# **Annual Report & Financial Statements** Year Ended 31st March 2021
Founded 1908 Registered Charity No: 208792
A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No: 00307257
## **Legal & Administrative Information**
## **Vice Presidents**
Mr P de Winton Mrs G Lavelle
**General Committee** Chair Person Mr T Brown _(from Feb 2021)_
Mrs M Parrott _(Chair Person until Feb 2021)_ Hon. Treasurer Mr W Lavelle Mrs N Cowland Mr W Horley Mr J Korn Ms S Whitton _(Appointed 17 Jun 2020)_ Ms M Burton _(Resigned 17 Sep 2020)_ Mr W Shaw _(Resigned 17 Sep 2020)_
## **Contents**
|**Contents**||
|---|---|
|Legal and Administrative Information|**2**|
|Report of the Trustees|**3**|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|**12**|
|Statement of Financial Activities|**13**|
|Income Statement|**14**|
|Statement of Comprehensive Income|**15**|
|Balance Sheet|**16**|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|**17**|
Hon. Life Member Mr P de Winton
## **Secretariat & Beneficiary Support**
Mrs YL Hughes Mrs S Freestone PO Box 342, Burgess Hill, RH15 5AQ 01444 236099 secretary@lhh.org.uk
**Hon. Solicitor** Mr I Burman **Website** www.lhh.org.uk
## **Registered Office**
2 St Andrews Place Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP
**Bankers** CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill, West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
## **Independent Examiner**
VMR Anderson BA (Hons) FCA DChA Clark Brownscombe 2 St Andrews Place, Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP
## **Fund Managers**
Smith & Williamson Investment Management Portwall Place, Portwall Lane Bristol BS1 6NA
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Report of the Trustees**
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and financial statements for Companies Act purposes.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Donor
LHH Charities
Members
Single
Payment
Relief
Regular
Beneficiaries
Covid-19
Emergency
Grants
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3
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Objective and Activities**
The League of the Helping Hand’s (LHH’s) objective is to help and alleviate individual cases of suffering in mind or body among persons who, in the opinion of the general committee of LHH, require financial assistance owing to ill health, accident, or infirmity and are both deserving and necessitous.
LHH’s current policy is to help three different categories of beneficiary; Regular Beneficiaries, Single Payment Beneficiaries and Carers, all of whom need to be referred by independent agencies.
The charity operates throughout the United Kingdom and the grant making policy is reviewed annually to ensure that it reflects the objects and advances public benefit.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the expenditure priorities for the year ahead.
The strength of purpose and belief within the League of the Helping Hand was stretched further than ever before in our 113 year history by Covid-19. We have triumphed.
Trevor J Brown Chair Person
## **Activities – achievements and performance**
In total, there were 1139 applications for both emergency and single payment relief, and LHH was able to award grants for just over half of these requests. .
As can be seen, this represents a huge increase in giving. This was funded partly from investment income and partly from donations.
It should be remembered that all those we help are not only financially deprived but suffering from illness or disability which inhibits their ability to help themselves.
The trustees are of the view that the Charity is a going concern.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Applications received and grants made 1139
Applications
Grants
744
602
577 577
524
283
271
241
217
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
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4
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Covid-19 Emergency Grants**
Emergency Applications were introduced for those suffering severe financial hardship and unable to feed themselves as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year 226 people in urgent need were provided with an emergency grant of up to £100 (£150 in some exceptional cases). In total, £22,402 was provided.
Thank you for your kind and generous donation to our Covid-19 food bank. With your help we have been able to provide essential food to almost 1200 people, which has made such a difference to our families.
## **CASE HISTORY**
## **Emergency Grants**
A mother of three and carer for a severely disabled daughter was referred to us by the Carers’ Network in London. She had recently undergone a Caesarean section and was unable to work or to access food banks. External assistance for her daughter was much reduced owing to Covid-19 and the family was facing extreme financial hardship. An emergency grant of £100 was provided by LHH to relieve immediate food poverty.
