LIVERPOOL DOMESTIC. ABUSE SERVICE 2006 (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Anniial Repoi't & Fiiian¢ial Staleiments For th¢ year ended 31" March 2025 Registered Charity No- 1189308 Registered NLimbei': 12464566 (England and Wales) LIVERPOOL Domfi STIC ABUSI SERVICE 2006 (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEI E) Conteiits Page Trustees, Report Independent Accounlanl's Reporl to the Trustees 10 Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 12 Notes to the A ￿oLl￿tS 13-16 Detailed Income and Expenditure AccoiinÉ 17- 18 Independent Examinei s Report 19 LIVEI RPOOL DOMESTIC ABUSE SFRVICE 2006 (A COIVIPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTII ) Reference and Administration Detai18 Reference and Adminlstration Details L.D.A.S 2006 Trustee Board 1st A ril 2024- 31°, March 2025 Rachel Flood (Chairperson) Susan Branch Lucille Harvey Caryn Mallhews ITrea8LFrerl Kate Friday Com an Secretar Paula Nolan Accountants CCS Accountancy Services 14a Charles Street Wigan WN12BP Bankers H.S.B.C. 99-101 Lord Street Liverpool L2 6PG istered Offl¢e Lrfe Bank 23 Quorn Street Liverpool L7 2QR Re stered Com 12464566 an Number Re istered Charlt Number 1189308 Le al Status The Company is limited by guarantee and is a Charity Tele hone: 0151 263 2232 Fax.. 0151260 9857 E-mail.. enquiries@liverpooldomesticabuseseTVi￿.org.uk Websitè: htlps.'Illiverpooldomeslicabuseservice.org.ukl LIVEI RPOOL DOMESTIC ABUSEI SEI RVICEI 20th6 (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Ti'ustees Annual Re ort 2024-2025 Welcome to our 2024-25 Annual Report. This year has once again reminded us of the strength. courage and resilience of the women and girls we support. Every day, our team stands alongside those survivors rebuilding their lives after the abuse they have suffered and every day we see the power of safety, compassion and collective action. The demand for OLJr service continues to grow with more and more survivors reaching out for specialist support and in response, our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure no call goes unanswered. Throughout the year a staggering 1422 women accessed LDAS services and it is testament to the teams unwavering commitment and professionalism that every survivor who contacted the team was able to access the support they needed to live a safer life. Our vision is of a country where domestic abuse is 8 thing of the past. where women and girls and their children enjoy all of their human rights and have equal opportunity to explore all of their ambitions and aspirations. LDAS work towards achieving this by supporting and advocating for women and girls experiencing domestic abuse and by engaging with stakeholders, both locally and nationally, to help them understand and respond effectively to the epidernic that is domestic abuse. Alongside our frontline work, we have continued to raise our Collective voice for change. Working in partnership with local and national agencies including.. Women's Aid and The Femicide Census calling for change in family courts and support to end VAWG. LDAS have contributed to campaigns calling for sustainable funding, improved access to refuge and improved access to housing. Together, we are ensuring that survivors, voices help shape the systems that affect their lives. The work the team deliver at LDAS enables women and girls to recover from the trauma they have experienced and to go on to live safer lives, the wvork we deliver at LDAS supports women and girls to gain confidence and self-esteem and to build resilience. This report will give you an idea of the wide range of services which LDAS provides to the women and girls in our city who have been affected by domestic abuse. I would like to thank the staff team, the volunteers and the board of trustees because none of this would be possible without the compassion, commitment and skill of them all., l am extremely grateful to them all for their dedication over this last year. And finally, I would like to thank all our funders. We are deeply grateful to our funders and supporters. whose generosity makes our work possible. It is your belief in our mission that enables us to provide life changing services, to amplify survivors. voices and to campaign for a future free from domestic abuse - THANK Youi ned CHAIRPERSON Date Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service (A COMPANY LIMITEI D BY GUARANTEE) Foithe year ended 31 March 2025 Objectives and activities To relieve wilhoul limilation,. the distress, suffering, poverty and disadvanlage of women and girls, and theSr children, who have or are still suffering from all forms of domestic abuse by providing specialist support services and access to safe temporary accommodation in Liverpool and elsewhere as appropriate To promote provision of services directed towards the