PCAS Person Centred Advocacy & Support Together We Con A Free to use, 100 % Independent, Confidential, Advocacy Service Advocacy QPM AWARD Shropshire Peer Counselling & vOCacy Service s a registwed thaiity (WIStj thartty number 1187362)
Contents What is independent Advocacy..................... pg2 Background, Mission & Aims.......................... pg3 Welcome from our Chair........................ pg4 Managers Report............................................. pg 5 Impact Section.................................................. pg 6- 11 Impact Section- CASE STUDIES.................... pg 12- 18 Our Advocates............................. . pg19 Structure, Governance and Management................................... pg20 Trustees and Principle Officers...................... pg 21 Financial Review................................................ pg 22 Independent Examinerfs Report..................... pg 23 Financial Activities........................................ pg24-33 Statement of Disclosure.................................. pg 34 Thanks to our funders and Donors................ pg 35 PCAS Contact Details.................................. Pg36 Focus on impact, not process. VEVÉ ALLWAN I ¢4IRIT COACII
What Is Independent Advocacy. At some point in our lives, most of us will need an Advocate. You may need help to make a difficult phone call, need someone who can write a letter, or someone to attend with you, at a difficult meeting. In many cases, the Advocate is a friend or family member. for others, it may be a nurse or social worker. But what if you don't have any of these people to help? Or the problem relates in some way to your family. G.P, or social worker? This is where independent Advocacy can help. an Advocate will support you to speak up for yourself as they are ONLY there for you and have no ties to other agencies or people in your lrfe. An Advocate helps you to get the information you need to make real choices about your Circumstan5, supporting you to put your choices to others. PCAS assists with: Safeguarding peopSe who are vulnerable and discredited against or whom services find difficult to serve. Supporting disabled people at risk of losing their tenancy Empowering people who need a stronger Vol by enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions. Enabling people to gain access to information, explore and understand their options, and to make their views and wishes known. Care issues, accommodation. financial management and paperwork Supporting at meetings and long temi support in order to stay living in their own homes for longer. PCAS can speak on behalf of people who are unable to do so for themselves. PCAS helps people with Mental Heatth needs, something we have done for 29 years now. PCAS helps clients through Adult Safeguarding prosses. Child Protectionlchild in nd work. Our compassionats team will empower and uplift Clients to enhance their quality of life, ensuring every voice is valued It is important to recognise that an effective Advocate will use their knowledge, experience and skills to enable their client to have the best lrfe possible. This might mean the Advocate telling the client about options that the client has never thought of themselves. It is also an Advocates job to be realistic with their client. as not all things a client may want will be possible.
Background, Mission And Aims BACKGROUND TO PCAS AND WHAT WE DO PCAS Advocacy Service was started in 1995 by Shropshire Disabilty Consortium to provide a community based independent advocacy Servi for people with ANY disability over the age of 18 in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. PCAS was set up by disabled people who recognised a need for individuals to be supported to ensure their Vol was heard. PCAS is commttted to ensuring individuals are as involved as they can be in decisions that affect their lives. We aim to raise awareness of a person's ri hts and ensure they are safeguarded against in instances where people are unable to do so or themselves. PCAS is a re istered charity, to maintain its Independen it is managed by a Board of Trustees, comprising o individuals who have an interest in and a commitment to the work PCAS does. The Board hold a strategic role, havin PCAS meets it legal and charitab responsibilty to oversee effecb've govemance by ensuring e obligations. Our Mission Statement Is.. PCAS pmvides independent advocac ftir adults with any disability, physical. sensory. learning or mental health. We aim to le the Service of Choice, to secure clients, rights, services, and to ensure they are listened to, empowered and treated with respect. We further aim to promote social inclusion, equality and socialjustice for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or ethnicity. We Aim to: Assist disabled persons primarily. but not exclusively, living or working within the Counties of Shropshire and Powys. through the provision of Advocacy and information. Be recognised as the "Go to" Servi for Advocacy support Enable disabled people to make infomed Chols, by giving them the infomation they need Help rebuild confidence and self*steem though being valued as a person Provide a service enabling the opportunity for people to take control of their own lives Challenge decisions made on behalf of people which they disagree with To listen to and engage with a client and actively involve them in any action PCAS assists with We also have a set of priorities that we use to plan what we want to achieve every year. This year we have continued to develop our service to meet the growing needs of local people who are requiring more long temi assistance with their finances, enabling disabled people to stay living in their own homes for longer. PCAS Website wNw.shro shire cas.co.uk
Welcome from our Chair I took over as PCAS Chair in January 2024 as the previous Chair Peter Quinn was retiring, having been with PCAS for more than 10 years. l joined PCAS in early 2023 and have been extremely proud to be appointed as chairperson of a charity that does such an amazing job in Shropshire every single day. PCAS stands for 'Person Centred Advocacy & Support" PCAS is based in Oswestry but covers the whole of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. We provide one-to-one support and guidan for any adult with a disability who needs an independent advocate. Ben Payne, Chair of PCAS The charity's advocates support clients to speak up for themselves, get the information they need and make choices about their circuMstanS often at the most difficult times in their lives. Very often people with a disability are overlooked. They often struggle to get their voices heard or can struggle with things that many of us take for granted. But PCAS can offer a shoulder to lean on and a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable peopSe in our community. Now in it's 28-year history, the charity has supported more than 10,800 people and in the past year alone, has helped clients access more than 2,000 new services. l am the operations director for 7video, a Shrewsbury based company making films and animations and also a volunteer for the Teenage Cancer Trust and a mentor with The Prince's Trust. l am also taking a qualification to become a counsellor.
