Dementia Matters Here (fordshire)
Trustees’ Annual Report
1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024
Dementia Matters Here (fordshire) Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] January 2024 To 31[st] December 2024
About Dementia Matters Here (fordshire)
Dementia Matters Here (fordshire) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) was established on the 14[th] January 2020 to facilitate the cohesion of support across the county, add to existing support opportunities such as supporting the establishment of further meeting centres and support, develop and increase existing provision. Additionally, it was established to act on behalf of Herefordshire Dementia Action Alliance to support the creation and building of Dementia Friendly Communities and raise awareness of the condition to reduce myths and stigmas.
Dementia Matters Here (DMH) works to support people with dementia, their carers and families across Herefordshire through the provision of a range of services. DMH delivers one-to-one support for people with a diagnosis, carers and families; a fortnightly online carers group and monthly face to face groups to support carers in their role, find peer support and access information and advice. It produces a fortnightly newsletter to keep people informed and connected with what is happening in their County. Delivers a telephone support line offering advice, information and signposting. Holds monthly Memory Cafes and manages Meeting Centres in Hereford,[1] Leominster and Ross-on-Wye and delivers the Coffee and Memory Bus outreach service. DMH not only supports people with a diagnosis of dementia but also supports people awaiting diagnosis or who have mild cognitive impairment. DMH additionally works with organisations to support them to deliver sustainable opportunities for people affected by dementia in their communities and raise awareness of the condition.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name |
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number |
1187352 |
| Charity’s principal address |
Unit 10 Northern Lights Business Park Clinton Road Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0SW Tel:01432804480 |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Type of governing document |
Constitution |
|---|---|
| How is the charity constituted? |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Apart from the first charity trustees every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
1 https://www.worcester.ac.uk/about/academic-schools/school-of-health-and-wellbeing/health-andwellbeing-research/association-for-dementia-studies/ads-research/uk-meeting-centres.aspx
| In addition, the trustees require potential trustees to submit a CV stating what they can offer a trustee and attend at least one trustee meeting. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | ||||
| Trustee name |
Office (if any) |
Expertise | ||
| 1 | Dr Shirley Evans |
Chair | Shirley is Director of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester. She brings expertise in writing grant applications, fundraising, business development, evaluation and technology. |
|
| 2 | Andrew Wood |
Finance Officer |
A chartered accountant and experienced finance director of over more than 20 years, and has also served in the charitable sector, as a trustee, over the last 30 years. He has worked, at board-level, in the social care sector, since 2014, and in the wider healthcare sector since 2011, and co-owns a homecare business, serving Herefordshire, which has a particular focus on dementia care provision. He is also a trustee of a Bristol- based charity, Alive!, which has provided innovative, meaningful activity sessions in care homes for more than 10 years, again with a focus on dementia care provision. |
|
| 3 | Phillipa Bruce- Kerr |
Solicitor and Partner with Harrison Clark Rickerbys. Specialisms include advice to older people and those with disabilities and their families. A particular interest in support structures and mechanisms for those with dementia, especially in the early stages where there seems little support and signposting. Phillipa is also a Trustee of Leominster Meeting Centre. |
||
| 4 | Joy Valentini |
Joy qualified as a State Registered Nurse in 1976 and has had a varied career in and out of nursing ever since. Joy was managing the Leominster Meeting Centre, an international demonstrator site, until her retirement in July this year. Joy has cared for and nursed her husband who had young onset dementia until he passed away. Three of her children live abroad so travelling is high on her priority list, along with a passion for increasing the understanding of dementia in the wider community. |
||
| 5 | Ashley Winter |
An armed forces veteran who is working in the charity sector supporting mental health patients within the NHS employment advice service. As a member of the Institute of Welfare, Ashley is a qualified Welfare Officer, Mental Health First Aider and has completed many courses to support those living with dementia. |
||
| 6 | Natalie Cooke |
A Registered Manager with a domiciliary home care provider in Herefordshire. Having worked in the sector for 15 years, she has both a passion for raising awareness of dementia and supporting those living with a dementia and their families. She champions awareness and supports the local community with dementia information sessions, as well as being involved in the local Dementia Action Alliance |
| 7 | David Pearson |
Worked in public libraries for all his career. Within this role he was responsible for social inclusion projects and was instrumental in setting up Books on Prescription within the county. His late wife passed away from a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease in early 2014, and since early 2015 he has spent a lot of time working as a Volunteer Development Worker for both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Roles included working on Dementia Action Alliances, disseminating information to stakeholders, related groups and individuals and families, and for liaising within communities to raise the profile and understanding of dementia. He is a Dementia Friends Champion and produces the DMH fortnightly newsletter. |
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|---|---|---|---|
Key Staff and Volunteers
| Name and role at DMH |
What they bring |
|---|---|
| Clare Powney – Chief Officer |
