OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1185678 (England and Wales)

Company registration number 11742071

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mrs Jayne Brett Mrs Katerina Draper Mrs Carol Freeman Mrs Julia Moriarty Mrs Susan Weston Secretary Mr Craig Wheeler Charity number 1185678 Company number 11742071 Registered office Bank House Abbey Terrace Winchcombe Cheltenham Gloucestershire England GL54 5LL Independent examiner BK Plus Limited 6 Manor Park Business Centre Mackenzie Way Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 9TX

(Appointed 17 October 2023)

(Appointed 10 May 2023) (Appointed 24 September 2023)

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

CONTENTS

Page
Trustee report 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Statement of financial position 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 14

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEE REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

The Objectives of the Charity are:

Public benefit

Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire exists to give children across Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and The Forest of Dean the best start in life. We do so by supporting parents; through our non-judgemental practical and emotional support, we empower parents to be the best they can be.

Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire provides one to one, in home, volunteer-led support to families living in the Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and The Forest of Dean districts. Volunteers undergo rigorous training and commit to providing regular weekly support to families referred to our service by midwives, health visitors, the Perinatal Mental Health team, Children and Family Centres, and the Infant Mental Health team. Following their training, these volunteers are carefully matched with a family affected by one or many of a wide range of challenges including: financial difficulties; isolation; mental ill-health; bereavement; disability; substance misuse; and relationship breakdown. This weekly support is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is beneficial to all.

These one-to-one volunteering opportunities, and those offered in the group settings, support personal and professional development. Volunteers receive ongoing support from our team of Family Support Coordinators, both to maintain their wellbeing and to ensure they have up to date knowledge of current legislation and developments in working with children and families.

Alongside the home visiting service, the charity provides pregnancy and post-natal groups for families from prebirth, allowing families in need of support to be identified and for that support to be provided as early as possible. The groups are designed not only to be informative, but to create and develop support networks for families that attend.

The group work programme includes:

The Baby & Me and Bump & Me groups run in 6-week blocks, with families signing up to full courses. The Mothers in Mind groups are drop-in and run throughout term time. Families who attend these groups can easily access additional support from Home-Start where needed.

We attend various county wide forums and strategic groups. We strive to be a voice for families from pregnancy to preschool, particularly those from disadvantaged or vulnerable groups.

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEE REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Key Achievements

Between April 2023 and March 2024, Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire has supported 375 families:

116 families have had regular home-visiting support from volunteers and Family Support Coordinators. 259 families have been supported by our maternal mental health peer support groups (Mothers in Mind), which run across our region in 7 locations.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, we delivered 4 volunteer courses in June 2023, August 2023, November 2023 and February 2024. Through the volunteer courses we have trained a total of 23 volunteers.

Our main referring agency is perinatal infant mental health services, followed by health visiting teams, midwifery teams and early help organisations (children and family centres, early years settings).

We have maintained strong relationships with other organisations in the communities we serve and continue to develop these relationships to promote families access to services through signposting, and discussions on referral processes. We have also developed new partnerships with organisations in the area through the Voluntary and Community Sector networks, promoting volunteering opportunities and the services we provide for families.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total income for the period April 2023 – March 2024 is £204,957 and total expenditure is £249,527 leaving a deficit carried forward of £44,570. At the end of the previous financial year we had a surplus of £48,456, therefore leaving us with a small fund balance of £3,886 as at the end of March 2024.

The trustees have set a reserves policy which requires that reserves be maintained at a level which ensures that Home-Start’s core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty.

The calculations of the required level of reserves are an integral part of the organisation’s planning, budget and forecast cycles and considers:

Our current required level of reserves is £50,000, which covers three months of staff salaries.

2023-24 was a difficult year for fund raising for us and other charities within the Home-Start network and beyond. This was exacerbated towards the end of the financial year when the founder and director resigned her position with effect from 26[th] February 2024. After a rigorous recruitment process, we were pleased to welcome our New Director, Craig Wheeler, in late May of 2024. Craig’s early focus has been on fundraising and we supported his endeavours by contracting a trust and foundations specialist who helped to identify a strong funding pipeline. For the first part of 2024-25 we have seen positive results of our efforts in this area and we are confident of ending this and future years in a stronger financial position.

