**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 11875362 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1187164** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND** 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **FOR** 

## **COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

**(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1|to|6|
|**Report of the Independent Auditors**|7|to|9|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||10||
|**Statement of Financial Position**||11||
|**Statement of Cash Flows**||12||
|**Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows**||13||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|14|to|21|





## **COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

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 2022. 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). 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Public benefit** 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

## **Mission** 

To work with people across all sectors to make a positive and sustained impact on the wellbeing of local people through Support, Knowledge, Voice, Infrastructure and Innovation. 

## **Vision** 

Working to build inclusive, empowering and vibrant local communities. 

## **Strategic Aims and Objectives:** 

- A more independent, effective and sustainable voluntary sector. 

- Improved access to volunteering and volunteers. 

- Individuals and communities are more connected, supported and independent and have enhances wellbeing. 

- During the pandemic, local people who need help are supported and kept as safe as possible by our new services. 

## **What we do:** 

- Build capacity in the local voluntary and community sector through specialist services and resources, enabling them to maximise their impact and sustainability. 

- Work towards ensuring that all local people can access excellent, inclusive volunteering information/brokerage services, and all local voluntary sector organisations can access excellent, inclusive volunteer management support. 

- Encourage, facilitate and develop opportunities to enable individuals to be as independent as possible, leading them to be happier and safer. 

- Balance our social purpose and our focus on sustainability. Deliver high quality services for local people, member organisations and communities. 

Page 1 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT** 

## **Achievement and performance** 

## **Our Year: April 2021 - March 2022** 

It has been another challenging year for the voluntary sector, with the continued impact of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, the Afghan refugee situation, and the cost of living crisis. We have delivered a number of projects and services for the voluntary sector and residents, whilst responding effectively to rapidly unfolding events. 

Despite the easing of pandemic restrictions, many residents have continued to feel isolated and vulnerable. We have maintained our COVID-19 support services for residents who were relying heavily on these, including our shopping delivery, medicine collection, pulse oximeter and telephone befriending services. 

In October we merged with the Volunteer Centre for Broxbourne and East Herts, swiftly increasing our volunteer network to include two new boroughs. This merger demonstrated the organisations capacity, as well as the staff's ability to adapt. It has resulted in our Volunteer Centre delivering a more comprehensive service to the local area. 

Since July we have also been working with a number of national charities, including NAVCA and NCVO, to develop an inclusive national strategy for volunteering, that has been adopted by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport volunteering. 

After becoming the Local Lead organization for the South East region of the Voluntary and Communities Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP), we have established a network of key organisations through which to share information and build connections, strengthening the sector. We have made connections between local and national bodies, as well as amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, representing these to public sector organisations. 

The work we have done to strengthen the local emergency response effort has been particularly pertinent to the Afghanistan and Ukraine crises that have emerged over the past year. Communities 1st has played a crucial role in coordinating the county-wide response to the Ukraine crisis, and in providing support to Afghan refugee families locally. 

Whilst reinforcing the local voluntary sector and providing our own support services, we have continued to deliver consistent support to vaccination centres across Hertfordshire. Despite vaccination volunteering beginning to subside, we continue to manage the 3,000 volunteers that remained with us. 

After strengthening our ties with NHS partners, we were asked to launch the International NHS recruits buddy scheme, that has so far proved popular and effective. Over 80 NHS recruits have been given a Communities 1st buddy to help them settle into the local community. 

By adapting and evolving over the past year, we have risen to the many challenges that our communities have faced and have continued to build resilience within them. 

## **Objective 1: A more independent, effective and sustainable voluntary sector.** 

- 24 Stronger Together Network meetings took place, bringing together local groups with similar aims to share best practice and solve 

- common issues. 

- 50 organisations were supported with funding applications. 

- 78 voluntary sector groups received support and advice, including through weekly coffee mornings 

- 7 Meet the Funder events were hosted, helping participants to know how best to apply for specific funding streams. 

- 61 Kickstart vacancies were filled across 10 charities, through the Communities 1st gateway. 

- 29 organisations attended our virtual Trustee Speed Matching Sessions, pairing potential trustees with local charities. 

- 12,000 lateral flow testing kits were distributed across 100+ local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations. 

- 170 litres of hand sanitizer were distributed across local organisations. 

- We launched the second stage of the Inspire project and created a new suite of mentoring videos to share with local schools. 

- £100,000 of funding was accessed by local voluntary sector organisations, due to our support and guidance. 

