Charity registration number 1125877
Company registration number 06681475 (England and Wales)
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
AM Afolabi
S Cooper
P Deans
P Elliott OBE
C Harrison
T Huitson
S Kaitesi
A Lee
H Owens
K Proudfoot
E Slater
Senior management
L Goodwin
Chief Executive
Charity number
1125877
Company number
06681475
Registered office
One Strawberry Lane
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4BX
Auditor
Sumer Auditco Limited
Unit 2
Gosforth Park Avenue
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 8EG
CONNECTED VOICE
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CONTENTS
Page
Chair's Report
1
Trustees' report
2 - 21
Independent auditor's report
22 - 24
Statement of financial activities
25 - 26
Balance sheet
27
Statement of cash flows
28
Notes to the financial statements
29 - 49
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CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Chair's Report

A strong voluntary sector is important to every area. It provides services that reach beyond the state and private business. It is citizens supporting each other in ways that are important to them. It is a voice for those without power and a way of us connecting with each other.

I am delighted to present Connected Voice’s annual account of its work helping voluntary organisations in Newcastle and Gateshead to be as strong and as effective as possible. From the many tiny and informal groups to the large multi-million-pound organisations, they are all important to creating a good society here. We are proud of our achievements over the year, but it was not without its challenges for us as an organisation, including the decision to close our long running payroll service. It was equally a time of challenge for our members, who continued to support their beneficiaries while facing rising costs and increasing demand.

I commend Connected Voice’s work to you. In doing so I thank the organisations we have worked with, our fabulous staff team and volunteers, and our trustees.

Peter Deans
Chair of Trustees, Connected Voice
Date: 10 April 2025
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The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 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 governing document, 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)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objectives of Connected Voice are, ‘to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of any locality or community in the County of Northumberland and in the neighbourhood of the River Tyne.’

 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 having due regard to the general guidance of the Charity Commission with respect to public benefit when reviewing the Connected Voice aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the trustees considered how the planned activities would contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

 

Connected Voice has the following values:

 

We amplify voices

From individuals to organisations, we believe everyone has a right to be heard. Trusted to listen, understand and advocate, we strive for excellence. We’re open and honest, we stick by people and give our support to ensure their voices are heard.

 

We champion equality

We believe that diversity should be celebrated and valued, and everyone deserves equality.

Working towards a fairer future for all, we won't stand still. By making an impact on causes big and small, we want to improve the quality of life across the region.

 

We inspire charge

Courageous, resourceful and determined, we will challenge unfairness and ask difficult questions.

Working effectively and accountably to instil confidence. We aim to become stronger and more sustainable to inspire positive and lasting change throughout our community

 

We support action

We understand from our own experiences the challenges people face. We truly value people and we won't judge or dictate. Leading independently and side by side with our communities and partners, we share our resources, skills and expertise to enable people to take meaningful action.

 

We connect people

At the heart of voluntary and community action for 90 years, we are immersed and rooted in the North East.

We work collectively and inclusively to connect, grow and strengthen our society. We are warm and approachable, and we create opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from and empower one another.

 

 

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Our purpose

 

Connected Voice exists in service of organisations committed to voluntary and social action in Newcastle and Gateshead and beyond. We work to support the enduring mission of those organisations to benefit society by reducing inequality and enriching lives.

 

Over the year we contributed to our overall purpose in the following ways:·    

Our Volunteers

We value the unique contribution of our volunteers and the added value they bring. It is our intention that all volunteers are supported and respected. We encourage volunteers to fulfil their potential and aim to provide meaningful roles where both the organisation and the volunteer mutually benefit.

 

This year, staff continued to benefit from our volunteering policy, which allows them two paid days off per year to volunteer locally. We share examples of staff volunteering experiences within our team meetings. We have policies and procedures in place to support our volunteers, and work closely with our partner, Volunteer Centre Newcastle, to ensure we follow best practice in volunteering. During the year we achieved the national Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA).

 

Our Staff

We recognise the value and expertise of our staff, and we strive to put in place appropriate support as a good employer. We have a range of staff engagement and involvement activities, including a staff council and ideas forum and an annual staff away day. We hold the Better Health at Work award at Gold level. We are an accredited Living Wage Employer. We provide drop-ins and support for staff on topics which they have identified as important, such as menopause and pensions. We also hold the Investors In People accreditation. This year we implemented more wellbeing sessions for our staff, following feedback from our staff council.

Public benefit

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

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Achievements and performance

Connected Voice enables and promotes voluntary and community action, providing voluntary sector organisations with services that enable them to be well run, fulfil their aims and objectives, and provide them with the opportunity to extend their influence in Newcastle and Gateshead through the sector’s collective voice.

 

We do this by providing expert advice on governance, on the policies and practices that voluntary organisations need to have to ensure they are safe and securely run, and by providing funding advice based on experience and knowledge of what funders are seeking in a good application.

 

We hold regular events and training to keep the sector informed, and to enable them to learn from and connect with each other. We provide opportunities for VCSE organisations to increase their reach and influence.

 

Connected Voice supports VCSE involvement, enabling engagement directly with public sector agencies and acting as a voice for the sector within multi-sector partnerships. During this year we continued to develop our role in representation and voice for the VCSE sector.

 

We engage in local authority-wide, sub-regional, regional and national activities because we want to be able to promote, share and deliver best practice. We work with a wide range of public sector partners – local authorities, NHS trusts, local NHS, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, and many others.

 

We continued to develop our generated income through our paid-for services, which have become a core part of our offer and support our overall sustainability.

 

During the year we refreshed our strategy and have been working towards developing our five-year plan from October 2025 onwards.

Connected Voice Support and Development

 

Support and Development works with community organisations, charities and social enterprises working in Newcastle and Gateshead. We provide advice and guidance on all aspects of running an organisation, a comprehensive training package and opportunities to network and share best practice.

 

Support and Guidance

The Support and Development team worked with 582 organisations in Newcastle and Gateshead across the year, providing advice and guidance on topics including legal structures, governance, funding, policies and procedures, and organisational development.

 

“I just want to express our gratitude one more time for finding the time to meet us and help us to sort our plans out. Yesterday’s meeting is already huge step forward on our way to achieve our vision.”

 

“It is fantastic that Connected Voice provides so much freely available support. Thank you for all the other guidance too, it's incredibly useful!"

“We would like to thank Connected Voice for the fantastic, consistent support, advice and guidance you have given us throughout 2023, it has really made a positive difference.”

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Funding

We helped VCSE organisations to secure £2,358,139 of grant funding and organised our annual Newcastle and Gateshead Funding Fair, attracting 19 funders and 102 VCSE organisations attended.

“We spoke to Connected Voice for support with creating a fundraising strategy for an exciting capital project. Beth was really supportive and encouraged us to undertake a crowdfunding campaign. We are delighted that this has been hugely successful and exceeded our target. Raising over £125,000 from donations and pledges. We are so grateful to Connected Voice for being a constant source of encouragement, ideas and support.”

