The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, as updated on 14 March 2019, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
The overall aim of the Granby Community Mental Health Group (GCMHG), widely known as Mary Seacole House, is to provide services to local people who are experiencing mental illness. The area in which GCMHG operates has a high black and racial minority population and the Group's client base and range of services reflect this.
In this context the objectives of Mary Seacole House are:
To provide an informal multi-racial mental health charity and resource service in Liverpool where people experiencing mental health problems can find support.
To act as a resource for other mental health services and people interested in mental health services.
To help service users achieve their maximum potential for independent living by developing effective coping skills and provide supportive networks.
To actively seek to involve members of the BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic, Refugees) communities.
We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will continue to the aims and objectives they have set.
Events & Achievements
April 2022 - March 2023
Achievements/Impact
350 newly arrived asylum seekers, refugees, and local people have taken part in community learning. Over 10% of them went on to paid employment.
80 people throughout the year volunteered with us.
50 people completed functional skills, digital skills, interpreting level 1, and other qualifications.
70 people took part in the weight management program.
150 men took part in a bicycle maintenance course, a bicycle group, football therapy, smoking cessation, and a walking group.
150 women took part in several training courses, and received emotional, practical, and language support. Many also attended numerous health talks.
300 families in various areas received assistance and support to access welfare benefits, property pools, children’s school admissions, help with debts, GP registrations, and dental care.
30 health talks covering topics such as dementia, diabetes, mental and physical health, and other areas of expertise were presented by health professionals.
50 people received support to access Covid 19 and booster jabs last year.
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
Awareness Raising Sessions
We have acknowledged various awareness days and health subjects throughout the year including Mental Health Awareness Week, Brew Monday, World Mental Health Day, Diabetes & Dementia Awareness.
Dr Rachel Wiles came to our Women's Group and gave a talk on screening for early detection of women's illnesses such as cervical & breast cancer. She also discussed menopause and its symptoms.
Sessions that were delivered:
Health checks
Physical and mental health awareness
Weight loss programs
Smoking cessation
Oral health
Exercise programs
Fixing and riding bicycles
Art and craft
Sewing groups
Coffee mornings – These were very popular and well-attended. All the sessions have provided the attendees with relaxation techniques, and the ability to express themselves and feel connected with other members of the community.
DEMENTIA
Mary Seacole House was approached by the ‘University of Exeter’ to work in partnership and develop a BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) toolkit and video of the sessions to highlight the support needed for BAMER carers.
CANCER
Mary Seacole House worked with Merseyside and Cheshire NHS to hold a joint event, ‘Prostate Cancer’ to get BAMER males tested via a blood test for cancer markers. Over 75 men attended, and the majority agreed to be tested, 3 males tested positive and are now receiving early intervention support.
DIABETES
MSP (Merseyside Sports Partnership) - we linked this in with the Diabetes groups to provide both online and physical exercise classes and purchased the group their own yoga mats, stretch bands, and shared equipment.
Virtual walking group to promote walking we secured funding to purchase Fitbit type watches and 60 people log their activities and attend the diabetes sessions.
Black History Month we teamed up with ‘Anthony Walker Foundation’ to promote our services at John Lewis retail store.
Mary Seacole House held a Community Advocacy event at the Kuumba Imani Centre sharing information on our Advocacy services.
Our staff and volunteers supported Savera UK’s International Women’s Day event.
We held a Hate Crime Prevention Workshop in partnership with ‘Stop Hate UK’, ‘Tell Mama UK’, The ‘Prevent Team’ at Liverpool City Council & ‘Moulana’ raising awareness of Hate Crime and the rights of people seeking asylum across Merseyside.
We celebrated and acknowledged various cultural days throughout the year including - The Hindu Festival Diwali, The Queens Jubilee, Christmas, Persian New Year, Nowruz & Easter.
