Registered Charity Number: 1192175
The Together Project CIO
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 October 2021
The Together Project CIO
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 3 |
| Trustees’ report | 4 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 9 |
| Statement of financial activity | 10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12 |
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The Together Project CIO
Charity information
Registered charity name
The Together Project CIO
Trustees Stephen Burke - Chair (appointed 1 August 2020) Rosemary Durham (appointed 1 September 2020) Amy Cesnas (appointed 1 September 2020) Elin De Zoete (appointed 1 September 2020) Nisha Goyal (appointed 1 September 2020) Kelly Keating (appointed 1 September 2020) Alicia Luther-Jones (appointed 21 October 2021)
Charitable objects The objects of the CIO are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded and relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded in the UK through the provision of community-based social, recreational and cultural activities. ‘Socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); disability.
Registered charity number 1192175 Principal address 45 Kenilworth Avenue London E17 4PD Independent examiners Muras Baker Jones Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2021
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2021. 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) as detailed in the accounting policies.
The Together Project was originally set up as a Community Interest Company (“CIC”) on 9 October 2017. On 5 November 2020, it converted to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”). The process of conversion means that the entity has a continuous existence, so it does not affect the accounts. The figures for the current year have been treated as if the entity were a CIO for the entire year (as the conversion happened so close to 1 November 2020). All prior year figures are stated as they were when the organisation was a CIC, with the main difference being that there was no concept of restricted funds.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Together Project is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with The Together Project constitution (dated 12 September 2020).
Organisational structure
The Together Project Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is responsible to Trustees for the day-to-day management of the organisation. The CEO monitors financial performance and delivery of objectives in pursuit of the strategy agreed by The Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves the annual budget and delegates operational responsibility for the charity’s activities to CEO. The Board of Trustees offer a wide range of expertise and experience essential to the good governance of the charity. The Board of Trustees monitor the charity’s governance by way of quarterly board meetings and regular one-to-one conversations held with the CEO.
The Board of Trustees met 4 times during the year ending 31 October 2021, with all but one of these meetings being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apart from the first charity Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. The Trustees will make available to each new Trustee, on or before his or her appointment, a copy of the current version of the constitution and a copy of the charity’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts.
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2021
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the charity are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to provide intergenerational activities that unite younger and older people in order to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, tackle ageism and promote community cohesion.
The Together Project delivered five streams of work during the year:
Hand In Hand Together paired children with older adults living in care homes across the UK to create pictures using handprints (symbolic of reaching across the divide caused by COVID-19) and write short letters and swap them in the post, via The Together Project. The project launched in August 2020 and had initially been designed to run for 12 weeks but was extended until May 2021 due to its impact and popularity. 616 people participated, with ages ranging from four weeks to 102 years, with 63 children also sending Christmas cards to care homes and twelve care homes collaborating on a filmed recital of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ as a thank-you to the youngsters. Parents gave an average rating of 4.9/5 for their enjoyment of the Hand In Hand Together and care homes rated the statement ‘Hand In Hand Together brought happiness to our care home’ an average of 4.7/5.
We ran nine online ‘parties’ via Zoom during National Intergenerational Week (8[th] – 12[th] March 2021) bringing children, their parents/guardians and older adults in care homes together virtually to sing, dance and have fun. 283 people from across the UK participated, with 100% of care home staff reporting that their residents had really enjoyed seeing and engaging with the children.
Virtual Songs & Smiles took our successful in-person Songs & Smiles sessions and translated them into weekly Zoom classes. Running between October 2020 – May 2021, we hosted up to ten sessions a week, incorporating 20 care homes and 55 individual or groups of children and carers (a mixture of children at home with parents and early years settings participating as a group). The sessions allowed all ages to continue making connections during periods of lockdown and social distancing whilst developing language and motor skills and promoting physical activity. Parents rated their enjoyment of the sessions 4.5/5.
We held our first in-person Songs & Smiles sessions in summer 2021, launching with two one-off ‘parties’ followed by weekly term-time sessions starting in September 2021, hosted in seven assisted living schemes – five in Lancashire and two in London. The multi-age music groups gave children, their parents/carers and older adults the chance to socialise and enjoy the benefits of group musicmaking – for many, it was the first time they had taken part in any in-person activities with people outside of their residences since March 2020. We implemented strict COVID-19 protocols, including reduced numbers, social distancing, mask-wearing and regular sanitising, that allowed participants to feel confident and safe.