“There was such lots of energy in the room and a sense of excitement about meeting each other. You and your team organised [the Funding Fair] really well.”

 

Networking Events

We delivered four successful VCSE Networking Events during the period, attended by 107 organisations. The themes were as follows:

 

“I have attended a range of events and never been disappointed. Staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and really great at connecting organisations. They have had a positive direct impact, especially in regards to networking.”

 

Training

We delivered and supported 37 training courses over the year. Sessions included: Funding Strategy, Effective Bid-Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation, Trustee Roles and Responsibilities, Legal Structures, Using Social Media Effectively and an Introduction to Safeguarding. Moreover, we worked with other Connected Voice departments to support training on Finance, Advocacy and Health Inequalities. The feedback from these was overwhelmingly positive.

We continue to work with two other local infrastructure organisations (North Tyneside VODA and Northumberland CVA) to offer an eLearning platform called Elements. Between October 2023 to September 2024, 462 students enrolled in one or more Elements courses.

 

"I think all trustees should have to attend this training and I wish I had it 10 years ago when I started. I would give it 11/10."

 

“Trainer Mark was really good at explaining in a clear and concise way what we need to be aware of and why. I really appreciated that he was prepared to knowledgably answer any question asked without making me feel foolish. I found the session both interesting and helpful.”

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OurGateshead

Following last year’s redesign, OurGateshead has continued to significantly increase its visitor numbers. During the year, there were 370,907 site visits with 898,631 pages viewed. This was an increase of 134% and 246% respectively on last year’s figures.

“I was part of a meeting around ESOL in Gateshead yesterday and providers were pleased we were gathering info in one place for people to access. That’s brilliant!”

 

Premium Services

During the year we provided paid-for services to 46 organisations. These are specialised pieces of work that take us a significant time to complete. They include organisational and governance reviews, charity registration, policy writing and bespoke training courses.

“Encouraged lots of ideas and conversation…I feel the session was good and definitely made us think. The SWOT session was very informative.”

“I thought it was brilliant! Great presenters - very knowledgeable and confident [and] the session was pitched at the right pace and level for me. I learned such a lot and felt inspired."

 

Information

We are a key source of information for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Newcastle and Gateshead. Our follower numbers on social media continue to grow each year. In the reporting period we:

 

Following a review of our communications strategy and link to EDI, we are reducing our profile on Twitter/X and have created a profile on the new social media platform Bluesky.

 

Connected Voice Haref

Connected Voice Haref works with ethnically marginalised communities to identify their key issues around health and improve the health information available to them. We help health services gain a better understanding of what communities need and we build confidence within communities so they can talk to health services about their cultural needs.

 

Haref Network

In the Haref Network we have 90 organisations with 120 people representing ethnically marginalised community groups and projects.

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We ran 4 Haref Network meetings with discussions about:

 

Haref Allies

By the end of September 2024, we had 50 organisations as Haref Allies members with 66 individual Allies. We changed the Allies membership from two people per sign up to a single person in this year.

 

We held 3 Haref Allies meetings on the following themes:

 

Cultural Competency Training

For the Newcastle City Council Public Health contract, we delivered training to 305 attendees over 25 sessions. The contract has been extended until July 2024.

We also delivered 19 paid-for Cultural Competency training sessions to 217 people over the year.

 

Research Projects

 

 

Haref are supporting with developing focus groups for the research and supporting links to practitioners and community members for their workshops.

 

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Health Information Sessions

Haref have been providing capacity and support to initiate information sessions with Network members on topics they are interested in and delivered by our Haref Allies. This year we supported the following sessions:

Sharing experiences of accessing health services

Haref are providing paid opportunities for network group members to have their say, influence health service delivery and share their experience. We have 6 community groups who we will support to share their story of using a health service, either in anonymised written transcript, audio or in video format. 

 

These case studies can then be shared with the Integrated Care Board for their Patient Voices board meetings. Stories that are heard at the board meetings should then get a response from the Integrated Care Board and will get clinical leads to feedback on this. 

Response to the impact of rise in racist incidents

We held discussions with our Network members and have fed back information to key contacts in the OPCC, Local authorities, Hospital trusts and the ICB. The key issues raised were:

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Commissioning of Interpreters and Translators in Public Services

 Haref has been working with Success for All, Everyday Language Solutions, English Unlocked and US Language Services and Consultancy about the commissioning and standards of interpreters and translators' services for people whose first language is not English in public services. We found there are several key issues with the way interpreters and translators are commissioned in public services: 

We collated information on the key issues, why interpreter quality matters, and suggestions on what commissioners need to do to make it more equitable towards local and smaller providers, including ongoing quality control on providers.  This information was shared with Commissioners and key contacts in statutory services and within the VCSE.

 

Ramadan calendars 2024 with safe fasting messages

Haref worked with 10 mosques across North Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle and with the NHS Diabetes Centre, Glaucoma UK and Diabetes UK to get the right health information relating to fasting for the calendars. We printed 4000 of our calendars which were distributed to 10 mosques and to community-facing buildings and health services, including GPs.

 

Communications and recipients

For the Haref monthly bulletin:

 

Health Equity

 

This area of our work supports VCSE involvement in health equity work across Newcastle and Gateshead, and is underpinned by the Connected Voice Health bulletin.

 

VCSE Engagement in Mental Health Transformation in Gateshead

This role works with smaller-sized voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that support people with mental health issues in Gateshead, to ensure they have a direct role in influencing and benefiting from the borough’s NENC ISB delivery plan and commissioning for mental health services. This year we:

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Digital Inclusion in Health and Social Care in Gateshead

This project works across Gateshead to improve digital inclusion in the area in collaborations with local communities and stakeholders. It coordinates the Gateshead Digital Inclusion Steering Group, which includes local NHS partners, Gateshead Council, voluntary and community organisations, researchers, and tech firms.

"Very informative drop-in - within a few minutes, the advisor had explained what the changes would be and basically explained that in my case, it wouldn't affect me much besides for having to use the local area code when calling out." 

 

Digital Inclusion in Health and Social Care in Newcastle  

We have recruited the new officer for the Digital Inclusion role in Newcastle who started in September 2024. This is a 24-month funded project and will establish a steering group to support collaborative working to enable digital Inclusion for people, the VCSE and statutory services in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Place-Based Engagement in Newcastle

From March 2023 until March 2025, Connected Voice are supporting VCSE capacity with Social Prescribing within Newcastle. We worked with NENC ICB, and the NCC officer for locality working to deliver this work. We are running Health and Wellbeing events for the VCSE in Newcastle These will include information about health service delivery and local updates about the Integrated Care Boards (NHS) and information from the wider regional VCSE involvement structures.