Social Work Manager
## **Single Payment Relief**
Sponsors from across the UK working directly with those in need made 837 one off applications for assistance with essential items in 2020/21 and we were able to assist 351 applicants with grants totalling £68,559.
Through our association with white goods charity retailer CSL we were able to help 67 families acquire white goods, valued at approximately £16,750, at low or no cost.
## **CASE HISTORY**
## **Single Payment**
A young woman caring for a one year old child and suffering from ulcerative colitis was forced to leave the family home owing to the severe illness of a parent during the Covid-19 crisis. Social Services provided her with a very basic barely furnished flat with a bed and little else. Because she was unable to work she had no means of acquiring white goods. On receipt of her application LHH responded quickly and arranged the purchase, delivery and plumbing in of a new washing machine.
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Purpose of Single Payment Grants
Clothes 11
Washing 60
machines
Beds 41
Flooring 48
Refrigeration 40
Cookers 64
Furniture 11
Household 13
items
Financial relief 11
Miscellaneous 15
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5
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Regular Beneficiaries**
Identified through the Single Payment process and with help of the original sponsor 70 people have received longer term assistance from LHH in the form of small regular payments and the friendly support of our Support Officer. These programmes last from one to three years, depending upon individual circumstances. In total, £54,015 was granted through this programme in 2020/21.
## **CASE HISTORY Regular Beneficiary**
A 58-year-old widowed mum of three children. She is disabled with many conditions including arthritis and a rare condition called Langerhans’ cell histiocytosis. LHH helps towards the expenses of travelling to receive regular treatments at a number of hospitals in Birmingham and in London.
Thank you so much for your kindness, caring words and your unending support. Knowing that someone has my back, someone who actually cares about me and my family enough to provide not only financial support, but regular newsletters and an annual visit, have given me a real connection and a security blanket in life. LHH has given me HOPE, they have turned my existence into a life worth living and whilst I have my security angel, I know that I am not alone in my battle.
The past year has been difficult for us all but especially so for those living with underlying health conditions trying to manage on a low income. Many of our Regular Beneficiaries have been sheltering throughout the pandemic and have faced the added challenge of isolation and loneliness. Although the annual visit has not been possible this year owing to Covid restrictions and social distancing the Regular Beneficiary Support Officer has increased contact through more frequent phone calls, texts and emails. This has been a lifeline to those living alone or with anxiety and other mental health issues.
Without the help of LHH we would be so much worse off and not just financially. Knowing that there is someone to help at the end of the phone in times of trouble is so reassuring. Just knowing someone cares is so comforting, especially in present (covid) times.
Financially, LHH has committed all cash reserves in order to offer maximum help to people over this difficult year leaving us now in a restricted position. The investment income, which enables us to function, is subject to the fluctuations of the market but allows us to fund Regular Beneficiaries whom we are committed to help for the longer term. Donations and grants we receive through the year (and any ‘surplus’ from investment income), help finance both the Emergency Covid-19 and single payment awards.
We wish to thank in particular, the following, whose generous donations have helped so many people:-
## **CHIDDICK CHARITABLE TRUST**
## **SPENCER HART CHARITABLE TRUST**
## **NEWBY TRUST LTD**
Our focus over the next few years, is to build our resource base so we can continue with our current grants and, it is hoped, expand our charitable programmes.
6
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
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Donations, Grants & Member Subscriptions
Grants Donations Subs Total
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
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## **A difficult juggling act at present**
As the trustees read through the applications for funds their hearts sink when they gain an understanding of the sheer desperation of individuals and families who, through no fault of their own, are urgently in need of help. We enter 2021 with the number of applications increasing whilst our funds are depleting and we are constantly turning away people we wish we could help.
We are working in an environment across the UK of increasing need. The Trussell Trust reports a huge increase in the numbers turning to food banks: in 2020 the total was 1.9 million. This appears to be the case even in seemingly affluent areas. The following message from Family Support Work is typical of what is happening.