In August 2021 we began project planning for We Are Friends , a new initiative funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest linking five care homes and five Early Years settings across the forthcoming academic year through storytelling and artistic exchanges. The project is designed to highlight the importance of building meaningful relationships across different generations and hopes to inspire others to initiate their own interactions.
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2021
Public benefit
The main activities undertaken to further the charities purposes for the public benefit are described above.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in pursuing charitable activities.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
This year was our first as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, having converted from a Community Interest Company. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was immense, on our operating and funding models, our service delivery and on our beneficiaries. Uncertainty surrounding how the pandemic would evolve, sudden lockdowns and the introduction of ‘tiers’ and our service users’ varying degrees of confidence in meeting face-to-face when allowed, coupled with a lack of access to reliable internet connectivity for many of our older beneficiaries, made it an extremely challenging period.
Despite the many hurdles, we were able to innovate by adapting our service delivery and launching new initiatives. Our revenue increased from the prior year and we retained our staff team, using the furlough scheme to conserve funds where we felt it prudent to do so.
Our work was able to fulfil our charitable objectives of reducing social isolation amongst vulnerable people who were arguably the most deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis – older adults living in residential care. Around 500 older adults participated in our programmes, many getting involved in several programmes across the year. Feedback from care homes demonstrated that involvement in our activities:
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‘gave residents a new lease of life – something to look forward to’
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‘gave residents who would rather stay in bed a reason to get up and involved’
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‘helped to lift spirits and spread joy’
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‘lit up’ the faces of residents
Our beneficiaries included another group proven to have been deeply affected by isolation resulting from lockdowns and social distancing – parents and young children. Around 650 took part in our creative activities – many getting involved in several programmes throughout the year - providing an antidote to the challenges of isolating at home, particularly at times when support from friends, family and childcare was stopped due to lockdowns. Parents told us that involvement in our projects made them feel less alone, more connected to the outside world and that they were doing something valuable and with purpose.
Our innovation and adaptability during the pandemic have meant that not only have we survived the most challenging period in our organisation’s history but we have emerged more resilient, more creative and with a greater breadth of service offering. Our plans for the year ahead include the development of a brand-new initiative that will allow us to reach hundreds more beneficiaries on a regular basis, as well as strengthening and rebuilding our current core service offerings.
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2021
Plans for the future
The Together Project's vision is of a connected, inclusive society in which everyone has the chance to form joyful intergenerational friendships. Our aim is that, in five years’ time, we will offer activities and experiences for every age group and living circumstance. To achieve this, we will extend the reach of our existing projects and develop new ones. Our plans for the forthcoming year include the creation of an arts & crafts-based offering called Crafting Connections that builds on the success of Hand In Hand Together to form long-lasting friendships between children and care home residents through postal exchanges.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial results are as shown in the accounts. The charity generated income of £162,530 during the year ending 31 October 2021, which was mainly generated from grant income and donations. This figure also includes income of £12,292 under the Government Job Retention Scheme (also known as ‘furlough’), which is not expected to be repeated in future years as the scheme had ended by 31 October 2021.
Expenditure totalled £111,887, leaving a net contribution to funds of £50,642 for the year.
At 31 October 2021, the charity had total funds of £69,113. Of these funds, £32,250 is restricted for expenditure on the Crafting Connections Project and £6,391 is restricted for expenditure on Songs & Smiles, with the remaining £30,472 of funds being unrestricted. Based on the current level of funds held and a prudent projection for future cashflow, the charity is expected to have sufficient funds to be able to pursue its plans and cover core costs for the coming 12 months. There are also opportunities in the pipeline to be able to expand on what is currently being delivered.
Reserves
Reserves are the part of the charity’s unrestricted funds that are freely available to spend on any on the charity’s purposes. There will be occasions where grants and donations are restricted and can only be used for a particular charitable purpose. These amounts will be excluded when considering what the charity’s reserves levels are. The reserves that we have set aside provide financial stability. The charity does not have a policy of accumulating reserves, and instead tries to maximise its expenditure on its charitable objectives. However, it would be prudent to keep at least three months’ running costs in reserves, in case of situations where there are delays in receiving funding or relationships with care homes terminate unexpectedly.
