## **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK CIO** **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** Registered Charity Number: 1193800 **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** **The Trustees of the Lymphoedema Support Network (1018749) transferred to the Lymphoedema Support Network (1193800). They will be formally elected to the LSN CIO at the first AGM of the organisation due to take place in September 2022. Those Trustees listed below served both organisations during the transition period ending on the 31[st of] March 2022.** Anita Wallace MBE Chair - Elected Linda Patel Hon Secretary - Elected Jill Babington Treasurer - Elected Denise Hardy Nurse Advisor - Elected Jed Bailey Elected Liz Cooley Elected Philippa Laughton Elected Brenda Thomas Elected Ruth Yeeles Elected ## **BANKERS:** HSBC 95 Gloucester Rd South Kensington London SW7 4SX ## **ACCOUNTANT:** Henson Rees Russell 4 South Bar Street Banbury Oxon OX16 9AA Page 2 of 6 **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** The LSN CIO has been formed as a development from the original charity Lymphoedema Support Network (1018749) following a directive received from its membership. Legal advice was obtained from Hempsons LLP, and all appropriate actions undertaken to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. On the 15[th ] March 2021 the Charity Commission issued us with the new charity number for the CIO. Following a meeting of the LSN members, carried out virtually in January 2022, with permission from the Charity Commission, a vesting agreement was signed to transfer all assets of the LSN charity number 1018749 to Lymphoedema Support Network Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered charity number 1193800. This transfer of assets took place on the 31[st ] March 2022. A statement to the effect is produced at the end of this report. The two organisations co-existed whilst the process of transition was completed although the Lymphoedema Support Network CIO had no financial dealings up to the end of 31[st] March 2022. The aims and objectives of the CIO for the next financial period have been transferred from the previous incarnation of the charity to ensure a seamless experience for members and the wider lymphoedema community. ## **MISSION STATEMENT** **‘The Lymphoedema Support Network represents, supports and empowers people affected by lymphoedema, promotes awareness of the condition and campaigns for appropriate, equitable treatment for all.’** ## **THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY** The Lymphoedema Support Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. The LSN is established for the relief of persons suffering from lymphoedema and to advance education of the public on the subject of lymphoedema. It does this by providing information and support to people with lymphoedema and promoting better awareness of lymphoedema as a major health condition to local health authorities, healthcare professionals, politicians and the general public. It also promotes a network of support groups throughout the UK for people with lymphoedema. The Lymphoedema Support Network CIO has exclusively charitable objectives, the work to achieve those objectives is decided each year at a Trustee awayday and is informed by the LSN membership and wider lymphoedema community. When deciding workstreams, the Trustees are minded of the Public Benefit requirements of the Charity Commission of England and Wales and ensure the organisation continues to work for the benefit of those living with or affected by the medical condition Lymphoedema. ## **THE ORGANISATION AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS** The Charity is governed by a constitution. It is managed by a Board of Trustees which meets on a regular basis throughout the year and votes to ensure that decisions are approved by a majority. Several of the Trustees meet regularly in the office to work on various projects and oversee the dayto-day running of the Charity. ## **Trustees** Trustees are recruited from within the organisation utilising the members’ newsletter, LymphLine, except for the Nurse Advisor, who is appointed according to clinical experience and expertise. The Board of Trustees shall consist of a maximum of 14 individuals and a minimum of 6, of which no Page 3 of 6 **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** more than one shall be a healthcare professional specialising in lymphoedema and no less than two shall have lymphoedema. The LSN is actively looking to recruit new Trustees from the younger lymphoedema populations and to increase the diversity of its board. ## **THE CHARITY’S POLICY ON RESERVES** The Trustees have considered the appropriate level of reserves that should be maintained to give the Charity the ability to continue operating for a reasonable period of time, and this has been agreed at a minimum of three months with an ideal of six months. ## **RISKS** The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances, and are satisfied that internal control systems are adequate, and procedures are in place to mitigate any exposure to the major risks. It is acknowledged that the reduction in income due to COVID-19 adversely affected the available funds transferred to the CIO and has not left the organisation in a strong financial position. ## **PRIORITIES FOR THE LSN IN THE COMING PERIOD** The LSN reviews its priorities utilising member opinion and virtual Trustee meetings and a virtual Trustee awayday was held in January 2022. From this, a number of priorities were set that are carried over to the LSN CIO for the financial year ending 31[st] March 2023. These objectives run alongside our ongoing work such as the information and support line, the support of local lymphoedema groups and partnership working with other relevant organisations and individuals. - To continue to populate, utilise and maximise our social media outlets. - To publish the LSN self-management book. - To continue to provide high-level information and support, in light of ongoing increased demand. - To recruit Trustees to reflect a greater diversity. - To create working groups from among the LSN Trustees and staff to cover the following areas and priorities: |**Finance and processes -**To rationalise our processes to optimise staff time and cost-effective|**Finance and processes -**To rationalise our processes to optimise staff time and cost-effective| |---|---| ||working.| ||To set and review budgets for the organisation.| |**Spreading the word -**|To raise the profile of the LSN and the work we do both within the| ||lymphoedema world and beyond.| |**Reaching everybody -**|To make LSN information and support accessible to a wider group of| ||people both to support them and to maintain and increase our relevancy.| ||We will actively identify gaps in information provision either in terms of| ||what or how something is needed.| |**Fundraising -**|We will raise funds to secure the short and long term survival of the LSN.| Page 4 of 6 **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK** ## **TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** ## **1. Current legislation** The Financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2022 have been drawn up to comply with the Charities Act 2011. There are three significant requirements of the act, namely: 1. To analyse expenditure between the costs of generating funds, the costs of undertaking Charitable Activities and the costs of Governance. 2. To segregate the funds of the Charity between those funds that are restricted in the application, those funds that are designated for specific purposes and those funds which are general in nature. 3. The Act lays down the requirements for a Statutory Audit (applicable to Charities with income/expenditure in excess of £250,000) or for smaller Charities to have their accounts examined by an independent person or body who is competent to express an opinion on the said accounts. ## **2. Results for the Year** There has been no financial activity for this financial year. Transfer of assets was successfully achieved on the 31[st ] March 2022 and attached is a statement from our auditors attesting to this. Anita Wallace MBE, Chair Date: 14[th] September 2022 Page 5 of 6 **LYMPHOEDEMA SUPPORT NETWORK** ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022** Page 6 of 6