2022-04-01-accounts

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Report produced January 2023

Annual Report

Reporting Period 1 April 2021 to 1 April 2022

Annual Report and Financial Statement

Reporting period ended 1 April 2022

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Charity number: 1186999

Statement of Financial Activities

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD

1 APRIL 2021 TO 1 APRIL 2022

Trustees

The Trustees serving on the Trust Board during the reporting period

Name	Appointed	Resigned	Renewed	Length of service	For review
Susan Egersdorff	17.12.19			4years	17.12.23
Elisabeth Ludden	17.12.19		17.12.21	4 years	17.12.25
Pamela Mundy	17.12.19	07.07.21
Anna Park	01.02.21			4 years	01.02.25

Registered office

42A Ullet Road

Liverpool

L17 3BP

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Charity number

1186999

Website

www.readygenerations.co.uk

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF READY GENERATIONS

For the period 1.4.21 to 1.4.22

Introduction

The charitable trustees of the Charity Ready Generations who for the purposes of charitable law comprise the Trust Board, are pleased to present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the period ending 1 April 2022 which are also prepared to meet the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012 (‘General Regulations’) and the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Insolvency and Dissolution) Regulations 2012 (‘Dissolution Regulations’).

The Report has been set out to demonstrate how Trustees have fulfilled their legal duties to:

always act in the Charity’s best interests
manage the Charity’s resources responsibly
act with reasonable care and skill

Structure, governance and management

The Trustees are responsible for the overall management and control of the Charity and meet at least six times a year. As the Charity is small, the work of implementing the Charity’s policies and strategic plan is carried out by the Trustees at Board Meetings. The Charity does not currently have any sub-committees. All Trustees give of their time freely and no remuneration or expenses were paid in the reporting period. No Trustee or person connected with a serving Trustee received any benefit from any service/activity of the Charity and no pecuniary or other conflicts of interest were reported.

a) Constitution

Ready Generations is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation Model). It is not a limited company or subject to company regulation.

The Charities Act 2011 creates the basic legal framework for Ready Generations CIO .

This framework is completed by the following regulations:

the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012 (‘General Regulations’)
the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Insolvency and Dissolution) Regulations 2012 (‘Dissolution Regulations’

a) Method of appointment or election of trustees

The management of the charitable incorporated organisation is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co- opted under the terms of Ready Generation’s Constitution of Charitable Incorporated Organisation – Foundation Model .

b) Induction and professional development of trustees

On appointment, Trustees follow an induction process and are given copies of all appropriate documents and relevant guidance in order for them to understand their role. This includes the Charities Commission Guidance for England and Wales, The Essential Trustee . All Trustees have been chosen with a view to them leading the Charity with the correct range of skills expedient to setting up, developing and managing the running of Ready Generations and strategically guiding its progress, priorities and future direction.

c) Organisation structure and decision making

The Charity has a Trust Board which meets regularly. Between Board meetings, necessary operational decisions and actions taken are the responsibility of the Chair in consultation with individual Trustees. All decisions are reported back to the Board and this decision-making process is evidenced through the Board minutes.

d) Risk assessment

Trustees regularly assess the major risks to which Ready Generations is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charitable company and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. This position is regularly monitored and reviewed through the use of a Risk Register . The Charity also maintains appropriate insurances to protect against any potential risk from operating its business.

Charitable objects

The objects of the Charity are as follows:

to advance the education of pre-school children in their cognitive,

social, emotional and physical development through the provision of educational activities and interaction with older people.
to relieve the need of older people by preventing loneliness through the provision of social interactions with pre-school children.

Safeguarding

Over the reporting period Trustees have taken their safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and worked together to maintain a strong culture of safeguarding across everything the Charity does. This is of fundamental importance as we work alongside vulnerable children and older people. All Trustees are aware of, trained and kept up to date on all government safeguarding expectations. Trustees have a robust Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies that relate to both children and vulnerable adults.