As the charity was only established in 2020 (having converted from a Community Interest Company which was formed in 2017), it has not yet had time to accumulate significant reserves. This issue has been made much harder by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that over the coming years, the charity will be able to amass a higher level of reserves. But in the short-term the charity will be aiming to maintain reserves predominantly just to provide financial stability. We intend to maintain our reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to £30,000. This amount would cover staff costs and essential running costs for at least three months at current staffing levels (as of October 2021).
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The Together Project CIO
Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2021
The Board regularly reviews the amount of reserves at its quarterly board meetings, to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations.
At 31 October 2021, the charity had £30,472 of reserves. The Trustees consider this level of reserves and expected future cashflows sufficient to allow the charity to perform its intended activities over the next 12 months and beyond.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
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 law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed 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 incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
APPROVAL
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 14 July 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
Stephen B Burke
Stephen Burke
Chair of Trustees
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The Together Project CIO
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Together Project CIO
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Together Project CIO (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Signed:
Name: Oliver Ross
Relevant professional qualification: FCA
Address: Muras Baker Jones Limited
Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG Date: 15 July 2022
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The Together Project CIO
Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) For the year ending 31 October 2021
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Donations 3 Grant income 4 Government grant income 5 Charitable trading activities 6 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Wages, social security & pension costs 13 Staff costs Songs & Smiles session costs Printing and postage IT software and consumables Depreciation Insurance Governance Advertising, marketing & comms Travel Accountancy 7 Rent Bank fees Other TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOME TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 12 |
2021 2021 2021 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds £ 13,138 23,250 36,388 - 103,125 103,125 12,292 - 12,292 10,724 - 10,724 36,154 126,375 162,529 15,226 82,036 97,262 561 - 561 993 3,726 4,719 1,258 42 1,300 766 - 766 1,735 - 1,735 433 17 450 400 - 400 540 1,863 2,403 295 50 345 615 - 615 807 - 807 129 - 129 395 - 395 24,153 87,734 111,887 |
2020 Total funds £ 1,409 45,432 28,348 21,598 |
|---|---|---|
| 96,787 71,993 317 11,909 167 234 2,051 - - 1,375 383 363 2,400 102 1,186 |
||
| 92,480 | ||
| 12,001 38,641 50,642 18,471 - 18,471 30,472 38,641 69,113 |
4,307 14,164 |
|
| 18,471 |
The Statement of Financial Activities has been prepared on the basis that the organisation was a charity for the financial year ended 31 October 2021 (it converted from being a CIC to a CIO on 5 November 2020).
All income and expenditure in the comparative Statement of Financial Activities was unrestricted as the organisation only became a CIO on 5 November 2020.
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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The Together Project CIO
Balance sheet As at 31 October 2021
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 9 Current Assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within a year 11 Net Current Assets Provisions for liabilities and charges Net Assets Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 12 Total charity funds |
2021 £ £ 1,373 1,373 12,750 60,821 73,571 (5,831) 67,740 - 69,113 30,472 38,641 69,113 |
2020 £ £ 2,274 2,274 4,322 33,211 37,533 (21,336) 16,197 - 18,471 18,471 - 18,471 |
2020 £ £ 2,274 2,274 4,322 33,211 37,533 (21,336) 16,197 - 18,471 18,471 - 18,471 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,274 16,197 |
|||
| 73,571 (5,831) |
37,533 (21,336) |
||
| - | |||
| 18,471 | |||
| 18,471 - |
|||
| 18,471 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 14 July 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
Stephen B Burke
Stephen Burke Chair of Trustees
Rosemary Durham Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
CIO information
The Together Project CIO was registered as a charitable incorporated organisation in England on 5 November 2020 and is governed by a constitution dated 12 September 2020 and registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1192175. The charity’s principal office address is 45 Kenilworth Avenue, London, E17 4PD.
Conversion from CIC to CIO
The Together Project was originally set up as a Community Interest Company (“CIC”) on 9 October 2017. On 5 November 2020, it converted to being a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”). The process of conversion means that the entity has a continuous existence, so it does not affect the accounts. The figures for the current year have been treated as if the entity was a CIO for the entire year (as the conversion happened so close to 1 November 2020). All prior year figures are stated as they were when the organisation was a CIC, with the main difference being that there was no concept of restricted funds. Corporation tax expenditure of £638 in the prior year (when the entity was a CIC and was therefore subject to corporation tax) has been included in ‘Other resources expended’ on the face of the SoFA.
1.1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in Note 2.
