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2024-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02226878 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 298154

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

FOR

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 14
Report of the Independent Auditors 15 to 18
Statement of Financial Activities 19
Statement of Financial Position 20 to 21
Statement of Cash Flows 22
Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows 23
Notes to the Financial Statements 24 to 36
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 37 to 38

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

TRUSTEES S Van Rooyen E L Fletcher S Whipp D Parkinson-Mais (resigned 18/8/23) K Dhlamini REGISTERED OFFICE Eagle House 28 Billing Road Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5AJ REGISTERED COMPANY 02226878 (England and Wales) NUMBER REGISTERED CHARITY 298154 NUMBER AUDITORS Shaw Gibbs (Audit) Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditor Eagle House 28 Billing Road Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5AJ SOLICITORS Tollers 2 Castilian Street Northampton NN1 1JX WEBSITE www.nvcfr.org.uk

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NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 March 2024. 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).

Within the report the charity Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge Limited is also referred to as NVCFR and EVE, which are both working names of the charity.

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NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal activity and charitable objects

NVCFR has been a trusted source of support to women and children escaping domestic abuse in Northamptonshire for more than 40 years; growing and developing our services to respond to the dynamic nature of domestic abuse and to the needs of families in Northamptonshire and beyond. We continue to see need significantly increase in all areas of our work.

NVCFR continued to support women, children, and families through a variety of programmes specifically designed to meet their needs, including mental ill-health, food poverty, child poverty, homelessness, pregnancy, drug, and alcohol abuse as well as the underlying issue of domestic abuse. As always, we could not have done it without the support of many people across the County, including Churches, local businesses, and local and national grant makers too, who have generously donated clothes, food, and money to support the families we work with.

We could not have helped so many people to leave behind the trauma and effects of domestic abuse without the dedication, skill and enthusiasm of our amazing staff and volunteer team. Every one of them works tirelessly, whatever their role, to the absolute best of their ability. As always, the year has provided many challenges; challenges that the team rise to mostly with cheerfulness, sometimes with gritted teeth but always with an incredible sense of team spirit. Our staff and volunteers are at the very heart of who we are, what we do and the difference we make.

Objectives for 23/24

We constantly monitor and evaluate our programmes and interventions to understand how effective our approaches are.

Further evidence from other interventions demonstrates that:

The following report provides the details in how we have achieved these objectives.

The social need eve addresses

There were 17,825 domestic abuse related offences and incidents, including stalking, harassment and coercive control recorded in Northamptonshire during 2021/22 (Office of National Statistics), compared to 13,007 for the year 2019/20 (Office of National Statistics). Domestic abuse accounts for 18% of all crime, which is both higher than the national figure (17%) and the previous years' figures (Office of National Statistics).

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This significant increase is taking its toll on the county's services. MARAC is taking an average of 12 weeks to hear cases, compared to the 2-week benchmark, and 40% of cases are families who have been heard previously (Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategic Need Assessment). This is significantly higher than the national average of 33%. Domestic abuse accounts for 40% of concerns in children's social care cases and has been experienced by 44% of young offenders within the county (Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategic Need Assessment). Young offenders who have experienced domestic abuse are twice as likely to be affected by child criminal exploitation and gang affiliated (Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategic Need Assessment). We work in partnership with these agencies and accept referrals from a wide range of sources, including statutory agencies such as the Police and Children's Social Services, voluntary sector partners such as homelessness organisations, and self-referrals.

There is limited local data available on victims facing multiple and complex needs, but our evidence suggests that levels of comorbid conditions, including mental health and substance misuse, are considerable. Over 80% of the women we work with experience poor mental health (including c.60% with diagnosed mental health illness), 16% are battling addictions, 89% are unemployed, 68% are in vulnerable housing situations, and 46% are at high risk of harm from their perpetrator. We work with the women to resolve their crises and support them to work with other specialist agencies before they are ready to engage in our therapeutic programmes.

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NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

Our response in 2023/24

Our trauma-responsive restorative services work with survivors. We listen to their stories and help them to articulate their own and their children's needs. We use empathy, professional curiosity and motivational interviewing techniques to ask the right questions, working with each woman to establish her needs safely and place them at the centre of her support.

We offer specialist support and effective solutions, working in a women centred environment offering a team around the family approach to supporting service users and their children.

We work diligently with statutory and voluntary sector organisations across the county and the country, sharing knowledge and ideas. We have published campaigns to promote ongoing delivery of our important perpetrator programmes and to raise awareness of and support for victims/survivors of domestic abuse.

Against this backdrop we have contributed locally and nationally by supporting and mentoring emerging organisations and services to develop their offer, access funding and provide specialist support to women with No Recourse to Public Funds and women victim/survivors who have not accessed support from any other service. We have given support, information, advice and guidance, shared our knowledge and expertise, policies and procedures and our CPD accredited training. Eve is proud to be able to enable the sector to grow in this way.

We launched our Silent Solutions helpline in April 2020, in direct response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the increased demand for our services. By offering text message and email options to contact our helpline, we have enabled people who are in living with their perpetrator and unable to talk about their needs to reach out without needing to speak. The service continues to provide support, guidance, information, and advice to women who need help in this way.

Eve has worked with more than 750 individuals across all our services during this financial year, an increase of 23% on last year and a 96% increase since 2020/21.