Manager's Report PCAS - Person Centred Advocacy & Support, yes. we have had a rebranding, PCAS used to stand for Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi, this is still our registered charity name. But this new branding reflects on how we work as a service, better reflecting how we help and support people. And after 29 years we thought it was time to really focus on what we have done well for all those years. Most people who use us or have used us over the years, over 11.000 of you now, recognise us as PCAS. Simon Arthur, Manager You will see in our annual report figures we have worked with less people this year, the reason for this is the complexity of the issues people need help with, and the fact we had to close to new referrals. We have helped the 245 people wtth 3801 issues this shows an average of 15.5 issues per person, this really causes us concem as being on the frontline, we can see how people are suffering from cuts, cost of living crisis, digff(al inclusion, huge utility rises to name a few of the factors. Nothing changes for us we just keep on doing our amazing work, helping and supporting people with disabilities to have a vol, be listened to, and have a better quality of life. Our focus will always be on the person needing help, we will listen, discuss, plan. help and support, always keeping the client at the centre of the work we do wtth and for them. During this last year one of our amazing workers Glenda has reached 15 years, milestone of working for us. I must say it has been a pleasure she is so dedicated and hard-working, Glenda is my deputy, so she stands in when l am holidaying or off poorly. She is a star and I hope she continues with us for many years to come Thank you Glenda. It has been another busy year at PCAS with so many people needing our help and support, unfortunately we cannot keep up wtth the demands being placed on us, and indeed had to close to new referrals not once but on 4 occasions over the last 12 months. It is a sad fact that the world is in a mess and this has a knock on effect on our servi, so many disabled and vulnerable people are fast running out of options to help them, especially over the longer temi, l am prety sure we are the only Servi in Shropshire that offers this help and support for many years. In an ideal world we need more funding! around £70,000 a year, rf we could achieve this, it would enable us to employ a further 2 full time staff, but with so many challenges in our county as well as around the country, grant funding is so hard to secure, V are lucky that after 29 years we are still here, able to help some if not all that need us. We will keep on doing what we can for the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin in this ever changing world, but we need more supporters. people who can help us to raise funds, offer sponsorship work with us to achieve our goals and those of the vulnerable disabled people we hel and support.
OUR IMPACT IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR 2023- 2024 PCAS HAS HELPED 245 PEOPLE WITH 1785 INDIVIDUAL VISITS WITH 3801 ISSUES 90 Start a_n_d_End_Qu_e_s_t_i_onn_a_ire_Re_s_u_l_ts Where El - Yes at start of help 11- No at end of help 70 50 40 30 20 io 70 62 Are you at risk of losing your tenancy Are you able to manage your own moneylbanking Are you in any debt
IMPACT SECTION Over this financial year, PCAS has helped clients with a whopping 3801 client issues this year, which shows the complexity of cases that we have been working with. Our advocates are working tirelessly to support our clients as they sort through the complex issues to enable our clients to be in a more stable place. Dividin8 the amount of i5sues138011 by the amount of clients helped12451 gives an average of each client having over 15 issues that they need help with. Client Issues April 2023- March 2024 Total Issues 3801 Average of 15.5 Issues per client 121XJ iiio 600 400 231 218 200 139 133 143 136 136 142 132 83 82 88 25 31 42 22
IMPACT SECTION Positive Client Outcomes April 2023- March 2024 Total 2625 Average of 10.7 per client iooo 900 700 600 500 466 400 300 200 146 121 121 135 106 105 loo 70 37 50 14 14 7 28 24 13
IMPACT SECTION Clients often require many other seniices to put their life back on track, an average of 6 other services per client this year. Our Advocates are very skilled and persistent at getting other services involved to help their clients. This can be very challenging, in that many are still working from home, or have closed down, or at capacity because of high demand. Advocates can get frustrated by some services who seem unable to do what they should be doing and are funded for. Services Accessed For Clients this Financial Year Apr 23 - Mar 24 Totsi 1275 350 300 250 200 150 loo 50 Banks Hosp/GpIsoliclFuneral/lns Care Issues Finance Benefits • Housing Other
IMPACT SECTION 400 Postcode areas covered within this financial year -1159 (1785 individual visits) 350 300 250 200 150 loo 50 71 io li Age Graph April 23 - March 24 Totsl 245 Clients 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 Is io Under 25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66-75 76-85 86-95 cer 96 10
IMPACT SECTION 160 Disabilities April 2023 to March 2024 Total 674 Average of 2.7 disabilities per client 140 120 40 20 145 Physical Sensory Mental He3h Learing Disabillty Over 65 Ex F¢)rces Other Multiple Disabilities Cotnplex Needs Quotes from Clients My Advocate has supported me to get PIP & to move to more suitable accommodation. I would not be able to cope financially & I would still be living in an upstairs flat that was getting too much for me without PCAS My finan5 are now safeguarded from my son. Shropshire Council have taken on the role of managing my finanS. My son may have continued to manipulate me to give him money without PCAS l am able to manage a direct payment & I have got control of my bank accounts & debt. My care package would have collapsed & my financial issues would not be sorted without my Advocate I felt as if someone was listening to what I needed help wtth. in confiden, wtthout judgement & someone I could trust, and I don't find trusting or asking for help easy. Wrthout PCAS I would probably of had a breakdown or be in prison I have applied for Seven Trent Trust Fund with assistan from my Advocate. The debt has been written off & water charges are manageable now. Without you, I would have gotten deeper in debt & wouldn't have known what to do. Thank you, you have been brilliant. My PIP is now paid directly to me instead of an appointee. I would have to account to my family for rny spending withoLrt your support I now know what wll happen with adaptations to my home as I had help wrth the fonns. These fomis would not have been completed wthout my Advocate & progress would not have been made. Thank you for all your help. 11