 

 

North East and North Cumbia VCSE Partnership Programme

The North East and North Cumbria VCSE Partnership Programme is run by VONNE and its aim is to ensure that the VCSE sector is embedded at all levels of our Integrated Care System (ICS). The VCSE sector is able to provide extensive expertise and reach into the communities that receive health and care services, particularly those that the NHS can find it difficult to connect with. Our Chief Executive and the Heath Equity and Involvement Manager attend and represent Newcastle and Gateshead VCSE at key meetings.

 

 

Communications

In September 2023, we revamped our monthly Health bulletin, which was previously known as 'On the Hoof'. This Health bulletin covers:

 

We had 1,159 people signed up to the Health bulletin in September 2024.

 

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Connected Voice Business Services

CVBS continued to support organisations with year-end accounts preparation, Independent Examination, and book-keeping. We also supported organisations to switch to digital finance, providing training as Quickbooks Pro certified advisors. As the reporting year drew to a close, our trading subsidiary Connected Voice Business Services Ltd was wound up. Our payroll bureau closed after the end of the financial year. Financial services for charities are now provided directly through the main charity.

 

Connected Voice Advocacy

The Connected Voice Advocacy vision is that people from marginalised communities, who experience disadvantage or discrimination have their voices heard, their rights upheld, access to the services they need and improved quality of life. Our strategic goals for 2023/24 focused around advocacy delivery, quality, communication, sustainability, developing equity and effective systems.

Each year the advocacy team gets together to analyse the case work of the previous year and identifies trends in the communities we serve. This helps the team write a collective annual work plan which aligns to the Aims and Vision. In addition to our regular funded advocacy projects, we chose to fundraise and target extra support in 2023/24 to Refugee and Asylum communities, and people experiencing housing crisis. We also chose to further develop our Self Advocacy workbook and online app DIY Advocate by offering more in-person workshops. We held two workshops this year in which ten people received in-depth learning. One of the workshops was led by our Farsi speaking advocate to support local communities to learn in their first language and create peer support networks. The workshops cover topics of: Self Advocacy, the person and their world, communication, managing emotions, tackling problems. this includes learning skills to negotiate, be assertive, and prepare well for meetings or formal challenges.

 

Our communities were significantly affected by the civil unrest and riots across the region in the summer of 2024. Our Hate Crime Advocacy Service offer supports people affected by racism to identify and report a crime and recover from the impact. To ensure a strategic approach we attended meetings with Police, Local Authorities and VCSE organisations across the region to share our data intelligence and offer solutions. Our advocates take a person-centred, holistic approach and were able to explore the impact of the crime on the person’s life and help them access health and social care and housing. Advocating for anyone impacted by abuse or threats to property or people targeted on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity, we noted trends around problems with housing and public transport as well as the need for safeguarding. Many people we supported were at risk of isolation and mental health crisis. Of the people we advocated for this year, English was not the first language for over a fifth people, 24% experienced barriers to accessing health appointments, with 53% having mental health needs or neurodivergence, a third experienced risk of homelessness or housing disrepair and 50% needed financial support from foodbanks and energy vouchers. We continue to hear that people find it hard to report a hate crime and fear repercussions, feel ignored or lack trust in the criminal justice system.

 

We joined up with Durham and Northumbria Universities again this year to revisit the groundbreaking research from 2019 “Exploring ‘hate relationships’ through Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service.”. This research introduced the concept of repeated hate incidents now known as Hate Relationships. We were curious to find out what impact the Covid 19 Pandemic had on hate crime referrals, so the research team looked over 384 cases from April 2019 to March 2022. We held a launch event in summer 2024 to share the findings of “Improving Responses to Hate Relationships”. The research showed that repeated hate was on the rise, and that there was a systemic lack of understanding across all professions to support the victim adequately. They found

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that victims were misunderstood, disbelieved, and that there was often a mislabelling as anti-social behaviour or harassment. There was also a lack of understanding around people having more than one protected characteristic and intersectionality. The research found that hate relationships rose from 28% to 44% of the total hate crime cases. So together with Connected Voice the Durham and Northumbria University team created a solution to offer professionals a way to better understand the impact on victims mental and physical health and created HATE ID app to help clarify what a hate crime is and how to deal with it. We held a consultation event in summer 2024 to launch research and share the prototype app for feedback from police, and other statutory partners. This will be launched in March 2025.

 

In winter 2023/24 we were involved in the Sunderland University Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries annual Police Project. We advised students who created a series of short films to depict the barriers to reporting hate

 

Growing and developing

We had a year of successfully securing existing services as well as expanding and developing on what we already did. In 2023/24:

 

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Listening and learning

The team are proud to have received excellent feedback this year and worked well to achieve an outstanding Net Promoter Score (NPS) consistently over 75% throughout the year, meaning that people who used the advocacy service or referred to us would recommend us highly.

 

"I don't think I would have been heard at all if you hadn't been there.”

 

“Made it a lot less stressful and I think I composed myself better through this support.”

 

“Our experience with Connected Voice Advocacy has been exceptional. The service provided to our mutual client was exemplary, demonstrating the organisations commitment to promoting social inclusion, equality and social justice. The Advocate showed great skills in helping the client get their voice heard and needs met. Overall, Connected Voice Advocacy's professionalism, expertise and client-centred approach make them an invaluable resource in the community. Their service truly embodies their mission of enabling people to have their views heard and their rights upheld.”

 

We have been delighted that people who have used advocacy have volunteered their time in 2023/24 to share their views and help shape the way we deliver our services. This is now a crucial part of our 2024/25 work plan to ensure people are at the heart of the work we do. In 2023/24 we continued to deliver on our Service User Engagement Strategy this year committing time and energy to arranging sessions to bring people together. We reached over 50 people through surveys, direct phone calls and most popular was our focus groups with lunch which brought 22 people together. This year people helped us with the following developments in the service:

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Influencing

We believe research is a fundamental way to ensure visibility of the people we support and raise their issues strategically.

 

Year in numbers:

 

Connected Voice Volunteering

During 2023/24, the Volunteering service continued to grow, expanding from two to three projects with the launch of Volunteering Newcastle. This new initiative aimed to amplify the voices of volunteers and the organisations that involve them, while also assisting organisations in recruiting individuals with additional needs into volunteering roles. Outlined below are the key achievements of each project featuring quotes and case studies.

 

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Gateshead Volunteer Centre

We secured the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation from the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). The accreditation is valid for three years. Across its five functions, GVC exceeded in Strategic Development of Volunteering and Good Practice Development, while meeting all the requirements in Brokerage, Developing Volunteering Opportunities, and Voice of Volunteering.

 

Gateshead Volunteer Centre supported 56 people with additional needs into volunteering opportunities.

 

Gateshead Volunteer Coordinators’ Network continued to grow over the year with meetings themed on topics including cost of living, mental health, and neurodiversity.

