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2024-09-30-accounts

Company no. 04584819 Charity no. 1201993

Karten Network

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements 30 September 2024

Karten Network

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 30 September 2024

Company number 04584819
Charity number 1201993
Registered office Karten Network C/O The Ian Karten Charitable Trust
64 Nile Street
London
N1 7SR
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during
the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Joanne Rees-Proud Chair
Massimiliano Bianconi
Robert Alexander Boyce
Paul John Doyle
David Alan Finch Resigned 4 July 2024
Samantha Haddock
Miriam Hendry Appointed 19 November 2024
Kayleigh Louise Hunt Appointed 19 November 2024
Arwyn Elis Jones Resigned 31 December 2023
Alison Jane Keeley Appointed 14 November 2024
Julie Linda Moores
Rohan James Slaughter
Emma Stewart
David Webster
Company secretary Arwyn Elis Jones Resigned 31 December 2023
Joanne Rees-Proud Appointed 7 January 2025
Bankers Lloyds Bank plc
25 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HN
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

Karten Network

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 30 September 2024

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Structure, governance and management

The Karten Network Limited was established in 2002. In 2023, the company converted into a charity by amending its Articles so that they were suitable for a charity. The charity, the Karten Network, is a charitable company limited by guarantee, regulated by both Companies House and the Charity Commission. The board now comprises Charity Trustees who are also company Directors.

Appointment of trustees

Any person who is willing to act as a Director, and is permitted by law to do so, may be appointed to be a Director by a resolution of the Directors, provided that no appointment of a Director may be made which would cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed as the maximum number of Directors. The Karten Network uses a skills audit to inform the recruitment of new Trustees to ensure the governance of the charity is effective and rigorous moving forwards.

Trustees are appointed for a term of three years at the end of which they shall retire. A person retiring from the office of Director shall be eligible for re-appointment but, where the retirement is at the end of a consecutive period of nine years or more in office, the Director shall not be eligible for reappointment for a further consecutive term of office unless agreed otherwise by the passing of a unanimous resolution by the Directors who shall determine the length of any further term.

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objects are restricted specifically to the relief of persons in need due to their physical, cognitive, sensory or learning disabilities in particular but not exclusively by providing access to electronic assistive technologies and education and training in using such technology.

The Karten Network supports people with disabilities to optimise their achievements and opportunities through engagement with and development of technological solutions.

To fulfil its mission, the Network works with organisations in the UK and Israel, focusing on these core themes:

2

Karten Network

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 30 September 2024

The strategic goals of the charity are:

The Karten Network comprises a network of centres using technology and assistive technology to improve outcomes for disabled people. The centres are funded through the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, with the purpose of improving the quality of life and independence of people with congenital or acquired physical, cognitive, sensory, learning disabilities or mental health problems. The Karten Centres provide supportive learning environments together with access to the latest assistive and information technologies and are in a wide range of host organisations. The Karten Network facilitates peer networking, sharing good practice and improving assistive technology related knowledge, skills and understanding across the organisations we support.

In addition to the support provided for the Karten Centres, the Network has been involved as a partner in a collaborative research project led by The University of Dundee and funded by the Department for Education. Other partners were Natspec TechAbility and the Ace Centre. The overall aims of this project were to more fully understand the training needs of Assistive Technology professionals and to develop a competency framework to assist with access to fit for purpose training and development opportunities.

Public benefit statement

Through the wide range of activities undertaken the, the charity delivers public benefit to a wide range of stakeholders including: learners and service users; their parents and carers; organisations (Karten Centres); professionals.

When developing strategy, Trustees are focused on impact on the end users of technology. Trustees have due regard for the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. At the time of undergoing conversion to a charitable entity this was discussed with the lawyers supporting the process and Trustees received guidance aligned to their new role and responsibilities.

3

Karten Network

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 30 September 2024

Achievements and performance

The charity’s main achievements for 2023-24 are summarised below:

Karten Centre beneficiaries benefit directly from the improved use of technology and ATech in the organisations where they access services. Professionals and parents and carers supporting disabled people gain ATech related awareness, confidence and competences. Thus, the Karten Network’s activities result in improved awareness and improved quality of support available for the technology users. This has a significant impact on the quality of individuals’ lives as, when harnessed effectively, technology improves independence and makes things possible that previously were not. Ultimately helping individuals to take control of their lives, live more fulfilled lives and realise their potential.

Through engagement with Policy Connect’s All Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology (APPGAT) the Karten Network has made substantive contributions to studies in which recommendations are fed back to government policy makers.

In addition to the support provided for Karten Centres, the Network has wider reach as non-Karten Centre organisations supporting disabled people also access resources, support and information e.g. from the website.

Financial review

During the year, the Karten Network received income of £72k from the Ian Karten Charitable Trust. Related expenditure was around £53k on administration of the Karten Network and support for Centres. The Nuvoic project restricted income for 2024 was around £33k, and the project has now completed. In comparison, the Nuvoic project income was £40k and expenditure was £64k for 2023. There has also been £3k of restricted and unspent income during the year for the University of Dundee project.

Reserves policy

Free reserves should total three months of total organisational operating costs based on the following year's budget. For 2024/25, this amounts to approximately £15,000. At 30 September 2024, free reserves held were £70k, in excess of the reserves policy. The trustees will consider how best to spend down the excess over the coming years to bring the level of free reserves down to the targeted level.

4

Karten Network

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 30 September 2024

Plans for future periods

The main objective for the financial year 2024/25 is to continue operations to support Karten Centres in the Karten Network. Additionally activity will be undertaken to pursue opportunities to participate in externally funded research and development activities to extend the reach and impact of the Network.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were reappointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 20 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by

J Rees-Proud

Joanne Rees-Proud - Chair

5

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Karten Network

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Karten Network (the charitable company) for the year ended 30 September 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 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:

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.

William Guy Blake

Date: 20 February 2025 William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

6

Karten Network

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 30 September 2024

Restricted Unrestricted
Note
£
£
Income from:
Donations
3
-
72,000
Charitable activities
4
35,907
-
Total income
35,907
72,000
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
-
53,385
Total expenditure
6
-
53,385
Net income / (expenditure)
35,907
18,615
Transfers between funds
42
(42)
Net movement in funds
7
35,949
18,573
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
(32,949)
48,172
Total funds carried forward
3,000
66,745		 2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
72,000
69,000
35,907
39,968
107,907
108,968
53,385
128,834
53,385
128,834
54,522
(19,866)
-
-
54,522
(19,866)
15,223
35,089
69,745
15,223

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 13 to the accounts.

7

Karten Network

Balance sheet

As at 30 September 2024

As at 30 September 2024
Note
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
11
Net current assets
Net assets
12
Funds
13
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
3,809
72,309
76,118
(6,373)		 2024
£
69,745
69,745
3,000
66,745
69,745		 2023
£
-
25,039
25,039
(9,816)
15,223
15,223
(32,949)
48,172
15,223

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 20 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by

J Rees-Proud

Joanne Rees-Proud - Chair

8

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

1. Accounting policies

a) General information and basis of preparation

Karten Network is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is 64 Nile Street, London, N1 7SR.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Karten Network meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

9

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

g) Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. Support and governance costs are allocated in full to charitable activities on the basis that no significant fundraising is undertaken.

h) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

i) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

j) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

k) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

l) Accounting estimates and key judgements

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

10

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Restricted
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
-
69,000
Charitable activities
39,968
-
Total income
39,968
69,000
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
64,091
64,743
Total expenditure
64,091
64,743
Net income / (expenditure)
and net movement in funds
(24,123)
4,257
3.
Income from donations
2024
Total
£
Ian Karten Charitable Trust
72,000
Total income from donations
72,000
All income from donations in the current and prior period is unrestricted.
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
69,000
39,968
108,968
128,834
128,834
(19,866)
2023
Total
£
69,000
69,000

4. Income from charitable activities

EU Horizons 2020
University of Dundee
Total income from charitable activities		 2024
Total
£
32,907
3,000
35,907		 2023
Total
£
39,968
-
39,968

All income from charitable activities in the current and prior period is restricted.

5. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from the European Commission and from the Department for Education, to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 30 September 2024 was £35,949 (2023: £39,968). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to these grants.

11

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

6. Total expenditure

Charitable
activities
£
Freelance costs
31,708
Accountancy
-
Subscriptions
-
Office costs
-
Insurance
-
IT costs
-
Bank charges
-
Sub-total
31,708
Allocation of support and governance costs
21,677
Total expenditure
53,385
Total governance costs were £2,040 (2023: £3,650).
Prior period comparative
Charitable
activities
£
Freelance costs
99,172
Accountancy
-
Subscriptions
-
Office costs
-
Insurance
-
IT costs
-
Bank charges
-
Consultancy
869
Legal and professional
-
Sub-total
100,041
Allocation of support and governance costs
28,793
Total expenditure
128,834		 Support and
governance
costs
£
11,376
3,011
2,906
2,819
1,058
415
92
21,677
(21,677)
-
Support and
governance
costs
£
15,678
2,526
4,306
1,516
2,458
431
78
-
1,800
28,793
(28,793)
-		 2024 Total
£
43,084
3,011
2,906
2,819
1,058
415
92
53,385
-
53,385
2023 Total
£
114,850
2,526
4,306
1,516
2,458
431
78
869
1,800
128,834
-
128,834

12

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

7. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Independent examiner's remuneration:
Independent examination (ex VAT)
Other services (ex VAT)		 2024
£
Nil
Nil
1,700
-		 2023
£
Nil
521
1,850
350

In common with other charities of our size and nature we use our independent examiners to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.

8. Staff costs and numbers

The charity does not employ staff. The trustees are all volunteers and there is a part-time administrator and other consultants engaged on a freelance basis.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees, Development Co-ordinator and Technology Advisor. The total benefits of the key management personnel were £41,928 (2023: £58,672).

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

10. Debtors

Prepayments
Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Accruals
Other creditors		 2024
£
3,809
2024
£
2,040
4,333
6,373		 2023
£
-
2023
£
2,220
7,596
9,816

11. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

13

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

12. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 30 September 2024
Prior period comparative
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 30 September 2023		 Restricted
£
3,000
-
3,000
Restricted
£
(25,353)
(7,596)
(32,949)		 £
73,118
(6,373)
66,745
£
50,392
(2,220)
48,172
Unrestricted
Unrestricted		 Total
£
76,118
(6,373)
69,745
Total
£
25,039
(9,816)
15,223

14

Karten Network

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 September 2024

13. Movements in funds

Restricted funds
Nuvoic project
University of Dundee
Total restricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1
October
2023
£
(32,949)
-
(32,949)
48,172
15,223		 Income
£
32,907
3,000
35,907
72,000
107,907		 £
-
-
-
(53,385)
(53,385)
Expenditure		 Transfers
between
funds
£
42
-
42
(42)
-		 £
-
3,000
At 30
September
2024
3,000
66,745
69,745

Purposes of restricted funds University of Dundee

Research led by the University of Dundee to more fully understand the training needs of Assistive Technology professionals and to develop a competency framework to assist with access to fit for purpose training and development opportunities.

Nuvoic project

Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and led by developers Voiceitt, the aim of Nuvoic was to develop speech recognition technology for people with impaired or non-standard speech, supporting their communication and independence.

Prior period comparative

Prior period comparative
Restricted funds
Nuvoic project
Total restricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1
October
2022
£
(8,826)
(8,826)
43,915
35,089		 Income
£
39,968
39,968
69,000
108,968		 £
(64,091)
(64,091)
(64,743)
(128,834)
Expenditure		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
-		 At 30
September
2023
£
(32,949)
(32,949)
48,172
15,223

14. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the current or prior period.

15