Refuge

Our main purpose-built refuge provides accommodation for 13 women and up to 17 children at any one time and our second refuge provides accommodation for up to 4 single women. Service users are offered emergency support to develop a safety plan, to apply for benefits, support for their children, and for working with other agencies to meet their complex needs. Eventually they are supported to move into their own home and continue receiving help through our community programme. Whilst living in refuge, service users are given access to our Restored Programme with a focus on preparing for life after refuge, including work. Their programme typically includes volunteering opportunities, developing a CV, budgeting and financial management and working to meet other specific needs.

72 women and 51 children stayed in our refuge during 2023/24. 41.6% of these residents were high risk from their perpetrators with others having a range of complex needs including:

This is a 300% rise in additional complex needs from 2020/21.

In addition, we were required to track women who needed other specialist support, including:

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68.63% of women resident in our refuges and 15% of women in our community services were from Black, Brown, and other Minoritised backgrounds.

We recorded the following risk levels from service users' perpetrators.

Eve received 852 contacts throughout the year. We were unable to offer a service to 230 of these women for several reasons, including:

Our occupancy rate of 66% over the year for Valley House was lower than usual for the first two quarters of the year as we had extensive renovation works undertaken by the Housing Association. Occupancy rate for Grace House was 57%.

22% of women stayed in refuge for less than 1 month, and 61% stayed for 3 months or longer. 14 % of women with specialist needs stayed for more than 6 months.

Community Service

180 women and 61 children participated in our Community Service during 2023/24. These families were able to live in their own accommodation, receiving a range of services at our Women's Centre, which included, The Restored Programme, Minimum Safety Support, Therapeutic Services, Specialist Groupwork Services, Children's Services and Keyworker sessions.

7.2% of our community service users were assessed as being high risk from their perpetrators with others having a range of complex needs including:

The Restored Programme

Every woman is offered the appropriate interventions and activities from our holistic, long-term rehabilitation and recovery programme, Restored, written and developed by Eve in 2014. Each woman on the programme has a key worker who supports her to create an Independent Development Plan that meets her individual needs and works to achieve 5 positive outcomes, which support her to recognise domestic abuse, stay free from abuse in the future and help heal the trauma suffered by children and families. Support includes a bespoke combination of 1:1 support from our Domestic Abuse Practitioners (DAPs), group work programmes and therapeutic activities, including counselling and coaching.

Delivery of our online specialist Groupwork programmes have continued alongside face-to-face service delivery, which has enabled us to work in local communities with service users from further afield and to help break down some of the financial and transport barriers involved with travelling across the County.

In answer to the continuing devastation caused by the Cost of Living Crisis we developed more partnerships this year with local supermarkets, running a weekly Food Bank that regularly supports 15 families living in both our refuge and community services.

Restored includes a range of the following therapeutic interventions and activities: Specialist Domestic Abuse Recovery Groupwork programmes Therapeutic Services

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Children and Young People's Services

A range of activities that support the development of self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. Educational development activities Volunteering activities Food Bank

We accepted 43 new service users onto Restored this year. 15 women participated in our therapeutic services and 37 women attended our Groupwork only outreach provision, participating in a range of specialised group work including our own Stay Free programme as well as Freedom and Own My Life.

Case Study

Sameena and her 9-year-old Son Aiden were admitted to refuge in August 2023 after fleeing Coercive, Financial, Psychological and Physical abuse from Sameena's ex-partner.

Sameena had always prided herself on working and earning her own money, however she was forced to leave her job as a carer as the abuse escalated. Sameena's partner dented her confidence and destroyed her reputation. After her son disclosed the abuse at school, Children's Social Care supported the family to access refuge.

Despite refuge being a place of safety, Sameena initially found life difficult as she wanted to be independent. Sameena accessed 1:1 sessions with her keyworker as well as The Restored Programme activities at eve's Women's Centre.

Gradually, Sameena began to realise that despite wanting to go back to work she needed support in overcoming her past experiences so that she could build a successful future for herself and Aiden. Sameena decided to participate in eve's Restored Programme accessing a range of activities and therapeutic interventions including Stay Free Group Work where she began to understand that all her past relationships had been abusive in some form. She realised that she struggled with putting in healthy boundaries particularly with her son. Sameena regularly accessed wellbeing sessions on the Restored calendar and received 1:1 parenting support from the Children and Young People's Specialists. To resolve her debts Sameena's keyworker referred her to Christians Against Poverty and supported Sameena to access universal credit.

Sameena was concerned how her gap in employment would affect her in securing a job in the future. After conversations with her keyworker around how to resolve this, Sameena began volunteering at a local café. This supported Sameena in developing her sense of belonging.

Sameena has recently completed The Restored Programme and has left refuge after successfully gaining her own property. Sameena has a debt management plan in place and has recently secured a full-time job. She has shared that she feels more confident in herself and is now able to identify healthy relationships within her life. Sameena also recognises that although being a single parent has its challenges, she and her son have a better understanding of each other and can communicate with each other in a positive and more helpful way.

