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2024-03-31-accounts

Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

(A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements

31 March 2024

Company registration number: 01864139 Charity registration number: 517818

Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' report 2
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements 13
Independent examiner's report 14
Statement of financial activities 15
Balance sheet 16
Notes to the financial statements 17

Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd
Charity registration number 517818
Company registration number 01864139
Principal office 14 Lowther Street
CARLISLE
CA3 8DA
Registered office 14 Lowther Street
CARLISLE
CA3 8DA
Trustees R M Wilcox, Chair
M Whitfield FCCA, Treasurer
A Pemberton
R F Burke
S Reid
Secretary A Pemberton
Bankers National Westminster Bank
92 English Street
CARLISLE
CA3 8HD
Barclays Bank
33 English Street
CARLISLE
CA3 8JX
Accountant Dodd & Co Limited
FIFTEEN Rosehill
Montgomery Way
Rosehill Estate
CARLISLE
CA1 2RW

Page 1

Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

The Trustees (who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) have pleasure in presenting their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Promoting Autonomy and Change Limited (PAC) is a charity working with children and young people. When funding allows, we can work from ages 7 to 19, and also up to age 25 for young people who are leaving care or those who have a learning disability.

PAC began in 1984 - initially known as Practical Alternatives to Custody. For many years PAC supported young people at risk of being criminalised or who had committed offences and were awaiting sentence. Counselling and alternative education provisions were delivered. As youth justice policy evolved so did PAC which then moved away from the youth justice arena to focus more on counselling and therapy. The PAC acronym remained, as it was so recognised in our region, but what it stood for was altered to Promoting Autonomy and Change .

This is what PAC is all about – promoting autonomy and change in children and young people who suffer from acute and challenging mental health difficulties.

ACTIVITIES FOR ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES

PAC is a Carlisle registered charity and limited company that provides one-to-one counselling and therapy sessions to young people who need support for emotional, interpersonal and/or mental health problems. We engage with, assess, and then deliver therapy to young people using a range of therapeutic techniques including counselling, art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, online therapy, and group work therapy.

The therapy we offer at PAC has evolved through many years of one-to-one delivery, research, and service user feedback. We are confident our therapeutic service provision is one that young people choose to attend and produces positive outcomes. Our provision is innovative and creative, providing the conditions and environment necessary for young people to gain the confidence to consider and make change.

The need for PAC’s provision has arisen from identifying a group of disadvantaged young people who are struggling in society; however, we work with children and young people from any background. PAC has developed the type of support that young people choose to access and that works for them. This range of support is otherwise unavailable within Cumbria and the surrounding area, and as such there has been a consistently high demand for the provision of therapy at PAC.

The children and young people we work with are disadvantaged because their lowest level of needs such as basic physiological requirements, safety, love, and belongingness have never been met. They have complex emotional and mental health needs which have remained unaddressed.

Many of the young people who attend PAC face circumstances and problems so complex and multiple that they prevent them from accessing mainstream support. They may also lack the personal ability to engage in any service offered to help them. This significantly reduces the opportunities that should be available to them, and society fails them by simply not knowing how to meet their complex needs or how to engage with them.

Our provision is person-centred and empowers young people to make changes in their lives through the insight and self-awareness that they gain from their counselling and therapy sessions. The focus is not on the young person’s problems or on making a diagnosis but instead on their needs. Being a person-centred organisation is fundamental to how we deliver our provision. A non-judgemental and empathic approach is essential.

MAIN ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN TO FURTHER THE CHARITY'S PURPOSE FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT

Our activities, along with the achievements and performances listed within our report, are all undertaken to further our charitable purpose and for public benefit. The trustees have considered the guidance issued by the Charity Commission in respect of public benefit and confirm that the charity adheres to this guidance.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

Achievements and performance

Over the past year our provision has continued to base itself on theoretical models; Integrative Person-Centred Counselling, Person-Centred Counselling, Art Therapy, Art Psychotherapy, Music Therapy, Equine Therapy, Online Therapy and Groupwork Therapy. This gives us the scope to best meet the specific needs of the individual and/or group.

