Reg. Charity No.1192282
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
The charity has continued to grow and now has 133 beneficial members as well as 49 nonbeneficial members. It is now delivering four weekly sports sessions at three locations within the Fylde as well as holding regular social evenings at venues in Blackpool. Its activities are co-ordinated and supervised by a small staff team and a group of committed volunteers.
The impact of the work of the charity has been recognised by all three local authorities in which it operates. Blackpool Council made an award for our contribution to “Disability Sport”, we received the “Health and Well Being” award from Fylde Council as part of their Active Community Awards scheme, whilst Wyre Council made the “Contribution to Active Communities – Group” award to us. In addition Mrs Jenny Morris, one of the charity’s trustees, was identified as the “Volunteer of the Year” by Blackpool Council
The work to promote the work of charity, along with the achievements during the past year are summarised in this report.
Further information is available from our web site www.togetherwecando.org and Facebook pages. You can also speak to us by visiting one of our sessions or send a message via email (info@togetherwecando.org) or text (07859 916181).
Objective
“Together We Can Do” obtained registration with the Charities Commission on 11[th] November 2020. The charity objectives stated in the Governing document are
- The relief of those in need by reasons of their disability in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre by:
(a) the promotion of community participation in the healthy recreation by the provision of assistance and suitable facilities for the participation in sport, and;
(b) the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said habitants.
- To advance such charitable purposes as the trustees see fit in supporting charity members for the public benefit, by making grants and awards to enable them to take part in amateur sports events.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone who is interested in furthering the charity’s purposes and accepts that they must conduct their activities in a way to further its purposes. Membership consists of beneficial and non-beneficial members. Beneficial members are individuals with a recognised disability who take part in the exercise, sporting and social activities. Whilst anyone with a recognised disability can benefit from the charity, individuals living in the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre areas are given priority.
The charity’s membership on 1[st] November 2022 and 1[st] November 2021 is shown below
| Beneficial Members | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | Non-Beneficial Members*1 |
2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled | 133 | 68 | Trustees | 8 | 7 | |
| Volunteers | 28 | 23 | ||||
| Staff | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 133 | 68 | Total | 49 | 33 |
*1 These include trustees as well as others who carry out administrative roles in addition to individuals who volunteer at the sports sessions and social events.
Financial Statement
The 2022 accounts are provided in a separate document and have been subject to independent examination by a competent person. The total income and expenditure in the year from 1[st] November 2021 to 31[st] October 2022 is shown in the table below.
| Income | Expenditure | Current A/C Balance |
|---|---|---|
| £38,680 | £32,668 | £40,045*1 |
1. Includes £15,000 allocated as reserves .*
Blackpool Council provided free use of the Blackpool Sports Centre - a “gift in kind” valued at £14,760. In addition Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust provided a coach for some of the netball sessions at YMCA Thornton – a gift in kind valued at £275.
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Governance and Management
The following individuals have undertaken the role of trustee during the past year.
Doug Everard, Carina Gribbon, Rachel Lambert, Luca Lansani, Fiona McIntosh, Jenny Morris, Howard Robinson and Tony Winter
Luca Lansani and Fiona McIntosh resigned as trustees in 18[th] August and 6[th] September 2022 respectively.
Collectively the trustees have a wide range of knowledge, skills and professional expertise which enabled the principal risks associated with starting up the charity and commencing its activities during COVID restrictions to be identified and effectively managed. This expertise has enabled the charity to expand its operations.
Seven meetings have been held since the last AGM. Work has largely been associated with implementing actions to enable the charity’s delivery strategy to be achieved. This has included
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Reviewing and revising documentation to enable the charity to operate in compliance with legal requirements as well as ensuring the safety and welfare of the people it supports and employs.
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Recruiting and training sufficient people so that the charity delivered its objectives and ensured the safety and welfare of those it supports and employs.
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Obtaining the use of suitable venues, facilities and equipment to enable the sports and social sessions to be undertaken in a safe and secure environment.