IMPACT SECTION- CASE STUDIES Thank You, from Ange a client" l just want to say thank you for Jackie my lrfeline worker. who is a star of support in every way. I am so grateful as I've found life shared is more bearable where it was impossible before. Thank you for the wonderful servi, second to none. My dient needed to renew her Blue Badge, however due to her Acquired Brain Injury. needed support to enable her to collate the information and complete the relevant application. We went onto the Renew a Blue Badge webstte and completed the relevant information, we collated the documents and together we removed names etc.. and uploaded documents. After completing the online application and ensuring my client was fully involved, she felt a sense of self achievement, commenting "Oh, l think I could do that myself next time. whilst laughing and then statr'ng - well maybe not!! When my client disclosed to me she'd had her iPad removed and therefore not only was she unable to aCsS her games etc., she felt she was being treated like a child. The Social Worker and l explored why this had happened and explaining to staff that you can only deny something rf it is in their best interests. It was agreed that she could have her iPad retumed, however a couple of social media apps were to be removed. The client understood why and was happy with this. This has made a huge differen to my client, as you can see from her smile. 12
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES My client said he was honoured to be asked to be included in our Annual Report. Mr Nasser said "PCAS has been life changing, the light in the darkness and hope for me" He is devoted to his dog Barney who photo bombed this picturel For people in my 51tuation, this setwice is priceless and precious and I can't explain just how important it is. I have a neurological condition which leads to cognitive, memory and physical impairment. I need help to access other services, form filin& checking my post. financial help, help with telephone calls and care issues. But most of all to get my voice heard by others. I will continue to need this help as my condition progresses. I have trouble communicating which is related to my medication, if not administered corrertly it has drastic concequeses. I have tremors & spasms. I don't have any family or friends. Talking to my advocate is therapeutic. she is the only person I trust. I have memory problems. am unable to complete fomis myself and ensure reviews of health & care take place. Jackie has made Doctors appointments. arranged my stairlft service, ensures bills and correspondence are up to date, files letters etc. She has arranged adaptations and checks on my welfare. Mostimportantlyto me,Jackie made sure that my dog Bamey was included in my domiciliary care plan- he means everythingto me. My name is Midg and I INe with longstanding mental health challenges which means the world is sometimes a very diffiGutt place for me. Care provider- fridge left open by carer & food ruined. Many missed calls Change of neck*ob pendent alarm to watch style alam. His medication is delivered. I try very hard to do things for myself bLrt l ayS end up getting into a real muddle and that's where my Advocate comes in. Without her I would just srt here on my own not knowing what to do. My Advocate helps me to access other $eMS that I just couldn't manage to do on my own such as rently. applying for my blue badge, liaising with DVLA about my driving lin and motability vehicle. helping me to draw down on a pension annuty and then to claim tsx back on the lump sum, make complaints to my housing association and then get compensation from them for missed appointments and much more over the 7 years we have worked together. We communicate mainly by text message which is great for me. l am so grateful to have my Advocate and I don't know what I would do without her, l am very happy to share my story with Shropshire PCAS. 13
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES Mydient has Msand no longerableto walk. l applied to an MS Charity that I found online and they agreed to fund a power Pack for her wheelchair. This has made it much easier for agency carers or her daughter to tske her out on her social visit to town each week a5 there are tsvo hills to negotiate and they had been strugglingto push her wheelchair. l also challenged the Incontinen pads that were being supplied to her a5 they were not absorbent enough and she was constantly wet, especially in the momings which she found embarrassing and humiliatin& After a lot of heated discussion, it Was agreed that a more effective but much more expensive pad would be provided for night time use only and this has made things a lot better for her. l asked for an OT review as she had fallen out of her armchair on a couple of occasions and often seemed uncomfortable when I sited her. Her feet were swelling and there was some breakdown of her skin and I requested she be provided with a rise and recline chair. This was eventually agreed and my client has been informed that her chair will be delivered in the next couple of days. She has temporarily had to stsy in bed until the chair is in place which has meant She has been unable to go out for her weekly Costa Coffee which is the highlight of her week. as