**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE019370 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1186053** 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND 

## UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 

## FOR 

## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) 

H & E Johnson Chartered Accountants Sandall House 230 High Street Herne Bay Kent CT6 5AX 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report from the Chair**||1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2|to|10|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||11||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||12||
|**Balance Sheet**|13|to|14|
|**Cash Flow Statement**||15||
|**Notes to the Cash Flow Statement**||16||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|17|to|23|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|24|to|25|





BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT FROM THE CHAIR for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

My fellow Trustees and I are pleased to present our annual and strategic report for the year April 2022 - March 2023. The Trustees are pleased to report a modest 7% growth in the number of adults choosing to use our services. Having recently recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, this year has seen the Charity support record numbers of service users and sustain the highest turnover in its history. Not only has this enabled the Trustees to restore the Charity's unrestricted financial reserves to pre-pandemic levels, we have also been able to make substantial investments in our infrastructure in order to build our resilience and prepare for growth. 

In May the Charity completed a staffing restructure to establish more robust management, creating a new Day Services Manager post with responsibility for the day-to-day running of its services. The newly formed senior team provides leadership to its staff and greater oversight in ensuring a high quality of care provision. This has also released the Chief Executive to focus on business development, fundraising, compliance and marketing, with the Charity already reaping the benefits. Discussions with Lewisham Council which will see the management of service users' daily transport provision pass to Brighter Horizons are already nearing completion, enabling the Charity to provide a holistic and more cost effective service to the families it supports. 

Planning for the Charity's first website is well underway and the Trustees expect this to launch early in the next financial period. The Trustees are also pleased to report that the lease of premises from the London Borough of Lewisham to Downham Community Centre (Wesley Halls) has been extended to 2028. This stability means that we can now invest time in acquiring premises best suited to the needs of the people we support. 

The Trustees are proud that Brighter Horizons is now a London Living Wage employer, as well as offering an enhanced pension scheme and level 3 funded training for all of its staff. This, coupled with the Charity's value-based approach has enabled us to grow our team to 20 people with no vacancies, compared to the 14% vacancy average within our sector. The single biggest factor affecting the quality of our service and the lives of the people we support are our staff and we are humbled to have such an exceptional team who go above and beyond every day. 

Most importantly, we have seen firsthand the impact of our services on the people who rely on us. From the introduction of funded one-to-one support workers for adults who need them, to the opportunities that our ever-expanding activity programme provide, everything we do is in response to the needs of the adults who use our services and their parent-carers. Nothing exemplifies this more than our Annual Showcase which took place in October. Over 120 members of our wider family came to see our service users perform, some of whom had never spoken in public before. The swell of support from within our community was evident once more when our service users and families came together to fundraise for a powered wheelchair for Jamie. Jamie has been with Brighter Horizons since its inception 8 years ago and, up until now has only had use of a manually propelled chair. This extraordinary effort has meant that Jamie is now able to travel not just independently but side by side with his mum. Putting people first is at the heart of everything the Charity does. 

The Trustees extend their sincere thanks to all the Charity's staff for their hard work, support and flexibility throughout a year of continuing change. The Trustees are also deeply grateful to the Trustees and staff of Downham Community Centre (Wesley Halls) and the PCC of St. John the Baptist, Catford for their support, without which we would be unable to support our families. 

Kieran Lee Chair of Trustees 

Page 1 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). 

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BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and activities** 

Brighter Horizons main objective, as outlined in its Constitution, is to provide relief for individuals in need because of disability. This relief extends to the families, dependants and carers of disabled people and includes (but not exhaustively) the provision of care, treatment, education, and training. As such, it plays a key role in adult social care provision within the London Borough of Lewisham. To achieve its objective, Brighter Horizons operates a day centre for adults with learning and physical disabilities. The Charity: - adopts a person-centred approach to help its service users develop healthy relationships, independence, confidence, and life skills - delivers activities which are designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing and enable independence - actively promotes social inclusion and community integration through the daily provision of opportunities to access the local community - believes that activities which involve appropriate levels of risk taking are essential in providing meaningful learning experiences which contribute to adults with learning disabilities leading active and fulfilled lives - runs a parent-carer forum aiming to provide opportunities for mutual care and support as well as signposting to local services and personal development opportunities - measures success through the tracking and recognition of personal development goals, tailored to each client and through a set of impact and satisfaction matrices relating to each service users' personal circumstances. The Charity's short-term objectives are to secure long-term premises for the current day centre, to safeguard the transport offer provided to its service users by bringing it 'in-house', to diversify its income and to continue to provide high-quality services. Its long-term objectives are to increase the level of provision offered across southeast London through establishing a second day centre and by developing its own pathways into employment for neurodiverse adults and people with learning disabilities. The current day centre in Downham operates with three managers, 11 service delivery staff operating a 1:4 ratio (although this differs by activity, in order to meet the needs of service users) and 2 support staff. Additionally, the Charity has 6 bank staff who provide additional support and cover as required. 

