Universal Credit Essentials Trustees’ Annual Report July 2023 to June 2024
Charity contact information
Universal Credit Essentials
Scottish Charity Number: SC050201
Objectives and activities
Universal Credit Essentials (UCE) began in 2017 with the goal to make benefit information clear and accessible to the public.
We knew that to support as many people as possible, UCE would provide help online, making us available day and night. Often people are looking for help around their work schedule or in the middle of the night when their worries can be at their worst.
We make our information engaging and written in plain language that makes it easier for people to understand. We have volunteer advisers who monitor our online
community and are on hand to provide expert information and help those seeking advice to understand the options available to them.
All of us have experience of the benefits system and we empathise with how stressful and worrying it can all be. We have a huge team of volunteers actively involved in our organisation and many of us appreciate the difficulty of benefits, disability, working, and childcare.
We have continued to use our own community forum space through our website. This has allowed us to reach a wider range of people and provide more detailed answers while still maintaining the high-quality individualised service we are known for.
Structure, governance and management Universal Credit Essentials is a SCIO with a single tier constitution.
Achievements and performance
During the year ended 30 June 2024, Universal Credit Essentials maintained its role as a trusted source of Universal Credit information and support. Our online presence remained strong, with consistent engagement from individuals, community groups, and organisations who rely on our resources. While no major new projects were launched during this period, we continued to update and maintain the website to ensure that accurate advice remained available to those who needed it.
Behind the scenes, the trustees focused on strengthening the charity's governance, reviewing operational processes, and laying the groundwork for future development.
Volunteers
Our volunteers remain central to everything we do. Their ongoing support, skills, and commitment have been essential in keeping Universal Credit Essentials running smoothly. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions and value the important role they will continue to play as we move into the next phase of the charity’s growth.
Financial Review
The charity’s financial transactions during the year ended 30 June 2024 are summarised in the Receipts and Payments statement attached. Income and expenditure were minimal, reflecting a year of limited operational activity. The trustees continue to ensure that the charity’s funds are managed prudently and in line with its charitable purposes.
Note: The Forum annual membership (£267.78) and monthly charge (£38.84) from June 2023 were omitted in the 2022–2023 accounts. These have been carried forward and are included in the 2023–2024 reporting period for transparency.
Future plans
The trustees are actively working on plans to expand and enhance the charity’s services. While we are not yet able to publicly announce full details, our future direction will focus on increasing our reach, developing new resources, and building a stronger infrastructure to support our community. We look forward to sharing more about these exciting developments in the year ahead.
Audit and Scrutiny
In accordance with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, no external scrutiny of the accounts has been carried out for the year ended 30 June 2024, as the charity’s gross income was below the threshold requiring an independent examination.
Trustees’ Statement of Approval
The Trustees of Universal Credit Essentials SCIO (charity number SC050201) approve the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
This report and accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Position: Trustee Chairperson Date: 30 April 2025