I Choose Freedom Charity - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01806055 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 289508

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2022

for

I Choose Freedom Charity

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

8

Independent Examiner's Report

9

Statement of Financial Activities

10

Balance Sheet

11

to

12

Cash Flow Statement

13

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

14

Notes to the Financial Statements

15

to

30

TRUSTEES

Mrs K E Halliwell Solicitor

Mrs A Mihailidou Charity Consultant

Mrs S P A Renaut Accountant

Mrs S Sengupta Management Consultant

Mrs S J Stimpson Nurse

Mrs J Zorkova Ex Service User (resigned 30.9.21)

Mrs H A Edwards Project Director Corporate Events (appointed 30.9.21)

Ms C N Kinyanjui Ex-Service User (appointed 1.7.21)

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mrs A Mihailidou

REGISTERED OFFICE

Po Box 54

Reigate

Surrey

RH2 0AZ

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

01806055 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

289508

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mulberry & Co

Chartered Certified Accountants

& Chartered Tax Advisers

9 Pound Lane

Godalming

Surrey

GU7 1BX

BANKERS

Lloyds Bank Plc

11 High Street

Horley

Surrey

RH6 7BJ

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 2022. 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

Our vision, values and objectives

Our goal is to end domestic abuse by increasing public awareness, providing education to professional services and external providers, both locally and nationally, and to continue to provide excellent services and support to survivors starting with a safe and supportive place for women and children to re-start a life free of abuse. Domestic abuse is a gendered crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between men and women. It is a form of gender-based violence, violence "directed against a woman because she is a women or that affects women disproportionately." (CEDAW, 1992).

Our values are: Respect, Inclusion, Trust, Empowerment.

Our service user charter states that women using services should:

- Have the greatest control over their own lives and have the opportunity to make informed choices;

- Have the opportunity to be involved in decisions about every aspect of the service they receive from individual treatment to local and national policy;

- Be treated with respect and dignity;

- Have their diversity respected and have equal rights and opportunities.

In addition, we are conscious of the many social, educational and faith needs of our service users both women and children. We believe that we must offer a holistic service and give assistance in meeting these needs, either from RBWA or from other sources within the area.

As part of our objective in supporting women in the refuge, each resident has a key worker who draws up a support plan with the woman, identifying and meeting her individual needs. The format of these support plans has been revised in consultation with clients, as we are committed to involving them on all possible levels.

We liaise with a range of other agencies Health, Education, Social Services and Housing Departments as well as other voluntary organisations in order to provide the best support for women and their children.

A monthly professionals meeting is held at the refuge where agency updates are shared, and the progress of each family is discussed and the need for particular agency involvement.

Achievements and performance

This has been another busy year, with great demand for our service. When a vacancy occurs, it is logged onto the Routes to Support website and during the past year, our listings have generated 601 responses (an increase of 180.5% over the previous year) asking for safe accommodation. The increased demand since the start of the pandemic has been significant.

Pandemic Response:

The beginning of this financial year marked the 2nd year of the Covid 19 pandemic. The new refuge opened as an immediate response to the pandemic, with the help of DLUHC, Surrey County Council, the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Community Foundation for Surrey, initially provided space for 7 families. We always intended to increase that number and by June 2021, a year after first opening, we were at full capacity in the new refuge with 19 women and up to 36 children. This involved recruiting and training a new team and restructuring the organisation.

Rail to Refuge:

As a direct result of the Channel 4 documentary, a scheme was created by Rail providers where anyone needing to get to a refuge could travel there free by train. This scheme was rolled out across the UK and has been extended, now looked at as a global initiative. We are very proud of this tangible outcome resulting from the documentary. To date, this scheme has helped over 3000 people including over 800 children.

Campaigns:

We have participated in campaigns relating to: The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, National Stalking Register and Children who live in refuge being included as a priority category for education.

Diversity and Inclusion:

- We continue to be one of the only refuges nationwide who accept boys up to the age of 18 in our communal women's refuges.

- We are fully accessible for clients with disabilities.

- Thanks to funding from Surrey County Council we were able to recruit two team members from marginalised and minoritized communities who provide a "by and for" service to women from those communities.

- We have also been able to support women with No Recourse to Public Funds from a dedicated fund supplied by Surrey County Council

- In partnership with Surrey County Council we are pleased to announce a new refuge project which will offer four new refuge spaces, fully supported, for anyone that needs them in dispersed, not communal, settings. This came as a result of a county wide needs assessment which identified gaps in provision for many victims including, but not limited to, LGBTQIA+ community, Men and members of Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.