Access to the Charity's services is via self-referral or by a social worker or other appropriately qualified health and social care professional. The Charity provides service users with a flexible offer, designed to meet theirs and their families' changing needs. Service users can change their attendance and their weekly timetable as they require and the Charity is able to provide 1-2-1 support for clients where funding is available. 

Offering long term placements within the social care sector, the Charity operates a weekly provision of activities across three curriculum strands; physical and emotional wellbeing, skills for life and the arts. Service users, together with their allocated key worker and other health and social care professionals, construct a personalised timetable of activities, carefully tailored to their personal preferences, needs and development targets. 

The sports and wellbeing programme aims to push service users physically and help build confidence by overcoming self-imposed limitations. Additionally, it supports with weight loss, mental health and provides physiotherapy for muscular-skeletal and other conditions. The Charity works closely with local providers to offer specialist activities and by making public sporting appearances, service users also challenge the stigma that exists around people with learning disabilities taking part in sport. The programme includes activities such as martial arts, cheerleading, trampolining, cycling, swimming, yoga, golf and gym attendance. 

The Skills for Life programme focuses on enhancing and developing functional skills such as handling money, preparing food, growing vegetables, eating out, using computers and developing communication. With 11 different activities each week, the programme builds independence, promotes good decision making and develops confidence in public settings. 

Service users manage their own allotment and contribute to the daily running of the Day Centre. Additionally, they have the opportunity to go shopping and to the cinema regularly. The Charity also operates an annual calendar of seasonal events which include day trips, carol singing in the local community, theatrical performances and themed parties. 

The Arts programme includes various forms of artistic self-expression, which is encouraged as a means of communication, therapy and to improve fine motor skills. Activities include various forms of dance, steel drums, drama, music recording, singing, arts and crafts and more. 

The Charity maintains and operates two 17-seat accessible minibuses which enable the cost effective and safe delivery of its community-based provision. 

Page 3 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Public benefit** 

As a registered charity, the Trustees of Brighter Horizons give close regard to their obligations to report the public benefit of its charitable purposes as defined by the Charities Act 2011 and Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The Trustees also consider that they have exercised due regard to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Guidance when exercising their powers and duties, as outlined in the Charity's governing document. 

Page 4 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT** 

## **Achievement and performance** 

The Charity supported 72 people during the year, ending the year with 63 people regularly receiving care and support. The number of service users remained consistent at year-end, though the average number of hours of care provided per week increased by 7%. The Charity, working with parents and carers was able to secure additional funding to deliver more support hours for some it's existing service users. Additionally, the Charity now provides, for the first time, funded one-to-one support, having expanded its staff team to deliver this new service. 

The Charity continues to develop a new impact framework to measure success in line with its aims and objectives and data from this is not yet available so it currently uses numerical and qualitative indicators for success. The Trustees are pleased to report an 86% retention rate with service users only leaving due to a change in their need, relocation or ill-health. The average attendance rate for the year was 81%, with absence largely due to medical reasons and long-term holidays both of which were higher than average following the hiatus of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both measures are interpreted as service users and families experiencing high levels of service satisfaction. 

Having returned to normal levels of service following Covid-19, the Charity focused on diversifying its curriculum offer. Of particular note, the Charity delivered over 900 hours of sports provision, saw its cheerleading group Bright Starz perform locally and its ever-growing football team stay in the South London Special League. The Charity operates a heavily community-oriented programme and this year, it has been able to return to offering its full complement of over 35 activities each week. Bingo, golf, tennis, football training and jewellery making have all been added to its portfolio. 

The Charity's supplementary curriculum focused on inclusion and diversity, providing new sensory spaces and Augmentative and Assistive Communication (AAC) aids. Additionally, the Charity's service users and their families came together to fundraise £4,000 for a new powered wheelchair for Jamie, who attends the Day Centre and who has cerebral palsy. The entire centre jointly cycled the distance from London to Brighton on a specially adapted bike and raised over £2,000 in sponsorship, with the remaining cost coming from grant funding. Being responsible citizens includes taking part in collective action and in actively undertaking sponsored activities, our service users have demonstrated that they are not passive recipients of financial support but themselves agents in bringing about positive change within the lives of others. 