DMH CIO employs Clare Powney as Chief Officer who has worked in the dementia sector for a number of years for the Alzheimer’s Society developing and managing their services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. She also has experience as a company director, in local government and as an educator. Clare has built an extensive knowledge and understanding of the locality, its issues, and good relationships with local stakeholders. Clare chairs the Herefordshire Dementia Partnership Group and the ICS Living and Supporting Well Workstream. She also sits on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS Dementia Programme Board. |
| Charlotte Banks – Services Manager |
DMH CIO employs Charlotte as a full time Services Manager and heads the Herefordshire Dementia Community Support Service. She has a background of working in the health and care sector supporting people in their homes to retain their independence and specifically people affected by dementia. She brings a wealth of experience to the team and delivers with Emily the one- to-one support service, the Memory Cafés, face to face carers groups, manages volunteers and the social media platforms. Charlotte manages all DMH’s services and staff on a day-to-day basis. |
| Emily Worsfold – Community Support Services Wellbeing |
DMH CIO employs Emily to support the delivery of the HDCSS service. Emily had a background in hospitality and has re-trained with us to become an outstanding HDCSS wellbeing worker. Her friendly, empathetic personality is a great hit with all our service users. She also goes the extra mile and is a great addition to the team. Emily also helps to support the delivery of DMH Memory Cafes. |
| Martin Steer – Community Engagement and Development |
DMH CIO employs Martin as a part-time Community Engagement and Development Officer. Martin has recently retired as a serving police inspector and prior to that was in the armed forces. Martin brings a wealth of experience of working across the county and publicinteraction, the ability torelate to |
| veterans, an in-depth demographical knowledge of the county and a wide network of contacts. |
|
|---|---|
| Emilly Collins - Administrator |
DMH CIO employs Emily as a part-time administrator supporting the delivery of DMH’s services and co-ordinating distribution of the newsletter. Emily has extensive experience of working in administration. |
| Leah Edmonds – Care Home In- reach and Community Engagement and Development |
DMH CIO employs Leah part-time working on Care Home In- reach and part-time working as a Community Engagement and Development Officer. Leah comes from a background of working in the care sector for many years and has wide experience of working with people affected by dementia. |
| Volunteers | DMH is supported by35 volunteers |
Development Volunteers DMH is supported by35 volunteers |
Development Volunteers DMH is supported by35 volunteers |
|---|---|
| Objectives and Activities | |
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
1. Promote the health and wellbeing of people living with a dementia or associated conditions, their relatives and carers in Herefordshire through, but not exclusively, the provision of education, opportunities, information, development and support of activities. 2. Support the creation of dementia friendly communities across Herefordshire to enable people to feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. 3. To raise awareness of dementia and reduce the myths and stigma surrounding the condition. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
See below |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
In planning our activities, we have kept in mind the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and regularly refer to our charitable objectives. |
| Achievements and Performance | |
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in |
1. Promote the health and wellbeing of people living with a dementia or associated conditions, their relatives and carers in Herefordshire through, but not |
| its governing document |
exclusively, the provision of education, opportunities, information, development and support of activities. 2. Support the creation of dementia friendly communities across Herefordshire to enable people to feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. 3. To raise awareness of dementia and reduce the myths and stigma surrounding the condition. |
|---|---|
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
See below |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
In planning our activities, we have kept in mind the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and regularly refer to our charitable objectives. |
Achievements against objectives
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
The Herefordshire Dementia Community Support Service (HDCSS) was contracted for a further 12-month period to the 31st March 2025. This has enabled us to deliver services to over 900 people in the last 12-month period. The services are open to anyone across Herefordshire who may have concerns regarding themselves or a loved one’s/friend’s memory, carers, family members and to professionals seeking additional information. The service is also open to anyone who may have mild cognitive impairment, which is a major step forward in Herefordshire, as previously there has not been any support specifically for this condition. DMH has also delivered 45 Memory cafés over the period, which have an average attendance of 116 per month. This has enabled people with a diagnosis and carers to enjoy a social opportunity, to access support, information and advice and to form peer networks. DMH had been successful in being allocated NHS MHIS funding to deliver a care home support service to support the wellbeing of people affected by dementia and staff in a residential setting which has been delivered across 2024. The Coffee and Memory bus (CAMbus) continues to visit rural and isolated villages across the county offering a point of contact for anybody worried about |
|---|---|
their/or somebody they know memory and aims to break down the barriers to engagement and access to services. CAMbus offers a free drink and cake/biscuits, an informal chat and access to support, advice and information. It also works with other organisations to deliver outreach support and to support our community engagement and development work.
