Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 2[nd] September 2021 To 1[st] September 2022 Charity name: The Accessful Foundation Charity registration number: 1191925
Objectives and Activities
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SORP reference
Summary of the Para 1.17
purposes of the charity ‘The prevention or relief of poverty or
as set out in its financial hardship of disabled people
governing document living in the United Kingdom, in
particular but not exclusively by
providing grants, information and
advice to provide them with an
opportunity to build capacity by
establishing and growing a business,
becoming self-employed or improving
their professional opportunities to
relieve their needs and help them to
integrate into society.’
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and
1.19
activities in relation to The Accessful Foundation represents,
those purposes for the or has the potential to represent, an
public benefit, in extremely diverse group of people –
particular, the activities, the largest minority group in the
projects or services world.
identified in the
accounts. A few years into our existence, we
now see and understand the shared
routes into seeking support our
beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries
share (inaccessible employment,
change of professional or personal
circumstances, exiting education etc),
we are profoundly aware our charity,
and our activities, need to be
designed and carried out in a manner
that is appropriately considerate of
the levels of support required.
Beneficiaries may require support
from very light (e.g. webinar
attendance) to high (e.g. mentoring).
We are also acutely aware, this year
even more so than last, that we must
do this with high regard for our
current status as a growing micro
charity that works nationally, and our
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limited resources. Although our activities are dynamic and wide-ranging, they are considered with our purpose and public benefit in mind. The charity is designed to be and grow into a charity that offers the following three main activities: - Support and networking (providing signposting, general information/advice, including webinars) - A mentoring programme - A grant giving programme to support the realisation of projects or part projects as a means of supporting disabled entrepreneurs by providing funding for equipment, services, training or other to individual beneficiaries via an application process (to commence approx. 2023/2024) As with our foundation year, last year, we appreciate the importance of sustainable growth so even now and next year we believe we will be in a period of rolling out these programmes further and in more detail and developing them to be the most beneficial they can be. Grant-giving is the one that in particular requires the most financial health and over this report year we have not yet rolled out this programme. Alongside these main activities, we have our overarching aim of promoting disabled entrepreneurialism itself as a concept and route via education, the media, community relevant opportunities, industry promotion and other routes.
This can and has included speaking on public panels, working with schools and colleges, public speaking at charity specific events, working with media and local and national authorities and generally advocating for disabled entrepreneurialism and disabled entrepreneurs.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 whether the trustees The trustees of The Accessful have had regard to the Foundation have had regard to the guidance issued by the guidance issued by the Charity Charity Commission on Commission on public benefit. public benefit
Achievements and Performance
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SORP reference
This year is the first full year of
reporting for the charity (our previous
Summary of the main report not yet encapsulating a full
Para 1.20
achievements of the year), and the year after our launch as
charity, identifying the a charity.
difference the charity’s
work has made to the Our launch period was an exciting and
circumstances of its fast moving time and led to many
beneficiaries and any opportunities that led to charitable
wider benefits to society activities that we proudly shared in
as a whole. our reporting last year.
This reporting year has been a
different challenge, and although may
not enjoy the headlines of last year, it
will certainly help form the basis of
the work we do in the coming years as
we learned more about our place as a
charity, our potential impact and most
vitally – the things our beneficiaries
needed, and how we can best deliver
them.
As trustees we would like to draw
attention to some of these selected
achievements:
- Submitted and since been successful
with our first funding application
which is significant to us (five-figure)
and allows us to improve our website,
webinars, accessibility and our ability
to compensate contributors to our
website, resources and webinars. This
was a major goal for the year and one
we are delighted to have achieved.
Funding was received after this year’s
report and financial reporting so will
show on next year’s report but was
achieved over this reporting year. We
know that as a charity for disabled
people, accessibility is a non-
negotiable – so this is a significant win
and one that will make a huge
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difference to our beneficiaries and their engagement with the charity. - Improved our ability for signposting appropriate resources and developed our own, something that is a significant strategic goal and something we would like to use as a publishable resource bank on our new, accessible website. This is often our first introduction for beneficiaries and something we can do widely, even with limited resources. - Held and contributed to webinars, one of our key activities. - Disseminated information on selfemployment and disabled entrepreneurialism via our own social media channels, something we have since reduced due to a lack of volunteers in this regard, but something we are actively working to reinstate. - Continued to be signposted ourselves as an outlet for those seeking support for starting a business, including by large charities and organisations, as an example: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-andsupport/start-up-a-business/ Often these will come after engaging with these organisations. - Developed our mentoring bank, including facilitating mentor/mentee remote meets and improving and extending the ways we recruit mentors. - As a charity working in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales – we are keen to ensure Scotland and Northern Ireland are not ‘left behind’ in our work, so over 2022 our CEO consciously built relationships within both nations, including in-person visits, with the aim of improving the ways beneficiaries can find and engage with the charity when based in either. - Worked in educational establishments to talk with students about inclusive entrepreneurialism
and our work as a charity, something we are turning into a more formal programme for 2023.
We are proud that beneficiaries have told us and referenced us at events as being a positive first introduction to self-employment or entrepreneurialism and we know of those that have gone on to start businesses and develop pre-existing businesses after engaging with us. With our new website platform our aim is to be better at highlighting that impact and those stories.
It is important to note however that this year, as last year and as part of being a new and growing charity in the current climate – our work has not been without significant obstacles, particularly a lack of sizeable income and a struggle to recruit enough volunteers to expand.
That has meant that the charity has developed in a slower fashion than we would have hoped last year – this has been disappointing and has meant we haven’t (yet) been able to move to the next phase of our development. This does however show our ability to recognise our challenges and to not overly extend ourselves in a way that would be concerning for our safety as an organisation. This is also important to ensure we do not over extend to a point where we are not able to adequately support beneficiaries, something we are profoundly aware of.
This reporting year has been one of slower maintenance, but has also involved diligent work on analysing and defining our strategic pillars and creating stronger frameworks for the coming two reporting years.
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 financial position at the end of the period Statement explaining the Para 1.22 policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 reserves Details of fund materially Para 1.24 in deficit Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
Structure, Governance and Management
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Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing Para 1.25 CIO governing document
document
(trust deed, royal
charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 CIO – Foundation
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Trustee selection Para 1.25
methods including As our constitution states: ‘There
details of any must be at least three charity
constitutional provisions trustees. If the number falls below
e.g. election to post or this minimum, the remaining trustee
name of any person or or trustees may act only to call a
body entitled to appoint meeting of the charity trustees, or
one or more trustees appoint a new charity trustee.’
Currently the charity operates with 6
trustees, having had one resignation
since our previous report.
We decided, upon formation, to
operate with the minimum number of
trustees (sourced pre-registration) to
allow us space to make external
appointments of persons unknown to
the current trustees, to promote
transparency, accountability and to
welcome key skills and experiences.
These trustees are now within place
and gaining experience individually
and as a group on how to best serve
the purpose of the charity and our
beneficiaries, with significant work on
strategy (short, medium and long
term) something achieved over the
year.
The maximum number of trustees is
12. Apart from the first charity
trustees, every trustee must be
appointed for a term of three years by
a resolution passed at a properly
convened meeting of the charity
trustees. This has been adhered to. In
selecting individuals for appointment
as charity trustees, the charity
trustees must have regard to the
skills, knowledge and experience
needed for the effective
administration of the CIO. This has
been adhered to.
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Reference and Administrative details
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Charity name The Accessful Foundation
Other name the charity
uses
Registered charity 1191925
number
Charity’s principal 608 Green Lane
address Ilford
Essex
England
IG3 9SQ
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
Benjamin Chair
1
Nicholson
2 Olivia Bamber
3 Daniel Bulmer
4 Chloe Plummer
5 Kati McDonald
6 David Victor
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
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Trustee name Dates acted if not for
whole year
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements N/A for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Jack Pridmore
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Benjamin Nicholson
Position (eg Chair Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date 30/06/23
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
for
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Charity No 1191925
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company Information | 1 |
| Trustees’ Report | 2 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 |
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Company Information
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
TRUSTEES: David John Victor Benjamin Nicholson (Chair) Olivia Bamber Kati McDonald Chloe Plummer Daniel Bulmer
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: 608 Green Lane Ilford Essex IG3 9SQ
COMPANY NUMBER: CE023057 (England and Wales)
ACCOUNTANTS: Londongate Accountancy Ltd 608 Green Lane Ilford Essex IG3 9SQ
Page 1
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Trustees Report
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
The trustees’ present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the Year Ended 1 September 2022.
Trusts objectives
The principal objective and vision is the prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship of disabled people living in the United Kingdom, in particular but not exclusively by providing grants, information and advice to provide them with an opportunity to build capacity by establishing and growing a business, becoming self-employed or improving their professional opportunities to relieve their needs and help them to integrate into society.
Activities and public benefit
The Accessful Foundation represents, or has the potential to represent, an extremely diverse group of people – the largest minority group in the world.
A few years into our existence, we now see and understand the shared routes into seeking support our beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries share (inaccessible employment, change of professional or personal circumstances, exiting education etc), we are profoundly aware our charity, and our activities, need to be designed and carried out in a manner that is appropriately considerate of the levels of support required. Beneficiaries may require support from very light (e.g. webinar attendance) to high (e.g. mentoring). We are also acutely aware, this year even more so than last, that we must do this with high regard for our current status as a growing micro charity that works nationally, and our limited resources.
Although our activities are dynamic and wide-ranging, they are considered with our purpose and public benefit in mind.
The charity is designed to be and grow into a charity that offers the following three main activities:
-
Support and networking (providing signposting, general information/advice, including webinars)
-
A mentoring programme
-
A grant giving programme to support the realisation of projects or part projects as a means of supporting disabled entrepreneurs by providing funding for equipment, services, training or other to individual beneficiaries via an application process (to commence approx. 2023/2024)
As with our foundation year, last year, we appreciate the importance of sustainable growth so even now and next year we believe we will be in a period of rolling out these programmes further and in more detail and developing them to be the most beneficial they can be.
Grant-giving is the one that in particular requires the most financial health and over this report year we have not yet rolled out this programme.
Alongside these main activities, we have our overarching aim of promoting disabled entrepreneurialism itself as a concept and route via education, the media, community relevant opportunities, industry promotion and other routes.
This can and has included speaking on public panels, working with schools and colleges, public speaking at charity specific events, working with media and local and national authorities and generally advocating for disabled entrepreneurialism and disabled entrepreneurs.
Page 2
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Trustees Report
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022 - Continued
Review of main achievements in the period
This year is the first full year of reporting for the charity (our previous report not yet encapsulating a full year), and the year after our launch as a charity.
Our launch period was an exciting and fast moving time and led to many opportunities that led to charitable activities that we proudly shared in our reporting last year.
This reporting year has been a different challenge, and although may not enjoy the headlines of last year, it will certainly help form the basis of the work we do in the coming years as we learned more about our place as a charity, our potential impact and most vitally – the things our beneficiaries needed, and how we can best deliver them.
As trustees we would like to draw attention to some of these selected achievements:
-
Submitted and since been successful with our first funding application which is significant to us (five-figure) and allows us to improve our website, webinars, accessibility and our ability to compensate contributors to our website, resources and webinars. This was a major goal for the year and one we are delighted to have achieved. Funding was received after this year’s report and financial reporting so will show on next year’s report but was achieved over this reporting year. We know that as a charity for disabled people, accessibility is a non-negotiable – so this is a significant win and one that will make a huge difference to our beneficiaries and their engagement with the charity.
-
Improved our ability for signposting appropriate resources and developed our own, something that is a significant strategic goal and something we would like to use as a publishable resource bank on our new, accessible website. This is often our first introduction for beneficiaries and something we can do widely, even with limited resources.
-
Held and contributed to webinars, one of our key activities.
-
Disseminated information on self-employment and disabled entrepreneurialism via our own social media channels, something we have since reduced due to a lack of volunteers in this regard, but something we are actively working to reinstate.
-
Continued to be signposted ourselves as an outlet for those seeking support for starting a business, including by large charities and organisations, as an example: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-andsupport/start-up-a-business/
Often these will come after engaging with these organisations.
-
Developed our mentoring bank, including facilitating mentor/mentee remote meets and improving and extending the ways we recruit mentors.
-
As a charity working in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales – we are keen to ensure Scotland and Northern Ireland are not ‘left behind’ in our work, so over 2022 our CEO consciously built relationships within both nations, including in-person visits, with the aim of improving the ways beneficiaries can find and engage with the charity when based in either.
-
Worked in educational establishments to talk with students about inclusive entrepreneurialism and our work as a charity, something we are turning into a more formal programme for 2023.