The general impression is that Sussex is very affluent and everybody is happily getting on with their lives with plenty of money and opportunity. But actually, the picture is much worse, especially in the seaside towns like Bognor, Hastings and Rye, some of whose council wards fall in the 10% most deprived in the whole country. The local economy is based on low-paid seasonal work so there is a lot of temporary, insecure work, which of course has been totally decimated over the last year as tourism just hasn’t generated any money. There is generational unemployment and a lack of engagement with education. Families here are the hidden poor – in good times they are JAM (just about managing), so don’t appear on the radar of any support services, but the slightest change to their situation can have a drastic effect on all the members of the family.
7
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **The Ambition for the League of the Helping Hand**
We may have existed for 113 years but our continuing objective, to help those with a disability/illness and in need of financial assistance, must reflect the realities of 2021. Mention was made in last year’s report of focus groups held , pre Covid, with front line organisations to find additional ways of utilising our funds as best reflects the changing needs of society. As a result the decision has been taken to establish the following funds:
“Moving On” – As an extension of the regular beneficiary scheme, we will assist those individuals who are determined to improve their current situation. Small grants, over a limited period, will be available to assist in the cost of establishing a self- supporting lifestyle. We will seek additional funds to support this initiative.
The Children’s Fund – Sussex – Extensive research has demonstrated that children trapped in poverty and unable to develop educationally and socially are highly likely to become unproductive members of society and, ultimately, a net drain on the country’s resources.
Initially focused on Sussex as a pilot, LHH will make small grants of up to £250 to enable children from households financially constrained by illness or disability to access educational tools and out of school activities. LHH have been in consultation with Social Services and front-line charities such as the Family Support Work and they enthusiastically endorse the need for this type of funding. A restricted fund will be established for this purpose and fundraising activities will be undertaken in Sussex.
Re Social Development – the levels of poverty / criminality and county lines / exploitation in East Sussex is high (from my perspective anyway) and funds available for diversionary activities, or activities that promote emotional wellbeing and equality for these children is low. I can only think off the top of my head of one charity that specifically awards money for activities for children…there are other pots of money that can sometimes be accessed however these are normally ring fenced for the highest of risk children (i.e. already heavily involved in the criminal justice system etc.) as opposed to being used to prevent children and young people reaching that stage. My opinion is that we need both – early intervention and diversionary approaches.
Social Services Lead Worker
8
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Objectives for 2021 - 2022**
The image of LHH needs to be considered carefully as fundraising is often dependent upon first impressions. Our name, although long established and well respected, may possibly detract from our ability to project a modern caring image. This will be carefully addressed during the coming year and changes will be made if considered appropriate.
Our investment income, the major source of our funds, has fallen in recent years. It is therefore absolutely essential that we take steps not only to maintain but to increase our income from other sources (mainly donations and grants from other charities) particularly if we are going to be able to assist the increasing numbers and satisfy the needs of those who turn to us for help. We shall therefore be looking at ways to improve our fundraising and to that end we shall be encouraging more people to become LHH members possibly to assist the trustees with both service provision and fundraising.
During 2020, we have said goodbye to two valuable trustees, Ms Mary Burton and Mr William Shaw, and welcomed Ms Sarah Whitton to the board. Tribute should also be paid to our retiring Chair Person Mrs Moira Parrott, whose enthusiasm for the charity has been at the heart of everything we have accomplished of late.
**It is through the hard work and determination of the Board of trustees and of our members that the charity will continue to thrive.**
## **Constitution**
Originally an unincorporated body, The League of The Helping Hand (LHH) is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 29 October 1935 as amended subsequently. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1st January 2015)”.
