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2022-08-31-accounts

Trustees' Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

SEPTEMBER 2021 – AUGUST 2022

Ella's Home (known as Ella's) Company number: 12178531 Charity number: 1187529

Contents

Contents
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS 2
INTRODUCTION 3
PILLAR 1:
Providing expert care in London 4
OUR COMMUNITY OF SURVIVORS 5
PILLAR 2:
Growing influence 6
PILLAR 3:
Running an excellent organisation 7
GOVERNANCE REPORT 8 – 28
THANK YOU 29
Photo (this page and cover): Tom Price/Ella's

Reference and administrative details for the year ended 31 August 2022

Ella's Home (known as Ella's)

Company number: 12178531

Charity number: 1187529

Bankers:

The Co-operative P.O. Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

Registered office and operational address:

The Arc Club 72 - 76 Digby Road Homerton E9 6HX

Trustees:

Independent examiners:

Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

R. Claydon (Chair)

W. Leyland (Treasurer)

A. Gregora (resigned October 2022)

H. Pring

Co-Directors:

Emily Chalke Minke van Til

E. Imeraj (appointed September 2022)

E. Shoultz (appointed January 2023)

‘I am so happy to be starting a new chapter in my life. At Ella’s, I’ve been made to feel like I am special for the first time. And because of that, I have come to know that I am indeed special!’

SHIRENE

Where we use survivor names, please assume these have been changed for the protection of the women we work with.

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Introduction

Our mission at Ella’s is to do everything we can to ensure survivors of trafficking and exploitation have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free.

To help us achieve our mission, we launched a three-year strategy in September 2020. This strategy is focused on strengthening our organisation, to provide a sustainable foundation for our work and to maximise the impact of our work among survivors.

Our strategic goals and plans fall into three pillars of work:

1. Providing expert care in London

2. Growing influence

3. Running an excellent organisation

This report marks the end of the second year of our current three year strategy, September 2021 to August 2022.

THE YEAR IN NUMBERS

women benefiting

47

women in education/ training/work

39

children benefiting

29 20

women supported through court

frontline partnerships

23

amazing volunteers

23

‘Ella's is unique among women's organisations because it feels like a family.’

AYESHA

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Pillar 1: Providing expert care in London

ABOUT THIS PILLAR

THE YEAR AHEAD

The survivors we work with at Ella’s have been through trauma and abuse worse than most people could imagine. The need for what we do is urgent and growing.

This pillar is focused on providing excellent care for increasing numbers of women.

THE HEADLINES

As well as expanding our safe house capacity this next year, we have received funding from the Ministry of Justice via MOPAC to recruit an outreach caseworker to support survivors affected by sexual violence and their children across London.

We will also develop our approach to mental health provision for the women we work with, and will source new, safe community spaces to host our expanding programme of sessions for survivors.

WHAT WE DO

For anyone new to Ella’s, we are an organisation providing urgent and long-term support for women who have survived trafficking and exploitation.

Our mission is to ensure survivors of trafficking and exploitation have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free.

To achieve this, we offer safe house accommodation for women when they are most vulnerable, care to help them recover and move forward, and long-term community-based support to help survivors build safe, independent lives.

For more, visit www.ellas.org.uk

.

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Our community of survivors 2021/22

The women we work with are amazing. Here's some information on who they are and what they've been through.

Age

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60+ years
2%
16 to 25 years
9%
45 to 59 years
32%
26 to 35 years
43%
36 to 44 years
14%
Place of birth
Europe (non-UK)
South Asia
West Africa
UK
East Africa
Africa (other)
Central Asia
Latin America
Asia (other)
Caribbean
0 10 20 30 40
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Trauma

The women we work with have survived multiple kinds of abuse. Of the women at Ella's this last year:

----- Start of picture text -----
61% have experienced trafficking
have experienced
70%
sexual exploitation
have experienced
88%
domestic servitude
have experienced other forms
70%
of abuse including honour-
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have experienced other forms of abuse including honourbased violence, FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and domestic violence

In addition, 11% of women had a physical disability and 84% had a mental health condition. Nine per cent were lesbian and one was non-binary. In terms of race and ethnicity, 30% of women were of Black African and Caribbean descent, 20% were Asian and Asian British, and 50% were White. Just over 43% of women said they were Christian, 39% Muslim and the remainder Buddhist or of no religion. One hundred per cent of the women at Ella’s are incredible, inspiring, unique individuals and it’s a privilege to walk with them during their time with us.

Amazing 100%

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Pillar 2: Growing influence

ABOUT THIS PILLAR

THE YEAR AHEAD

To see survivors safe and supported, end trafficking and tackle violence against women and girls, we must all do our part and work together – organisations, individuals, media and those in power.

This pillar is about raising awareness and making connections to influence change.

We will grow our coalition and partnership working further to ensure survivor voices and interests are heard, and will invest in our website to increase digital reach and engagement. We will seek new connections with networks and corporate partners, and pursue fresh opportunities to share stories from Ella’s on film.

THE HEADLINES

Photos (this page and next): Tom Price/Ella's

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Pillar 3: Running an excellent organisation

ABOUT THIS PILLAR

This pillar covers safe and effective policies and procedures, providing a supportive and enjoyable working environment for our brilliant staff and volunteers, and ensuring the sustainable future growth of Ella’s to reach more women.

THE HEADLINES

and supported.

We will also pilot at least one social enterprise idea, and continue to explore the purchase of property. In addition, we will hold our first gala dinner event to strengthen and build new relationships with major donors, business and corporate partners.

THE YEAR AHEAD

We will roll out our expanded service user feedback process and our work to establish a Survivor Advisory Panel, and will ensure a trustee with lived experience is in place

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Governance report

The objects of the charity are for the public benefit. They are listed with the Charity Commission as follows:

1) to provide relief for women and other victims affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation including, but not limited to, the provision of safe and restorative accommodation, counselling, medical care, financial assistance, education and other services to support long-term aftercare and recovery; and

2) to advance public awareness and understanding of issues surrounding sexual exploitation and human trafficking throughout the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Our support

Our support for women is tailored to every individual, including help with:

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Photos throughout: Tom Price/Ella's‘
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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Reference and administrative information set out on page 2 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Ella’s is overseen by a board of six trustees, up from five last year and with increased diversity including lived experience of trafficking.

The board meets quarterly. Day to day management is conducted by two CoDirectors and their management team. Ella’s has 13 staff members and receives the support of volunteers. On 31 August 2022, Ella’s had 22 active volunteers.

We have also been fortunate to receive pro bono support from Romildamor, Texel, Resonance, Emma Scott, Iain patterson and Dr Reem Shafiq, and continued strategic management advice from Caplor Horizons.

RISK MANAGEMENT

At Ella’s we are acutely aware of the vulnerability of those that we work with, and our staff and volunteer team. Our policies are designed to manage and mitigate against such risks as well as those challenges that could hinder the organisation’s own short and long term sustainability. All such

risks are captured in our risk register.

In recognition of our growth and the increased demand for our services, we review the risk register every quarter and key risks are reviewed by the trustees at each board meeting.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Ella’s’ focus over the year was to increase stability by maintaining a strong reserve and to lay a foundation for future growth. Income grew to £584,000, 57 per cent of which came from trusts and foundations, 22 per cent from charitable activities and 21 per cent from public donations. Of our income, 15 per cent went to raising

funds and 85 per cent to charitable activities, which is in line with our expectations based on our size and nature of work. Ella’s has responded to the cost of living crisis by providing occasional extra payments to our staff, as well as fundraising specifically to the women we work with via crisis support.

RESERVES POLICY

At the end of the period, Ella’s retained £220,681 including an unrestricted reserve of £131,310. Our reserve policy is to maintain an unrestricted reserve of three months running costs to protect against any unforeseen loss of income.

At 31 August 2022, the reserve required was £127,913. Movement in funds was such that our unrestricted reserve remained stable. This continues to be the appropriate reserve in preparation for future growth.

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Declarations

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose

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

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the period and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 3 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Rebecca Claydon - Chair

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Independent Examiner's Report

To the trustees of:

Ella's Home

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ella's Home (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 August 2022, which are set out on pages 13 to 28.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the

examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or

(3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

(4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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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 accounts to be reached.

3 May 2023

Laura Richards ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

‘I know the help, skills and people I’ve found at Ella’s will benefit me long into the future. Although I won’t be living at Ella’s, the feeling of safety will stay with me.’

SHARON

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12

ELLA'S HOME:

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 14 to the accounts.

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11
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ELLA'S HOME: Balance sheet

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(i) ensuring that the Company keeps proper accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act; and

(ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 3 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Rebecca Claydon - Chair

14

ELLA'S HOME: Statement of cash flows

The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.

Photos throughout: Tom Price/Ella's

15

Notes to the financial statements. For the year ended 31 August 2022.

ELLA'S HOME:

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Ella's Home meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income from housing benefit is recognised when entitlement to claim is met.

d) Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

e) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

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Notes to the financial statements. For the year ended 31 August 2022.

ELLA'S HOME:

1. Accounting policies (continued)

f) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

charitable activities based on the
proportion of staff costs, as follows:
2022
2021
Raising funds
15%		 18%
85% 82%

Charitable activities

i) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Household goods 5 years straight line basis.

g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Office equipment 3 years straight line basis.

Items are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

j) Debtors

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

These costs have been allocated between

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Notes to the financial statements. For the year ended 31 August 2022.

ELLA'S HOME:

1. Accounting policies (continued)

l) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are depreciation of fixed assets as described in note (i) above.

m) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

n) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in

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2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

3. Income from donations and legacies

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3. Income from donations and legacies (continued): Prior period comparatives

*Gifts in kind include legal advice, room hire, fundraising and other consultancy services donated to the charity.

4. Income from charitable activities

All income in the current and prior period was unrestricted.

5. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from MOPAC and Greater London Authority (THRIVE) to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 31 August 2022 was £18,715 (2021: £30,398). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in 2021/22.

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6. Total expenditure

6. Total expenditure (continued): prior period comparatives

Costs include professional services and fundraising support donated to the charity as gifts in kind.

7. Net movement in funds

22

8. Staff costs

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees, the CoDirectors, and the Management Team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £198,830 (2021: £173,268).

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

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10. Tangible fixed assets

11. Debtors

12. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

24

  1. Analysis of net assets between funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 1,605 153,606 23 901 1,605 242,977 89.371 Net assets at 31 August 2022 89.371 131.310 220.681 Prlor p•riod comparativ•s Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 1,892 171499 42 361 1.892 204.464 32,965 Net •*s•ts •t 31 Augult 2021 32.965 131.030 163.995 Illjlll

14. Movement in funds

Purpose of restricted funds

Arnold Clark Automobiles - Renovation of new home Aviva - Supporting financial wellbeing of service users Charles Hayward - Outreach salaries City of London - City Bridge Trust - Frontline management and outreach salaries Enterprise Dev Fund - Business development The Farthing Trust - Crisis fund Greater London Authority Thrive Fund - Resilience project Marsh Trust - New home Meeting Needs - New home Money Saving Expert - Budgeting support MOPAC Emergency support - Frontline salaries Mrs Maud Van Norden's Charitable Foundation - New home National Lottery - Community resettlement scheme

26

14. Movement in funds (continued)

Purpose of restricted funds (continued)

Prism the Gift Fund (Matrix) - Hackney safehouse Screwfix Foundation - New home

The 29th May 1961 Trust - Service manager salary

The Big Give - Outreach salaries and digital improvements The Neighbourly Foundation - B&Q Foundation - Safehouse home improvements Tribe - Ella's core objectives

The London Community - Frontline salaries

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15. Operating lease commitments

16. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the current or prior year.

'When I was at Ella’s, I was surrounded by so many good people. And because of that, my life felt good again. You feel like you can live. Women need help to get their lives back on track. Otherwise they will just end up back in the bad situations they were in before.’

MILANA

Photo of Milana: Paul David Drabble/Daily Express

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Thank you

Every message of encouragement, every hour of time given, every financial gift and piece of advice has helped us this year.

Ella’s is a safe place, but it’s also a big community with big ambitions and a huge heart, and we’re thankful for every member.

We are committed to continuing to grow in order to have a greater impact among more women. If you would like to support or partner with Ella’s, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can help unlock freedom among women who have survived trafficking and exploitation.

'In the past, I was alone and helpless. But now I know what I need to know about, to live safely. I don't feel helpless anymore.'

MAY

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ELLA'S THE ARC CLUB, 72 – 76 DIGBY ROAD, LONDON E9 6HX INFO@ELLAS.ORG.UK 020 3633 6535 WWW.ELLAS.ORG.UK

Ella's is a company limited charity (company number 12178531) with a registered office address (England and Wales). We are also a charity registered in England and Wales, charity registration number 1187529.