**Registered Charity Number: 1192175** 

## **The Together Project CIO** 

**Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 October 2022** 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Contents** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Charity information|3|
|Trustees’ report|4|
|Independent examiner’s report|10|
|Statement of financial activity|11|
|Balance sheet|12|
|Notes to the financial statements|13|



2 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Charity information** 

**Registered charity name** The Together Project CIO **Trustees** Stephen Burke – Chair Kelly Keating – Vice-chair Rosemary Durham – Treasurer Amy Cesnas Elin De Zoete Nisha Goyal Alicia Luther-Jones Nigel Gordon (appointed 28 April 22, resigned 13 July 22) **CEO** Louise Goulden **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** Taylor House 22C Sutherland Road London E17 6SS **Independent examiners** Muras Baker Jones Regent House Bath Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4EG 

3 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2022. 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 prior year were treated as if the entity were a CIO for the entire year (as the conversion happened so close to 1 November 2020). 

## **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 2022, with two of these meetings being held virtually. 

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. 

4 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **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. 

Although the national lockdowns and restrictions of Covid-19, which had severely hampered the charity’s activities over the previous two years, were no longer in operation, we continued to experience the detrimental impact of the pandemic on our operations. Care homes were reticent to relaunch in-person activities until towards the end of the year, which meant we were unable to expand our Songs & Smiles programme at the rate at which we had hoped. Continuing outbreaks of Covid-19 in care homes also led to staff shortages and temporary suspensions of group activities, which were challenging for some of our other projects. 

Nevertheless, we were able to modestly grow Songs & Smiles and launch three brand new service offerings. 

Our **Songs & Smiles** programme, which moved to Zoom during the pandemic, relaunched in-person towards the end of last year. The multi-age music and social groups brought together 0-4 year olds, their parents/guardians and older adults to sing, move, play and make friends, helping to reduce social isolation and improve quality of life. In addition to the assisted living schemes in which the programme recommenced operating in September 2021, we returned back to care homes, adding a south London home to our venue list in June and bringing the total number of weekly sessions to eight. All eight of these operated within our ‘fully-managed service’ delivery model, in which trained, paid contractors run the sessions under our guidance. 

Another big success of the programme was the reintroduction of a partnership (paused since the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020) with Hallmark Care Homes to run the programme weekly in thirteen of their England-based homes. This partnership is delivered via our ‘training’ model, in which The Together Project upskills members of each care home’s staff team in order to run the sessions, with all other aspects facilitated by us (including management of parent/guardian/children bookings and session content). The training programme began in September 2022, with the first of the weekly sessions launching in November 2022. 

Planning for **Crafting Connections** began in October 2021 and the project launched in March 2022, thanks to significant grants and donations towards the project received in the previous financial year. The intergenerational arts & crafts exchange pairs children with care home residents to form long-term friendships via the post. Each of the pair receives an arts and crafts challenge to complete, based on a given topic, and some related questions to answer about themselves. When complete, these are swapped in the post with their partner (via The Together Project for safeguarding and monitoring). Each participant receives a Friendship Folder in month one in which to store their partner’s submissions, building up a record of their friendship as the months progress. In addition, children receive arts & crafts materials and ‘words of wisdom’ from older people in each monthly pack. As of 31[st] October 2022, 123 friendships had been created. 

**We are Friends** launched in November 2021 and ran until the end of the academic year in July 2022. Funded by Waltham Forest Council, the project linked five Early Years settings with five care homes in the borough to support a culture of multi-age shared learning, with a strong focus on storytelling. 

5 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

The success of the project – the first of its kind for the council – led them to commission The Together Project for a ‘phase two’ to launch in 2023, this time using local libraries as a hub to link families with older people living in the community. 

In addition, The Together Project undertook its inaugural **consultancy project** , broadening its reach to help other non-profit organisations improve the delivery of their own intergenerational practice. We worked with Holistic Harmonies, a Liverpool-based Community Interest Company, to offer practical guidance and advice relating to their new programme of multi-age music groups. 

