CYMDEITHAS GOFAL THE CARE SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT
2015
www.caresociety.org.uk
n o i s i V r Ou sion by
clu g ocial in s e t o ecomin To prom eople from b , ssness p le g e n i t m n o e of h prev e, living ecause b m d o e h d r i the exclu or f losing dation o o k s m i r m the gion acco Ceredi equate n i d s a e n c i n in msta unties. d circu o c le t g t n e i s un rround and su
Our M
ission
The p rov focuse ision of qu ality, c d serv us ic flexibl e, inno es while wo tomer rking vative in a , imag respo i native nsive a nd way. Provid ing su ita suppo rting p ble housing eople to rea and full po tentia ch their l.
01970 639111 info@caresociety.org.uk www.caresociety.org.uk 2
The Care Society Annual Report 2015
Content Chair’s Report
04
Executive Director’s Report
05
Board Members Biographies
06
Objectives and Services
09
Our Services Achievements Night Shelter Positive Move Ons Emergency Accommodation Client Activities Bond Scheme Countywide Tenancy Support Scheme
10
Volunteer Projects
19
Social Enterprise Schemes Social Enterprise Estates and Lettings Services Charity Shop Maintenance Services
20
Abbreviated Accounts
24
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Chair’s Report The 2014/15 Annual Report provides an overview of statistics, stories and general information regarding the work of The Care Society. Given the honour of being Chair I can add the words ‘dedicated, brilliant and challenging’ to also describe the work undertaken by the staff, volunteers and the Board of Directors. What I admire most about The Care Society is their ability to adapt to an ever changing environment. Our partner organisations and funders have listened to the feedback provided and this is of vital importance when tough board decisions are to be made. When I see The Care Society maintenance vans, the lettings agencies, charity shop and all the housing and homelessness services that are delivered, I am proud of the work undertaken on all levels. This work will both maintain what we have now and help to build on future plans. It is the future of The Care Society that we, as Board of Directors concern ourselves with the most and no matter how difficult the terrain ahead may be we will strive to ensure services are available for the most vulnerable in rural west Wales.
“
e of th l d u o pr n al ... I am ertaken o ain int und work o both ma and t w levels e have no ans. w pl what n future o build
”
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May I also take this opportunity to thank our partner agencies and funders, our dedicated Board of Directors and fantastic staff who turn vision into reality. Tracy Lee Chair
Executive Director’s Report During the period of this report, despite continued austerity, welfare reforms and reduced public sector funding, The Care Society has enhanced existing services and also introduced new projects to meet the needs of individuals and families living in Ceredigion and mid Wales.
“ I am extremely grateful for the dedication, compassion and commitment of our volunteers, Board of Directors and to my colleagues...
”
Despite limited resources, The Care Society has increased the availability of night shelter accommodation to meet a 19% increase in night shelter presentations. During this same period there has also been a 37% increase in ‘Warden Emergency Accommodation’ provision and our Estates and Lettings portfolio of private sector accommodation has continued to grow. I am extremely grateful for the dedication, compassion and commitment of our volunteers, Board of Directors and to my colleagues working within our Maintenance Team, Charity Shop and in our ‘Tenancy Support Service’ who continue to help so many people and who always go ‘the extra mile’ I am also extremely grateful for the continued support of the Welsh Government, Local Authority partner agencies, community groups and organisations from across the public and private sector. Without whom The Care Society would be unable to deliver essential integrated services and help meet the particular challenges faced by people and communities throughout rural mid Wales.
Guy Evans Executive Director
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Board Members Biographies Robert Gray Robert trained as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst Young in Leicester and qualified in 1985. He subsequently gained experience of working abroad and in industry before returning to Aberystwyth, his university town, to work in a private practice in 1991 specialising in limited company and charity clients.
Mark Strong Mark has been a member of the board since 2004 and Chairperson of the board since 2010. Mark has gained extensive experience and understanding of legislation, how the local government works, how it is funded via the grant structure and how to obtain them. He is experienced in political campaigns and lobbying. Mark is very conscious about
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such difficulties people have with being homed and associated problems.