Cultural highlights included our first Eid & Diwali celebrations as well as an awareness of Pride month in June. Other successes from the year include the summer activity programme which provided access to opportunities otherwise prohibitive by transport, accessibility or cost such as sailing, theme parks and trampolining. The Charity also held its first Annual Showcase in 3 years with service users performing to friends and family. The performance, which showcased day-to-day life at Brighter Horizons sold out and was, without doubt, the highlight of the year. It included the first ever short film, conceived, featuring and produced by our service users. 

The Charity continues to view all of the activities it provides as vehicles for developing communication skills, enhancing independence, achieving physical fitness, providing socialisation opportunities and building life skills. In line with the Charity's person-centred approach, the families of Joey, Rowan & Livvy, outline some of the impact that the Charity's services have had: 

- Joey is 27 and has autism with catatonic features as well as severe learning disabilities. He is non-verbal and has one to one support to be able to access and engage meaningfully with his personal timetable. The team have worked extensively on developing Joey's communication skills and doing things for himself; it's his independence that mum Helen, particularly wants to encourage. She tells us "It's really important for Joey to do things for himself and not to  let other people do it for him. The staff are brilliant at knowing when he can do something and exercising the patience for him to do it himself, and knowing when he needs help. Joey loves being at Brighter Horizons and always wants to go on a Saturday even though it's closed". She adds "the staff are kind and treat you with respect too. I am always encouraged to come and see him and I get daily updates on what he's achieved". 

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BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

- Rowan is 33 and has autism, hypermobility, epilepsy, severe learning disabilities and is non-verbal. He attends the centre 5 days a week and has a varied timetable which encourages socialisation and participation in group activities. His mum, Susie tells us "Rowan loves the activities as they are tailored for him, and he enjoys being with his friends. I can tell he trusts the staff because his anxiety levels have reduced since he started attending and this has a knock-on effect for me too because he's happier at home. Rowan is sensitive to touch and would usually have a meltdown if someone touched his back. Over the past year, the staff have helped Rowan to process this differently and now he can cope with it much more easily". She goes on to say "The team listen to me and keep me updated regularly. Brighter Horizons is much more than just a day centre". 

- Livvy is 35 and has Down's Syndrome. As is common for many people with Down's Syndrome, this is accompanied by a variety of other health conditions. She attends the centre 4 days a week and has a timetable heavily focused on community engagement; she loves going shopping, going out for lunch and to the gym. Like all of our service users, she has personal targets to help with her physical fitness, and particularly weight loss. James, her dad, tells us "Since coming to Brighter Horizons, Livvy's confidence has improved significantly as has her mental health. This is  something she has to manage on an ongoing basis but the outlook and ethos of the centre and the way it nurtures friendships have really helped. Her key worker demonstrates a real understanding of her and her unique needs and character. With her key worker's help, Livvy is now more able to speak up and make her needs heard, which is real progress." 

In other developments, following the Charities rebrand in 2021, the Trustees have invested in marketing its services, beginning with a complete redesign of the it's minibuses. These, named Pac-van and Herbie, by the Charity's service users have contributed to a sense of fun and ownership as well as enhancing the Charity's presence locally. 

The Trustees consider the return to a stable financial footing and the successful restructuring of its staff team to be the standout successes of the year. A new Day Services Manager has been appointed to support the Chief Executive and, subsequently, a senior management formed to ensure rigorous oversight of the Charity's services. The Trustees also consider the high level of staff retention (95%) to be indicative of the quality of provision and organisational culture. 

## **Financial review** 

The Charity's income for the year was £614,108 (2022: £521,476), against expenditure of £573,259 (2022: £460,706), leading to a surplus of £40,849. This reflects an 18% increase in income against a 25% increase in expenditure compared to the last financial period. In the year ended March 2021, the Charity made a loss of £95,985. Therefore the surplus made in this financial period, in addition to the £60,770 surplus made in the last financial period, has meant that the Charity has replaced all of the reserves expended during the Covid-19 pandemic and placed the Charity in the strongest financial position since its inception. 

