## **HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP** ## **Annual Report and Financial Statement** ## **For Year Ending 2023** **Charity Registration Number: 1199840** ## **Contents** 1. Introduction 2. Chairman’s Summary 3. Our Organisation and Its Aims 4. Charitable Objectives and The Public Benefit 5. Performance & Achievements 6. Financial Statement and Independent Examiner’s Report 7. Structure, Governance and Management 8. Reference and Administrative Details 9. Declarations 1 ## **1. Introduction** This report outlines the work Heartlink carried out in 2023, including key milestones and achievements. It details the activities, initiatives, events, financial performance, and the impact Heartlink made in terms of the public benefit, supporting those suffering from heart disease. ## **1.1 Heart disease in Ealing – is the reason we exist** Local heart and circulatory disease information from the British Heart Foundation, based on statistics from official surveys and data sources. ## **The London Borough of Ealing** : Around 32,000 people are living with heart and circulatory diseases in Ealing. Around 11,000 people are living with coronary heart disease in Ealing. Around 2900 people have been diagnosed with heart failure by their GP in Ealing. Around 58,000 people in Ealing have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Around 34,000 adults have been diagnosed with diabetes in Ealing. ## **Also in the Borough of Ealing:** 20% of adults in Ealing have obesity. 33% of adults in Ealing do not meet physical activity recommendations. Around 10% of adults in Ealing smoke. Heart and circulatory diseases are the cause of nearly one in four deaths in Ealing. Heart and circulatory diseases cause 45 deaths each month in Ealing. Every 16 hours, someone dies from heart or circulatory disease in Ealing. ## **and......** There are around 5000 stroke survivors in Ealing. Around 5300 people have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in Ealing. Around 3500 people have a faulty gene that can cause an inherited heart related condition. Around 30 babies a year are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in Ealing. **we exist in order to** help support people with heart and circulatory diseases in Ealing because these conditions are very common and have a big impact on daily life. Many people facing health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, need more than just medical treatment. They also need emotional support, practical help, and guidance to manage their conditions. Providing this support helps improve their quality of life, assists them in handling their health challenges, and hopefully eases the burden on local healthcare services. A strong support network can offer valuable resources, build community connections, and help people manage their health better, especially in an area where there are significant medical needs. 2 Chainnan's Summary Dear Members. Trustee5 and Friends. l am pleased to present this year's Chairman's Report. highlighting our collective efftjrts and achievements over the past year. The report refletts what we have all achleved. Heartlink has helped thousands of local heart patients since it was founded in 1994, initially operating as a local heart support group. In 2022. we took the bold step of becomin8 a registered charity, operating under the oversight of the Charity Commission. This move has allowed us to significantly expand our role and work. Firstly, I would like to extend my heathlt grathude to our Trustee5 for their unwavering support and dedication. Their guidance and commitment have been instrumental in steering Heartlink towards tts goals. Likewise. the help and support from our members have been invaluable. Your artive participation and encouragement have been key to our successes. l also want to express my deepest appreciation to our Incredible volunteers. Their selfless dedication and tireless efforts are the backbone of our organisation. Whether they assisted at events, offering their expertise, or simply lending a helping hand, their contributions have made a profound difference. It's their passion and generosity that truly brings our mission to life. and we couldn't do it without them. They really are the"heart" In Heartllnk. One of our most significant initiatives this year was the launch of our Heart Health Campalgn In the community. This campaign has been pivotal in raisin8 awareness of heart health, providin8 essential information. and promoting healthier lrfestyles.The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating a strong commitment by people to improving their own heart health. We undertook over fifteen successful visits to community groups. health centres. businesses, nd schools, where we engaged with the public. shared knowledge, and received valuable feedback. These interactions have not only strengthened our community ties but have also prowded us with insights to better serve those affected by cardiovascular diseases. l am incredlbly proud of our Committee's effort& Their dedication, hard work. and passion for Heartlink's cause have been truty inspiring. Together, we have made a significant impact on patients and communities, and we have also met vital fvndraising milestones. These achievements will enable us tofurther our mlssion and extend our reach. In closin& I want to thank everyone involved for their continuing support and contribution5. It is through our collective effortsthat we continue to make a significant impact in the fight against heart disease. Thank you to all for everythlngyou did, and for being an essential part of our Heartllnk family. With gratitude. Bemard Diamant Chairman ## **3. The Organisation, Its Aims and Objectives** ## **3.1 Who We Are** Heartlink is a local charity run by heart patients for heart patients, their families and carers. It serves the borough of Ealing and surrounding areas.The group was formed in 1994 by Professor Kooner with the main purpose of supporting individuals diagnosed with heart disease on their recovery journey. Heartlink is affiliated to the British Heart Foundation, that provides us with information booklets and literature. Heartlink has a board of 8 trustees comprising of clinicians and heart patients. An elected committee run day-to-day activities and a team of approx. 20 volunteers provide support services for our growing membership of over 600 members. ## ➢ **Our Trustees** Our trustees are essential to our organisation, offering vital support, active participation at events, and strategic direction. They help shape our goals and engage directly with the community, enhancing the impact of our activities. Their dedication and leadership are crucial to our success and growth. Trustee meetings are held monthly to discuss progress, address issues, and plan future initiatives. ## ➢ **Heartlink Committee** The Heartlink Committee is elected annually by our members during the Annual General Meeting. The committee is responsible for overseeing all activities, including but not limited to: managing finances, maintaining our website, membership records, recruiting and training volunteers, and providing regular updates to members at meetings, through Newsletters and other communications channels. Our new website containing all our events from 2023 to date and can be found at Https://Heartlink.Charity ## ➢ **Our Volunteers** Heartlink's success is largely attributed to the dedication and active involvement of our volunteers. Their passion and unwavering commitment drive our initiatives, from organising and assisting at events to providing companionship to our members. This year, over 1,000 days of volunteering were achieved, a remarkable milestone. We deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions and are profoundly grateful for their continued support. We are consistently recruiting new volunteers to help us deliver our services. All volunteers who work in the hospital and interact with patients undergo Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. In 2023, we partnered with a third-party charity to conduct these checks, resulting in updated DBS certifications for our volunteers." ## **3.2 What We Do** A heart disease diagnosis can be traumatic, requiring significant lifestyle changes and ongoing care. As a patient-centered organisation, we recognise the emotional distress that can follow such a diagnosis. Our aim is to support individuals by connecting them with others who share similar experiences. This shared experience helps people find reassurance within a supportive community. While we initially focus on immediate patient needs, we have significantly expanded our services to include health education and raising awareness of heart disease for prevention. We emphasise the importance of early intervention and healthy lifestyles to improve overall heart health. Our events and activities are free and open to all. Our website provides a more comprehensive overview of our all our services at **Https://Heartlink.Charity** 4 ## **4. Charitable Objectives and The Public Benefit** Heartlink’s charitable objectives are to relieve sickness and to preserve and protect health among people suffering from heart disease in the Borough of Ealing and surrounding area, by: _**a) providing regular social and recreational activities and meetings** for those suffering with heart disease in order to help relieve anxiety, reduce isolation and promote healthy lifestyles by interacting with others who share similar experiences and have an understanding of their needs;_ People living with long-term conditions can greatly benefit from shared experiences and a sense of connection. Our Community Hub, along with our monthly Educational Seminars and Weekly Walking Group, plays a crucial role in this by offering a social environment where individuals can meet, make friends, and engage in various activities. This year, in addition to our regular weekly Walkers Group, we expanded our activities to include Chair Yoga sessions, IT training courses, two sponsored walks, a coach trip to Bournemouth, and two Christmas celebrations, featuring a formal dinner and a separate party. The Public Benefit of these activities directly helps reduce loneliness, feelings of isolation, helps reduce anxiety and greatly impacts on the quality of life. Encouraging people to be more active and independent can help increase longevity. ## _**b) working with the wider community to promote heart health and raise awareness of heart disease** , its causes, treatments, implications and help that is available;_ The Ealing Council Public Health Strategy 2023 highlighted Ealing's diverse ethnic communities, particularly located around Ealing Hospital. The report noted high levels of diabetes, low physical activity, and below-average life expectancy, linking diabetes to an increased risk of heart disease. The South Asia Biobank Study also identified a genetic predisposition to heart disease among South Asians. In response, we launched our Heart Health Campaign in 2023 to help address some of these issues by raising awareness about heart disease, its risk factors, treatments, and prevention. Throughout the year, we visited over 15 venues, including community groups and religious organizations, to promote healthy lifestyles. Our work is supported by trustee clinicians who provide expert advice, give talks, and conduct health checks for early disease detection. The Public Benefit from raising awareness of heart disease, its risk factors, helping address early detection and diagnosis, and promoting healthy lifestyles, helps save lives. ## _**c) supporting patient care at the Cardiology Department at Ealing Hospital** by providing items and other forms of comfort and support not required to be provided by any statutory authority._ During the year we visited Heartlink members who had been admitted to hospital and continued our peer-to-peer support through the 'Heart Buddy' scheme for newly diagnosed heart patients. Referrals came from Ealing Hospital Cardiology, Community Cardiology, GPs, the British Heart Foundation, and via personal recommendations. We matched 13 patients with others who have had similar experiences and directed several more to appropriate local health services. The Public Benefit of having someone to talk to who understands the trauma of having experienced a heart episode is in improving