REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
FIND A VOICE |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
FIND A VOICE |
FIND A VOICE |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
Balance Sheet | 6 | to | 7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 14 |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
Our charity's purpose as set out in the objects contained in the company's memorandum of association are to: |
a) Provide relief, assistance and training to people living predominantly (but not exclusively) in Kent and the South East of England who have speech, language, communication or learning difficulties. |
b) Provide families, carers and professionals with advice, information, support, a free resource library of equipment, and training within the County of Kent and SE England. |
c) Assist people with a speech, language, communication or learning disability, their families and carers, so far as it is possible to achieve self-determination. |
d) Provide, maintain and manage training centres and other resources appropriate to provide relief and assistance for people with speech, language, communication or learning difficulties. |
Strategies for achieving objectives |
Ensuring our work delivers our aims |
We support people of all ages through our Resource Library and Outreach, and through our Training Centre in Ashford. We monitor the quality of these services and continuously seek feedback from our clients to ensure that the services are beneficial and life enhancing. |
Activities for achieving objectives |
Library and Outreach |
Working with clients and the professionals and carers who support them, we provide those with severe communication problems with a wide variety of equipment to aid their communications and development. This equipment is loaned by Find A Voice free of charge, usually for a minimum six-week period. We provide access to a wide variety of equipment which would not otherwise be available to those in need. The equipment we loan varies in design and complexity and can range from simple switching devices to the latest tablet-based communication aids and AI (artificial intelligence). Technology is playing an ever-greater part in the work we do and provides opportunities to enhance the lives of those with communication difficulties. |
The equipment cost to provide such a service is considerable, and our library needs to be constantly replenished and updated. We are indebted to all of our supporters and funding organisations for their generous support, without which we would not be able to carry out the work we do. |
Training |
At Ashford we are providing adults with speech, communication and learning difficulties, training in a range of personal and social skills, thereby helping them meet the challenges of their daily lives and giving them a degree of independence which they otherwise would not enjoy. Their work programmes are carefully planned and delivered. |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Going concern |
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees at the year end had a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. However, after the year end the decision was made to cease the charity as at 1 December 2023. |
Review of activities |
Attached to this report are the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. These statements describe the financial activities of the company. |
The year has still been a period of recovery from the Covid-19 global pandemic. There has been a lack of fundraising. Service users have showed some reluctance to return with short notice cancellations being an issue. This has created considerable pressure on the reserves. |
Loans from the Resource Library are continuing. |
Our two teachers continued to offer lessons at the Teaching Centre. We had one teacher giving two days of lessons and our other teacher giving four days of lessons each week. Our teachers were committed to developing personalised programmes of study. However, this too was adding to cashflow pressures. |
Several new Trustees were appointed at the AGM in October 2022, bringing additional skills and experience to the Board. During the year a new Chair and Treasurer were appointed. Our new General Manager with the title Operations & Fundraising Manager, appointed in January 2022, settled into her role during the period and worked with the staff team and Board of Trustees to begin to revitalise the charity post-pandemic. However, this has not been successful. |
The economic climate continued to prove difficult for the charitable sector, particularly the small charities such as Find A Voice. We continued to find it harder to generate funds so desperately needed to sustain the work we do. This difficulty continued after the year end, and as mentioned above, on 1 December 2023 the decision was reluctantly made to cease operations. |
Investment policy and performance |
There are no restrictions to the investment policy, the memorandum and articles of the company provides the trustees with the widest powers of investing, disposing of and dealing with the trust fund which are lawfully capable of being conferred on trustees. The trustees are satisfied with the performance of investments made, but has had to wind down these in pursuit of cashflow funding. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Reserves policy |
It is the policy of the trustees to retain sufficient funds for a minimum of three months net expenditure costs, with an ambition to move this to six months. These guidelines have proved too difficult to adhere to after the year end in the face of a lack of funding following the year end. |
FUTURE PLANS |
The Board of Trustees were developing a three-year strategy for the recovery of the organisation post-Covid. However, this plan was reliant on continuing regular funding, which has dried up. As a result, even the immediate recovery was unsustainable. |
Our activities as described above are much needed. With the correct resourcing it would have been possible to expand our sphere of influence beyond our current geographical reach. For the future, we believe that there will be an even greater demand for the services we provide, but, due to the cessation of activities at 1 December 2023, this will have to be from an alternative source. |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 11 October 1996. |
The company was originally incorporated under the Kent and Language and Communication Centre and changed its name to Find A Voice in a special resolution dated 27 February 2001. |
The company is constituted under a Memorandum of Association dated 11 October 1996 and is a registered charity number 1058697. |
The principal objective of the company is to help those people with severe speech, language, communication difficulties or learning difficulties realise their potential, learn life skills and achieve as much independence as is possible. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