she is well known in the town and lots of people stop to have a chat with her which she thoroughly enjoys. Despite being stu¢k in bed. she still managed a smilel SHREWSBURY FOOD BANK I recently visited a client who has severe anxiety. She was experiencing a shortfall in her finances so struggling to afford food that week. I helped her to make an application to the local food bank. Whilst with the client, I completed the online referral form to the food bank on my mobile phone and got a positive response straight away via a text to my client, which meant the client could collect a food parcel later on that same day, for which she was very grateful. Client feedback. "l am grateful for Wendy s help and very reassured when she visits to help me with my post or with contacting other agencies or organisations which I struggle with due to my mental health and anxiety. l always say everyone should have a Wendy." 14
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES CASE STUDY- 73 year old with a recent diagnosis of dementia needed support to navigate moving house Housing Association needed possession of my client.s property. so he had a few options to consider and some important decisions to make that would impact his life. Where he was going to move to? Who would support him to do this? Who would support with the bureaucracyof moving. Who would ensure his voice was heard and treated fairly. PCAS supported the client to ensure his voice was heard, he had clear information in a forniat he understood, and enabled an informed Choi for hisfuture home. Previous address was not in a good state of repair, and he clearly needed support going forward. He was offered three options of where to live, it was very important to give the client the time to process what this would mean for him. The three options were in differentvillages. and I made sure that I discussed all of the options with him, including transport links, family links. local shops. GP surgery to name a few. He found this process quite diallengin& the Housing Association were trying to push things on a bit quicker than his abilities allowed. this is where PCAS step in to explain to the Housing Association that his disability needed to be recognized and that a deasion would be made when he had time to process the information, going at the clients pa. With the time afforded to him. he agreed on one of the options and PCAS supported him to transition to his new address. It was a new build. supported living bungalow- he has since moved in and is making good progress with his new property. PCAS continue to 5UPPOrt the client, as he will need ongoing help with his paperwork. letters, keeping an eye on bills and any unforeseen issues. 15
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES RNIB swworfnq L4Ml I have a client who has just been diagnosed with a severe sight impairnient. I have helped her liaise with the RNIB who are offering remote telephone support. They have been able to get my client a Certificate of Visual Impairment signed off by her consultsnt. By scanning this document and uploading it for her. it has allowed meto supwrt my dienttoaskfora thange of circumstancesof her PIP award which she has been granted. It also meant that I could use her certificate to expedite her Blue Badge renewal which I had submitted previously using her current PIP award. She had already been waiting some weeks by using the CVI fc helped speed up the process. Her blue badge was duly awarded and has come quickly in the post. She has also been able to get a Disabled Person Bus Pass now she has her certificate of sight impaimient l am also liaising with the benefft advisor at RNIB to provide the documentary evidence she needs to get my client care contribution accurately calculatsd. This will hopefully help reduce the cosL Client say5 she is grateful for the practical help I have given in liaising with the RNIB and helping get her paperwork sorted to get her new higher rate award of PIP. Blue Badge and Bus pa55. My clients are an elderly married couple. Mr5 S has severe physical disabilities and previously received a substantial care package at home. When this fell apart she was moved into a Nursing Home close to their maritsl home and she has now resided there for over two years. Her husband would visit her regularly. When I became involved Mr S had also moved into the Nursing Home and was self-funding. This was due to a deterioration in his physical and mental health and neighbours had become concerned about him as he was having panic attacks and knocking on their doors in the middle of the night as he thought someone was in the house. He was also not managing to feed himself properly and leaving food to go mouldy and he was qutte unsteady on his feet. He had his Driving cense taken away following concerns from his GP. At this point. a Sotial Worker infomed Mrs S that a care agency had been found that could cover her care needs back at home14 visits per day x 2 carers) and the plan was that she would go home. Another Social Worker had assessed Mr S and the plan was for him to go home withouta care package. They were both very nervous aboLrt this but seemed to think they had no choice but to go along with this plan. Mrs S was very concerned that Mr S was no longer fit enough to provide her with any sUPPOrt at home when the agency carers were not present and she felt much safer in the Nursing Home. However, she felt that she couldn't let him go home by himself as he would not be able to cope. Mr S also wanted to Stay in the Nursing Home. We talked through all the possible optionslscenarios and the fatt that they would have t0 Sell their house which would mean they would both be self-funding until their capitsl reduced below the limit. A new Social Worker was appointed to work with both of them who initially vislted Mrs S to tslk about when she would go home and the new Care Agency start. l explained to him that both Mr and Mrs S wished to remain in the Nursing Home. He did say"thaYs a lot of work for me" but took on board the request and did ask if I was willing to assist writing the Support Plan for Mr S to help identify his care needs. Unfortunately, Mr S has had a fall during the night rentlY and has broken his hip. He has now had surgery and is back at the Nursing Home but unable to walk and is using a wheelchair. This setback for Mr S should however make it much easier for care needs to be identified so that Shropshire Council will provide funding when this coupl apital diminishes and they are no longer self-funding. 16
