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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity Number: 1185942

HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 DECEMBER 2024

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report and the financial statements of Hands (Help A Neighbour in Distress Scheme) for the year to 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the Charities Act 2011, the governing document of the charity, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable objectives

Hands’ charitable objective is “to relieve, with the aid of local volunteers, persons in need of practical help and support in Twickenham and St Margaret’s in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames”.

Relationships with related parties and representation on other bodies

The charity has assumed the activities, assets and liabilities of a previously registered unincorporated charity of the same name (charity no 1033694) with effect from 1 January 2020. The unincorporated charity was dormant throughout the period.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities and events

2024 has been a significant year for the charity and operationally we have continued to provide much needed support and help to our clients, especially older people and those who are isolated or housebound in the Twickenham and St Margarets areas in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Our dedicated team of local volunteers has given in excess of 2,000 hours to help 130+ clients with over 1,000 tasks ranging from transport services (338), shopping services (638), IT support (24) and small DIY jobs (eg garden tidying). Alongside these activities, Hands provide a bi-weekly accompanied shopping bus service – the 26 trips enabled 208 client-shops and provided the shoppers the chance to socialise amongst themselves and with the team of volunteers over tea & coffee.

Befriending continues to be an important service offered by Hands. This year 21 Befriender volunteers made over 560 contacts, including 420 home visits and other valuable interactions such as phone calls, help with shopping and small DIY tasks. Our Befriending lead made 620 client contacts and 19 home visits during 2024.

In addition, Hands offered a programme of social events throughout 2024 including informal Coffee Mornings, Afternoon Teas with interesting talks and boat trips on the River Thames. Our Christmas activities included an Afternoon Tea with Christmas Carols, distribution of 50+ gift boxes donated by a local nursery and Scout group, plus Hands clients were invited to attend Christmas lunches provided by other local charities.

The feedback from our clients has always been very positive. They report that Hands makes a difference to them, their lives and social well-being and to their families too. None of this would have been possible without our steadfast cohort of volunteers. The Trustees thank them all for their unstinting efforts.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

The office has seen several changes in the year. As part of the strategic review on the future of Hands undertaken in 2022/23, the Trustees decided to employ another member of staff to work alongside the office volunteers and the Co-ordinator to manage all that was being asked of Hands now and, importantly, its expanded offerings in the future. Rhiannon Cruise-Cooper was appointed to the position of Administrator in April 24.

Theresa Williams, the then Coordinator, resigned in July 2024 so the portfolio of services was managed by Rhiannon and a core team of four Office volunteers. The Trustees would like to thank the team for keeping Hands operating during this time. In September 2024, a new Coordinator, Tracey Merrett, joined the team and quickly picked up the challenges facing Hands and has brought new insight into Hands’ role in the community and what it can offer.

2024 also saw Hands investing in upgrading the office technology, telephony and IT systems identified by the strategic review as being fundamental to provide resilience and allow Hands to increase its’ client offerings. A new CRM system (Lamplight) was chosen to host and manage activities, volunteer and client data moving forward. Following a complete review of Hands client and volunteer data in 2024, the system was successfully implemented on 1 Jan 2025 with 120 client and 50 volunteer records. The charity can now look to provide more targeted services to its existing clients and we aim to increase its cohort of volunteers to around 100 by the end of 2025 and, with this additional resource, take on around another 60 clients.

There have been changes amongst the Trustees too. Jean Hunter and Maggie Pope stood down after many years’ service to the charity and its predecessor. Maureen Payan our President and founder of the charity in 1977 also stood down. New Trustees have been appointed in their place. The present body of Trustees are keen to ensure that the underlying ethos developed over many years by Maureen and others should not be lost. Indeed, it is embodied in the out-turn of the strategic review.

The Trustees have now received the long-awaited financial legacy kindly made by a former Hands volunteer. Legal advice has been sought about how the funds may be spent and/or invested. Various working parties have been set up to provide input and guidance into the decision-making process. The Trustees hope to conclude this in 2025 and in conjunction with the conclusions of the earlier strategic review, develop plans as to how Hands is to operate and be funded in the future to achieve is stated charitable objectives. In the meantime, the funds have been invested in a variety of short & medium-term cash deposits with the charity benefitting from the extra investment income generated.

Hands is now going from strength to strength and we are looking forward to expanding our services and team of volunteers to support more clients in 2025.