 

“I attended the Gateshead Volunteer Coordinators’ Network meeting in July 2024. I am often unable to attend the meetings but made a point of making sure I could go because the topic of neurodiversity was so relevant to my role and organisation. The speakers were fantastic, and we had some good discussions about improved ways of working and different perspectives. I was able to bring these insights and ideas back to my workplace and share with the team to benefit not just our volunteers but also staff to ensure everyone’s skills and strengths are valued and utilised. Thanks for organising this event!”

 

Volunteering Newcastle

In Newcastle, 85 volunteering-involving organisations were consulted about their challenges and successes resulting in the establishment of the Newcastle Volunteer Coordinators’ Network. The network has met on three occasions, covering topics including inclusion and wellbeing.

 

“The Connected Voice meetings and sessions have been invaluable to me as a Volunteer Coordinator. It can be isolating working in this role as I am the only one dealing with volunteer management. The meetings and training provided by Connected Voice has been a great way to network and chat to other professionals who deal with volunteering. The training has been really useful also helping me gain an insight into procedures and practices for managing volunteers. Thank you for being a great support mechanism.”

 

Through Volunteering Newcastle, 27 VCSE organisations completed a volunteering health check and were provided additional support to update or create new volunteering policies and procedures, role descriptions, and recording systems.

 

Seven VCSE organisations were funded to deliver social action projects led by volunteers in their local communities across Newcastle.

“The grant we received helped us deliver weekly sessions at the Haven in North Kenton. The group is a women’s group which uses business enterprise skills as a vehicle for social action in the local area. We created naughty and nice greetings cards to sell at Home Group, as well as learning how to crochet, cooking on a budget and general peer-to-peer support group helping and signposting women for skills and mental health support. The group came with a schedule of activities and events for 2024, so the group could be sustainable, with facilitation by On the Up. These women are a force to be reckoned with, despite suffering with PTSD, anxiety, domestic abuse, agoraphobia, issues with their children. They have an idea for a mam’s podcast which we are going to launch once we have the funding, which we are very close to achieving.”

 

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Sector Connector

Sector Connector organised 14 free workshops and events in collaboration with eight local, regional and national businesses for VCSE organisations. Workshop themes included recruiting with purpose, what is social impact, and staying safe online.

 

Sector Connector worked in partnership with Muckle LLP during Small Charities Week in June 2024 to deliver free legal clinics to 23 VCSE organisations. Topics included governance, construction, data protection, and property and real estate.

Sector Connector collaborated with Home Group in July 2024 to deliver a trustee’s event for their employees, resulting in four charities each securing new trustees with skills across legal, finance, and health and safety.

 

“This was an excellent event by Connected Voice, so helpful for charities looking for trustees. The endorsement from Home Group to employees considering a trustee role is exemplary. It's refreshing to see a large employer recognising, and valuing, the benefit that being a trustee can bring to their organisation, employees and local communities. Having the opportunity to explicitly recruit for the skills needed to a room full of interested people was invaluable, I think all the Charities attending made relevant connections. Thanks!”

Financial review

Review of transactions and financial position

The balance sheet shows that at 30 September 2024 total funds carried forward are £727,465 (2023: restated £741,312), of which £365,817 (2023: restated £425,629) relates to unrestricted funds, £21,653 (2023: £77,267) relates to designated funds and £339,995 (2023: £238,416) relates to restricted funds. The specific earmarked restricted funds projects are detailed in note 26 of the accounts and note 27 for designated funds.

 

This was represented by tangible fixed assets of £15,399 (2023: £18,864), investments of £nil (2023: £460,065) and net current assets of £712,066 (2023: restated £262,383).

 

Connected Voice holds contracts from the NHS and local authorities, as well as applying for grants from charitable trusts and foundations. We are growing our self-generated income through development of paid-for services. A substantial part of our income comes through contracts. In the current year this was three contracts. Connected Voice is assiduous in looking for appropriate sources of funding, and as an organisation responsible for advising the voluntary sector on funding sources, is well placed to know what opportunities are available. We use a full cost recovery model, which enables us to estimate the actual costs of a service and its true cost to Connected Voice. As the value of public sector contracts continues to decrease in light of inflation, this is an essential tool for us to use in deciding whether or not to bid for a service.

 

Senior managers and the board meet to set budgets annually. The management team reviews financial performance monthly, and the board reviews it quarterly via a finance sub committee and the board meetings. Day to day financial management and reporting is managed by our finance arm - Connected Voice Business Services.

 

Our trustees are clear about our aims and mission and that we need to be sustainable, but keep to our vision and values. Connected Voice will not enter into partnerships and contracts which are contrary to our aims and objectives and we recognise that we need to stay within our agreed budget limits for the year

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 18 -

Assets

The charity's assets are being held to enable them to carry out its objectives. The movements in fixed assets during the year are set out in note 15 to the accounts.

 

Trading activities

The results of Connected Voice Charity Business Services for the prior financial year was a deficit of £188,602. The decision was taken by the board in 2022 to bring the subsidiary back into the main charity as of 1 October 2023 and wind up the separate company. The company was dissolved in September 2024

 

Financial dependency

The charity in order to meet its objectives is financially dependent on grants from the Local Authorities, government programmes and charitable trusts.

 

Additional funds are derived from smaller grants and charitable donations made by a variety of organisations and individuals.

 

Going Concern

The Trustees have considered the level of funds and forecast income and expenditure for a period of 12 months after the date of approval of these financial statements, the budgeted income and expenditure is considered sufficient given the levels of reserves held by the Charity. Therefore, the Trustees have adopted the going concern basis of preparation for these financial statements.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees regularly review levels of reserves and have agreed again this year that reserves equivalent to between three and five months running costs are appropriate for the organisation.

 

Three months running costs would equate to around £210,000 and five months £350,000, based on the accounts for the 12 months to 30 September 2023. The reserves should not fall below this level in order to support good governance of the organisation.

 

The Reserve Policy allows for the use of funds in excess of the level required to be spent in furtherance of the organisation's vision and mission. Any proposal should be presented as an individual business case to the Trustees for review and approval.

 

The 'free reserves' of the charity (defined as those unrestricted funds not designated for specific purposes or tied up in fixed assets) stood at £350,418 (2023: restated negative funds of £49,455). The Trustees monitor the level of reserves regularly and the Reserves Policy is reviewed annually with the support of the Finance Sub Group.

Risk management

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. The Board reviews the strategic risk assessment annually and the full report is discussed at. a Board meeting annually where mitigating actions identified and taken. Health and Safety information is presented on a quarterly basis to the Board.

 

Indemnity insurance

The charity has Professional Indemnity Insurance cover in respect of the Trustees and Officers of the charity.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 19 -
Structure, governance and management

The charity's full name is Connected Voice. It is an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission (number 1125877) and a company limited by guarantee (number 06681475).

 

Governing documents

The charity's governing documents are its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 

Connected Voice is an independent charity working with the voluntary sector primarily in Newcastle and Gateshead. It is run by a Board of Trustees elected annually by its member organisations, and by co-opted members. The Board controls the direction and policy of the work, and met five times during this financial year. It holds a special away day meeting with senior managers, once a year, in order to look at opportunities and define strategy for the coming year.