This year 116 (93 in YE2023) young people have accessed therapy at PAC. Caseloads are mostly complex requiring a time commitment that enables effective and long-term resolution. The average wait time (point of referral to starting therapy) of young people referred to us during YE2024 was 3 months (compares with 11 months for young people worked with in YE2023). We did manage to completely clear our wait list by December 2023 however this was largely due to tight referral restrictions imposed in August 2023. In February 2024 we opened up our referral criteria and as such we ended the year with 24 on the wait list after an influx of referrals (compares to 25 in YE2023). We aim not to have more than 30 young people waiting at any one time and referral criteria will be amended accordingly to help manage this.

1844 (compared 1429 in YE2023) one to one therapy hours were made available and 10 group sessions. This year we had between 10 and 15 therapy days available to us per week, starting at 10 in April 2023 and gradually building to 15 by March 2024 (this compares to 7 to 10 therapy days a week in YE2023). These were delivered by 6 therapists and 2 trainees. Due to many of our staff being part time the term ‘therapy days’ is used to describe a full day that someone is employed to deliver therapy.

Possible outcomes may include:

Outcomes are different for each young person depending on their needs and individual circumstances. We explore outcomes in further depth later in this report.

Demographics for young people referred in YE2024:

Owing to us now mostly working with young people in the same year they are referred note that figures given for YE2024 are for those referred whereas figures given for YE2023 are solely for those worked with.

o 61% Female (59%) o 32% Male (32%) o 1% Non-binary (7%) o 3% Transgender (1%) o 0% Agender (1%) o 3% Not disclosed

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

• 84% of the young people were from Carlisle, the rest were from the surrounding areas (Allerdale 4%, Eden 3%, Penrith & The Border 3%, Westmorland & Furness 7%).

Note that these figures only reflect referrals accepted and for much of the year we had referral restrictions in place which meant we were only accepting referrals for young people in Carlisle and also Penrith/Eden/Westmorland & Furness. When we opened up referral criteria in February 2024 it was for young people within a 30-minute travel radius of PAC.

• In terms of ethnicity, we are predominantly working with ‘White British’ children and young people, however our figures are closely in line with the local demographics.

Referral Routes into our service

• All referrals that were accepted on to our waiting list in YE2024 were referrals from professionals (e.g. social workers) with the majority of these meeting our Cumbria County Council funding criteria (with other funding used to fund those that did not meet these criteria).

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Typical Service received by young people at PAC in YE2024:

The average number of sessions offered to a young person during this year was 16 (YE2023 = 15). Note that this does not reflect complete work (*see note below). This can vary considerably depending on the individual needs of each young person, with some needing as little as five or six sessions and others needing sessions spanning a couple of years (though we aim to cap it at a year).

This figure is based on our total number of sessions offered divided by the number of young people worked with that year. It does not reflect the average total number of sessions a young person has with our service. If we adjust our data to represent only young people who had over four sessions and_ _completed* their sessions at PAC, in YE2023 the average number of sessions attended is 25.

Desired Outcomes

For transparency, the following data for ‘Desired Outcomes’ and ‘Achieved Outcomes’ was analysed in YE2023. Data analysis as below is a new thing we included in our annual report from YE2023. As it is a very time-consuming task involving lots of data processing, we aim to fully analyse it every other year. The data is also then more meaningful as we have more data to go off where young people have completed their therapy experience with PAC. We are including this data here as we believe it is helpful, gives insight into the needs of those wanting to access PAC and also accessing PAC, and we believe any new data analysis will be very similar.

We further analysed data to ascertain the desired outcomes of those being referred to our service. Our new form included the following two questions on our referral form:

The answers were very similar for both questions, an overall analysis is shown below. Responses were grouped into themes and then the themes coded.

Referrals came from professionals and so the themes identified represent the perspective of adults, however it is hoped that the majority of adults consulted with the young person at the time of referral.

The answers themed as follows in terms of desired outcomes:

Therapist

Emotions

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Sense of self

Achievement

Life journey

Achieved Outcomes

We collect both quantitative and qualitative data to monitor and evaluate therapy outcomes.

Quantitative Outcomes Data

We use the Wheel of Life (WoL) & Young Person Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (YP-CORE). WoL is a visual assessment that considers all aspects of life to support the young person in identifying areas of strength and areas for further development. YP-CORE is a self-reported questionnaire that helps monitor distress, subjective wellbeing, problems/symptoms & risk factors. These measures are completed by the young person, usually at the start or within the first four sessions of therapy and then at 6-weekly intervals when progress is discussed and reviewed against the initial aims of therapy (agreed at referral). This supports the provision of a therapy plan moving forward. From the beginning of therapy, the young person scores & evaluates their progress, personal shifts and achievements, empowering them towards self-realisation.

We analysed some WoL data (see Table 1) from young people who had completed their therapy at PAC. The rows highlighted in green show the areas of greatest (positive) change in scores, suggesting these are the most significant areas of change for the young people attending a course of therapy at PAC. That is not to say that changes were not made in the other categories additionally; the data emphasises those highlighted in green as the greatest indicators of change when looking at the data overall.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Table 1. WoL

CORE Outcomes

We analysed YP-CORE data from the same young people (see Table 2). The rows highlighted in green show the areas with the greatest (positive) change in scores suggesting these are the where the most significant positive change has taken place over the course of therapy. Again, this is not to say that positive changes did not occur in the other categories, just that those highlighted in green indicate the greatest change.

Table 2. YP-CORE

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Qualitative Outcomes Data

It is interesting to know what stood out to young people as the key takeaways from their therapy experience. It gives us some insight into what was important for them. The following analysis was taken from feedback given by young people. The data was coded and then grouped with similar data where themes could be identified. The themes which sum up significant components of therapy for these young people are:

Below we identify the presenting themes and provide the key words and quotes taken from the young people’s feedback as an extension of each theme.

The therapy space

Keys words used in relation to the therapy space were support, help, listened, able to talk, safe place. For example, one young person said:

“I have felt listened to.”

Another said ,

“It was nice to have someone to talk to.”

Having an outlet

Key words: outlet, unload problems, get things off chest.

One young person said,

“A place where I can unload my problems.”

Another said,

“…get my worries/problems off my chest.”

Space to think and work through things

Key words: work through past, present and future, work through problems.

One young person said,

“…made me think before getting into any sort of issues.”

Another said,

”…helped me find other ways to think through things.”

Getting to know myself

Key words: understanding myself, discover who I could be, connection to my core self, inner workings.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

One young person said,

“allowed me to discover who I could be if I let myself.”

Me and my feelings

Key words: validated, reflect on actions and feelings, understand feelings, express emotions.

One young person said,

“Gave me the opportunity to work on myself and my emotions.”

Changed feelings

Key words: improved mental state, sense of control over well-being improvements, happier.

One young person said,

“[It has] made me happier in life.”

Another said,

“It has really improved my emotional state.”

Confidence & self-esteem

Key words: more confidence, more self-esteem.

One young person said,

“I have got a bit more confidence in speaking to people.”

Another said,

“It has helped me improve my confidence massively.”

Positive change

Key words: autonomous, empowered, transformed, made positive changes in my life, helped personal and social life.

One young person said,

“Things are looking up.”

Another young person said,

“I have made many positive changes in my life.”

Toolkit

Key words: deal with arguments better, how to deal with situations I don’t want to be in, learned coping methods, space to create boundaries between myself and others

One young person said,

”…given me the opportunity and space to create boundaries between myself and others in order to protect myself from further harm/discomfort.”

Another said,

“Helped me deal with arguments better.”

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Financial review

To ensure financial stability PAC will propose planned budgets over a two-year period.

This year PAC had funding in place from Cumberland Council (for vulnerable young people with mental health issues). This started April 2023 and will run until March 2025. While we have had this same contract for a number of years and there is potential for extension, we also anticipate that there may be reviews by the Council and we cannot presume that any extension will go ahead. We will monitor this risk throughout the upcoming year and aim to find out as early as possible as to whether our contract will be extended or whether we will need to find the funds elsewhere.

This year PAC was funded by three national grant awarding bodies, The Henry Smith Charity, Postcode Neighbourhood Trust and The Screwfix Foundation. We also secured funds from five local grant awarding bodies - Francis C. Scott Charitable Trust, EC Graham, Cumbria Community Foundation, Hadfield Trust and Frieda Scott Trust (funds arriving in YE2025). We are grateful to all our grant funders for their support.

Further income is derived from donations and payments. We are extremely grateful to our regular monthly donors who have all provided long term monthly support to PAC. A thank you also goes to Workington Railway Club who raised £670 at a fundraising evening for us.

Money was also saved by the donation of goods, primarily to our Music Therapy room. Thanks go to I Campbell, T Adams, PM Rowan, B McCabe, and S & J Wallcook for the donation of various musical instruments such as keyboards and violins.