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Securing funds to enable the charity’s objectives and activities to be sustained.
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Promoting the charity and its work so as to improve opportunities for the disabled community to take part in sport and exercise on a regular basis.
Over the past year the trustees suspended activities on occasions in respond to the increased COVID infection risk. The suitability of the COVID and other risk controls arrangements has been reviewed by the trustees on a regular basis.
Vision
Our vision is that every individual with a disability
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is able to participate in exercise and sporting activities on a regular basis
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can strive to achieve sporting excellence through competition and
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are supported so that sporting and related social activities are part of a healthy lifestyle choice.
The charity’s strategic goals and objectives to implement its vision are included in appendix 1.
Management System
The trustees developed and approved a number of policies and procedures to enable the charity to meet its legal obligations and ensure effective management in line with its objectives. These documents have been reviewed and revised to address issues arising as well as addressing increase scope of the charity’s activities. Risk assessments and instructions have been prepared which ensures that our activities are delivered to a consistently high standard and always put the safety and welfare of those we support first.
The documentation prepared and used by the charity is listed in appendix 2; these have been subject to regular review and revision by the trustees.
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Personnel
All the trustees have knowledge and experience of providing support to or working with individuals with a disability. Many are or have been trustees of other charities, whilst others have held senior positions in education, care and central government organisations. In addition to their general duties’ trustees have lead responsibilities on specific topics, such as recruitment of volunteers, fundraising and promotion, so that a consistent approach is adopted.
Volunteers have been recruited through the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Volunteer Centre and UR Potential (Blackpool). Volunteers have also joined after learning about the charity’s activities from friends and family or through attending the sports and social sessions.
There are currently 28 registered volunteers who support the sports sessions and have been subject to checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Some volunteers that carry out administrative type roles and do not routinely attend the sports sessions have not been subject to DBS checks. A Welfare Officer has been appointed and attends sports and social sessions on occasions.
The charity employs an individual to undertake the Project Co-ordinator role (0.5 FTE) and two qualified coaches to run supervise the sports sessions (paid per session). An agency is used to manage the payment of wages, tax and National Insurance contributions. Following the recent resignation of the Treasurer the trustees have agreed that the same agency will provide the booking keeping service for the charity.
In order to increase the pool of volunteers the trustees contacted a number of local post 16 education establishments to highlight the opportunities for their students to gain experience of working with people with disabilities. Both Myerscough College and AKS Lytham representatives visited our sports sessions, but as yet no arrangements have been established with these organisations.
Venues for Sports & Social Activities
The trustees have had regular communications with staff from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Councils about our activities.
The charity has a hire contract for weekly use of two sports halls at the Blackpool Sports Centre (BSC) each Thursday. Blackpool Council has agreed that these facilities will be provided free of charged for which we are very grateful.
The charity has three contracts with YMCA (Fylde Coast) for the hire of facilities at St Anne’s and Thornton-Cleveleys. These cover the weekly use of a sports hall at Thornton (Mondays) and St Annes (Saturday) and the hire of the 10 pin bowling alley (Monday).
The charity uses the function room at the Norbreck Bowling and Tennis club to hold regular social evenings. The trustees are thankful that the club have allowed the charity free use of their facilities.
Funding
A £10,000 grant from the National Lottery was received in 2021. This was used to cover the cost of hiring staff and coaches to run the sessions up to the end March 2022.
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A grant of £10,000 was received from Sport England in March 2022 and is being used to pay for the hire of venues and coaching costs up to the end March 2023.
A grant of £5000 from NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG was received in August 2022. This is being used to pay for the hire of venues and coaches to enable sports sessions to take place on Saturdays as well as the purchase of additional equipment.
A £1100 donation from the D J Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme was received in September 2022. This along with donation made in 2021 is to be used to subsidise the cost of holding social events.
A donation of £300 was received from Mr and Mrs Crank following their fundraising activities. This is being used to support the cost of running the weekly sports sessions.
