Just Friends Trustees Report for the year to 30[th] June 2024
The Trustees, very aware of our Constitution, have continued providing services to those living alone, including Carers, in East Sussex including branch social meetings, walking and lunch groups and events covering coach excursions and in-house tea parties and much more. We continuously seek those living alone, helping them to overcome isolation and re-engage with the community.
All activities are arranged after assessing risk management and in conjunction with the many policies in place required by the Charity Commission and some that are deemed optional.
The Charity has the required insurance in place and are members of the various professional organisations recommended by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees, namely F. Smith, H. Broad, L Strevens (who last year was Lisa Harris), G. Wills, T Elliott and B Angus are delighted we are able to continue with our NO MEMBERSHIP FEE policy, which is always well accepted during these difficult economic times. We also subsidise events where possible thus making them more affordable to members.
Our numbers have now exceeded 600 and we still aim to increase membership where possible as there are, literally, millions of people living alone. Of course we lose some due to the natural process but the number increases week by week. Our awareness programme includes table displays in supermarkets where we are able to connect directly with the public in our endeavours to reach potential members.
During the year we engaged the services of Nicki Watts as Administrator and delighted to confirm she is still in that important role and performing in a most satisfactory manner.
A new Branches Manager started a 1 year contract on 1[st] September 2023 but it was not renewed so we are now in the process of advertising for a replacement, hopefully to start in the New Year.
Meanwhile, Teri Sayers is in position as a temporary Branches Manager and taking up the position of Chief Executive Officer on 1[st] January 2025 on a 6 month contract.
All contracts are offered subject to the amount committed to is actually in our bank balance, otherwise we would be committing fraud.
Many Charities who were funded by the Government have had their support withdrawn so they have entered the general marketplace applying for funding, whilst some Trusts and Foundations have ceased to exist. Those remaining state there are less funds available which means Charities are now, and no doubt for some time to come, going to find it very difficult to raise funding for their activities and especially the funding of salaries.
During the year we recruited two Trustees, T Elliott and B Angus but unfortunately Tracey Elliott has resigned as a Trustee but pledged to continue in her role of Leading Grant Applications but in a limited way depending on family commitments.
We are delighted with the surplus £39,104 generated during the year and this has given us the opportunity to increase our reserves from £8,000 to £15,000 which are “ring fenced” should the Charity ever find itself in a position of ceasing activities.
Future Growth and Development are set out in our 5 year plan, with growth of existing branches in Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne and Newhaven expected to increase membership, whilst new branches are planned for a Brighton branch opening on 28[th] October and, depending on resources, a further branch opening in Spring for Hove/Portslade. We are looking to reach 1,000 members quite soon. During the
months ahead we shall be looking at the benefits of collaborating more closely with other Charities as often together we can achieve more than the two acting independently.
Volunteers and Trustees are difficult to recruit and we can only endorse recent findings that show virtually every Charity is experiencing these problems. Though the current year is providing us with many challenges the Trustees are determined to overcome the problems that are besetting the sector and adopt a positive at ude for the future.
Our finances are in very good order thanks to the Treasurer and we have cash at bank to fulfil the 2024/2025 budget. Strict rules and disciplines are maintained and have been the reasons for being, at this stage, in a financially healthy situation. Now in October we look forward to the remainder of the financial year with a positive approach. The Chair requested this report include his thanks for the support and enthusiasm shown by the Trustees in achieving the successful year to 30[th] June 2024.
----- Start of picture text -----
Just Friends 1196623
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 01-Jul-23 30-Jun-24
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Grants 59,038 - - 59,038 43,150
Donations 4,346 - - 4,346 97
Events 10,179 - - 10,179 7,260
Branches 3,011 - - 3,011 2,783
Sundry 8 - - 8 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
76,582 - - 76,582 53,290
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 76,582 - - 76,582 53,290
A3 Payments
Events 14,420 - - 14,420 12,090
Admin costs 851 - - 851 3,594
Audit fee 330 - - 330 300
Insurance 96 - - 96 -
Website/IT 1,253 - - 1,253 352
Promotional items 140 - - 140 728
Admin Salary 18,857 - - 18,857 12,019
Branches costs 1,441 - - 1,441 -
Professional fees 90 - - 90 -
Sub total [ 37,478 ] - - 37,478 29,083
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 37,478 - - 37,478 29,083
Net of receipts/(payments) 39,104 - - 39,104 24,207
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 51,617 - - 51,617 27,410
Cash funds this year end 90,721 - - 90,721 51,617
----- End of picture text -----
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
24/10/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Bank account Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Prepaid event expense Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 90,721 - - - - - 90,721 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
24/10/2024
2
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages |
Just Friends |
|---|---|
| 30 June 2024 Charity no (if any) 1196623 |
|
| CC16a pages 1 -2 Trustees Report pages 1-2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30 June 2023. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Name: George Dylan Message Relevant professional Chartered Accountant (FCA) qualification(s) or body Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) (if any): Address: Price & Company 30-32 Gildredge Road Eastbourne BN21 4SH
Date: 22 October 2024
1
October 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of No matters of concern. any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
October 2018
IER