NORMANSFIELD AND RICHMOND FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 from Lydia Hansbury, Chair
Management
It is a delight to report that life for our learning disabled community has returned to normal this year following the restrictions placed on the whole of society during the pandemic. However, the effects of the various lockdowns, with the imposed restricted access to activities and social gatherings, cannot be overstated. Many people have needed additional support and reassurance to help them rebuild their confidence so that they can re-engage with their friends and to pick up their lives post-Covid. It is a testament to the staff working locally that they have been proactive in adapting and directing their services to meet this challenge. This is born out in the increased number and variety of grant applications we have received this year.
Our registered Charity address continues to be the Richmond Mencap office, 342 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2DU and our registered Charity number remains 210144.
Our Management Committee (trustees) comprises: Lydia Hansbury - Chair Denise Carr - Treasurer Caroline Barrett Di Bidwell Pip Butterworth Deb Carr-Hill Richard Poxton Nicky Rayner
Finance
I am very pleased to report that our finances remain in a strong position. The value of our investment portfolio at the year-end was £1,661,173, down by £56,233 which was anticipated given the uncertainty in the markets with the escalating conflict in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis at home and the rise in inflation, both here and abroad. The income from our investments however was £54,102, an increase of £3,363 on 2021-22.
I am very grateful to our Treasurer for continuing to manage our Investment Portfolio with such skill and providing clear reports to every Committee meeting, thus enabling the trustees to make appropriate decisions regarding our finances throughout the year. We will endeavour to maximise the funds available in 2024 to support as many people as possible.
Grants Agreed
During the financial year to 30 June 2023 the Management Committee awarded grants totalling £93,899, an increase of £49,494 on 2021-22, largely made up of grants to organisations now back to running full activity programmes.
The grants to organisations included Richmond Mencap, Richmond Gateway Club, Chirpy Cheeps, Crossroads Care, Friends of Ferry Road, The People Hive, Fairlawns, Disability Challengers, the Horse Rangers Association and the Otakar Kraus Music Trust. It has been very gratifying to receive applications this year from organisations we have supported in the past – showing that they are now back to running their group activities and support services. We have also been able to support several new organisations this year that are providing services to young people – especially those moving through the transition process into adulthood. This is an area that the Foundation is keen to support.
This was the second year of the Richard Jeffries Butterfly Award for individual achievement and we were delighted to give three people awards of £150 each
Grants to individuals increased from £30,900 to £34,439, being £16,924 for furniture/furnishings; £13,750 for holidays; £2,120 for leisure and £1,645 for equipment. Of particular note is the increase in the amounts being requested for furniture/ furnishings for people moving into supported living: the average request is £2,000+, and can be higher (£3,000-£4,000 if carpets and flooring is required). While the Foundation is keen to provide support whenever we can, we must also be vigilant in the distribution of our funds so that we can support as many people as possible. Each application is assessed individually and grants allocated on need and subject to the funds available.
General
The Foundation ends the year in a strong position despite the small fall in the value of our investments. We will continue to monitor market trends and although we do expect fluctuations in value, we will adjust our investments if it is judged necessary to do so.
For the past several years I have been functioning as both Chair and Administrator of the Foundation and, as agreed by Committee, I and the Treasurer have been assessing grant applications for individuals as they are received and reporting back to the Committee for ratification. This system has worked very well and has enabled us to respond quickly to requests and to get the money to the individual in a timely way. All the larger organisational applications are considered by the full Committee
Our grants are paid by cheque, both to individuals and to organisations, but with the closure of many local bank branches it is becoming more difficult for people to receive grants in this way. Accordingly, in the year ahead we will be looking at what changes can be made, taking advice from RCVS (Richmond Council for Voluntary Services). I am happy to continue as Chair through this process, but would like to step down by the next AGM.
It is going to be an exciting year for the Foundation. As always, I am indebted to my fellow trustees for their time, good humour and continued commitment to this charity, and I look forward to working with them on the next phase of the Foundation’s development.