people’s physical and mental health. In addition, signposting people to local health services provides a valuable service in ensuring they receive the appropriate care and support they need. 5 ## **5. Performance and Achievements** Our comprehensive range of events and activities are free and open to all. We reach out to heart patients, their families, and carers, offering them the opportunity to participate in any activity that may help address their needs. All our work is made possible by the support and dedication of our trustees and volunteers. In 2023, we resumed our core activities and launched several new projects to better serve our community. We successfully launched our Heart Health Campaign and undertook two sponsored walks, emphasising the importance of heart health and exercise. Additionally, we organised days out to Bournemouth, held social dinners and hosted a Christmas, providing enjoyable and engaging experiences for our members. Our initiatives at the Community Hub included providing nutritious meals over a six month period and, in partnership with AGE UK Ealing, we developed and implemented an IT training course to address digital inequality amongst our members. Furthermore, we formed new partnerships, including collaborations with the Trust, to expand our outreach and impact. These efforts have strengthened our commitment to promoting heart health and supporting heart patients and their families, ensuring a healthier and more connected community. ## **5.1 Our Activities and Events** The following paragraphs summarise our core activities and community outreach work throughout 2023. ## **5.2 Information Desk at Ealing Hospital 2022** Our weekly Information Desk at Ealing Hospital has become a crucial part of our efforts. We assist hospital visitors by distributing important British Heart Foundation literature on various heart diseases, their management, and treatments. The Desk has become a vital information hub, guiding people to other relevant services and resources. Our trained volunteers, skilled in ‘Make Every Contact Count’ (MECC) techniques, are available to interact with the public providing advice and support. Additionally, volunteers make sure that cardiac-related areas, from the cardiac ward to outpatient clinics, are stocked with British Heart Foundation materials. ## **5.3 Educational Seminars** Our educational seminars are fundamental to Heartlink’s mission of raising heart health awareness and related risk factors. Featuring expert speakers from various clinical backgrounds such as cardiologists, dietitians, and other experts in their field , seminars often attract 45 or more attendees, reflecting the community's strong need for reliable health information. Monthly seminars address a range of topics, including the latest treatments for a range of cardiac diseases, their management, lifestyle changes, and self-management of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. The interactive format allows attendees to engage directly with experts, enhancing their learning experience. These educational efforts are crucial as they offer a comprehensive understanding of the topics, enabling proactive health management and hopefully directly contributing to better health outcomes in the community. 6 This year, we hosted speakers on a wide range of topics, including diet, exercise, heart medications, diabetes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, kidney disease, and prostate and breast cancer. We were also shown CPR techniques and were personally addressed by the Trust’s Chief Executive and her team, who outlined future plans for Ealing Hospital and the Trust. ## **Educational Seminars held in 2023** - 5[th] January **Ben Jackson:** The Trust and It’s Future Plans - • 2[nd] February **Angela Hartley:** Diet, Exercise & Medications • **2[nd] March Pippa Nightingale** (Trust CEX) & **Dr Nigel Stephens:** Ealing Hosp plans & response to patients - • 6[th] April **Dr Mehta:** Understanding Diabetes • 4[th] May **Eve Maylas:** Heart Failure • 1[st] June **Dr Amarjit Sethi** : Heart Disease and Home Monitoring • 6[th] July **Dr Jaskaran Sethi:** Atrial Fibrillation • 3[rd] August **Gary La Touche:** Your stay in Hospital and Discharge • 7[th] September **Dr Harman:** CPR Training Saving Lives • 2[nd] November **Dr Marlene Pluess** : Kidney disease and heart & vascular problems • 7[th] December **Ana Izquierdo** : Macmillan Prostate and Breast Cancer We extend our gratitude to all those who spoke to our members, sharing valuable insights that help manage our own health better. ## **5.4 Ward Visits and Heart Buddies** The frequent COVID outbreaks, particularly in the early part of 2023, significantly disrupted our ability to maintain a regular ward visiting schedule. As a result, we were only able to do a limited number of visits, primarily in response to requests from our hospitalised members, whom we visited as personal friends. During this period, we focused on reviewing and updating our volunteers' DBS certifications to ensure compliance with the Trust's policies for future hospitalbased activities. However, our Heart Buddy scheme continued to flourish. Heartlink stayed active through our collaboration with the Primary Care GP Service ‘Joy,’ alongside our Trust, Imperial Community Cardiology, and the British Heart Foundation. These partners referred individuals to us for support, enabling our scheme to offer consistent assistance. 13 people were matched with others who had experienced similar conditions. Some chose to remain with Heartlink and join as members, while others were satisfied with the advice. ## **5.5 Weekly Walkers Group** Our weekly walking group has flourished throughout the year, providing a friendly environment for those seeking light exercise. We meet every Wednesday at 10 a.m. outside Greenford Hall for easy walks on well-established footpaths, usually lasting 2 to 3 hours with breaks for tea and coffee. Participants walk at their own pace and distance. Besides exploring local Ealing areas, the group has ventured to other locations using public transport, so bringing a ‘Freedom Pass’ is useful. Launched by a few dedicated members, the initiative remains successful, promoting both physical fitness and social connections. 