Therapeutic Services

Our range of therapeutic group-work activities include art therapy, journalling, a singing group, and Equine Facilitated Learning. These activities result in the following outcomes for women and children affected by domestic abuse:

Case Study

Soozan entered refuge in 2023 due to experiencing Coercive Control, Emotional, Mental, Psychological, Physical, Verbal Abuse and stalking. She came from another refuge that could not meet her additional mobility needs. On referral to refuge Soozan suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis in her Knees/Spine/Hips, Spondylitis, Degenerative Lumbar Spine. She was admitted to eve's accessible flat because of her mobility issues, she needed to use a mobility scooter to travel any distance. She stayed for approximately 7 months before being offered permanent accommodation.

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

As well as engaging with 1:1 sessions with the Wellbeing Team whilst working with eve Soozan also engaged in 1:1 keyworker sessions, Safety Planning, Cooking Sessions, Counselling, Craft Sessions, Education Sessions, Stay Free Group work and Coffee and Chat.

She showed improvement during her time here in all five Outcomes, the most notable recorded on her Breaking the Cycle Outcome Measurement Tool include a 2-point improvement in confidence and assertiveness from her first and last assessment. A 3-point improvement was seen in hope for the future from first and last assessment.

Soozan continued to access the service after leaving refuge, until reaching a natural end to the restored programme. On the exit survey, she stated that "nobody wants to be in the situation but staff make it positive" and when asked what advice she would give to future families coming into the service she said "trust the staff, they know what they are doing". Soozan stated that she gained the ability to be "no longer scared of everything" from the programme.

Children and Young People's Services - Refresh

Our qualified Children and Young People's Practitioners provide a range of age-appropriate therapeutic programmes for infants, children and young people, delivered on a needs-led basis after careful assessment with both children and their mother. These are delivered in a range of ways, including on a one-to-one basis with the child, with or without their parent, and in group settings. All of them seek to aid recovery from trauma, repair relationships, and improve wellbeing. Preventative programmes for young people increase their resilience to traumatic experience and lower the risk of future victimisation. We also provide a crèche for children of women who are participating in group work or one-to-one support.

Funding from Children in Need and the Masonic Charitable Foundation supported our Children and Young People's Practitioners to work with a total of 112 children and young people this year across both our refuge and community services.

7 families were admitted to our services on Safeguarding Plans, with a further 12 families placed on them while in service.

Case Study

Ronaldo and Samia were 10 and 12 when they came into eve's refuge. They had to leave their family home, friends and school. Both children celebrated 2 birthdays whilst in the refuge, receiving gifts and having a party with birthday cake.

Ronaldo and Samia found it difficult to make the transition as they had to move schools. Ronaldo was more resilient as he was already in the process of transitioning to secondary school. His teachers were able to visit him in refuge to support him with schoolwork as he was undertaking his SATS for school.

Samia found it more difficult as she didn't want to leave her friends behind and struggled because she wasn't able to tell them where she was going or if she was going to be coming back. After being in refuge for a short time Ronaldo and Samia transferred to new schools; once they were settled, they made friends and are now thriving in their education.

The CYPS team had a lot of engagement with the children encouraging them through programmes and group work sessions as well as on a 1:1 level, helping them to build their self-esteem, wellbeing and resilience. Ronaldo completed a course on protective behaviours and Samia completed the DAY programme.

Both children were encouraged by their keyworkers to attend holiday activities such as roller skating, the Christmas party and other activities included in The Refresh Programme where they accessed wellbeing sessions and built resilience and began to feel safe. They were also supported with regular 1:1 meetings with their keyworkers.

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The children have now successfully moved on from refuge and are living safely with mum. They remain in their schools having made friends and continue to thrive. They are still accessing the service with their mum through our Community Programme in support of moving on.

Evolve

As a specialist provider of domestic abuse services for more than 42 years, we have learned that survivors can only take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. We believe that delivering a 30-week perpetrator programme, accredited by RESPECT, for those who choose to use abusive and coercive behaviours offers opportunities for families to change their dynamics. Participants in Evolve are usually standard to medium-risk; some have been referred to Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) so would be considered high risk. Men and women are referred through a number of different pathways including Social Workers, Solicitors, Health Visitors, Schools and self-referral. Careful assessment enables us to offer a service that meets the needs of the individual, we work on a 1:1 basis with women and with men who require support with language or have other needs that mean working in a group is not appropriate.

With modules covering Parenting, Consent and Sexual Respect, as well as other aspects of coercive and abusive behaviour, the programme supports participants to choose different ways of dealing with conflict, role modelling alternative behaviours to those currently used within the home.

Our Integrated Safety Support Service works at multi-agency levels on behalf of the women our Domestic Abuse Practitioners are supporting on a one-to-one basis. This crucial function of our work ensures consistent communication with other agencies involved with the women and her family, in order to manage risk and disrupt perpetration. We support the current/ex partners of participants to ensure their safety and respond to any incidents that occur. Our programmes run in conjunction with each other, enabling families to stay together or to separate safely and help to break the generational cycle of domestic violence and abuse.

Referrals to the Evolve Behaviour Change Programme are as follows:

Case Study

VU - male applicant participated and completed Evolve group from to 29.9.23 - 18.6.24 KU - female partner accepted EVE Minimum Safety Support from 15.12.23 - 24.6.24 whilst her partner engaged in Evolve group.