Guy Evans Guy is the Executive Director of The Care Society and Company Secretary of the board, and is utilising skills gained whilst working in both the private and public sector. Guy continues to oversee the growth of The Care Society including the establishment and development of a trading subsidiary and portfolio of social enterprise initiatives which compliment the objectives of the organisation.
Phil Buckman As a Sales and Marketing Director Phil has worked around the globe in International Freight for over 25 years.
In 1995, having been made redundant, he made a life changing move into social work for Hampshire County Council working in children’s homes and alongside dysfunctional families. Phil and his wife Barbara became foster carers and have had various placements including one long term culminating with the young person going to university. Both Phil and his wife are active members of the New Life Church, involved with various youth work and evangelism. Phil is also a member of the Cardigan Healing Rooms ministry team.
Cen Llwyd After leaving school Cen worked at the Cambrian News and then trained for the Unitarian Ministry in Swansea. After leaving college, Cen worked for a monthly magazine for women ‘Pais’ and also with the Welsh records company ‘Sain’ for many years.
Board Members Biographies Cen then went on to being an employee for a housing association in Newcastle Emlyn for 25 years, culminating in being the manager of the housing department. He is now a full-time minister at six different chapels in Ceredigion, and is also the chairperson for HomeStart Ceredigion; Friends Of Ceredigion Young Musicians Association and Board of Governors at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi.
Meryl Sharpe Motivated by the conviction that no one should be homeless or without help, Meryl worked for many years to support and advocate for those disadvantaged due to homelessness. Through her work at a Church Centre, she was able to raise funds to secure housing and developed a support network for those in need. This included the establishment of three charity shops, with one being solely dedicated to homelessness and the relief of poverty.
Meryl has extensive experience of project and conference management both at home and abroad. She has served on the board of Stonham Housing and Gordana House, a drug Rehab in Shrewsbury and worked as a volunteer for the probation service. On moving to Aberystwyth in 2004, Meryl sought ways in which to engage with a charity working to alleviate homelessness and was invited to serve on the board of directors for The Care Society. She also works in a voluntary capacity helping to run the Care Society Charity Shop
Paula Bentley Paula has many years of experience of working in the public, private and third sector in financial management roles. For over 10 years she and her partner also ran their own business which, although based in Ceredigion, offered its services throughout the United Kingdom.
Paula has been a member of the board since 1999 and is proud to been involved with an organisation that has gone from strength to strength, become one of the largest support providers and the leading voice for the homeless in the county.
Shirley Hart Shirley has 16 years of experience of developing and managing services for disadvantaged people including people with a learning disability, people with mental health problems, ex offenders and women fleeing domestic violence. Shirley has a wide experience of working with charities and not for profit organisations, and is also a trustee of Eiriolaeth Ceredigion Advocacy. Her skills include project development and management, human resources, fund raising, budgets and financial control.
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Board Members Biographies Tracy Lee Tracy has extensive experience of social housing working from a Tenancy Support Worker/ Housing Officer for Orbit Housing, England, moving onto specialist supported housing projects covering Warwickshire in partnership with housing associations, the probation service and community drugs teams. Since returning to Wales Tracy has been a Supported Housing Manager for a rural housing association, Head of Housing for Hafal, an all Wales mental health charity and a Supported Housing Consultant / Project Manager. Tracy finds it an honour to be associated with The Care Society and she looks forward to the coming years of growth and quality services within the organisation to help the most vulnerable in society.
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Tony Kitchen Tony moved to Wales with his wife 10 years ago. He has been a member of the board for the last nine years. He is a qualified accountant, being a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants for over 25 years. Tony has a smallholding and has enjoyed learning about keeping sheep and chickens. Tony and his wife also own a house that is let through The Care Society.