This project is expected to be in operation by August 2022.

We continue our involvement in several initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, including:

- Emma Armstrong, Head of Services, has developed a training programme to raise awareness of the harms of domestic abuse. This programme has been delivered nationwide to participants including: Joseph, Barclays, Surrey Police and many other Professionals in Surrey

- Emma Armstrong partnered with SafeLives to deliver training to Legal Professionals. This training identifies Coercive and Controlling behaviour and teaches the need for a trauma informed approach in the Family Court

- RBWA have, also, opened their doors to local schools / headteachers to educate them on life in refuge and how they can best support children from here

- Helping hands sessions have been run for the children including inviting a police officer on site and safety awareness workshops

The continued visibility of our CEO, Charlotte Kneer in national media and effective use of social media, continues to increase visibility and has helped generate significant amount of donations. In June 2021, Charlotte was honoured to be made Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

The feedback from the women in the refuge is very important for evaluating the service we provide. An exit questionnaire is given to the women to be returned to the Chair. Due to the lockdown restrictions the trustees have not been able to run the customary outcome interviews with women.

Activities - Women

There are 6.5 full time Domestic Abuse Refuge Advocates onsite at the refuges, dedicated to working with the women. Women arrive traumatised and bewildered, therefore intensive emotional support is crucial. This continues throughout her entire stay at our refuges.

Welcome Pack

When a family arrives at the Refuge we provide brand new items that include but is not limited to bedding, toiletries, crockery and food items. This is to ensure that the families have everything to meet their basic needs. The families can take these items with them when they move on from the refuge.

Freedom Programme

RBWA run The Freedom Programme at the refuges. All women attend this 6-week programme whilst resident. The programme teaches women about domestic abuse and helps them to understand their experience and what effects it will have had on their children. This programme is critical in helping women avoid entering another abusive relationship after refuge. It is delivered by refuge staff who have been trained in delivering the programme. The FP training is also run for all new staff employed with RBWA.

Counselling

All women at RBWA are offered weekly counselling. Time with their counsellor is spent safely exploring the trauma experienced and finding ways to help them move forward with their life.

Support

Emotional and practical support is offered to the clients from the day of arrival and until 3 months after they have left RBWA and been rehoused in an area of safety. The aim of all our work at RBWA is to empower women to live a life free from domestic abuse.

Activities - Children

RBWA have worked hard to continue to fund the children's service at the refuges and are very fortunate to have five dedicated children's advocates, one of whom is a certified practitioner of play therapy. We also offer sessions with an external play therapist and art therapist onsite at the refuges. There are dedicated playrooms at the refuges.

Play therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic intervention that uses creative mediums to help a child express and process the trauma experienced. Providing a safe environment and budding a trusting relationship with the therapist is crucial for healing.

Group children's therapy sessions

Group therapy sessions are offered to help raise awareness on a number of important topics including safety, DA, confidence and self-esteem. Reducing feelings of isolation and supporting the children to make friendships is a key outcome we aim to achieve.

Access to Education

RBWA works tirelessly to ensure that children are found new schools at the earliest, as we recognize the importance of education. RBWA supports the children to access tutoring while waiting for a school place and ensures that the transition to a new school goes as smoothly as possible. Financial support is provided to the mums to purchase new school uniform items for each child.

1:1 trips

School aged children get to enjoy one to one attention on a trip of their choice. This is a 6 hour trip which involves them taking part in an activity such as bowling, going to the cinema or horse riding. The child gets to choose everything about the trip giving them a sense of independence and allowing them to 'be a child'.

Group outings

RBWA raised funds to enable them to be able to take families out on local outings/trips. The emphasis is on creating happy memories for the families, building bonds and providing the family an opportunity to have fun together.

Adolescent trauma therapy

RBWA raised funds to provide adolescent trauma therapy. The need for this service has become clear as there are no statutory services providing this therapy. At RBWA we recognise that teenagers are impacted severely by living with domestic abuse and it is a priority to provide them with tailored therapeutic support.

Activities - Raising awareness and influencing policy through media

We were featured on media including:

BBC News

The Sun

Channel 4

The Independent

BBC Radio Surrey

Grants and Fundraising

We have had a very successful financial year in terms of grants and fundraising. We would like to thank the following people but recognise that many more individuals and organisations have fundraised, organised events and supported us. To each and every one of our supporters, thank you so much.