 

Connected Voice is a membership organisation with over 844 members.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

AM Afolabi
S Cooper
P Deans
P Elliott OBE
C Harrison
T Huitson
S Kaitesi
A Lee
H Owens
K Proudfoot
E Slater
S Elliott
(Resigned 7 May 2024)
M Horrocks
(Resigned 7 May 2024)
Recruitment and appointment of trustees

Trustees are elected from the membership. Notice is sent to all members, and if a ballot is required, it is conducted prior to the Annual General Meeting Trustees may only serve for a set period of time. The skills and experience of existing trustees are audited regularly and new trustees are recruited in order to complement the existing trustees ensuring a wide set of skills and knowledge is reflected in the overall board. If the Board feels there are particular skills lacking, they are able to promote these during the recruitment process The governance document allows for co-opted trustees so that specialist skills can be brought onto the board. The Chair has extensive experience in the charity sector and of governance. The treasurer is a chartered accountant with significant experience of the charity sector.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 20 -

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).

 

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:

 

Trade creditors of the company at the year end were equivalent to 14 day's purchases, based on the average daily amount invoiced by suppliers during the year.

Organisational structure

The Board of trustees, which can have up to fourteen members, has control of the charity, including its property and its funds. The Board normally meets four times per year and there are three sub groups covering finance, advocacy, and volunteering, which report into the Board. Task and Finish groups of the trustees are also created as necessary. This year we closed the Task and Finish group for workforce development, after the agreement of our new pay polity, and created one for trustee recruitment. We have staff-led groups who take forward our EDI and Climate emergency action plans, and these report into the board. The Chief Executive is appointed by the trustees to manage the charity and has delegated authority for all operational matters.

Pay policy for senior staff

The Chief Executive implements the pay policy on an ongoing basis and is responsible for pay reviews and setting salaries for senior staff. The Board reviews the Chief Executive's salary annually and is responsible for making any decisions about remuneration of the Chief Executive. Remuneration is benchmarked against similar roles within voluntary and community sector organisations of similar size in the North East.

 

We understand that in light of increasing inflation and a difficult employment market, pay should continue to be reviewed regularly. Our workforce strategy task and finish group of the board developed and implemented a new pay policy during the year.

 

Connected Voice's new Pay Policy covers all staff. Senior staff are not treated differently to other staff and all benefits (including pension contributions) are applied equally across all staff groups. The pay policy allows for staff progression within pay bands, based on performance.

Related parties and co-operation with other organisations

None of the trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connection between trustees or senior managers of the charity with suppliers must be disclosed to the full Board of trustees In the current year no such related party transactions Were reported. Trustees are asked to declare their interests before each board meeting and there is a Register of Interests.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 21 -
Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Connected Voice 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; 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.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Sumer Auditco Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Peter Deans
Chair of Trustees, Connected Voice
10 April 2025
2025-06-16
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF CONNECTED VOICE
- 22 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Connected Voice (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 30 September 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 September 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

-

the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and

-

the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF CONNECTED VOICE
- 23 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-

the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF CONNECTED VOICE
- 24 -
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the sector in which it operates, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

 

 

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert throughout the audit.

 

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence and legal costs incurred; review of Trustee meeting minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Stephen Slater (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Sumer Auditco Limited
Statutory Auditor
Unit 2
Gosforth Park Avenue
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 8EG
Date: 11 June 2025
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 25 -
Current financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
As restated
general
designated
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
8,974
-
-
8,974
18,542
Charitable activities
4
886,947
-
915,665
1,802,612
1,415,174
Other trading activities
5
21,668
-
100
21,768
66,255
Investments
6
36,961
-
-
36,961
3,955
Total income
954,550
-
915,765
1,870,315
1,503,926
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
3,570
-
-
3,570
11,492
Charitable activities
8
1,029,074
22,324
814,592
1,865,990
2,045,581
Other expenditure
10
18,528
-
-
18,528
-
Total expenditure
1,051,172
22,324
814,592
1,888,088
2,057,073
Net gains/(losses) on investments
11
3,926
-
-
3,926
49,688
Net income/(expenditure)
(92,696)
(22,324)
101,173
(13,847)
(503,459)
Transfers between funds
32,884
(33,290)
406
-
-
Net movement in funds
15
(59,812)
(55,614)
101,579
(13,847)
(503,459)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 October 2023
425,629
77,267
238,416
741,312
1,244,771
Fund balances at 30 September 2024
365,817
21,653
339,995
727,465
741,312

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 26 -
Prior financial year - as restated
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2023
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
18,542
-
-
18,542
Charitable activities
4
735,179
-
679,995
1,415,174
Other trading activities
5
66,255
-
-
66,255
Investments
6
3,955
-
-
3,955
Total income
823,931
-
679,995
1,503,926
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
11,492
-
-
11,492
Charitable activities
8
1,043,586
111,759
890,236
2,045,581
Total expenditure
1,055,078
111,759
890,236
2,057,073
Net gains/(losses) on investments
11
49,688
-
-
49,688
Net income
(181,459)
(111,759)
(210,241)
(503,459)
Transfers between funds
24,817
(33,816)
8,999
-
Net movement in funds
15
(156,642)
(145,575)
(201,242)
(503,459)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 October 2022
582,271
222,842
439,658
1,244,771
Fund balances at 30 September 2023
425,629
77,267
238,416
741,312
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
30 SEPTEMBER 2024
30 September 2024
- 27 -
2024
2023
as restated
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
16
15,399
18,864
Investments
17
-
460,065
15,399
478,929
Current assets
Stocks
19
21,691
10,081
Debtors
20
679,655
376,395
Investments
21
232,777
-
Cash at bank and in hand
618,735
92,381
1,552,858
478,857
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
23
(840,792)
(216,474)
Net current assets
712,066
262,383
Total assets less current liabilities
727,465
741,312
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
26
339,995
238,416
Unrestricted funds - general
365,817
425,629
Unrestricted funds - designated
27
21,653
77,267
727,465
741,312
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 10 April 2025
K Proudfoot
Trustee
Company registration number 06681475 (England and Wales)
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 28 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations
33
282,383
(316,264)
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(1,816)
(14,205)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries
2
-
Purchase of other investments
(48,372)
(352,125)
Proceeds from disposal of other investments
279,584
361,886
Investment income received
36,961
3,955
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
266,359
(489)
Net cash used in financing activities
-
-
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
548,742
(316,753)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
69,993
386,746
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
618,735
69,993
Relating to:
Cash at bank and in hand
618,735
92,381
Bank overdrafts included in creditors payable within one year
-
(22,388)
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 29 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Connected Voice is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4BX.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

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 financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, 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 financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors which have been raised for a specific purpose. The cost arising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4
Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when the trust becomes entitled. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be qualified. The value of the services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts in line with the SORP (FRS102). Assets donated are recognised in full as donations and fixed assets.