## **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** 

Despite a year of continuing challenges related to the pandemic, this was a year of significant development and diversification for The Together Project. Some of our highlights include: 

- The launch of two successful new programmes and one new service offering 

- Expanding the age range of the young people we work with, via our Crafting Connections programme, to 0-13 year olds (previously our younger service users had been aged 0-4) 

- Diversification of our income streams, in particular the significant increase in regular giving (via monthly donations linked to Crafting Connections) and our first corporate partnership as Charity of the Year for Principle Care Homes. The latter has raised £15,000 to-date and aims to increase this total in the next financial year 

- Increasing the number of permanent roles from four to five (all part-time) in order to increase our output and take advantage of new opportunities 

Although our accounts show a deficit for the year, this is due to us drawing down upon significant funds raised in the previous financial year to support the launch of Crafting Connections this year. As the programme develops and acquires more users, the income it will generate through participant donations will increase exponentially, allowing the programme to become fully financially selfsufficient. 

Our work achieved our charitable objectives of reducing social isolation in at-risk groups, with our evaluation demonstrating a number of significant outcomes. Some of these highlights include: 

- In a survey, 75% of parents with young children attending Songs & Smiles said the groups made them feel less lonely and 93% feel more connected to their local community 

- In two surveys with older adults living in Extra Care facilities, ‘Songs & Smiles gives me something to look forward to’ was given an average rating of 4.75/5 and ‘Songs & Smiles makes me feel less lonely’ was rated 5/5 

6 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

- 100% of the Early Years settings and 100% of the care homes involved in We are Friends reported that the programme brought happiness to their setting, with care homes rating the likelihood of continuing the relationship with their partner after the project finished as 5/5 

- 87.5% of parents/guardians felt that Crafting Connections has helped develop desirable characteristics in their child, such as kindness and empathy, and gave them the chance to talk about important subjects such as disability and ageing in a positive way 

- Whilst we have yet to undertake quantitative evaluation of Crafting Connections with care homes, the project received extremely positive feedback on the impact from their staff, such as; “When the residents look at their pictures and photos, it makes their day. When they make pictures for their Crafting Connections friend, it gives them purpose” 

In total our work reached approximately 360 older adults, 350 parents/guardians and 420 children. Rather than ‘one-off’ or ‘virtual’ interactions, as had been so often the case during the previous year due to the restrictions of the pandemic, the vast majority of these beneficiaries engaged with our programmes on a regular, ongoing basis, meaning that deep, meaningful connections could be formed that ultimately have a more profound effect on wellbeing. 

## **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 new five-year strategy was completed in January 2023, setting out the charity’s ambitions for activities reaching ‘every age and life stage’ at a national level. This will include the growth of our current service offerings, expansion into new geographical areas and reaching new beneficiary groups. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The financial results are as shown in the accounts. The charity generated income of £118,835 (2021: £162,529) during the year ending 31 October 2022, which was mainly generated from grant income and donations. The prior year figure included government grant income under the ‘Job Retention Scheme’ (also known as ‘Furlough’) which was no longer running in the year ended 31 October 2022. Expenditure totalled £134,130 (2021: £111,887). This resulted in a net reduction to funds of £15,295 (2021: net contribution of £50,642) for the year. This reflects the fact that a lot of funds were raised during the prior year with the intention that they would be spent on the launching of Crafting Connections in the current year. 

At 31 October 2022, the charity had total funds of £53,818 (2021: £69,113). Of these funds, £7,274 (2021: £32,250) is restricted for expenditure on the Crafting Connections Project, £2,902 (2021: £6,391) is restricted for expenditure on Songs & Smiles, and £13,556 is restricted for expenditure on staff costs and employee wellbeing (2021: £0), with the remaining £30,086 (2021: £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. 

7 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **Reserves** 

Reserves are the part of the charity’s unrestricted funds that are freely available to spend on any of 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 trading partners 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 around three months at current staffing levels (as of October 2022). 

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 2022, the charity had £30,086 (2021: £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 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. 

8 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 October 2022** 

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 20 April 2023 and signed on its behalf by: 

## _Stephen Burke_ 

## **Stephen Burke** 

Chair of Trustees 

9 



## **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 2022. 

## **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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. 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: 25 April 2023 

10 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) For the year ending 31 October 2022** 