- Surrey County Council and Individual Councillors

- DLUHC

- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey

- Nationwide Building Society

- Leathersellers

- Bernard Derber

- Various Masonic Chapters

- Soroptomists

- WI groups

- St Faiths Trust

- Caterham School

- The Wisley Foundation

- Onjali Rauf

- Red Brick Road

- Lucy Clark

- Caroline Elliss

- Fleet Afternoon Town Women's Group

- Martin and Andrea Bangs

- Mike and Jane Hill

- Reg Haley and Lynda Bywaters

Volunteers

We currently have 10 volunteers. Volunteers duties include but are not limited to tutoring for children, teaching English to women, support for creches, support to attend court cases, translation services and support for women to access the local community. We also have 2 ex residents who volunteer for us.

Financial review

During the year total income was £999,677 (2021: £922,786), the final result of the year was a surplus of £133,907 (2021: £230,001).

Reserves policy

The Board of Trustees has examined the Charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Charity should be equal to six months operating costs.

Unrestricted reserves are held for the following purposes

1. To maintain services through periods of reduced funding and cash flow;

2. To develop new projects;

3. To pay redundancy and recruitment costs; and

4. To respond to adverse incidents.

At the year end the charity held total reserves of £661,293 (2021: £527,386) of which £302,383 (2021: £208,227) were unrestricted general funds; £250,000 (2021: £200,000) were designated general funds and £108,910 (2021: £119,159) were restricted funds.

RBWA holds reserves to protect against drops in income and to allow RBWA to take advantage of new opportunities. It is a policy of RWBA to hold three months of usual expenditure as a general reserve. This equates to circa £200-£250k.

Future Plans

Our intention is to enable women and children to begin the recovery process from their experience of domestic violence, by offering a refuge meeting high standards by providing:

- A safe place to be for women and children

- Welcoming and accepting attitude to all

- Good standards of accommodation and On-site facilities for families, and especially children

- Individual support plans for women and children

- Assistance in applying for re-housing

- Practical help for women who have court hearings

- Assistance in claiming benefits

- Liaison with health services

- Advice regarding activities within the area, including faith organisations, clubs, groups, paid or voluntary work, etc.

- Structured group work to allow women to understand domestic abuse, regain their self-esteem and avoid a similar situation in the future.

- In addition to these, we will continue to extend support to vulnerable women in light of the COVID 19 pandemic

Our longer term strategic vision is to improve our sustainability by increasing unrestricted funds through fundraising and donations so that we can increase our refuge provision and replicate the current blueprint of services.

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.

RBWA is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It is governed according to the

Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Directors are recruited from those who have supported the organisation or through recognised channels such as the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Reach which undertakes national recruitment for voluntary organisations. Personal contacts and local organisations are also sources of directors.

The induction programme for directors (trustees) includes information from directors and staff, trustee training courses, as well as Surrey DA awareness and safeguarding training. Relevant printed material is also given including RBWA documentation and national publications.

All members of the committee give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses claimed from the charity are set out in note 8 to these financial statements. RBWA recognises that a diverse, skilled and committed group of Directors is essential for the effective governance and management of the charity. Recruitment of new Directors is the responsibility of existing Directors.

Organisational Structure

The management committee meets on ten occasions during the year and is responsible for the strategic direction and policies of the organisation. They also monitor performance and compliance with requirements of stakeholders. The CEO attends each meeting on a non-voting basis, with input from other staff members as requested.

The CEO assumes responsibility for the provision of service, and for meeting the monitoring and evaluation requirements of stakeholders. The Services Manager assumes responsibility for the day to day operations and reports to the CEO. The lines of accountability, support and supervision are well established within the organisation ensuring good practice in delivering a high-quality service.

RBWA is a member of the Women's Aid Federation of England and is part of the Surrey Domestic Abuse Management Board which links with the Surrey Domestic Abuse Commissioning Group.

Key management personnel

The directors comprise the board of directors, who are the Charity's trustees, and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Charity on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of the remuneration of key management personnel and trustees' expenses are disclosed in note 8 to the accounts.

Remuneration for CEO is set by the trustees using a benchmarking process and is reviewed annually.

The trustees have undertaken governance training to ensure a clear understanding of their responsibility to the Refuge and its stakeholders. The NCVO's Code of Governance and Charity Commission's Essential Duties of a Trustee were discussed in detail. A SWOT analysis was conducted highlighting areas of excellence and areas in need of attention which in turn, has assisted with succession planning.

Induction and training of new trustees

The Committee comprises directors of the company, who are also trustees under charity law. Committee members are elected at the Annual General Meeting and normally serve for three years. The committee may fill a casual vacancy for the period up to the next AGM, when the member concerned shall retire and shall be eligible for re-election at that meeting.