prevention of domestic abuse, and advance the education of voluntary and slalutory agencies all aspects of domestic abuse. its caL¢se and preventio To support the persons who have suffered, or are in danger of suffering, domestic abuse from perpelrators known lo them Activities: Piovision of high quality, innovative services for women and girls who have been subjected to violence and abuse Empowerment programmes lo support women and girls to reach their potential and live safer lives Infc¥rm and influence policy and public awareness to prevent and reduce domestic abuse against women and girls Challellge inequality and discrimination and celebrate diversity Increase and develop the effectiveness of resources thioLJgh parlnership, collaboration and mLJlti-agency action Increase awareness of domestic abuse in communities Increase awarene55 of male violence against women and girls Our mi$$lon: To deliver services designed lo improve the safety and life chan￿S of women and gir15 To achieve our objects LDAS deliv8r a whole range of services that support and enhance Ihe safely and life chances for women and girls. The charity works towards alleviating domestic abuse, poverty, Injusti￿ and inequality. We have developed expertise and are specialists in working with women and girls who have been subjected lo domestic abuse and violence and we look holistically lo improve their situation with regard lo poverty and welfare. Everyone involved in the organisation must commit themselves to LDAS EqLJal Opportunity & Diversity Policies,. this includes taking positive action to achieve effective implemenlalion of the policies, The service is resolutely opposed to discrimination and its effects and works to eradicate discriminatory policies and practices from all its services. We aim for the service to act equally and jusuy and to provide in-depth advice, information and advocacy for all Servi￿ users. There are currently 38 people actively involved in running the organisation comprising of trustees, paid staff, and volunteers, all are committed to the aims and objectives of LDAS and all are committed to the equality ethos of the organisation as a whole. Main themes of ourwork are.. Protection Empowerment Prèvention Diversitylequality Partnership Ensuring our work delivers our aim Projects developed by the charity are determined by the needs ofthe women and girls we support. Each year the trustees review the organisations aims, objectives and activities. The review looks at what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work during the previous twelve months. The review looks at all key activities and Ihe benefits brought about for the survivor accessing support. The review of the organisation also assists trustees to focus on the organisations stated purpose and ensures we do not drift from our overall intended aims and objectives. LDAS ha8 referred lo the guidan￿ contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning 211 aclivilies. In particular, the Iruslees Consider how planned activities will contribute lo the aims and objectives they have sel for the organisalion in the following year. LDAS recognlses that in order to malntain our level and quality of service we must continue to be committed to and invest in a range of key measures including.. Collection ofevIden￿ on service users and community need Service user feedback and monitoring collection and input Service user panels I Voice of the Survivor Presentation of a robust evidence b88e in making the case for public sector investment in current and proposed servi￿$ SeNice innovation in the development of new projects or new service configurations to ensure that service users are being effectively served Effectively identifying, action planning and addressing areas in need of improvement Attracting new funding opportunities lo contribute to LDAS continued sustainability Create and retain effective partnerships Training and development of staff and volunteer base Slgnlflcant achievements for LDAS this year Include: Development and sustainability of new and existing survivor panels Attracting wider funding for the Charity's services Gaining support and confidence of agencies and of the Community and involving them in service delivery Training and Development of staff and volunteer base Furtherdèvèlopmenl and investment in LDAS communications Raising awareness with younger audience inclusive of students via all socials Continued development of a strong vibrant organisation that Is reflective of the diverse communities il serves Development of two coffee mornings for survivors Delivery of daily group DA awareness sessions Annual Vigil, to remember women and girls killed by male violence on Merseyside, now in its 4, year The focus of our work The main focus of our work is to support suNivors of domestic violence and abuse to live