3 Children aged 9, 7 and 2 years.

This couple were living apart with their three children on a Child Protection plan when they were referred to Evolve. Whilst engaging in Evolve this was reduced to a CIN Plan. VU was allowed to move back into the family home in February. The family were removed from CIN on 16.3.24. There were a couple of major life events that they had to navigate whilst engaging in the Evolve programme: VU lost his job in April 2024. He got another job, but problems with his residence status delayed start. Also, during his time on the group they had to have a family visit to their home country to visit a sick grandparent. There were no domestic abuse issues during these times of added stress, and all remained calm until VU completed Evolve. This couple did a parenting course together Jan 2024 with another agency.

After Evolve Course

VU completed an ending interview to say what he thought of his experience on the group:

VU said he particularly found the mindfulness strategy useful.

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NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

He was asked about anything that particularly stuck with you? "I now have a better understanding of domestic abuse. I now understand domestic abuse is not just physical abuse but psychological, emotional, verbal and economic abuse. I never thought my behaviours, such as arguments and swearing were abuse and what the impact was on my partner. I recognised that I needed a change."

When asked what difference the course made to you - have you noticed any changes in yourself or how you think about things since completing the course? He said, "I recognised that I needed to change the way I behaved towards my partner. I put more effort into avoiding arguments and confrontations I am pretty proud of myself. I take responsibility for situations; I blame myself rather than my partner"

I don't argue, swear or humiliate my partner anymore. I don't focus on my ideas or opinions. I now negotiate things with her I am now very supportive of house chores such as cooking, washing up and tidying the house. I also create her time for university, study and work" "I communicate better with my partner, I can listen before I speak. I am a better listener now. I support her with childcare. I take care of them in the house and school runs and take them to activities. " "I learnt to be an active listener and strategies to manage situations and prevent abuse."

VU also shared that he still experiences difficulties in some areas of his life, he commented about his communication that: "I communicate well with my partner and family members." But he expressed loneliness saying "I don't have many friends now. My friends deserted me a few years ago".

KU completed an ending interview and gave the following feedback on her observations of the impact of Evolve on her partner:

Since completing Evolve she has noticed changes in his attitudes and how he thinks about things, saying 'He's taking more time to talk to the children and not over-reacting. He goes to them and tries to talk to them instead of raising his voice.' Asked how he interacts with her: KU responded 'He doesn't raise his voice and thinks before he says something.'

She has noticed some positive changes in his denial, minimisation and blaming others for his bad behaviour, and he has developed healthy coping strategies when he finds things difficult or stressful. KU said that a big positive change has been; 'Using positive/effective parenting techniques which he didn't before the Evolve Programme.

Expert Training

We believe that knowledge is power and is vital in ensuring that professionals and communities are aware of domestic abuse and its many forms.

We deliver CPD accredited training for professionals, volunteers community leaders and organisations with sessions on understanding domestic abuse, the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, personal and professional boundaries, and personal safety. Between these training programmes, we have reached 198 people, increasing awareness of the impact of domestic abuse and improving support for survivors.

We have delivered to different agencies with a range of core courses and bespoke programmes written especially for the audience. Most training has been delivered online, except where clients have specifically requested face to face delivery of bespoke courses. Core and Volunteer Training Programmes were delivered to new staff and volunteers along with regular training updates to existing staff and volunteers.

Clients have ranged from statutory sector, third sector and community organisations including Re:Store, and The University of Northampton. Training evaluations are consistently good to excellent, with participants citing the knowledge, expertise, and delivery style of our Trainer as a reason for their enjoyment of the course. - Total number of participants: 198

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Our Trainer has been involved in supporting and developing conversations with organisations who work with and for Black, Brown and Minoritised Communities in the Interpersonal Violence sector making strong links with local and national organisations.

Inter-Agency Networks and Partnerships

Partnership and inter-agency networking is a key factor in providing holistic services for our service users and is often a requirement of service delivery. NVCFR is an active member of a wide range of networks and forums, including West and North Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Boards. We are also members of the Black Women's Domestic Abuse Group, an offshoot of the Northampton Women's Forum.

We have worked with statutory and community organisations to provide information, advice, and guidance to women in different communities across the town and have supported the Police in their information awareness campaigns and have developed a number of significant partnerships with businesses and companies across the county.

We work with a range of statutory, community, charitable and other organisations to provide information, advice, guidance, and support to our service users. These include:

Charity Link Glasspool Restore foodbank and Daylight Centre foodbank. Northampton Children's Trust MARAC Sunflower Centre Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service Voice West Northants Council North Northants Council Northampton Partnership Homes Mental Health services S2S and Aquarius- drug and alcohol services Creating Equalz Black Women's Domestic Abuse Group BNI Ignite Rotary Nene Valley National Legal Service and Charles Strachan Solicitors County and Magistrate courts Ashby Computer Services Orchard Cleaning Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Abington Avenue United Reformed Church New Life Church Carey Baptist Church Park Avenue Methodist Church Church of St Anne's Queensgrove Methodist Church Christian Celebration Church All Saints Church, West Haddon Boddington Church St Andrew's Methodist Church St Mary Magdalene Church St Giles Church Piddington Church Northfield WI Wootten WI Tesco Stores, Northampton

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Waitrose Morrisons Aldi Stores Lidl Northampton High School Northampton School for Girls Gedeon Richter Liz Ostrowski Sherwood Associates

Contracts

Eve holds several contracts with funders to deliver a variety of services across the organisation.

These are:

Management agreements

Our refuge, Valley House, is owned by EMH Homes and is managed by Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge (known as Eve) under a management agreement.

Our second refuge is owned by Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and is managed by Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge (known as Eve) under a management agreement.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The Council of Management seeks to hold free reserves at least equal to 3 months general running costs of the charity, which equates to approximately £182,000. General free reserves are currently £240,759.

The net surplus for the year amounted to £159,424 as shown on the SOFA. The total funds carried forward at the year end is £511,612 of which £234,312 is unrestricted funds. £47,260 is held in restricted funds and designated unrestricted funds total £230,039. Total unrestricted funds total £464,351. The Trustees consider that the charity has adequate resources to maintain its ongoing work and to prepare for future developments.

Certain grants have been given for specific purposes and these are shown as restricted funds (see notes). Other designated funds have been set aside out of unrestricted funds (see notes).

The financial support of charitable trusts, local authorities and other donors is greatly appreciated and enables the charity's work to be sustained.

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NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Objectives for 2024/25

During the next financial year, we intend to achieve our aims by continuing to build and develop our services so that they persist in meeting the needs of the families we work with.

Our Aims are:

Protect people at risk of domestic abuse and empower them to protect themselves. Proclaim freedom and a future for people affected by domestic abuse. Provide services that support survivors to thrive. Prevent another generation of abusive family relationships. Prepare survivors to live the lives they want to lead.

To meet these Aims, our Objectives will be:

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act.

Public Benefit

The trustees have had regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. The work of Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge is of public benefit, raising awareness of domestic abuse and providing a range of comprehensive, holistic support services that enable women and children who are experiencing this to access safe temporary accommodation, as well as specialist support when they are rehoused in the local community.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Potential trustees are interviewed by existing trustees and discussions are held with the CEO. No appointment is made unless all existing trustees are in agreement and satisfactory references and DBS screening is obtained. All trustees are required to sign a declaration regarding their legal eligibility to be a trustee. An induction period is given once appointment has been agreed.

Organisational structure

The CEO has delegated responsibility for day to day running/management of the organisation. The name of the CEO is not disclosed in this report under exemption from the SORP paragraph 1.29 on the grounds that it could lead to the person being placed in personal danger due to the nature of the charity.

Key management remuneration

The remuneration and pay of management roles are reviewed annually by the trustees having regard to similar roles elsewhere in the charity sector and after considering the relationship with the salaries of other staff members.

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 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.

The Trustees are constantly aware of risk and are fully aware of their responsibilities. Maintaining clear written policies, including a reserves policy, mitigates risk. The ongoing expansion of the charity's work, proposed major developments and continuing developments with government initiatives, all contribute to the need to be vigilant in identifying and managing risk. The trustees are committed to working with the CEO in reviewing and updating all written policies and procedures on a regular basis and to ensure that a comprehensive risk assessment is carried out. The trustees acknowledge the risk of the loss of a key player - trustee or senior staff member - and are alert to the risk inherent in heavy reliance on a single source of funding.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, Shaw Gibbs (Audit) Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Page 15

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 16

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charity operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Charities Act 2011, United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and relevant Taxation legislation.

We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be the override of controls by management and the understatement of revenue. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing meeting minutes, regulatory correspondence and professional fees, detailed substantive testing on the completeness of income, and reviewing accounting estimates for biases. We will also review the regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

These inherent limitations are particularly significant in the case of misstatement resulting from fraud as this may involve sophisticated schemes designed to avoid detection, including deliberate failure to record transactions, collusion or the provision of intentional misrepresentations.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Page 17

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

for and on behalf of Shaw Gibbs (Audit) Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditor Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 Eagle House 28 Billing Road Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5AJ

Date: 24 January 2025

Page 18

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
63,637
Charitable activities
5
Provision of refuges
468,909
Administration & support
4,590
Other trading activities
3
1,600
Investment income
4
410
Total
539,146
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6
3,509
Charitable activities
7
Provision of refuges
119,743
Resettlement & day centre
77,119
Administration & support
115,598
Property depreciation and interest
5,931
Total
321,900
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
217,246
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
247,105
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
464,351		 Restricted
funds
£
15,500
168,081
163,370
-
-
346,951
-
197,204
127,781
79,788
-
404,773
(57,822)
105,083
47,261		 2024
Total
funds
£
79,137
636,990
167,960
1,600
410
886,097
3,509
316,947
204,900
195,386
5,931
726,673
159,424
352,188
511,612		 2023
Total
funds
£
42,929
469,415
148,651
3,349
52
664,396
4,721
281,660
171,392
207,731
5,787
671,291
(6,895)
359,083
352,188

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 19

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
14
264,736
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
15
101,999
Cash at bank and in hand
138,760
240,759
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
16
(36,167)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
204,592
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
469,328
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year 17
(4,977)
NET ASSETS
464,351
FUNDS
20
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Freehold Property
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
47,261
47,261
-
47,261
47,261
-
47,261		 2024
Total
funds
£
264,736
101,999
186,021
288,020
(36,167)
251,853
516,589
(4,977)
511,612
234,312
230,039
464,351
47,261
511,612		 2023
Total
funds
£
268,608
19,859
112,672
132,531
(40,667)
91,864
360,472
(8,284)
352,188
15,240
231,865
247,105
105,083
352,188

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 20

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued 31 MARCH 2024

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

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 23 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 21

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Interest paid
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Loan repayments in year
Net cash used in financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the reporting period		 2024
£
80,561
(731)
79,830
(3,108)
(3,108)
(3,373)
(3,373)
73,349
112,672
186,021		 2023
£
1,660
(587)
1,073
-
-
(3,255)
(3,255)
(2,182)
114,854
112,672

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 22

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2.

ACTIVITIES
2024 2023
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities) 159,424 (6,895)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 6,980 5,954
Interest paid 731 587
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (82,140) 815
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (4,434) 1,199
Net cash provided by operations 80,561 1,660
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
At 1/4/23 Cash flow At 31/3/24
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 112,672 73,349 186,021
112,672 73,349 186,021
Debt
Debts falling due within 1 year (3,593) 66 (3,527)
Debts falling due after 1 year (8,284) 3,307 (4,977)
(11,877) 3,373 (8,504)
Total 100,795 76,722 177,517

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 23

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. 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.

Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge Limited is an incorporated charity limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The charity's number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information Page.

The presentation currency is the Pound Sterling (£).

Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

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.

Government grant income is recognised once the charity has received a formal offer of funding in writing, unless performance conditions required deferral of the amount.

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.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Costs are allocated between activities by direct allocation to refuges and resettlement with the balance to administration and support.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property - 2% on cost
Leasehold improvements - 2% on cost
Play equipment - 20% on cost
Security equipment - 33% on cost
Office equipment - 33% on cost

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Page 24

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each balance sheet date. The selection of these residual values and estimated lives requires the exercise of judgement. The trustees are required to assess whether there is an indication of impairment to the carrying value of assets. In making that assessment, judgements are made in estimating value in use. The trustees consider that the individual carrying values of assets are supportable by their value in use

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. The assets of the scheme are held separately from the charitable company. Contributions payable for the year are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and in hand and short term deposits with an original maturity date of three months or less.

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the statement of financial activities under administrative expenses.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all of its financial liabilities.

Where the contractual obligations of financial instruments are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial liabilities. Financial liabilities are presented as such in the statement of financial position. Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the statement of financial activities. Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability.

Significant judgements and estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the company accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed within the individual accounting policies above.

Page 25

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2.
DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations
3.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Training Fees
4.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest received
5.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Residents' fees
Provision of refuges
Grants and contracted
income
Provision of refuges
Residents' fees
Administration & support
Grants and contracted
income
Administration & support
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
Charities Trust
West Northamptonshire Council
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
BBC Children in Need
Henry Smith Charity
Masonic Charitable Fund
Charles Haywood Foundation
Kick Start Scheme
Goodwill Solutions
The Kelly Family
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales
The National Lottery Community Fund - RC Midlands Region
Department of work and pensions
North Northamptonshire Council
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
The Philips Charitable Trust
The Frederick and Phyllis Cann Trust
The National Lottery Community Fund - Community Organisations
Cost of Living Fund		 2024
£
79,137
2024
£
1,600
2024
£
410
2024
£
166,546
470,444
4,590
163,370
804,950
2024
£
-
161,854
50,000
51,232
60,000
12,228
20,000
-
-
-
-
38,622
8,370
140,508
10,000
3,000
3,000
75,000
633,814		 2023
£
42,929
2023
£
3,349
2023
£
52
2023
£
137,317
332,098
1,130
147,521
618,066
2023
£
50,000
238,562
50,000
38,855
30,000
23,977
20,000
10,990
9,985
5,000
2,250
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
479,619

Page 26

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6. RAISING FUNDS

Raising donations and legacies
Fundraising costs
7.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Provision of refuges
Resettlement & day centre
Administration & support
Property depreciation and interest
8.
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Staff costs
Training
Material and equipment
Premises running costs
Maintenance charges
Rents and room hire
Motor and travelling costs
Holidays and excursions
Office and secretarial costs
Translation costs
DWP Access to work
Partner funding payments
Depreciation		 Direct
Costs (see
note 8)
£
314,368
202,480
26,549
4,000
547,397		 2024
£
3,509
Support
costs (see
note 9)
£
2,579
2,420
168,837
1,931
175,767
2024
£
408,467
4,481
10,869
31,430
41,972
16,030
771
2,393
19,083
797
6,350
-
4,754
547,397		 2023
£
4,721
Totals
£
316,947
204,900
195,386
5,931
723,164
2023
£
338,388
1,788
13,424
32,825
38,231
15,821
1,292
784
20,583
28
11,084
12,000
4,754
491,002

Page 27

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9. SUPPORT COSTS

Management
£
Provision of refuges
2,566
Resettlement & day centre
2,420
Administration & support
158,950
Property depreciation and interest
-
163,936		 Governance
Finance
costs
£
£
13
-
-
-
1,215
8,672
1,931
-
3,159
8,672		 Totals
£
2,579
2,420
168,837
1,931
175,767