Public benefit

The trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when setting their objectives and activities. They are satisfied that Hands continues to benefit the public through its activities which are targeted to achieve its charitable objectives.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial results of activities and events

Following receipt of the legacy mentioned in previous years’ financial statements as a contingent asset in the 2[nd] half of this financial year, this year’s Statement of Financial Activity (“SOFA”) shows a significant surplus of £1,518,000 compared to the deficit of £26,000 reported for 2023. The legacy was substantially more than had been expected.

Hands has no source of permanent income and is wholly reliant on income from voluntary donations £5,300 (2023 - £5,800), grants £2,600 (2023 - £1,800), legacy income £1,550,600 (2023 £ nil) and interest £25,600 (2023 - £2,100). The legacies received in the period and the much higher level of interest earned from its investment means that our total income for the year from these sources was £1,585,000 compared to £9,700 for the previous year.

We also received and recognised as income just under £4,400 (2023 - £6,800) from our clients for shopping undertaken by the volunteers where the charity reimburses volunteers for the monetary value of the shop and look to collect the same from its clients. The net impact on charity reserves from this source of income is zero. We do not recognise as income the monetary value of the many shops organised by Hands where the volunteer is reimbursed by the client directly.

The level of charitable expenditure for the year was significantly higher at £72,000 compared to £43,000 for 2023 as the improvement in the charity’s financial position explained above allowed the trustees to bring forward and implement some of the conclusions of the strategic review. £8,400 (2023 - £11,000) was spent directly on client services including £4,000 (2023 - £4,200) spent on the cost of hiring the shopping bus and client refreshments, funding outings and trips on the River Thames and £4,400 (2023 - £6,800) reimbursing our volunteers for client shops. £63,800 (2023 - £32,400) was spent on direct support and governance costs as explained below. Expenditure was lower than the previous year because of a lack of operational capacity for a significant part of the year.

Direct support costs spent delivering our services were £58,180 (2023 - £32,300). These comprise payroll costs of £27,000 (2023 - £17,000), rent £7,000 (2023 - £6,900), bank & finance costs £2,100 (2023 - £60), office costs (telephone, IT, printing postage & stationery etc.) £20,800 (2023 - £6,600), professional fees for payroll and legal services £540 (2023 - £500) and office insurances £700 (2023 - £680). The increase in payroll costs reflects the trustees’ decision to employ an additional member of staff. The much higher office costs include around £11,000 of one-off expenditure on the CRM system, telephony and IT upgrades and £2,000 on rebranding and building a website to ensure the charity has the resilience and capacity to meet its charitable objectives in the years ahead. Governance costs include for the first time the cost of a professional independent examination of the charity’s accounts (£3,600), legal fees £1,860 for advice sought by the trustees on the implications of the legacy and its use by the charity and £160 (2023 £140) on trustee liability insurance cover.

Reserves, held in the form of bank deposits at the year end, increased from £190,000 to £1,710,000.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

Reserves policy

Following receipt of the long-awaited legacy during the year , t he trustees have embarked on a detailed review of the charity’s premises requirements, operations and its reserves and investments to recognise the significant impact the receipt of the legacy has on all these areas. Until this exercise is completed, the legacy receipt of £1.5m has been transferred to a designated fund and, consequently, is not to be taken into account in determining the free reserves of the charity at the present time.

The trustees wish to continue their existing policy of holding up to 5 years’ worth of reserves to secure the operational integrity of the charity in the absence of any form of regular income, to retain a staffed office and to keep a visible presence in the centre of Twickenham. Based on our current expenditure budget for 2025, a proportionate share of interest income and allowing for inflation over the 5-year period, a reserves fund of around £325,000 would be required. As our present reserves of approximately £190,000 which represent about 3 years’ worth of operational funding, discussions about the legacy fund will be key in achieving this ambition and to identifying the future free reserves that would then be available to develop the work of the charity.

Investments policy

The trustees are empowered to deposit or invest funds as permitted by the Trustee Act 2000. In practice, the trustees hold the free reserves of the charity in bank deposit accounts.

The trustees are satisfied with the performance of the charity’s investment assets for the period under review.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational structure

The charity is incorporated as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is governed in accordance with its registered CIO Foundation Constitution.

Method of recruitment, appointment, election, induction and training of trustees and officers

Recruitment

The trustees periodically consider the appropriate mix of skills and experience needed on the board to manage the charity and look to maintain this mix as and when a vacancy arises.

Appointment and election

The CIO Foundation Constitution requires there must be at least four and no more than eight charity trustees at any one time. Individuals are appointed by the trustees.