 

No amount is included within the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102).

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 30 -

Income is deferred only where criteria for recognition as incoming resources in the Statement of Financial Activities does not exist at the balance sheet date.

Incoming resources from charitable trading activities and commercial trading activities are accounted for when earned as the related services are provided. Services provided to clients which at the balance sheet date have not been billed to clients and where there is a right to consideration, have been recognised as income. Income recognised in this manner is based on an assessment of the fair value of the services provided at the balance sheet date as a proportion of the total value of the engagement. Unbilled revenue is included in work in progress.

Investment income is included when receivable.

1.5
Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

 

 

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the expenditure when incurred.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing over £1,000 are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their expected useful economic lives as follows:

Resticted electronic office equipment
25% straight line basis
Electronic office equipment
25% straight line basis

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.8
Impairment of fixed assets

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).

1.9
Cash and cash equivalents

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. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 31 -
1.10
Financial instruments

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

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

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 payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

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.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11
Employee benefits

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.

1.12
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 32 -
2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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.

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
8,974
18,542
Donations and gifts
Sir James Knott Trust
7,000
7,000
NAVCA
-
10,000
Other Donations
1,974
1,542
8,974
18,542
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 33 -
4
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£

Commercial Income

217,663
-
217,663
279,014
-
279,014

Services provided under contract

455,180
915,665
1,370,845
445,483
679,995
1,125,478

Sales of services

204,287
-
204,287
-
-
-
Other income
9,817
-
9,817
10,682
-
10,682
886,947
915,665
1,802,612
735,179
679,995
1,415,174
Summary of grants
Newcastle City Council
-
161,972
161,972
-
141,750
141,750
Gateshead Council
-
174,500
174,500
-
153,667
153,667
NHS ICB
44,706
-
44,706
43,337
-
43,337
The National Lottery Community Fund via VODA
-
15,649
15,649
-
30,386
30,386
Newcastle City Council - Health and Wellbeing Development Support
51,422
-
51,422
45,000
-
45,000
Gateshead Council - Volunteer Centre
-
77,499
77,499
-
62,166
62,166
Police & Crime Commissioner Northumbria
-
75,502
75,502
-
69,249
69,249
The National Lottery Community Fund via North East Law Centre
-
36,587
36,587
-
25,763
25,763
Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
-
-
-
87,592
-
87,592
Waiting Well via VONNE
-
-
-
-
2,500
2,500
VCSE Resilience Fund
-
-
-
-
10,000
10,000
NHS Newcastle and Gateshead IBC
242,133
-
242,133
241,929
-
241,929
UKSPF North of Tyne Volunteering/Social Action via VODA
-
138,171
138,171
-
-
-
Newcastle City Council - Community Champion
-
-
-
7,625
-
7,625
Community Foundation - Refugees & Asylum Seekers
-
10,000
10,000
-
5,481
5,481
Gateshead Council - Digital Inclusion
-
4,000
4,000
-
-
-
Carry forward
338,261
693,880
1,032,141
425,483
500,962
926,445
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
4
Income from charitable activities
(Continued)
- 34 -
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
general
general
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Brought forward
338,261
693,880
1,032,141
425,483
500,962
926,445
Community Foundation via Linden Family Fund
-
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
Newcastle Council Digital Inclusion
4,167
-
4,167
-
-
-
Gateshead Council - UKSPF Digital Inclusion Project
-
48,197
48,197
-
87,500
87,500
NIHR - Mental Health - Newcastle University
-
1,737
1,737
-
3,463
3,463
Newcastle University - Engaging Roma Women
-
-
-
-
2,500
2,500
NHS/ICS via VONNE
-
24,686
24,686
-
19,064
19,064
NHS/ICB Gateshead
-
-
-
-
50,000
50,000
Gateshead Youth Mental Health NHS/ICS via Gateshead Council
-
75,000
75,000
-
-
-
OPCC WSIPP
-
-
-
-
9,990
9,990
Barbour Foundation
20,000
-
20,000
15,000
-
15,000
Health Bulletin - NHS ICB
-
6,583
6,583
-
6,516
6,516
Gateshead Council - Financial Sustainablility Support
37,500
-
37,500
-
-
-
Newcastle Council - VCSE Infrastructure Support
50,000
-
50,000
-
-
-
Community Foundation - Guy Readman Endowment
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
-
The National Lottery Community Fund - Awards For All
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
-
Gateshead Council - HAREF Engagement
-
20,000
20,000
-
-
-
Gateshead Metropolitan Council - Community Fund
-
17,729
17,729
-
-
-
UKSPF Local Community Partnership
-
7,853
7,853
-
-
-
NIHR  Hospital
252
-
252
-
-
-
455,180
915,665
1,370,845
445,483
679,995
1,125,478
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 35 -
5
Income from other trading activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Trading activity income: other
21,668
100
21,768
66,255
-
66,255
6
Income from investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Income from listed investments
30,358
3,955
Interest receivable
6,603
-
36,961
3,955
7
Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Investment management
3,570
11,492
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 36 -
8
Expenditure on charitable activities
Advocacy
Voluntary Sector Support
Total
Advocacy
Voluntary Sector Support
Total
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
As restated
£
£
£
£
£
£
Direct costs
Staff costs
491,121
956,450
1,447,571
574,448
599,543
1,173,991

Activities directly undertaken

18,051
73,686
91,737
21,810
333,302
355,112
509,172
1,030,136
1,539,308
596,258
932,845
1,529,103
Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)
Support
68,509
258,173
326,682
133,406
383,072
516,478
577,681
1,288,309
1,865,990
729,664
1,315,917
2,045,581
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
458,728
570,346
1,029,074
650,052
393,534
1,043,586
Unrestricted funds - designated
-
22,324
22,324
-
111,759
111,759
Restricted funds
118,953
695,639
814,592
79,612
810,624
890,236
577,681
1,288,309
1,865,990
729,664
1,315,917
2,045,581
9
Support costs allocated to activities
2024
2023
As restated
£
£
Staff costs
110,613
67,247
Depreciation
5,281
8,580
Facility costs
103,176
43,103
Office costs
83,483
102,101
Professional fees
10,549
59,884
Loss on trading subsidiary
-
213,283
Governance costs
13,580
22,280
326,682
516,478
Analysed between:
Voluntary Sector Support
258,173
383,072
Advocacy
68,509
133,406
326,682
516,478
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
9
Support costs allocated to activities
(Continued)
- 37 -
2024
2023
Governance costs comprise:
£
£
Audit fees
12,500
13,500
Accountancy
-
6,399
Annual Review, AGM & trustee planning
1,080
2,381
13,580
22,280
10
Other expenditure
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£

Loss on closure of trading subsidiary

18,528
-
11
Gains and losses on investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Gains/(losses) arising on:
£
£
Revaluation of investments
424
49,688
Sale of investments
3,502
-
3,926
49,688
12
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

 

There were no expenses paid to trustees during the year totalling (2023: £50).