7 ## **5.6 Heartlink Community Hub** Our community hub is a monthly informal gathering that offers a welcoming space for people to meet, make new friends, and share experiences. Initially created to support those feeling isolated and lonely after the pandemic, the Hub has grown into a nurturing environment that encourages a sense of community and helps build lasting relationships. The Hub acts as a dropin centre offering a variety of social programmes, such as bingo, quizzes, and health-based advice. It also provides stress relief and relaxation through activities like chair yoga, along with guidance on diet, nutrition and weight management. With an average of 30 attendees each month, participants enjoy a diverse range of activities, including our regular and very popular Chair Yoga sessions. They also benefited from blood pressure and weight management checks provided by local pharmacies, have received safety and scam avoidance advice from Ealing Council, and participated in several social gatherings and parties. We are grateful to our volunteers for their dedication in making the Hub a success, and are indebted to those who generously offer their time to teach Chair Yoga, as well as to Southall Pharmacy for their ongoing commitment to providing health check services. On the afternoon of December 21st, the Hub hosted its popular **Christmas party** , offering a variety of sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and festive mulled wine. Members and supporters enjoyed socialising, especially those living alone. The event featured a raffle and a team memory game, celebrating the successful end of the Hub's first year of operation. ## **5.7 Community Hub Projects: Tackling Isolation and Inequalities** At the Hub, we successfully completed three key projects during the autumn and winter months that addressed isolation and inequalities, directly impacting people’s lives by tackling issues such as loneliness, lack of exercise, and limited IT skills. Our projects were: - ➢ **Sharing Communal Meals** Over a six month period we served a variety of lunches to over 30 people every month. These brought people together to make friends, share experiences, and helped combat loneliness. We received great feedback! People said “ **It’s not just about food; it’s about feeling like you belong to a community and having friends to share it with”.** - ➢ **Gentle Exercise** Our regular Chair Yoga and later Tai Chi sessions helped improve physical and mental well-being of attendees. These sessions included exercises aimed at strengthening muscles, improving balance, and promoting controlled breathing through basic meditation techniques. These sessions were highly popular, and there is a strong demand for us to continue offering them in the future. - ➢ **IT Training Initiative to help tackle Digital Exclusion** Many of our members told us they struggled with technology, making it hard for them to access health services or stay connected socially. With most NHS communication now digital, many missed hospital appointments or could not access important medical information and GP services. To help address these issues, we partnered with Age UK Ealing to develop a course that teaches people how to use iPads to access NHS and other health-related services. 8 Gaining these skills enables individuals to make better informed decisions and improve their healthcare. Additionally, topics such as scams, security, and data protection were covered to ensure online safety. Experienced trainers led two separate courses with our volunteers assisting, and a total of 27 people completed the courses, with requests for future sessions. All three projects were made possible by funding awarded to us by major sponsors for which we are very grateful. The Heartlink Committee, along with our committed volunteers, feel incredibly proud and encouraged by what we’ve achieved through our Community Hub and its three programmes focusing on education, exercise, and inclusion. ## **5.8 The Heart Health Campaign** _Background:_ Ealing Council Public Health Strategy 2023 highlighted the diverse communities around Ealing Hospital, including South Asian, Irish, Polish, and Somali groups. It identified high levels of diabetes, low physical activity, and shorter life expectancy in the area. It is known that diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease, and that South Asians, are more genetically prone to heart issues as identified by the South Asia Biobank Study. Based on these facts, and in the knowledge that heart disease is a leading factor of mortality in the UK, in 2023 we developed and launched our **Heart Health Campaign.** Our campaign focuses on outreach work to raise awareness of heart disease, its risk factors, treatments, and medications. Crucially, it also emphasises prevention and early detection of disease to help save lives. Throughout the year, we have been proactive in raising heart health awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles by visiting over 15 different venues. Our efforts have been guided by the expert advice and leadership of our trustees, who, as skilled clinicians, have delivered talks to large audiences on the importance of early disease prevention to help save lives. In addition, we provided on-the-spot health checks to help aid early detection of disease. The community groups and venues we visited included Churches, Gurdwaras, religious festivals, community organisations, such as Mael Gael, Southall Community Alliance, Women’s Groups, Elder Groups, GP’s, Health Centres and Dairy Meadow Primary School. As a result of these efforts, we have built strong connections with various community groups, local pharmacies, and social enterprises. These mutually beneficial partnerships enable us to collaborate on heart health awareness, conduct basic health checks, recruit and train volunteers, and share resources and expertise to better serve our communities. Our outreach work also extended to a commercial company, where volunteer nurses conducted a health screening program that included blood pressure measurements and health advice for the workforce. The success of this initiative resulted in the business inviting us to visit their other offices in 2024. 9 **Heart Health Campaign Some of the Groups and Venues Visited:** |➢Southall Community Alliance
25thJanuary