Safer lives and lo improve their resilience, knowledge and skills for the future,. lo raise awareness both locally and nationally the issues that prevent women and girls accessing the support they need lo improve their safety and lo highlight what changes and measures are required to eradicate male violen and abuse against women and girls in our communities. The strategies LDAS use to ensure we metour objectives includa: City-wide Domestic Abuse Awareness campaigns Attendance at Liverpool MARACS 2 x monthly (Multl Agency Risk Assessment Centres) Attendance at local and national meetings including bul not limited to., DA Partnership meetings, Strategic Domestic Abuse Partnership Board and Women's Aid regional and national COnferen￿S Evidence based reports lo local government, PCC, MPS, government departments and Women's Aid. Provision oflraining to all staff and volunteers in domestic abuse awareness, trauma informed support, Safeguarding and equality and diversity Risk 85sessmenl and safety plan ottered to every women presenting wrth domestic abuse issues Provision of counselling lor survivors Membership of the BACP (British Association Counselling Psychotherapy) Provision of group support and group programmes for survivors Access lo debt and welfare support and advi Provide access lo charitable foundations for individuals In hardship Facility made available for survivor support group meetings Partnership working to ensure best outcomes for survivors Improved Websites, updates and social media accounts lo improve access and increase audience Staff and volunteers representative of and ￿flectIVe of diverse communities we serve Trainee Counsellor support and placements Telephone advice. zoom support, texting and email informatior) & face to face SLtpport, information and advice provided daily Drop in service 5 days per week Monday-Thursday 9am - 4.30 pm (Friday 9am-3pm) Web511e referial for professionals and wider Servi￿ user access An oveNiew of LDAS services for perlod April 1st 2024 - 31st March 2025 Although altitudes towards domestic abuse are char¢ging, with awareness increasing and stigma decreasing, the incidence of domestic abuse is still too high and there is still a long way to go in our fight for a society free from domestic abuse. Each year hundreds of women and girls contact LDAS for gupport and 2024-25 was no different-1422 survivors were supported. In the main, referrals for support come from a variety of sources, however the highest percentage of referrals comes from survivors themselves (self-referrals). The second highest referral rciule is from a host of partner referrals. for example the Poli￿, GPS or health services. wrth a staff of 9 and a volunteer cohort of 22, the team provide., Drop in servi 1.1 advocaGy 1.1 Counselling Group awareness programmes Risk assessmenls Safety plans Mindfulness Therapy Peer support Legal advice {weekly in-house solicitor appointments) The complexity of issues and enquiries LDAS is presented with on a daily basis is always challenging, however our excellent team consistently rise to the challenges, sometimes in very difficult and traumatic circumstances, to bring about a positive outcome for survivors. As a specialisl service, we believe that every point of inleraclion with a survivor is an opportunity for intervention. Providing support to the noll-abusing parent is likely lo improve the safely and well-being of their children and should ahmays be fully explored. All women supported Ihroughoul the year were able lo access a range of options to improve theirs and their children's current and future safety and piospe¢ls. There were 2613 face to face advocacy sessions delivered by the team during the year as well as 2168 individu81 safety plans completed. Counsellors delivered 1320 counselling hours to 218 survivors. a vital part of a survivor's recovery is supporting improved mental health and improved confidence. The team also delivered 480 domestic abuse awareness programmes to support survlvors leaving abusive relationships, these programmes support groups of women to gain an understanding of power dynamics, the effects of abuse on children and improvement ofconfidence, self-esteem and personal empowerment. Speaking collectively in groups reduces isolation and shame, survivors come to realise 'il wasn't just me... l am not alone,.... mproved finances land the added value of the service) can be evidenced by the thousands of pounds raised by LDAS advocales foi survivors who are fleeing DA and by the survivors benefiting from specialist debt advice, charitable assistance and welfare benefit support. Partnerships developed with Citizens Advice Liverpool {CALI has seen our client base become eligible for much needed financial support for energy costs as well as access to specialist debt and welfare support. Financial support is