The directors of the company are also the trustees under charity law and are known as The Management Committee under the company's articles. They give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefit from the company. The Trustees elect new members to the board. |
Organisational structure |
We are a small charity and our structure reflects this. The Board of Directors is collectively responsible for the strategic overview of the charity and its affairs. The Treasurer, who is a board member, oversees the financial well being of the charity and keeps the Board appraised on financial matters. |
In addition to paid staff, who are part time, the charity is generously supported by a numbers of volunteers who carry out numerous functions. |
Amongst our supporters we have a number of individuals the trustees wish to be formally recognised as Patrons. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
Trustees |
Honorary President |
Alastair Dutch OBE |
Honorary Vice President |
Michael Claughton |
Patrons |
Damian Green MP |
Wendy Rowe |
Lee Ridley |
Geraldine Dyer |
Management Committee |
Mrs Elizabeth Thorne - Chair and Trustee |
Mrs Rose Drenth - Treasurer and Trustee (Resigned 28/07/23) |
Mr Graeme Dutch - Trustee (Resigned 29/04/23) |
Mr Brian Dyer - Trustee |
Mr Gopi Amirthalingam - Trustee (Resigned 01/09/23) |
Mr Ian Chappell - Trustee (Resigned 10/05/2022) |
Mr Phillip Thorne - Trustee (Resigned 29/07/23) |
Mrs Gina Iliffe - Trustee (Appointed 05/09/22) |
Greg Steel - Trustee (Appointed 3/10/23) |
Claire Poile - Trustee (Appointed 10/10/22) |
General Manager |
Advisors |
Charles McDonald |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
FIND A VOICE |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Other trading activities | 2 |
Investment income | 3 |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 70,993 |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 MARCH 2023 |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 8 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 9 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 11 |
Unrestricted funds | 58,598 |
Restricted funds | 12,395 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 70,993 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
FIND A VOICE (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03262602) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31 MARCH 2023 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Short leasehold | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Hire purchase and leasing commitments |
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. |
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. |
Government grants |
Government grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities on a systematic basis over the periods in which the entity recognises as expenses the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate. |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Fundraising events |
3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Interest received | 74 | 8 |
4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
Hire of plant and machinery | 4,384 | 1,131 |
Other operating leases | 6,476 | 6,246 |
5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. |
6. | STAFF COSTS |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
General |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Other trading activities |
Investment income |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Raising funds |
Charitable activities |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 83,963 | 3,101 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 58,598 | 12,395 | 70,993 |
8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Fixtures |
Short | and |
leasehold | fittings | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2022 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2023 |
At 31 March 2022 |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Prepayments and accrued income |
10. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Social security and other taxes |
Other creditors |
Accrued expenses |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 58,598 | (40,355 | ) | 18,243 |
Restricted funds |
Retainagroup | - | 207 | 207 |
Kent Community Foundation | 1,361 | (454 | ) | 907 |
Children In Need | 734 | (367 | ) | 367 |
St James's Place | 3,300 | (3,300 | ) | - |
Silent Foundation | 7,000 | (7,000 | ) | - |
(10,914 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | (51,269 | ) | 19,724 |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 41,976 | (82,331 | ) | (40,355 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Retainagroup | 6,683 | (6,476 | ) | 207 |
Kent Community Foundation | - | (454 | ) | (454 | ) |
Children In Need | - | (367 | ) | (367 | ) |
St James's Place | - | (3,300 | ) | (3,300 | ) |
Silent Foundation | - | (7,000 | ) | (7,000 | ) |
( |
) | (10,914 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (51,269 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.21 | in funds | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 83,963 | (25,365 | ) | 58,598 |
Restricted funds |
Kent Community Foundation | 2,000 | (639 | ) | 1,361 |
Children In Need | 1,101 | (367 | ) | 734 |
St James's Place | - | 3,300 | 3,300 |
Silent Foundation | - | 7,000 | 7,000 |
3,101 | 9,294 | 12,395 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 87,064 | (16,071 | ) | 70,993 |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 37,622 | (62,987 | ) | (25,365 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Retainagroup | 6,169 | (6,169 | ) | - |
Kent Community Foundation | - | (639 | ) | (639 | ) |
Children In Need | - | (367 | ) | (367 | ) |
St James's Place | 3,300 | - | 3,300 |
Silent Foundation | 7,000 | - | 7,000 |
16,469 | (7,175 | ) | 9,294 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 54,091 | (70,162 | ) | (16,071 | ) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.21 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 83,963 | (65,720 | ) | 18,243 |
Restricted funds |
Retainagroup | - | 207 | 207 |
Kent Community Foundation | 2,000 | (1,093 | ) | 907 |
Children In Need | 1,101 | (734 | ) | 367 |
3,101 | (1,620 | ) | 1,481 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 87,064 | (67,340 | ) | 19,724 |
FIND A VOICE |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 79,598 | (145,318 | ) | (65,720 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Retainagroup | 12,852 | (12,645 | ) | 207 |
Kent Community Foundation | - | (1,093 | ) | (1,093 | ) |
Children In Need | - | (734 | ) | (734 | ) |
St James's Place | 3,300 | (3,300 | ) | - |
Silent Foundation | 7,000 | (7,000 | ) | - |
23,152 | (24,772 | ) | (1,620 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 102,750 | (170,090 | ) | (67,340 | ) |
12. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |