Street Jubilee House
London EC2V 7HN Gosforth
Newcastle NE3 4PL
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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Foundation exists to support people in Essex to build and sustain long-term recovery from addiction and for our recovery community to use their voice to influence change. Our charitable objectives are delivered through four strategic aims:

Public Benefit

The directors confirm that they have had due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

1. Growing Communities

We have significantly expanded our network of recovery spaces and outreach activities:

• Weekly recovery spaces are now held in each quadrant of Essex, with additional “Walk & Talk” and community meet-ups in other districts.

• Two new spaces were launched in early 2024: Chelmsford (Riverside Leisure Centre) and Basildon (Towngate Theatre), both thriving with high weekly attendance.

• A pilot space was launched in Thurrock, supported by the development of a dedicated Community Engagement role.

• Over 150 people attended our space launch events across Essex, and outreach partnerships with services like Open Road, Next Chapter, and SHARP cohorts have flourished.

• We launched a new CRM system (Beacon) to streamline registration, communications, and event tracking.

2. Empowering People

This year has seen strong progress in building the capacity of people in recovery:

• Community members took part in accredited training such as Emergency First Aid and Professional Boundaries, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

• The “Understanding Commissioning” training day brought together over 20 individuals with lived experience to understand and engage with public health commissioning cycles.

• A structured volunteer programme was launched, offering pathways for community members to take on Outreach Volunteer roles and support others entering recovery.

• Five Community Researchers were recruited to support our "Community Voice" programme, which aims to amplify lived experience input into system change.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

  1. Influencing Change

Our commitment to system transformation through lived experience leadership has grown:

• ERF is now recognised as a central partner in Essex’s recovery system and the way commissioning happens, adding real lived and living experience to contribute to key decisions.

  1. Changing Perceptions of Addiction and Recovery

Public perception change remains central to our mission:

• Ongoing partnerships with schools, colleges, and community groups have ensured recovery stories are heard and stigma is challenged.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

We received quarterly payments of £41,100 from year three of the three year National Lottery Community Fund grant (RC London and South East Region), totalling £123,300 within the financial year. The total value of the grant over three years is £366,700.

In April 2024 we received grants of £522,000 from Essex County Council which contributed to our overall operational costs, and particularly around community development and the lived experience element of commissioning drug and alcohol services in Essex.

Expenditure has increased through the year due to recruiting paid employees and subsequent elevated activity.

We have secured further funds from Essex County Council and have grant agreements in place for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.

In addition to these secure grant agreements, we are confident that we will continue to attract further funding due to our unique project with comprehensive plans for the future.

Reserves Policy

Our reserves policy is to hold a minium of three months of operational costs in reserves at all times which equates to approximately £180,000. Unrestricted funds at 30 September 2024 were £14,130. The balance of restricted funds from Essex County Council held at the year end was £736,423. This included funds to cover project and core operating costs in the period 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2024 which amounted to £667,000. The National Lottery Community Fund grant fund balance of £23,055 is restricted to use on our projects.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review strategic and operational risks. Key areas of focus in 2023/24 included:

• Financial sustainability – mitigated by securing multi-year funding and developing earned income streams.

• Safeguarding – continued prioritisation through policy updates and team training.

• Governance of new ventures – notably Cornerstone Café and Community Voice, with appropriate legal and financial controls developed in advance of launch.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Our focus for 2024/25 and beyond includes:

• Opening Cornerstone Café – a social value speciality coffee house and co-working space in central Chelmsford, run by people in recovery.

• Diversifying income through a new commercial brochure of services offered to other locations around the UK to support them in developing similar models to ERF.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and is governed by its constitution dated 16 September 2019. Trustees have been appointed based on their skill set, lived experience of addiction and recovery and passion for the endeavour. We have an aspiration to eventually have 100% of trustees who have lived experience. Moving forward, we will identify any skills gaps and continue to approach potential trustees from within our recovery community and where appropriate and necessary, we will advertise externally via an open and transparent recruitment process.

