Charity registration number 1194111
BAGS FOR STRIFE
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
PM+M Solutions for Business LLP Chartered Accountants New Century House Greenbank Technology Park Challenge Way Blackburn Lancashire BB1 5QB
BAGS FOR STRIFE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | A Allen |
|---|---|
| J Dugdale | |
| O Allen | |
| A Allen | |
| N Fell | |
| A Moorhouse | |
| Charity number | 1194111 |
| Principal address | Room 103, 1 Exchange |
| Blackburn | |
| Lancashire | |
| BB1 7JN | |
| Independent examiner | PM+M Solutions for Business LLP |
| New Century House | |
| Greenbank Technology Park | |
| Challenge Way | |
| Blackburn | |
| Lancashire | |
| BB1 5QB |
BAGS FOR STRIFE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 6 - 9 |
BAGS FOR STRIFE
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the chairty's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "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).
Objectives, activities and public benefit
The object of the CIO is the relief of those in need who have been affected by loss through suicide by providing such support, education and training as the trustees deem appropriate, in particular but not exclusively by;
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Educating members of society of the impact of suicide and providing them with the capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in order for them to support those directly affected by loss through suicide; and
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Providing practical support bags to those who have been affected by suicide and adapted accordingly to help with matters such as information to navigate their path through the immediacy of planning a funeral, contact with the coroner, media management, emotional support and advice to help their mental health and resilience both for the immediate and long term.
Bags for Strife is a charity set up by people who have lost loved ones to suicide. They have all experienced blame, anger, guilt and sadness. Now they want to share what helps them, to help those whose journey has just begun.
In establishing the objects and activities, the trustees have had due regard to the charity guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and performance
The period to 31 March 2023 saw the trustees continue to run the charity in accordance with its aims. The trustees overhauled the marketing strategy which has enabled the charity to grow their reach and help support people from across the UK. By the end of March 2023 the charity had provided over 1,000 bags of support via direct enquiries, multiple police force partnerships, other agencies and charitable organisations. The charity has built on partnerships in place from the previous year, adding educational organisations such as schools and universities, as well as GP surgeries and the prison service.
Financial review and reserves
Total income for the year was £42,095 and expenditure was £17,814. At the end of the year the charity had unrestricted funds of £64,021. The Trustees review reserves on a regular basis. The reserves policy is to ensure that there are enough reserves to be able to fulfil the provision of bags for 6 months, in the event of no donations for a period of time. On this basis, the minimum level of reserves considered to be adequate by the trustees is £8,000.
Plans for future periods
The charity is aiming to increase the number of police forces we work with, and widen our reach across the UK. The charity is currently working on a new version of the bag aimed at children bereaved by suicide.
Structure, governance and management
Bags for Strife is a CIO Foundation, registered 16th April 2021 as a charity in England and Wales Charity no. 1194111. The charity's day to day operational running is managed by Trustees as the charity becomes established.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: A Allen
J Dugdale O Allen A Allen N Fell A Moorhouse
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The charity considers its key management personnel which comprise of six Trustees. Trustees are appointed by the current Trustees.
Risk review
The Trustees have put in place procedures to mitigate the risks of the charity.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
.............................. A Allen Trustee
Date: ............................................. 17/01/2024
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BAGS FOR STRIFE
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Bags For Strife (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the ’s financial statements 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 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 chairty as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Ceri Dixon BSc (Hons) ACA
PM+M Solutions for Business LLP
New Century House Greenbank Technology Park Challenge Way Blackburn Lancashire BB1 5QB
Dated: ......................... 17/01/2024
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| **Unrestricted ** | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 42,015 | 51,289 |
| Other income | 3 | 80 | - |
| Total income | 42,095 | 51,289 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 17,814 | 11,549 |
| Net income for the year/ | |||
| Net movement in funds | 24,281 | 39,740 | |
| Fund balances at 1 April 2022 | 39,740 | - | |
| Fund balances at 31 March 2023 | 64,021 | 39,740 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 6 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
| Notes Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Income funds Unrestricted funds |
2023 £ 106 64,515 64,621 (600) |
£ 64,021 64,021 64,021 |
2022 £ 18,034 23,003 41,037 (1,297) |
£ 39,740 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39,740 | ||||
| 39,740 |
The notes on pages 6 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
17/01/2024 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
.............................. A Allen Trustee
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Bags for Strife is a charity who provide a bag of support, help and advice to anyone bereaved by suicide.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the chairty's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The chairty is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The chairty has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the chairty. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the chairty has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
1.4 Income
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the chairty has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the chairty has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2 Donations and legacies
| **Unrestricted ** | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Donations and gifts | 42,015 | 48,289 | |
| Grant income | - | 3,000 | |
| 42,015 | 51,289 | ||
| Donations and gifts | |||
| Donations | 35,815 | 39,891 | |
| Corporate donations | 6,200 | 8,398 | |
| 42,015 | 48,289 | ||
| 3 | Other income | ||
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| funds | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Interest received | 80 | - | |
| 4 | Charitable activities | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Bags & contents | 16,335 | 11,315 | |
| Share of support costs (see note 5) | 1,479 | 234 | |
| 17,814 | 11,549 |
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 5 Support costs Support costs Governance costs £ £ Bank Charges 72 - Other professional services - - Subscriptions 216 - Accountacy 600 - Advertising 188 - Printing, Postage and Stationary 168 - Web hosting 235 - 1,479 - Analysed between Charitable activities 1,479 - |
2023 Support costs Governance costs £ £ £ 72 48 - - 150 - 216 36 - 600 - - 188 - - 168 - - 235 - - 1,479 234 - 1,479 234 - |
2022 £ 48 150 36 - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 234 | ||
| 234 |
6 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the chairty during the year.
7 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Number | Number | ||
| Total | - | - | |
| There were no employees employed in 2023 (2022 - 0), only volunteers. | |||
| There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. | |||
| 8 | Debtors | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Amounts falling due within one year: | £ | £ | |
| Accrued income | 106 | 18,034 |
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BAGS FOR STRIFE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| 9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2023 £ - 600 600 |
2022 £ 1,297 - |
|---|---|---|
| 1,297 |
10 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).
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