VOLUNTEER NOW {COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONSOUDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Contsnts Paga Reference and Adminl8tralive Detalls Truste8s' Report (Sncluding the Strategic Report) 2-14 Independent Audlt Report 15-18 Statement of Flnandal Activltles 19-20 Balance Sheet 21-22 Statemént of Cash Flowg 23 Notes to the Flnancl81 Statements 24-38 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUAIIANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 PMRCH 2023 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Trustees Dr Nick Acheson lan Baxter-crawlord Elaine Black Philip Nathan Campbell Helen Connolly Jenny Ferguson Jenny Marshall Jeannie Mccann Martin Mccarthy Samantha Gillespie Philp McDonagh Marc Scott (Chairperson) (Appointed 21 April 2023) (Appointed 21 April 2023) Company secrotsry and general m•n•g•r Denise Hayward Rgglstered office Skainos Centre 239 N8Wtownards Road Belfast BT4 1AF Sollcltorn Edwards and Co 28 Hill Street Bèlfast BT12LA Bank Ulster Bank Limited 91-93 University Road Belfast BT7 7FW Regl8tered audltorn Harbinson Mulholland Centrepoint 24 Ormeau Avenue Belf8St BT2 8HS Company number NI 602399 Charity registration number NIC 101309 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEl￿NTs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (includlng tho Directors Report} structura, governance and managèment The tw$tees present their report and the financial statements for the year 8nd8d 31 March 2023. The trustees. who are also directors of Voluntèer Now for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and upto the date of this report are set out on page 1. Princlpal Activitie8 and Result8 for tha year The principal activity of Volunteer Now Is a regional to IcKal infrastructure support organisation con¢emed with the promotion, support and development of volunteering. Nét incoming resources for the charrty amounted to £6,080 (2022.. £127,813) and for the group £42.042 (2022.. £147.3061. Rehrence and admlnl8trativ• dgtall8 of the Charlty, It• Tru$teM and advlsorn The organlsatlon has a Board of Trustee51Directors of 11 with a m8ximum of 15 members allowed, 1 Chairperson appointed, 6 elected from the membership and 6 appointed and 2 co-options. The Board members are all Charity Trustees and Directors of th8 company. The following Individuals were members of Board of Truste8slDirectors of the organisation during 2022123.. Dr Nick Acheson lan Baxt8r-Cravhord Philip Nathan Campbell Helen Connolly Martin Mccarthy Philip McDonagh Marc Scott (Chairperson) Chris Chambers (resigned 271912022) Samantha Gillespie Jenny Marshall Jenny Ferguson There were 33 staff employed by the organisation at the end of March 2023. Th8 Chief Executive Officer Is Denise Hayward and the Leadérship Team is comprised of Rulh Mulholland, George Gillespie, Jane Gribbin, Kelli Cleland, Lindsay Armstrong, and Nadine Campbell. The organi8ation provides a role descrlptlon for the members of thè Board, with additional role descrlptions for office bearers. Once members are elected or appointed to the Board, they are given an induction into Ihe roles and responsibilities of board members,. background ab￿t the organisation including mission, objectNes, operational and financial management. They are provided with an information pack including copies of current slralegic and operational plans, relevant policies and procedures, staff structures and current key issues. New Directors and staff members are provided with an induction into the role and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees- a skills audit of Trustees is also carried out regularly. A number of sub committees are in place within the Board. These include Finance. Audit and Risk, Income Generation and Communications and Human Resources and Remuneration. These committees all have clear t8nns of reference and report regularly to the Board. Th8 sub-committee structure affords Trustees an opportunity to engage actively in managing and monitoring the work of the organi58tion. Th8 Board of Trustee5 meets on a six-weekly basi5 and the m8mb8rs are fully engaged in strategic oversight of the organisation's work. VOL1Th4TEER NOW (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEe) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Includlng thé Dlrectors Report) Cont'd Related partle8 Volunteer Now has one wholly owned subsidiary, Volunteer Now Enterprlses Ltd. None of our trustees receives remuneration or other benefits from their work with the charity. Risk management The Board of Trustees has considered the major risks to which Volunteer Now is exposed and systems and procedures have been established to mitigate thos8 risks. A risk register is produc8d and Trustees meet annually with the Lead8rshlp Tèam to Consider and score the risks id8ntified. The risk registers and mitigations in plac8 are reviewed on a 6-rTh)nthiy basis. Trustees review the information in detail in the Audit and Risk Committe8 and this is then reported to the full board. ￿ have continued to actwely managè key risks with the regular review of systéms and pro￿sses. for example this yèar we have begun to move our data to doud storage to mitigate the risk of aging IT equipment. New issues which hav8 emerged this year are the difficult environment for recruiting and retaining volunta8rs Sin￿ the pandemic and this has the potential to have an impact on our 8ervice delivery and the policy and advoca￿ work of the organi8ation, mitigations for this risk are in place. We continu8 to be mlndtul ofthe potential ri8k for Volunteer Now associated with its membershlp of the TPT NI Charities Pension Scheme.. a final salary scheme th8t was ck>sed to new members in 2009. The scheme has accrued a deficit which to date has beèn managed through agreed monthly payments. Volunteer Now's total payments {d8fiat plus expenses) are currently £34,653 per annum. The results of the valuation in September 2019, for the Scheme as a whole, showed that belween 2016 and 2019 the defKit reduced from £6.1M to £2.4M. How8V8r in the latest 2022 valuation the deficit has increased to £3.2 million. However, results from the most recent triennial valuation of th8 NICPS, which were shared with scheme amployers after the financial year end, show that the deficit has increased again and TPT are proposing a higher deficit contribution over a slohtly longer period. A