The Trustees maintain a financial reserves policy of 3 - 4 months of operating costs and the balance carried forward reflects this. The Charity's unrestricted reserves at the end of the financial period total £243,784. Of this, £14,466 can only be realised through the disposal of tangible fixed assets. The Charity also holds £4,056 of restricted income. Consequently, the Trustees consider the Charity a going concern. 

Having replenished the Charity's reserves, the Trustees still consider continued investment in the Charity's unrestricted reserves to be the immediate financial priority in order to sustain short-medium term costs of around £100,000. In addition to the procurement of a third minibus, the Trustees aim to take out two new rental leases within the next 24 - 36 months and consider that substantial reserves are required to facilitate both the leases and the resulting move of the Charity's services to new premises. Notwithstanding this, the Trustees also consider investment in staffing to be a priority in order to underpin the continued growth and infrastructure of the Charity. 

Income is mainly generated through daily charges for the Charity's services with the majority resulting from direct payments administered directly by the London Borough of Lewisham. Other payments are received from the London Boroughs of Greenwich, Southwark and Bromley. A small number of service users administer their own direct payments or cover service charges themselves. 

The Charity does not own and/or lease any land or property. 

The Trustees continue to closely monitor the performance of the Charity's existing activities and consider the introduction of new services in order to further income diversification and to ensure the Charity has a sustainable future in a challenging funding environment. 

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BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT** 

## **Plans for future periods** 

The Charity's long term objective, and in response to the limited statutory support services for adults with learning disabilities, is to open a second day centre for neurodiverse adults and people with mild-moderate learning disabilities in southeast London. The Trustees consider that the Charity's specialism lies in community engagement and active participation and as such, do not foresee broadening support for adults with severe and profound disabilities. 

To achieve this, the Charity's short to medium term objectives are to secure new premises in advance of its current lease expiring at Downham Community Centre and to continue to restructure and resource its staff team amidst a  challenging recruitment landscape. The Trustees also aim to diversify the Charity's income through the development of new services, principally through maximising income from the use of its minibuses by delivering its own transport service but also by offering employability services, in line with its expansion to multiple sites. 

The Trustees also consider that the completion of the Charity's re-brand through the establishing of a digital presence, the development of a marketing strategy to reach across southeast London and the establishing of an impact measurement framework to be critical to its future plans. 

Additionally, the Charity aims to develop its governance structures by recruiting a Treasurer to oversee its financial procedures alongside establishing an appropriate number of sub-committees to support the work of the Charity as it continues to grow. This includes establishing a service user forum which reports directly into the Board. 

The Trustees aim to develop a comprehensive 3 - 5 strategy over the next 12 - 18 months. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document** 

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its Trustees. It is governed by its Foundation Constitution. 

The Charity has seven Trustees (members), who are elected every three years. Trustees cannot serve for more than nine years and convene at least four times per year. Each Trustee agrees to pay £1 in the event of the Charity being wound up. 

The Trustees are responsible for governance, compliance, strategy, risk management, setting headline objectives and monitoring performance against these objectives. To this end, Trustees receive regular updates, including full reports on activities and financial information on a quarterly basis. Business planning and strategic plans are discussed and agreed by the Trustees at Board meetings. 

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees** 

New Trustees are appointed following a thorough recruitment process, with appointments decided by the existing Trustees. Recruitment is undertaken on a skills basis with skills and knowledge gaps amongst existing Trustees identified and sought out within new Trustees. No new Trustees were appointed during the financial period. 

## **Organisational structure** 

To facilitate effective operations, the Trustees employ a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to whom they have delegated authority for the operational matters of the Charity. The CEO leads the staff team and is responsible for service performance, staff recruitment and management, logistical 

and operational matters relating to the day-to-day running of the business and the financial performance of the Charity. In addition, he has delegated responsibility for ensuring that the Charity remains complaint with legislation, funders, insurers and other interested parties. 

The CEO utilises the support of three senior staff and meets regularly with the Chair of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for governance, compliance, strategy, risk management, setting headline objectives and monitoring performance against these objectives. To this end, Trustees receive regular updates, including full reports on activities and financial information on a quarterly basis. Business planning and strategic plans are discussed and agreed by the Trustees at Board meetings. 

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BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Induction and training of new Trustees** 

On appointment the Trustees sign a register of interests which is updated annually. At each meeting Trustees are asked to declare any conflicts of interest.Trustees' induction and ongoing involvement includes visits to the activities delivered by the Charity, meetings with Charity members, senior staff, and key external stakeholders. The Trustees also make available copies of the latest annual report and statement of accounts. 

