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2023-10-31-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 2023

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 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8 to 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 to 17

The Thalidomide Society

for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Report of the Trustees

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 2023. 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).

ACTING CHAIR'S STATEMENT

I am delighted to introduce the Thalidomide Society annual report for 2022/23:

The last year has seen some big changes within our charity, not least being the departure of Ruth Blue as Secretary. Many of you will know that Ruth spent a considerable number of years as the Secretary and made great strides in raising the profile of the Thalidomide Society and building our ongoing legacy via the Thalidomide Stories Project that is now coming to its end and will be forwarded to the British Library for prosperity.

We now welcome Julie Dixon who takes on the role of Administrator and we all look forward to working alongside Julie who brings a wealth of experience from the Charity world. It is always difficult when such an integral part of an organisation moves on. But I am sure you will join with me in welcoming Julie into our organisation and thanking Ruth for her years of dedication.

The Society recognises that the last set of accounts has yet to be logged with the Charity Commission. This is due to the change in administration staff and the new administrator being unable to gain access to the Charity Commission site due to the Commissions new system of individuals having their own separate account. Our new administrator has asked on a number of occasions to be sent her new log in details to no avail. The Charity Commission has stated that it will note this and back date the logging of accounts.

The HLF funded oral history has reached its conclusion and the project being forwarded to the British Library in early 2024. Which is good news.

Moving forward I am excited to see what our new year brings. We are pushing ahead with our own project that is funded solely by the Society and its members. We will be updating and re-invigorating our website. This will give the Society more scope to inform others and tell our story. A vibrant website is our window. Though the year you will be receiving more updates via email and a second newsletter soon after the AGM. We will be planning a launch of the Thalidomide Stories Project for later in the year and much of the information will also be available on the website in due course.

As you can see there is lots happening, and I am sure there is more to come.

Let's keep driving the agenda to ensure our Legacy is available to as many people as possible.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Our Objectives

To assist in the relief of persons with impairments attributable to the effects of the drug known as thalidomide and other persons with similar impairments by:

In setting objectives and planning for activities the trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity commission relating to public benefit including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2).

Page 1

The Thalidomide Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Oral History Project - Thalidomide Stories

This project has been funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and is now complete and all documentation is with the Heritage Lottery Fund for review, this includes full accounts, expenditure receipts and spreadsheets, the project completion report, and the final project evaluation report. The digital files will be transferred to the British Library in February 2024. After this is complete, copyright and ownership of the project will be held jointly between the Thalidomide Society and the British Library. There is no fixed date yet for the when the project will become live at the British Library.

The Thalidomide Society's parents' oral history project has not developed further over the past year, but it is hoped the British Library will accept it as well as the Thalidomide Stories, subject to the metadata creation.

Our yearly AGM/Conference was held at St Georges Park, mainly due to them having a larger number of accessible rooms. It was an enjoyable event with good feedback from those attending. Giving opportunities for members to met up with old and new friends. We also gave the opportunity for members to attend via Zoom.

Our Facebook page is well used and a great opportunity to share information with other members.

We receive many inquiries, particularly from eighth and ninth graders from the USA, these young people chose to do their project for National History Day on thalidomide and their enthusiasm for understanding and knowledge is commendable.

Presently our key areas of support are:

We presently produce one Newsletter a year for members, in this we can inform members of the yearly AGM/Conference outcomes, reproduce good news stories, remind people of initiatives, such as our Lottery.

Our Thalidomide Society Lottery is an opportunity for people to donate to the Society, and this fund raising goes towards our projects. It is also a great opportunity to perhaps get a little gift back via our Lottery.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Investment Policy and Performance

At the year end the balance of the Society's investment portfolio was valued at £373,278 (2022 - £513,337) and generated income during the year of £16,729 (2022 - £22,125). 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 £33,330 (2022 - £90,437). Expenditure for the year (excluding the investment movements) was £137,464 (2022 - £132,862). The total funds of the charity at the year end were £413,120 (2022 - £551,210). This consisted of unrestricted funds of £404,611 (2022 - £529,419) and restricted funds of £8,509 (2022 - £21,791).