Equality and Diversity

Ready Generations respects and values differences, and as a charity and provider of services, recognises the importance of setting out a clear commitment to promoting fairness and tackling discrimination. Since Ready Generations received charitable status in 2019 our Equality and Diversity Policy outlines two main pledges:

Volunteers and service users

No volunteer or service user will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, trade union activity, age, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity, social or economic status, political beliefs, or will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

Service delivery and charitable operations

Ready Generations, recognising its responsibilities as a provider of services within communities, will ensure that its services, including the ones carried out in partnership with others, are available equally to all, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity, social or economic status or political beliefs, making sure that no one is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

Statutory responsibilities in relation to children are set out in:

Trustees recognise and ensure compliance with all statutory requirements:

Department for Education (DfE) Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021
Department for Education (DfE) Working Together to Safeguard Children 2021
Department for Education (DfE) Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2021

Statutory responsibilities in relation to adults are set out in:

Gov UK Sections 42-46 and Schedule 2 of the Care Act 2014
• Department of Health and Social Care Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2020
Human Rights Act 1998

Achievements and performance

Over the reporting year, the Charity has continued to adapt its workplan to respond to the ongoing impact and challenges of the pandemic. This has continued to affect the potential of the Charity to support older people and gain consistent and regular access to care homes and settings.

Whilst this has severely hampered our ability to bring intergenerational communities together in person and to access the grant funding required to run our Charity it has not stopped us working and having an impact. Over the reporting period we have been forced to think differently. We have developed a range of collaborative partnerships to sustain our work and increased our online and social media presence. This has included the holding all our Board meetings and Trustee development sessions online.

Although we have not been able to have the face to face impact we had hoped, we have extended our reach considerably through the use of a range of social media – Twitter (followers 3350 at April 2022, 700 Linked-In and refreshed Facebook and new Nursery in Belong website). This allows us to disseminate information to a wider community resulting in a growing number of new followers and greater interest in our work from diverse geographical areas and professional disciplines across the world. We have particularly reached the academic community and been contacted by many UK universities about our evidence-based practice approaches and research opportunities.

This growing academic and professional interest has come from across the UK and internationally from a range of diverse professional backgrounds including:

early years education and care
education (primary and secondary)
universities and research institutions
think tanks
older people’s care
social care (child and adult)
NHS and wider healthcare providers
housing associations
community re-design and neighbourhood development
local authorities
architecture and built environment
disability services

We have continued to deepen our professional partnerships with other charities, social enterprises, think tanks and campaigns in order to support our work. Over the reporting year, we have collaborated with:

NAPA (National Association of Activity Providers)
Jo Cox Foundation
Connection Coalition
Generations United (USA)
Belong Ltd
Famileo (France)
Relationships Project
Stop Ageism
Generations Working Together

We have built on our grandparenting research project (Care to the Nest) with the University of Stirling by launching our Intergenerational Champions Recognition Scheme.

Over the reporting year we have done more to fulfil the Charity’s mission to raise awareness of intergenerational work by collaborating with research into practice organisations and higher education institutions. We now working closely with:

The University of Stirling
Liverpool John Moores University
Northumbria University
Chester University
Swansea University
Curious Minds Creative Organisation
Belong Ltd
Grosvenor Museum Chester
Richard O’Neill Storyteller
Bluecoat Liverpool

Over the reporting period, many grant giving and funding organisations have continued to focus their resources to support pandemic relief and austerity work. This has made broader development funding more difficult to access for another year. Trustees are always looking at diverse ways to increase income in order for the Charity to achieve its charitable objectives and associated priorities. We remain in need of a trustee with the expertise to help and take a lead on creating sustainable income streams, making bids and seeking out grant opportunities.

We have continued to receive support from a professional business and governance coach with leadership expertise through the NHS Leadership Academy . RD has worked with Trustees to develop and offer challenge to our business model, strategic priorities and operational infrastructure. This has provided rich professional development for all Trustees We are hugely indebted to RD for the loyal support she has given and continues to offer.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic we have been successful in:

The completion of our bespoke Mirrored Curriculum Framework to underpin our intergenerational nursery project and provide a shared curriculum for young children and older people.
Conducting initial research with Dr. Kay Heslop from Northumbria University about staff/resident/family perspectives around our intergenerational nursery project with the North West care village provider, Belong Ltd.
Preparations to open our intergenerational nursery, the Nursery in
Belong , in Chester from July 2022.
Further development of the Charity’s website and social media presence on Twitter (3350 Followers, Linked-In 700+ Followers) and Facebook.
Sponsorship and support work with the National Association of Activity Providers (NAPA) to raise awareness of intergenerational work and its benefits for children and older people.
Supporting the work of a Liverpool Food Programme to develop
community cohesion.
2 sets of articles in nationally recognised early years publications.
3 professional speaking engagements to multi-agency professional
groups.
Expansion of Born4Life Project to conduct intergenerational practice research with seven outstanding nursery providers across the UK.