Essex Recovery Foundation has a core delivery team of six staff (increasing to eight), with four further team members overseeing each of the charity’s strategic pillars. The organisation is overseen by three senior managers, including the Chief Executive Officer, who holds overall responsibility for day-to-day business of the charity. The CEO reports quarterly to the Board of Trustees, providing progress updates and seeking approval for key strategic and financial decisions.

The pay and remuneration of key management personnel at Essex Recovery Foundation are set by the Board of Trustees using a clear and transparent process. This includes benchmarking against comparable roles in the charity and social enterprise sectors, taking into account skills, responsibilities, and market conditions to ensure fairness, competitiveness, and value for money.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Approved by the Trustees on 28 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

..............................

Nathan Marsh Chair of Trustees

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 15. 30 September 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Edmund Carr LLP provides book-keeping services to the charity and I can confirm that I have applied the provisions of the Revised Ethical Standard 2024 issued by the Financial Reporting Council. Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in

Independent examiner's statement connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examine1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the cha r ity as required by section 130 of the must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Act; or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materiI have no concerns and have come across no other m a tters in connection with the examination to l matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to belwhich attention should be drawn in th i s rev e that in any matport in order to e rin a ble a proper understanding of the l respect: accounts to be reached.

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the .......................... accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent Sandra Morrell FCCA examination.

Edmund Carr LLP I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention 146 New London Road should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Chelmsford

CM2 0AW .......................... 24 July 2023

Alex Stone FCCA

Edmund Carr LLP 146 New London Road Chelmsford CM2 0AW

28 July 2025

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
Notes
INCOME from:
Donations and legacies
2
4,321
Charitable activities
3
7,119
Investment income
4
2,283
TOTAL INCOME
13,723
EXPENDITURE on:
Charitable activities
5
-
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
-
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
13,723
Transfer between funds
-
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
13,723
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
407
Total funds carried forward
14,130
12/13		 Restricted
Funds
740,875
-
-
740,875
631,678
631,678
109,197
-
109,197
650,281
759,478		 Total
2024
£
745,196
7,119
2,283
754,598
631,678
631,678
122,920
-
122,920
650,688
773,608		 Total
2023
£
475,406
-
-
475,406
322,038
322,038
153,368
-
153,368
497,320
650,688

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank
Debtors
10
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due
11
within one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted
12
Restricted
13
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS		 £
£
8,510
266,547
1,111,673
1,378,220
613,122
765,098
773,608
14,130
759,478
773,608
2024		 £
£
7,777
471,751
181,205
652,956
10,045
642,911
650,688
407
650,281
650,688
2023

These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

…........................

Nathan Marsh

Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

Notes
Net movement in funds for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
10
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
11
Depreciation charge
6
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
9
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward		 Total
2024
£
122,920
(930,468)
603,077
2,741
(201,730)
(3,474)
(3,474)
(205,204)
471,751
266,547		 Total
2023
£
153,368
219,991
6,503
1,130
380,992
(7,349)
(7,349)
373,643
98,108
471,751

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view'. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Essex Recovery Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It is a registered charity and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) 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.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.

Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. The majority of costs are attributable to specific charitable activities. Governance costs are associated with the governance arrangements of the charity.

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Debtors and creditors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Provision is made for depreciation on tangible assets at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of each assets over its expected useful life as follows:

Equipment 25% straight line basis

Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds – these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.

Taxation

As a registered Charity, the company is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

General donations
Government grants
Other grants		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
721
-
3,600
4,321		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
732,275
5,000
737,275		 Total Funds
2024
£
721
735,875
8,600
745,196		 Total Funds
2023
£
406
475,000
-
475,406

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Festival Income
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest receivable		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
7,119
7,119
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,283
2,283		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total Funds
2024
£
7,119
7,119
Total Funds
2024
£
2,283
2,283		 Total Funds
2023
£
-
-
Total Funds
2023
£
-
-

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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

