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2022-12-31-accounts

Charity number 1193551

Create Strength Group CIO

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

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Create Strength Group CIO

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 6
Examiner's report 7
Receipts and payments account 8
Statement of assets and liabilities 9
Notes to the accounts 10 to 12

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

Create Strength Group CIO

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2022

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Gabriel Stoltz Chair Melva Burton Vice chair Rosemary Phillips Secretary Wayne Redmond resigned 8 June 2022 Paddy Gallagher appointed 24 Aug 2022 Craig Chambers appointed 11 Feb 2022, resigned 28 April 2022

Charity number 1193551 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers 35 Salem Street, Charities Aid Foundation Bradford 25 Kings Hill Ave BD1 4QH Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4TA

Independent examiner

Katy Sargeant ACA West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) foundation formed on 16 February 2021 and is governed by a constitution.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are appointed by the trustees at a duly convened meeting.

2

Create Strength Group CIO

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2022

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

The relief of the physical and mental sickness of persons in need by reason of addiction to cannabis, spice, novel psychoactive substances (nps - previously referred to as ‘legal highs’) and other substances and to promote their rehabilitation in particular but not exclusively by:

To encourage, develop and support the pursuit of education and training within our membership. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the cio for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with [section 7 of the charities and trustee investment (scotland) act 2005] and [section 2 of the charities act (northern ireland) 2008.

The charity's main activities

Create Strength Group provides support to chronic users of cannabis, spice and legal highs and their families. We host mutual aid support groups across West Yorkshire and online, where experience and advice are shared in a safe, non-judgemental, abstinence-based user led environment. The group's services also include training and research.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular

3

Create Strength Group CIO

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2022

Achievements and performance

2022 has proved CSG’s best year to date in terms of developmental growth. The current political and sector climate is creating unprecedented opportunities for Create Strength Group to deliver our unique, innovative, and much needed programmes.

As part of our ongoing National Lottery Reaching Communities (NLRC) Foundation Project we are performing to plan and on-budget with performance KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) on-target.

In October we filed our first set of financial accounts to the Charity Commission , completing a development Plan milestone necessary in order for us to participate in wider revenue streams.

In July we began delivery of our first project outside Bradford. As part of the Queen Street Resilience Project, we began to support beneficiaries with complex needs in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. With support from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Target Housing we delivered a programme of interventions supporting people who had largely been marginalised and had slipped through the net of traditional support networks.

2022 also saw the completion of the Cleaner Streets Campaign phase of our Nitrous Oxide Project . This ongoing mapping, and scoping exercise also includes awareness and training offering in addition to environmentally sound and community-based liaison.

Our core support networks of face-to-face (f2f) online, physical and hybrid meetings were complemented by offering one-to-one (1-2-1) appointments both online and f2f in our dedicated room at 29 Salem Street. Attendances are returning to a stable state far in excess of pre-pandemic numbers.

As an organisation with a remit for independence and self-sufficiency we have continued to follow a path of diversity in terms of securing financial input. 2022 saw a turning point by not only securing our first Local Authority Commission , but by being part of a winning consortium to deliver Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services across the Bradford District.

As part of our ongoing development plan we undertook an internal review, investigating the performance and impact of the organisation with emphasis on Resources and Infrastructure, Training and education, Social Enterprise and Self-Funding, the Mutual Aid Network and the area of Research, Publication, and Information Advocacy. In addition to reporting their findings, the report authors included a number of recommendations that we intend to explore and develop.

In addition CSG became a registered partner of the Prisons and Probation Service in managing Community Service Order placements. This benefits our associates who have been placed on such orders and it bolsters our volunteer programme. In addition it strengthens our associates’ bond with the group and reinforces rehabilitation and recovery.

4

Create Strength Group CIO

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2022

Since our formation in March 2015, over 479 members and their families have benefitted from our services. We have for example, hosted over 1,200 regular meetings in 6 different venues including 705 held online. We now provide face-to-face (f2f) physical and hybrid meetings in addition to over 150 one-to-one (1-2-1) sessions.

Our commitment to attract more women into our support network is beginning to bear fruit. We now have an engagement rate of 28% (1% increase compared with 2021).

2022 was a ground-breaking year for us as we launched our first ever hybrid meeting on 05/07/2022. As Covid restrictions were lifted from venues we began to offer more f2f meetings. We quickly picked up the skills and infrastructure needed to operate this new way of working and the Tuesday Fire Station meeting returns the highest attendance figure of all our support groups.

Ongoing facilitation training development is a vital part to our expansion plans. We have introduced Facilitation taster sessions to introduce our associates to new roles and opportunities. Furthermore we are looking to develop our recovery training as part of our meeting support plans.

2022 Milestones include:

5

Create Strength Group CIO

Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2022

Group member testimonials

“The cannabis, spice and legal highs group was one of my first experiences of recovery 3 years ago and I've been engaging with them ever since. I’ve tried other forms of recovery, but this group has helped me the most. I’ve learnt a lot about how my brain works, how chemicals within substances effect the body and gathered many tools that I implement on a daily basis to help me stay clean.

Above all, I've met people that I can relate to, share similar experiences and formed friendships within this group. “

Tom Support Group Member since 31/05/2019 – Bradford

I came to the Cannabis, Spice and Legal Highs Group in August 2019 after being released from prison. Since then, I have regularly attended meeting and now provide support as an Admin team member. With encouragement from the group, I have been able to rebuild my life and put things in place to create a better future – from receiving my forklift licences to achieving level 1 and level 2 NVQs in adult health and social care.