Consu￿atIon is currently taking pla￿ with employers which will detemiine the exact extent of the def￿rt contribution to be paid by Volunteer Now. Further risks associated wlth the pensions scheme have also come to light including to the processes used by TPT in the dOSu￿ of the final salary scheme in 2(Xi9. These issues will be tested in a court case expected in 202412025. A regulation change in regard lo CPIIRPI wlll have a negative impact in the most recent triennial valuation, currently being consutted on. This obligation. and any assoclated contingent liabilities are a key and orKJoing focus of the Volunteer Now truste8S. ob￿ctiveS and Actlvltles Volunteer Now's vislon, mission and objectives are set out In the Strateglc Plan 2020 2025. This Strategic Plan w85 refreshed during 21Y22. Th8 Strategic Plan informs the annual Operational Plan that sets oui key objectives, activities and targets. The Operational Plan is monitored and reviewed on a six-monthly ba818. Our Wision Building strong comrnunities through volunteering. Our Mlsslon En8bling people to offer their skills and time to build stronger, more active communiti8s. Values Excollenco and Creatlvlty - We strNe for excellence and creativity in all that we do recognising that each peTSon's contribution is valuable. Collaboratlon and T￿rnwOrk- We value working with others, building and maintaining effeclive partnerships. VOLiNTEER NOW (A COMPANY UMITEO 8Y GUAIIANTEE) ￿￿4NcIAL STATEMEMrs FOR THE YE4R ENDEO 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Respect and Inclusion- We ￿let￿ale diversty and prornote indusion to build a culture based on due regard for others. Beneficiaries and Safeguarding - We focus on the achievement of positive outcomes for everyone irwolved in volunteering and apply recognised safeguarding principles to our worf(. Prioritles and Outcomes 2022 -23 Outcomè 1: Improved cofflmunlty well-baing and personal development through voluntaarlng Prlorltles andActlons Promote voluntsarlng In order to increase the number and dlverslty of volunteers. Enable volunteering to be inclusive of groups, families. and individuals. Providé a comprehensive digital recruitmant resource. Increase the number and diversity of opportunities for people to volunteer. 08veiop youth volunteering and social action. Extend volunteering opportunities for under 16s. Support older people to volunteer. Carry out a range of vohjnteering promotional events. Increa8e the underntandlng of and recognltlon for volunteoring. Provide and communicate a strategic und8rstanding of volunteering in Northem Ireland and its links to the public policy context. Work with partners to recognise volunteering in both fomial and infonnal settings. Provide evidence of the impact of volunteering for individuals and ￿mmUnItIeS. Increase recognition for young peoples, volunteering. Offer high quality voluntoerlng opportunltle8. Eff8dive recruitment and Support of volunteers for Volunteer Now projects. Support event volunteering Support employer supported volunteering opportunities. Outcome 2: Improved volunteerlng practice in oryan18atlon8 Prlorities and Actions Develop and promote best practice in volunteer managefflgnt to all volunteer Involving oryanlsations. Devek)p and deliver high qualty training and infomiation based on recognisad standards including the use of digital technology. Build recogniiion ft)r the profession of Volunteer Management Support the measurement of the impact of volunteering for individuals and communities. Devebp partnerships and ￿llabOratiVe working with relevant organisattons. Develop and promote best practlce In governance. Provide good practice and support on governan￿. Support the recrurtment and developmenl of Trustees. Develop and promote best practice in befrlending. Support the development of good practice in befriending. VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEhENTS FOR THE YEARENOED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Rèport) Cont'd Outcoffte 3: Improved safeguardlng practice in organisations Prlori and Actions Provlde support and Infomlatlon on standards of practlce for safeguarding vulnerable groups. Actions.. Develop and provide training on good practice, policres, and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable groups. Provision of Acc8ss Nl Umbrella Service which allows groups to carry out their checks without r8gistering directly with Access Nl. Develop partnerships and collaboratr¥e workin9 Wlth relevant organisation8. Outcome 4: SuBtalnable, well managèd organl8atlon (Volunteer Nowl Priorities and Action8 Ensure eff•ctivè govomanco. Robust govemance arrangements In place Robust risk management in pla¢8. En8urn effectlve use of r080urce•. Timely robust and transparent financial planning and monrtoring. Income base that ensures effectbve delivery of serrfices and development of appropriate level of unrestricted reserve5. Effective recruitment and management of staff. CreatlV8 development of new sepiices. Robust management and delivery of internal and 8Xtemal IT systems. Effectiv8 facilities Management. En8ure effectlvè capturo and managem8nt of data. Effective Oata Management Processes Effectlve monltoring and evaluation of organisational outcomes Publlc Benefit Th8 purpose of Volunteer Now is to advance citizenship and community development by promoting and supporting volunteering. Set out in this document is a ststement of our achi8V8ment and performance in delivering this purpose and the benefit to our ben8fiaaries. Trustees have had due regard to the Charty Commission Guidance in relation to the Public Benefit in producing this report. Achlevements and Pèrfomiance Outcome 1: Improved community well-belng and personal development through volunteering Priori mole volunteeri In order t increase he number and diversil of volunteers. Wè have seen an increase in demand for support with recruiting volunleérs during this year a8 organisations re-establish their volunteering programmes post Covid. However, this year has also cemented the fall off in volunteering levels overall. Despite this. 81 turn up and try opportunities of which 69 were mobile opportunities and 12 employer supported volunteering programmes were delivered. VOLLIYTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIIIITED BY GUARANTeE) HKINCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (includlng tha Dlrectors Report) Cont'd We continue to use the volunteer recruitrnent and management platform Be Collective as the main vehicle for individuals to find local opportunities online. The plattorm also allows organisations lo promote opportunities.. 149 new organisations registered on the platform and 649 new volunteer opportunities were endorsed by Volunteer Now throughout the year. The total opportunities available at the end of March were 2.161 with 620 organisations overall registered on Be Collective. These organisations all receive regular infomiation and access lo direct local support. 2,950 n8w volunteers registered on Be Collective during the year and the team directly supported 556 volunteers to find a suitable opportunity. During 2022123. we actively promot8d volunteering opportunities using the website, Social media, opportunity sheets and in person evènts. During this year 71 infomiation stands reaching over 2,629 individuals were held arvj 40 volunteering talks reaching over 2,365 individuals were delivered. In addition, 24 workshops held reaching over 367 volunteers on positive rnental health and 24 workshops were facilitated reaching over 290 indivrdu8ls focussing on employability and volunte8ring. Opportunity sheets were d8veloped for each of our areas and updated as new opportunities were registered, at a minimum quarterly. 5.601 opportunity sheets were downloaded this year. Volunteers, Week was launched on the 1st of June with our 'Glve Volunteerfng a Go. vldeo hlghllghtlng the range of opportunities across our areas and a selection of organisalions. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA joined CEO, Denise Hayward to thank volunteers and 23 piec8s of coverage in region81 and local press wilh an OTS of ¢)ver 25,CNJO were gained. 3 social media influencers supported the Campaign and with their support we had an audien￿ of over 4475,000 and 13 pieces of social. print and online coverage reaching totsl audience of 1.8 million. Prlori 2.. Incre erstsndin of and co r volunteerin During the year Volunteer Now advocated for volunteering as part of the Departmént for Communities Infra6trudur8 Reference Group, community planning partnerships and wè jointly chaired the government and voluntary 8nd coMmun￿Y sector Joint Forum. We are active mémbèrs of a range of nelworks such as: the South West Age Partnership., Neighbourhood renewal partnerships.. Newry Age Friendly Alliance., Caring Communities,. Safe and Well ne￿orkS. Newry Older Peoples Forum., Down Older Peoples Forum; Locality Planning Group: Newry Intercultural Forum; ABC Loneliness Network; Amagh Place Shaping Nthork; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Community and Voluntary Sector Panel., Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newiownabbey Loneliness N8Miorks,' ROC; Community Health and Wellbeing Sub-Group', Northern Health and Social Care Trust Volunteering Group: Antrim and Newtownabbey Intercultural Forum and Lisburn and Castlereagh Community Planning Partnership and the Council's Health Inequalities Forum. We have worked closely with statutory, communty arKI voluntary groups in Ards and North Down, Belfast, Mid and East Antrim arvj Newry Mourn8 and Down with regards to the involv8ment of refugees arKJ asylum seekers as volunteers. A panel survey charting th8 impact of the cost of living on volunteering has been conducted during this year and regular blogs outlining the findings have been produced. Volunteer Now has supported NISRA to re-shape the volunteering questions on the Continuous Household Survey this year and new data is anticipated in 2024. Volunteer Now hosted a Pathway to Change event in Stormont with over 50 people in attendance to explore the impact of the pandemic on volunteering and the potential steps which were needed to support recovery. A keynote speaker from the Dapartment for communities took part and a report was produced and disseminated. A research report on youth volunteering looking at the policy on youth volunteering in N Ireland as well as the views of organisalions and young people was launched in April 2023. This report has been diss8minated and shared in particular with policy makers in the Education Authority and Department of Education. VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARAMfEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Volunteer Now is working with Ulster University and the Northern Heatth & Social Care Trust to deliver a pilot study called the MATILDA project. This project aims to match older adults with learning disabilities to local community groups. In these groups. there will b8 volunteer'mentors, who will act as the point of contact for the research team, ensuring that the participant is engaging with the group regularly and enjoying their experience. The role of Volunt8er Now in this project is to identify th8 local community groups which suit the needs (interests, travel, timings, etc.) of the partiapants, identify volunteer 'mentors' and provide them with training to ensure they are confident and competent in their role. We will also provide regular, ongoing support to the mentors, participants, and their familylcarers throughout the project period. Thevolunteer ImpactAwards continue to grow, 588 young people r8gistered thls yearto r8céiv8 Impact Awards; 581 certificates were presentedldelivered: over 55.100 hours recognised from Challenge to 600 Hour Awards. EOTAS 18 educational provlslon for chlldr8n with 80C181, behavioural, emotlonal wellbéing issues who, without its provision, cannot sustain acce88 to suitable education. During this year V￿ have worked with 5 EOTAS centres to provide social action programme8 for young people. This programme has been funded through Children in Need. Volunt8er Now also supports the #iwill movement in N Ireland building awareness and involvement in youth social action. During this year 29 recognition events y￿re supported ty the team at a local level throughout the year among thern, Newry Mourne and Down sports awards, Lisburn and Casllereagh's Mayors Awards and Antrim and Newtownabbey's Spirt of Community Awards. We also supported The Executsve Office and Communlty Relations Council with their Good Relations Awards, including promotion of a new Volunteering Award. Prlorit 3.. Offer hi uali rin ortunities. Our befriending work with older people in Belfast has been delivered fulty to face to face during the year with 40 older peopl8 receiving 2,523 hours of befriending support from volunteers. Our driving service for older adults in Belfast supported journeys for health appointments and other wellbeing activities. The shopping support role developed during the pandemic has been maintained due to the needs of 8eNice users. In totsl 101 dients were supported with driving {65) or shopping support (36); 2,461 voluntser hours were given and 1,687 dienl journeys were completed. Volunteer Now staff provided over 1,337 support contscts to volunteers and delivered 4 training sessions and 6 social events for volunteers. Our drlvlng scheme for looked after chlldren for South Eastem Trust continues to provide regular school runs as well as travel to summer schemes and contact visits. 