Page 2

The Thalidomide Society

for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Report of the Trustees

FINANCIAL REVIEW

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 were generated from the Society's raffle and auctions at the AGM, as well as from occasional separate private donations and bequests.

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, so far £96,803 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

We will be moving forward with the Thalidomide Voices (part 2) Project that will run for two years and is funded by kind donations and Society lottery. Our website is being revamped, as we recognise that this is an essential window to people across the UK and further afield. We hope to develop some online friendship meetings. And will endeavour to send regular updates to members via email and produce a second newsletter each year, recognising the importance of communication.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

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

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the overarching charity governors with delegated authority for the day-to-day management of all charity matters falling to the appointed Administrator. Our Trustee Board members oversee the charity's strategic direction and legal responsibilities.

We welcome Sue Gooding to the board and two trustees have resigned. We look to appoint trustees that will enhance the Boards knowledge and enrich the charity. We employ one part-time administrator. With trustees sitting on selected sub-committees relating to Finance, Governance and Events. With one trustee being voted to line manage the administrator.

Page 3

The Thalidomide Society

for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Report of the Trustees

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Method of appointment or election of trustees

Charity management is the responsibility of the trustees elected or co-opted under the terms of the Constitution. The Board meets at least four times annually to regularly review strategy, budget, and performance. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Potential conflicts of Interest are stated at the start of each meeting, ensuring transparency is maintained. All trustees receive relevant documentation. Trustees are encouraged to attend inexpensive and valid training courses as they arise.

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

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.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

CE018092 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

231708

Registered office

The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW

Trustees

D Mansell (acting Chair from 23/01/2024, previously Vice Chair) M Argy R Bareham (resigned 28/09/2023) M de la Mare G Freeman S Gooding (appointed 15/05/2023) M Hogg D Tickell S Thakkar G Tweedy (resigned 04/03/2024) K West (Chair - resigned 23/01/2024)

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 (until September 2023)
J Dixon Administrator to the Board of Trustees (from August 2023)
J Tunbridge Honorary Treasurer

Page 4

The Thalidomide Society

for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Report of the Trustees

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Independent Examiner

Lewis Smith & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants The Old Doctor's House 74 Grange Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2AW Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

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

Page 5

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 2023.

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

  2. 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

  3. 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 6

The Thalidomide Society

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
90
Other trading activities
3
-
Investment income
4
16,681
Other income
13,910
Total
30,681
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Staff costs
29,072
Other charges
84,461
Charitable activities
-
Total
113,533
Net gains/(losses) on investments
(33,956)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(116,808)
Transfers between funds
11
(8,000)
Net movement in funds
(124,808)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
529,419
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
404,611
Restricted
funds
£
2,601
-
48
-
2,649
9,216
14,715
-
23,931
-
(21,282)
8,000
(13,282)
21,791
8,509
31.10.23
31.10.22
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
2,691
44,132
-
1,073
16,729
22,125
13,910
23,107
33,330
90,437
38,288
36,788
99,176
94,732
-
1,342
137,464
132,862
(33,956)
(27,542)
(138,090)
(69,967)
-
-
(138,090)
(69,967)
551,210
621,177
413,120
551,210

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

The Thalidomide Society

Balance Sheet

31 October 2023

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
1,183
Investments
9
373,278
Cash at bank
32,676
407,137
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
10
(2,526)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
404,611
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
404,611
NET ASSETS
404,611
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
8,509
8,509
-
8,509
8,509
8,509
31.10.23
Total
funds
£
1,183
373,278
41,185
415,646
(2,526)
413,120
413,120
413,120
404,611
8,509
413,120
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

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 October 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

Page 8

The Thalidomide Society

Balance Sheet - continued

31 October 2023

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 9

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

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.

continued...

Page 10

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Debtors

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

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.

31.10.23 31.10.22
£ £
Merchandise income - 1,073
INVESTMENT INCOME
31.10.23 31.10.22
£ £
Investment income 16,729 22,125

5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 October 2023 nor for the year ended 31 October 2022.