Throughout the year, we received a number of compliments from our members: 

Thank you for your help with the application for the community project fund- we received the full amount we applied for." - Arts on Prescription 

Page 2 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

"Our finances are now on a firm footing. Many thanks for your help and support." -REMAP 

"We have a completely full group for the residency… Thank you for all your help and what Communities 1st does." - Harts in Mind "Alex has bedded-in well, works hard and effectively, and is now a part of their team." - Ian, Sunny Side Rural Trust (Gateway Kickstart organisation). 

## **Objective 2: Improved Access to Volunteering and Volunteers** 

- 639 new individuals were provided with support to get into volunteering roles. 

- We strengthened and widened our volunteer network across Hertfordshire after merging with the Volunteer Centre for Broxbourne and East Hers. 

- 630 people attended 48 training sessions we organised with partners. 

- 9 people were supported through the Able2Enable project, whilst seven organisations are completing training as Able to Enable allies. - The new online Volunteer Centre was created, streamlining our volunteer recruitment. 

- 4 Volunteer Management Training sessions were delivers, on recruiting, retaining and managing volunteers. 

- 7,000 volunteers received newsletters every other week, advertising local volunteering opportunities. - 150,000 hours of volunteering were completed in vaccination centres across Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, West Essex, Bedford and Luton. - 4 job clinics were run for local Afghan refugees, in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and the local NHS, that included assessments and CV sessions. - 30 sports organisations were engaged with for Herts Sports Partnership volunteer recruitment across St Albans, Hertsmere, Broxbourne and East Herts. 

Throughout the year, we received a number of compliments from individuals wanting to volunteer: "I was just amazed at the training… it opened up my awareness and has made me much more aware". - Elaine (Volunteer who  attended our Suicide Intervention Training) "(The event organisers) were great at bringing everyone in and getting people involved." - John (who attended a Trustee Speed Matching Session). 

## **Objective 3: Individuals and Communities are More Connected, Supported and Independent** 

- 343 jobs were carried out for vulnerable residents with our Handyperson service. 

- 3,000 people received weekly newsletters containing wellbeing resources and information. 

- 13 Outreach Hubs were run, offering support and advice to resident and voluntary organisations. 

- 1,107 people have been helped in our Healthy Hub, that offers people advice and guidance on their wellbeing. 

- 1,096 journeys have been carried out with the Community Car Service, taking people to vaccinations, hospital appointments, and other destinations. 

- 9,788 requests for help were responded to across Hertsmere, St Albans, 

Broxbourne and East Herts, including shopping and prescription medicine collection, shopping deliveries and telephone befriending. - 1,441 telephone befriending calls were carried out to those who are isolated and lonely. 

Throughout the year, we received a number of compliments from individuals who received our services: "The service provided is such a huge help I would certainly be lost without it." - Louise (Handyperson service client). 

"They're so reliable and so nice… (he) doesn't know what they would do without them" - John (shopping service client) "The drivers were very helpful and sympathetic, they've gone the extra mile." - Mary  (client using Community Car Scheme). 

"It's been a great help for me, some of the drivers have been fantastic… To me, its been a godsend." - Helen (Client using the shopper bus service). 

## **Other Communities 1st Projects** 

- 160 support activities for Afghans residing locally delivered, allowing them to get outside, be active and meet people, as well as taking them to and from activities. 

- 200,000 people received information disseminated by over 30 Community information Champions, around local health and wellbeing resources and advice. - 11 learners regularly accessing our Learn My Way digital course, as well as seven digital champions supporting drop in clients at our Hub. 

- 8 Desktop machines were recycled and four devices donated to t those in digital poverty 

Page 3 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

- 81 Nurses are enrolled on our NHS International Nurse Buddy scheme, that provides one to one support as well as group outings to local places of interest. 

- As well as delivering shopping and prescription medicine, we have continued to deliver pulse oximeters to those suffering with COVID-19 symptoms. 

- Created a hub of accurate, up to date information and support resources for those arriving from Ukraine, those hosting Ukrainians, and organisations supporting them. 

- Monitored the local response via social media, contacting the voluntary sector organisations taking action and offering them support. 

## **What does the Future Hold for Communities 1st?** 

While acknowledging the positive impact we have had on our communities over the past year, we remain consistently focused on how we might further improve that positive impact by considering the most effective strategy to adopt. 

Our strategic plan for the next four years outlines our vision and goals, as well as the deliverables we will use to measure these. The strategy has been shaped by staff, trustees and volunteers, and informed by Nottingham Trent and Sheffield Hallam's evaluation of Communities 1st. The plan responds not only to the organisational strengths identified over the past year, but the areas for growth and improvement. 

Over the next four years, we will work closely with people, agencies and partners to increase our impact and continue to strengthen local communities. We will create sustainable, focused and impactful projects that support and build resilience within communities. We recognize the diversity within our communities, and will build inclusion and awareness into our strategy. 

With this approach, and through regular reviewing of our goals and progress, we believe we can deliver our new vision - to build strong local communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference. 

## **Financial instruments** 

## **Objectives and policies** 

The charity's activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity's policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. 

## **Cash flow risk** 

The charity's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows. 

## **Credit risk** 

The charity’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The charity’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. 

The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. 

## **Liquidity risk** 

In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance. 

Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document** 

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. 

Page 4 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number** 11875362 (England and Wales) 

## **Registered Charity number** 

1187164 

## **Registered office** 

Community Centre 2 Allum Lane Elstree Borehamwood Herts WD6 3PJ 

## **Trustees** 

C N Cloke J C Dobbs R Gemmell A M Harrison J Howson (appointed 20.1.22) J J John S Pearlman A M Rogers T Slatter (appointed 20.1.22) K D Wilding S H Yexley 

## **Company Secretary** 

S M Craker 

## **Senior Statutory Auditor** 

Neil C Harding 

## **Auditors** 

Bradshaw Johnson Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Croft Chambers 11 Bancroft Hitchin Hertfordshire SG5 1JQ 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of Communities 1st for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 

Page 5 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued** 

Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

In so far as the trustees are aware: 

- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and 

- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 

## **AUDITORS** 

The auditors,  Bradshaw Johnson, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 2 December 2022 and signed on the board's behalf by: 

J J John - Trustee 

Page 6 



## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Communities 1st (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2022 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 

## In our opinion the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2022 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

## **Other information** 

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

- the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

- the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

Page 7 



**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

We considered the nature of the Charitable Company's industry and its control environment, and reviewed the Charitable Company's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to fraud and compliance with laws and regulations. We also enquired of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities. 

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the Charitable Company operates in, and identified the key laws and regulations that: 

- had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. These included the UK Companies Act, Charities Act and tax legislation; and 

- do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the Charitable Company's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. 

We discussed among the audit engagement team regarding the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements. 

In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluated the Charitable Company's rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business. 

Page 8 



**REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to the risks identified included the following: 

- reviewing financial statement disclosures by testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements; 

- performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud; 

- enquiring of management and external legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation and claims, and instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and 

- reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing any correspondence with HMRC. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Neil C Harding (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Bradshaw Bradshaw Johnson Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Croft Chambers 11 Bancroft Hitchin Hertfordshire SG5 1JQ 

12 December 2022 

Page 9 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|Notes<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>Investment income<br>4<br>Other income<br>**Total**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>5<br>Purposes of the charity<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>1,348,096<br>53<br>4,100<br>1,352,249<br>941,078<br>411,171<br>250,023<br>661,194|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>20,500<br>-<br>-<br>20,500<br>20,000<br>500<br>15,000<br>15,500|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>1,368,596<br>53<br>4,100<br>1,372,749<br>961,078<br>411,671<br>265,023<br>676,694|31.3.21<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>723,726<br>40<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||723,766|
|||||564,043|
|||||159,723<br>105,300|
|||||265,023|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 10 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 11875362)** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION** 

## **31 MARCH 2022** 

|Notes<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>11<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>12<br>Cash at bank<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>13<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>14<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>75,904<br>409,655<br>769,265<br>1,178,920<br>(593,630)<br>585,290<br>661,194<br>661,194|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>15,500<br>15,500<br>-<br>15,500<br>15,500<br>15,500|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>75,904<br>409,655<br>784,765<br>1,194,420<br>(593,630)<br>600,790<br>676,694<br>676,694<br>661,194<br>15,500<br>676,694|31.3.21<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>30,434<br>111,856<br>378,878<br>490,734<br>(256,145)<br>234,589<br>265,023<br>265,023<br>250,023<br>15,000|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||265,023|



The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 2 December 2022 and were signed on its behalf by: 

