Charity number: 1188977 Open Arms East Devon Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 30 April 2024 **Open Arms East Devon Contents Page** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** |Report of the Trustees|3 to 5| |---|---| |Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees|6| |Statement of Financial Activities|7 to 8| |Notes to the Financial Statements|9| **Open Arms East Devon Report of the Trustees** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the charity for the year ended 30 April 2024. **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity registration number** 1188977 **Principal address** 1 Westcott Way Honiton Devon EX14 1JE **Trustees** Mr G Wakeham Mrs S Edwards Mr H Brown Mr M Jones Mr D Barrow **Independant examiners** Simon A Martin Accountants Wessex House, 66 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1PD ## **RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The Trustees are required 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 incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommend practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that this basis applies. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They 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. 3 of 9 **Open Arms East Devon Report of the Trustees Continued** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** ## **Governing document** Open Arms East Devon is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are its trustees. The constitution was last amended on 20 February 2020 and the organisation was registered with the Charity Commission on 8 April 2020. ## **Organisational structure** The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial incentives. The trustees meet regularrly during the year, at least on three occasions, but more often as the needs of the charity demand. An Annual General Meeting is also held with anyone wlecome. ## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees** The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees from within the local community. In doing so the trustees believe that any new trustees are respected members of the local community and that good relations are maintained with the local communities that the charity seeks to serve. In selecting new trustees, potential trustess are invited to attend trustees meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity's aims and activities and, if all agree, then they are proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees meeting. This process allows due consideration of the persons eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills. ## **Risk Management** Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out on individuals who work with children and other vulnerable groups within the organisation. In the next year the trustees plan to regularly assess the risks the charity faces through its regular activities and hopes to put a risk register together. ## **Objectives and activites** ## **Our Purpose** We help adults experiencing mental health difficulties by providing peer group support, activities and experiences to improve wellbeing and increase confidence ## **Activities** We have continued to regularly provide two sessions per week which are open for all members to attendas they wish. Support and advice is always available and we also provide afree counselling service. Thanks to the grant received from Honiton Town Council last year we are able to engage an experienced session leader for 10 sessions to increase the range of activities offered and provide support for Garry. We have provided a range of activities including paint pouring, jewellery making, tie-dying and pottery. We have also decorated canvas bags, worked with resin moulds and continued with cookery at the Tuesday sessions. Many of our sessions have been led by community artist, Hayley Watson. Trustees would like to congratulate Hayley on her award of a BEM in the New Years Honours List. On International Women’s Day the group was assisted by our local Co-op member pioneer to make bunting decorated with quotes by inspirational women which was displayed in the Co-op store in Honiton. ## **Venue** For most of this year the group met in the Community Use Building (CUB) in Honiton. We made alternative arrangements for a period of time inn the summer holidays to allow the hall to be used for the provision of lunches for school children. We held some sessions in the portakabin on site and also arranged additional trips out during this period. Unfortunately the CUB building was badly flooded in late September. The CUB trustees had to undertake an enormous amount of work to bring the building back into useand we resumed meeting there in late November. During this time we met locally, for coffee and lunch. In early 2024 we received an offer to hold our sessions in the Mackarness Hall in High Street, Honiton. The main reason for considering a move was its central location in Honiton. This means that it is much more accessible to people in the community as it is close to public car parks and public transport. The hall is available for two full days on Tuesdasy and Fridays, allowing a return to a full day session on Tuesdays. The move went well in early April 2024 and the sessions have been successful. 