49 young people were supported through volunteers drivlng 2,229 joumeys covering 73,928 miles giving 3,320 hours. Our work to support older people's groups through the Shanklll and West Belf88t Forums and the G6 contlnued wrth highlights this year including a partnership project with an older people's group from Wicklow. 32 meetings of the Forums and the G6 took plac8 during this year and 840 hours of supwt were deliVe￿d to older people's groups. 11 outings arKI social gatherings were organised involving 392 older people and 80 older people took part in regular line dancing dasses. Four older peoples, volunteering thallenges involving 53 people were organised. This year 9 training sessions were delivered with 162 participants and £31,500 was secured for older people's groups. VOLIJITEER NOW COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEM￿8 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES. REPORT Ilncluding the Directors Report) Cont'd We delivered 4 héalth and wellbeing newsletters and a variety of oiher publications to support older people. We also continued to work with older men with 2 training sessions delivered to 30 older men, a men's health day attended by 104 older men and a women's health day attended by 140 older women were held and 5 volunteer challenges took place involving 133 older men. Volunt88r Now, in partnership with Ulster GA4 and the British Red Cross supported the delivery of the Ukrainian Weknme Centres across N Ireland. 2,278 volunteer hours were contributed across 8 sites (Belfast, Ballymena, Cralgavon, Dungannon, DerrylL'DeTry, N8wry). Outcome 2: Improved volunteering pracllce In oryanlsallons Priorll 1.. Develo anisa on and romote best ractice in volunteer mana ement to a l olunteer Involvl We delivered 11 Volunteer Organisers Linking Together (VOLT) sessions during the period behveen April 2022 and March 2023, with a tot81 of 208 attendees. There were a rang8 of topics relevant to such as involving older volunteers or volunteering and the fundraising code. The website continues to be reviewed and updated and it ￿ntInued to be a popular resource with 340,882 page views and 17,420 downloads of materials. Training has been curtailed this year due to a long term Sickness absence however Volunteer Now Enterprises delivered 69 programme courses with 703 participants. Volunteer Now continues to manage the Investing in Volunteers Standard as88ssment process in England and ts Soon to take on the same role for Wales. 16 organisations in total achieved the IIV standard in N Ireland and Rapublic of Ireland this year. 86 volunteer management healthchecks were completed with organisations. A licence agre8m8nt to offer Volunleer Friendly, a voluntser managemènt standard for smaller organisations has b88n put in place and a range of promotional events for the new standard were held. Volunteer Now Is an active member of a rang8 of networks to rai88 volunt8erlng issues includlng, Developing Govemance Group, Joint Forum, UK Volunteering Forum, #iwill Partnership, Strengthening Communities for Health Steering Group, Community Development Transfomiation Group (PHA), NICVA, Volunteer Ireland, Libraries Nl, BITC, Local community ￿e￿orkS, Tural support nelwork5, CBI, CIPD, HASP, HAP, APB, Active Belf85t Partnership, Age Friendly Belfast. Befriending Ne￿ork, Working Together to Reduce Social Isolation, Councils, Trusts and other voluntary and communty organisations. Prio and romote best rac i¢& in oVernan￿. Through our role as joint secretariat for the Developing Governance Group, Volunteer Now was able lo upgrade the DIY Committ8e Guide in line with the new Code, 283 Codes and 290 health checks were downloaded this year. The updated vM.diycommitt8eguide.org had 449,839 us8rs during the year. Governance sessions have been provided as part of th8 training calendar and individual tailored sessions have also been provided. Priori 3.. Develo and romote best ractice In befriendin Volunteer Now facilitates a nelwork for organisations operating befriending projects and the network met 3 times during the year. 25 organisations are part of this network. An updated directory of beffiending services was launched in March 2023. VOLiThITEER NOW (A COMPANY LIPIITED BY GUAR4NTEE FIMANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (including the Directors Report) Cont'd Volunteer Now o>ordinated the Befriending Week Campaign in November on behalf of the Befriending Network, highlighting the vital role volunteers play in delivering this service through a social media campaign. 1 trainlng session was delivered to the Befriendlng Network on 'Tackling Lonellness, mem￿r8 also attended 2 VOLT sessions in March, Engaging Students as Volunteers and Volunteer Involvement in the Over 50's. Outcome 3: Improved safeguarding practlce in organisations Priori 3.. Provide su ort and information on standards of Ice fe uardin vulnerable rou Promotlon of online courses for both Keeping Children 8nd Adults safe continued. 20 K8eplng Children Safe courses were delivered Irle online with 240 people attending and 29 Keeping Adults Safe courses were ddivered live online with 322 people attending. 