A committee member may serve for three years, and then be available for re-election for a further three years. They would not normally be eligible for re-election after two full terms until one year has elapsed, but this may be waived by the AGM if it would not be in the interests of the Company for the services of the member to be lost by requiring the member to stand down.

Committee members are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the secretary and in accordance with the charity's policy withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises. Neither the charity nor any of the directors presently have such interests but any such interests would be disclosed should they arise.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

The Committee has considered the risks to which the charity is exposed. Systems and procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. There is a comprehensive risk framework in place which is formally reviewed quarterly and updated at board meetings to reflect significant changes.

Procedures are in place to protect staff, volunteers and service users. These procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.

The Committee has assessed the relevant safeguarding risks and have decided that all Directors undergo a DBS check every three years.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 October 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs S Sengupta - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of I Choose Freedom Charity ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of FCCA CTA which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mark Mulberry

FCCA CTA

Mulberry & Co

Chartered Certified Accountants

& Chartered Tax Advisers

9 Pound Lane

Godalming

Surrey

GU7 1BX

7 November 2022

31.3.22

31.3.21

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

33,400

-

33,400

67,292

Charitable activities

Supporting & accommodating victims of domestic abuse

107,079

407,390

514,469

641,999

Investment income

3

83

-

83

13

Other income

451,725

-

451,725

213,482

Total

592,287

407,390

999,677

922,786

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

-

15,120

Charitable activities

5

Supporting & accommodating victims of domestic abuse

426,887

438,883

865,770

677,665

Total

426,887

438,883

865,770

692,785

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

165,400

(31,493

)

133,907

230,001

Transfers between funds

14

(21,241

)

21,241

-

Net movement in funds

144,159

(10,252

)

133,907

230,001

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

408,225

119,161

527,386

297,385

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

552,384

108,909

661,293

527,386

31.3.22

31.3.21

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

11

10,352

50,673

61,025

48,430

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

12

17,770

-

17,770

5,659

Cash at bank and in hand

874,249

58,237

932,486

494,404

892,019

58,237

950,256

500,063

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

13

(349,988

)

-

(349,988

)

(21,107

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

542,031

58,237

600,268

478,956

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

552,383

108,910

661,293

527,386

NET ASSETS

552,383

108,910

661,293

527,386

FUNDS

14

Unrestricted funds

552,383

408,225

Restricted funds

108,910

119,161

TOTAL FUNDS

661,293

527,386

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022 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.

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 30 October 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mrs S Sengupta - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

462,411

193,983

Net cash provided by operating activities

462,411

193,983

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(24,412

)

(53,946

)

Interest received

83

13

Net cash used in investing activities

(24,329

)

(53,933

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period

438,082

140,050

Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period

494,404

354,354

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period

932,486

494,404

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of
Financial Activities)

133,907

230,001

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

11,816

5,861

Interest received

(83

)

(13

)

Increase in debtors

(12,111

)

(1,343

)

Increase/(decrease) in creditors

328,882

(40,523

)

Net cash provided by operations

462,411

193,983

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.4.21

Cash flow

At 31.3.22

£

Net cash

Cash at bank and in hand

494,404

438,082

932,486

494,404

438,082

932,486

Total

494,404

438,082

932,486

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.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2015 and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

The accounts have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS

102) effective 1 January 2015 rather than the Accounting and Reporting Charites: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Incoming resources

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.

Income (including rents and contributions) is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any

performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

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

Bank and Building Society interest are accounted for on the basis of monies receivable in the year.

Resources expended

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.

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity.

Governance costs

Governance costs comprise the costs of running the charity including amounts paid to the independent examiner.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property

-

10% on cost

Fixtures and fittings

-

25% on cost

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.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Donations

33,400

67,292

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Deposit account interest

83

12

Interest receivable - trading

-

1

83

13

4.	INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

31.3.22

31.3.21

Activity

£

Grants

Supporting & accommodating victims of
domestic abuse

514,469

641,999

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Local Authority Grants

26,575

114,248

Housing Related Support Grant

366,064

87,000

Optivo Grant

18,199

-

St Faiths

-

43,710

SCCR

-

1,000

Wisley

7,318

-

Leather Sellers

11,750

22,500

Community Foundation

-

58,561

Nationwide

10,000

Children In Need

20,164

39,931

PCC Grants

19,394

76,669

Caterham School

-

5,000

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

-

177,880

Douglas Bradley

-

2,500

East Surrey Chapter

-

3,000

Elizabeth Charitable Trust

1,000

-

Farnham Round Table

600

-

Reg Haley

1,000

-

Mark Benevolent Fund

5,430

-

Making Herstory

2,500

-

PF Charitable Trust

7,000

-

Vinci Fund

7,000

-

C Elliss

5,000

-

Andrew Burgess

5,000

-

Dormans Evening Womens Institute

475

-

514,469

641,999

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Support

Direct

costs (see

Costs

note 6)