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 38 -
13
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Advocacy
16
17
HAREF
6
7
Business Services
10
11
Support & Development
11
9
Commercial
-
1
Core
3
3
Marketing
1
1
Total
47
49
Employment costs
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
1,368,009
1,056,344
Social security costs
124,437
123,864
Other pension costs
65,738
61,030
1,558,184
1,241,238
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows:
2024
2023
Number
Number
£60,000 - £70,000
-
1
£70,000 - £80,000
1
-
Remuneration of key management personnel

Key management has been determined to be the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer (2023: 1).

 

Trustees receive no remuneration or benefits.

 

The total remuneration of the senior management team was:

2024
2023
£
£
Aggregate compensation
78,410
68,350
14
Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 39 -
15
Net movement in funds
2024
2023
£
£
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements
12,500
13,500
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
5,281
8,580
16
Tangible fixed assets
Resticted electronic office equipment
Electronic office equipment
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 October 2023
19,771
58,698
78,469
Additions
-
1,816
1,816
At 30 September 2024
19,771
60,514
80,285
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2023
15,926
43,679
59,605
Depreciation charged in the year
3,845
1,436
5,281
At 30 September 2024
19,771
45,115
64,886
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2024
-
15,399
15,399
At 30 September 2023
3,845
15,019
18,864
17
Fixed asset investments
Listed investments
Cash in portfolio
Other investments
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 October 2023
453,255
6,808
2
460,065
Additions
48,372
-
-
48,372
Valuation changes
424
-
-
424
Disposals
(502,051)
(6,808)
(2)
(508,861)
At 30 September 2024
-
-
-
-
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2024
-
-
-
-
At 30 September 2023
453,255
6,808
2
460,065
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
17
Fixed asset investments
(Continued)
- 40 -
2024
2023
Other investments comprise:
Notes
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
32
-
2
18
Financial instruments
2024
2023
£
£
Carrying amount of financial assets
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss
232,777
-
19
Stocks
2024
2023
£
£
Work in progress
21,691
10,081
20
Debtors
2024
2023
As restated
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
449,114
190,904
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
-
25,702
Other debtors
31,008
-
Prepayments and accrued income
199,533
159,789
679,655
376,395
21
Current asset investments
2024
2023
£
£
Listed investments
6,737
-
Cash held on deposit
226,040
-
232,777
-
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 41 -
22
Loans and overdrafts
2024
2023
£
£
Bank overdrafts
-
22,388
Payable within one year
-
22,388
23
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank overdrafts
22
-
22,388
Other taxation and social security
90,983
49,565
Deferred income
24
672,217
7,396
Trade creditors
21,516
19,728
Other creditors
17,449
84,887
Accruals and deferred income
38,627
32,510
840,792
216,474
24
Deferred income
2024
2023
£
£
Arising from amounts invoiced in advance
672,217
7,396
2024
2023
£
£
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
672,217
7,396
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 October 2023
7,396
16,711
Released from previous periods
(7,396)
(16,711)
Resources deferred in the year
672,217
7,396
Deferred income at 30 September 2024
672,217
7,396
25
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
65,738
61,030
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
25
Retirement benefit schemes
(Continued)
- 42 -

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

26
Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 October 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
£
Restricted IT equipment
8,787
-
(3,845)
-
4,942
HAREF (Restricted donations)
24,845
-
(10,653)
2,795
16,987
North of Tyne Volunteering (VODA)
28,514
15,649
(38,100)
-
6,063
Gateshead Infrastructure
14,146
174,500
(174,318)
-
14,328
Gateshead Volunteer Centre
20,418
77,499
(82,782)
-
15,135
Newcastle Infrastructure
10,121
161,972
(141,073)
-
31,020
Health Bulletin - NHS ICB
459
6,583
(6,905)
-
137
National Lottery Community Fund
7,997
36,587
(36,047)
-
8,537
PCC Hate Crime
3,577
75,502
(75,332)
10,990
14,737
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
-
10,000
(7,574)
-
2,426
NHR Mental Health
96
1,737
(1,607)
(226)
-
HAREF Digital Inclusiion
60,688
4,000
(10,227)
-
54,461
Health Equality
9,168
24,686
(22,374)
-
11,480
Health Equality Mental Health
41,463
100
(24,549)
-
17,014
UKSPF Local Community Partnership
-
7,853
(1,181)
(6,672)
-
VCSE Resilience Fund
3,950
-
-
(3,950)
-
Waiting Well (VONNE)
1,746
-
(1,746)
-
-
UKSPF Digital Inclusion
-
48,197
(48,197)
-
-
Gateshead Youth Mental Health
-
75,000
-
-
75,000
Awards For All
-
20,000
(3,070)
-
16,930
Gateshead Council
-
20,000
(1,228)
-
18,772
Community Foundation
-
17,729
(3,684)
-
14,045
NIHR HAREF Covid
2,441
-
-
(2,441)
-
UKSPF NOT Volunteering / Social Action
-
138,171
(120,100)
(90)
17,981
238,416
915,765
(814,592)
406
339,995
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
26
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 43 -
Previous year:
At 1 October 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2023
£
£
£
£
£
Restricted IT equipment
8,787
-
-
-
8,787
HAREF (Restricted donations)
30,372
-
(5,527)
-
24,845
Newcastle/Gateshead CCG
290,258
-
(290,258)
-
-
NCC Public Health Digital
21,600
-
(21,600)
-
-
North of Tyne Volunteering (VODA)
24,004
30,386
(25,876)
-
28,514
Gateshead Infrastructure
10,212
153,667
(149,733)
-
14,146
Gateshead Volunteer Centre
33,616
62,166
(75,364)
-
20,418
Newcastle Infrastructure
9,945
141,750
(141,574)
-
10,121
Health Bulletin - NHS ICB
-
6,516
(6,057)
-
459
National Lottery Community Fund
-
25,763
(17,766)
-
7,997
PCC Hate Crime
-
69,249
(65,672)
-
3,577
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
-
5,481
(7,520)
2,039
-
NHR Mental Health
-
3,463
(3,367)
-
96
HAREF Digital Inclusiion
-
87,500
(26,812)
-
60,688
Health Equality
-
19,064
(9,896)
-
9,168
Health Equality Mental Health
-
50,000
(8,537)
-
41,463
UKSPF Local Community Partnership
-
-
(6,671)
6,671
-
VCSE Resilience Fund
-
10,000
(6,050)
-
3,950
Waiting Well (VONNE)
-
2,500
(754)
-
1,746
OPCC WSiPP
-
9,990
(9,990)
-
UKSPF North of Tyne Volunteering
-
-
(90)
90
-
ARC Roma
-
2,500
(2,699)
199
-
SkillsBridge
7,295
-
(7,295)
-
NIHR HAREF Covid
3,569
-
(1,128)
-
2,441
439,658
679,995
(890,236)
8,999
238,416
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
26
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 44 -

Restricted IT equipment

Providing resources to enable key staff to work from home throughout the COVED-19 pandemic.