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5. CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
-
Marketing costs 61,892 61,892 70,905
-
Consultancy fees 10,474 10,474 48,275
Event costs - 83,573 83,573 12,174
PHD Post - 23,753 23,753 -
-
Staff costs (see note 8) 412,777 412,777 169,958
-
Support costs (see note 6) 39,209 39,209 20,726
-
631,678 631,678 322,038
6. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS Total Funds Total Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Rent and rates 3,139 1,094
Insurance 1,425 1,016
Printing, postage, and stationery 709 352
Sundry and admin costs 2,735 331
IT and other computer costs 9,420 4,274
Staff training 2,584 1,202
Legal and professional 2,883 5,783
Travel 2,737 -
Governance costs (see note 7) 10,836 5,544
Depreciation 2,741 1,130
39,209 20,726
7. GOVERNANCE COSTS Total Funds Total Funds
2024 2023
£ £
Accountancy and examination fees 5,310 5,400
Other financial service fees payable to independent examiner 5,526 144
Total fees payable to independent examiner 10,836 5,544
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ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

8. ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Staff and volunteer expenses		 2024
£
362,520
30,770
5,609
13,878
412,777		 2023
£
156,704
11,144
1,572
538
169,958

Staff costs are allocated between funds based upon the time spent by staff members on restricted charitable activities and administration

One employee received remuneration benefits of between £60k and £70k.

None of the trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration for their services.

The average number of employees during the year, by head count, was 15 (2023: 4).

The remuneration benefits of key management personnel totalled £68,713 (2023: £56,674)

9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 1 October 2023
Additions
At 30 September 2024
Depreciation
At 1 October 2023
Charge for the year
At 30 September 2024
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023
10. DEBTORS
Grants receivable
Prepayments and accrued income
Taxation and social security
Other debtors		 Equipment
£
9,249
3,474
12,723
1,472
2,741
4,213
8,510
7,777
2024
£
1,068,587
30,415
12,527
144
1,111,673		 Total
£
9,249
3,474
12,723
1,472
2,741
4,213
8,510
7,777
2023
£
-
168,534
12,527
144
181,205

13

ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

11. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors		 2024
£
7,279
604,572
1,271
613,122		 2023
£
4,070
5,400
575
10,045

Accruals and deferred income includes deferred income of £522,000 all of which arose in the year (2023 - deferred income of £Nil). Deferred income relates to grants awarded to the charity for which the conditions for income recognition have not yet been met.

12. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

General Fund
General unrestricted funds
Comparative
General Fund
General unrestricted funds
3. RESTRICTED FUNDS
Restricted funds
1 National Lottery Community Fund
2 Essex County Council Grants
3 Thurrock Council
4 Essex Community Foundation
Comparative
Restricted funds
1 National Lottery Community Fund
2 Essex County Council Grants		 Balance at
01/10/2023
£
407
Balance at
01/10/2022
£
1
Balance at
01/10/2023
£
163,080
487,201
-
-
650,281
Balance at
01/10/2022
£
292,180
205,139
497,320		 Income
Expenditure
£
£
13,723
-
Income
Expenditure
£
£
406
-
Income
Expenditure
£
£
19,375
159,400
667,000
417,778
49,500
49,500
5,000
5,000
740,875
631,678
Income
Expenditure
£
£
-
129,100
475,000
192,938
475,000
322,038
Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Movement in funds		 Balance at
30/09/2024
£
14,130
Balance at
30/09/2023
£
407
Balance at
30/09/2024
£
23,055
736,423
-
-
759,478
Balance at
30/09/2023
£
163,080
487,201
650,281

13. RESTRICTED FUNDS

14

ESSEX RECOVERY FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

13. RESTRICTED FUNDS (continued)

14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS (between restricted and unrestricted funds)

Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Unrestricted funds
Restricted		 Tangible
fixed assets
£
-
8,510
8,510
Tangible
fixed assets
£
-
7,777
7,777		 Other net
assets
£
14,130
750,968
765,098
Other net
assets
£
407
642,504
642,911		 Total
2024
£
14,130
759,478
773,608
Total
2023
£
407
650,281
650,688

15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions for the year end 30 September 2024 (2023: Nil).

15