## **Related parties** 

Since its inception Brighter Horizons has enjoyed and appreciated a close relationship with The London Borough of Lewisham, its major funder and from whom most service user referrals are received. Brighter Horizons occupies its principal space under lease from Downham Community Centre (Wesley Halls) and views its location as being integral to providing services rooted in the local Downham community. The Charity also occupied a secondary space under lease from the Church of St. John the Baptist, Downham until November 2022 at which time the Charity terminated the lease. 

## **Risk management** 

The Charity keeps and maintains a Trustees Register of Interests. 

The Trustees retain and exercise their responsibility to assess the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to its finances and operations, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks. Additionally, the Trustees retain and exercise their responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has in place an appropriate system of controls, financial or otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance that the Charity is operating effectively and in line with Charity Commission guidelines. 

To this end, an annual planning and budgeting process is in place and the Trustees have developed and implemented a risk management strategy. This strategy identifies significant risks, assess the likelihood of occurrence and potential impact, acknowledges current mitigations and outlines any actions necessary to manage the risk further. The strategy covers key areas such as safeguarding, health and safety, data protection as well as issues relating to governance, financial loss and compliance. 

The Trustees consider that the major risks to the organisation are as follows: 

- the socio-economic landscape affecting social care and the impact that the reduction in funding might have on the Charity. To this end, the Trustees are mindful that expanding the service through regular referrals reduces the impact of a significant loss of income attached to specific individuals. This is also addressed through the short-medium term objective of income diversification. 

- the ending of the lease of premises from the London Borough of Lewisham to Downham Community Centre (Wesley Halls) planned for 2028, or loss of access to the building due to complications with the structural integrity. As such the Trustees are developing contingency plans accordingly. 

- the constraints associated with Downham Community Centre (Wesley Halls) and the limits that this places on opportunities for growth and the quality of care provided. 

- the potential for a significant data breach due to the paper based care planning systems currently employed. As such the Trustees are making preparations to move to a digital care planning approach and review the Charity's cyber security arrangements as a result. 

The Trustees regularly review policies, procedures and strategies to ensure they are robust. 

Page 8 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Management remuneration policy** 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed by the Trustees. Appointments at this level take into account the following factors: 

- the Charity's ability to pay the wages of senior staff 

- the types of skills, experiences, and competencies the Charity needs from its senior staff and the scope of the role being recruited 

- the Charity's objectives and the number and nature of senior staff needed to fulfil these 

- the impact of market rates on employment. 

All other staff are appointed by the CEO. 

The Trustees retain and exercise their responsibility for setting pay for all employed posts. Pay is reviewed on an annual basis. 

## **Equal opportunities** 

Brighter Horizons is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. The Charity is committed to ensuring that no job applicant or employee is discriminated against on the grounds of disability, race, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or on any grounds which are unjustifiable in terms of equality of opportunity for all. 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number** 

CE019370 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1186053 

## **Registered office** 

Downham Community Centre 2 Shroffold Road Downham Bromley BR1 5PE 

## **Trustees** 

O Ajayi R Chakraborty H Ghalegolabi K Lee M Mizen B O'Keeffe P A Thorn 

## **Independent Examiner** 

H & E Johnson Chartered Accountants Sandall House 230 High Street Herne Bay Kent CT6 5AX 