|**Note**<br>**Incoming resources**<br>Donations<br>3<br>Grant income<br>4<br>Government grant<br>income<br>5<br>Charitable trading<br>activities<br>6<br>**Total incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources expended**<br>Employment costs<br>13<br>Staff costs<br>Crafting Connections<br>Songs & Smiles<br>Printing/postage<br>IT costs<br>Depreciation<br>9<br>Insurance<br>Governance<br>7<br>Advertising/comms<br>Travel<br>Accountancy<br>7<br>Legal fees<br>Rent<br>Bank fees<br>Other<br>**Total resources**<br>**expended**<br>**Net (expenditure)/**<br>**Income**<br>**Total funds b/f**<br>**Total funds c/f**<br>12|**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**2022**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>31,516<br>5,100<br>**36,616**<br>-<br>63,061<br>**63,061**<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>19,158<br>-<br>**19,158**<br>**50,674**<br>**68,161**<br>**118,835**<br>36,253<br>62,909<br>**99,162**<br>1,238<br>-<br>**1,238**<br>-<br>14,910<br>**14,910**<br>5,670<br>3,889<br>**9,559**<br>1,008<br>84<br>**1,092**<br>522<br>-<br>**522**<br>922<br>-<br>**922**<br>492<br>33<br>**525**<br>370<br>-<br>**370**<br>1,884<br>1,145<br>**3,029**<br>259<br>100<br>**359**<br>589<br>-<br>**589**<br>400<br>-<br>**400**<br>852<br>-<br>**852**<br>129<br>-<br>**129**<br>472<br>-<br>**472**<br>**51,060**<br>**83,070**<br>**134,130**<br>(386)<br>(14,909)<br>**(15,295)**<br>30,472<br>38,641<br>**69,113**<br>**30,086**<br>**23,732**<br>**53,818**|**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**2021**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>13,138<br>23,250<br>**36,388**<br>-<br>103,125<br>**103,125**<br>12,292<br>-<br>**12,292**<br>10,724<br>-<br>**10,724**|
|---|---|---|
|||**36,154**<br>**126,375**<br>**162,529**<br>15,226<br>82,036<br>**97,262**<br>561<br>-<br>**561**<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>993<br>3,726<br>**4,719**<br>1,258<br>42<br>**1,300**<br>766<br>-<br>**766**<br>1,735<br>-<br>**1,735**<br>433<br>17<br>**450**<br>400<br>-<br>**400**<br>540<br>1,863<br>**2,403**<br>295<br>50<br>**345**<br>615<br>-<br>**615**<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>807<br>-<br>**807**<br>129<br>-<br>**129**<br>395<br>-<br>**395**|
|||**24,153**<br>**87,734**<br>**111,887**|
|||12,001<br>38,641<br>**50,642**<br>**18,471**<br>**-**<br>**18,471**|
|||**30,472**<br>**38,641**<br>**69,113**|



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 and 31 October 2022 (it converted from being a CIC to 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 2022** 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>9<br>**Current Assets**<br>Debtors<br>10<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Liabilities**<br>Creditors: amounts falling due<br>within a year<br>11<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Total Assets less liabilities**<br>**Funds of the charity**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>12<br>**Total charity funds**|**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>915<br>**915**<br>2,323<br>58,863<br>**61,186**<br>(8,283)<br>**52,903**<br>**53,818**<br>30,086<br>23,732<br>**53,818**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,373<br>**1,373**<br>12,750<br>60,821<br>**73,571**<br>(5,831)<br>**67,740**<br>**69,113**<br>30,472<br>38,641<br>**69,113**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,373<br>**1,373**<br>12,750<br>60,821<br>**73,571**<br>(5,831)<br>**67,740**<br>**69,113**<br>30,472<br>38,641<br>**69,113**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**1,373**<br>**67,740**|
||**61,186**<br>(8,283)|**73,571**<br>(5,831)||
||||**69,113**|
||||30,472<br>38,641|
||||**69,113**|



The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 20 April 2023 and were signed on its behalf by: 

## _Stephen Burke_ 

Stephen Burke **Chair of Trustees** 

Rosemary Durham **Treasurer** 

The notes form part of these financial statements. 

12 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **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 Taylor House, 22C Sutherland Road, London, E17 6SS. 

## **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 prior year were treated as if the entity was a CIO for the entire year (as the conversion happened so close to 1 November 2020). 

## **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 Covid-19 pandemic 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 started to resume during the year, and the charity was able to undertake other activities during the lockdowns, such as virtual Songs & Smiles and Crafting Connections. 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 in-person Songs & Smiles sessions could resume as soon as possible. The launch Crafting Connections during the year (which can be undertaken even if Covid-19 restrictions return in the future) also helps ensure that the charity can continue to operate should we enter another period of uncertainty. 

13 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

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. 

Donations in kind are recognised at their open market value to the charity when received and an equivalent amount is included in the appropriate expenditure line; the only amounts included for donated services are those provided in a professional capacity. 

## **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. 

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## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **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 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: 

- Equipment (such as items used in Songs & Smiles sessions) 2 years 

- 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. 