➢Naga Kirtan Festival Southall 2 April
➢East African Asian Elders Group
6thApril
➢Women’s Group at Age UK
11th April
➢Greenford Wellbeing Stall 11thJuly
➢Meadow View Surgery 15thJuly
➢Sikh Smagam Festival16thJuly
➢ Mael Gael Community Group
18thAugust|➢Sant Ishar 8 & 9thSeptember
➢Quattro Visit 11thOctober
➢Visitation Church Group 12thOctober
➢Western Road Gurdwara 22ndOctober
➢Havelock Rd Gurdwara 22NdOctober
➢Ealing Gurdwara 5thNovember
➢Mael Gael Community Group 29th
November
➢Dairy Meadow School 6thDecember| |---|---| ## **5.9 Other Significant Events and Occasions During the Year** ## ➢ **Two Sponsored Walks in March and May** Two sponsored walks were organised on behalf of Heartlink, both of which raised significant funds for us. The first event, held in March, was led by Ealing Mayor Mrs. Midha, who guided participants on a scenic route from Greenford to Perivale, concluding at Pitshanger Park. At the end of this enjoyable walk, around 20 participants were greeted with tea and cakes to celebrate their achievement. The second walk, held in May, was **organised by Ealing cardiology staff** and took place along the picturesque Thames Path at Kew, ending at Richmond. This walk provided a beautiful route for all involved. Both events were well-received and played a significant role in raising much-needed funds to support Heartlink's work. Our thanks go to everyone who dedicated their time to organizing and participating in these events on our behalf. ## ➢ **Heartlink Honours a Great Supporter and Community Leader** On 12th June at Ealing Hospital, Heartlink held a well attended ceremony in honour of Councillor Tejinder Singh Dhami. During his term as Mayor of Ealing in 2018-19, Tejinder, who was a heart patient himself, adopted Heartlink as one of his chosen charities and raised many thousands of pounds for us. Those funds were used to purchase Night Owl monitors for heart patients, and oximeters and oxygen concentrators during the pandemic. Sadly, Tejinder passed away in 2021 after many years of service to the local community and 20 years as a councillor. At the ceremony, Councillor Mrs. Mohinder Midha, (Mayor of Ealing), cut the ribbon on a new bench at the hospital entrance dedicated to Tejinder. Mrs Dhami also unveiled a memorial plaque in his honour in the Cardiology Clinic on Level 2. The event was attended by Tejinder’s family, friends, former Ealing Council colleagues, hospital staff, Trust representatives, and Heartlink members. 10 ## ➢ **Ealing Mayor Presents Cheque for our Heart Health Campaign** On August 17th, at a ceremony in the Council chamber at Ealing Town Hall, Councillor Mrs. Mohinder Midha presented Heartlink with a substantial cheque, representing the funds she raised during her term as Mayor of Ealing. Throughout her year in office, Councillor Midha worked tirelessly, organizing numerous fundraising events, including celebration dinners, and securing generous donations. These funds will be used to honour her efforts by expanding and enhancing our Heart Health Campaign within the community. ## ➢ **Day Out at the Seaside in Bournemouth** In August 30 Heartlink members had a great day out in Bournemouth. **Our thanks to our long-standing member, Krishanjit Bajwa** , who organised the coach trip and to the generosity of coach hire and drivers who donated the cost of the trip to us. Most of those going on the trip were regular attendees at our monthly Community Hub. ## ➢ **Healthchecks for Lorry Drivers** On October 11th, our consultant advisor secured a visit to a local commercial company. A team of Heartlink volunteers, including five health professionals, visited the Heston Depot of Quattro (UK) Ltd to conduct basic health checks on over 30 truck and concrete mixer drivers. Organised with the help of an experienced fundraising consultant, the event featured blood pressure and heart rhythm checks. Drivers received their results and were advised to see their GPs if any concerns were noted. Each participant also received British Heart Foundation leaflets and information about Heartlink. The initiative, requested by the Depot management, is part of our ongoing efforts to raise heart health awareness in the community. **Our gratitude is extended to Ann Rosen** , whose efforts were crucial in bringing this to fruition, the nurses who took time to conduct health checks, **and Quattro for their generous donation** to Heartlink. Their support has been invaluable in advancing our heart health initiatives and making a meaningful impact in the community. ## ➢ **Heartlink wins Southall Team of the Year** - Heartlink was honoured as Team of the Year by the Southall Community Alliance at its Annual Awards Ceremony on November 25th. This award recognizes our efforts in supporting local heart patients and raising awareness about heart disease. Over the past year, our increased initiatives have been acknowledged, motivating us to further our work. Ten Heartlink members attended the ceremony, which celebrated various local heroes and was attended by over 200 people. We extend **our gratitude to the Directors & Board of Southall Community Alliance** for this recognition. ## ➢ **Heartlink Members enjoy Christmas Meal at the Golf Club** - On December 14th, 80 Heartlink members filled the dining area at West Middlesex Golf Club for a festive Christmas meal, celebrating our progress over the past year. The event featured a raffle that raised crucial funds for our 2024 activities. We were honoured to be joined by several special guests, including Councillor Mrs. Mohinder Midha and her husband, Mr Jaskaran Singh from the West London Asian Society and Southall Community Alliance, with his wife; Councillors Harbajan and Ranjit Dheer, longstanding supporters of Heartlink; and our President, Professor Jaspal Kooner, who founded Heartlink in 1994 and took time from his busy schedule to attend. 