We are proud that beneficiaries have told us and referenced us at events as being a positive first introduction to self-employment or entrepreneurialism and we know of those that have gone on to
Page 3
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Trustees Report
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022 - Continued
start businesses and develop pre-existing businesses after engaging with us. With our new website platform our aim is to be better at highlighting that impact and those stories.
It is important to note however that this year, as last year and as part of being a new and growing charity in the current climate – our work has not been without significant obstacles, particularly a lack of sizeable income and a struggle to recruit enough volunteers to expand.
That has meant that the charity has developed in a slower fashion than we would have hoped last year – this has been disappointing and has meant we haven’t (yet) been able to move to the next phase of our development. This does however show our ability to recognise our challenges and to not overly extend ourselves in a way that would be concerning for our safety as an organisation. This is also important to ensure we do not over extend to a point where we are not able to adequately support beneficiaries, something we are profoundly aware of.
This reporting year has been one of slower maintenance but has also involved diligent work on analysing and defining our strategic pillars and creating stronger frameworks for the coming two reporting years.
Page 4
Financial review
There were bank receipts totalling £55 which were from donations. This money was used to build cash reserves and to facilitate development of the charity’s website and training.
Reserves
At the year end the charity held cash reserves of £958 which is considered sufficient for its current outgoings. However, we expect cash reserves will increase in line with projected increase in beneficiaries in the coming year.
Assessments of risks
The Trustees have examined the major risks that the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES:
Benjamin Nicholson Date: 30 June 2023
Page 5
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Other Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrest ricted funds £ Restric ted funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 55 - 55 1,416 - 1,416 - - - 1,416 - 1,416 (1,361) - (1,361) (1,361) - (1,361) 2,319 - 2,319 958 - 958 |
Unrest ricted funds £ Restric ted funds £ Total Funds 2021 £ 2,961 - 2,961 642 - 642 - - - 642 - 642 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,319 - 2,319 |
||
| 2,319 - 2,319 |
||
| - - - |
||
| 2,319 - 2,319 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Balance Sheet
1 September 2022
| Note Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 5 Net Assets Funds of the charity: Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
Unrest ricted funds £ Restrict ed funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 1,322 - 1,322 1,322 - 1,322 364 - 364 958 - 958 - - - 958 - 958 958 - 958 |
Unrest ricted funds £ Restrict ed funds £ Total Funds 2021 £ 2,669 - 2,669 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,669 - 2,669 350 - 350 |
||
| 2,319 - 2,319 |
||
| - - - 2,319 - 2,319 |
||
| 2,319 - 2,319 |
The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the Year Ended 1 September 2022.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the Year Ended 1 September 2022 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:
-
(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit or loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
continued...
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057) (Registered number: 11322801)
Balance Sheet - continued
1 September 2022
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30th June 2023 and were signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees:
Benjamin Nicholson - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
The Accessful Foundation 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 notes.
Going concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable, and the amount can be reliably measured.
Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are recognised in different ways dependent on how they are used by the charity:
(i) Those donated for resale produce income when they are sold. They are valued at the amount actually realised.
(ii) Those donated for onward transmission to beneficiaries are included in the Statement of Financial Activities as incoming resources and resources expended when they are distributed. They are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.
(iii) Those donated for use by the charity itself are included when receivable. They are valued at
the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.
Gift aid
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Page 9
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Notes to the Financial Statements - Continued for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Liabilities
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Donations and legacies: Donations Gifts in Kind |
Unrestri cted funds £ Restricted funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 55 - 55 - - - 55 - 55 |
Unrestrict ed funds £ Restricted funds £ Total Funds 2021 £ 2,961 - 2,961 - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 2,961 - 2,961 |
Page 10
The Accessful Foundation (CE023057)
Notes to the Financial Statements - Continued for the Year Ended 1 September 2022
3. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Expenditure: Professional fees Bank Charges Marketing Insurance Training |
Unrestri cted funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 566 - 566 93 - 93 317 - 317 440 440 - - - 1,416 - 1,416 |
Unrestri cted funds £ Restricte d funds £ Total Funds 2021 £ 404 - 404 64 - 64 159 - 159 - - - 15 - 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 642 - 642 |
4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
No Trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No Trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
5. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Accruals | 404 | 364 | - | 350 |
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