Page 9 



## 

## 



INDEPEI¥DENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE T
BRIGIITER IIORIZ
NS
EE
Indepemdent exAminerfs report to th¢ I￿Ste¢S of Brighter Horizons ('the Compothy?
I report to the Chariry tnLStees on my examination of the ￿CoUnts of the Compan> forthe year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of re￿rt
As the Charity s tnLStees of the Company {and a]50 its dirtttOTS for the pu￿0$e5 of company law) you are responsbi le
for the preparation of the acco￿ts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 Cthe 2(M)6 Ad).
Having $￿tsfied myself that th¢ accounts of the Company are not r4uired to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 A¢t
and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respett of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried
out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2UI I {'the 2011 Act). In carrying out m>. examinatitsn I have followed the
Directions given by the Charity Comrnission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Aet.
Independent examiner's st8temeDt
Sinet your eharity's income cxcecdtd £250,(100 your exarniner must be a Jii¢iiiki' ora libtLYJ bLwJy. l 0￿fir[￿
thai l am qualified to ￿dertake the examination because l an) a member of the Institut¢ of Chartered Accountants in
Englgnd 9nd Wales. which is one of the lisid bodie&
I have completed rny examination. l eonfim that nij Matt￿ have come to my 2trenÉion in Connecti￿ with the
examination giving n]e cause to believe:
accounting rewrds were not kept in rtspe¢t of the Company &$ required by S￿tIOn 386 ofthe 2tK)6 ACL or
th¢ a¢counts do not accord ￿Trth those rewTds,' or
the aeeoLmts do not complv H'iih the a¢counting requirements of Se¢tion 396 of the 2006 Act other than any
requiremeni that the accounts give a tNe and fair view. which is nirt a matter considered as part of an
independent examination,. or
the accounts have noi been prepared in aceord2nee with the methods and principles of the Ststement of
Recornmeiided Practi¢¢ for aLLUUt)tin¥ and reponing by charities (appli￿b]e io charities preparing their
a¢¢ounts in accordance with the Financial Reponing Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irejand
IFRS 102)).
I have nn toncerns and have come gtross no other Mstre￿ in etsnne¢tion wth the ex2mination to which ottention should
be drawi in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of tbe accounts to be rea¢hed.
Lln
Simi)n Milbum FCA
The Insti￿te of Chartcr¢d Accountants in cnglat￿ a￿d Wales
H & E Johnson
Chartered Accountants
Sandall House
230 High Street
Heme Bay
Kent
CF6 SAX
Date..
3b. l. lol
Pagell

## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|Unrestricted<br>fund<br>Notes<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>2<br>606,407<br>Other trading activities<br>3<br>7,371<br>Investment income<br>4<br>330<br>Other income<br>-<br>**Total**<br>614,108<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>5<br>Care<br>573,259<br>Other<br>-<br>**Total**<br>573,259<br>**NET INCOME**<br>40,849<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>15<br>(718)<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>40,131<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>203,653<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>243,784|Restricted<br>fund<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>718<br>718<br>3,338<br>4,056|2023<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>606,407<br>7,371<br>330<br>-<br>614,108<br>573,259<br>-<br>573,259<br>40,849<br>-<br>40,849<br>206,991<br>247,840|2022<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>480,181<br>-<br>10<br>41,285|
|---|---|---|---|
||||521,476|
||||449,571<br>11,135|
||||460,706|
||||60,770<br>-|
||||60,770<br>146,221|
||||206,991|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 12 



## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## BALANCE SHEET 

## 31 March 2023 

|Unrestricted<br>fund<br>Notes<br>£<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Intangible assets<br>11<br>667<br>Tangible assets<br>12<br>13,799<br>14,466<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>13<br>76,776<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>186,396<br>263,172<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>14<br>(33,854)<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>229,318<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**<br>**LIABILITIES**<br>243,784<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>243,784<br>**FUNDS**<br>15<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted<br>fund<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>4,056<br>4,056<br>-<br>4,056<br>4,056<br>4,056|2023<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>667<br>13,799<br>14,466<br>76,776<br>190,452<br>267,228<br>(33,854)<br>233,374<br>247,840<br>247,840<br>243,784<br>4,056<br>247,840|2022<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>18,399<br>18,399<br>21,590<br>185,677<br>207,267<br>(18,675)<br>188,592<br>206,991<br>206,991<br>203,653<br>3,338<br>206,991|
|---|---|---|---|



The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 13 



## 

## 



## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|Notes<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from operations<br>1<br>Net cash provided by operating activities<br>**Cash flows from investing activities**<br>Purchase of intangible fixed assets<br>Interest received<br>Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities<br>**Change in cash and cash equivalents in**<br>**the reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the**<br>**beginning of the reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of**<br>**the reporting period**|2023<br>£<br>5,445<br>5,445<br>(1,000)<br>330<br>(670)<br>4,775<br>185,677<br>190,452|2022<br>£<br>79,169|
|---|---|---|
|||79,169|
|||-<br>10|
|||10|
||||
|||79,179<br>106,498|
|||185,677|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 15 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**1.**|**RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM**|**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**|**OPERATING ACTIVITIES**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||2023|2022|
|||£|£|
||**Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial**|||
||**Activities)**|40,849|60,770|
||**Adjustments for:**|||
||Depreciation charges|4,933|6,134|
||Interest received|(330)|(10)|
||(Increase)/decrease in debtors|(55,186)|19,299|
||Increase/(decrease) in creditors|15,179|(7,024)|
||**Net cash provided by operations**|5,445|79,169|



## **2.** 

|**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**||||
|---|---|---|---|
||At 1.4.22|Cash flow|At 31.3.23|
||£|£|£|
|**Net cash**||||
|Cash at bank and in hand|185,677|4,775|190,452|
||185,677|4,775|190,452|
|**Total**|185,677|4,775|190,452|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 16 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** 

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

## **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. 

## **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. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. 

Plant and machinery - 25% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 25% on cost 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. 