NORMANSFIELD & RICHMOND FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Income: Donations | 3,875 | 3,875 | |
| Investments | 54,102 | 50,739 | |
| Other |
20 | 2,439 | |
| Total Income | 57,997 |
57,053 | |
| Direct Charitable Expenditure : |
|||
| Grants to Individuals | 34,439 | 30,900 | |
| Richmond Mencap | 10,000 | 10,000 | |
| The People Hive | 10,000 | - | |
| Gateway Club | 8,300 | - | |
| Crossroads Care | 8,000 | - | |
| Otakar Kraus Music Trust |
5,840 | - | |
| Horse Rangers Association |
5,000 | - | |
| Friends of Ferry Road | 3,800 | - | |
| 9 Fairlawns | 3,500 | - | |
| Disability Challengers | 3,500 | - | |
| Chirpy Cheeps | 700 | - | |
| Butterfly Awards | 450 | 980 | |
| 23 Hampton Road | 345 | - | |
| Royal Society Mencap | 25 | 25 | |
| Park Lane Stables | - | 2,500 | |
| Sub-total 93,899 | 44,405 | ||
| Administration Expenses | 300 | 300 | |
| AGM: refreshments | 99 | 20 | |
| Total Expenditure | 94,298 | 44,725 | |
| Net surplus (deficit) for the year |
(36,301) | 12,328 | |
| Plus Fund Balance at start of year | 1,774,586 | 1,685,480 | |
| Increase (decrease) in investments | (56,233) | 76,778 |
Fund Balance at year end
1,682,052
1,774,586
NORMANSFIELD & RICHMOND FOUNDATION BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets: | ||
| Investment Portfolio |
1, 661,173 | 1,728,697 |
| Current Assets: | ||
| Current Account | 11,508 |
48,009 |
| Debtor (M&S share sale) | 11,291 | - |
| Current Liabilities: | ||
| Uncleared cheques |
1,920 | 2,120 |
| TOTAL ASSETS |
1, 682,052 | 1,774,586 |
| FUND BALANCE |
1, 682,052 | 1,774,586 |
- Changes to the Investment Portfolio during the year:
| hanges to the Investment Portfolio during the | year : |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Portfolio valuation as at 1 July 2022 | 1,728,697 |
| Plus acquisitions: | Nil |
| Less sales: M&S (4.4.23) | 11,291 |
| £1,717,406 |
portfolio valuation as at 30 June 2023 (see overleaf) £1,661,173 Net increase (decrease) in value during the year (£56,233)
- Trustees Expenses – No members of the Committee nor any person connected with them received or are due any remuneration for the year directly or indirectly from the charity’s funds.
Approved by the Trustees on: 27 January 2024
Signed on their behalf by: Denise Carr, Treasurer
NORMANSFIELD & RICHMOND FOUNDATION
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AS AT 30 JUNE 2023
| £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| 274,416 | Newton Growth & Income Fund for Charities | 444,499 |
| 234,119 | Charities Property Fund |
292,344 |
| 60,208 | Family Investments: Family Charities Ethical Trust | 345,475 |
| 163,813 | Diversified Property Fund for Charities | 226,013 |
| 94,554 | Newton SRI Fund for Charities | 174,470 |
| 108,671 | EdenTree, Amity Balanced Fund | 104,541 |
| 2,500 | Prudential shares of 5p | 27,713 |
| 1,922 | United Utilities shares of 5p | 18,482 |
| 996 | WH Smith ordinary shares of 20p | 15,318 |
| 1,312 | Land Securities ordinary shares of 10 2/3p | 7,533 |
| 2,500 | M&G plc ordinary shares of .05p | 4,785 |
TOTAL PORTFOLIO VALUE AS AT 30 JUNE 2023 £1,661,173
Changes to the Investment Portfolio during the year:
| es to the Investment Portfolio during the year : |
|
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Portfolio valuation as at 1 July 2022 |
1,728,697 |
| Plus acquisitions: | Nil |
| Less sales: M&S shares |
11,291 |
| £1,717,406 | |
| Portfolio valuation as at 30 June 2023 | £1,661,173 |
| Net increase (decrease) in value during the year |
(£56,233) |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NORMANSFIELD AND RICHMOND FOUNDATION ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2023, which are attached.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is sufficient.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioner under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
-
state whether any particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirement to keep accounting records in accordance with the 2011 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signature:
Brian Spencer 25 Saville Road, Twickenham TW1 4BQ
Date: 4 October 2023