68 courses were delivered through Belfast and South Eastem Trusts, Inlllatives with 1,141 attending. The majority of participants said that the training would have a high impact on their worklwoTk of their organisation. Volunteer Now standards and guidance C¢)ntlnue to be promoted via trainkng, enqulrles, other publications and on social media. The leam dealt with 649 safeguarding queries and ran two safeguarding forums. The first forum was delivered by a s8nior practitioner in NIACRO and covered good practirk in assessing criminal history information which arises on declaration foms and Access Nl Disclosure C8rtificat85. The second forum was delivered by Dr Deborah Webster, Thrive Academy and examined the online risks for children and young people, particularly with social media usage. Dr Joe Sullivan, expert in safeguarding. also delivered a training sessM)n for Keeping Safe trainers about perpetrators of thild sex abuse. There wère 2,942 downloads of safeguarding publicatic￿6 during this period. Keeping Childrnn Saf8.' Our Dufy to Care had the most downloads, with other popular publications being Keeping Adults Safe.. A Shared Responsibility, Keeping Saf8 training leaflets and Keeping Childrèn 8nd Adults Safe.. Policy Standards. 2 new factsheets were developed outlining the naw domestic abuse and stalking legislation, and a third was developed providing template declaration fomis for organisations. Volunteèr Now's umbrella body service continues to process Access Nl checks. 818 Access Nl checks were cornpleted during the year. Volunteer Now 18 active in a range of Safeguarding networks including Keepwig Safe Initiative Stèering groups, all Local Adult Safeguarding Partnerships and relevant subgroups. We are adive mèmbers of the Access Nl Stakeholders Forum and the Safeguarding Children in Sport Strategic Group. We are also active members of the recentty fonned Interim Adult Protection Board Training and Development Subgroup. 8en•fit to Beneficlarlos Volunteer Now's purpose relates to promoting and supporting volunleerlng. Our beneficiaries are members of the public, volunteers, volunteer involvlng organisations, service users e.g.. within the driving and befriending schemes we run and employers. Any small private benefit whrch may accrue from our work is incidental such as a sense of wellbeing to those who volunteer. Impact The outPLrts from our work are listed above. however we have sought to colled feedback from service users about the difference our work is making to the people involved. Outsome 1: Improved communlty well-being and personal dovelopment through volunteering Thank you foryoursupport gethng onto 89 Collective. Invaluable asset." Volunteering Oryanisation 'Great infomiation being shared fr(Nn VolunteerNow, really appreciate all the support and guidance." Volunteering Oryanisation VOLiThITEER NOW {A COMPANY UMITED 8Y GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Includlng the Directors Report) Cont'd Thank you for yoursupport- it was really useful.. Volunteer "Great workshop, hadnt included my volunteering in my cv bgforel°"Good to know that employers recognise th8 skllls gained through volunteering." Volunteer In 8 IEcent su￿aY 98% of sernice users stated that they look forward to their voluntg8r calling to a tremendous amount. The scheme is tenific, being 6lderfy and single, it re81ty halps me go thmugh life. My volunt8er befrienderis always there forme., Befriending Client y volunteershopperis carfng, kind and considerate. They are so friendly. Shopping Support Cllent Feedback from 8 recent SUfV8y of driving scheme In Ards and North Down,.. Soclal Workers 100% of respondents said that the Scheme has bgan extremely benefi¢lal" to those referrgd and 100% of respondents S8id that the communlcatlon and support from Volunt88r Now was of a 'High standard, (highest score possible). Volunteers lo￿ of those surveyed rncommend volunteerfng to others 8nd 811 agree fft8t volunt88ring is 8 worthwhilé use of your time. Foster Carnrs. 100% were 'V8ry SatISf￿d, with the drlving sch8me. Comments InGluded.' "The care 8nd compassion of the ftiendly and Safe s8Nic8 has brought these kids out of themselves." Outcome 2: Improved volunteerlng practlce In organlsatlon8 Y￿ice to be able to reGognis8 our volunteers again."Good to have that fiexibility in the certificates and the hours they can be ￿COgnised for." Voluntoaring Organlsation "Interesting VOLT session. Good to talk atjout these issues and discuss ideas." VOLT Attendee "Gosh, you made me thlnk of thing8 in a dlfferenl way. The health check was really beneficial and18m sure will help us in our practlC8. Thank you for your ongoing support - a real lifeline to our committee.. Volunteorlng Organisatlon "Great opportunity for small groups to receive accreditation." Voluntserlng Organ18atlon "It was just brilliant to tslk with you thls morning. You have been so helpful and empathetic. Your Code of Conduct will be a massive help to me and my committee going fopNard. You're 8n absolute 8tsr. Governance Support U$er "Course content well-structured and clear with good examples and suggestions on how might appty to range of attendees. Copy of slides and copy of Code of Good Govemance really useful resources to reference aflerwards and share with other Board members and much appreciated." Tralnlng attende• Outcom• 3: Improvod safeguardlng practlce In organlsatlon• or participants said the training would have a high impact on their worklthe work of their organisation. 29Yo a medium impact. In our recent safeguarding survey, key topics examined through our training were all rated extremely highly in temis of relevance and importance. The thr88 topics rated most highly were reporting safeguarding concems within your organisation (76Y¢), guidanc8 for dealing with a disclosur8 of abuse (75 % ) and reporting concerns to statutory authorities (74D/o). 10 VOLiNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARAKfEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT (Including the Directors Report) Cont'd Volunteors Our volunteers are vitsl and we couldn't deliver our services without them. Trustees want to thank the volunteers for their continued 8UPPOrt and for the differènce t￿Y make to so many people. Over 191 volunteers are directly involv8d in the organisation providing community services such as befriending, shopping support for older people and transport sefvices, as well as Advisory Committee members for a range of projects. The contribution of such indwiduals is invaluable to the delivery of front-line 6UPPOrt to older people, people who arè isolated and young paople, particularly those in care. It also provides an opportunity for older volunteers to sUpp￿t their peer group and to act as ambassadors encouraging other older people to get involved in volunteering. Volunteer Now also has a very active team of events