Totals

£

Supporting & accommodating victims of
domestic abuse

837,265

28,505

865,770

6.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Finance

costs

Totals

£

Supporting & accommodating victims of
domestic abuse

1,050

27,455

28,505

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

31.3.22

31.3.21

Supporting

& accommodating

victims

of

domestic

Total

abuse

activities

£

Bank charges

1,050

1,172

Accountancy and legal fees

25,703

13,278

Subscriptions

1,752

670

28,505

15,120

7.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Depreciation - owned assets

11,817

5,860

Other operating leases

52,725

32,085

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Trustees' expenses

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Trustees' expenses

-

200

9.	STAFF COSTS

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Wages and salaries

452,443

306,196

Social security costs

36,831

22,193

Other pension costs

9,149

5,794

498,423

334,183

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.3.22

31.3.21

Administration

4

3

Refuge Workers

14

8

18

11

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

31.3.22

31.3.21

£60,001 - £70,000

1

-

10.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

67,292

-

67,292

Charitable activities

Supporting & accommodating victims of domestic abuse

25,366

616,633

641,999

Investment income

13

-

13

Other income

213,482

-

213,482

Total

306,153

616,633

922,786

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

15,120

-

15,120

Charitable activities

Supporting & accommodating victims of domestic abuse

87,349

590,316

677,665

Total

102,469

590,316

692,785

NET INCOME

203,684

26,317

230,001

Transfers between funds

(22,610

)

22,610

-

Net movement in funds

181,074

48,927

230,001

I Choose Freedom Charity

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2022

10.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

£

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

227,153

70,232

297,385

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

408,227

119,159

527,386

11.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

Fixtures

to

and

property

fittings

Totals

£

COST

At 1 April 2021

82,842

19,160

102,002

Additions

-

24,412

At 31 March 2022

82,842

43,572

126,414

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2021

36,167

17,405

53,572

Charge for year

5,276

6,541

11,817

At 31 March 2022

41,443

23,946

65,389

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2022

41,399

19,626

61,025

At 31 March 2021

46,675

1,755

48,430

12.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Trade debtors

6,141

479

Accruals

3,246

-

Prepayments

8,383

5,180

17,770

5,659

13.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.22

31.3.21

£

Trade creditors

16,691

17,177

Other creditors

4,524

2,130

Accruals and deferred income

316,954

-

Accrued expenses

11,819

1,800

349,988

21,107

14.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.21

in funds

funds

31.3.22

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

79,419

165,967

(71,241

)

174,145

Contingency Reserve

200,000

-

50,000

250,000

New House Fund

123,806

-

123,806

Renewals Fund

5,000

(568

)

-

4,432

408,225

165,399

(21,241

)

552,383

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

5,938

(9,465

)

3,527

-

Surrey County Council

-

28,465

-

28,465

RBBC

-

(2,570

)

2,570

-

St Faiths Trust

8,008

(8,008

)

-

DCLG - Translation

1,147

(1,147

)

-

Psychotherapy Fund

5,102

(1,992

)

-

3,110

Children’s Fund

3,785

(256

)

-

3,529

Masons Shed

3,294

(366

)

-

2,928

Therapy Cabin

43,150

(4,794

)

-

38,356

PCC Childrens Grant

7,982

(2,827

)

-

5,155

SCC HH Support Grant

24,500

(22,970

)

-

1,530

St Faith's Hill House Equipment

9,134

(9,134

)

-

PCC IT Grant

-

(1,148

)

2,885

1,737

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

2,121

(427

)

-

1,694

Caterham School Transition

5,000

(5,000

)

-

Masons Washing Machines

-

5,430

(5,430

)

-

Nationwide Transition Fund

-

116

-

116

PF Charitiable Transition

-

7,000

-

7,000

Optivo internal decorating

-

(1,976

)

1,976

-

Vinci CCT fund

-

5,689

-

5,689

Wisley Foundation

-

4,193

-

4,193

C Elliss Equipment

-

(2,154

)