15 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **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/gifts<br>Gift aid<br>**Total**|**Unrestricted Restricted**<br>**Total**<br>**2022**<br> <br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>30,610<br>5,100<br>**35,710**<br>906<br>-<br>**906**<br>**31,516**<br>**5,100**<br>**36,616**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>12,767<br>22,000<br>**34,767**<br>371<br>1,250<br>**1,621**|
|---|---|---|
|||**13,138**<br>**23,250**<br>**36,388**|



Donations of £5,100 (2021: £21,000), plus £0 (2021: £1,250) of gift aid, were restricted to Crafting Connections (none remains unspent at the end of the financial year). £22,250 of restricted donations received in the prior year remained unspent at 31 October 2021, but they have now all been spent on the Crafting Connections project. 

Volunteers did not play a significant role in the charity during the year. Goods and services with a total value of £1,600 were donated to the charity during the year. This has been shown as £1,600 of donation income and £1,600 of expenditure. 

16 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **4. INCOME FROM GRANTS** 

The following grants were received during the year, all were restricted: 

|Groundwork (HS2)<br>Caretech Foundation<br>Kickstart Scheme<br>WG Edwards<br>National Lottery<br>Youth Music<br>Albert Hunt Trust<br>L&Q Foundation<br>**Total**|**At 31 October**<br>**2021**<br>**Received**<br>**during the year**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**during the year**<br>**At 31 October**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**6,391**<br>8,625<br>(12,114)<br>**2,902**<br>**10,000**<br>-<br>(10,000)<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>4,208<br>(4,208)<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>2,400<br>(2,400)<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>9,140<br>(6,855)<br>**2,285**<br>**-**<br>26,711<br>(13,155)<br>**13,556**<br>**-**<br>2,000<br>(2,000)<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>9,977<br>(4,988)<br>**4,989**|
|---|---|
||**16,391**<br>**63,061**<br>**(55,720)**<br>**23,732**|



## **Groundwork (HS2)** 

Further grant income of £8,625 was received from Groundwork during the year, in addition to £9,550 received in the prior year. These grants are to be spent on delivering Songs & Smiles activities to communities in areas disrupted by the HS2 project. £2,902 of the total amount grant funded remains unspent at 31 October 2022. 

## **Caretech Foundation** 

A grant was received from Caretech Foundation on 11 October 2021 for £10,000. The grant was to be spent on Crafting Connections, which launched in the current year. All funds have now been spent. 

## **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 five months during the year ending 31 October 2022 under this scheme, and received grant funding for the associated salary costs. This grant was therefore fully spent during the current year. 

## **WG Edwards Charitable Foundation** 

A grant of £2,400 was received to be spent on subsidising the cost of participating in Crafting Connections for care homes. All funds have now been spent. 

## **National Lottery** 

A grant of £9,140 was received to be spent on subsidising the cost of participating in Crafting Connections for care homes. £2,285 remains unspent at 31 October 2022. 

17 



## **The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **Youth Music** 

A grant of £26,711 (the first instalment of a total grant of £54,000) was received from Youth Music’s Recharge Fund. The majority of the grant was spent on staff salaries, with a small proportion set aside for a staff wellbeing day in recognition of the impact that the pandemic on mental health and organisational resilience. £13,556 remains unspent at 31 October 2022. 

## **Albert Hunt Trust** 

A grant of £2,000 was received to be spent on subsidising the cost of participating in Crafting Connections for care homes. All funds have now been spent. 

## **L&Q Foundation** 

A grant of £9,977 (the first instalment of a total grant of £19,953) was awarded to be spent on funding 200 older adults and 200 children in east London from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in Crafting Connections for one year. £4,989 remains unspent at 31 October 2022. 

## **McCarthy & Stone Foundation** 

During the year a grant for £5,000 was received to cover the cost of one year’s rent for some new office space for The Together Project. As the new lease for the office wasn't signed until January 2023, the £5,000 of grant income will be recognised in the year ending 31 October 2023 and the £5,000 of grant income is therefore sitting in deferred income at 31 October 2022. 

## **5. INCOME FROM GOVERNMENT GRANTS** 

No Government grant income was received during the year. 

All Government grant income received during the previous year related to 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<br>homes/online<br>Crafting Connections Care Home income<br>Consultancy<br>Workshops delivered<br>We are Friends<br>Hand in Hand Together care home income<br>**Total**|**2022**<br>**£**<br>9,109<br>30<br>200<br>-<br>9,819<br>-<br>**19,158**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>8,094<br>-<br>-<br>534<br>1,666<br>430|
|---|---|---|
|||**10,724**|



18 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **7. DETAILS OF CERTAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE** 

The independent examiner’s fee was £300 (inclusive of VAT) for carrying out the independent examination (2021: £300). 