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES Client is wheelchair dependent and was not able to a55 the community or attend dentsl appointments etc, due to the difficulties with a$5 to and from her property. Referral made to W H Group and assessment completed by OT after many discussion as to whether they should provide the access. However I reminded them of the clients Equality & Human Rights to:_ Accessible Housing Equal Access to Healthcare- without a ramp this was becoming impossible unless ambulance transport was used Being Part of the community- wtth the ramp now is situ., the client can interact wwthin the community attend groups or go shopping with the support from a carer. The client is extremely pleased wtth the outcome. Kathleen, Client 17
IMPACT SECTION - CASE STUDIES It is inevitable that at times we lose some of our clients. sometimes it is experted, and other times it seems so unfair. I recently lost one of my younger clients who was a stroke sur4ivor. He was fiercely independent, and overcame lots of issues that his disability came with. He was affected by significant communication issues around his speech after his stroke, which was very frustrating for him. Lots of impromptu terrible drawing from both him and myself at times, to try and work out what he was saying! A sense of humour is vital in this job, and sometimes helps to lighten the mood. He remained very independent, living out in the community. refusing any social care involvement, but was happy to work with myself. Such a shame that he was diagnosed with cancer, and only lived for another few short weeks after that. However, PCAS did make a positive difference to him, his family lived in South Wales, and with his consent, I was in touch with his Mum, who valued PCAS support enormously- we were here for him when his Mum was 50 far away. PCAS wa5 enormously touched when his funeral donations were donated to us, which will help someone else in need. Thank You from a deceased clients arents: Just a big thank you for all that you have done for Darren over the years. I know how hard he could be. I said to the boys, if there were more people like you around, it would be a better world. Judith, Joanne Family. 18
Our dedicated Advocacy Staff Simon Arthur, Wendy Timmis, Lynne Davis, Maura Atterbury, Jackie Copson & Glenda Crawshaw PCAS passed our NEW QPM award in July 2023, which is our 3rd continued12016. 20201 QPM award. We are very proud to have passed once again. Many things have changed over the years to reflert the change in the way Advocacy Services are provided. PM The QPM is only awarded to organisations who can demonstrate that they provide excellent services in line with QPM standards and the advocacy charter. The QPM is a quality assurance assessment for providers of independent advocacy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Advocacy QPM AWARD 19
Structure, Governance and Management Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document The charity is ttintrolled by its goveming document, a foundation model constitLrtion for a CIO. Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy servi covers the whole of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and is a registered charity {numter 1187362) PCAS supports any person aged 18 or over th ANY disability or multiple disabilities. There is no charge to our clients for our servi, which is something we feel very strongly aboLrt. Our clients are often the most vulnerable in society. many having multiple disabilities and vtho do not fit into the remit of other seNices. Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees Prospective trustees come from all walks of life. If you feel you would be interested in becoming a Trustee, please contact the PCAS office on 01691658008. An info81 chat about what we do is the first step, then you would fill in an application fomi if you are still interested. From there, you would meet a couple of Trustees, and the current board would Ihen vote on your prospective application. The Board of Trustees meet bi-morrthly and at other times deemed necessary. Trustees serve as volunteers and re1ve no payment for their workltime. They a from a variety of backgrounds and bring varied skills and experien to the Board. We currently have 2 clients, people wth disabilities themselves and those with a professional background. The Trustees have the uflimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Charity and ensuring that it is solvent, well run and meets the charitable outcomes. Day lo day operational decisions are taken by the PCAS Manager and staff of the organisation. wlthin the delegated authority conferred by the Board. Risk Assessment The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and effor. this has been done. Public Benefit The Trustees have taken due regard of the Charity Commission's guidan on public benefit when planning ihe activities for the year. 20
Trustees and Principle Officers Trustees Chair Benjamin Payne Clare Harris Ice Chair Treasurer Doreen Ellis Trustee Russell Jones Trustee Neil Pulker Trustee Jacob Ayre Staff - PCAS PCAS Manager/Advocate Assistant Manager/Shropshire Advocate Shropshire Athiocate Simon Arthur Glenda Crawshaw Wendyfimmis Shropshire Advocate Jackie Copson Shropshire Advocate Lynne Davis T & W Advocate Maura Atterbury Evaluation Manager Allisone Arthur Professional Advisors Bank Unity Trust Bank Building Society. The West Bromwich Independent Exarniners Border Accountants 5 Lower Brook Street. Oswestry. Shropshire SYII 2HG 21