4 of 9 **Open Arms East Devon** **Report of the Trustees Continued** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** ## **Objectives and activities continued** ## **Outings** Members have also benefitted from visiting different locations this year – not just for the enjoyment of the day but also to expand their horizons and grow in confidence. We visited: The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth Exmouth World of Country Life Bicton Gardens Trago Mills Shaldon Zoo and beach Otter Nurseries Sidmouth We held our Christmas Lunch at the Otter Inn on Friday 15th December. ## **Governance** In March 2024 one of our longest standing trustees, Michael Jones, tendered his resignation from the Board of Trustees to concentrate on his other commitments. He had been an advocate for, and trustee of Open Arms East Devon since its inception in 2017 and the group is enormously grateful to him for his longstanding and continuous support. Also in March we were delighted to welcome two new trustees, Susan Tucker and David Staff, both of whom have significant relevant experience. ## **Work with the community** Throughout the year we have attended a number of meetings and events to raise awareness of our work and to forge links with other community organisations. ## **Our impact** We have had new members join us this year and members new and old continue to tell us that attending sessions at Open Arms East Devon makes a real difference to their confidence and wellbeing. ## **Funding** We are so grateful to the individuals and organisations who contribute funding that makes our work possible. They include: - Caroline Kolek for her donation of £490 following her successful ultramarathon run. - The family of the late Mrs Maureen Sweetland for a donation of £340 in her memory. - The members of the P & S Bingo club based at Honiton Conservative Club for their donation of £560. - An anonymous donor for a donation of £150 in memory of her grandmother who lived with mental health difficulties. - Honiton Town Council from whom we have received a grant for £1600 to provide support for Garry in the form of session leaders. - Buckerell Community Association who made a donation of £512 from the proceeds of their Christmas Fayre - Tesco Blue Token scheme – we received £1000 having been selected as one of the three good causes in the Axminster store - Honiton Lions for their donation of £250. - The National Lottery Community Fund for their grant of £7928 ## **Thank you.** We are so grateful to our many friends, supporters and funders for helping us and making our work possible. These include: Devon County Council Simon A Martin Accountants East Devon District Council Honiton Carers Honiton Town Council The National Lottery Community Fund Penny, Di and John Hartnell Devon Community Foundation Honiton Health Matters Gary McGoughlin and the Co-op, Honiton The Trustees of the CUB building The staff and volunteers at St Paul's Church Phil Twiss, Devon County Councillor Hayley Watson of the Little Secret Craft and Design Studio Our Trustees - Dean Barrow, Henry Brown, Sue Edwards, Mike Jones, Susan Tucker, David Staff and Garry Wakeham Special thanks go to Garry Wakeham, our founder and Chair, who works tirelessly on a purely voluntary basis to help others and to Nicky Salter who also gives her time to support the individuals in the group. ## **Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:** ## **Trustee** ## **Date** 5 of 9 ## **Open Arms East Devon** ## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** ## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my respomsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011; - follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioner under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and - to state whether particulart matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison on the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you the trustees concerning any matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts oresent a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent Examiner's Statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material aspect, the requirements; - a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act: and - b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or - to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Mr D Barrow Simon A Martin Accountants Wessex House, 66 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1PD** **Date** 6 of 9 ## **Open Arms East Devon** ## **Receipts and Payments Account** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** |**Note**
**Receipts**
Activity and Refreshment Costs
Office Expenses
Equipment Purchased
Rent
**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS)**
**BALANCES AT 01/05/2023**
**BALANCES AT 30/04/2024**
Grants and Donations
Events
**PAYMENTS**
Insurance
**Total Receipts**
Refreshments||25
**Restricted Funds**
387
2,822
2,243
8,928
**£**
8,928
5,477|**Total Funds**
**2024**
7,473
1,354
974
2,822
**£**
1,415
**19,228**
20,643
14,038
14,038
12,623|18,238
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
501| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||18,739| |||||265
7,709
970
212
4,485| |||||13,641| |||||| |||8,928
**5,477**
3,451||5,098| |||||**19,228**| |||||| |||||| 7 of 9 **Open Arms East Devon** ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** |**CASH FUNDS**
**Total Cash Funds**
Petty Cash
Bank Current Account|**Restricted Funds**
**8,928**
**£**
8,928|**£**
158
20,485
**20,643**
**Total Funds**
**2024**|**£**
19,258
**Total Funds**
**2023**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**19,258**| ## **LIABILITIES** Accrued Expenses ## **TOTAL LIABILITIES** |0
**0**|0
**0**|30| |---|---|---| |||**30**| ## **Assets Retained for own use** The charity holds musical, kitchen, computer and office equipment. ## **Trustee** ## **Date** 8 of 9 **Open Arms East Devon** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2024** ## **1. Accounting Policies** ## **Accounting convention** The financial statements are prepared under the receipts and payments basis and comply with the Charities Act 2011. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice 2005 and the 2008 regulations. ## **2. Trustee remuneration and expenses** Trustees could claim any out of pocket expenses but no one has done so in the year. None of the trustees are paid for their time. ## **3. Restricted funds** There are restricted funds at the end of the year. These will be used for hall hire and staff for activities. 9 of 9