11 ## ➢ **Heartlink Christmas Stall in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre** - Our year concluded with a Christmas stall in the heart of Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre. Over three days in December, we distributed British Heart Foundation literature and leaflets while raising awareness about heart health. The public was generous and kind, and many people engaged with our message, helping to spread vital information supporting our cause. ## **5.10 Heartlink Your Charity** Heartlink trustees and committee members have been crucial in ensuring our core aims and initiatives were successfully achieved. Their efforts throughout the year have driven our activities and engaged with communities. An overview of their contributions follow: - ➢ **Trustee Meetings** have been held monthly, and the commitment and leadership of our Trustees are vital to the success of Heartlink. Offering strong support, participating in events, and providing strategic direction, they make time to attend meetings regularly. Their active involvement ensures that we stay on track with our goals, effectively address challenges, and continuously plan for the future. - ➢ **The Committee** has met monthly throughout the year, setting goals, agreeing on plans, and allocating resources effectively. Regular progress reviews and issue resolution have been crucial in keeping Heartlink on track and achieving success. The dedicated teamwork and valuable contributions of the committee members have been essential in reaching our objectives and driving our organisation forward. - ➢ **Our Volunteers** Heartlink's success is largely due to the dedication of our volunteers, who generously give their time to support heart patients and are essential to our operations. Over the past year, our committed volunteers have contributed an estimated 1,000 days of service, playing a crucial role in driving our initiatives and supporting our mission. Their hard work and unwavering support enable us to make a significant impact in the community and continue our efforts to improve heart health awareness. - ➢ **Membership** In 2023, our membership experienced steady growth, reaching over 500 members. This success can be largely attributed to our Hospital Information Desk and outreach efforts through the Heart Health Campaign. New members have actively engaged by attending events and a number have also contributed as volunteers. - ➢ **The Heartlink Web Site** @ **Https://Heartlink.Charity** In 2023, we developed and launched a new website greatly enhanced our visibility and expanding our reach to diverse communities. The website is a crucial tool for raising awareness about our initiatives and connecting with a wider audience. Its user friendly design and comprehensive content make it easy for people to learn about our services, access important information, and engage with us. By offering a central hub for updates, events, and resources, the website has significantly boosted our presence and effectively communicated our mission to the public. - ➢ **Newsletters** throughout the year, we undertook a successful redesign of our newsletter and enlisted the help of a skilled volunteer with desktop publishing experience. This has allowed us to consistently produce and distribute regular newsletters, significantly improving our communication with members. By keeping them informed about the latest news, events, and updates, we have improved communication and increased member involvement. We now publish our newsletters on a quarterly basis in the new format. 12 - ➢ **Fundraising** Over the past year, we revised our approach to fundraising by enlisting the services of an experienced fundraiser to assist us with strategic planning and fundraising. This change allowed us to successfully apply for, and significantly increase funding resources from both local and national grants. These funds have supported several key projects aimed at addressing inequalities. Specifically, we provided nutritional meals at our Hub over a fourmonth period, partnered with Age UK Ealing to develop an IT program to tackle digital exclusion among older adults, and provided Chair Yoga and Tai Chi sessions to help with relaxation and stress management. ## ➢ **Finance** - 2023 saw the Committee work tirelessly to raise funds in support of our core objectives and agreed projects. Their work led to significant successes, particularly in securing grants that were crucial to advancing our core aims. Additionally, being selected as the Mayor of Ealing’s chosen charity for 2022–2023 provided further major financial support, culminating in the presentation of a substantial cheque. The following is a detailed breakdown of how these achievements were made possible. In early 2023, the Committee revised its strategic direction, outlining key objectives for the year and, crucially, the funding required to achieve them. A thorough review was conducted to identify all operational costs necessary to keep the Charity functioning daily, as well as the funds needed to launch and sustain our Heart Health Campaign initiative. This effort culminated in May with the creation of an 18-month Business Plan, which was presented to Trustees for discussion, refinement, and final approval at their meeting in May. The business model and plan have placed the Charity on a solid path to achieving its work programme over the following 18 months. Guided by an experienced fundraiser, we were able to improve our fundraising efforts, resulting in a high success rate for our grant applications. This collaboration led to significantly increased funding from both local and national grants. These funds supported key projects aimed at addressing inequalities, including providing nutritional meals at the Hub, partnering with Age UK Ealing to tackle digital exclusion among older adults, and offering Chair Yoga and Tai Chi sessions to promote relaxation and stress management. In the August of 2023 Heartlink was presented with a substantial cheque raised by the Mayor of Ealing Council, who had chosen Heartlink as her designated charity for 2022–2023. Throughout her term in office, the Mayor worked tirelessly, organising numerous fundraising events, including celebratory dinners, and securing generous donations. These funds were instrumental in launching and supporting our Heart Health Campaign in the community. In summary, 2023 proved to be an exceptionally successful year for Heartlink. Through strategic planning, tireless fundraising efforts, and the invaluable guidance of an experienced fundraiser, we were able to secure substantial funding that directly supported our core objectives. The combination of grant success and generous donations, particularly from being chosen as the Mayor of Ealing’s chosen Charity, allowed us to launch vital community initiatives like the Heart Health Campaign and address key issues such as digital exclusion and stress management. 