Thanks also to V Jones, S Tweddle, K Colley, E Chambers, L Hill, and R Wilson for donating their time to help paint four of the therapy rooms in August 2023. Thanks also to the Greggs Foundation for their voucher which helped pay for lunch for our volunteers.

Over this accounting year, our investment in funding bids the previous year paid off as several bids came to fruition. As such we see a significant increase in income for PAC compared to YE2023. This provides us with a settled year ahead while we work on delivery and allowing new staff members to settle in. We will continue to monitor our funds for year-on-year sustainability as well as growth in line with strategic plans.

At the yearend total reserves stood at £172,032 (2023 - £117,313) with £106,562 (2023 - £93,846) being unrestricted/designated and £65,470 (2023 - £23,467) being restricted. Free reserves at the yearend were £54,046 (2023 - £41,257).

RESERVES POLICY

PAC has a designated reserve of £50,000. This covers any potential shortfall in funding or if PAC finds itself in any financial difficulty.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 16 November 1984.

The company is constituted under a Memorandum of Association dated 16 November 1984 and is a registered charity, number 517818.

The charitable company is a company limited by guarantee having no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

TRUSTEE & STAFFING CHANGES

There were no changes to the Trustee Board during this financial year. We continued to have five Trustees on the Board.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

There have been various staffing changes throughout this financial period:

METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

Trustees are elected from the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING

Promoting Autonomy and Change (PAC) Ltd Directors formerly meet four times a year to monitor the activities and provision at PAC, the staffing requirements and performance, and the financial management. Relevant information is provided in a quarterly report by the PAC Development Manager.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Funding is secured for YE2025 which allows us time to focus on delivery whilst also looking ahead and experimenting with developing some other income streams such as fundraising and corporate sponsorship.

We had new additional staffing at the end of YE2024 as well as a new trainee. We also have maternity leave upcoming for our Development Manager, Jen Chambers, and have a new Development Manager starting early in YE2025 for a period of handover ahead of maternity leave starting. These are a lot of changes for our small team and as such the team will need time to settle in YE2025 and no major changes are planned beyond those mentioned.

We will continue to monitor demand on the organisation and amend our referral criteria as necessary to manage this in order that our wait list does not become excessive. We aim to have young people seen within a few months of being referred. To do this unfortunately means not being able to accept referrals from everyone that would like to refer.

We will continue to try and link with other relevant organisations in order to work together as a larger team to improve the experience of young people trying to find help and support. Scattergun referrals are very common across the sector and result in a lot of time wasted across organisations that are already very short of time, we aim to communicate and work with others to improve this.

We will continue to focus on delivering one to one therapy however this year we also aim to continue with developing some group work.

We also aim to develop our participation efforts with young people by developing a steering group of young people to help with various projects within PAC.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

PAC has its 40th Birthday in 2024 and as such we aim to mark the occasion accordingly to celebrate such a massive achievement.

We also aim to continue with building improvements to ensure the building and therapeutic environment is the best it can be for the young people.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Board on 9 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Ae M Whitfield FCCA Trustee

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Trustees' Responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements

The trustees (who are also directors of Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the Financial Reporting Standard 102 - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

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 income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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.

Page 13

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 15 to 30.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 as amended by the Charities Act 2022 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

......................................... Martin Borradaile ACA Dodd & Co Limited Chartered Accountants

FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way Rosehill Estate CARLISLE CA1 2RW

9 December 2024

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account ) for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
Investments
3
Charitable activities
4
Total income and endowments
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income before transfers
Transfers
Transfers between funds
Net movements in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
43,080
1,260
85,250		 Restricted
Funds
£
103,000
-
-		 Total Funds
2024
£
146,080
1,260
85,250		 Total Funds
2023
£
60,253
218
85,250
129,590 103,000 232,590 145,721
117,401 60,470 177,871 139,119
117,401 60,470 177,871 139,119
12,189
527		 42,530
(527)		 54,719
-		 6,602
-
12,716
93,846		 42,003
23,467		 54,719
117,313		 6,602
110,711
106,562 65,470 172,032 117,313

All of the Charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above periods.