The second Herefordshire Dementia Voices project launched in April 2024. The project aims to deliver on the recommendations of the first HDV project and as part of this new support opportunities were developed during 2024. Two new Memory Cafes were set up and three new carers support groups were established. The project runs for three years, and a new Meeting Centre is planned at the start of 2025 in Hereford. As part of the new project DMH held its second successful Dementia Festival in October 2024 based in a local shopping centre.
During early 2024 Dementia Matters Here took over the running of Leominster Meeting Centre and the old LMC charity was merged with DMH. DMH also took over the full running of Ross Meeting Centre later in the year so both Meeting Centres now sit under DMH.
DMH is represented on the Herefordshire Dementia Partnership Group and the ICS Dementia Programme Board for Herefordshire and Worcestershire by the Chief Officer and is therefore well placed to input into regional dementia strategy.
2024 saw DMH being successful in securing a number of grants towards the core costs of running our services as well Performance of as a continuation of our NHS contracted service for another fundraising activities 12 months. There were also several successful fundraising against objectives set events including a golf day, several bingo events, a cocktail and mocktail with live bands evening and a noticeable increase in donations from a variety of avenues.
Financial Review
Review of the Income charity’s financial The charity had income of £289,239 with much of this derived position at the end of from continued support from the local NHS ICB, plus other the period grants/donations, allowing it to sustain and grow its activities and output.
Expenditure Expenditure in the year totalled £229,072 with 80%? of this being allocated to staff salaries on various funded projects and support.
Surplus and Reserves
| Statement* explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held** |
We aim to acquire sufficient funding to cover at least six month’s running costs to protect the delivery of services to people affected by dementia |
| Amount of reserves held |
We have sufficient funds to cover just over 6 months-worth of running costs without any further income, which the Trustees are pleased with |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
In common with very many charities, other than those with very large levels of reserves, ongoing operation and impact depends on securing income to cover the running costs. |
Risk Register – Key Risks
| Potential Risk | Potential Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees The charity lacks direction/strategy |
• the charity drifts with no clear objectives, priorities or plans • needs of beneficiaries not fully addressed • financial management difficulties • loss of reputation |
• an annually reviewed business plan which sets out the key aims and objectives • utilise an annual financial plan and budget • monitor financial and operational performance |
| Trustee body lacks relevant skills or commitment |
• poor decision making reflected in poor value for moneyon service delivery |
• agree skills required |
| Conflicts of interest | • charity unable to pursue its own interests and agenda • decisions may not be based on relevant considerations • impact on reputation •private benefit |
• trustees to disclose potential conflicts of interest • trustees to stand down on certain decisions |
| Reporting to trustees (accuracy, timeliness and relevance |
• inadequate information resulting in poor quality decision making • failure of trustees to fulfil their control functions |
• timely and accurate project reporting • timely and accurate financial reporting • have regular contact between trustees and senior staff |
| Operational |
| Project or service development |
• compatibility with objects, plans and priorities • funding and financial viability • project viability • skills availability |
• utilise monitoring and reporting procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Employment issues | • employment disputes • health and safety issues • claims for injury, stress, harassment, unfair dismissal • equal opportunity and diversity issues • adequacy of staff training • child protection issues • low morale • abuse of vulnerable beneficiaries |
• Fair recruitment processes • reference and qualification checking procedures, job descriptions, contracts of employment, appraisals and feedback procedures • utilise job training and development • be aware of employment law requirements • ensure staff vetting and legal requirements (eg DBS checks) • have a whistle-blowing policy |
| Volunteers | • lack of competences, training and support • poor service for beneficiaries • inadequate vetting and reference procedures • recruitment and dependency |
• use role competencies/vetting procedures/training/supervision procedures |
| Health, safety and environment |
• staff injury • product or service liability • injury to beneficiaries and thepublic |
• comply with current law and regulations |
| Procedural and systems documentation |
• lack of awareness of procedures and policies • actions taken without proper authority |
• properly document policies and procedures • annual review of systems |
| Information technology | • systems fail to meet operational need • failure to innovate or update systems • loss/corruption of data e.g. donor base • breach of data protection law |
• ensure system meets need/ security and authorisation procedures • annually review insurance cover for any insurable loss |
| Financial Risks Budgetary control and financial reporting |
• budget does not match key objectives and priorities • inability to meet commitments or key objectives • ability to function as going concern |