J J John - Trustee 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 11 



## **COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|Notes<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from operations<br>1<br>Interest paid<br>Net cash provided by operating activities<br>**Cash flows from investing activities**<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Sale of tangible fixed assets<br>Interest received<br>Net cash used in investing activities<br>**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the**<br>**reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of**<br>**the reporting period**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the**<br>**reporting period**|31.3.22<br>£<br>475,052<br>(956)<br>474,096<br>(71,682)<br>3,420<br>53<br>(68,209)<br>405,887<br>378,878<br>784,765|31.3.21<br>£<br>363,564<br>(5,446)<br>358,118<br>(24,046)<br>8,000<br>40<br>(16,006)<br>342,112<br>36,766<br>378,878|
|---|---|---|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 12 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|**1.**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>**Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial**<br>**Activities)**<br>411,671<br>**Adjustments for:**<br>Depreciation charges<br>16,712<br>Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets<br>6,080<br>Interest received<br>(53)<br>Interest paid<br>956<br>Increase in debtors<br>(297,799)<br>Increase in creditors<br>337,485<br>**Net cash provided by operations**<br>475,052|31.3.21<br>£<br>159,723<br>12,701<br>(1,547)<br>(40)<br>5,446<br>(37,041)<br>224,322|
|---|---|
||363,564|



|2.|**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||At 1.4.21|Cash flow|At 31.3.22|
|||£|£|£|
||**Net cash**||||
||Cash at bank|378,878|405,887|784,765|
|||378,878|405,887|784,765|
||**Total**|378,878|405,887|784,765|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page 13 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **1. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE** 

Communities 1st is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. 

The address of its registered office is: Community Centre 2 Allum Lane Elstree Borehamwood Herts WD6 3PJ 

The charitable company's financial statements have been prepared in compliance with Charities SORP (FRS 102) as it applies to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **2. 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. 

The financial statement are prepared in sterling. 

Communities 1st meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. 

## **Going concern** 

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect he carrying value of assets held by the charitable company. 

## **Income** 

All income is recognised once the charitable company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. 

Income is deferred when monies have been received in advance of a service being rendered. The deferred income is released at the point when the service has been rendered. 

## **Donations** 

Donations are recognised when the charitable company has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charitable company before the charitable company is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those are conditions fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charitable company and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. 

## **Grant receivable** 

Grants are recognised when the charitable company has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the statement of financial position as deferred income to be released. 

continued... 

Page 14 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset`s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. 

## **Charitable activities** 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charitable company in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those cost of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

## **Support costs** 

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £150 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. 

## **Depreciation and amortisation** 

Depreciation is provided on the tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over the expected useful economic life as follows: 

|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Motor vehicles|25% reducing balance|
|Equipment and fittings|33% reducing balance|
|Computer equipment|33% reducing balance|



## **Taxation** 

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

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees` discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. 

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **Trade debtors** 

Trade debtors are amounts due from voluntary organisations and individuals who have undertaken to fund or meet the cost of services provided. 

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. 

## **Cash and cash equivalents** 

Page 15 

continued... 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Trade debtors** 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject ot an insignificant risk of change in value. 

## **Trade creditors** 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charitable company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. 

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at the amortized cost using the effective interest method. 

## **3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|Donations<br>Contracts and SLA<br>Grants<br>Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:<br>Covid-19<br>On The Day Passenger Transport project<br>Social Prescribing (NASP)<br>Hertsmere B Council<br>St Albans D Council<br>Hertfordshire County Council<br>Clarion Housing<br>Herts Sports Partnership<br>University of Hertfordshire<br>Herts Partnership University - NHS Foundation Trust<br>Hoare Trust|31.3.22<br>£<br>232,460<br>781,792<br>354,344<br>1,368,596<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>112,146<br>5,613<br>21,231<br>84,334<br>73,770<br>6,000<br>5,000<br>2,250<br>2,250<br>30,000<br>11,750<br>354,344||31.3.21<br>£<br>439,827<br>283,899<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||723,726|
||||31.3.21<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||||-|



Page 16 

continued... 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|**4.**<br>**INVESTMENT INCOME**<br>Deposit account interest<br>**5.**<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**<br>Direct<br>Costs<br>£<br>Purposes of the charity<br>765,256<br>**6.**<br>**SUPPORT COSTS**<br>Information<br>technology<br>£<br>Purposes of the charity<br>24,688<br>**7.**<br>**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**<br>Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):<br>Depreciation - owned assets<br>(Deficit)/surplus on disposal of fixed assets|31.3.22<br>£<br>53<br>Support<br>costs (see<br>note 6)<br>£<br>195,822<br>Other<br>£<br>171,134<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>16,712<br>6,080|31.3.21<br>£<br>40<br>Totals<br>£<br>961,078<br>Totals<br>£<br>195,822<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>12,701<br>(1,547)|
|---|---|---|



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

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no  trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

continued... 