## **Fund accounting** 

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. 

## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments** 

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. 

## **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 to which they relate. 

Page 17 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**2.**<br>**DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**<br>Donations<br>Grants<br>Local authority funding<br>Service user funding<br>Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:<br>Other grants<br>**3.**<br>**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**<br>Fundraising events<br>**4.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>Deposit account interest<br>**5.**<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**<br>Care<br>**6.**<br>**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>Management<br>£<br>Care<br>133,466|2023<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>569,188<br>37,219<br>606,407<br>2023<br>£<br>-<br>2023<br>£<br>7,371<br>2023<br>£<br>330<br>Support<br>Direct<br>costs (see<br>Costs<br>note 6)<br>£<br>£<br>414,076<br>159,183<br>Governance<br>Finance<br>costs<br>£<br>£<br>334<br>25,383|2022<br>£<br>330<br>8,457<br>436,724<br>34,670|
|---|---|---|
|||480,181|
|||2022<br>£<br>8,457<br>2022<br>£<br>-<br>2022<br>£<br>10<br>Totals<br>£<br>573,259|
|||Totals<br>£<br>159,183|



Page 18 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **7. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)** 

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): 

||2023|2022|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Depreciation - owned assets|4,600|6,134|
|Other operating leases|32,913|40,428|
|Computer software amortisation|333|-|



## **8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no  trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **9. STAFF COSTS** 

|**STAFF COSTS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs|2023<br>£<br>364,300<br>25,656<br>6,895<br>396,851|2022<br>£<br>316,773<br>21,667<br>5,833|
|||344,273|



The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 

|Day service staff<br>Office support<br>Bank support staff|2023<br>12<br>2<br>6<br>20|2022<br>10<br>2<br>6|
|---|---|---|
|||18|



No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. 

## **10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|Unrestricted<br>fund<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>480,181<br>Investment income<br>10<br>Other income<br>41,285<br>**Total**<br>521,476|Restricted<br>fund<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|Total<br>funds<br>£<br>480,181<br>10<br>41,285|
|---|---|---|
|||521,476|



## **EXPENDITURE ON** 

Page 19 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**10.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT**|**OF FINANCIAL**|**ACTIVITIES - continued**|**ACTIVITIES - continued**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||Unrestricted|Restricted||Total|
||||fund|fund||funds|
||||£|£||£|
||**Charitable activities**||||||
||Care||449,571||-|449,571|
||Other||11,135||-|11,135|
||**Total**||460,706||-|460,706|
||**NET INCOME**||60,770||-|60,770|
||**Transfers between funds**||(3,338)|3,338||-|
||**Net movement in funds**||57,432|3,338||60,770|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||||||
||Total funds brought forward||146,221||-|146,221|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||203,653|3,338||206,991|
|**11.**|**INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**||||||
|||||||Computer|
|||||||software|
|||||||£|
||**COST**||||||
||Additions|||||1,000|
||**AMORTISATION**||||||
||Charge for year|||||333|
||**NET BOOK VALUE**||||||
||At 31 March 2023|||||667|
||At 31 March 2022|||||-|
|**12.**|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**||||||
|||Plant and|Motor|Computer|||
|||machinery|vehicles|equipment||Totals|
|||£|£|£||£|
||**COST**||||||
||At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023|284|63,874|10,762||74,920|
||**DEPRECIATION**||||||
||At 1 April 2022|234|48,716|7,571||56,521|
||Charge for year|13|3,789|798||4,600|
||At 31 March 2023|247|52,505|8,369||61,121|
||**NET BOOK VALUE**||||||
||At 31 March 2023|37|11,369|2,393||13,799|
||At 31 March 2022|50|15,158|3,191||18,399|