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Management

Wages
Social security
Pensions
Consultants fees
Training
Material and equipment
Hardship expenditure
Premises running costs
Office and secretarial
costs
Finance
Bank charges
Depreciation of tangible
fixed assets
Bank loan interest		 Provision Resettlement
of
& day
Administration
refuges
centre
& support
£
£
£
-
-
55,024
-
-
2,107
-
-
795
120
1,577
28,471
-
-
-
-
-
-
620
-
60
1,712
744
53,518
114
99
18,975
2,566
2,420
158,950
Property
Provision
depreciation
of
Administration
and
refuges
& support
interest
£
£
£
13
189
-
-
1,026
1,200
-
-
731
13
1,215
1,931		 2024
Total
activities
£
55,024
2,107
795
30,168
-
-
680
55,974
19,188
163,936
2024
Total
activities
£
202
2,226
731
3,159		 2023
Total
activities
£
92,830
4,301
5,283
20,844
1,801
2,974
11
24,313
13,560
165,917
2023
Total
activities
£
250
1,200
587
2,037

Finance

Page 28

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9. SUPPORT COSTS - continued Governance costs

SUPPORT COSTS - continued
Governance costs
2024 2023
Administration Total
& support activities
£ £
Auditors' remuneration for audit 5,184 4,698
Auditors' remuneration for non audit
work 3,488 2,916
8,672 7,614

10. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

Auditors' remuneration for audit
Auditors' remuneration for non audit work
Depreciation - owned assets		 2024
£
5,184
3,488
6,980		 2023
£
4,698
2,916
5,954

11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.

12. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
£
427,038
28,211
11,144
466,393		 2023
£
403,185
26,347
11,270
440,802

During the year, remuneration paid to key management personnel totalled £137,304 (2023: £145,135). Included within salaries above is £6,000 of termination payments made to staff.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024 2023
Staff 23 23

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

Page 29

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
42,929
Charitable activities
Provision of refuges
357,083
Administration & support
32,661
Other trading activities
3,349
Investment income
52
Total
436,074
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
4,721
Charitable activities
Provision of refuges
101,277
Resettlement & day centre
171,392
Administration & support
207,731
Property depreciation and interest
5,787
Total
490,908
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(54,834)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
301,940
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
247,106		 Restricted
funds
£
-
112,332
115,990
-
-
228,322
-
180,383
-
-
-
180,383
47,939
57,143
105,082		 Total
funds
£
42,929
469,415
148,651
3,349
52
664,396
4,721
281,660
171,392
207,731
5,787
671,291
(6,895)
359,083
352,188

Page 30

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
COST
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Freehold
Leasehold
property improvements
£
£
332,142
37,684
-
-
332,142
37,684
88,400
12,818
5,200
754
93,600
13,572
238,542
24,112
243,742
24,866
Security
Office
equipment
equipment
£
£
11,864
21,642
-
3,108
11,864
24,750
11,864
21,642
-
1,026
11,864
22,668
-
2,082
-
-		 Play
equipment
£
11,949
-
11,949
11,949
-
11,949
-
-
Totals
£
415,281
3,108
418,389
146,673
6,980
153,653
264,736
268,608

Page 31

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Debtors
45,478
Prepayments and accrued income
56,521
101,999
16.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 18)
3,527
Trade creditors
6,875
Social security and other taxes
7,960
Other creditors
1,677
Accruals and deferred income
16,128
36,167
17.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Bank loans (see note 18)
4,977
18.
LOANS
An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
2024
£
Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank loans
3,527
Amounts falling between one and two years:
Bank loans - 1-2 years
3,747
Amounts falling due between two and five years:
Bank loans - 2-5 years
1,230		 2023
£
18,704
1,155
19,859
2023
£
3,593
17,873
7,145
5,278
6,778
40,667
2023
£
8,284
2023
£
3,593
3,593
4,691

Page 32

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

19. SECURED DEBTS

The following secured debts are included within creditors:

Bank loans 2024
£
8,504		 2023
£
11,877

The bank loan is secured on the freehold property.

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Freehold Property
Restricted funds
Development project
Valley House maintenance fund
Valley House improvements
Masonic Charitable Fund
Charities Trust
Renovation Project
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1/4/23
£
15,240
231,865
247,105
864
20,274
12,123
36,073
35,749
-
105,083
352,188		 Net
movement
in funds
£
223,177
(5,931)
217,246
-
-
-
(36,073)
(35,749)
14,000
(57,822)
159,424		 Transfers
between
funds
£
(4,105)
4,105
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At
31/3/24
£
234,312
230,039
464,351
864
20,274
12,123
-
-
14,000
47,261
511,612

Page 33

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Freehold Property
Restricted funds
DWP access to work
Henry Smith Charity
Children in Need
Masonic Charitable Fund
Charities Trust
Charles Hayward Foundation
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and
Crime Commissioner
Stay Free Facilitator Training
Renovation Project
The National Lottery - cost of living
The National Lottery - Wellbeing Team
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
539,145
-
539,145
8,370
60,000
51,232
12,228
-
20,000
50,000
12,500
19,000
75,000
38,622
346,952
886,097		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(315,968)
223,177
(5,931)
(5,931)
(321,899)
217,246
(8,370)
-
(60,000)
-
(51,232)
-
(48,301)
(36,073)
(35,749)
(35,749)
(20,000)
-
(50,000)
-
(12,500)
-
(5,000)
14,000
(75,000)
-
(38,622)
-
(404,774)
(57,822)
(726,673)
159,424