2023’s accomplishments have set a strong foundation for the future, positioning the Charity to continue its important work in the months and years ahead. The success of our efforts is clearly reflected in our audited accounts, which are detailed in our Annual Return. 13 ## **6. Financial Statement and Independent Examiner’s Report** The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of Heartlink’s Accounts. In line with section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees have commissioned a qualified Chartered Management Accountant, to undertake an independent examination of our Accounts for the financial year ending 2023. The Accounts have now been independently examined and are attached as part of our Annual Return to the Charity Commission. ## **7. Structure, Governance and Management** |Type of GoverningDocument|Consttuton Adopted 21stJuly2022| |---|---| |CharityConsttuton|Unincorporated Associaton| |Trustee and Commitee
Selecton|Trustees and the Commitee are appointed nor re-
appointed annuallyat the Annual General Meetng| |Ofcers|Chair: Mr Bernard Diamant
Treasurer: Mr Mohinder Kalsi
Secretary: Ms Lolin Jones| ## **8. Reference and Administrative Details** |CharityName|Heartlink EalingHospital Heart Support Group| |---|---| |Other Names Used|Heartlink| |Registered CharityNumber|1199840| |Charity Principal Address|Heartlink C/o Dr Harmandeep Singh
Cardiology Dept Level 2
Ealing Hospital LNWUH Trust
Uxbridge Road Southall Mddx
UB1 3HW| |Contact Details|0300 102 4575| |Email|info@ealingheartgroup.co.uk| |Website|Htps://Heartlink.Charity| ## **Trustees January 2023 until 5[th ] October 2023** |Prof Jaspal Kooner|President and Trustee Consultant Cardiologist| |---|---| |Prof Stuart Rosen|Consultant Cardiologist(July2022 to May2023)| |Dr Amarjit Sethi|Consultant Cardiologist| |Dr HarmandeepSingh|Consultant Cardiologist & Acute Medicine| |GaryLa Touche|Cardiac Ward Manager| |Trevor Davison|Chair| |Mohinder Kalsi|Vice Chair & Treasurer| |Lolin Jones|Secretary| |James Eric Tait|| |Bachitar Singh Diocee|| |Ajit Singh Saib|| |TonyHussain|| |Bachitar Singh Diocee|| 14 Trustees 5 Ortober to 3vd October 2024 Prof Jaspal Kooner Dr Amarjit Sethi Dr Harmandeep Singh Gary La Touche Barbara Bryne Bernard Diamant Mohinder Kalsi Lolin Jones President and Trustee Consultant Cardio108lSt Consultant Cardiologist Consultant Cardiologist & Acute Medicine Cardiac Ward Manager Heart Failure Specialist Nurse (Trustee May 20241 Chair Wice Chair & Treasurer Secretary Management Commlttee Role Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Hub Co-ordinator Information Desk & Ward Wisit Rots's Monthly Educational Seminars Wednesday Walkers Admin & Organisational Support Events C￿OrdinatOr Community Champion(s) Publicity Web Site & IT Volunteer &Tr3ining Co-ordinator Lifelong Member Name Bemard Diamant Mohinder Kalsi Lolin Jones Trevor Davison assisted by Dolly Birdee Trevor Davison & Amar Kalsi Kiran Dhami Rosaleen Mann & Trevor Davison Jaspreet Oberai Krishanjit Bajvrd Bachitar Diocee Bemard Diamant Lolin Jones Eric Tait & Ajit Saib 10. Declaratlons The Trustee Report has been approved. Si8ned on Behalf of the Charitls Trustees. 51gnature: Full Name(s) SEts)kob tsktLL-S l)I&HW I Position Held 21 CharftyNumbgr. 1199840 SUPPCMU GR(￿p FIIIANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31•1 DECEMBER 2023 HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE I￿oRmATIoN Tf?￿r (c￿￿} MoFMrwJer Sir#Jh Kalsi Lolin Jones Professor Jospal &r¥Jh Kthner jan￿ Eric Tail Gary La Tw¢h8 it &'NJh S Dr Hannandeep SK¥h Tony Hwain ttr Anwpel &'TrJh Sethi 8¥*itar Snwh Di¢* Charlty Numb•r. 11W40 C¢ytsctAddm• HoartLlnk CIO DR Harmand••p Singh Cathlc¥y Deptv Fb)r Eabng Hoswtsl LNMJH Trust &yJthall U813HW Ind•wdont•x*mln•Tr Pure Aeawnt*¢cy & CMsullanty Servth$ Ltd AS￿latiOn of Chartergj Manogemenl Acc•wntsnl$ 73 Road Bdt BL3 4NF B•nk•rn LI￿￿8 Bank Pic Ealiw The Bro•*way PO BOX 1( BX1 1LT HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP Trustees, r8F Inde[Wd￿te￿min01s, rewt to trt InAtee$ Slatgmentrf ffinanaal Balan￿ sheet Nolesto th• finatKi4 *tal￿ts HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2023 The trustees prwnl thar finaTria stat￿r￿ts d the thFity 12 months to tho ythr 31" 01 December 2023. The fir*ncaa preparod in aC¢than￿ wth the ewn¢ing polaes *t pwJ8 8 and cc¥nptywith the (*oritystrust dè•J aThJ appli¢able lay. The tnjstees ar8 rv8roMtle fty prnp3riTh3 the fmarn?al slatemeth Mi aoxKdarth7Ailh apF4hxt4a law and regulatiuffj. The tru31èe8 are requir•J Io PfeF4fe f￿a￿al ￿n￿￿t9 for 14naThial period in accordanf vnth Ggneraly Accept￿1 A¢>)xJntirwJ PfaC1t￿ {UrMbJ lfjr¥J¢kni AcwLmtirg st￿dards and aoicable l•). The fin￿￿31 ststemwts are reqLirod by * to gm a true arnj far Mew of the state of affairs of H8arUink EalrvJ Grwp and of Its incO￿A9 rèscyJrcè8 and 8pF4ication of r￿Ur￿S Lrf ￿ L*arity kn that [￿￿J. In Nepanry finaThJai Stater￿ts, tr6 trustees slKJuld fol¢YW best pr4dh% aThJ'. make1￿Jg9￿￿nts ¥vJ 08llmo1otythat are rea￿aLle8￿j PnKlwrt Prèpwe ts fift8￿al Sta*m￿tS ¢J) 8 9)iTrJ COr￿M ba&s unless It is inaFpfoFmate to assume that FWr*EthJ V4art WHI txmrtinuèfvir aclivlties. The tru8t808 are re8pM8a)le for k•apirvJ Pth￿n￿ng that dl&kn• wllh rofysu)a￿e ¢uracy al any tr* financa81 wsibon of fv tharity 8r¥J enable them to gnf4Jre tho fknancial atemenls ccTht4y If* apFlic*kn 18Af, wulaOon8 aThJ the trust dged. Thèy 8rn d#0 respOn&￿e for ¥afewarding awts of th8 thanty and for l*Jw rea5)n8￿0 stsps fly Ihe pr8bvrfll)na￿ dfjtW￿ (rffr8￿I aThJ wrogLlartti'e8. c￿ bghaw ofth• Boèrd of T1￿￿8• Mohlnts SlThah Kal81 L)ATE: 31•tAVOLBT 1024 HEARTLINK EALING HOSPPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP INDEPENDEpif EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2023 I r8p(Kt the accounts of the Twgt 12 ￿￿thS to tho 31° Det*ntsr 2023. whith are set (Art pag8s3 to 8. rBs The tharrtls truthes arg re$￿sItIe fly th8 preparati￿ of the auJ)unts. The charftys tnjstees C￿SIder that ￿ alth Is nc* required thos ￿ uThJer s&Ji(m 144(21 ol Chanbes Act 2011 {the 2011 Act) that an ir￿eF￿￿nI eywlrthi 18 noth1 try a walif*d per80n lallvw urnler the sedlon 14514). 