Working predominantly online has meant that the Board has developed a productive and effective pattern of using technology for board meetings and practice discussions. This has been highly effective in saving costs, travel time and improving overall efficiency.

Future Developments

Over 2022-2023 our main priority is to open and establish the Nursery in Belong , the first fully integrated UK nursery in the heart of a new care village in Chester. This is a complex and demanding project that will require Trustees to work closely with the CEO and senior team at Belong Ltd. It will also allow us to test out our bespoke Attuned Relationships Model and Mirrored Curriculum Framework . We hope to be able to share these more widely as exemplars of best practice in intergenerational practice through a series of professional learning seminars in 2023.

We are also continuing our partnership work with Curious Minds to research how early years educators, care workers and creatives can collaborate to provide more joined up and accessible arts experiences for people of all ages. This project, Bridging the Distance , will include dance, singing, drumming and storytelling.

An urgent priority is to recruit more trustees to fill identified skills and experience gaps on the Trust Board i.e. fundraising, HR and financial planning. We had hoped to complete this by Spring 2022 but it has not be possible due to the pandemic.

Trustees have conducted an annual review of trustee competencies and consider that the skills and experience of the Board should comprise the following:

Trustee Expertise	Covered by existing Trustees
Legal	No
Financial/accounting	No
Early years and primary education	Yes
Older peoples’care and dementia	Yes
Senior managerial or charities/grant-funding experience	Yes
Equal opportunities or disability needs	Yes
Diverse communities/cultures representation	No
Clinical knowledge around age and health	No

The achievement of greater financial security and stability remains a key priority over the next reporting year as the Nursery project settles and further project ideas are developed

Financial activities

During the reporting period to April 2022 a carry forward of £9410.84 has been generated (see financial reports presented later).

Reserves

The Charity’s longer-term aim is to create unrestricted reserves equivalent to six months expenditure. It has not been possible to progress this aim over the reporting period due to the pressures and impact of the pandemic on funding sources and income generation.

Public benefit

When considering the work of Ready Generations , Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

Going concern

As part of their financial scrutiny and probity responsibilities Trustees have taken account of the document Going Concern and Liquidity Risk Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 2009 issued by the Financial Reporting Council and believe Ready Generations is a going concern. This assessment is based upon the funding available and income expected to be received from the planned services, particularly the Nursery in Belong .

Financial oversight

Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the general and financial information included on the Charity’s website and take this responsibility very seriously. All safeguarding and GDPR requirements are kept under full review and monitored through Board Meetings.

This Report was approved by Trustees on 12th January 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Susan Egersdorff

Chair of Trust Board

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR REPORTING PERIOD ENDED 1 APRIL 2022

Incoming Resources from generated funds	Notes	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	2021 - 2022 Total Funds	2020- 2021 Total Funds
CarryForward			1822.96	1822.96
Donations	Private donation	1000.00		1000.00	547.96
Activities for generatingfunds		400.00		400.00	0
Fundraising income		539.72		539.72	0
Events income					0
Sundryincome					0
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Grants receivable	Jo Cox Foundation £920.00 LCVS £5000.00		5920.00	5920.00	2000.00
Total incoming resources		1939.72	7742.96	9682.68	2547.96

Resources expended	Notes	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	2021- 2022	2020- 2021
Cost of generating funds					0
Fundraisingcosts					0
Charitable activities					0
Support costs		271.84			0
Governance costs					0
Total resources expended		271.84
Net income for theyear		9410.84			1822.96
Reconciliation of funds		9410.84			1822.96
Total funds brought forwards at 31.3.22		9410.84			1822.96
Total funds at 1.4.22		9410.84			1822.96

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 1 APRIL 2022

	2021-2022	2020-2021	2019-2020
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96
Totals	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96
Creditors amount falling due within one year
Net current assets	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96
Net assets	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96
Represented by
Unrestricted funds
General fund	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96
Total funds	9410.84	1822.96	2547.96

Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities Commission with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to Charitable incorporated Organisations and the Charity’s Act 2011.

The financial statements on pages 12 and 13 of this Report were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 12[th] January 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Sue Egersdorff