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2022-10-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE018092 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 231708

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

for

The Thalidomide Society

Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW

The Thalidomide Society

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 13
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 14 to 15

The Thalidomide Society Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

TRUSTEES Mr G Spink (resigned 31.5.22)
Ms K West
Mr D Mansell
Mr G Tweedy
Ms M Hogg
Ms G Freeman
Mr R Bareham
Ms M De La Mare
Mr B Payne (resigned 31.5.22)
Ms S Thakkar
Ms M Argy (appointed 16.6.22)
Mr D Tickell (appointed 1.9.22)
REGISTERED OFFICE Flat 29 Weymouth House
Hill House Mews
Bromley
BR2 0DD
REGISTERED COMPANY CE018092 (England and Wales)
NUMBER
REGISTERED CHARITY 231708
NUMBER
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lewis Smith & Co.
Chartered Certified Accountants
The Old Doctor's House
74 Grange Road
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 2AW

Page 1

The Thalidomide Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

General Overview

The Board of Trustees meets four times a year (usually in October, February, March and June) to discuss the work of the Society, to review investments and to plan ahead. These meetings mostly now take place on Zoom but as an event draws near they are more likely to be in person. In between meetings the trustees communicate by email and Zoom, to discuss matters arising and to move forward on all outstanding issues as they arise.

The Board has three subcommittees: Finance, Governance and Events. The Finance and Governance subcommittees meet at least once a year and the Governance, Events and Communications as and when necessary.

The Society has a website to share information about the activities of the Society with the public and its members. The Society also has a Facebook page and Twitter account through which information is shared with members. The Society produces a yearly newsletter which is sent to all members and holds an Annual General Meeting and conference to which all members are invited.

2022 60th celebration

The Board of Trustees celebrated 60 years of the Society by holding a big event at the Marriott Hotel, Heathrow. This took a lot of thought and planning leading up to the event and frequent extra event meetings.

Highlights included a talk from the team from Call the Midwife, an address from Baroness Jane Campbell, Mat Fraser as host, presentations from the Science Museum, Neil Vargesson, Stephen Simmonds on the Thalidomide Memorial and a moving 'role call' in which fellow thalidomiders who are no longer living were remembered.

There was also a continuous film screening of some of the Society's films and other films which were considered of most importance and relevance by the Board. Rockitfish provided AV support and entertainment as well as hosting the online attendees who came from across the world. There was a craft stall with donations from the wider thalidomide community, a raffle with some unique prizes and a lot of time was spent ensuring that the room and decorations looked special.

2022 Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held separately to the conference this year because the 60th celebrations were so extensive and time consuming that the Board and staff were too exhausted to hold it the same weekend. We completed all of the necessary paperwork and submissions to the Charity Commission and all members remained notified and were able to vote as usual.

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees welcomed Mikey Argy and David Tickell as new trustees. Brian Payne and Geoff Spink resigned from the Board. Kath West was voted in as chair and Darren Mansell as vice chair. Mandy de la Mare was voted in as line manager to the secretary. Darren Mansell was voted chair of finance, Mikey Argy was voted chair of governance and Geraldine Freeman was voted chair of events.

Progress is almost complete on the HLF-funded oral history project, Thalidomide Stories, which sees nine thalidomide survivors trained as oral historians, undertaking oral history interviews with fellow survivors. Forty-nine interviews are now completed in full with transcripts and interview summaries in accordance with British Library guidelines. One of the project aims was to build our outreach activities to thalidomide survivors who do not usually attend Society events or may never have met any other survivors. This has been very successful. The Parents' Oral History Project has had no new interviews.

Progress has also been made on the Society's historical archiving; all of the early Board meeting documents and minutes as well as early information bulletins and leaflets have been completed.

Former trustee Marie Pearse has continued to run the successful Lottery Project.

Page 2

The Thalidomide Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Investment Policy and Performance

At the year end the balance of the Society's investment portfolio was valued at £513,337 (2021 - £581,895) and generated income during the year of £22,125 (2021 - £19,086). The value of the investment portfolio significantly reduced because of market performance and disinvestments during the year for cashflow purposes. The Finance Committee actively monitors these investments.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Total income for the year was £90,437 (2021 - £22,376). Expenditure for the year (excluding the investment movements) was £132,862 (2021 - £59,817). The total funds of the charity increased to £551,210 (2021 - £621,177). This consisted of unrestricted funds of £529,419 (2021 - £598,092) and restricted funds of £21,791 (2021 - £23,085).

Restricted Funds

The restricted funds are accounted for separately. These funds are generated from several sources and are restricted for specific projects. These are:

Support for Srey Hang

Funds are generated from the Society's raffle and auctions at the AGM, as well as from occasional separate private donations and bequests. This money has now all been sent to Srey Hang.

