2024-03-31-accounts

Walking With in North Tyneside

Trustees Report and Financial Statement for the year ending 31 March 2024

Charity Number 1166123

redesignated on 6 April 2023 to

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Walking With in North Tyneside

CIO number 1202661

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Legal and Administrative Information

Name: Walking With in North Tyneside

Registered Charity number: 1166123, redesignated CIO number: 1202661

Trustees: Martin Hood (Chair) Enid Gordon Valerie Jamieson Maureen Madden Malcolm Railton (treasurer from 24 Nov 2023) Robert Wylie Gwyn McKenzie Elizabeth Thompson Address: Church House Hugh Street Wallsend Tyne and Wear NE28 6RL Bankers: Unity Bank Nine Brindley Place Birmingham B1 2HB

Independent examiner: Alexander Robinson FCCA Essell Accountants Ltd. 29 Howard Street North Shields Tyne and Wear NE30 1AR

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Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the, immediately following below, financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2024. The trustees confirm that the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements and the requirements of the charity’s governing document.

Important note

After consultation with stakeholders, including grant-making bodies, and seeking independent advice, the Trustees sought permission to redesignate to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission. Although the charity objectives, personnel (including Trustees, staff and volunteers), charity premises, and bank account remain the same, the process advised and required by the Commission was to set up a new CIO, and then transfer assets from the original charity Walking With in North Tyneside (number 1166123) to the new CIO Walking With in North Tyneside (number 1202661).

This redesignation and asset transfer occurred on 6 April 2023, when the Charity Commission confirmed the status of the new CIO.

Readers of this document, accessed on the Charity Commission website for CIO 1202661 should therefore read this is the context of reports submitted previously for ‘Walking With in North Tyneside’ as Charity 1166123.

.Objectives and Activities

The Objectives of the charity are:

• The promotion of health and well-being, and the relief of financial hardship amongst those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, or who are refugees, and who reside in North Tyneside.

• The promotion of social inclusion and community integration for the public benefit among people who are refugees and asylum seekers who are socially excluded on the grounds of their social and economic position, by providing:

• Such support as is necessary to increase the physical and emotional well-being of the client group;

• Education and training in the English language;

• Social and recreational facilities and events involving the local community;

• Access to local and national support dedicated to the welfare of the asylum seeker and refugee community.

• The prevention or relief of poverty in North Tyneside by providing grants, items and services to individuals in need at the discretion of the trustees

• The three areas of work are grouped into three graphical pillars, illustrated in the figure below:

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.Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees have control of the charity and its property and funds.

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Trustees are elected for a period of three years. After this period Trustees are eligible for re-election for a further two periods of three years. The chair and treasurer are elected by the Board of Trustees from its membership. Periods of service for these officers are the same as for other Trustees.

The Board of Trustees has the following powers in the administration of the charity:

• To appoint honourary officers including chair and treasurer;

• To delegate any of their functions to sub-committees consisting of two or more persons appointed by the Board, and in which case at least one member of each sub-committee must be a Trustee, and proceedings of such sub-committee must be reported promptly to the Trustees;

• To make standing orders consistent with this charity’s constitution to govern proceedings at meetings;

• To make rules consistent with this constitution about the Board of Trustees and subcommittees;

• To make regulations consistent with this constitution about the running of the charity, including the operation of bank accounts and the commitment of funds;

• To resolve or establish procedures to assist the resolution of disputes within the charity;

• To adopt procedures governing complaints and conduct.

.Risk Management

The Trustees believe that the following reserves should be held to allow necessary confidence for the continued financial stability of the charity:

• Designated funds and general reserves representing a minimum of three months of General Expenditure, including contracted services and salaries; and at least six months of rental costs

Walking With in North Tyneside Reserves Policy

Definitions are drawn from the Charity Commission guidance:

‘Reserves are that part of a charity’s unrestricted funds that is freely available to spend on any of the charity’s purposes. The starting point for calculating the amount of reserves held is therefore the amount of unrestricted funds held by a charity. However, some or all of the unrestricted funds of a charity may not be readily available for spending. This is because spending those funds may adversely impact on the charity’s ability to deliver its aims. The items that should be excluded from reserves are:

• tangible fixed assets used to carry out the charity’s activities, such as land and buildings

• social investments

• designated funds set aside to meet essential future spending, such as funding a project that could not be met from future income

• commitments that have not been provided for as a liability in the accounts

Restricted funds

Restricted funds fall outside the definition of reserves, but the nature and amount of such funds may impact on a charity’s reserves policy. Where significant amounts are held as restricted

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funds the nature of the restriction should be considered, as such funds may reduce the need for reserves in particular areas of the charity’s work.’

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-and-reserves-cc19/charities-andreserves [accessed June 2024]

The Trustees aim to have a secure funding stream for a year ahead to cover essential items/ core costs, and any additional projects. As a minimum, Trustees aim to have funds in place which approximates to 3 months total running costs, but ensures that contractual obligations (including staff costs, rent and utilities) can be met, including - in the worst case scenario - of having to wind-up/ dissolve the charity.

Much of the core/ essential costs will be, at any one time, covered by restricted funds (from grant making bodies), or designated funds, which the charity has allocated to cover such costs. The balance of such funds and cash flow will be under constant review, at least at every Trustee Board meeting. The budget allows for 5% contingencies (unforeseen/ non-budgeted items) The policy will be reviewed annually.

[See the end of the report for a list of the other ‘Walking With’ policies/ guidelines.]

.Serious Matters or Incidents

The Trustees confirm that there were no serious matters or incidents to advise the Charity Commissioners during the year.

.Volunteers

Volunteers make a significant contribution to the work of Walking With. Their commitment and ongoing support throughout the year is gratefully acknowledged by the Trustees.

All volunteers are appropriately trained, supported and supervised by our Operations Manager on an on-going basis. This post received funding from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. At the end of the year volunteers numbered 53 (including 20 service users). No monetary value is included in the accounts in relation to the unpaid services provided by volunteers, however we are indebted to the volunteers for their support that ensures the success of Walking With.

.Statement of Activities

Walking With in North Tyneside supports over 650 people in North Tyneside who have been displaced from their home countries. We support people who are seeking asylum here in the UK, and those who have been granted leave to remain and continue to live in this area as refugees. We support these service-users by providing:

welcome, food, clothing, household items, English lessons and practice, social and sporting activities, signposting to other partners and services,

and general supportive-advocacy, including opportunities to integrate with the local community, especially through work with local school becoming ‘Schools of Sanctuary’.

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Regular service-user community fora have enabled users to voice their needs and aspirations, and these comments continue to influence the type of provisions of support offered by the charity. Many service-users have been enabled to act as volunteers within the Walking With community, under supervision, bringing their lived experience to other service-users.

We have supportive partnerships with North Tyneside Council and the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (which then transitioned into the new Integrated Care System, ICS), as well as the local football club and other charitable organisations and grant-making bodies. Visits to schools and colleges, and some voluntary work-placement positions at the centre, have been enabled, as well meetings with the local MP. We are a key agent in supporting the developing of Schools of Sanctuary, locally, which includes exchange visits and sharing of experiences between service-users and local school-children.

• We are indebted to the following funders who have supported our work during the year:

• Greggs Foundation

• Hadrian Trust

• John Bell

• Lloyds Bank Foundation

• Newcastle Building Society (Community Funding)

• NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (subsequently Integrated Care System)

• North Tyneside Council

• The Squires Foundation

• The National Lottery Community Fund

• Lowes (Financial Advisers)

• as well as many individuals and groups, including schools and churches.

In addition to the routine activities, indicated above, some highlights in the year were:

• We held an International Women's Day celebration in March and supported Refugee Week in June with activities and resources shared with schools.

• 1-1 support provided by volunteers has been further developed and through training and clarified and refined systems the volunteers are now able to take on much more of the client support and registrations - thus freeing up staff for other work.

• We regularly host placement volunteers.

• A range of regular communication take place with volunteers including: monthly training/ catch-up sessions; weekly email updates; daily briefings; 1-1 chats and regular quarterly feedback surveys.

• We now run four taught English sessions and a 'Happy to Chat' session each week

• Fit and Well activities have continued for physical and mental well-being, including the restarting of monthly community meals.

• We have developed further links with Regional Refugee Forum, NERS and Asylum Matters this year and have provided sessions for clients and opportunities for them to become involved in campaigns and activities.

• Links have been made with a range of other volunteer coordinators across the area and resources and support shared

• Closer links with WERS - our clients are now directed towards their 'Skills-match' initiative for volunteering opportunities and sessions have been held in the centre - more planned.

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Other policies/ guidelines used at Walking With in North Tyneside are: Adult at risk policy, Anti-bullying policy and procudure, Banking Policy, Code of Conduct, Complaints policy, Data protection policy, Discipline policy, Environment policy, Equal Opportunities policy, Expenses policy, Fire Safety policy and procedure, Fund raising policy, Gift aid policy and procedure, Grievance procedure, Health and Safety policy and procedure IT Security policy, Lone worker policy, Payroll policy, Petty cash policy and procedure, Recruitment and selection policy, Safeguarding children and young people policy, Safeguarding vulnerable adults policy, Salesforce guidance and procedures, Supervision policy, Whistleblowing policy, Working from home policy.