2,154

-

Household Support fund RBBC

-

305

-

305

SCC White Goods Hill House

-

657

-

657

NRPF

-

(3,559

)

3,559

-

RBWA Name change fund

-

(5,554

)

10,000

4,446

119,161

(31,492

)

21,241

108,910

TOTAL FUNDS

527,386

133,907

-

661,293

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

592,286

(426,319

)

165,967

Renewals Fund

-

(568

)

(568

)

592,286

(426,887

)

165,399

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

20,164

(29,629

)

(9,465

)

Surrey County Council

282,737

(254,272

)

28,465

RBBC

20,999

(23,569

)

(2,570

)

St Faiths Trust

-

(8,008

)

(8,008

)

DCLG - Translation

-

(1,147

)

(1,147

)

Psychotherapy Fund

-

(1,992

)

(1,992

)

Children’s Fund

2,600

(2,856

)

(256

)

Masons Shed

-

(366

)

(366

)

Therapy Cabin

-

(4,794

)

(4,794

)

PCC Childrens Grant

19,394

(22,221

)

(2,827

)

SCC HH Support Grant

-

(22,970

)

(22,970

)

St Faith's Hill House Equipment

-

(9,134

)

(9,134

)

PCC IT Grant

-

(1,148

)

(1,148

)

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

-

(427

)

(427

)

Caterham School Transition

-

(5,000

)

(5,000

)

Masons Washing Machines

5,430

-

5,430

Nationwide Transition Fund

10,000

(9,884

)

116

Hill House Therapy Room

2,500

(2,500

)

-

PF Charitiable Transition

7,000

-

7,000

Optivo internal decorating

3,199

(5,175

)

(1,976

)

Vinci CCT fund

7,000

(1,311

)

5,689

Wisley Foundation

7,318

(3,125

)

4,193

SCC Maxgate dining tables

1,000

(1,000

)

-

C Elliss Equipment

5,000

(7,154

)

(2,154

)

Gift fund

5,475

(5,475

)

-

Household Support fund RBBC

5,575

(5,270

)

305

Maxgate Sofas

1,000

(1,000

)

-

SCC White Goods Hill House

1,000

(343

)

657

NRPF

-

(3,559

)

(3,559

)

RBWA Name change fund

-

(5,554

)

(5,554

)

407,391

(438,883

)

(31,492

)

TOTAL FUNDS

999,677

(865,770

)

133,907

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.20

in funds

funds

31.3.21

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

42,153

159,876

(122,610

)

79,419

Contingency Reserve

130,000

-

70,000

200,000

New House Fund

50,000

43,806

30,000

123,806

Renewals Fund

5,000

-

5,000

227,153

203,682

(22,610

)

408,225

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

4,546

1,392

-

5,938

Surrey County Council

-

(10,331

)

10,331

-

RBBC

-

(2,361

)

2,361

-

St Faiths Trust

-

8,008

-

8,008

SCC Refurbishment

5

(5

)

-

SCC Victim Transition

250

(250

)

-

CF Victim Transition

1,591

(1,591

)

-

DCLG - Translation

1,509

(362

)

-

1,147

Psychotherapy Fund

5,102

-

5,102

Children’s Fund

7,077

(3,292

)

-

3,785

Masons Shed

600

2,694

-

3,294

Tandridge Lottery Grant

50

(50

)

-

Therapy Cabin

49,502

(6,352

)

-

43,150

PCC Childrens Grant

-

7,982

-

7,982

SCC HH Support Grant

-

24,500

-

24,500

St Faith's Hill House Equipment

-

9,134

-

9,134

PCC IT Grant

-

(4,488

)

4,488

-

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

-

2,121

-

2,121

Caterham School Transition

-

5,000

-

5,000

Masons Washing Machines

-

(5,430

)

5,430

-

70,232

26,319

22,610

119,161

TOTAL FUNDS

297,385

230,001

-

527,386

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

262,346

(102,470

)

159,876

New House Fund

43,806

-

43,806

306,152

(102,470

)

203,682

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

39,934

(38,542

)

1,392

Surrey County Council

86,999

(97,330

)

(10,331

)

RBBC

21,000

(23,361

)

(2,361

)

St Faiths Trust

18,709

(10,701

)

8,008

PCC Victim Transition Fund

2,500

(2,500

)

-

SCC Refurbishment

-

(5

)

(5

)

SCC Victim Transition

-

(250

)

(250

)

CF Victim Transition

-

(1,591

)

(1,591

)

DCLG - Translation

-

(362

)

(362

)

Children’s Fund

-

(3,292

)