Oral History Project: Thalidomide Stories

In July 2018 the Society was granted £96,935 of Heritage Lottery funding for Thalidomide Stories: An Oral History of Thalidomide Survivors. The funds will be used solely for this project. So far funding of £88,740 has been received of which £82,464 has been spent on delivery of the project.

Oral History Project: Parents' Oral History

Funds generated from private bequests, net receipts from the Thalidomide Society Lottery, specific gifts from members and donations are used to support the Society's Parents' Oral History Project. Occasionally funds here too may be used to fund an interview with a thalidomide survivor or someone involved in the thalidomide community when it is needed for a specific talk or presentation on behalf of the Society.

Unrestricted Funds

The Society generates most of its unrestricted funds from its investment portfolio and uses this income to cover charitable activities and governance costs.

Reserves policy

Apart from the Restricted Funds, all reserves available for use by the Society are unrestricted and can be used for the Society in accordance with its charitable aims. The Trustees are aware the Society depends upon the income from its investments to fund its core activities and recognise the need to source other income to embark on any major projects.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

The Society aims to continue with archival digitisation work to protect its heritage and enhance the website content which we are already making progress with. A book contract has been proposed by Polity Press through which the Society can produce a social history of thalidomide, using the words of survivors.

The HLF-funded oral history project will be a strong focus for the next year, with a presentation to members at the 2022 event. The Society will continue to support Srey Hang and continue too with gathering parent oral histories.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a CIO Association conversion dated 4 July 2019.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Page 3

The Thalidomide Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

TRUSTEES INFORMATION

The details of the charity's trustees can be found on the Reference and Administrative Details on page 1 of the accounts.

The following people are not trustees of the charity but hold the following positions:

Name Position
Dr R Blue Secretary to the Board of Trustees
J Tunbridge Honorary Treasurer
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ Mr D Mansell - Trustee

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Thalidomide Society

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Thalidomide Society ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 October 2022.

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 statement

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 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.

Mr Craig Alan Beale

Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW Date: .............................................

Page 5

The Thalidomide Society

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
36,588
Other trading activities
3
1,073
Investment income
4
22,117
Other income
23,107
Total
82,885
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Staff costs
30,444
Other charges
93,572
Charitable activities
-
Total
124,016
Net gains/(losses) on investments
(27,542)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(68,673)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
598,092
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
529,419
Restricted
funds
£
7,544
-
8
-
7,552
6,344
1,160
1,342
8,846
-
(1,294)
23,085
21,791
31.10.22
31.10.21
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
44,132
3,290
1,073
-
22,125
19,086
23,107
-
90,437
22,376
36,788
34,247
94,732
25,570
1,342
-
132,862
59,817
(27,542)
107,121
(69,967)
69,680
621,177
551,497
551,210
621,177
31.10.22
31.10.21
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
44,132
3,290
1,073
-
22,125
19,086
23,107
-
90,437
22,376
36,788
34,247
94,732
25,570
1,342
-
132,862
59,817
(27,542)
107,121
(69,967)
69,680
621,177
551,497
551,210
621,177
22,376
34,247
25,570
-
59,817
107,121
69,680
551,497
621,177

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

The Thalidomide Society

Balance Sheet

31 October 2022

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
1,183
Investments
9
513,337
Cash at bank
17,379
531,899
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
(2,480)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
529,419
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
529,419
NET ASSETS
529,419
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
23,297
23,297
(1,506)
21,791
21,791
21,791
31.10.22
Total
funds
£
1,183
513,337
40,676
555,196
(3,986)
551,210
551,210
551,210
529,419
21,791
551,210
31.10.21
Total
funds
£
7,320
581,895
33,882
623,097
(1,920)
621,177
621,177
621,177
598,092
23,085
621,177

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 October 2022.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2022 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Mr D Mansell - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Thalidomide Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Its principal activity is to work with thalidomide and similarly impaired people, their families and supporters, providing a social network for thalidomide and similarly impaired people. Its registered office is Flat 29, Weymouth House, Hill House Mews, Bromley, BR2 0DD

Company Status

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It is registered on Companies House with the company number CE018092 but is not required to submit and accounts or other documents with them. The company is registered with The Charity Commission with the charity number the 231708. It is required to file an annual report with them which includes a copy of these accounts.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Debtors

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

continued...

Page 8

The Thalidomide Society Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term liquid investments with a short maturity of 3 months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

4.

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Merchandise income 1,073 -
INVESTMENT INCOME
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Investment income 22,125 19,086

5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 October 2022 nor for the year ended 31 October 2021.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 October 2022 nor for the year ended 31 October 2021.