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Freehold Property
Furniture replacement fund - Valley
House
Refuge Development Fund
Restricted funds
Development project
Valley House maintenance fund
Valley House improvements
Masonic Charitable Fund
Charities Trust
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1/4/22
£
130
233,810
18,000
50,000
301,940
864
26,067
12,123
18,089
-
57,143
359,083		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(49,048)
(5,787)
-
-
(54,835)
-
(5,793)
-
17,984
35,749
47,940
(6,895)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
64,158
3,842
(18,000)
(50,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At
31/3/23
£
15,240
231,865
-
-
247,105
864
20,274
12,123
36,073
35,749
105,083
352,188

Page 34

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

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

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Freehold Property
Restricted funds
Valley House maintenance fund
Henry Smith Charity
Children in Need
Masonic Charitable Fund
DWP Kickstart scheme
The Kelly Family
Charities Trust
Charles Hayward Foundation
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and
Crime Commissioner
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
436,074
-
436,074
-
30,000
38,355
23,977
10,990
5,000
50,000
20,000
50,000
228,322
664,396		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(485,122)
(49,048)
(5,787)
(5,787)
(490,909)
(54,835)
(5,793)
(5,793)
(30,000)
-
(38,355)
-
(5,993)
17,984
(10,990)
-
(5,000)
-
(14,251)
35,749
(20,000)
-
(50,000)
-
(180,382)
47,940
(671,291)
(6,895)

Designated funds

The freehold property fund includes the freehold property NBV less the bank loan liability held against the property. The transfer during the year relates to the value of the repayments of the loan less the interest charged and the depreciation charged on the property during the year.

The furniture replacement fund for Valley House is for replacement furniture for the refuge.

The Refuge Development Fund is money ring fenced by the trustees for the development of refuge provision and services.

Restricted funds

The Development Project Fund relates to money received for training and development of the care workers.

The Valley House Maintenance and Valley House Improvement Funds are funds held for maintenance and improvements to Valley House Refuge.

The BBC Children in Need Fund is for salary costs, other staffing costs, volunteer expenses, small equipment and other project costs, specifically in relation to what was requested per the grant application.

The Masonic Charitable Fund was for the Children and Young Peoples service to provide the salary and on costs of an employee for the project.

The DWP Kickstart scheme funding is used to employ two new young employees under the Government funded scheme providing funding for employers to create jobs for 16-24 year old.

Page 35

continued...

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

The DWP access to work funds are provided by the DWP in order to pay for employees costs, as EVE are providing employment.

The Henry Smith Charity fund is funding that has been provided to aid with core charity costs.

The Charities Trust fund is funding received to support families into a new home and a new life.

The Charles Hayward Foundation fund relates to funding received for the Evolve programme.

The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner fund relates to funds received to provide specialist therapeutic groupwork programmes across the County.

Stay Free Facilitator Training funding is provided to fund the training for that project.

The Renovation Project is funding given specifically to allow for the refurbishment of the Northampton refuge centres.

The National Lottery Cost of living funding is to fund the work with women and children living in refuge accommodation, increasing their safety and improve their physical, emotional and social health.

The National Lottery Wellbeing Team project funding is to fund the work with women and children affected by domestic abuse, and to help to increase safety and improve physical, emotional and social health of women and children affected by domestic abuse.

21. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Website design services were provided to the charity by a business owned and run by the son-in-law of the Chief Executive. Transactions were conducted at arm's length and totalled £nil (2023: £994). There was no balance due at the year end (2023: £nil).

During the year fundraising strategy development services were provided to the charity by the daughter of the Chief Executive. Transactions were conducted at arm's length and totalled £10,023 (2023 :£9,932). There was no balance due at the year end (2023: £nil).

The Good Loaf CIC, a charity with a common director provided goods amounting to £126 (2023: £180) to the charity.

There were no further related party transactions carried out during the year.

22. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The charity is under the control of its trustees.

Page 36

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Other trading activities
Training Fees
Investment income
Interest received
Charitable activities
Residents' fees
Grants and contracted income
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Fundraising costs
Charitable activities
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Training
Material and equipment
Premises running costs
Maintenance charges
Rents and room hire
Motor and travelling costs
Holidays and excursions
Office and secretarial costs
Translation costs
DWP Access to work
Partner funding payments
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Support costs
Management
Wages
Social security
Carried forward		 2024
£
79,137
1,600
410
171,136
633,814
804,950
886,097
3,509
372,014
26,104
10,349
4,481
10,869
31,430
41,972
16,030
771
2,393
19,083
797
6,350
-
4,754
547,397
55,024
2,107
57,131		 2023
£
42,929
3,349
52
138,447
479,619
618,066
664,396
4,721
310,355
22,046
5,987
1,788
13,424
32,825
38,231
15,821
1,292
784
20,583
28
11,084
12,000
4,754
491,002
92,830
4,301
97,131

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 37

NENE VALLEY CHRISTIAN FAMILY REFUGE LIMITED

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Management
Brought forward
Pensions
Consultants fees
Training
Material and equipment
Hardship expenditure
Premises running costs
Office and secretarial costs
Finance
Bank charges
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Bank loan interest
Governance costs
Auditors' remuneration for audit
Auditors' remuneration for non audit work
Total resources expended
Net income/(expenditure)		 2024
£
57,131
795
30,168
-
-
680
55,974
19,188
163,936
202
2,226
731
3,159
5,184
3,488
8,672
726,673
159,424		 2023
£
97,131
5,283
20,844
1,801
2,974
11
24,313
13,560
165,917
250
1,200
587
2,037
4,698
2,916
7,614
671,291
(6,895)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 38