Page 20 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **13. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Local authority funders<br>Staff advances<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**14.**<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>Trade creditors<br>Social security and other taxes<br>Other creditors<br>Pension creditor<br>Net wages<br>Accrued expenses<br>**15.**<br>**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>Net<br>movement<br>At 1.4.22<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>203,653<br>40,849<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Service user fund<br>3,338<br>-<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>206,991<br>40,849<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>614,108<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>614,108|2023<br>2022<br>£<br>£<br>64,830<br>21,150<br>1,160<br>440<br>10,786<br>-<br>76,776<br>21,590<br>2023<br>2022<br>£<br>£<br>17,191<br>1,996<br>6,968<br>6,488<br>943<br>936<br>1,442<br>1,204<br>10<br>151<br>7,300<br>7,900<br>33,854<br>18,675<br>Transfers<br>between<br>At<br>funds<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>£<br>(718)<br>243,784<br>718<br>4,056<br>-<br>247,840<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(573,259)<br>40,849<br>(573,259)<br>40,849|
|---|---|



Page 21 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

## **Comparatives for movement in funds** 

|Net<br>movement<br>At 1.4.21<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>146,221<br>60,770<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Service user fund<br>-<br>-<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>146,221<br>60,770<br>Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>521,476<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>521,476<br>A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:<br>Net<br>movement<br>At 1.4.21<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>146,221<br>101,619<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Service user fund<br>-<br>-<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>146,221<br>101,619|Transfers<br>between<br>At<br>funds<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>£<br>(3,338)<br>203,653<br>3,338<br>3,338<br>-<br>206,991<br>Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(460,706)<br>60,770<br>(460,706)<br>60,770<br>Transfers<br>between<br>At<br>funds<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>£<br>(4,056)<br>243,784<br>4,056<br>4,056<br>-<br>247,840|
|---|---|



A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

||Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|1,135,584|(1,033,965)|101,619|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|1,135,584|(1,033,965)|101,619|



Page 22 



BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **16. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

Page 23 



## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**<br>**Donations and legacies**<br>Donations<br>Grants<br>Local authority funding<br>Service user funding<br>**Other trading activities**<br>Fundraising events<br>**Investment income**<br>Deposit account interest<br>**Other income**<br>Covid support payments<br>**Total incoming resources**<br>**EXPENDITURE**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Wages<br>Social security<br>Pensions<br>Other operating leases<br>Health insurance<br>Travel & subsistence<br>Transport<br>Activities<br>Personal care<br>SMP recovery<br>Motor expenses<br>**Support costs**<br>**Management**<br>Wages<br>Social security<br>Pensions<br>Telephone<br>Postage and stationery<br>Advertising<br>Sundries<br>Office expenses<br>Carried forward|2023<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>569,188<br>37,219<br>606,407<br>7,371<br>330<br>-<br>614,108<br>288,637<br>17,300<br>4,859<br>32,913<br>1,663<br>1,563<br>8,585<br>43,361<br>220<br>-<br>14,975<br>414,076<br>75,663<br>8,356<br>2,036<br>970<br>1,908<br>1,189<br>(118)<br>7,054<br>97,058|2022<br>£<br>330<br>8,457<br>436,724<br>34,670<br>480,181<br>-<br>10<br>41,285<br>521,476<br>245,497<br>14,272<br>4,069<br>40,428<br>518<br>617<br>6,134<br>20,326<br>1,133<br>(1,430)<br>-<br>331,564<br>71,276<br>7,395<br>1,764<br>1,966<br>2,097<br>-<br>251<br>6,339<br>91,088|
|---|---|---|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

Page 24 



## BRIGHTER HORIZONS 

## DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**Management**<br>Brought forward<br>Computer expenses<br>Staff welfare<br>Insurance<br>Cleaning<br>Staff training<br>Licences & subscriptions<br>Computer software<br>Plant and machinery<br>Motor vehicles<br>Computer equipment<br>**Finance**<br>Bank charges<br>HMRC interest<br>**Other**<br>Sundries<br>**Governance costs**<br>Accountancy fees<br>Legal fees<br>Subscriptions<br>Total resources expended<br>**Net income**|2023<br>£<br>97,058<br>9,375<br>1,131<br>4,719<br>2,075<br>12,787<br>1,388<br>333<br>13<br>3,789<br>798<br>133,466<br>250<br>84<br>334<br>-<br>3,800<br>21,583<br>-<br>25,383<br>573,259<br>40,849|2022<br>£<br>91,088<br>8,270<br>258<br>7,365<br>1,996<br>2,640<br>-<br>-<br>17<br>5,053<br>1,064|
|---|---|---|
|||117,751<br>15<br>34|
|||49<br>207<br>3,960<br>6,954<br>221|
|||11,135|
|||460,706|
|||60,770|



This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements 

Page 25