11 18 my rèspxgitiltyto: eyaminethe aco)unts uTrJw Sed1￿ 145 ofthe 2011 Ptt. to follrw the proL%dwes lad ¢￿ in the General Dife(liNts by thg Charity CornmisscwurNJer 8eLthn 145(5}Ib) af fv X111 ALX", and to statewh8iher parlit)Jlar m*iers ha* comto my altenticrt. My gxamin*M h8s been ¢)th li ￿{A￿d￿ with th• ￿'rociOrts giv8n by the Charity Commisw¢)nef. An eyamlnab.(￿ al￿￿ntir￿J w¥yds kept by thg charfty and a o)mpari8on of the &x￿nts we£ented with records. 11 also includes cons*JeratsM of any unuwal items or th'sdogjtes in Its ￿￿1)ts. and of e*anab￿S from 88 trustees concemir¥J any Matt￿8. Thé wowlures undert8kendo Th)t pmovkje *1 t￿ ebvdwce th8t wojld b• req￿1￿ In an wdit and. Conseql￿NI1Y rn ovni￿ is as to whèther thè a0￿unts pr850rrt a 'tnts 8ThJ falr and Ihe rwrt is16mitod to ttK)* mthrs ￿ out *ater¥*rt b4(￿. Ind•PW￿nt•X￿Tr1n•rn' In Gonnedionwith my e￿In11th. m*ter has coffo to my attththi: whth gi￿5 m8 re880n* cwseto tAiMthai in any mthrial r86p8d. th• rewirmnts.. lal to kw acc&1￿￿r￿j recyyds In oC£*Xda￿O￿1h of the 2011 Act, and Ibl to pr*par• account$ vthith ar£¥>￿ wrfh the w)untirwJ rerA)rd¥ and lo wilh tt oco)untirvJ rewirempntsof fv 2011 ha* been met.. or to wNch. in my st￿￿d be drnwn in ordgr to er•trAe a und8rst8n¢Jng DATE: 31•tAUG 2024 ASSOCIATIOM OF CHARTERED Pure ACC￿￿n(Y & Consultsncy SeTh¢c4s Ltd 73 JUNCTI(JY ROAD Bolt( BL3 4NF HEARTLINK EALING HOSPPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31•t DECEMBER 2023 Unrestrkted Funds Restrirted Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Notes In¢omln8 Rosourees Charitable Activities Income Other IncomÈ 22.S59 I1.2￿} 23,450 46.009 11.21)0 11,941 Totsl Incomln8 Res¢xtr¢es 33.759 23,450 57.209 11,941 R••ouYcw Exp•n C05t of Generatlng Funds Charitsb Activities Mana8ement and Admlnlstratlon 13.L 4.355 17,445 3.5 3,093 1,191 Tot•1 Resources E¥p*thd 16,59) 4,355 20.945 4.284 Nèt leypenditurelllncome for the year Transfers between fvnds 17.169 19,095 36.264 7.657 M0ven￿nts In Fun 17.169 19.095 36,264 7,657 Total Funds Brou8ht Forward 22A74 22.874 15.217 Total Funds C¥rted Forwwd 40.043 19.095 59,138 22,874 The rnt88 ¢Yb rAge$ 5 to 8 ftxm i*rt d these HEARTLINK EALING HOSPPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Notes FIXED AS￿5 Tangible Assets CURRENT ASSET5 Debtors Cash at 8ank and In hand 59,138 S9.138 22,874 22,874 CURREKf UABIUTIES Credltor5'. Arnounts fallin8 due wlthln one year {01 Net Current Assets 59,138 22.874 NEf ASSErs 59,138 22,874 FUND5 Unrestricted Funds 59.138 22,874 Approv&a by ts Board of TrustseswKI liv￿j M thdrb8lwir ty: Motrmndw &'rrfJh K*1 TnMts• DATE: 31•tAUGUST 2024 The no*s ¢)n pg98s S to 8 fomi pwtclthese *xxyJrts. HEARTLINK EALING HOSPPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP NOTES TO TFE FINANCIAL ACTNITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31•t DECEMBER 2023 ACCOLWIIIMG thICIE8 1.1 Ba811 of ac¢¢)untlng The fillar￿1 sLitem8nts are in XAxYd￿￿ wilh appl¢2tl• 8taTrJards u9ng the hiStor￿a cost CL￿1￿11￿. Th8 f￿￿cial stalen* refe(* the r9jiren￿ts d the Stslwnents of RernThJ8d Pwti and'Rewytng Ar(￿nI1)g by I￿81111￿ bs•*d 2C(6. 1.2 Fund Accounllng Unre5tricl8d Funds fi￿d5 whh* are awdilable use Lrf di8uthI of thg Trustees i) fijrtherance ofthe g￿eral Objecti￿ ofthe dwiity aThJ ha￿ awde frjr oth•T been rajsed by the dHrity for a yafic Nvp¥xe. The ct*t of rni51rwJ aThJ admknl*iiig fuThJ8 cJ)argwJ awnst thB Spgafic 1.3 In¢(xnlng r•￿￿rG• Volunw inct)me is rncl1￿￿ by of aNI gth *)d 18 indLthJ in ftAI in the siatem8nt of Fin￿14 Activiti"es wf*n reL%iv*e. &fts dwted ts rosale are induded as wh8n they are wld. Dwted as*ts are at the ¥Alue to ts rthority whgre Ihis ¢2n t• quanlifigj 8ThJ thifd party Is tewlrg the o)sL The ￿ue crf 89ThiC8s prTh4¢*d by %r4untwr8 not Indud*l. 1.4 RMouY¢•• •xp•nthd ReswTCe8 8ypendeil is ac(%)unt•d fcrf C￿ 8oJual ba￿$ in th& peri(Kl in wNth thoy ¥e Ir￿￿e￿. eyrthj indudg attritrArtatleVAT, whid) cgnnol be rw))vared. SuFP)rt tosts are th)88 ￿>81$ irKxirr&l dire(* in WFswJI of 8¥ththlur• rM tho L*iects of I charity proJ8rtmanwement. M￿ageMent adm1￿81￿￿ o)sts are I1￿$ with 8dmlnl*atkJn of th8 DOW￿latIon is proMd8d at r8t8s to T*rlts dr tho 0)8t less [￿(￿1 of each as8ot ow its e)¥e¢tgJ useful Ilfg. asfckn* Frgel¥JkJ Freeholl Buildw FixiureB & FittiNJs Prcy•lies are irvjulèj In t￿1￿ sf*ot at (￿st 1.6 Tanglbl•fix•d a••8ts and HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKrs {coKr ...) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31•t DECEMBER 2023 Unre5trkted Funds CHARITABLEAcnviTIES INCOME 2023 2022 Donations 40.043 59,138 11.941 Costs of Chwltsble Actmtles 2023 2022 Charitsble Project & Actlvr¢ies G)sts Wages & PAYE 17,445 3093 17,445 3.093 MAt4AGEMENT AND ADMINisfRATION 2023 20Z2 Legal & Professional Office Expenses gjndry expenses 910 2,506 636 69 3,5 1,191 HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (coiir ...) FOR TFE YEAR ENDED 31•t DECEMBER 2023 TANGIBLE FIXEDASSETS & Flttln8s Totsl COST At 1st January 2023 Addition5 DlsposaLs At 31st December 2023 DEPRECIAnoN At 1st january 2023 Charge forthe peri<>d Dlsposed In the perlod At 31st December 2023 NET BOOK VALUES At 1st January 2023 At 3tst December 2023 CURRErir ASSET5 2023 2022 Cash at Bank Cash In Hand 59.138 22,874 59,138 22,874 CURRENT UAwunES 2023 2022 Accruals Loans HEARTLINK EALING HOSPITAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEl￿NTs Icomr .. FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31•t DECEIABER 2023 UNREsTricfED FUNDS 3tst l>e¢ 22 In¢omlThg I￿￿01n89 Transfers 3tst Dec 23 Unrestrlcted fund 22.874 57.209 120.9451 59,138 The tsu8tees are fm to use unrgstriL*•d lurth In th8chwllatAe thJeLI