Objectives and Services To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded by reason of homelessness, at risk of losing, their home, living in inadequate accommodation or unsettled circumstances in Ceredigion and surrounding counties by:
01 The provision of quality, customerfocused services
02 Working in a flexible, innovative and responsive way
03 The recognition and provision of suitable housing and by supporting people in realising their full potential.
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Our Services
“
Without the support of The Care Society and the Bond Scheme, I would not have been able to secure my own flat in town giving me the new start I need. Thank you.
”
Through working in conjunction with the Local Authority, Housing Associations and other key agencies, we have continued to develop our services to prevent people from becoming socially excluded by reason of unsettled circumstance, homelessness or living in inadequate accommodation. Consequently, we have shaped our services to fit the needs of the people with whom we support. Working with our beneficiaries and through the support of local agencies and the local community, we provide a broad range of flexible and innovative services, all of which support people to realise their full potential and help build stronger communities. These services include: • Night Shelter • Managed Emergency Accommodation Units • The Bond Scheme • Accommodation Officer Scheme • Young People’s Project • Countywide Tenancy Support Scheme • Educational and Awareness Programme
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Our Services Achievements In the shadow of continuing cuts in essential services, it is encouraging that we have delivered excellent and valued services to our beneficiaries and can reflect on a year of achievements and initiatives that include: • R eviewing governance procedures that have included redesigning accounting processes and introducing key performance indicators for Care Society projects. • I ncreasing the availability of private rented sector accommodation through our lettings agency through investing in bespoke software and marketing of services. • E xtending the portfolio of Care Society wardening services to include a care leaver project based in Aberystwyth. • R estructuring the Charity Shop and introducing ‘on-line’ sales processes. • I mproving property standards across our portfolio through introducing Property Preventive Maintenance Measures. • U tilising an undergraduate internship programme for undergraduates who complete 12 week supervised projects within The Care Society. • I ncreasing partnership working with Ceredigion Housing Associations. • D eveloping the private rented sector portfolio through our Accommodation Officer scheme in line with Welsh Government criteria. This has resulted in an increase in Emergency Accommodation units and private accommodation options as move on for our clients. • I ncreasing client activity , including partnership working, to achieve health and well being targets; The Care Society Annual Report 2015
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Our Services Night Shelter
Without The Care Society, there would be far more people living on the streets and sleeping on park benches.
During 2014 / 15 a total of 64 clients (51 male 13 female) accessed the service on 1,602 different occasions.
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40
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2014 -2015 51
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2013 -2014
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Over the last 12 months we have seen a growth of 19% in the demand for our Night Shelter services and we have continued to improve standards of provision through implementation of the following measures: development of a strategic plan for the long term improvement of the Night Shelter and the implementation of efficiency savings regarding overheads, utilities and staffing.
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“
males
2014-2015
0 cc 1 4 asio ns
1602 s e 201 p
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occasi ate r a 2 0 15 o 4-
-2 15 2 0 1 3 e o 29 separat
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Male increase is 7.5% Female decrease 7.4% Separate occasions 4.7% increase
Our Services Positive Move Ons
7 still at project
5
0
Rehab
Still at Project
Family Home
10
Left the Area
15
Young Persons Support Housing Project
20
Hospitalised
The Care Society is an innovative organisation that interests me on many levels and these include: preventing homelessness, providing support and encouraging personal development. I have been responsible for designing an Activities Programme for residents and organising workshops delivered by local volunteers. These have included cooking classes, gardening, art classes and craft workshops. I am an avid user of social media and enjoy photography, writing and learning how to use Final Cut Pro for video editing.
16 into private accommodation 13 into emergency accommodation 1 hospitalised 2 left the area 1 went to rehab 1 accessed the Young Persons Supported Housing Project 6 returned to family home
Emergency Accommodation
I have lived in Aberystwyth for twenty years and in that time I have developed my career primarily, in the Voluntary Sector. My roles have covered being, Company Secretary, Project Manager, Fundraiser and Volunteer Manager. An opportunity arose to apply for a job at the Care Society in the summer of 2014 and I was delighted when I was accepted for the post. As I was still studying for my BA in Art History, I was able to change my course to part time and start my job in Emergency Accommodation.