Funds from the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Cerebral Palsy Association which were donated in 2021 have been used to purchase additional equipment and to support the cost of hiring venues and coaches prior to the receipt of the NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG grant.
The trustees have reviewed the funding requirements to support the charity’s activities over the next 1 to 3 years. A number of grant applications have been submitted and further applications will follow in early 2023.
Promotion of Opportunities
The trustees met with Blackpool Council personnel to discuss the planned Revoe Community Sports Village. The trustees remain concerned that the scope of the Revoe Community Sports Village is not inclusive and is restricted to football based activities.
The trustees met with Blackpool Council personnel on several occasions with a view to participating the “Ride the Lights” event scheduled for August 2022. Unfortunately it was not possible to agree suitable inclusive arrangements for this event which enabled disabled adults to safely participate. It is hoped that the organisers of the event will take account of the comments made so that suitable inclusive arrangements can be developed for the 2023 event.
Recognition of the Charity’s Work
The impact of the charity’s work on the community has been recognised by all three of the local authorities in which it operates.
Blackpool Council made an award for our “Contribution to Disability Sport”.
The “Health and Well Being” award was received from Fylde Council as part of their Active Community Awards scheme.
Wyre Council made an award under the “Contribution to Active Communities – Group” category.
Mrs Jenny Morris, one of the charity’s trustees, was identified as the “Volunteer of the Year” by Blackpool Council.
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Delivery of the Sports & Social Sessions
Participation in the sports sessions has grown steadily over the past year. The trustees have attempted to respond to the feedback from the members with additional sessions being run on a trial basis to confirm demand before being made permanent. Four sports sessions each week are now being run at three locations within the Fylde. Trial dance and women only football sessions were run, but attendance was not sufficient to justify making these permanent.
The graph below indicates the participation levels at the various sessions over the past year; 3783 attendances of beneficial members have been recorded. In order to maintain interest and make the sessions fun themes such “Halloween”, “Christmas” and “Summer Holidays” have been adopted. This has involved beneficial members, carer workers and the charity’s staff / volunteers dressing in accordance with the theme and prizes being awarded for the best outfits.
----- Start of picture text -----
Sports Sessions Attendance
1st November 2021 to 31st October 2022
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
BSC Multi-Sports 10 pin bowling
Netball St Anne's Multi-Sports
----- End of picture text -----
Multi-Sports Activities
Sessions have been held at Blackpool Sports Centre since May 2021. Follow the lifting the COVID restrictions the sessions are held between 10 am and 2pm and include a short lunch break around 12pm. These have been held on 41 occasions in the past year with an average of 40 members attending and a total of 1634 attendances.
The trustees arranged two sessions at the Palatine Sports Centre on 6[th] November and 18[th] December 2021 to determine the level of demand for a Saturday session. Whilst these were popular the charity was unable to secure hire of the sports hall on a regular basis at this venue. A second six week trial of a Saturday multi-sport session commenced on 11[th] June 2022 at YMCA St Anne’s which again proved to be popular.
Regular weekly sessions have been held since 9[th] August 2022 followed receipt of grant from the NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG. These sessions operate between 11am and 2pm and include a short lunch break. The average attendance of 15 beneficial members at the St Anne’s sessions is insufficient to fully cover the costs of hiring the venue and paying coaches. However, as many of the attendees had not previously participated in our activities, the
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trustees judge that these sessions have provided increased the opportunities and can be funded the medium term.
The multi-sport sessions are led by qualified coaches with volunteers helping to run the activities and providing encouragement to the participants. A number of group exercises and team games are played and the following activities are usually available.
Archery Basketball Boccia Cornhole Air Hockey Darts Kurling Table Tennis Skittles Snooker
Ten-Pin Bowling
Initially these sessions were held between 13:30 and 15:00 hrs each Monday at YMCA Thornton. Volunteers supervise the sessions and issue awards; qualified coaches are not used. Last November around 30 individuals attended the sessions, but attendance has steadily increased and on some occasions over 45 people wanted to play. To ensure that everyone had the opportunity to safely participate, the trustees agreed to extend the hire period of the bowling alley and created two separate sessions. Five lanes are available for use in the first session (12:30 to 13:45hrs), whilst all ten lanes are available at the second session (13:45 to 15:00hrs).