Page 17 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

|**9.**<br>**STAFF COSTS**<br>Wages and salaries<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:<br>Staff<br>No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.<br>**10.**<br>**2021 COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>688,225<br>Investment income<br>40<br>**Total**<br>688,265<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Purposes of the charity<br>543,542<br>**NET INCOME**<br>144,723<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>105,300<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**<br>250,023|31.3.22<br>£<br>736,990<br>736,990<br>31.3.22<br>50<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>35,501<br>-<br>35,501<br>20,501<br>15,000<br>-<br>15,000|31.3.21<br>£<br>379,018<br>379,018<br>31.3.21<br>23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>723,726<br>40<br>723,766<br>564,043<br>159,723<br>105,300<br>265,023|31.3.21<br>£<br>379,018<br>379,018<br>31.3.21<br>23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>723,726<br>40<br>723,766<br>564,043<br>159,723<br>105,300<br>265,023|31.3.21<br>£<br>379,018<br>379,018<br>31.3.21<br>23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>723,726<br>40<br>723,766<br>564,043<br>159,723<br>105,300<br>265,023|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
|||||723,766|
|||||564,043|
|||||159,723<br>105,300|
|||||265,023|



continued... 

Page 18 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

|Fixtures<br>and<br>Motor<br>Computer<br>fittings<br>vehicles<br>equipment<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**COST**<br>At 1 April 2021<br>34,626<br>15,000<br>-<br>Additions<br>-<br>40,992<br>30,690<br>Disposals<br>-<br>(15,000)<br>-<br>At 31 March 2022<br>34,626<br>40,992<br>30,690<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2021<br>13,692<br>5,500<br>-<br>Charge for year<br>6,908<br>5,124<br>4,680<br>Eliminated on disposal<br>-<br>(5,500)<br>-<br>At 31 March 2022<br>20,600<br>5,124<br>4,680<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2022<br>14,026<br>35,868<br>26,010<br>At 31 March 2021<br>20,934<br>9,500<br>-<br>**12.**<br>**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Trade debtors<br>320,351<br>Other debtors<br>89,304<br>409,655<br>**13.**<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>Trade creditors<br>4,482<br>Other creditors<br>432,586<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>156,562<br>593,630|Totals<br>£<br>49,626<br>71,682<br>(15,000)<br>106,308<br>19,192<br>16,712<br>(5,500)<br>30,404<br>75,904<br>30,434<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>77,114<br>34,742<br>111,856<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>12,723<br>185,360<br>58,062<br>256,145|
|---|---|



Accruals and deferred income includes £92,500 of designated funds relating to monies received in 2021-22 for 2022-23 projects and £15,500 of restricted funds relating to monies received in 2021-22 for 2022-23. 

continued... 

Page 19 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

## **14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** 

|**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Donations and legacies<br>Peer-to-peer support groups<br>Supporting International Nurses<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Donations and legacies<br>Peer-to-peer support groups<br>Supporting International Nurses<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>**Comparatives for movement in funds**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.4.21<br>£<br>250,023<br>15,000<br>-<br>-<br>15,000<br>265,023<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>1,352,249<br>-<br>5,500<br>15,000<br>20,500<br>1,372,749<br>At 1.4.20<br>£<br>105,300<br>-<br>105,300|Net<br>movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>411,171<br>(15,000)<br>5,500<br>10,000<br>500<br>411,671<br>Resources<br>expended<br>£<br>(941,078)<br>(15,000)<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>(20,000)<br>(961,078)<br>Net<br>movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>144,723<br>15,000<br>159,723|At<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>661,194<br>-<br>5,500<br>10,000<br>15,500<br>676,694<br>Movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>411,171<br>(15,000)<br>5,500<br>10,000<br>500<br>411,671<br>At<br>31.3.21<br>£<br>250,023<br>15,000<br>265,023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|||||
|||||



continued... 

Page 20 



**COMMUNITIES 1ST** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** 

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

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: 

|**Unrestricted funds**<br>General fund<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>688,265<br>35,501<br>723,766|Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(543,542)<br>144,723<br>(20,501)<br>15,000<br>(564,043)<br>159,723|Resources<br>Movement<br>expended<br>in funds<br>£<br>£<br>(543,542)<br>144,723<br>(20,501)<br>15,000<br>(564,043)<br>159,723|
|---|---|---|---|
||||159,723|



Peer-to-peer - This is monies received from Hertfordshire County Council to deliver peer-to-peer support groups. 

Supporting International Nurses - This is monies received from Herts Partnership University to support international nurses to integrate in local communities. 

## **15. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

Page 21