The notes on pages 17 to 30 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Company registration number: 01864139

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 10 2,516 2,589
Current assets
Debtors 11 25,587 4,840
Cash at bank and in hand 146,302 112,042
171,889 116,882
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year		 12 (2,373) (2,158)
Net current assets 169,516 114,724
Net assets 172,032 117,313
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds 65,470 23,467
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted income funds 106,562 93,846
Total charity funds 172,032 117,313

For the financial year ended 31 March 2024, the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

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

Approved by the Board on 9 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Ae M Whitfield FCCA Trustee

The notes on pages 17 to 30 form an integral part of these financial statements.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

Fund accounting policy

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes.

Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 16.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

......... continued

Income and endowments

Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the Charity before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administor/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measured with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the Charity.

Income from Government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Income from charitable activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided) under contract.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Costs of generating funds are the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Taxation

The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Fixtures, fittings and equipment

25% straight line basis

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

......... continued

Trade Debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the Charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Liabilities

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Operating leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

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Promoting Autonomy and Change Ltd

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

......... continued

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 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 Charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the Charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the Charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the Charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

2 Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
Appeals and donations
Grants
Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
E C Graham Cumbrian Charitable Trust
Cumbria Community Foundation
Awards4All
Frieda Scott Charitable Trust
Henry Smith
Hadfield Trust
Screwfix
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,080		 Restricted
Funds
£
-		 Total Funds
2024
£
1,080		 Total Funds
2023
£
5,263
-
17,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
25,000		 17,300
-
15,000
-
-
65,700
2,000
3,000
-		 17,300
17,000
15,000
-
-
65,700
2,000
3,000
25,000		 17,100
17,000
-
10,000
10,890
-
-
-
-
42,000 103,000 145,000 54,990
43,080 103,000 146,080 60,253

Of the donations and legacies income in 2023, £22,263 related to unrestricted funds and £37,990 related to restricted funds.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

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3 Investments

Interest on cash deposits Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,260		 Restricted
Funds
£
-		 Total Funds
2024
£
1,260		 Total Funds
2023
£
218

All of the investments income in 2023 related to unrestricted funds.

4 Charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Cumberland Council 85,250 - 85,250 85,250

All of the income from charitable activities in 2023 related to unrestricted funds.

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5 Expenditure

Direct costs
Charity activity and resources costs
Wages and salaries
Employment costs
Rent
Light, heat and power
Insurance
Repairs and maintenance
IT Support
Telephone and fax
Office expenses
Supervision
Printing, postage and stationery
Equine costs
Sundry expenses
Travel and subsistence
Bank charges
Depreciation of plant and machinery
Support costs
Staff training
Accountancy fees
Independent examiner's fee
Legal and professional fees
Payroll costs		 Therapeutic
and
educational
activities
£
3,331
129,471
8,632
6,000
1,803
4,379
5,036
5,628
703
1,382
2,471
221
1,560
700
319
102
685		 Total
2024
£
3,331
129,471
8,632
6,000
1,803
4,379
5,036
5,628
703
1,382
2,471
221
1,560
700
319
102
685		 Total
2023
£
210
99,485
5,151
6,000
1,718
4,532
855
5,475
880
1,598
2,095
76
4,360
907
771
69
100
172,423 172,423 134,282
444
1,696
660
1,695
953		 444
1,696
660
1,695
953		 165
1,398
630
1,666
978
5,448 5,448 4,837
177,871 177,871 139,119

Of the expenditure in 2023, £106,980 related to unrestricted funds and £32,139 related to restricted funds.

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6 Governance costs

Accountancy fees
Independent examiner's fee
Payroll
Legal and professional fees		 2024
£
1,696
660
953
1,695		 2023
£
1,398
630
978
1,666
5,004 4,672

7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

No trustees received any reimbursements or expenses during the year.

8 Net income

Net income is stated after charging:

2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 685 100
Accountancy fees 1,696 1,398
Independent examiner's fee 660 630

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9 Employees' remuneration

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Charitable activities
The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security
Other pension costs		 2024
No.
6
2024
£
129,471
5,835
2,797
138,103		 2023
No.
6
2023
£
99,485
3,150
2,001
104,636

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Charity were £37,686 (2023 - £33,309).

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10 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
As at 1 April 2023
Additions
As at 31 March 2024
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
As at 31 March 2024
Net book value
As at 31 March 2024
As at 31 March 2023		 Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
24,849
612
25,461
22,260
685
22,945
2,516
2,589

11 Debtors

Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2024
£
21,000
4,587
25,587		 2023
£
-
4,840
4,840

12 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2024
£
239
2,134
2,373		 2023
£
449
1,709
2,158

13 Members' liability

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

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14 Pension scheme

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the period represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £2,797 (2023 - £2,001).