Trustees' expenses

During the year some trustees were paid expenses to cover travel costs. The amount of these payments made were £1,068 (2022 - £1,867).

continued...

Page 11

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

6. STAFF COSTS
31.10.23 31.10.22
£ £
Wages and salaries 32,068 31,817
Social security costs - (323)
Other pension costs 1,084 1,516
33,152 33,010
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
31.10.23 31.10.22
Employees 2 2
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 36,588 7,544 44,132
Other trading activities 1,073 - 1,073
Investment income 22,117 8 22,125
Other income 23,107 - 23,107
Total 82,885 7,552 90,437
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Staff costs 30,444 6,344 36,788
Other charges 93,572 1,160 94,732
Charitable activities - 1,342 1,342
Total 124,016 8,846 132,862
Net gains/(losses) on investments (27,542) - (27,542)
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (68,673) (1,294) (69,967)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 598,092 23,085 621,177
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 529,419 21,791 551,210

continued...

Page 12

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements-continued
for the Year Ended 31 October 2023
8.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
PAYE & NI debtor
9.
CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
Listed investments
10.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Pension creditor
Accruals and deferred income
11.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At
1.11.22
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
529,419
Restricted funds
Thalidomide Society Oral History
10,898
Support for Srey Hang
4,556
HLF
6,337
21,791
TOTAL FUNDS
551,210

Net
movement
in funds
£
(116,808)
2,608
39
(23,929)
(21,282)
(138,090)
31.10.23
£
1,183
31.10.23
£
373,278
31.10.23
£
78
2,448
2,526
Transfers
between
funds
£
(8,000)
-
-
8,000
8,000
-
31.10.22
£
1,183
31.10.22
£
513,337
31.10.22
£
391
3,595
3,986
At
31.10.23
£
404,611
13,506
4,595
(9,592)
8,509
413,120

continued...

Page 13

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

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
HLF
TOTAL FUNDS
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
Incoming
resources
£
30,681
2,608
39
2
2,649
33,330
Resources
expended
£
(113,533)
-
-
(23,931)
(23,931)
(137,464)
At
1.11.21
£
598,092
3,760
1,341
4,555
13,429
23,085
621,177
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
(33,956)
(116,808)
-
2,608
-
39
-
(23,929)
-
(21,282)
(33,956)
(138,090)
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

continued...

Page 14

The Thalidomide Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative 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
£
82,885
7,546
-
2
4
7,552
90,437
Resources
expended
£
(124,016)
(408)
(1,341)
(1)
(7,096)
(8,846)
(132,862)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
(27,542)
(68,673)
-
7,138
-
(1,341)
-
1
-
(7,092)
-
(1,294)
(27,542)
(69,967)

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 October 2023.

Page 15

The Thalidomide Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 October 2023
31.10.23 31.10.22
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 1,191 42,587
Lottery income 1,500 1,545
2,691 44,132
Other trading activities
Merchandise income - 1,073
Investment income
Investment income 16,729 22,125
Other income
Delgate fees 13,910 23,107
Total incoming resources 33,330 90,437
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Grants to institutions - 1,342
Support costs
Human resources
Wages 32,068 31,817
Social security - (323)
Pensions 1,084 1,516
Travel and subsistence costs 5,136 3,778
38,288 36,788
Other
Insurance 254 254
Telephone and communications 726 3,204
Postage and stationery 260 193
Computer and IT expenses 1,677 2,601
Training seminars & workshops 78,207 84,492
Oral history photography costs 7,946 -
Oral history transcribing costs 4,243 -
Repairs and renewals 1,198 179
Recruitment costs 633 -
Carried forward 95,144 90,923

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

The Thalidomide Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 October 2023

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 October 2023
31.10.23 31.10.22
£ £
Other
Brought forward 95,144 90,923
Investment fees 1,137 1,017
Accountancy fees 2,034 1,920
Legal fees 861 872
99,176 94,732
Total resources expended 137,464 132,862
Net expenditure before gains and losses (104,134) (42,425)
Realised recognised gains and losses
Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset investments (33,956) (27,542)
Net expenditure (138,090) (69,967)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 17