We worked with and contributed towards The NIHR (National Institute for Health Research - ‘Clinical Research Network’) as part of their Research Ready Community Programme tackling health inequalities. Over the year we have facilitated several workshops in various languages in partnership with NIHR, helping BAME communities understand the importance of contributing towards Health Research. https://youtu.be/jF1HTet_9g8
We acknowledged our volunteer’s contributions for Volunteers Week’ with a get together including lunch.
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
Mental Health & Wellbeing Activities
We have offered service users a multitude of activities which have greatly benefited their mental health & wellbeing including Peer Support Groups, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Digital Skills, Dental Hygiene, and other Health information talks.
We were visited by the High Sheriff of Merseyside (Lesley Martin-Wright), who came to offer her support for our Friday activities.
We worked with Victoria Gallery and were given a guided tour of the Arrivals/Departures exhibition by artist Fiona Gunn. We then had a workshop with Pam & Vikki, service users - built houses and wrote meaningful messages about their homes on them.
MerseyCare NHS Foundation Trust Engagement Team helped fund our trip to Chester. This was a good opportunity to meet and get to know our service users, carers, volunteers, and staff. 50 people enjoyed a beautiful day out.
We provided cookery classes with ‘Baytree’ Catering which taught service users how to utilise store cupboard ingredients, how to cut down on food waste by storing food correctly and using up leftovers.
Service users and volunteers worked together to improve the Kuumba Imani Centre’s outside space and garden area helping to keep it tidy and planting new flowers as part of the ‘Green Space Project’.
Staff and volunteers visited the Lake District thanks to funding from Green Space.
We have been working with ‘Liverpool Football Therapy’ to enhance BAMER participation in football sessions for improved mental health and peer support.
Training, Education & ESOL
Volunteers & service users completed 8 weeks of learning with Eduk8 training in the following:
First Aid
Mental Health First Aid
Basic Counselling
Food Hygiene
Health and Safety
Safeguarding.
72 service users engaged, and 33 family members took part in our 10-week Health and wellbeing program.
One of our service users who didn't know the English alphabet when she first came to us after 10 months of engaging in our ESOL group she is able to read with confidence. She said that coming to Mary Seacole House makes her feel happy and relaxed.
We began a new partnership with St. Helens College which offers accredited ESOL Courses to BAME people including Refugees, alongside our own informal ESOL groups.
We facilitated Driving Theory courses in partnership with Granby Toxteth Development Trust.
We also held an information session around Energy Efficiency.
Volunteers
Currently, we have 45 active volunteers who will assist in relevant groups according to their skills in:
Language support
Esol
Activities within the sessions/projects running
Health information to be translated in appropriate languages
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
Triage for new referrals - as they may come across someone who needs support. They will ring the staff members and explain the situation. It can be determined through this process whether a staff members intervention is required, or it can be dealt with through the volunteer
Admin - helping to enrol new clients.
Post relevant community information on the WhatsApp group such as scams/bad emails etc.
Donations
Huge Thank You to Used Bicycles UK for donating £300 in customer tips from 2022.
To Always Endeavour for donating £50 from a percentage of her recent bracelet sales
Liverpool Raptors at The University of Liverpool for donating £260 from their Super Bowl event.
We held a Fundraising Fitness Day for Mary Seacole House at Wavertree Tennis Centre in partnership with Lifestyles Fitness centres for World Mental Health Day. We had free activities including Spinning, Lifestyles Games, Zumba, Yoga, Indoor inflatables, and fundraising activities including Refreshments, Cakes, Handmade bracelets & Plant pots. Over £1,000 was raised.
We also received bicycles that were donated by the public after a social media call out
Events
Be Free Campaign Mental Health Changemaker Awards - Mary Seacole House won the “Community Impact Award”.
Dementia - Event held at the Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre. Over 120 attendees.
Mary Seacole House worked with Merseyside and Cheshire NHS to hold a joint event, ‘Prostate Cancer’. 75 attendees.
We have organised educational trips including visits to Port Sunlight & Walker Art Gallery.