(3,292

)

Masons Shed

3,000

(306

)

2,694

Tandridge Lottery Grant

-

(50

)

(50

)

Therapy Cabin

(1

)

(6,351

)

(6,352

)

MHCLG Salary shortfall grant

38,000

(38,000

)

-

Hill House MHCLG

113,880

(113,880

)

-

MHCLG Therapy Grant

26,000

(26,000

)

-

CF Surrey Hill House Furniture

58,561

(58,561

)

-

PCC Childrens Grant

19,394

(11,412

)

7,982

PCC Refuge 12 week support grant

43,200

(43,200

)

-

Nationwide Hill House support grant

10,000

(10,000

)

-

SCC HH Support Grant

90,383

(65,883

)

24,500

St Faith's Hill House Equipment

25,000

(15,866

)

9,134

SCC Flooring

1,000

(1,000

)

-

PCC IT Grant

11,575

(16,063

)

(4,488

)

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

2,500

(379

)

2,121

Caterham School Transition

5,000

-

5,000

Masons Washing Machines

-

(5,430

)

(5,430

)

616,634

(590,315

)

26,319

TOTAL FUNDS

922,786

(692,785

)

230,001

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.20

in funds

funds

31.3.22

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

42,153

325,843

(193,851

)

174,145

Contingency Reserve

130,000

-

120,000

250,000

New House Fund

50,000

43,806

30,000

123,806

Renewals Fund

5,000

(568

)

-

4,432

227,153

369,081

(43,851

)

552,383

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

4,546

(8,073

)

3,527

-

Surrey County Council

-

18,134

10,331

28,465

RBBC

-

(4,931

)

4,931

-

SCC Refurbishment

5

(5

)

-

SCC Victim Transition

250

(250

)

-

CF Victim Transition

1,591

(1,591

)

-

DCLG - Translation

1,509

(1,509

)

-

Psychotherapy Fund

5,102

(1,992

)

-

3,110

Children’s Fund

7,077

(3,548

)

-

3,529

Masons Shed

600

2,328

-

2,928

Tandridge Lottery Grant

50

(50

)

-

Therapy Cabin

49,502

(11,146

)

-

38,356

PCC Childrens Grant

-

5,155

-

5,155

SCC HH Support Grant

-

1,530

-

1,530

PCC IT Grant

-

(5,636

)

7,373

1,737

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

-

1,694

-

1,694

Nationwide Transition Fund

-

116

-

116

PF Charitiable Transition

-

7,000

-

7,000

Optivo internal decorating

-

(1,976

)

1,976

-

Vinci CCT fund

-

5,689

-

5,689

Wisley Foundation

-

4,193

-

4,193

C Elliss Equipment

-

(2,154

)

2,154

-

Household Support fund RBBC

-

305

-

305

SCC White Goods Hill House

-

657

-

657

NRPF

-

(3,559

)

3,559

-

RBWA Name change fund

-

(5,554

)

10,000

4,446

70,232

(5,173

)

43,851

108,910

TOTAL FUNDS

297,385

363,908

-

661,293

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

854,632

(528,789

)

325,843

New House Fund

43,806

-

43,806

Renewals Fund

-

(568

)

(568

)

898,438

(529,357

)

369,081

Restricted funds

BBC Children in Need

60,098

(68,171

)

(8,073

)

Surrey County Council

369,736

(351,602

)

18,134

RBBC

41,999

(46,930

)

(4,931

)

St Faiths Trust

18,709

(18,709

)

-

PCC Victim Transition Fund

2,500

(2,500

)

-

SCC Refurbishment

-

(5

)

(5

)

SCC Victim Transition

-

(250

)

(250

)

CF Victim Transition

-

(1,591

)

(1,591

)

DCLG - Translation

-

(1,509

)

(1,509

)

Psychotherapy Fund

-

(1,992

)

(1,992

)

Children’s Fund

2,600

(6,148

)

(3,548

)

Masons Shed

3,000

(672

)

2,328

Tandridge Lottery Grant

-

(50

)

(50

)

Therapy Cabin

(1

)

(11,145

)

(11,146

)

MHCLG Salary shortfall grant

38,000

(38,000

)

-

Hill House MHCLG

113,880

(113,880

)

-

MHCLG Therapy Grant

26,000

(26,000

)

-

CF Surrey Hill House Furniture

58,561

(58,561

)

-

PCC Childrens Grant

38,788

(33,633

)

5,155

PCC Refuge 12 week support grant

43,200

(43,200

)