Financial Review Reserves Policy The free reserves of the charity were £60,614 at the year end and the Trustees consider this amount to be sufficient for their immediate operating requirements. Included in the £60,614 is £40,000 which has been designated for operating costs should funding cease to a51ow the charity to continue to function whilst further funding is applied for. Principal Funding Sources The charity has been funded by variou5 grants this year from.. The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communitie5} The Henry Smith Charity Private Donation Lloyds Bank Foundation Select Healthcare Nationwide Commun¢tyGrants The above funders and supporters are the backbone of our charity and without their generous funding we would not be able to provide the service we do. Future Developments We continuously strive to develop our 5ervice5 in order to meet the need of our clients. Funding is always an issue. However, we endeavour to be proattive as we fight for the rights of our vulnerable client group. The trustees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees Ben Pa Chair _io-L* 22
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31st March 2024 I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statement of Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service Ithe charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). I report in respect of my examination of the charlS financial ststements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Att. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice issued on l April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. l understand that this has been done in order for firEancial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after l January 2015. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act- or 2 The financial statements do not accord with those records,. or 3 The financial statements do not comply wrth the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities IAccounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Border Accounts 5 Lower Brook Street Oswestry Shropshire SYII 2HG United Kingdom Dated:..l.L!"....8.Lk.&.kn Zow . 23
Statement of Financial Activities PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 St March 2024 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Unrestricted Unrestricted fvnd5 funds 2024 2024 Total Unrestrirted funds 2024 Restrirted funds 2023 Total 2023 2023 Notes In om Donations and Legacies Charitable Activities Investments 3.443 3,443 197,830 750 4,117 4.117 173,841 300 197,830 173,841 750 300 Total Incorne 4,193 197,830 202,023 4,417 173,841 178,258 Charitable activities 209 187,865 188.074 1461 184,920 184,874 Other 6,000 6,000 6.000 6,000 Total Expenditure 209 193.865 194,074 1461 190,920 190,874 Net income/lexpenditurel For the year/ Net movement infunds 3.984 3.965 7,949 4,463 117.0791 112.6161 Fund balances at I" April 2023 56,779 29.702 86,481 52.316 46,781 99.097 Fund balances at 31st March 2024 60,763 33.667 94,430 56.779 29,702 86,481 The statement of financial activities includes all Eains and losses recognised in the year. A15 income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 24
Balance Sheet PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31st March 2024 Balance Sheet 2024 2023 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets li 149 199 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 132,535 148,764 Creditors: amounts falling Due within one year 12 138,2541 162,4821 Net current assets 94,281 86,282 Total assets less current liabilities 94,430 86,481 Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds= Shut down fund 14 33,667 29,702 40.000 40,000 General unrestricted funds 15 40,000 20,763 40,000 16.779 60,763 56,779 94,430 86,481 The financ" statements were approved by the Trustees on ...... Trustee 25
Notes to the Financial Statement PCAS - Shropshire Pr Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 St March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Accounting polices Charity inforrnation Shropshire Peer Coun5elling and Advocacy servi is a charttable incorporated organisation. Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared in accordan with the charity's {governing document), the Charities Act 2011 and 'Accounting and Repong by Chanb"es". Statement of Recomrnended Prdctice applicable to charrties preparing their accounts in accordan wrth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable o in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective 1 January 2019)"_ The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has tsken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities apptying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements report on the income for Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service CIO and Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy servi under the Merger Accounting method as sel out in SORP FRS 102 section 27.12-27.13 The financial statements have departed from the Charibes (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required lo provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Ststernenl of Recommended Practs"ce which is referred lo in the Regulations but which has Sin been withdrawn. The financtal statements are prepared in steding, which is the functional currency of the chanty. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded lo the nearest £. The financial statements have been prePad under the historical cost convention, {modffied to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investrnent properties and certain financial instwments at fair value). The principal accounbng polices adopted are set out below. Going concern At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to conb.nue in operational existence ft)r the foreeble future. Thus the trustees continue lo adopt the going COnM basis of accounting in preparing the financial ststements. Charitsble funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in ftjrtherance of their charitable objectNes. Restricted funds are subject lo specific condib'ons by donors as to how they may be used. The purpose and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. Endowment funds a subject to specffic condibons by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity. Income Income is reeognised when the charrty is legalty entiued to tt after any perfornian condits.ons have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be reived. Cash donations are COgnised on receipt. Other donations are reccgnised once the charity has been notified of the donab"on, unless perforTll2nce conditions require deferral of the amounL Income tax recoverable in relation to donab.ons received under Gtft Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the bme of the donation. 26
