Company Registration No. N1035373 ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 I Chydrity Commission Number- NIC100987 ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD CONTENTS Page Directors, Annual Report Statement of Directors, responsibilities 10 Independent Auditors. report lJ-14 Statements of financial activities 15 Balance sheet 16 Statement of Cash Flows 17 Notes to the financial stAtements 18-27 ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 The Directors of the Charity are pleased to present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023. The Charity havc adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the Charity. Principal activities and objectiveg The objective of the Charity is to assist people with learning disabilities or physical, sensory, or other impairment, mental ill health or who are vulnerable due to social or economic circumstances, through the provision of advice, inforniation and support in order to gain access to employment, education, economic. health. housing, leisure, social welfare and other services on the same basis as others without such disadvantages. This is achieved through the operation of a Social Firni which provides training, work experience and sustained employment for people with mental ill health, learning disability and others from a disadvantaged background. The Social Firni has the following activities which provide training, work experience and employment as well as providing sustainabl¢ income: Packa in & Assembl AEL packages products for other companies as well as packaging its own products for sale on-line and also manufactures and prepares product samples for some of Northern Irelands top Companies including K-Rend & Spirit. Lunchbox Café Located on-site the café has a 5-star rating from Environmental Health and a 5-star rating from Facebook with both sit in, takeaway and delivery options available. Online Sho Under the registered brand name, Candyrush AEL repackages goods which are imported from around the world and sells them online. Our product range includes Party Bags, Envelopes, Confectionary and Craft Products. Facili Hire Centrally located in Larne Town Centre the Larne Community Hub, makes the ideal location for group meetings, training courses, special events, displays, fairs, car boot sales etc. Burn Allotments Communi Shed & Garden Centre The Naggy Burn, project encompasses our Community Shed, Allotments and Garden Centre. Each of these 3 projects dovetail with the other to offer a rnnge of activities that provide social and physical interactions aimed at promoting health and wellbeing within the local community. Service users can simply rent an allotmcnt and grow their own produc¢ with the widely recognised benefits of bcing outside, working with nature, producing food produce and saving money" whil.st the, C.nmmiinity Shed offers an opportunity to try new things, increase skills and meet new friends with similar interests. Both elements are critical in t¢mis of breaking down social isolation and tackling loneliness. ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 The Naggy Burn Garden Centre opened during summer 2020. Despite Covid restrictions commercial activity increased and it now sells a variety of plants, seeds, compost, shrubs, tools and hanging baskets. Create Gifts Launched in 2022, AEL personalises products and giftware with logos and messages using our laser engraver. Our Charitable activities offer the following programmes: Transitions Pro ramme School ils a ed 15-25 The Transitions Programme is a job coaching programme facilitsting early intervention with school aged young people. The primary focus is to better prepare young people to transition from school into adulthood, progress to the world of work and be active citizens in their communities. Haiids On Trainin Pro ramme- HOT unem lo eda ed 16-60 This programme is about enabling trainees to progress onto paid employment, long terni volunteering andlor further education. Alongside live work experience trainees also attend external work tours and work placements with other COTnpanies, to develop their experience further and sample the world of work outside of AEL. Trainees can also gain OCN qualifications at Level l & Level 2. This programme ceased in March 2023 as the funding ended. PROSPER This programme is for anyone who is economically inactive aged 16+, who requires support to gain employment and or enter long-tern) volunteering or further education. AEL is part of a consortium of 5 other organisations, delivering this programme under UKSPF. The programme commenced in April 2023 and is funded until end March 2025. As part of the programme AEL will support trainees to gain work experience, develop their skills and confidence, reduce isolation, and build towards a positive pathway for their future. ortunities tlirou hAEL ed 18 + referred throu h NHSCT Individuals who have been diagnosed with a learning disability and have been approved for receipt of community-based day services, through the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, can ask about coming along to AEL to volunteer ]- 3 days per week. This helps them to gain work cxpcrience, boost their skills and confidence. It may also help them to think about possible work or volunteering opportunities, before deciding on their next steps, for example progression to the HOT Programme. Life Pro ramme Promotin a Life of Inde endeiice Fuifilment & Ex erience The LIFE Programme offers bespoke support which ensures trainees have choices in how they spend their day, who they spend it with, and the types of activities offered. We aim to share what's important to them, by developing a person-centred support and action plan that will, set realistic goals and encourage the development of each trainee. LIFE will promote their physical, mental. and social health and enhance their quality of life. Social Club AEL also offers a fun packed fortnightly Social club, with approxitnately 30 members attending each session. This club provides a safe and supportive environment for those with additional needs to come together and ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD DIRECTORS? ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 enjoy social and recreational activities, go on outings, develop new skills and meet new friends. The club is open to everyone, aged 16+ from the MEA council area. Pllblie Benefit In shaping the Charity's objectives, the Directors have considered the Charity Commission NI'S guidance on public benefit including the Commission's ' Public Benefit Reporting, document CCNI PBRI. The direct benefit which flows from this is that disadvantaged people are provided with support to access further training and employment opportunities, thus enhancing their lifestyle and quality of life and allowing them to operate more effectively in the community. Achievements & Performance Trainees have now returned to pr¢-covid service levels and are sampling work experience opportunities across all business areas. We have seen marked increase in trainees social, Communication, attitude to work, independence and skills and experience levels this year, compared to the same period last year. This is a direct result of services returning to pre-covid levels and our services adapting to mcct train¢¢s where they were in ternis of the supports, they required. At 31. July 2023 the Charity was providing 58 training places to 33 individuals each week Thi5 