• link budgets to business planning and objectives • monitor and report in a timely and accurate way • use costing procedures for product or service delivery • monitor and control costs |
| Dependency on income sources |
• cash flow and budget impact of loss of income source |
• identify major dependencies • implement adequate reserves |
| Compliance with donor imposed restrictions |
• funds applied outside restriction • repayment of grant • future relationship with donor and beneficiaries • regulatoryaction |
• agree budget control, monitoring and reporting arrangements |
| Fraud or error | • financial loss • reputational risk • loss of staff morale • regulatory action • impact on funding |
• review financial control procedures • identify insurable risks |
| Environmental or External Factors Public perception |
• impact on voluntary income • impact on use of services by beneficiaries • ability to access grants or contract funding |
• communicate with supporters and beneficiaries • ensure good quality reporting of the charity's activities and financial situation |
| Adverse publicity | • loss of donor confidence or funding • loss of influence • impact on morale of staff • loss of beneficiary confidence |
• implement complaints procedures (both internal and external) • Ensure proper review procedures for complaints |
| Relationship with funders | • deterioration in relationship may impact on funding and support available |
• ensure regular contact and briefings to major funders • report fully on projects • meet funders' terms and conditions |
| Compliance Risk Compliance with legislation and regulations appropriate to the activities, size and structure of the charity |
• fines, penalties or censure from licensing or activity regulators • loss of licence to undertake particular activity (see operational risks) • employee or consumer action for negligence • reputational risks |
• identify key legal and regulatory requirements |
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature(s)
Shirley Evans
Shirley B. Evans
Date 6[th ] August 2026
(Chair)
Andrew Wood Andrew Wood Date 5th August 2025 (Finance Trustee)
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts
Report to the Trustees of Dementia Matters Here (fordshire) On the accounts for year ended 31[st ] December 2024
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the examiner
| Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) Charity Name |
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) Charity Name |
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) Charity Name |
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) Charity Name |
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) Charity Name |
1187352 No (if any) |
1187352 No (if any) |
1187352 No (if any) |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
1st Jan 2024 Period start date |
To | 31st Dec 2024 Period end date |
||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 18,710 13,996 175 2,121 - 35,002 35,002 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 207,146 - - - 47,092 254,238 254,238 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 225,856 13,996 175 2,121 47,092 289,240 289,240 1,588 996 180,170 4,296 1,298 3,067 1,487 65 2,717 969 2,185 8,829 6,427 160 1,812 32 175 6,829 484 4,881 605 ~~229,072~~ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
| Grants awarded | 18,710 | 129,153 | |||||||
| Donations | 13,996 | 10,319 | |||||||
| Interest | 175 | 157 | |||||||
| Fundraising | 2,121 | - | |||||||
| Leominster Meeting Centre subscriptions |
- |
- | |||||||
| ~~Sub total~~~~(Gross income for AR)~~ | 35,002 | 139,629 | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| 139,629 | |||||||||
| Equipment | - | 1,588 | - | 1,588 | - | ||||
| Insurance | 996 | - | - | 996 | 874 | ||||
| Salaries | - | 180,170 | - | 180,170 | 140,444 | ||||
| Staff expenses | - | 4,296 | - | 4,296 | 3,457 | ||||
| General Office costs | 1,298 | - | - | 1,298 | 1,830 | ||||
| Printing& Stationery | - | 3,067 | - | 3,067 | 2,618 | ||||
| Postage | 1,487 | - | - | 1,487 | 1,369 | ||||
| Bank charges | 65 | - | - | 65 | 60 | ||||
| Communitybus | 2,717 | - | - | 2,717 | 3,509 | ||||
| MemoryCafe costs | - | 969 | - | 969 | 1,168 | ||||
| HDVproject costs | - | 2,185 | - | 2,185 | 6,971 | ||||
| Leominster MeetingCentre costs | - | 8,829 | - | 8,829 | - | ||||
| Ross MeetingCentre costs | - | 6,427 | - | 6,427 | - | ||||
| Leominster Carers Group | 160 | - | - | 160 | - | ||||
| Staff training | 1,812 | - | - | 1,812 | - | ||||
| Event costs | 32 | - | - | 32 | - | ||||
| Fundraising | 175 | - | - | 175 | - | ||||
| Office rental | 6,829 | - | - | 6,829 | 8,871 | ||||
| Ross MemoryCafe | - | 484 | - | 484 | - | ||||
| Telecoms & Internet | 4,881 | - | - | 4,881 | 3,073 | ||||
| Resources | 605 | - | 605 | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | ~~20,452~~ | ~~208,620~~ | ~~-~~ | ~~229,072~~ | ~~174,244~~ | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| **Sub total ** | ~~-~~ | ~~-~~ | ~~-~~ | ||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| 174,244 | |||||||||
| 14,550 | 60,168 | - 34,615 | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| 67,343 | 67,343 | 101,958 | |||||||
| 81,893 | 127,511 | 67,343 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
06/09/2025
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Shirley Evans CAF Bank Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 81,893 45,618 - - - - 81,893 45,618 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name ShirleyEvans Andrew Wood |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| Shirley Evans | ShirleyEvans | 05/08/2025 | |
| Andrew Wood | 05/08/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2