A charity trustee is appointed for an initial term of three years. A trustee who has served for three consecutive terms of office may not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term. Any trustee so retiring is eligible to be reappointed after an interval of at least one year.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

Co-opted trustees

The trustees may co-opt up to two further persons of special knowledge or experience to act as co-opted trustees for “a period of time”, as mutually agreed, but not exceeding 12 months from the date of first appointment. Coopted trustees may be reappointed by the trustees at the expiry of the agreed period of appointment. Such trustees will not be deemed a member of the CIO for the purpose of clause 16 of the CIO Foundation Constitution (Membership of the CIO).

Officers - President

The trustees may, from time to time, appoint a person to fill the office of president. The president is not a charity trustee or co-opted trustee. The president is entitled to attend and speak at meetings of the trustees but does not have the right to vote.

Induction and training

The role and responsibilities of a trustee are explained to all new trustees by the existing trustees upon appointment. Thereafter, all individual trustees are given the opportunity and are actively encouraged to go on courses at any time to suit their needs.

Risk and corporate governance matters

The trustees meet on a regular basis about once every six to twelve weeks. The trustees are responsible for maintaining controls to safeguard the position of the charity. The trustees identify the major risks to which it might be exposed and the systems and procedures that are practical in the circumstances to mitigate the risks identified. A review of these risks is carried out regularly. The significant risks identified include:

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ responsibilities in the preparation of financial statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the Governing Document. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Independent Examiner

The Charity’s income level for 2024 would normally require the financial statements to be subject to audit. On 13 February 2025, the Charity Commission granted the charity dispensation from this need under Regulation 34(3)(b) of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and allows for an independent examination to be undertaken in its place. The dispensation only applies for 2024.

Since the year end, the trustees appointed Martin Bailey FCA of Goodman Jones LLP to undertake the independent examination of the financial statements for 2024.

Page 7 HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DisfRESS SCHEME) TRU5TEES' ANNUAL REPORT IlndudFnÈ directorf report) for the year ended 3108wthr 2024 REFERENCE AIID ADMINIThATIVE DEfA115 Trustees.. Jean Hunter Chris Webborn Maurice Austin aara Stevenson Lorraine Bedborou Maggie Pope Tom Blacksell Emma Slater Chair Chalr Resigned IV312024 Seeretary Secretary Resi8ned VIO/2024 ReS￿ned VIo/2024 Appointed 1811112024 Co-opted trustee5- Tamasin knttle Malcolm Johnson Shirley Patton Re4ppointed 1811112024 Re-appointed 1811112024 Appointed 1811112024 All the trustees served throughout the period unless indicated otherwise. Chris Webborn was appointed as Chair when Jean Hunter stood down as being a trustee. Maureen Payan who was the charltfs Presldent st(￿d down from that role on l October 2024. The charity is a charitable incorporared organisation ICIOI registered under the charity number 1185942. The pilnclpal address of the tharrty 6 1" Floor. Public Library. Garfield Road. Th￿CkenhaM TWI 3JT. its email address is Info@handstaregroup.org.uk. The telephone number is 020 88913346. The office is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday- Friday lexcept bank & public holidaysl. Charlty Coordinator and AdmIn￿tratOr Teresa Williamson resigned as coordinator injuty 2024. Tracey Merrett w3s apwjinted in her place in September 2024. Rhiannon Crui5e-Cooper was recruited as Adrninistrator in April 2024. EXEMpfioNS FROM DISCLOSURE No exemptions from the disdosurerequirements applicabletoa small tharity have been tsken in the preparation of thi5 tru5tees' annual reporL The trustees. reportwas approved bythetrustees on 15eptember 2025. and wa5 signed for and on behalf of the trustee5 by= Maurice Austin Treasuref

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Charity Commission issued a dispensation dated 13 February 2025 allowing Hands to have an independent examination of its financial statements in place of an audit (Regulation 31(f)) for the year ended 31 December 2024. Consequently, I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Hands (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024. which are set out on pages 10 to 19.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act, and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements 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 examination.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

for the year ended 31 December 2024 continued

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.

trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state matters I am required to report to them in an Independent Examiner s Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and as a body for my work or for this report.