Echo Article Mental health charity that's served communities for over 30 years - Liverpool Echo
We won ‘Mental Health Change Makers’ Community Impact Award.
The total income for the year was £526,607 (2022: £447,220). The total expenditure for the year was £478,673 (2022: £409,407) giving rise to an overall surplus of £47,934 (2022: surplus of £37,813) consisting of a surplus of £48,941 on the unrestricted funds and a deficit of £1,007 on the restricted funds.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charitable company to establish and maintain unrestricted funds which are not committed, invested or designated to a specific service. Unrestricted funds not designated are grants, other income or donations which have and can be used freely and allow the trustees the freedom to work to achieve their objectives in whatever way they think is best without any funder restriction or conditions attached. Unrestricted funds usually go toward the operating expenses of the organisation or to a specific service.
Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2023 were £488,238. Free reserves amount to £193,018 (2022: £142,268). The target for free reserves is 20% - 30% of current expenditure, which is £78,000 - £118,000 based on unrestricted expenditure in the year ended 31 March 2023.
Risk policy
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
The directors of the company are also charity trustees. For the purpose of Charity Law and under the company's Articles of Association trustees are also known as members of the Management Committee.
All current trustees will strive to identify good candidates for trusteeship and appoint new trustees on merit. All trustees participate in relevant induction, training and development activities. In order to maintain broad skill mix, members of the management committee provide a list of skill. If a particular skill is lost due to retirement, individuals are approached to offer themselves for election.
Small company provisions
The report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Granby Community Mental Health Group for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Granby Community Mental Health Group (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity 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 the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements 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
the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Granby Community Mental Health Group is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 91 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool, L8 7LB.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
Following a detailed assessment by the Management Team and Board of Trustees and given the level of funds held, it is still appropriate for the 2022 accounts to be filed on a going concern basis.
Restricted funds are used for the purposes specified by the donor. Expenditure which meets the criteria is identified to the fund. The trustees have considered the treatment of funds as restricted and have reclassified certain contracts as unrestricted.
Unrestricted funds are donations and any other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as separate funds.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
Expenditure reflects all amounts paid and accrued during the year. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, support costs are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs represent costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include staff salaries, premises and other costs which support the charity's activities. These costs have been allocated to expenditure on charitable activities. The basis on which support costs have been allocated is set out in note 6.
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Taxation
The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Grants
Mental health services
Grants received
Mental health services
Staff development and travel
Project costs
Premises costs
Office costs
Sessional workers
Miscellaneous
Bank charges
Support and governance costs are allocated to charitable activities.
Governance costs includes payments to the accountants of £1,306 (2022 - £1,100) for independent examination fees and £2,510 (2022 - £2,282) for accountancy services.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2022: none).
During the year there were no trustees' expenses (2022: none).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
Income
Expenditure
Income
Expenditure
The CRF Innovation Fund contributes towards training, room hire, Volunteers/Session workers, refreshments, stationery and running costs.
The funding from Merseyside Sport Partnership contributes towards equipment costs, room hire, volunteers/session workers workers and running costs.
The funding from the Postcode Lottery contributes towards Volunteers/Session workers, training costs, running costs and Apprentice costs.
The funding from Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) contributes towards volunteer costs, payroll costs, travel costs, stationery and running costs.
The funding from the P H Holt Foundation contributes towards payroll costs.
The Henry Smith Fund contributes towards payroll costs.
The funding from Greenspace contributes towards travel, volunteers/session workers, refreshments and running costs.
The funding from Imagine contributes towards room hire, tutor costs, volunteers/session workers, travel costs, refreshments, equipment, stationery, activity costs and running costs.
The funding from NIHR contributes towards room hire, travel costs, volunteers/session workers, refreshments, stationery and running costs.
The Designated Fund is to cover staff redundancies and other closure costs in the event that the charitable company has to cease operating.
Granby Community Mental Health Group is incorporated under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee. The liability of the members is limited to £1.
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
There were no other related party transactions during the year.