Treats are available for anyone who makes a strike and individuals who score more than 100 in a game are awarded a bowling badge. “Bowling Bingo” and “Glo Bowl” sessions are also held enabling the less able to win prizes.
Netball
A six week trail of running a netball session at YMCA Thornton commenced on 14[th] February 2022. This was supported by Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust who provided a coach. The trial demonstrated that there was sufficient demand for the activity and Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust agreed to supply a coach free of charge for these sessions. This enabled the sessions to be run within the allocated budget with an average attendance of 12 members. Unfortunately, the coaches supplied by Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust were unable attend every week and it was necessary for the charity to run the sessions using its own coaches. The agreement with Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust was terminated in September 2022.
To ensure consistency of approach and quality of instruction, the trustees agreed to pay for one of our coaches to obtain a netball coaching qualification. Since commencing the netball attendance has increased steadily and more than 18 members plus their carers routinely attend the sessions. The sessions have proved to be popular with the support staff and this has resulted in some of them forming their own netball team. The trustees are now consider whether the charity should have a team to play competitive matches with others of a similar ability.
Social Events
The Spring Party and AGM was held at The Village Hotel, Blackpool on 1[st] March 2022. This was attended by a total of 99 beneficial members, their carer workers as well as trustees, volunteers and staff.
A trial social evening involving Bingo and Karaoke was held at the Ashley Club, ThorntonCleveleys on 26[th] April 2022. This was attended by 21 beneficial members and demonstrated that there was a demand for such activities. The trustees agreed to establish a free to enter programme of social events at a suitable venue in the area.
Agreement for the free use of the function room at the Norbreck Tennis and Bowling club, Blackpool was obtained and eleven social evenings have been held since May 2022. A total of 197 beneficial members plus their carer workers have attended these events. These have
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sing-a-longs to popular musicals such as Grease and Mama Mia as well as bingo, card games and quizzes.
A Garden Party was held at St Bernadette’s School playing field on 1[st] June 2022 to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee and was attended by a total of 39 members. This involved a number of sports activities and games, a picnic and the visit of an ice-cream van. The trustees would like to thank Fr Peter Clarke for treating everyone to the ice-cream and the many local businesses for donating food and drink.
A walk through the illuminations along with a visit to the Shenanigans bar on Blackpool Promenade was held on 4[th] October 2022.
Seated Volley Ball at Blackpool Sports Centre
Relay Team Games at Blackpool Sports Centre
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Film Stars, The 80’s, Summer and Halloween Themed Sports Sessions
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Glo Bowling at YMCA Thornton
Queens Platinum Jubilee Garden Party – Team Games
Walk through Blackpool Illuminations
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Grease sing-a-long at Norbreck Tennis & Bowling Club
Netball and Hockey at YMCA St Anne’s
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Contact Details
Registered Office: 40 Normoss Road, Blackpool, FY3 0AL Telephone: 07859 916181 Email: info@togetherwecando.org Website: togetherwecando.org
Trustees
Carina Gribbon Doug Everard Rachel Lambert Jenny Morris Howard Robinson Tony Winter (Secretary) (Chair) Officials Maggie Winter Karen Kirkbride Michael Thwaites (Treasurer) (Project Co-ordinator) (Head Coach) Anne Marie Wilkson Joanne Thwaites (Welfare Officer) (Coach)
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Appendix 1 - Statement of Vison and Goals
Our Vision
Individuals with a disability have the opportunity to participate in exercise and sporting activities on a regular basis; can strive to achieve sporting excellence through competition and access sporting related social activities as part of a healthy lifestyle choice.