volunteers of approxirnately 1,OtK) people, a number of whom have been actively volunteering throughout this year by supporting the Ukrainian Assistance Centres, Antrim Coast Half Marathon, Lap the Lough, and Balmoral Show. ChalleNJo8 Fac•d A slgnfficanl challenge faced this year was the lotA of our dear friend and colleague Helen Beggs, who passed away in July 2022. Working for 16 years in the Our Duty to Care Team, Helen provided safeguarding support to individuals and organtsations 8cr05s all sectors. Helen also delivered our Keeping Safe.. Training the Trainers programme, supporting hundreds of leamers to achieve their accr8ditation. She was passionate about Safeguarding and took pride in the work of the team. Helen is sadly missed by everyone in Volunte8r Now. Volunteering appears to have been hit by b¢)th the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living with many organisations experiencing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers. This has led to an increasing demarKI for our servichs while resources have not kept pace with that demand.. The majority of training continues to be delivered online with face to face available for tailored training on request. 11 kx)ks likely that online delw8ry will continue to be the nom for some time to come and the challenge of managing hybrid sessions will become greater. We have experienced issues in recruiting erKI retaining the right staff thts year and heve had one long term sickness abseno. However, Ihese issues have been managed within the policies of the organisation and we have filled all vacanciès at March 2023. The Board and Leadership Team have continued to tak8 8 prudent approach to build resilience In the organisation. This is in order to help manage the pension deficit which provides an ongoing challenge for the organisation. In part this challenge comes from the uncertainty around the remaining d8ficit due to fluctuations of the stock mark8t and in part through contingent liabilities. The Pensions Trust have identified an anomaly In their administration of the now closed final salary scheme and this has led to a question before the high court which has the potential to Increase Volunteer Now's liability in the schem8. Trustees have been monltoring this ISSU8 closety. The mosl recent triennial valuation of the NICPS, which was shared with scheme employers after the fInar￿la1 year end. showing that the deficit had increased again, increasing from £2.4m to £3.2m. TPT are proposing a higher deficrt contribution over a slightly longer period. A consultation is currently taking pla￿ with employers which will determine the exact extent of the deficit ¢ontTibution to be paid by Volunteer Now. Future income security is alway5 thallenging in the context of short term project fvnding and a relianc8 on diminishing public sector funding. Moving into 2023-2024 we have already been infomed that funding from the Department of Heallh will finish after the end of September 2023. we are mindful of the review of the Regional nfrastruclure Support Programme and the impact this may have on further funding. Volunteer Now's budget for 2023-2024 is set with a planned deficit for the coming year. The Board have implemented a new fvndraising strategy this year and have invested some reserves in a Fundraising Manager post which stsrted li May 2022 to help lo diversify and wicrease the organisations income. 11 VOLih4TEeR NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL sTATEm￿s FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES, REPORT Ilncludlng the Directors Report) Cont'd We have continued to work in partnership with a wide range of organisations including Libraries Nl, many Councils and Health and Social Care Trusts, British Red Cross and Ulstsr GAA. We have 1,705 members and Y￿ continue to engage with them through the provision of infomiation and training in line with feedback and trends within volunteering, safeguarding and govemance. Flnanclal Raview At the end of the year Volunteer Now (the parent Charity) indicated a surplus in unrestricted funds of £5.552 {b8for8 recognition of pension adjustmènts and transfers) and 8 defi¢it in r8Stricted funds of £5,379 giving an overall surpkjs of £173 before pension adjustments. A £5,907 gain on revaluation of the charlty's defined benefit scheme was recognised resuliing in an overall reported surplus of £8,080. Fund balan￿$ brought foTh¥ard w8r8 £393.841 in surplus thereftjre fund balances at 31 March 2023 wer8 £399,921 in Surplus. The overall consolidated surplus (for the charity and the trading subsidiary) at 31 March 2023 was £507,822 (2022: £465.780 surplus). The Trustees believe the charity is a golng concern. Principal Fundlng Sourca• Aslde from the income generated by Volunteer Now through thelr serilces, the principal fundlng sources for Volunteer Now is currently by the way of grant and contract Income. Re••rves Pollcy Our pollcy Is to malntaln a level of unrestrlcted reserves that is at least equlvalent lo six months. salary cosi8 plus three months, runnlng costs for the charity. Based on the budgeted expendlture for 2023124 the larget fyure is £447,480. At 31 March 2023, our unrestricled re8erv8s, excluding the deficit on our pension stheme. wa5 £454,164 which was just above Ihe tsrget figur8. These reserv88 will allow the organisation to prot8Ct Its sustainability and the services it provides to Its benef￿larieS and will provide a contingency fund for: Supporting cash flow R8dundancy paymenls for projects comlng to an end. Short term pension deficlt repayments b) After the year end th8 Trustee of the Penslon Scheme has proposed to Increase the deficit contrll)utions to cover the increased overall deficit on the Scheme. The Directors are concemed that any increase in these contributions, together with increased ur)certainty over grant funding for the organisation, could threaten the ongoing financial sustainability of the charty- 12 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UhlTED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES. REPORT (Includlng the Directors Report) Confd Plans for future pèriods 1Ole continue with the implementation of our strategic plan. delivering on the following outcom8S: Outcome 1: Improved communlty well-belng and personal development through volunteerfng Outcome 2: Improved volunteerlng practlce In oryanisations Outcome 3: Improved safeguarding practlce In oryanlsatlons Outcome 4: SuBtalnabl•, well managed organi8atlon (Volunteer Now) We will conlinue the roll out of Voluntser Friendly across N Ireland in partnership with the other Volunteer Centres. We wlll contlnue to develop use of the Be Colle￿1Ve volunteer matching platforni and wlll 8UPPOrt Indlvlduals to find a voluntserlng opportunlty. We wlll restructura Volunteer Now Enterprlses. Idve will rA)ntinue to 8UPPOrt organisations to develop their voluntsering espe¢lally due to the ongoing impaci of Covid and the cost of living crisis. INe continue to 8trive to make Volunteer N(Mi a re8ilient, partn8rshlp driven organisation which can deliver for beneficiaries and members in th8 future. 