Signed: Name: Martin Bailey FCA Name of applicable listed body: The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional body: Chartered Accountant

ON BEHALF OF GOODMAN JONES LLP

1[st] Floor, Arthur Stanley House, 40-50 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RN

2025

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
2
Investments
3
Charitable activities
4
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
5
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward
at 1 January 2024
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
11		 2024
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,559,454
25,599
5,528
1,590,581
(72,160)
1,518,421
190,347
1,708,768		 2023
Unrestricted
funds
£
7,675
2,126
7,682
17,483
(43,555)
(26,072)
216,419
190,347

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

for the year ended 31 December 2023

______________
Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations and grants
2
Investments
3
Charitable activities
4
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
5
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward
at 1 January 2023
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
11		 ________
2023
Unrestricted
funds
£
7,675
2,126
7,682
17,483
(43,555)
(26,072)
216,419
190,347		 ___
2022
Unrestricted
funds
£
8,848
1,377
8,021
18,246
(39,990)
(21,744)
238,163
216,419

Page 12 HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN fMSTRE55 XHEMEI BALANCE SHEEr as at 31 ￿t￿mber 2024 2024 2023 FIXED ASSErs Investrnents s3,0￿) 83,W) Total fsxed assets CURR￿P￿ ASSETS Debtor5 14,561 Investments Cash at bank 938.176 188.303 I￿,347 Total curreni assets 1,632,737 LIABIUTIES Credltors.. Amounts falllng due wlthln one year io 16,9691 Net current assets 1.625,768 Total assets less current liabillties 1.708.768 190.347 TOTAL NET ASSETS 1,708.768 190.347 FUNDS OF THE CHARrrY Unrestricted funds General Fund li 1.708,768 190,347 TOTAL FUNDS 12 1.708.768 190.347 The financial ststements on pa8e5 10 to 19 were approved bythÈ trustees and authorised for issue on I September 2025 and are slgned on thetr behalf bv rls We Maurice Austln - Treasurer

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by/(used in)
operating activities
13
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest from investments
Purchase of investments
Cash provided by/(used in) investing
activities
Change in cash & cash equivalents in the period
Cash & cash equivalents at 1 January
2024
Cash & cash equivalents at 31
December 2024
14		 2024
1,497,091
15,782
(763,000)
(747,218)
749,873
188,303
938,176		 2023
(27,952)
2,126
-
2,126
(25,826)
214,129
188,303

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and under the historical cost convention.

The charity is a public benefit entity within the definitions of FRS 102.

The financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in more detail below and comply with the Charities Act 2011, the governing document of the charity, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102). They have also been prepared in Sterling, the functional currency of the charity, and have been rounded to the nearest £.

Going concern

The trustees have reviewed the financial forecasts for the charity and have considered its anticipated income and expenditure commitments for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The trustees believe that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next twelve months and meet its liabilities and obligations during that period as they fall due. For that reason, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Income

Donations, grants and other similar types of voluntary income are brought into account when receivable. Donated income is included gross of any attributable tax recoverable, where relevant.

Amounts received from clients to reimburse the charity for shopping undertaken by its volunteers is treated as income of the charity where the charity reimburses the volunteer for the shopping in anticipation of receiving the income from the client. It is brought into account on a receivable basis. Shopping organised by the charity where the client is responsible for reimbursing the volunteer is not treated as charity income.

Legacies are included as income when receipt is probable and its value to the charity can be measured with reasonable certainty. Probable is when probate has been granted and any conditions attached to the legacy preventing distribution have been discharged by the estate’s administrators.

Investment income comprises deposit account interest. Interest on instant and easy access accounts is recognised as income when it is received. Interest on fixed term deposit accounts is recognised over the term of the investment period.

Volunteer help: the value of any volunteer help is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

Expenditure

Expenditure is allocated to the charity’s principal activity where the costs can be identified as being directly related to that activity. Costs that cannot be identified in this way are categorised as either support. Any costs that cannot be specifically categorised are allocated in proportions based upon a suitable ratio applicable to the nature of the cost involved. All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Financial assets and liabilities

The charity’s debtors and creditors that meet the definition of either a financial asset or a financial liability are initially recognised at the transaction value and thereafter are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund accounting

The General Fund comprises the accumulated surpluses of unrestricted income over expenditure and is used in furtherance of the general objective of the charity.

Designated funds are a particular form of unrestricted funds consisting of amounts, which have been allocated or designated for specific purposes by the trustees. The use of designated funds remains at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds are funds subject to specific conditions imposed by donors. The purpose and use of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. Amounts unspent at the year-end are carried forward in the balance sheet. There were no restricted funds held at the balance sheet date.

Judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions.

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The trustees have not identified any estimates and assumptions that are considered to have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

2
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES – Unrestricted funds
Donations from individuals and organisations
Legacies
Gift aid tax recoverable
Grants receivable		 Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
5,386
5,875
1,550,621
-
765
-
2,682
1,800
1,559,454
7,675

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HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

3
INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS – Unrestricted funds
Interest Receivable
4
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES – Unrestricted
funds
Client Shopping service
Other charitable activities
5
CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE – Unrestricted funds
Charitable activities
Client shopping reimbursements
Other charitable activities
Support and governance costs (see note 6)
6
SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS
Bank charges
Insurance
Professional fees
Independent examination fees
Rent
Salary costs
Office costs		 Support
Governance
costs
costs
£
£
2125
-
700
160
540
1,860
-
3,600
7,000
-
26,952
-
20,864
-		 Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
25,599
2,126
25,599
2,126
Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
4,379
6,727
1,149
955
5,528
7,682
Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
4,379
6,810
3,980
4,256
8,359
11,066
63,801
32,489
72,160
43,555
Total
Total
2024
2023
£
£
2,125
60
860
815
2,400
528
3,600
-
7,000
6,866
26,952
17,553
20,864
6,667
63,801
32,489
58,181
5,620

HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

Page 17

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

7
STAFF COSTS - Unrestricted funds
Wages and salaries
Social security cost
Defined benefit pension contribution
Average monthly number of employees		 2024
2023
£
£
26,470
17,141
-
-
482
412
26,952
17,553
2
1

No employee earned more than £60,000 in either period.

None of the trustees, who are considered to be the key management personnel of the charity, received any remuneration in either period.

8
DEBTORS
Amounts falling due within one year:
Prepayments & accrued income
Other debtors
9
CASH AT BANK
Funds available on demand
Funds held at bank on term deposit accounts:-
As current asset investments maturing within 12 months
As fixed asset investment maturing after 12 months
10
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year:
Accruals
Other creditors		 2024
2023
£
£
13,220
1,975
1,341
69
14,561
2,044
2024
2023
£
£
938,176
188,303
680,000
-
83,000
-
1,701,176
188,303
2024
2023
£
£
6,500
-
469
-
6,969
-

HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

Page 18

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

11
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted Funds
Designated:
Legacy fund
Undesignated funds
General Fund
Unrestricted income
General Fund		 01-Jan
31-Dec
2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
between
funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,538,760
1,538,760
190,347
1,590,581
(72,159)
(1,538,760)
170,008
190,347
1,590,581
(72,159)
-
1,708,768
01-Jan
31-Dec
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
between
funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
216,419
17,483
(43,555)
-
190,347

12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

At 31 December 2024:
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
Legacy fund
Unrestricted funds:
General Fund
NET ASSETS
At 31 December 2023:
Unrestricted funds:
General Fund
NET ASSETS		 Fixed
Net current
assets
assets
Total
£
£
£
83,000
1,455,760
1,538,760
-
170,008
170,008
83,000
1,625,768
1,708,768
Fixed
Net current
assets
assets
Total
£
£
£
-
190,347
190,347
-
190,347
190,347

HANDS (HELP A NEIGHBOUR IN DISTRESS SCHEME)

Page 19

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) for the year ended 31 December 2024

13
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period
Adjustments for:
Interest from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating
activities		 2024
2023
£
£
1,518,421
(26,072)
(15,782)
(2,126)
(12,516)
246
6,968
-
1,497,091
(27,952)
14
ANALYSIS OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash in hand (note 9)
Total cash & cash equivalents		 2024
2023
£
£
938,176
188,303
938,176
188,303

15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Trustees were reimbursed for expenditure they paid personally for and on behalf of the charity as follows:

M Pope £131 (2023 - £247) for befriending service expenses M Austin £1,314 (2023 - £1,950) for office and payroll costs T Little £1,951 (2023 - £329) for client shopping services C Webborn £475 (2023 - £670) for office expenses

Others

R Austin, a spouse of a trustee, was reimbursed £49 (2023 - £243) for outing and office expenses she had paid for personally on the charity’s behalf.

Rick Stevenson Design Ltd, a company connected with a trustee, was paid £1,960 (2023 - £330) for design and artwork services.

There were no other related party transactions to be disclosed for this period.

16 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The minimum lease payment due from 1 January 2024 is £3,500 (2023 - £3,500).