-

Nationwide Hill House support grant

10,000

(10,000

)

-

SCC HH Support Grant

90,383

(88,853

)

1,530

St Faith's Hill House Equipment

25,000

(25,000

)

-

SCC Flooring

1,000

(1,000

)

-

PCC IT Grant

11,575

(17,211

)

(5,636

)

Douglas Bradley Residents Tech

2,500

(806

)

1,694

Caterham School Transition

5,000

(5,000

)

-

Masons Washing Machines

5,430

(5,430

)

-

Nationwide Transition Fund

10,000

(9,884

)

116

Hill House Therapy Room

2,500

(2,500

)

-

PF Charitiable Transition

7,000

-

7,000

Optivo internal decorating

3,199

(5,175

)

(1,976

)

Vinci CCT fund

7,000

(1,311

)

5,689

Wisley Foundation

7,318

(3,125

)

4,193

SCC Maxgate dining tables

1,000

(1,000

)

-

C Elliss Equipment

5,000

(7,154

)

(2,154

)

Gift fund

5,475

(5,475

)

-

Household Support fund RBBC

5,575

(5,270

)

305

Maxgate Sofas

1,000

(1,000

)

-

SCC White Goods Hill House

1,000

(343

)

657

NRPF

-

(3,559

)

(3,559

)

RBWA Name change fund

-

(5,554

)

(5,554

)

1,024,025

(1,029,198

)

(5,173

)

TOTAL FUNDS

1,922,463

(1,558,555

)

363,908

Transfers between funds

Transfers represent amounts transferred to the individual restricted funds from general funds to provide additional funding for the particular project(s) in the year.

The purpose of the individual restricted funds is set out below:

Unrestricted Funds

General Purpose Fund

This represents the working capital of the Refuge.

Contingency Reserve

Although some insurance is in place, the Directors regard it as essential to hold a contingency reserve should the above revenue be curtailed.

New House Fund

This fund has been set aside for the initial set up costs that will be incurred when an additional property has been made available.

Renewals Fund

There is a continuing need for replacement furnishings and garden equipment which will be financed by this reserve.

Website Reserve

This fund was created to pay for the set up of a website. This has now all been spent.

SCC Inclusion Fund

This fund has been set aside for the initial set up and running costs that will be incurred on the Inclusion Refuge project.

Restricted Funds

BBC Children in Need

This grant is to provide the three year salary for 2 Child Support Workers and related costs.

Children's fund

This fund has been set up to provide activities and facilities for the children during their stay in the Refuge. It is funded from donations and fundraising

DCLG Translation

This is a one off grant towards the costs of translation

New Shed

This restricted fund was given to enable us to set up a garden project. This has been completed in 2020/21.

Therapy Cabin

This grant was received to provide a new Therapy cabin. This has been completed in 2020/21.

Psychotherapy Fund

This fund has been set up to provide Adolescent Therapy sessions.

PCC - IT Grant

This grant was given to help purchase new IT equipment for the refuge

St Faiths - Hill House Equipment

This grant was given to contribute towards purchasing essential equipment for the new site.

Caterham School - Transition

This grant was given to help purchase items when a woman and her children arrive at the refuge.

Washing Machines

This fund has been set up to purchase washing machines for the refuge.

MHCLG

The Ministry has granted three funds to contribute to the setting up of the new refuge, and salary costs and therapy for the residents.

Nationwide Transition

This grant was given to help purchase items when a woman and her children arrive at the refuge.

Hill House Therapy Room

This grant was given to help furnish the therapy room at the new refuge.

PF Charitable Transition

This grant was given to help purchase items when a woman and her children arrive at the refuge.

Vinci CCTV Fund

This grant was given to set up a CCTV system for security reasons.

Wisley Foundation

This grant was given to help purchase items when a woman and her children arrive at the refuge.

RBWA Name Change Fund

This fund was set up to cover costs of changing the name of the charity, funded by the charity itself.

SCC Maxgate dining tables

This grant was given to provide new dining tables at the refuge.

C Elliss Equipment

This grant was given to provide new play equpiment at the refuge.

Gift fund

This fund was set up to provide Christmas gifts and support items to the women and children at the refuge.

Household Support fund RBBC

This grant was given to help purchase items when a woman and her children arrive at the refuge.

Maxgate Sofas

This grant was given to provide new sofas at the refuge.

SCC White Goods HH

This grant was given to purchase new white goods for the refuge.

15.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2022.

I Choose Freedom Charity - Charities report - 22.2

I Choose Freedom Charity - Charities report - 22.2