year we have achieved and delivered the following: ualifications OCN Level I ndent Travel ression to Em abili Introduction to Warehousin Level I Vocational Skills - Exploring Enterprise & Skills for Garden Horticulture OCN Level 2 Awards in Vocational Skills- Business Administration & Career Planning & Preparation Awarded ualifications Inde Pro ment 10 OCN Level l Accreditations Vocational Skills- Takin Part in an Ente rise Pro ect OCN Accreditation Level I Vocational Skills - Skills for Garden Horticulture TOTAL 43 Number ression Pathwa ment Lon terni volunteerin Further Education Whilst AEL prides itself in having a mixed ability workforce and continues to create sustainable employment opportiinitie.s, links hAve A18n heen estahlished and maintained with local employers via our Inolusive Employer Charter, which recognises those employers who provide work tours, placements, and employment/volunteering opportunities to our trainees, enabling them to reach their full potential outside of AEL and demonstrating their own corporate, Social responsibility. We are delighted that these employers have ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 continued to engage with us via the charter, and we continue to see a rise in external work placements and tOUTS being offered. To end July 2023 employers have facilitated 14 external work placements ranging from ground maintenance to retail to mechanics. There has also been a total of14 external work tours, across a variety of business sectors. including haulage, retail. catering, sport and fitness and ground maintenance. Personal development and monitoring of soft outcomes are also a key element of the Charity's training progrdmmes. At 31" July 2023 our distance travelled assessment of trainees revealed the following. Soft Skill AreA Confidence/Self Belief SociallFriendshi in Skills Skills & Ex erience Communication Skills Health Lifes le Attitude to Work endence & Reliabili Percenta e Increase 53% 63% 69% 70% 63% 71% 74% 74% Inde Financial review The Charity recorded a net deficit of (£27,159) for the year. When added to reserves brought forward the total reserves on 31 July 2023 are £521,834. As explained in the accounting policies the Charity's funds are normally either restricted or unrestricted. The main funding streams of the Charity are its social enterprise activities in Packaging and Assembly, Online Retail, Giftware, Rental, Lunchbox Café, Community Allotments and Naggybum Garden Centre which together account for 63°/o of the charity's income. These activities support the Charity's training programmes for adults with disability and disadvantage. The Board have considered the risks involved in all our social enterpris¢ activities and are agreed that the desired outcomes are of supporting sustainable disability ¢mployment and creating unrestricted revenue thereby reducing dependency on grant funding is in line with the Charity's core aims and objectives. The Board will ensure that action is taken to remove, reduce or mitigate losses in any of the social enterprise activities. The legacy from the COVID 19 pandemic as well as the eost-of-living crisis are both making an impact on the activities of the charity as well as its ability to create and maintain meaningful businesses. The Board and Senior Management continue to seek to ensure that activities are making a financial and social contribution to the charity. Reserves Policy and Going Concern At 31 July 2023 the Charity held £521,834 in unrestricted reserves and £nil in restricted reserves. The current unrestricted reserves of £521,834 include an amount of £169,060 which can only be realised by disposing of tangible fixcd asscts. Thc Charity therefore lias free i'esetves of£352,774. 11 15 Ihe pulicy of the Charity to seek to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Charity, at a level which equates to approximately six months of resources expended on activities outside of funded projects costs. During the year 31 July 2023 this equated to £408,554. ACCESS EMPLOYMENT LTD DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 The Directors consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities of the Charity for the foreseeable future and are of the view that the Charity is a going concern. Plans for future periods AEL has a three-year Strategic Plan and a Risk Register to guide its activities. The Board and Senior Management Team continue to focus on strengthening and developing business growth. This was reflected during the year with the appointment of a new Chief Executive and the continued development of the capacity of the laser engraver through Create Gifts will offer new products and services. We continue to seek business activities which offer inclusion and experience for our service users. Although AEL were fortunate to secure funding through UKSPF, following the end of ESF, the new funding is for a short 2-year period and funding continues to be a major concern for AEL and the community and voluntary sector as a whole. With no functioning executive in NI, departments have been left with no budgets and are running with huge deficits, this has impacted the levels of funding available to community and voluntary sector. We are working closely with our colleagues across the sector to lobby for support to maintain vital programmes as well as seeking funds where possible to bridge any gaps in service. Funding through the 'Dorniant Accounts Fund, will continue to provide training to strengthen the staff team and improve and make better use of the IT infrastructure, helping AEL to remain resilient and fit for purpose. Structure, Governance & Management Access Employment Limited is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21 December 1998 and amended to allow for current governance a￿angement on 25th September 2014 and the liability of each member is limited to an amount not exceeding £ l. It has been granted charitable status by HM Revenue and Customs and is registered with th¢ Charity Commission of Northern Ireland. The Directors who also act as Charity trustees are under Charity law legally responsible for the control, management and administration of the Charity. At 31 July 2023 the Board of Directors consisted of seven members being a Chair, Vice Chair and five other members. Three of the members are male and four are female. The Board of Directors meet regularly, at intervals not exceeding three months. A strategic plan was adopted for 2021-2024. this has four key areas- Financial and Business Growth, Business Processes and Compliance, Excellence in Trainee Services and Organisational and People Development. Access Employment Limited has thirty nine employees as at 31 Sl July 2023 and in fulfilment of the strategic plan and in line with the Charity's objectives has delegated to the Chief Executive, assisted by colleagues on the Senior Management Team, responsibility for the day to day operation and management of the Charity. During the year under review, a new Chlef Executive was appointed in November 2022 and the roles and responsibilities of the SMT were reviewed. During the recruitment period from May 2022, the role was covered by the SMT and a short temi Chief Executive. Ternis and conditions of thc contracts of employment of eTnployees of the Charity are determined by the Directors. The pay of all staff including senior management is reviewed annually and nornially increased in accordaiiLe witli avei-age eai'iiiiigs. Tli¢ NJC Pdy ar¥ us¥d