Our Goals
1. Provide safe, reliable, enjoyable and affordable sports and exercise experiences for members. To achieve this goal we will:
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a. Build partnerships with local authorities in the area, to improve usage of their sport and leisure facilities by disabled people; thus increasing participation in their organised exercise and sports activities.
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b. Work with local authorities and others to identify and secure suitable facilities to enable the charity to facilitate the organisation and running of an ongoing programme of exercise and sporting activities.
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c. Ensure that the potential for harm to members, coaches, instructors and volunteers is minimised by making sure that each scheduled sport and exercise activity is subject to a suitable risk assessment.
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d. Secure sufficient funding to enable an ongoing programme of sport, exercise and social events to be established and delivered.
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e. Ensure that sufficient qualified coaches / instructors and volunteers are available to support the delivery of programmed activities.
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f. Achieve and maintain compliance with the requirements of the Charities Commission and relevant affiliated organisations.
2. Enable members to improve their performance and experience competition. To achieve this goal we will:
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a. Ensure that coaches, instructors and volunteers encourage every member to participate to the best of their ability.
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b. Check that suitable “Sessions Plans” are developed and implemented for each organised exercise / sports activity.
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c. Encourage coaches, instructors and volunteers to seek opportunities for members to take part in appropriate competitive sports events.
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d. Work with members and where appropriate their families and carers, to enable their participation in suitable competitive events.
3. Enable members to have the opportunity to meet and socialise with others. To achieve this goal we will:
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a. Establish, at suitable venues, a programme of funded social events.
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b. Work with members and where appropriate their families and carers, to enable participation in the Charities programme of social events.
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– Appendix 2 List of Documents used by the Charity
| Document type and description | Issue | Issue Date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management | |||||||
| GoverningDocument | 1 | 10/11/20 | |||||
| Vision Statement & Goals | Issue 1 | 19/11/20 | |||||
| Roles Descriptions – Trustees,Officers & Volunteers | Issue 4 | Sept 2022 | |||||
| Policy & Procedures | |||||||
| Accidents,Incident and Complaints | Issue 1 | 22/1/21 | |||||
| Data Protection and Confidentiality | Issue 2 | 25/6/21 | |||||
| Equality& Diversity | Issue 1 | 13/1/21 | |||||
| Financial Controls | Issue 3 | Nov 22 | |||||
| Fundraising | |||||||
| Health and Safety | Issue 1 | 13/1/21 | |||||
| Management of multi-sports sessions@Blackpool Sports Centre | Issue 2 | June 22 | |||||
| Management of Netball and 10-pin bowling sessions @ YMCA Thornton |
Issue 2 | Sept 22 | |||||
| Management of sports sessions@YMCA St Anne’s | Issue 1 | Sept 22 | |||||
| Management of social sessions @ Norbreck Tennis & Bowling Club |
Issue 1 | Sept 22 | |||||
| MembershipConditions and Administration | Issue 1 | 3/12/20 | |||||
| Make of Grants | Issue 1 | 19/2/21 | |||||
| Recruitment & Trainingof Coaches & Volunteers | Issue 1 | 3/12/20 | |||||
| Safeguarding& Welfare of Members | Issue 1a | 25/6/21 | |||||
| IT and Social Media | Issue 1 | 19/2/21 | |||||
| Risk Assessment & Instructions | |||||||
| Risk Assessment - Blackpool Sports Centre | Issue 2 | Sept 22 | |||||
| Action in the Event of Fire at BSC | Issue 1 | 15/5/21 | |||||
| Risk Assessment – YMCA Thornton | Issue 1 | 24/7/21 | |||||
| Action in the Event of Fire at YMCA Thornton | Issue 1 | 24/7/21 | |||||
