## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** ## **From** Period start date Period end date **To** 1[st] January 2021 31[st] December 2021 Section A Reference and administration details March **2012** **TAR** 1 ## **Charity name** Friends of Dorothy ## **Other names charity is known by** Out Together **Registered charity number (if any)** 1188461 **Charity's principal address** 19 Church Lane March **2012** **TAR** 2 ## Bardsey Leeds ## **Postcode** **LS17 9DH** ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** **Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)** March **2012** **TAR** 3 1 Tim Gittins Secretary Chair July - Dec 2 Katie Robinson Vice Chair Judith Firman Treasurer David Scottow 3 4 5 Hannah Bithell **TAR** March **2012** 4 Chair Jan - June 6 Nadine Pemberton June-Dec John Cannon Jan - July Paul Callaghan Jan - July Matthew Jameson Jan - Nov 7 8 9 March **2012** **TAR** 5 io li 12 13 14 TAR March 2012 15 16 17 18 TAR March 2012 19 20 ## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** **Name Dates acted if not for whole year** March **2012** **TAR** 8 ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** ## **Type of adviser Name Address** ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** March **2012** **TAR** 9 **Description of the charity’s trusts** Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Constitution How the charity is constituted - (eg. trust, association, company) Charitable incorporated organisation ## Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by) Appointed by board of trustees ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties; - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** ## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people who are socially excluded on the grounds of their age and sexual orientation (in particular, elderly people who identify as LGBT+) to relieve the needs of such people and assist them to integrate into society, in particular by: - (a) providing a local network group that encourages and enables members to interact more effectively with the wider community (including the young LGBT+ community); and - (b) raising public awareness of the issues affecting elderly people who identify as LGBT+ generally and in relation to their social exclusion ## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)** 1. Improve the ability, opportunity for and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their sexuality and gender identity 2. Develop a collaborative out-reach strategy, with other agencies where needed, that helps find and identify people who could otherwise be excluded March **2012** **TAR** 10 3. Build an organisation to offer them befriending, signposting to other relevant organisations, and an inclusive network group which welcomes, protects and safeguards them 4. Design and implement a social media and PR strategy to communicate effectively with members and to promote external awareness of FOD, especially within the LGBT+ social community, that will foster mutual support 5. Encourage members to mobilize their individual skills and work together to realise and develop their strengths, with a range of regular activities and events that will encourage members to keep well, have fun and stay connected 6. Implement a fundraising programme that will minimise the dependency on, and uncertainty of, external grants needed to support continuing operations During the period the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance and have taken this into account when making a decision to which the guidance is relevant. ## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grantmaking; - policy programme related investment; - contribution made by volunteers. All our activities are volunteer led and we encourage and support our membership to be involved in the works of the charity. ## Section D Achievements and performance ## **Overview** Like many other charities, 2021 was a challenging year for Friends of Dorothy. Operationally, we had to navigate the various lockdowns, which for our older LGBT+ members added to the sense of isolation and loneliness they may have already been feeling. Our resolve was also severely tested by dealing with the legal matters that we referred to last year (see optional notes). On both counts the solidarity of the board was unquestionable in its determination to overcome the challenges. It is therefore very satisfying to report that by the end of the year we were stronger with a renewed sense of purpose. ## **Events and Activities** We continued with regular zoom “meet ups” every Thursday lunchtime until interest in them reduced to the point where we decided to stop (zoom fatigue). We also continued to deliver afternoon teas to those who welcomed our offer. When it became possible, we arranged small group meetups in parks and open spaces. We have a small group of individuals who are not “connected” to the internet and do not have smart phones (and do not want them either). We made it a priority to contact them by phone calls or post to keep them informed. We also hand delivered an easter egg to each of our members in the Yorkshire area. Further we also collaborated with other LGBT+ organisations in the Leeds area to share in activities where it could be COVID safe. In June we began a weekly coffee morning at a local LGBT+ friendly café, where we subsidised coffee and cake. This provides a regular meeting spot where people can just drop in – knowing there will be a friendly face to chat to. Just before the Christmas restrictions came into force, we were able to hold a very popular Christmas Party providing a three course meal, and supply Christmas hampers for those in **TAR** 11 March March **2012** Section D Achievements and performance greater need. ## **Communications** We recognise the importance of social media channels in creating awareness about our purpose and strategies. To this end we commissioned experts to review our media and digital presence and to find ways to increase traffic on our sites. This exercise produced a very positive outcome. It became clear that, although ‘Friends of Dorothy’ was recognised by those who understood its origins (a code for gay men to recognise other gay men) the name did not resonate with other sections of the LGBT+ community. ‘Out Together’ was proposed as an additional name that would better reflect our aims and objectives to be an inclusive organisation. Towards the end of the year we began using it gradually and it proved to be very successful, especially on social media. We increased our membership and, in particular, we attracted more women. The refocus also helped encourage more members to become active volunteers helping to run our social programmes. ## **Befriending** Negotiations continued with Opening Doors who will partner with us to provide a telephone “befriending service” with a start date planned for mid 2022. ## **Fundraising** With no significant overheads and few physical events, financing our social programmes required limited funding during the year. We were awarded a Mini Metro Grant which we used to finance the Christmas party. Another grant from Leeds Time to Shine was used to support the review of our communications and media platforms. ## **Strategy review.