## **Organisation**
LHH is governed by its trustees who are directors of the company and who make up the general committee. Prior to the appointment of any new trustee, he or she is asked to attend at least two of the general committee’s quarterly meetings before a decision is made to appoint. Details of the trustees and the appointments and resignations during the year are set out in the Legal and Administrative information on page 2.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees regularly review the risks to which the charity is exposed and implement procedures to mitigate them. There are internal controls built into the procedures which the trustees believe are working satisfactorily.
9
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Financial Review**
## **Overview**
The key theme driving throughout 2020 and well into 2021 as we report is that of Covid-19. As applications increased from individuals and families finding themselves in exactly the sort of position LHH was set up to help, so the trustees took the view that we would pay out in grants as much as we could to help those who so desperately needed it. We agreed to do this by reducing the cash surplus in our current account (approximately £40,000 as at the 31st March 2020 and £5,000 as at the 31st March 2021).
The total income for the year was £148,864 of which 75% came from the investment portfolio being marginally higher than we had forecast; the remainder came from donations and grants. After administrative expenses this left LHH with net income of £136,962.
Despite the serious impact on the value of the portfolio during the market volatility of Spring and early summer 2020 the dividend stream, which is used to fund LHH, held up well and actually outperformed our forecast notwithstanding that it was down 12% on the previous year.
## **The forthcoming financial year**
The budget for year commencing April 2021 is largely in line with that of the previous year with the exception of the One-off Gifts/Single payments, where we have to budget down as we no longer have the comfort of a substantial bank balance. This means that additional fundraising is more important than ever.
We remain dependent on the dividend income from the investment portfolio but are confident that this will be in line with last year, after discussions with our investment managers.
The number of regular beneficiaries is budgeted to continue at around the existing level of 70 (this commitment alone consumes over 40% of our gross income), and whilst the Regular Beneficiary support officer is currently restricted in making physical visits, we hope there may be scope to reinstate these incredibly valuable trips in the forthcoming year.
The fixed costs of the charity remain largely the same as last year enabling all surplus to be distributed but additional sources of income are required if we want to continue to help as many as possible.
As at the 31st March 2021 the portfolio had recovered to £2.62million, an increase of 17% from the 31st March 2020.
The total gross income was similar to that for the previous year (£148,864 for 2021 and £145,046 for 2020) However the total spend on charitable giving was up significantly at £144,976, the difference between net income and charitable gifts being made up by the cash from our CAF current account. This was a one-off solution agreed by all the trustees in order to maximise payments to beneficiaries in extraordinary times, resulting in an operating deficit for the year of £31,061.
10
Report of the Trustees of The League of the Helping Hand for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Investment Management**
The investment portfolio is managed by Smith & Williamson Investment Management (S&W). In order to comply with the Trustee Investment Act 2000, and as recommended by S&W, the investment objectives and policy are reviewed on a regular basis by the general committee. The level of investment risk is also established and agreed in accordance with guidelines provided by S&W. The primary objective is to maximise income whilst maintaining capital growth through a diversified portfolio of securities.
## **Reserves Policy**
LHH meets its obligations to beneficiaries out of the income derived from the investment portfolio and the grants it receives, and may on occasion do so out of capital. The level of reserves is sufficient to cover forthcoming management and administrative expenditure and regular grants and donations to which it is committed.
## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities**
The members of the general committee of trustees, as trustees and directors, are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements. The trustees have chosen to prepare financial statements for the company in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP). Company law requires the trustees to prepare such financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the surplus or deficit for that period and comply with UK GAAP and the Companies Act 2006.
