Chair’s report
In November of 2023, I took over as Chair of Mary Seacole House, succeeding Mimi Gashi during a time of great change and uncertainty for the organisation. Over 2023, we saw the retirement of our CEO of over 20 years, Carol Sowande, along with our long-standing Treasurer, Karen Mello. As a team of relatively new trustees, we have worked hard to develop effective ways of working while navigating such great transitions at Mary Seacole House. It is fair to say this transitional period was tough on both staff and trustees, exacerbated by the need to appropriately absorb the responsibilities and workload of the outgoing CEO while struggling to find a replacement.
In the midst of these transitions, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers have managed to maintain Mary Seacole House’s high-quality support, helping over 700 individuals and families through our Multicultural Wellbeing Service and Advocacy services.
In a year which has seen continued animosity towards minorities – particularly migrants – in mainstream media and political discourse, we are proud to have been able to provide a safe haven for people suffering from the emotional, physical and socioeconomic impacts of oppression, displacement and marginalisation.
Through our community-based services in the heart of Liverpool’s historically Black L8 area, local people can join one of our plethora of activities to support their general wellbeing, talk one-to-one with one of our emotional support workers, or get specific support with a rights-based issue from our advocacy team.
Unfortunately, statistics on the disproportionate levels of Black people sectioned under the Mental Health Act and incarcerated in UK prisons still demonstrate systems rife with racial inequity. Black and racial and ethnic minority individuals within these secure settings often face barriers to accessing their rights, alongside incidents of racial discrimination and abuse. Thankfully, our Independent Mental Health Advocates have been able to maintain their support, offering culturally appropriate advocacy in prisons and hospitals.
The year began with conversations around strategy, with a view to developing a new organisational strategy with the pro bono support of Cranfield Trust. As their work with us developed, it became evident that there were more urgent strategic projects which trustees were responsible for leading, namely the recruitment of a new CEO. As such, this became the priority, with trustees launching a refreshed recruitment campaign for an interim CEO in October 2023. Unfortunately, we were not able to recruit in this round.
As part of a series of meetings focused on assessing risks at Mary Seacole House, trustees explored various options for immediate and long-term leadership, assessed the risks of these various options and weighed up costs and benefits. In March 2024, we decided to engage external support from a recruitment agency to provide more specialist support in hiring an interim CEO who could support us to stabilise and strengthen the organisation ahead of the arrival of a permanent leader
In December 2023, trustees agreed to implement a set of proposals to improve Board operations, including changes to meeting format, improvements to internal communications, registering and monitoring of risks, and strategy on trustee roles, recruitment and development. As Chair, I was able to immediately implement initial recommendations, and to kick-start work to progress further changes. As a Board we hope to trial and roll out further changes to improve our functioning and increase the confidence of each trustee to contribute their wide array of skills in the governance and leadership of Mary Seacole house.
I would like to thank our staff team, volunteers and funders for their support in ensuring Mary Seacole house continues to provide such a lifeline of support to communities around Toxteth.
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
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 2023 - March 2024
Achievements/Impact
33 Years delivering services since 1991 and aspiring to make sustainable changes to improve the lives of BAMER communities of Liverpool
50+ individuals volunteered to help our service run smoothly
700+ individuals/families we supported in the year
20+ languages spoken by our service users
32 We cater to service users from 32 different countries
7+ Faiths practiced by service users including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism & more.
300 Families were assisted in various areas such as welfare benefits, property pools, school admissions, debts, GP registrations, and dental care.
5 Number of new Community Research Champions created to network with the various ethnic communities.
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
137 Newly arrived asylum seekers, refugees, and local people have taken part in community learning.
50+ People participated in driving theory course qualification
>10% Of those who took part in community learning went on to paid work
Our staff, volunteers and service users supported other causes including Brain Charity Family Fund and Refugee Women’s Connect International Women’s Day with both events being very well supported with 60 to 70 people attending.
Awareness Raising Sessions
>24 Health talks with over 50 people participating in various areas of expertise presented by health professionals including:
Dementia
Diabetes
Mental & physical health
Perinatal care
Emergency 1st Aid
Healthy eating sessions provided information about food content, preparation and cooking to benefit service users with support in managing diabetes, physical health alongside the benefits of gentle exercise.
Collaborations / Partnerships
Mary Seacole House have partnered with a number of organisations to raise awareness of various health issues and including Liferooms, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, GP Surgeries, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Lancaster. We also continue to work with The NIHR (National Institute for Health Research - ‘Clinical Research Network’), contributing to their research through facilitating more than 6 workshops in various languages.
We also work in partnership with a local Citizens Advice Bureau branch and facilitate weekly appointments for service users to meet with a representative and gain valuable advice and support.