1.2 Going concern
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on charities, with The Together Project being hit especially hard as it had to suspend its major charitable activity – Songs & Smiles – due to the particular vulnerability of care home residents. Thankfully, sessions are now starting to resume, and the charity was able to undertake other activities during the lockdowns, such as virtual Songs & Smiles and the Hand in Hand Together project. The charity has been able to continue to raise funds during this very difficult time and has maintained relationships with care homes to ensure that inperson Songs & Smiles sessions can resume as soon as possible. The launch of the new project ‘Crafting Connections’ (which can be undertaken even if COVID-19 restrictions become more severe
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
again in the future) also helps ensure that the charity can continue to operate during this time of continued uncertainty.
The Trustees have reviewed the financial position of the charity and are satisfied that it has sufficient resources to continue for at least 12 months beyond the date of approval of these accounts. There are sufficient funding streams in place and a variety of potential other sources of income in the pipeline to ensure that core costs can be covered and committed activity can be undertaken as planned. The accounts are therefore prepared on a going concern basis.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
For the purposes of FRS102, the Charity is a public benefit entity and accounting policies are adopted accordingly. The charity has only basic financial instruments and the Trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
Recognition of income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met. In the case of performance related grants, income must only be recognised to the extent that the charity has provided the specified goods or services as entitlement to the grant only occurs when the performance related conditions are met.
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
Financial instruments
The charity accounts for basic financial instruments on initial recognition as per paragraph 11.7 FRS102 SORP. Subsequent measurement is as per paragraphs 11.17 to 11.19, FRS102 SORP.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes the original price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition. Items are capitalised where it is expected that they will be used for over a year, such as equipment to be used in Songs and Smiles sessions.
Items are only capitalised if they cost at least £25.
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost less estimated residual value of all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, over their expected useful lives, using the straight-line method. The rates applicable are:
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Equipment (such as items used in Songs & Smiles sessions) 2 years
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• Computer hardware and software 3 years
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 held for working capital.
Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
Creditors
Creditors 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.
Provisions
A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.
Deferred income
Income received in advanced of services being delivered is recognised as deferred income. Grant income is deferred if any associated performance conditions have not been met at the balance sheet date.
3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS
Donations are recognised at the point of receipt. Tax recoverable under gift aid is recognised at the date of the corresponding income.
| Donations and gifts Gift aid Total |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2021 Total 2020 £ £ £ £ 12,767 22,000 34,767 1,409 371 1,250 1,621 - |
|---|---|
| 13,138 23,250 36,388 1,409 |
Donations of £21,000 (plus £1,250 of gift aid) were restricted to Crafting Connections (and remain unspent at the end of the financial year). Donations of £1,000 were restricted to the Hand in Hand Together project, and these funds were spent during the period.
All donations in the prior year were unrestricted as the organisation only became a charity from 5 November 2020, having previously been a Community Interest Company.
Volunteers did not play a significant role in the charity during the year. No goods or services were donated to the charity during the year.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
4. INCOME FROM GRANTS
The following grants were received during the year, all were restricted:
| The National Lottery Community Fund Groundwork (HS2) CAF Caretech Foundation Kickstart Total |
At 31 October 2020 Received during the year Expenditure during the year At 31 October 2021 £ £ £ £ - 67,842 (67,842) - - 9,550 (3,159) 6,391 - 13,382 (13,382) - - 10,000 - 10,000 - 2,351 (2,351) - |
|---|---|
| - 103,125 (86,734) 16,391 |
The National Lottery Community Fund
A grant was received from the National Lottery to be spent on Songs & Smiles activities and to help support the charity during the pandemic, to enable it to continue to plan for future Songs & Smiles activities. All funds were fully spent by 31 October 2021.
Groundwork (HS2)
A grant was received from Groundwork on 1 September 2021 for £9,550. The grant is to be spent on delivering Songs & Smiles activities to communities in areas disrupted by the HS2 project. £3,159 of this had been spent by 31 October 2021.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
A grant was received from CAF on 17 February 2021 for £13,382. The grant was to be spent on the Hand in Hand Together activity, which was fully delivered during the year, with all funds spent by 31 October 2021.
Caretech Foundation
A grant was received from Caretech Foundation on 11 October 2021 for £10,000. The grant is to be spent on Crafting Connections, which did not launch until after 31 October 2021, meaning all funds remain unspent at 31 October 2021. The Crafting Connections project launched in Q1 of the calendar year 2022.