In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to;-
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures and explained in the financial statements;
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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 enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safe-guarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
## **By order of the General Committee**
Yee Ling Hughes - Company secretary
Date:
11
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st March 2021 which are set out on pages 12 to 18.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the 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 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 your charity’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 report**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
- (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- (2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or
- (3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- (4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
V M R Anderson BA (Hons) FCA DChA Chartered Accountant Clark Brownscombe 2 St Andrews Place Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP Date:
12
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|Note
**INCOME**
Investments
Bank deposit interest
Charitable activities
- Subscriptions
- Grants
Donations
**TOTAL INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
Charitable activities
2
Raising funds
- Investment managers’ fees
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
Fund balances at 1 April 2020
Fund balances at 31 March 2021|**Unrestricted Funds**
**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**110,077**
126,000
**19**
85
**2,313**
2,412
**14,000**
10,000
**22,455**
6,549
**148,864**
145,046
**179,925**
159,023
**9,920**
10,465
**189,845**
169,488
**(40,981)**
(24,442)
**368,236**
(341,126)
**327,255**
(365,568)
**2,319,259**
2,684,827
**2,646,514**
2,319,259|**Unrestricted Funds**
**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**110,077**
126,000
**19**
85
**2,313**
2,412
**14,000**
10,000
**22,455**
6,549
**148,864**
145,046
**179,925**
159,023
**9,920**
10,465
**189,845**
169,488
**(40,981)**
(24,442)
**368,236**
(341,126)
**327,255**
(365,568)
**2,319,259**
2,684,827
**2,646,514**
2,319,259|2020
£
126,000
85
2,412
10,000
6,549|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
145,046|
||||159,023
10,465|
|||
169,488
(24,442)
(341,126)|
169,488|
|||
(365,568)
2,684,827||
|||2,319,259||
The notes form part of these financial statements
13
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **INCOME STATEMENT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|
**INCOME**
Investment income receivable
Bank deposit interest
Subscriptions and donations
**ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES**
Communications
Accountancy fees
Secretariat fees
Sundry expenses
Office equipment purchase and maintenance
Insurance
IT expenses and data storage
**NET INCOME**
**BENEFICIARY SUPPORT**
Single payment beneficiaries
Regular beneficiaries
Beneficiary visits
**GIFTS**
**Payments relating to regular beneficiaries:**
Quarterly gifts
Christmas gifts
Holidays
**Payments to other beneficiaries:**
One-off gifts
**(DEFICIT)**
**FOR**
**THE**
**FINANCIAL**
**YEAR**
**BEFORE**
**INVESTMENT GAINS AND COSTS**|
**£**
**1,519**
**2,460**
**6,257**
**607**
**449**
**261**
**349**
**14,599**
**8,448**
**-**
**49,355**
**4,660**
**-**
**90,961**
|**2021**
**£**
**110,077**
**19**
**38,768**
**148,864**
**11,902**
**136,962**
**23,047**
**144,976**
**(31,061)**
|2020
£
126,000
85
18,961
145,046
1,797
2,058
6,205
557
323
395
857
12,192
132,854
14,479
11,311
2,888
28,678
53,071
5,060
2,700
57,322|2020
£
126,000
85
18,961
145,046
1,797
2,058
6,205
557
323
395
857
12,192
132,854
14,479
11,311
2,888
28,678
53,071
5,060
2,700
57,322|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||
28,678|
|||||53,071
5,060
2,700
57,322|
||||118,153
(13,977)||
The notes form part of these financial statements.
14
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
|
Retained (deficit)/ surplus for the year
Investment managers fees
Realised (losses)/gains on investments
Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation of investments
Total recognised gains/(losses) for the year
|**2021**
**£**
**(31,061)**
**(9,920)**
**(1,339)**
**369,575**
**327,255**
|2020
£
(13,977)
(10,465)
16,914
(358,040)
(365,568)|
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements.
15
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021**
## **COMPANY NUMBER: 00307257**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Investments
5
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
6
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
7
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds
Revaluation reserve
Total unrestricted funds|**2021**
**£**
**11,970**
**4,572**
**16,542**
**6,565**|**£**
**2,636,537**
**9,977**
**2,646,514**
**2,206,358**
**440,156**
**2,646,514**|2020
£
2,289,702|2020
£
2,289,702|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||9,986
29,024
39,010
9,453
29,557
2,319,259|9,986
29,024|
|||||39,010
9,453|
|||||
29,557|
||||2,292,032
27,227||
||||
2,319,259||
The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2021.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
- (a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
These financial statements were approved on behalf of the General Committee on
…………………………. Trevor Brown – Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
16
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## 1. **Accounting Policies**
## **a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern**
- The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102, effective 1 January 2015), hereafter referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The League of the Helping Hand 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.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated 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. However, there are no judgements or assumptions that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment.