 

HAREF (Restricted Donation)

An ICB NHS funded project to support engagement with ethnically marginalised communities across Newcastle and Gateshead into health services.

 

North of Tyne Volunteering Project (VODA)

To create the North of Tyne as a volunteer area of excellence, this is a five year. project.

 

Gateshead Infrastructure

VCSE infrastructure support contract for Gateshead.

 

Gateshead Volunteer Centre

To establish and run an independent Volunteer Centre for Gateshead.

 

Newcastle Infrastructure

VCSE infrastructure support contract for Newcastle.

 

Health Bulletin - NHS ICB

To fund On the Hoof health information bulletin.

 

National Lottery Community Fund

To 'support families through crisis.

 

PCC Hate Crime

Providing. Hate Crime Advocacy, supporting-people who have experienced, or .are at risk of hate crime in the Northumbria area.

 

Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Direct advocacy to refugee and asylum seekers to have voices heard and access to services.

NIHR Mental Health

Research project looking at how culturally competent mental health services are for ethnically marginalised communities in Newcastle and Nottingham.

 

HAREF Digital Inclusion

An ICB NHS funded project to improve Digital Inclusion in Health and Social Care Project in Gateshead.

 

Health Equity

A project for supporting better links between the VCSE and social prescribers in Newcastle and running Health and wellbeing event for the VCSE.

 

Health Equity Mental Health

An ICB NHS funded project improving VCSE Engagement in the Mental Health Transformation in Gateshead.

 

UKSPF Local community Partnership

Building VCSE sector capacity with organisations in the outer west and north of Newcastle.

 

VCSE Resilience Fund

To provide support packages comprising business resilience and management support for community sector organisations based in Newcastle.

 

Waiting Well (VONNE)

An ICB NHS funded project offering targeted support to certain groups of patients waiting for surgery in the North East and North Cumbria.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
26
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 45 -

UKSPF Digital Inclusion

Funding to support constituted groups and charities in Gateshead through tailored approaches, in order to develop their digital infrastructure and capability.

 

Gateshead Mental Health

The NENC ICB provide funds for Connected Voice to administer as grant applications to develop community-based activity which supports children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing in Gateshead..

 

Awards for All

Funding for Haref to support our work with ethnically marginalised communities in Newcastle and Gateshead, in order to collaborate with health services to improve accessibility.

 

Gateshead Council

Funding to support Haref’s engagement work in Gateshead with ethnically marginalised communities on health access needs, and ensuring links to key strategic health meetings.

 

Community Foundation

Funding for Haref to support our work with ethnically marginalised communities in Newcastle and Gateshead, in order to collaborate with health services to improve accessibility.

 

NIHAR HAREF COVID

NIHR funded research project working with community partners to look at health messaging in the age of Covid.

 

UKSPF North of Tyne Volunteering

Project to enhance support for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations in Newcastle.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 46 -
27
Unrestricted funds - designated

These are unrestricted funds which are material to the charity's activities.

At 1 October 2023
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
Digital Transformation
31,718
(10,065)
-
21,653
HAREF
2,795
-
(2,795)
-
Office move
21,320
(1,817)
(19,503)
-
Advocacy
21,434
(10,442)
(10,992)
-
77,267
(22,324)
(33,290)
21,653
Previous year:
At 1 October 2022
Resources expended
Transfers
At 30 September 2023
£
£
£
£
Digital Transformatiom
57,656
(40,938)
15,000
31,718
HAREF
25,000
(22,205)
-
2,795
Office move
50,000
(14,475)
(14,205)
21,320
Workforce Statagy
35,150
-
(35,150)
-
Advocacy
42,036
(20,602)
-
21,434
Governance
13,000
(13,539)
539
-
222,842
(111,759)
(33,816)
77,267

Digital Transformation

For new digital infrastructure including new telephony, software and processes.

 

HAREF

To extend the ongoing Haref Allies Project It is expected that this fund will be utilised by 30 September 2023.

 

Office Move

To cover additional costs associated with the office move to One Strawberry Lane. The move took place in January 2023.

 

Advocacy

Development and restructuring of the advocacy service.

CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 47 -
28
Unrestricted funds

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.

At 1 October 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Gains and losses
At 30 September 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
General funds
425,629
954,550
(1,051,172)
32,884
3,926
365,817
Previous year - as restated:
At 1 October 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Gains and losses
At 30 September 2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
General funds
582,271
823,931
(1,055,078)
24,817
49,688
425,629
29
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
At 30 September 2024:
Tangible assets
15,399
-
-
15,399
Current assets/(liabilities)
350,418
21,653
339,995
712,066
365,817
21,653
339,995
727,465
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
As restated
general
designated
2023
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
At 30 September 2023:
Tangible assets
15,019
-
3,845
18,864
Investments
460,065
-
-
460,065
Current assets/(liabilities)
(49,455)
77,267
234,571
262,383
425,629
77,267
238,416
741,312
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 48 -
30
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Within one year
33,080
29,142
Between two and five years
121,273
109,275
In over five years
63,000
90,000
217,353
228,417
31
Related party transactions

The charity's wholly owned subsidiary, Connected Voice Business Services Limited was dissolved on 3 September 2024. Connected Voice has written off the inter company debtor and the resulting loss on investment of £231,811 is included within the prior year SOFA.

 

There were no other disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023: none).

32
Subsidiaries

Connected Voice Business Services Limited was dissolved and disposed of during the year on 3 September 2024, which resulted in a loss on disposal as described in notes 10 and 31.

As restated
33
Cash generated from operations
2024
2023
£
£
Deficit for the year
(13,847)
(503,459)
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(36,961)
(3,955)
Gain on disposal of investments
(3,502)
-
Fair value gains and losses on investments
(424)
(49,688)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
5,281
8,580
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
(11,610)
11,975
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(303,260)
159,490
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
(18,115)
70,108
Increase/(decrease) in deferred income
664,821
(9,315)
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations
282,383
(316,264)
CONNECTED VOICE
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 49 -
34
Prior period adjustment
The following 2023 balances have been restated to reflect the write off of the intercompany trade debtor balance not deemed recoverable on the wind up of Connected Voice Business Services Limited.
Changes to the balance sheet
At 30 September 2023
As previously reported
Adjustment
As restated
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors due within one year
589,678
(213,283)
376,395
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds
238,416
-
238,416
Designated funds
77,267
-
77,267
Unrestricted funds
638,912
(213,283)
425,629
Total funds
954,595
(213,283)
741,312
Changes to the statement of financial activities
Period ended 30 September 2023
As previously reported
Adjustment
As restated
£
£
£
Charitable activities
1,832,298
213,283
2,045,581
Net movement in funds
(290,176)
(213,283)
(503,459)
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