6. STAFF COSTS

31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Wages and salaries 31,817 27,607
Social security costs (323) 3,922
Other pension costs 1,516 1,144
33,010 32,673
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
31.10.22 31.10.21
Employees 2 2

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

continued...

Page 9

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 789 2,501 3,290
Investment income 19,074 12 19,086
Total 19,863 2,513 22,376
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Staff costs 25,963 8,284 34,247
Other charges 17,379 8,191 25,570
Total 43,342 16,475 59,817
Net gains on investments 107,121 - 107,121
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 83,642 (13,962) 69,680
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 514,450 37,047 551,497
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 598,092 23,085 621,177
8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
PAYE & NI tax 1,183 -
Prepayments and accrued income - 7,320
1,183 7,320
9. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Listed investments 513,337 581,895

continued...

Page 10

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Pension creditor 391 -
Accruals and deferred income 3,595 1,920
3,986 1,920
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Support for Srey Hang
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are a
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Support for Srey Hang
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
s follows:
Incoming
resources
£
82,885
7,546
-
2
4
7,552
90,437
At
1.11.21
£
598,092
3,760
1,341
4,555
13,429
23,085
621,177
Resources
expended
£
(124,016)
(408)
(1,341)
(1)
(7,096)
(8,846)
(132,862)
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.10.22
£
£
(68,673)
529,419
7,138
10,898
(1,341)
-
1
4,556
(7,092)
6,337
(1,294)
21,791
(69,967)
551,210
Gains and
Movemen
losses
in funds
£
£
(27,542)
(68,673
-
7,138
-
(1,341
-
1
-
(7,092
-
(1,294
(27,542)
(69,967
At
31.10.22
£
529,419
10,898
-
4,556
6,337
21,791
551,210
(1,294
(69,967

continued...

Page 11

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Support for Srey Hang
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
At
1.11.20
£
514,450
3,511
1,341
4,553
27,642
37,047
551,497
Net
movement
in funds
£
83,642
249
-
2
(14,213)
(13,962)
69,680
At
31.10.21
£
598,092
3,760
1,341
4,555
13,429
23,085
621,177

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
19,863
2,501
2
10
2,513
22,376
Resources
expended
£
(43,342)
(2,252)
-
(14,223)
(16,475)
(59,817)
Gains and
Movemen
losses
in funds
£
£
107,121
83,642
-
249
-
2
-
(14,213)
-
(13,962)
107,121
69,680
Gains and
Movemen
losses
in funds
£
£
107,121
83,642
-
249
-
2
-
(14,213)
-
(13,962)
107,121
69,680
(13,962)
69,680

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Support for Srey Hang
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
At
1.11.20
£
514,450
3,511
1,341
4,553
27,642
37,047
551,497
Net
movement
in funds
£
14,969
7,387
(1,341)
3
(21,305)
(15,256)
(287)
At
31.10.22
£
529,419
10,898
-
4,556
6,337
21,791
551,210

continued...

Page 12

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
Support for Srey Hang
Srey Hang & Beyond
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
102,748
10,047
-
4
14
10,065
112,813
Resources
expended
£
(167,358)
(2,660)
(1,341)
(1)
(21,319)
(25,321)
(192,679)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
79,579
14,969
-
7,387
-
(1,341)
-
3
-
(21,305)
-
(15,256)
79,579
(287)

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 October 2022.

Page 13

The Thalidomide Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 October 2022

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 October 2022
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 42,587 1,585
Lottery income 1,545 1,705
44,132 3,290
Other trading activities
Merchandise income 1,073 -
Investment income
Investment income 22,125 19,086
Other income
Delgate fees 23,107 -
Total incoming resources 90,437 22,376
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Grants to institutions 1,342 -
Support costs
Human resources
Wages 31,817 27,607
Social security (323) 3,922
Pensions 1,516 1,144
Travel and subsistence costs 3,778 2,564
36,788 35,237
Other
Insurance 254 254
Telephone and communications 3,204 4,376
Postage and stationery 193 946
Computer and IT expenses 2,601 1,122
Training seminars & workshops 84,492 11,092
Oral history interview costs - 3,090
Memberships and subscriptions - 80
Repairs and renewals 179 -
Investment fees 1,017 998
Accountancy fees 1,920 1,920
Legal fees 872 702
94,732 24,580
Total resources expended 132,862 59,817
Net expenditure before gains and losses (42,425) (37,441)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 14

The Thalidomide Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 October 2022
31.10.22 31.10.21
£ £
Realised recognised gains and losses
Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset investments (27,542) 107,121
Net (expenditure)/income (69,967) 69,680

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15