essential for suNivors to live independently, and gives many women the confidence lo leave an abusive relationship. CAL ensures our Servi￿ users are contacted within 48hrs providing much needed supportfor debt management, welfare advice and accesstosupport lo find social aGlivities and social contact groups. Improved quality of life is determined by LDAS ongoing evaluations and exit interviews. Ongoing evaluations help us to determine the effectiveness of the interventions accessed and lo adapt or change interventions in a timely manner, if required. After receiving support 880/0 of survivors said their feelings of safety had improved 89 % of survivors said they felt more confident 89 % said their self-esteem had increased after DA awareness programmes 93/0 said their mental health had Improved after attending DA awareness programmes 84% said they had been deallng with problems in a more positive way 980/0 said they could now recognise abusive behavior 880A said they felt rnore confident about asking for help when tt was needed 79 /0 said their support networks had improved 940h said they were now clear that the abuse was not their fault 85 % felt more confident in their parenting skills 960/0 said they now understood the impact domestic abuse had on children 91 /0 said they felt more optimistic about the future 940h of survivors stated that their quality of life had improved as a direct consequen ol accessing LDAS support Furthermore, LDAS partnership with Women's Aid Federatiw England ensures a collective voi across the Country is heard and effects positive change both nationally and locally. A collective voice and collective evidence brings aboul change both in policy and practice and supports positive change for women and girls experiencing abuse. The trustees have reviewed the Charities need for reserves in line with guidance issued by the Charity commission. At present LDAS has free reserves amounting to £198,761 these reserves have been built up over lime and are held for the future cost of maintaining the charity's activities for a period of three months should règular funding become unobtainable. The trustees believe that reserves should be a minimurn of three months running costs lo ensure the charity can run efficiently and meet the needs of beneficiaries. Reserves will a180 be accumulated and designed for the purpose of sustaining maternity andsickness leave which provides the organisalion with the financial ability lo provide replacement staff during these periods. thus ensuring continued levels of service lo beneficiaries. The trustees can also use reserves to ensure continuation of projects, The reserves policy is a key element of LDAS strategic plan and give5 trustees a clear idea of the reserves required to meet the organizational commitments andlor start new act￿VIties. The trustees review and monitor the Reserves Policy on a six monthly basis. The Trustees monitor the major risks lo which the charity is exposed through their own risk regisler, in partlGular those related to the operations and finances of the company and these are reviewed annually by the Board. The trustees have conducted their review of major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. The main risk to the charity is funding. LDAS has an established funding strategy Ihal we are all working towards achieving. The strategy is lo ensure sufficient income streams are generated wheieby free reserves can be accrued and allocated responsibly. The Slalement of Financial Affairs shows our results for the period with which the Trustees are content. A transfer of all buslness finan￿ and assets has occurred in line with the charity merger. Plan ForThe Fu ure LDAS business Plan 2024-27 will continue to guide us in the work that we do bul we also recognise Ihal there are external forees over which we have no control. Our risk register is a key compDnent lo keeping u5 alert lo the pressures that surround us and in ensuring our activity is realistic arid manageable. We will continue lo provide high quality, innovative services to support and prevent women and gir15 being subjected to domestic abuse. We will deliver empowerment programmes to supportwomen and girls to reach their full potential and live safer lives. We will continue to Challenge inequ81ity and discrimination and we will celebrate diversity. We will continue to develop strong and enduring partnerships that benefit our service users and wewill continue to increase community awareness of domestic abuse and ils effect on women and girts. roved b theTrustee Board of Liver ool Domestic Abuseservice on DATE: +li-Ixs And si ned on ils behalf b Paula Nolan CEO LIVERPOOL DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE 2006 (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) Independent A¢eountant'5 Ileport to the Trustees For Ilie yC