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Walking With In North Tyneslde Financial Slalements For The Period Ended 31 Mar¢h 2024 Charity No. 1202661

Legal and Administrative Information Nome W4lMlng Wtb In North Tyn••l¢l• Reg'd Charily No 1202661 Trusl6e6" Ch81f Klartin Hood lBppoin￿d 614120231 Tr888urar Makolm Rainon lopptsinted 614120231 Mtsmbers Rov Enld GrKdon IHppoinied 614tt0231 Valerle Jamie80n lappoinle¢ 614r20231 Gvryn McKenzi818ppoinied e14120231 Matsreen Madden 18ppoinied ￿4&023> Ellzabelh Thoryw lapp&nied 614￿023) Rot4rt Wylio lappoiNèd 614120231 Addrvl Church Hou80 Hugh Str861 WHll&ÉfirJ Newcasiit upon Tyne NE286RL Bank¥r8 Unrty e8nk Nint Bnndl8y Plac• 8irmingham N81 2HB Indtrppndoni examinw.. MrAloxander Rotyinwn F¢¢A Es5BII ACcoun￿niS L 29 Howard sir86t North Sh*lds TYNE ANO WEAR NE30 IAR Pay2

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT Roport to th? tru$tsg9 01 Walklng Wlth in North Tyn88ide On accounts for tho period Ondod 31-Mar.24 Charlty no 1202661 Sot out on pago• 4t08 I report te tho Iruslee$ on my 8x8rninalion ol Ihè account8 of Ihe abo arily I'thtr Tru$i°I for the period ended 3110312024 Rosponslbllltles and b&g1s 01 report As 1*8 chartty Iwslees ol the Tru$t. you are respon8lblg for Ihe preparation of the account8 in accordance Nbilh the requirements ol the Charilles Act 2011 I'the Act'i. I report in re5P8Ct of my examination of the Trust's aecounts carried out under section 145 tsl the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed th? applicable Direciions given by th8 Charity CommisS￿n under section 14515llbl of Iho Act. Ind¢p¢ndgnt examin8r's 6tstem8nt I have compleled my ex8rn1n8lion. I conllrm th81 no material m8tter5 have corng lo my attention In conngclion wilh the oxamlnalion which give5 ffla cause lo believe that in. any material iespgct.. a￿O￿ntIng recArds wer8 not kept In accordance wlth seclton 130 of Ihe Acl or thè 8¢counts do not accord wllh Ihg a￿ountIng record$ I have no concgrn$ 8nd h8v8 come across no other rn8tters in connection with the examlnallon to which attenllon Should be olrawn in order to enable

proper unclerstandlng of the account$ 10 b8 reached.

Slgned: [/ 7/102 Namo: Mr A18xander Robin80n FCCA Addr•••: E5sell Accountant8 Ltd 29 Howard Streot North Shie14$ Tyne and Wear NE30 1AR P8ge 3

Walklng Wlth In North Tyno8lda Stat?mgnt of Flnanclal A¢tlvl¢lwd For The Pgrlod Ended 31 March 2024 Unr8Strl¢tod Funds 2024 R8Strfct8d Funds 2024 Totsl Funds 2024 Total Fund$ 2023 R8¢glpts Gr8nl8 Dwalions Other Incorne Transfer be￿￿en Fund 14,671 7.395 14.671 8.578 Total Rec01p 1.181 123,237 124.419 P4ym0nlS Sa12nes Fundrai51ng Atlivity Costs Travel & Enlert81nmenl Te￿Phone & Inlernet Post, Stalionery & IT Accounlancy Insurance Resour￿9 Training RÈlwhment& Profess￿n￿l Fee& Premi3È8 Exp8nBe Office Equipmenl, Fixluie8 & Flllngs Hlie & Lease 32,290 228 53.094 85.384 228 82 726 1,614 169 867 793 360 1,278 18.528 271 1,614 2,407 360 1,388 16,764 90 470 1,172 14.867 245 298 110 236 383 219 5,088 88 953 9.770 245 154 Totsl Payments 41,118 84,429 126,847 N¢1 Movement In Funds 139,9371 38.809 C•$h Fut)d8 at 6 Aprfl 2023 Transf8r Fund• from Walklng Wlth In 63.909 38,051 99.960 Cuh Fund• It 31 M8rch 23.972 74,860 9B,8J2 Pag8 4

Walklng Wlth In North Tynesld• Balance Sheet For Thè Period Endgd 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Not•• Currènl A88ets Cash 818ank & in Hand Deblors Tot¥1 Cash Balance5 100.837 22 100.859 Crgditors.. amounts falllng duo wlthin ono year 2,0 Not Curr•nt A•88ts 98.833 Cr•ditors= amounts folllng due after on¢ ygar NetA•$•ts at 31 Ma￿h 98.833 Repre8entod By: Rèstricted Fund8 Unresln¢led Funds 74.860 23.973 98.833 On 6th Aprll 2023, the assets of the Charity were transferred from Ihe same name IrÈgislered nurnber 17661231 Slgned .. PositKJn Posil*)n CÉO Date . 19-7_2 Page 5

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