13 voLU￿EER NOW (A COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FIMANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES. REPORT Ilncludlng the Directors Report) Cont'd Tru5tees' responsibilities statement The trustses (who are also the directors for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdorn Accounting Standard5 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted AGcounting Pradice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each y8ar which give a Irue and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resourcés, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that Period. In preparing th8 rinanaal statements, the trustees are required to: select suitabl8 accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe th8 methods and principles in the Charitiès SORP; make judgements and estimates that arè reasonable and prudenl", state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial stst8m8nts,' and prepare the financial statèments on the going concem basis unless It is Inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The tru8t808 are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disdos8 Wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and charitatAe 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 group and charitabl8 company and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. D18c108ure8 of inforniatlon to auditor8 In so far as the truste85 are 8W8re at the timè of approvlng our Trustees, Report: the￿ is no relevant Informatlon, being information needed by the auditor in connection wlth preparing their report, ofwhich the group's audltor Is unaware, and the Irustees, havlng made enquiries of fellow dlrectors and the group's audltor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that helshe is oblig8d lo take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information. The Trustees. Annual Report was approved by the trustees on By order of the trustees yffj4f Marc Scott Chairperson 14 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY LIMITEO BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW Opinlon We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Volunteer Now for the year ended 31 March 2023 which compris8 the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account). the parent charitable company Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditur8 Account), the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the parent charitable company Balance Sheèt, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow5 and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared under Ihe accounting poIici8s set out thereln. In our opwilon the flnanclal statèmenty.. • gNe a true and fair view of the state ofthe group and the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its surplus for the year then ended., • have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢￿untIng Practice: and • have been prepared in accordance with Ihe requirem8nts of the Companles Act 2006, Ba818 for oplnlon W8 conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) {ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those slandards are further describ8d in th8 Auditorfs 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 lo 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. Conclu8lon8 relatlng to going concom In audits'ng the financial statements, we hav8 concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is apprDpriate. Based on the work we have perfomied, we have not identified any material uneErt8inties relating to events or condltions that, individually or collectlvely, may cast significant doubl on the charity's ability to contlnu8 88 a going concem for a period of at least trfvelve months from when the financial statements are authori8ed for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees vthh r88pect to going concern are described in the relevant 8eth'ons of this ￿Port. Other Infonnatlon The trustees are responslble for the other infomiation. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financlal statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does nol cover the other information and, except to the extent othepwise explicitly slated in our rep¢Jrt, 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 olher information is materially inconsistent with the finanaal statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise app8ars to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements. we are required to determine whether there is a rnaterial misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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 Ihis regard. 15 VOLUNTEER NOW (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARAKfEE) FINANCIAL STATEMEhlTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ￿RCH 2023 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW ICONT'D} Opinlons on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit.. • the information given in the trustees, report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements., and • the trustees, report has been prepared ¥i accordanrA with applicable legal requirements. Mattors on whlch we are requlrod to rnport by exceptlon In the light of the knowledg8 and understanding ofthe group and its environment obtain8d in the course of the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the trustees, report. hav8 nothing to report in respect of th8 following matters whére the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if. in our opinion.. adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been re￿Ned from branches not visited by us., or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made- or