The are no material uncertainties concerning the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
## **b) Income**
Income for the year comprises investment income, bank interest, subscriptions, donations, grants and legacies and is accounted for on the receivable basis.
## **c) Expenditure**
Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.
The main categories of expenditure are:-
- Charitable activities include grants made and related support costs, including Governance costs incurred in the governance of the charity.
- Costs of generating funds are investment management costs.
## **d) Grants payable**
Amounts payable to the beneficiaries are accounted for when the charity is committed to paying them.
17
## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **e** ) **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted Funds: these are generally funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
## **f** ) **Investments**
Investments are measured at fair value as at the balance sheet date using the quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
## **g) Donations**
Donations and fund raising income are accounted for when received.
## **h) Legacies**
Legacies are accounted for when received.
## **i) Debtors**
Debtors fall into the definition of assets and encompass amounts due from the stockbroker for income and prepayments.
## **j) Creditors**
Creditors fall into the definition of liabilities and encompass accruals for costs not yet billed or processed.
## **2. Charitable Activities**
|
Grants and other associated costs
Independent Examiner’s fees
Other support costs|**2021**
**£**
**168,023**
**2,460**
**9,442**
**179,925**|2020
£
146,831
2,058
10,134
159,023|
|---|---|---|
## **3. Trustees remuneration**
No trustee received any remuneration and it is not general practice to reimburse travel expenses to trustees.
## **4. Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
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## **THE LEAGUE OF THE HELPING HAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021**
## **5. Investments/financial instruments**
|**Investments**
**Cash net of**
**liabilities**
**£**
**£**
Market value at 1 April 2020
**2,157,243**
**132,459**
Additions at cost
**187,383**
**-**
Disposal proceeds
**(114,593)**
**-**
Equalisation
**(338)**
**-**
Net investing movement
**-**
**(72,452)**
RBS Litigation
**(176)**
**176**
Interest received
**-**
**19**
Accrued income
**-**
**-**
Investment manager’s fees
**-**
**(9,920)**
Transfer
**-**
**(11,500)**
**2,229,519**
**38,782**
Unrealised gains/(losses)
**369,575**
**-**
Realised (losses)/gains
**(1,339)**
**-**
Market value at 31 March 2021
**2,597,755**
**38,782**
The historical cost of the investments was £2,157,599 (2020: £2,130,016).|
|**Total**
**2021**
**£**
**2,289,702**
**187,383**
**(114,593)**
**(338)**
**(72,452)**
**-**
**19**
**-**
**(9,920)**
**(11,500)**
**2,268,301**
**369,575**
**(1,339)**
**2,636,537**
|Total
2020
£
2,636,249
316,041
(402,322)
(212)
86,493
-
85
(41)
(10,465)
5,000
2,630,828
(358,040)
16,914
2,289,702|
|---|---|---|---|
|**6.**
**Debtors**
Other debtors
**7.**
**Creditors**
Other creditors
Accruals|**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**11,970**
9,986
**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**4,285**
7,395
**2,280**
2,058
**6,565**
9,453|**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**11,970**
9,986
**2021**
2020
**£**
£
**4,285**
7,395
**2,280**
2,058
**6,565**
9,453|
|---|---|---|
|||
9,453|
## **8. Statutory Information**
The Company is a private company, limited by guarantee. Members have a liability not exceeding £1 each in the event of a winding up. The company is registered in England and Wales and the registered number and registered office address can be found on the Legal and Administrative information page.
19
Founded 1908 Registered Charity No: 208792 A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No: 00307257