40 Cases of positive move ons included:
Private Accommodation
Catherine Beckham, Emergency Accommodation / Communication Manager
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Our Services Emergency Accommodation Through our expertise and knowledge we have continued to expand our services in emergency accommodation. During 2014/2015 a total of 122 have accessed the service. This increase of 37% in our service is due to the fact that we have increased our units by 48% from 31 to 46 dwellings across the county.
2013 89
35
54
individuals accessed
females
males
2014 122
individuals accessed
76
males
14
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44
females
Our Services Client Activities With the introduction of client activities, this has enhanced the service and experience for our beneficiaries. Activities have included DIY, gardening, drawing classes, arts and crafts. We have received very positive feedback from our residents who attend activity workshops as they say it helps to build friendships and alleviate anxiety.
Jewellery Making
Gardening Project
DIY The Care Society Annual Report 2015
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Our Services Bond Scheme Through our Bond Scheme, developed with assistance from the Welsh Government, Local Authority and the Probation Service, we can assist people into otherwise unaffordable tenancies. By offering Bond Guarantees to Landlords, we are able to facilitate a tenancy for someone who would otherwise not be able to afford the initial payments necessary (i.e. rent deposits and rent advances). Thus we can engage with people before they become homeless, enabling and empowering people to manage sustainable tenancies of their own. 2014
2015
300
250
254 259 214 212
200
150
100
68 70
50
78 44
15 13 0
16
Welsh Government Bonds Referred
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Extended Bonds Scheme Referrals
Probation Bond Scheme Referrals
4 Welsh Government Bonds Issued
Extended Bonds Issued
8
Probation Bonds Issued
re, Sarah Moo r ke r o W t r ppo Senior Su with the rt Worker o p p the u S r o Seni gan with and am a When I be e . r e an o c g o i i M ff d o r h a a n C Sar in rdiga Hi, I am two of us in the Ca t ed d s k e u r s j o a w b e r e y e W et there w pport. u o s g Care Soci a s a s r f a l myse the leven ye heme and own with society e e bond sc and one d h t p u w times m e o e f r n f o a moved erally t e – Rachel i v l a h – e e w c then ety is a ny offi Care Soci ms! Since from a ti o e o h r t e s lved h A t . nking erably been invo stairs li wn consid o I have o s r g s ess. a n s e e a d r h i a eam for ic aw and the t s looking l as publ y l a e w w o l c a s s a e e T r s e a vent tside charity w raising e cember ou d e n D u o f n w i t f o s r y o er da em in a numb spend two put an it n eague, I ppers to l o l h o s rcels whe c a e p a h t d h o Wit nviting ital fo i v n e a t y g a l i n b d o i r d d re to stores Ca to be inc nable us n sket to e as proved a h b p’ here i s o r i h u h s o T p n . u i ’ k p c o u p t ‘ s n a a u unds nd ome ‘ pened raising f clients c ecently o r , s e m v e a t h i e d l. W onate that we successfu ve sold d ccessful a u h s e o n w s e n r e whe r time. I has be Cardigan and summe d’. This r g o n al w i r r e e p n h s e t g the g n the ‘spreadin office to it this i e g h n t , i d t p a a u e e r p d b e e nd will be r have open de soup a he months we f home-ma r o e t g ive for t n u t i m a w t a n e e d s th n e a r p e e s r w s around cation r a bro the issue s the edu t public fo A u o . b i a l l k i l h nd ta e age of and c schools a ing to th or spuds d t r i o s c i c v a I d ety, asked to pitche Care Soci m always as to be a h I s as i , h s T l o . ess ever, I w y scho homelessn kets! How he primar c t a p n d i d e n k – a s a n re ow tins the child e front r ation of old on th a present r nest had r a o e r f y i e n r h r u t u o ret rden as little f a g a r a lesson n e e h h w n irds i l, I work b o o flummoxed f h o c s y l y i r conda ecoming p a fam end of se ng girl b u me to hel p o o y t a e h t t u always n! At lm abo ntra has blown dow roduced fi a p m h y s M l e . W n working nd a er ow plan arou ault of h hly enjoy f g u o o n r o h h g t u thro ad on the ass. I homeless ing my he has no Cl g n s a ng s b e n y s b s e el It’s a lo an end been: Hom Whoopee! the day c g i der , b n s u t a n s e h d i t l l c year o o end wi 5 s 1 l with our a f o n a s c s cla but it -cultural doorframe g a multi n i h c a e t way from Brunei. house in a stilted