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEE REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

FUTURE PLANS

Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire are looking to expand our service delivery in the next financial year to offer local families support through peer support groups during pregnancy and early parenthood, which would then provide a universal cycle of support to families from conception of pregnancy until the child is 5 years old. Mother in Mind groups are delivered termly, January- March, April-July, and September- December, and each group will last for 10 weeks.

We are implementing new processes for the groups delivery to promote intended outcomes being achieved, and that the groups are being used for intended purposes. We have also consolidated our group offer and run 7 groups across the three localities and are using referral data and local insight data to decide on delivery locations.

We will continue to develop our existing relationships with the providers of the family hubs model for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, and since the appointment of the new provider for the Forest of Dean and Gloucester City family hubs has been announced, we have continued to develop the relationship with the provider. Senior staff have been attending networking events to develop relationships within the local community.

Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire has developed an 18-month strategic business plan which focusses on four areas; funding opportunities and sustainability, relationships with other organisations and providers, our staff and volunteers, and our profile within the communities we operate. The trustees and senior staff are reviewing and implementing the strategic plan and taking on specific roles to support this.

We have updated our volunteering adverts and linked with the voluntary and community sector to promote our volunteering opportunities, whilst also delivering presentations to corporate partners to promote the opportunities we have available. We continue to need to grow our volunteer team to support the families referred to our services. Retention of volunteers is being supported through peer supervisions and celebrations to ensure that volunteers are acknowledged for the time they give and the support they provide.

We have been able to support 375 families during the last financial year and plan to continue to offer the support service available so that we can maintain the offer.

In summary we will:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 27 December 2018, and registered as a charity. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Risk Management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the main risks.

Statement of Trustee responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Home-Start North & West Gloucestershire for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustee Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEE REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustee report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs Jayne Brett Trustee

11 December 2024

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Home-Start North & West Gloucestershire (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Roger F Downes FCA Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales BK Plus Limited

6 Manor Park Business Centre Mackenzie Way Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 9TX

Dated: 11 December 2024

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
3,108
-
Charitable activities
3
5,000
194,680
Other trading activities
4
2,169
-
Total income
10,277
194,680
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
4,624
244,903
Total expenditure
4,624
244,903
Net income/(expenditure)
5,653
(50,223)
Transfers between
funds
(9,933)
9,933
Net movement in
funds
7
(4,280)
(40,290)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
8,128
40,328
Fund balances at 31 March
2024
3,848
38
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
3,108
4,671
-
199,680
4,000
217,055
2,169
779
-
204,957
9,450
217,055
249,527
2,186
215,785
249,527
2,186
215,785
(44,570)
7,264
1,270
-
-
-
(44,570)
7,264
1,270
48,456
864
39,058
3,886
8,128
40,328
Total
2023
£
4,671
221,055
779
226,505
217,971
217,971
8,534
-
8,534
39,922
48,456

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
£
Current assets
Debtors
11
4,396
Cash at bank and in hand
19,855
24,251
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
12
(20,365)
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
13
Unrestricted funds
2024
£
£
6,980
52,676
59,656
(11,200)
3,886
3,886
3,886
38
3,848
3,886
2023
£
48,456
48,456
48,456
40,328
8,128
48,456

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 11 December 2024

Mrs Jayne Brett

Trustee

Company registration number 11742071 (England and Wales)

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Home-Start North & West Gloucestershire is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Bank House, Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5LL, England.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

1.2 Charitable funds

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

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when 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.

1.3 Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds. It is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

1.4 Expenditure

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

1.5 Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of which they relate.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Total Total
2024 2023
£ £
Donations and gifts 3,108 4,671

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3 Income from charitable activities

Grants
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Peter Lang Fund
Lottery Community Fund
HSUK
Gloucestershire County Council
NHS Gloucestershire ICB
CHK Foundation
Forest of Dean District Council
PHD Project
Barnwood Trust
Aspire Foundation
Other
4
Income from other trading activities
Fundraising events
Total
2024
£
199,680
2024
£
59,100
54,858
40,000
29,000
5,500
5,000
4,000
2,222
-
-
-
199,680
Total
2024
£
2,169
Total
2023
£
221,055
2023
£
60,000
103,506
300
9,614
-
-
4,000
2,222
19,740
6,650
15,023
191,009
Total
2023
£
779

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5 Expenditure on charitable activities

Direct costs
Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Insurance
Fundraising agents
Direct expenses
Staff training
Travel costs
General expenses
Venue hire
Computer expenses
Telephone
Postage & stationery
Advertising
Office rent
Other office costs
Membership fees
Share of support and governance costs (see note 6)
Governance
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
6
Support costs allocated to activities
Governance costs
Analysed between:
Accountancy and legal fees
Total
2024
£
199,851
-
1,077
561
2,478
3,975
8,573
3,333
2,546
2,979
560
145
10,247
5,100
286
4,083
245,794
3,733
249,527
4,624
244,903
249,527
2024
£
3,733
3,733
Total
2023
£
177,891
822
1,060
3,485
1,331
1,483
8,520
3,333
3,261
1,217
1,667
162
2,021
4,675
25
3,250
214,203
3,768
217,971
2,186
215,785
217,971
2023
£
3,768
3,768

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7 Net movement in funds

Net movement in funds 2024 2023
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets - 822

8 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

9 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
2024
Number
12
2024
£
189,006
5,420
5,425
199,851
2023
Number
12
2023
£
168,948
4,471
4,472
177,891

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

10 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

11 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
2024
£
2,222
1,275
899
4,396
2023
£
5,500
1,275
205
6,980

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
2024
£
771
4,880
11,168
3,546
20,365
2023
£
676
2,204
5,500
2,820
11,200

13 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 April 2023 Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
- (2,000) - - (2,000)
Lottery Community Fund 40,328 54,858 (104,720) 9,534 -
The Peter Lang Trust - 59,100 (59,118) 18 -
Forest of Dean District Council - 4,000 (4,000) - -
PHD Project - 2,222 (2,222) - -
Henry Smith - 40,000 (40,371) 371 -
Levelling Up GCC - 29,000 (26,962) - 2,038
NHS Gloucestershire ICB - 5,500 (5,503) 3 -
Gordon Gray Trust - 2,000 (2,007) 7 -
40,328 194,680 (244,903) 9,933 38

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13 Restricted funds

Restricted funds (Continued)
Previous year: At 1 April 2022 Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Lottery Community Fund 34,498 103,506 (97,676) - 40,328
Pears Foundation 4,560 - (4,560) - -
Gloucestershire Community
Foundation - 5,000 (5,000) - -
The Peter Lang Trust - 60,000 (60,000) - -
Forest of Dean District Council - 4,000 (4,000) - -
PHD Project - 2,222 (2,222) - -
Gloucestershire CC - 9,614 (9,614) - -
Aspire Foundation - 6,650 (6,650) - -
Barnwood Trust - 19,740 (19,740) - -
Barnados - 4,914 (4,914) - -
Tewkesbury BC - 1,000 (1,000) - -
Gloucestershire Masons - 300 (300) - -
HSUK - 109 (109) - -
39,058 217,055 (215,785) - 40,328

14 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April 2023 Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 8,128 10,277 (4,624) (9,933) 3,848
Previous year: At 1 April 2022 Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 864 9,450 (2,186) - 8,128

HOME-START NORTH & WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
At 31 March 2024:
Current assets/(liabilities)
1,848
2,038
1,848
2,038
Per balance sheet
3,848
38
Balance to allocate
2,000
(2,000)
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
At 31 March 2023:
Current assets/(liabilities)
8,128
40,328
8,128
40,328
Total
2024
£
3,886
3,886
3,886
-
Total
2023
£
48,456
48,456

16 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).