| Risk Assessment – Palatine Leisure Centre | Issue 1 | 26/10/21 | |||||
| Action in the Event of Fire at Palatine Leisure Centre | Issue 1 | 26/10/21 | |||||
| Risk Assessment – St Anne’s Sports Centre | Issue 1 | June 22 | |||||
| Action in the Event of Fire at YMCA St Annes | Issue 1 | June 22 | |||||
| Risk Assessment – Social Sessions at Norbreck and Bispham Tennis Club |
Issue 1 | Sept 22 | |||||
| Action in the Event of Fire at Norbreck and Bispham Tennis Club | Issue 1 | Sept 22 | |||||
| Documents & Forms | |||||||
| Coach/Instructor/Volunteer Application Form | Issue 2 | 24/2/21 | |||||
| Code of Conduct for Coach/Instructor/Volunteer | Issue 1 | 3/12/20 | |||||
| MembershipForm - 2022 | Issue 2 | April 22 | |||||
| Code of Conduct & MembershipConditions | Issue 2 | 15/5/21 |
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– Appendix 2 List of Documents used by the Charity
| Document type and description | Issue | Issue Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code of Conduct for Parents & Carers | Issue 2 | April 22 | ||||
| Session Attendance & Receipts Sheet | Issue 2 | Nov 22 | ||||
| Session Attendance Register for Carers,Staff and Volunteers | Issue 2 | April 21 | ||||
| Note to Carers & Parents | Issue 2 | April 22 | ||||
| Session Plan & Record – Template | Issue 1 | 13/1/21 | ||||
| Sports/Social Overall Session Plan & Record | Issue 2 | 11/6/21 | ||||
| Session Plan & Record – Boccia & Curling | Issue 2 | 11/6/21 | ||||
| Session Plan & Record – Archery,Darts & Throwing | Issue 1 | 11/6/21 | ||||
| Session Records and Incident Book | ||||||
| Compliments and Complaint Form | Issue 1 | 22/1/21 | ||||
| Significant Equipment Inventory | Issue 1 | 20/10/21 | ||||
| Ad-hoc Expenditure Form | Issue 1 | 26/11/20 | ||||
| Purchase Order Agreement | Issue 1 | 9/4/21 | ||||
| Staff Leave Sheet | Issue 1 | April 22 | ||||
| Staff Time Sheet | Issue 2 | April 22 |
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The Trustees would like to thank the following organisations for their support
Fylde and Wyre CCG
Registered Charity No.1192282
Summary of Income & Expenditure
1[st] November 2021 to 31[st] October 2022
| Current Account balance on 31st October 2021 | Current Account balance on 31st October 2021 | £33,603.93 |
|---|---|---|
| Sports & Social Activities | Expenditure | Income |
| Staff & Coaching | £17,269 | |
| Venue Hire | £6,209 | |
| Membership& Session Fees | £20,383 | |
| Social Events | £2,186 | £1,150 |
| Polo Shirts | £870 | |
| Administration & Equipment | ||
| Administration | £2,147 | |
| Equipment | £2,524 | |
| Training | £864 | |
| Fundraising, Donations & Grants | ||
| Fundraising& Donations | £202 | £2,146 |
| Grants | £15,000 | |
| Totals | £32,271 | £38680 |
| Deficit/ Surplus | £6,409 | |
| Current Account balance on 31st October 2022 | £40,013 |
Note:
Accounts have be subject to independent examination and approval by the trustees
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ELAND AND WAIES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trustaesl members of Together We Can Do On accounts for the year ended Charity no lif any) 1192282 Set out on pago8 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Twst") for the year ended Responsibiltles and basis of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsib58 for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chartties Act 2011 (Yhe Acr). I report in mpe<* of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Garying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions gEven by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(b) of the Art. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attents.on in connection wtih the examination (other than that disclosed beli)w ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material the accounting records were not ke in accordance with section 130 of the Chartties Act: or the accounts did not acrd with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply wtth the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the iiccounts give a and fairf Niew which 1$ not a matter Considered as part of an independent examination. I have no con¢ems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shoukl be drabvn in this report in order lo enable a woper understanding of th8 accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in tha tjrackets rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Date: 2S Name: IER Oct 2018