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 St March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STSTEMENTS (CONTINUED) Accounting polices Legacies are recognised on reIpl or othemse rf the ¢hanty has been nots.fied of an impending distribub'on, the amount is known, and receipt is exFected. If the amount is not known. the legacy is treated as a contingent asseL Expenditure Expenditure is recognised onee there is a legal or nstrUctive obligatpon lo transfer economic benefit to a third paty, it is probable that a transfer of economic beneffts will be required in setdemenL and the amount of the obligatson can be measured relbty. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each actNty are made Ltp of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs inVoed in undertaking each activty. Direct costs attributsbSe to a single activity are allocated directly to that ath"vity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned beeen those activrties on a basis consistent with the use of resou5. Central stsff costs are allOted on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of assefs use. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequenty measured at cost or valuation. net of depCiatIOn and any impaimient losses. DepreCtIon is rwnised so as to write off the cost or valuab.on of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Fixiures and fittings 25% reducing balance The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is detemined as the difference betsveen the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the ststement of financial activibes. Impainnent of fixed assets Al each reporting end dale. the charty reviews the carying amounts of tts tsngible assets to delemine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impaiment loss. If any such loss indication exits. the recoverable amount of the asset is esb'mated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss lif anyl- Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents indude cash in har¢d, deFostis held at call vth banks. other ShOrt-te liquid investments with original maturrties of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balan5, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequentty carried at amorts.sed cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement Constitutes a financial transacb"on. where the transaction is measu at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest Financial assets classified as re1vable within one year are not amorts'sed. 27
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi For the year ended 31 St March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) Accounting polices Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including creditor5 and bank loans are intbally recognised at transacb'on pri unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted al a market rate of interest. Financial liabilib.es classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequenuy rrIed at am0sed cost. using the effec*"ve interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to Pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are ¢la55ffied as current liabilib.es if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabil.e5_ Trade creditor5 are recognised initially al transaction price and subsequently measured at arno"5ed cost using the effeth.ve interest method. Derecognition of financial liabilities Financial liabilits.es are derecognised when the Charis contractual obligations expire or are discharged or eaneelled. Employee benefrts The cost of any unused holiday entittement is reeognised in the period in which the ernployee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when Ihe charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee to prOVe teryninatson beneffts. Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees a required to make judgernents, esb'mates and assumptions about the carying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readity apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions a based on historical experience and other factors that are considered lo be relevant. Actual results may differ frorn these estimates. The eslimales and undertytng assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting esb"mates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and fijttjre periods ere the revision affects both current and future periods. Donations and legacies Unrestricted fund$ Unrestricted funds 2024 2023 Donations and gifts 3,443 4,117 28
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Servi For the year ended 31 st March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) Charitsble activities Counsellsng & Advocacy 2024 Counselling & Advocacy 2023 Service5 provided under contract 197,830 173.841 Investments Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 2023 Interest receivable 750 300 Charitable activities Counselling & Advocacy 2024 Counselling & Advocacy 2023 Staff costs Depreciation and impairrnent Rent Insurance Telephone Postage and stationery Light and heat Repairs and renewals Subscriptions Sundry Marketing 168,304 50 6,343 802 2,065 2,252 2,453 374 166,601 5,680 690 3,035 4,552 3,416 557 149 128 160 5,271 188.074 184,874 188,074 184,874 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds Restn"cted funds 209 187,865 1461 184,920 188.074 184,874 29