There were no outstanding or prepaid contributions at either the beginning or end of the financial year.

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15 Related parties

Controlling entity

The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company.

16 Analysis of funds

Designated Funds
Designated fund
General Funds
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted Funds
Francis C Scott
Charitable Trust
Cumbria Community
Foundation
Awards 4 All
Frieda ScottTrust
The Henry Smith Trust
The Screwfix Foundation
Hadfield Trust		 At 1 April
2023
£
50,000
43,846
5,700
-
6,877
10,890
-
-
-
23,467
117,313		 Incoming
resources
£
-
129,590
17,300
15,000
-
-
65,700
3,000
2,000
103,000
232,590		 Resources
expended
£
-
(117,401)
(13,153)
(7,261)
(6,877)
(7,232)
(21,474)
(2,473)
(2,000)
(60,470)
(177,871)		 Transfers
£
-
527
-
-
-
-
-
(527)
-
(527)
-		 At 31 March
2024
£
50,000
56,562
9,847
7,739
-
3,658
44,226
-
-
65,470
172,032

An amount of £50,000 has been set aside by the Trustees as a charity reserve to cover charity and staff costs as necessary should we find ourselves in a position whereby we are unable to source funding.

The charity received a donation of £17,000 from E C Graham Cumbrian Charitable Trust to be used as needed to support the overall charity costs associated with delivery.

The charity received £84,000 from Cumberland Council to deliver its Targeted Therapeutic Services contract.

The charity received £25,000 from Postcode Neighbourhood Trust to be used as needed to support the overall charity costs associated with delivery.

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The charity received £15,000 from Cumbria Community Foundation to fund salary and associated costs for a Music Therapist and Art Therapist.

The charity brought forward £5,700 from Francis C Scott Charitable Trust. This was a third year of grant funding supporting Art and Equine therapy. We received a further £17,300 during the year which was year one of a two year grant This supports Art Therapy and Clinical Lead hours.

The charity brought forward funds of £6,877 from The National Lottery Community Fund through their Awards for All grant scheme. This funded some salary and associated costs for Music Therapy and Art Psychotherapy.

The charity brought forward funds of £10,890 from the Frieda Scott Trust. This funds salary and associated costs to provide therapy specifically for children and young people aged 7-19 living in Eden.

The charity received £65,700 from The Henry Smith Trust. This was year one of a three year grant. It funds salary and associated costs for Music and Art Therapy as well as a brand new Operations Manager role.

The charity received £3,000 from The Screwfix Foundation towards the uplift of the building.

The charity received £2,000 from The Hadfield Trust towards equipment in the therapy rooms.

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Prior period

Designated Funds
Designated Fund
General Funds
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted Funds
Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
Cumbria Community Foundation
Children in Need - small grant
Cumbria Community Foundation - Play
therapy
Awards 4 All
Frieda Scott Charitable Trust		 At 1 April
2023
£
50,000
43,095
6,720
3,250
3,823
3,823
-
-
17,616
110,711		 Incoming
resources
£
-
107,731
17,100
-
-
-
10,000
10,890
37,990
145,721		 Resources
expended
£
-
(106,980)
(18,120)
(3,250)
(3,823)
(3,823)
(3,123)
-
(32,139)
(139,119)		 At 31 March
2024
£
50,000
43,846
5,700
-
-
-
6,877
10,890
23,467
117,313

17 Transfers

A transfer of £527 has been made from The Screwfix Foundation to unrestricted funds for the purchase of a fixed asset. Once the asset is purchased the original restriction on the funds was met and the funds were therefore transferred to unrestricted, in line with the SORP.

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18 Net assets by fund

Tangible assets
Current assets
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
Net assets
Prior period
Tangible assets
Current assets
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
Net assets		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,516
106,419
(2,373)
106,562
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,589
93,415
(2,158)
93,846		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
65,470
-
65,470
Restricted
Funds
£
-
23,467
23,467		 Total Funds
2024
£
2,516
171,889
(2,373)
172,032
Total Funds
2023
£
2,589
116,882
(2,158)
117,313		 Total Funds
2023
£
2,589
116,882
(2,158)
117,313
Total Funds
2022
£
-
116,297
(5,586)
110,711

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