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Our Services Countywide Tenancy Support Scheme Our team of Support Workers provide one-to-one tenancy related support throughout the county. We place great emphasis on tailoring support to each individual’s needs. Funded by the Local Authority, this scheme is fundamental to The Care Society’s mission to support people in realising their full potential
From 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015 we have supported:
214 64 84 9 35
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The Care Society Annual Report 2015
SINGLE PEOPLE (increase of 9.74%) FAMILIES (decrease of 15.79%) RESIDENTS IN EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION (decrease of 10.64%) YOUNG PEOPLE (decrease of 10%)
DISABLED PEOPLE (increase of 25%)
Volunteer Projects
Deborah Pugh, HR & Senior Management As sistant
I moved to Ab erystwyth just over 26 years ago. Fo r the last seven ye ars’ I have wo rked for the Care Society in va rious roles, starti ng in Finance/ Admin and now workin g for the Seni or Management te am and lookin g after the day to da y HR requirem ents of the Care So ciety. At the end of March the volunteer coordinator posi tion was adde d to the HR elemen t of my role. It is a very full on challenge but one which I am en joying. My ro le in general is ve ry varied and gives me an insight and understand ing to the work al l the Care So ciety employees do across the co unty as I regularl y attend thei r team meetings etc. Out of the off ice I continue with my HR/vol unteer roles with North Ceredigi on Scouts wher e I recruit volunt eer leaders fo r the groups in our area. You may also find me on my bike as I en joy cycling especi ally along ca nal paths both in the UK and ab road.
Volunteering is fundamental to how The Care Society works. Without the input of our volunteers, some of our activities would not exist. Anybody in the community who wants to just mix and socialise with people while improving their skills and employability can become a Care Society volunteer. Volunteering opportunities are spread across the organisation and over the last 12 months, numbers have been steadily increasing. The range of opportunities is diverse, from working in the warehouse, recycling and upcycling furniture, working face to face with customers in our charity shop, administrative work in our offices, and even teaching activities to service users. Many of our volunteers have gone on to gain employment and some have actually been employed by The Care Society. As well as ‘work’ placements, over the last year, volunteers have helped us with promotion from dressing up and decorating a float for Aberystwyth Carnival to manning a refreshment stall at the Big Tribute Festival for a whole weekend and various other events in Cardigan and Aberaeron, our volunteers have been busy. Through their selfless actions we are reaching out to new members of the community who may need our help and support.
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Social Enterprise Schemes Social Enterprise The Care Society continues to provide services that contribute to the alleviation of homelessness throughout the county. In the last year we have been awarded an Aber First Award for Best 3rd Sector Organisation in recognition of our innovative work meeting local and national strategic objectives, in response to changing economic environments. We continue to review all our monitoring and evaluation processes in order to maximise our social impact. Through developing our capacity we are helping to strengthen the economic and social fabric of Mid Wales. Examples of this include registering with the Financial Conduct Authority, and offering mortgage brokerage, estates and sales services.