** We constantly examine how best to achieve our constitutional objectives. A major review midyear reset the strategies for the following 12 months and confirmed the priorities we would need to focus on. It was clear that we would need more people resource to deliver our ambitions to expand beyond Leeds and achieve more diverse representation in our membership profile. This increase in the level of our operations would require a part-time operational manager to oversee the day to day running of the charity and its activities, managing its volunteer-base and securing financing. This would require funding and we enlisted the services of a bid writer to help us raise the necessary funds for the appointment, and for the increasing operational costs for the activities programme and maintenance of our social media platforms. Whilst the process of reviewing our increased fund-raising activities for 2022 was underway, we engaged a former trustee with extensive experience in the charity sector, to help achieve our operational plans. ## **Manchester** Our beginnings as a social group then becoming a charity was primarily based on two cities– Leeds and Manchester – and this was reflected in our board composition. During the mid-year review which reaffirmed the need to expand the charity’s constitutional West Yorkshire focus, our two Manchester colleagues decided that expansion was not required in the city. It has a number of well-established other charitable organisations providing similar support to the LGBT+ community to the extent that there was overlap with Friends of Dorothy and therefore duplication of effort. The board unanimously agreed that it would be sensible for the Manchester operation to revert back to a social group and this was achieved amicably, with two trustees stepping down. March **2012** **TAR** 12 Section D Achievements and performance **Section E Financial review** **Brief statement of the** The charity aims to ensure that there are sufficient funds to **charity’s policy on** allow it to continue its operations for at least three months **reserves** without income. As the operational costs of the charity have been very low, the policy will be reviewed to reflect the plans for future expansion. **Details of any funds materially in deficit** ## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** In the Trustees 2020 report we drew attention to a potential legal claim against the charity and its individual trustees, which arose in that year from our duty to report a serious incident to the appropriate authorities. By the end of 2021 there had been no official notification that proceedings had been lodged, and the limitation period had expired. However, the process had required us to seek legal advice, the costs of which were largely reimbursed by the charity’s insurance. The remaining balance, shown as legal costs in the receipts and payments account, was covered by private donations, which are included in the accounts as restricted funds. ## **Section G Declaration** ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** ## **Signature(s)** Tim Gittins Judith Firman ## **Full name(s)** Timothy Paul Gittins Judith Ann Firman March **2012** **TAR** 13 ## **Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)** Chair Treasurer ## **Date** 27/10/2022 March **2012** **TAR** 14 **Charity Name Friends of Dorothy** **No (if any) 1188461** ## **Receipts and payments accounts** Period start date Period end date **To** 1/1/2021 12/31/2021 ## **For the period from** ## **Section A Receipts and payments** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Grants 3,888 10,140 - 14,028
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 3,888 10,140 - 14,028
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - -
Total receipts 3,888 10,140 - 14,028
A3 Payments
Direct cost of charitable activities 33 5,389 - 5,422
Administration - 885 - 885
Communications and PR 2,654 66 - 2,720
Insurance 828 - - 828
Legal - 2,273 - 2,273
consultancy 1,050 - - 1,050
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total 4,565 8,613 - 13,178
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total payments 4,565 8,613 - 13,178
Net of receipts/(payments) - 677 1,527 - 850
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 13,740 - 1,527 - 12,213
Cash funds this year end 13,063 - - 13,063
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** ||||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Categories**|**Details**||**funds**||**funds**| |**B1 Cash funds**|CAF Bank|**_Total cash funds_**|**to nearest £**
**13,063**
**-**
**-**
**13,063**|


|**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||(agree|balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|OK|OK|| ||||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**| ||||**funds**||**funds**| |**B2 Other monetary assets**|**Details**||**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|




|**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| |**B3 Investment assets**|**Details**||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|| |**B4 Assets retained for the**|**Details**||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**
**-**|| |**charity’s own use**||||






|**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**| ||||**Fund to which**||**Amount due**| |**B5 Liabilities**|**Details**||**liability relates**|



|**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**(optional)**| |Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees||Signature|Print|Name|| ||||Tim Gittins
Judith Firman||| **----- Start of picture text -----**
CC16a
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Last year** **to the nearest £** **-** **-** **-** **-** ## **Endowment funds to nearest £** **-** ## OK ## **Endowment funds to nearest £** **-** **Current value (optional)** **-** **Current value (optional)** **When due (optional)** Date of approval 10/27/2022 **10/27/2022**