Governance costs, such as Trustee training and the costs of running Board meeting, were £370 (2021: £400). 

## **8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

No Trustee or any person connected with them, received remuneration from the charity. 

## **9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

||**Equipment**|**Computer hardware**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**& software**||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Cost**||||
|At 1 November 2021|**3,947**|**1,848**|**5,795**|
|Additions|34|430|**464**|
|Disposals|(2,833)|-|**(2,833)**|
|**At 31 October 2022**|**1,148**|**2,278**|**3,426**|
|**Accumulated depreciation**||||
|At 1 November 2021|**3,576**|**846**|**4,422**|
|Charge for the year|303|619|**922**|
|Disposals|(2,833)|-|**(2,833)**|
|**At 31 October 2022**|**1,046**|**1,465**|**2,511**|
|**NBV at 31 October 2022**|**102**|**813**|**915**|
|**NBV at 31 October 2021**|**371**|**1,002**|**1,373**|



## **10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Trade debtors<br>Accrued income<br>**Total debtors**|**2022**<br>**£**<br>1,483<br>840<br>**2,323**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>2,105<br>10,645|
|---|---|---|
|||**12,750**|



All amounts recognised as trade debtors at 31 October 2022 have been received in cash by the date of signing these accounts. The accrued income is comprised of gift aid claims submitted to HMRC for donations made on or before 31 October 2022, where the charity holds a valid gift aid declaration. 

19 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

|Deferred income<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals<br>**Total creditors**|**2022**<br>**£**<br>5,585<br>1,923<br>775<br>**8,283**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,531<br>300|
|---|---|---|
|||**5,831**|



£5,000 of the deferred income represents grant income received during the year in respect of covering the cost of rent for office space to be taken on during 2023. The lease had not been signed at the balance sheet date and the grant income can only be used on the rent specified, therefore the grant income will be deferred into the year ending 31 October 2023. The other deferred income relates to amounts invoiced in advance of service delivery for the Guinness Partnership Songs & Smiles activity. 

Other creditors are comprised of employee taxes due to HMRC at 31 October 2022 and amounts due to the charity’s pension provider. 

Accruals represent services received by The Together Project on or before 31 October 2022 where an invoice had not been submitted by the supplier by 31 October 2022. 

## **12. MOVEMENTS IN RESTRICTED FUNDS** 

During the financial year the charity held restricted funds for the charitable activities Songs & Smiles and Crafting Connections. It also received a grant under the Kickstart scheme, which was to be spent on employee costs. It also received a grant from Youth Music to be spent on organisational overheads such as staff costs and employee wellbeing (the ‘Recharge Fund’). 

|**Fund name**<br>Songs & Smiles<br>Crafting Connections<br>Recharge fund<br>Kickstart Scheme<br>**Total**|**At 31 October**<br>**2021**<br>**Grant**<br>**income**<br>**Donations**<br>**(inc Gift aid)**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**At 31 October**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**6,391**<br>8,625<br>-<br>(12,114)<br>**2,902**<br>**32,250**<br>23,517<br>5,100<br>(53,593)<br>**7,274**<br>**-**<br>26,711<br>-<br>(13,155)<br>**13,556**<br>**-**<br>4,208<br>-<br>(4,208)<br>**-**|
|---|---|
||**38,641**<br>**63,061**<br>**5,100**<br>**(83,070)**<br>**23,732**|



20 



**The Together Project CIO** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements Year ending 31 October 2022** 

## **13. EMPLOYEES** 

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the period was 4 (2021: 4). Staff costs recognised in the SoFA in the year were as follows: 

|Salaries and wages<br>Social security costs<br>Pension costs (defined contribution scheme)<br>**Total**|**2022**<br>**£**<br>94,141<br>3,075<br>1,946<br>**99,162**|**2021**<br>**£**<br>92,415<br>2,911<br>1,936|
|---|---|---|
|||**97,262**|



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 £32,831 (2021: £27,905). 

Pension costs incurred during the year of £1,946 (2021: £1,936) were allocated as £1,234 (2021: £1,633) in restricted funds and £711 (2021: £303) in unrestricted funds. 

## **14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

There were no related party transactions during the year. 

21