Rac Lettin I was gs & A hel Nichol appoin as ccommo ted as by the dation , a part Care S C s o -ordin Senior oc time b ator ond an Manage iety in 20 02 Sector d supp ment T ort wo eam to , going on L rker Cardig ettings Te t d o work e v elop a am, an an offi with t nd exp d have ce as south he a n d the the Ac b Ce Privat commod een workin the ai redigion s g e a inc tions ms and f Coordi rom the to hav object e 2008. I n b e ator f ives o elieve or f the my sph played a p art in Care S passionate ere of ly in ociety drivin to del activi g forw iver t and am t a heir u y and to s proud upport rd the pro nderta jects kings. our as in sociat ed tea ms
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The Care Society Annual Report 2015
Social Enterprise Schemes Estates and Lettings Service Viv Griffiths, Estates & Lettings Manager gion in 1989 I moved to Ceredi hn Francis, Jo r and worked fo 14 years, r fo ts en Ag Estate sor. I set vi as a mortgage ad in 2003 and ss ne si bu up by own ded to relocate then in 2010 deci r a couple of te Af to Australia. to Ceredigion years, I returned d business, ol and restarted my an eye out g in ep while also ke e. I saw the for a new challeng ciety for a So job at The Care ttings Le d an s new Estate ied and was pl ap I . nt me rt Depa October 2014. in st offered the po chosen was that The reason I was y skills and I had the necessar re looking for we ey th experience rcle of the to complete the ci ssness to le me journey from ho e starting nc Si p. hi homeowners Society I have work at The Care sed with the es pr been hugely im ence of the empathy and experi rge number of la staff who help a ty. Without un co e people in th there would The Care Society, living on le op be far more pe ping on ee sl d an s the street park benches.
Our Estates and Lettings Service runs a Social Lettings Agency from Priory Street, Cardigan and from our offices in Aberystwyth. This professional service currently manages a large portfolio of residential property as well as some commercial property throughout the county, offering both management and lease agreement options. We aim to house the more vulnerable members of our society, providing owners and tenants with legal and housing advice and information, while promoting improved standards of accommodation across the private rented sector.
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Social Enterprise Schemes Charity Shop The Charity Shop is run by volunteers and staff and has proved to be very popular within the community. We are fortunate to receive a lot of donations and some are given directly to our beneficiaries, where we identify a need, and the rest are sold through our shop. Following on from our success through selling items through our social media pages, we have now set up an eBay shop online.
Maintenance Services The Care Society’s trading subsidiary, CGC Trading Limited has seen some significant changes. We have restructured the company that now operates from a large storage unit, and has gone from strength to strength. CGC Trading Limited now offers job opportunities, work experience, apprenticeship and volunteer placements, all of which have a positive social and economic impact on the community. The team is able to provide general property maintenance, removals and storage, health and safety checks, PAT testing, painting and decorating, garden maintenance cleaning and disposal, and a handyman service.
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The Care Society Annual Report 2015
Knitting
Gardening Project
Drawing Classes
Art and Crafts The Care Society Annual Report 2015
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Design: www.four.cymru Printed on recycled paper CS2787 01/2016
Abbreviated Accounts
24
Incoming resources from generated funds
Unrestricted Funds
Voluntary income
£8,982.00
£8,982.00
Activities for generating funds
£139,014.00
£139,014.00
Investment income
£65.00
£65.00
Incoming resources from charitable activities
£853,815.00
£298,642.00
£1,152,457.00
Total incoming resources
£1,001,876.00
£298,642.00
£1,300,518.00
Outgoing resources from generating funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2015
Fundraising trading: cost of goods sold and other costs
£148,637.00
Charitable activities
£945,914.00
£274,666.00
£1,220,580.00
Governance costs
£7,689.00
£5,212.00
£12,901.00
Total resources expended
£1,102,240.00
£279,878.00
£1,382,118.00
Total funds carried forward
Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2015
£148,637.00
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds
Total Funds 2015
Total Funds 2014
£302,126.00
£302,126.00
£383,726.00 (made a loss of £81,600)
£0.00
Full copy of the accounts can be requested from info@caresociety.org.uk The Care Society Annual Report 2015