Kickstart scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16-to-24-year-olds on Universal Credit. The Together Project employed one member of staff for 2 months during the year ending 31 October 2021 under this scheme, and received grant funding for the associated salary costs. This grant was therefore fully spent during the year ending 31 October 2021.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
5. INCOME FROM GOVERNMENT GRANTS
All Government grant income received during the year relates amounts received under the Job Retention Scheme (also known as furlough). This totalled £12,292. The charity only applied for amounts it was entitled to and no repayments have been required.
6. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Income from charitable activities was comprised of the following:
| Songs & Smiles sessions in care homes/online Workshops delivered We are Friends Hand in Hand Together care home income Total |
2021 2020 £ £ 8,094 21,598 534 - 1,666 - 430 - |
|---|---|
| 10,724 21,598 |
The impact of the pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in the delivery of Songs & Smiles sessions in the current year compared to the prior year.
7. DETAILS OF CERTAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE
The independent examiner’s fee was £300 (inclusive of VAT) for carrying out the independent examination.
Governance costs were £400 for training provided to Trustees.
8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No Trustee or any person connected with them, received remuneration from the charity.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Equipment | Computer | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardware & | |||
| software | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | |||
| At 1 November 2020 | 3,713 | 1,248 | 4,961 |
| Additions | 234 | 600 | 834 |
| Disposals | - | - | - |
| At 31 October 2021 | 3,947 | 1,848 | 5,795 |
| Accumulated depreciation | |||
| At 1 November 2020 | 2,274 | 413 | 2,687 |
| Charge for the year | 1,302 | 433 | 1,735 |
| Disposals | - | - | - |
| At 31 October 2021 | 3,576 | 846 | 4,422 |
| NBV at 31 October 2021 | 371 | 1,002 | 1,373 |
| NBV at 31 October 2020 | 1,439 | 835 | 2,274 |
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued income Other debtors Total debtors |
2021 £ 2,105 - 10,645 - 12,750 |
2020 £ 795 677 - 2,850 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,322 |
All amounts recognised as debtors at 31 October 2021 have been received in cash by the date of signing these accounts.
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Deferred income Other creditors Accrual for independent examiner’s fee Provision for corporation tax Total creditors |
2021 £ - 5,531 300 - 5,831 |
2020 £ 19,842 436 - 1,058 |
|---|---|---|
| 21,336 |
Other creditors are comprised of employee taxes due to HMRC at 31 October 2021 and amounts due to the charity’s pension provider.
Deferred income of £19,842 at 31 October 2020 related to grant funding received from the National Lottery where it was not certain that the funds could be spent under the terms of the grant, due to the impact of the pandemic on Songs & Smiles sessions. However, the use of the grant was discussed with the grant officer and it was agreed that the grant could be used to support a wider variety of activities, and so the deferred grant income was recognised during the year ending 31 October 2021.
12. MOVEMENTS IN RESTRICTED FUNDS
During the financial year the charity held restricted funds for the following charitable activities: Songs & Smiles, Hand in Hand Together and Crafting Connections. It also received a grant under the Kickstart scheme, which was to be spent on employee costs.
| Fund name Songs & Smiles Hand in Hand Together Crafting Connections Kickstart scheme Total |
At 31 October 2020 Grant income Donations (inc Gift aid) Expenditure At 31 October 2021 £ £ £ £ £ - 77,392 - (71,001) 6,391 - 13,382 1,000 (14,382) - - 10,000 22,250 - 32,250 - 2,351 - (2,351) - |
|---|---|
| - 103,125 23,250 (87,734) 38,641 |
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The Together Project CIO
Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2021
13. EMPLOYEES
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the period was 4 (2020: 4). Staff costs recognised in the SoFA in the year were as follows:
| Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Total |
2021 £ 92,415 2,911 1,936 97,262 |
2020 £ 73,197 (2,533) 1,329 |
|---|---|---|
| 71,993 |
No employee received total employee benefits totalling more than £60,000 during the year. The cost to the charity of salary and benefits paid in respect of the charity’s CEO were £27,905.
The credit to social security costs in the prior year was in respect of employee allowances from previous years that had previously not been claimed.
Pension costs incurred during the year of £1,936 were allocated as £1,633 in restricted funds and £303 in unrestricted funds.
14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions during the year.
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