we have not received 811 the information and explanations wè require for our audrt., or the trustees. were not èntitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance wllh the small companl8S' regime and lake advantage of the small companies, exemptlons in preparing the dlr8ctors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strat89ic report. Ro8pon8ibillt188 of tru8tse• As explained more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company 18w) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for b8ing satisfied that they gNe a true and fair view, and for such intemal control as the Iru5tees d8termine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misststement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing thè financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group's ability to contlnue as 8 going concern, disc105ing, 8$ applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to Ilquidate the group or to cease operations, or have no reallstlc altematlV8 but to do so. Audltorf8 responslbllltla8 for the audlt of the financlal 8tatement8 Our objectNes are to obtain reasonable assurance ab)ut whether the fin8ncial stat8m8nts as a whole a￿ free frcth material misslatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to Issue an auditor's report that Includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance l)ut is not a guarantee thal an audit conduded in accordance with ISAS (UK) will a￿ayS deted a material misstatement wh8n it exists. Misststements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material rf, individualty or in the aggregate, they wuld reasonably be expected to influence the economic derAsions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliarKe with la4VS and regulations. We deS￿n prccedures in line with our rèsponsibililies, outlined above, to deted material rnisstatements in respect of irregulanlies, including fraud. The extent to whith our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. 16 VOLLNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW ICONT'D) Our approach to idenbfying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in resperA of irregularities, induding fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows: the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team colleclively h￿j the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identfy or recognise non-compliance wilh applicable laws army regulations; we identifiéd the laws and regulations applicable to the group through discussicrjs with trustees andlor senior management, and from our commercial krthvledge and experience of the seclor: focused on specific laws and regulatlons whlch we considered may have a direct material effect on Ihe financial statements or th8 opérations ofthe group, induding Companies Art 2006, Charities Act. data protection, antFbribery, employmert environmental and héalth and safety legislation we assessed the extent of o)mpliance with th8 laws and Tegulations identtfied above through making enquiries of managemènt and inspecting legal correspondence; and identified laws aTKI regulations were communtcated within the aLKlit tsam regularty and the team remained alert to instanos of non-compliance throughout th8 audiL We assessed the susceptibilty of the group's financial statements to material misstatement, induding obtaining an understanding of how fraLtsJ mlght occur. by: maklng enquiries of management a8 to where they considered ther8 was 8usceptibll￿Y to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud., and considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; To address the risk of fraud through managernent bias and override of controls, we: perfomied anatytical procedures to id8ntfy any unusual or unexpected relationships; tested joumal enlrias to identify unusual transactions., assessed whetherjtsdgemenls and assumptions made In determining the accounting estimates set out In Note 2 were Ind￿alIve of potential bias., and investigated the ralonale behind signifrAnt or unusual transactions; In response to the risk of irregularlties and non-o)mpliarKe with laws and regulations, we deS￿ned PrO￿lUreS whlch included, but were not limited to.. agr88ing financial statement di8ck)sures to undertying supporting documentation., reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; 8nquiring of management as to aciual and potential litigatK)n and claims. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures describ8d above. m(Ye removed that laws and regulations are from fin￿ClaI transaclions, the less likety it is that we would be￿me aware of non-compliance. AuditirvJ standards also limit the audii procedures required to identfy non-compliance with laws and regulattons to enquiry of the directots and other management and tha inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harderto detect than those that artse from error as they may involve deliberate COn￿alment or collusion. A fvrther description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: http:Ilwww.frc.org.ukJauditorsresponsibiliti8s. This d8SCriPtion fomis part of our auditor's report. 17 VOLUNTEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED BY GUARANTEE) FINANCIAL sTATEmE￿s FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER NOW {CONT'D) This rèport is made 8ole]y to thé tharitable group's members. as a b￿ly, in aCC(Kdan￿ wlth Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2(￿. Our audit vK>rk has been undertaken so that might stste to Ihe group's members those matters w8 are required to state to them in an audrtorfs report and for no otk*r purpose. To the fullest extent pemiited by law. we do nol accept or assume responsibllty to anyone other than the company and the company's rr*mbers as a body. for our audit work, for this reFQrt, or for the q)inions we have fomwd. Angela Cralgan (Sonior Ststutory Audltor for and on bèhalf of Harbinson Mulholland Chartered Accountant3 Statutory Auditors Centrepoint 24 Ormèau Avernje Belfast Co. Antrlm Northern Ireland 8T2 8H 221.0 ql.2013 18 VOLLThITEER NOW IA COMPANY UMITED 8Y GUARANTEE) FINANCLIL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTMTIES IINCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 2023 Notss Unrnstricted Restricted Funds Funds 2022 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Total Total Incom? and end