We also arranged a Liferooms event - a collaboration of a number of partners working to support people with mental health issues - in collaboration with Granby Toxteth Development Trust which had over 80 people attending.
Advocacy Support
We work to support local people and in the past year have received more than 275 new referrals, with a high proportion being self-referrals. These referrals have resulted in our advocacy team supporting clients with more than 800 issues with the main issue relating to training/outreach support, housing/accommodation, children’s services, complaints and care act assessments. We also help clients to develop a range of natural supports including self-advocacy, to assist them towards independence, empowerment and social inclusion.
Separately to the above service, a Culturally Appropriate Independent Mental Health Advocate delivers support to patients in low, medium and high Secure and Specialist Learning Disability sites and local prisons.
The Community Advocacy Team continued to work with Central Liverpool Primary Care Network, Asylum Refugee and BAME at Brownlow Health to provide a fortnightly drop-in service.
We have continued to develop partnerships and linked in with a wide range of organisations including the Community Inclusion Team, Police, Vauxhall Law Centre, Whitechapel, Shelter, Taking Therapies, Safer Communities Team, Hongkong (BNO) and met with the lead for Eastern European services.
Service Users have also contributed to a number of different consultations and focus groups including Transforming Community Mental Health Services, Patient Carer Race Equality Framework, Police Race Equality Framework and development of other services.
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
Mary Seacole House organise daily activities to support service users to benefit their mental health & wellbeing in which over 120 women and 150 men took part in a range of sessions including:
Peer Support Sessions
Weekly swimming sessions
Healthy Eating Sessions
Massage/relaxation therapy
Weight management
Music therapy
Art & Craft session
Football sessions
Sewing sessions
ESOL language sessions
Coffee mornings
These sessions allow participants to connect, celebrate cultural diversity, share experiences, build community integration, build confidence, learn new skills and improve their health and mental wellbeing.
Members of the team also support service users through one-to-one emotional support sessions which are highly effective as demonstrated through their improved scores on the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale. The team support with a range of issues from benefits, housing, school appeals, immigration issues, medical appointments, debts and complaints. Their invaluable listening and counselling skills support the service users effectively with resolving issues and increasing their confidence.
The Women Peer Support Group completed the Healthy Cooking on a Budget course where they learned to plan and make delicious recipes on a low budget. The Women’s Group also participated in a Six Weeks’ Wellbeing project where they enjoyed a range of activities promoting health and wellbeing. During this time, they enjoyed a trip to Southport and a walk around the city.
We celebrated and acknowledged various cultural days throughout the year including – Mother Language Day, The Hindu Festival Diwali, Christmas, Chinese New Year & Easter.
Staff, volunteers and service users also enjoyed the health benefits of gardening sessions, learning about different types of plants and flowers and how to effectively care for a range of plants and shrubs. The group used their skills to make hanging baskets which decorated the outdoor area.
Training & Education
Staff, volunteers & service users completed learning with a range of service providers in the following areas:
Counselling Skills
English Language Basics
First Aid
Fire Safety
Mental Health First Aid
Food Hygiene
Health and Safety
Safeguarding
Volunteers
We are greatly appreciative of the volunteers who assist with supporting the services delivered according to their skills in:
Language support
English Language Basics
Activities within the sessions/projects running
Translating health information into the appropriate language
Oral Health awareness
Achievements/Impact (Continued)
We honoured our volunteer’s contributions and support through hosting a lunch to show our appreciation.
Thank you
Thank you to all who continue to support Mary Seacole House to provide the much-needed funding, grants and donations, thus enabling Mary Seacole House to continue to provide services and support to vulnerable and marginalised members of our local communities.
Thank you to all of our staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders for your continued support enabling Mary Seacole House to complete another productive and successful year.
The total income for the year was £487,214 (2023: £526,607). The total expenditure for the year was £585,484 (2023: £478,673) giving rise to an overall deficit of £98,270 (2023: surplus £47,934) split between a deficit of £92,793 on the unrestricted funds and a deficit of £5,477 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 2024 were £389,968. Free reserves amount to £104,445 (2023: £193,018). The target for the reserves is 20% - 30% of current expenditure, which is £100,025 - £150,038 based on unrestricted expenditure in the year ended 31 March 2024.
Risk policy
The trustees have initiated the process of developing a refreshed risk register, defining and assessing the major risks to which the charity is exposed. This process will inform steps to ensure that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to 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.
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 2024.
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 2024 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.
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 £1,402 (2023 - £1,306) for independent examination fees and £2,690 (2023 - £2,510) for accountancy services.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2023: none).
During the year there were no trustees' expenses (2023: none).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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 for 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 Liverpool Uni (Diabetes) project shares relevant recipes and cooking suitable meals.
The Feeding Liverpool project is funding for providing food for vulnerable clients.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
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 was as follows:
There were no other related party transactions during the year.