Independent Examiner's Report to the TrUStS of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 St March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUEDI Trustees None ofthe tnjstees {or any persons connected wtth them) receNed any remuneration on benefits from the charity during the year. Ernployees The average monthly number of employees during the year was.. 2024 Nurnber 2023 Nurnber 2024 2023 Employment cost Wages and salaries 146,284 146,028 There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. Other Restricted funds Restricted funds 2024 2023 Accountsncy 6,000 6,000 6,000 6.000 10 Taxation The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains Pdlling wtthin section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 30
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31st March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEpifs (CONTINUED) 11 Tangible fixed assets Fixtures and fittings Cost At 1 April 2023 2,376 At 31 March 2024 2.376 Depreciation and irnpainnent At 1 April 2023 2,227 At 31 March 2024 2,227 Carying amount Al 31 March 2024 149 Al 31 March 2023 199 12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Notes Deferred income Accruals and deferred income 13 36,754 1,500 61,982 500 38,254 62,482 13 Deferred income 2024 2023 Other deferred income 36,754 61,982 Deferred income is included in the financial slatements as follows" 2024 2023 Deferred income is included within.. Current liabilth.es 36,754 61,982 Movements in the year. 31
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31st March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) 13 Deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2023 Released from previous pericxys Resourtss deferred in the year 61.982 161.9821 36,754 93,681 193,6811 61,982 Deferred income at 31 March 2024 36.754 61,982 14 Restricted funds The income fijnds of the charity include restn.cted fijnds comprising the following unexpected t)alances of donations and grants held on trust for the specific purposed.. Movement in funds Movement in funds Balance at Incoming ReSoUrS Balance al Incoming Resources Balance at 1 April 2022 resources exFended 1 April 2023 resources expended 31 March 2024 Garfield Weston 10,026 Henry Smith 2,498 Trusthouse 992 Private 14,884 Reaching Communities 3,795 Nationwide Others 10,000 17,933 6.667 {18,6621 {18.8701 17,2161 110,1681 111.908 {109,3631 25,000 124,615} 2.332 12.0251 1,364 8,523 443 4,716 5,307 45 13,269 1,561 443 4,716 6,340 385 14.893 53,800 146,8381 114,034 25.000 4,996 1115,L%$71 125,3401 16,6201 14,586 46.781 173.840 1190.919} 29.702 197,830 1193,8651 33,667 Designated funds The income funds of the charity include the foll0vng designated funds which have been sel aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.. Movement Movement in funds in funds Balance at Incoming Balance at Incoming Balance at 1 April 2022 resources 1 April 2023 resources 31 March 2024 Shut down fund 40,000 40.000 40,000 40,000 40.000 40,000 32
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 St March 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {continuedl 16 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 Total 2024 2023 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by-. Tangible assets Current assets Iliabilitiesl 149 60,614 149 94.281 199 56,579 199 86,282 33.667 29,703 60,763 33.667 94.430 56,778 29,703 86,481 17 Related party transactions There were no disclosable related party transactions during Ihe year {2023- none). 33
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of PCAS - Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service For the year ended 31 st March 2024 Independent Examiners A resolution will be proposed at the Arbnual General Meeting that Border Accountants be re-appointed as independent examiners for the ensuing year. Trustees, Responsibilities Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of our Registered Charity, as at the Balance Sheet date and of its incoming resource5 and applications, including income and expenditure for the financial year. In preparing these Financial Statements. the Trustees shoLfjld follow best practice and- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the Financial Statements: and The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Registered Charity and to enable them to ensure that the Financial Ststements comply with the Registered Charities Att of 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Registered Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Statement of Disclosure So far as the Trustees are aware. there is not any relevant accounting information of which the charities examiners are unaware. Additionallyi the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as TrLtstees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the Charivs examiners are aware of said information. This Annual Report was designed and compiled by Allisone Arthur 34
Thank You to all our funders and donors The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities) Private Donation Nationwide Community Grants Arnold Clark Community Fund Lloyds Bank Foundation The Henry Smith Charity Select Healthcare Wesleyan Winter of Giving Tesco Community Grant Wynn Foundation Sir Robert McAlpine Other Donations PCAS Person Centred Advococy & Support Together We Can Contact Us: You can follow us on Facebook or twitter." @ShropshirePCAS Shropshire Peer Counselling & knice is a registerol drity (Register dlarity number 1187362) 35
Our Contact Details :_ PCAS (Person Centred Advocacy & Support) Suite I The Willow Tree Willow Street Oswestry SYII IAJ Telephone: 01691658008 Web Site: www.shropshirepcas.co.uk Email: simon@shropshirepcas.co.uk (PCAS Manager) alli@shropshirepcas.co.uk (Evaluation Manager PCAS Person Centred Advocacy & Support Together We Con Contact Us: You can follow us on Facebook or twitter: @ShropshirePCAS Shropshire Peer Counselling & thcocy SavKe is a registwej thaiity (ReJ1St thaiity number 1187362) 36