PG father, grandfather, son. Abstinent since 9[th] August 2019

In 2019 our 19-year-old son was dismissed by his employer for taking drugs onto work premises. Bewildered, frightened, and very much out of our depth, my husband and I struggled to cope with the trauma. We turned to CSLHG for support and were welcomed with open arms. The support our son, and our family received was second to none and transformed our lives. Our son received one on one and group support, educating him to understand the precipice on which he stood and helped him to realise how he could take control of his life.

As parents, we too received practical advice and support - the family member group is certainly a powerful force!

RAP-CJM Family Group member - Preston Lancashire

Financial review

The net receipts for the year were £31,463, including net receipts of £23,498 on unrestricted funds and net receipts of £7,965 on restricted funds after transfers.

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves, at the year end were £23,789.

The charity does not have a reserves policy.

Approved by the board of trustees on 14/10/2023

Gabriel Stoltz (Trustee)

6

Create Strength Group CIO

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Create Strength Group CIO

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO 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 CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Katy Sargeant ACA

14/10/2023

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

7

Create Strength Group CIO

Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 December 2022

Notes
2022
Unrestricted
funds
£
Receipts
Grants and donations
(2)
296
Contract income
21,667
Other income
500
Transfer on incorporation
-
Bank interest
30
Total receipts
22,493
Payments
Salaries NI and pensions
27
Freelance workers
-
Project expenses
-
Volunteer expenses
-
Travel and accommodation
-
IT and software
-
Materials and resources
-
Food and refreshments
-
Advertising and publicity
-
Printing, stationery and postage
-
Equipment
-
Subscriptions
-
Insurance
-
Phone
22
Meeting costs
-
Other services
-
Bank charges
81
Independent examination fee
480
Rent
-
Recruitment costs
-
Total payments
610
Net receipts / (payments)
21,883
Fund balances brought forward
291
Fund balances carried forward
(3)
23,789		 2022
Restricted
funds
£
76,845
-
-
-
-
76,845
42,415
4,105
3,003
633
976
2,150
404
80
3,522
198
650
447
336
708
2,304
-
-
-
5,185
149
67,265
9,580
16,328
24,293		 2022
Total
funds
£
77,141
21,667
500
-
30
99,338
42,442
4,105
3,003
633
976
2,150
404
80
3,522
198
650
447
336
730
2,304
-
81
480
5,185
149
67,875
31,463
16,619
48,082		 2021
Total
funds
£
45,030
999
11
9,239
-
55,279
18,099
6,000
816
1,955
646
2,076
3,756
227
2,029
84
1,228
264
30
100
1,202
63
85
-
-
-
38,660
16,619
-
16,619

8

Create Strength Group CIO Statement of assets and liabilities

as at 31 December 2022
2022
Unrestricted
£
Cash funds
Cash at bank
23,768
Cash in hand
21
Total cash funds
23,789
Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
Liabilities
Amounts received on account for contracts
Accruals
Taxation and social security
Other creditors		 2022
Restricted
£
24,293
-
24,293		 2022
Total
£
48,061
21
48,082
2022
£
10
112
122
2022
£
21,667
900
1,695
226
24,488		 2021
Total
£
16,619
-
16,619

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 14/10/2023

Gabriel Stoltz (Trustee)

9

Create Strength Group CIO

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

10

Create Strength Group CIO

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2022

2 Grants and donations
City of Bradford Met. Dist. Council (CBMDC)
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)
Bradford VCS Alliance
Other donations
3 Restricted funds
Balance b/f
£
NLCF Covid 19
306
NLCF Reaching Communities
12,675
CBMDC MH project
291
CBMDC Cleaner streets
2,000
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
-
Bradford VCS Alliance
1,056
16,328		 2022
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
296
296
Incoming
£
-
67,995
-
-
8,850
-
76,845		 2022
Restricted
funds
£
-
8,850
67,995
-
-
76,845
Outgoing
£
-
58,781
38
1,543
6,903
-
67,265		 2022
Total
funds
£
-
8,850
67,995
-
296
77,141
Transfers
£
(306)
-
(253)
-
-
(1,056)
(1,615)		 2021
Total
funds
£
6,275
-
37,155
1,533
67
45,030
Balance c/f
£
-
21,889
-
457
1,947
-
24,293

Fund name

NLCF Covid 19

NLCF Reaching Communities CBMDC MH project

CBMDC Cleaner streets

Coalfields Regeneration Trust Bradford VCS Alliance

Purpose of restriction

To support delivery due to the extension of the lockdown.The transfer was to reallocate the unspent balance at the end of the grant to unrestricted funds (with funders permission).

Towards the ongoing Create Strength Foundation Project. Towards the costs of mental health workshops and social events. The transfer was to reallocate the unspent balance at the end of the grant to unrestricted funds (with funders permission).

Towards the costs of the nitrous oxide project, litter picking and awareness raising.

To deliver a range of health and wellbeing, skills and employment focused activities, workshops, groups and services for homeless adults. Towards the costs of taster sessions. The transfer was to reallocate the unspent balance at the end of the grant to unrestricted funds (with funders permission).

11

Create Strength Group CIO

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 December 2022

4 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

During the year 1 trustee was paid a total of £201 in respect of travel (previous year: nil).

Trustee remuneration and benefits
Details of remuneration and benefits
Patrick Gallagher
Reason for remuneration
The trustee received the payments in respect of sessional delivery work.		 2022
£
506
506		 2021
£
-
-

Legal authority for the payment

The legal authority for the payment is via a provision within the charity's governing document.

12