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Chair's Annual Report

Published on 23 November 2018 11:35 AM

The Trustees present their report and examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2018. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 published on 16th July 2014.

Aims and objectives

The mission and vision of the charitable company is to provide a warm and welcoming Community Hub and outreach opportunities in the Thanet area in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations.  To enable people to enjoy every stage of their life from the age of 50. To empower people to remain independent by providing services to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Our purpose is to help maintain and promote independence through the provision of various services, community support and development to enable and enhance life.

We ensure that through the ever-changing environment we are fluid and able to diversify to the needs of the people in the Thanet area.  Working in partnership both with organisations in the voluntary, public and private sector and continuing to build relationships with Kent County Council, Social Services, Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group, and other key partners within Adult Social Care.

Public Benefit statement 

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the organisation's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Achievements and performance

We have had a particularly successful year enhancing our community services and community development with the appointment of a new General Manager in November 2017.  Vanessa Wood has made many positive changes and in order to recognise her value to Age UK Thanet and mirror other Age UKs we made the decision to amend her title to Chief Officer in May 2018.  It has been a challenging time of transition for the organisation and we would like to thank all of the staff and volunteers at Age UK Thanet during this period of change for their patience, understanding and good will.

  • Volunteering - Continued investment in this area has provided a permanent part time Volunteer Coordinator which has resulted in a total of 90 active volunteers.  The 'Social Buddy' Scheme matches up volunteers to clients with similar interests, hobbies etc.  The scheme provides much needed social support for those living in the community.  Volunteers can help with trips to the Theatre, local clubs, social interaction and any other social activity that the client needs to aid in promoting their independence and overall wellbeing.  There are weekly coffee mornings where volunteers and all members of the community can get together to share their experiences.  This offers support and builds a strong supportive network.  The Trustees value the support of Volunteers and their effectiveness in underpinning the success of the services that we provide to aid a large number of older people can only be attained with their help.
  • We now have a Community Hub which provides socialisation, peer suppport, activites and a freshly cooked meal with a warm welcome.  We are open six days a week and have an open door to one and all, stay for the day or just drop in!
  • The Bloomers Buddy Box Meal Delivery Service has continued to grow and provides home cooked meals to the very vulnerable and isolated people in Thanet over seven days.  This service also provides a daily welfare check and many families of clients rely heavily on the support this service provides.
  • The Independent Living Service provides practical and emotional support to enable and maiintain independence, building much needed confidence and empowerment to people living in their own homes.  The ILS Service has a new Coordinator, Tracy Kirk who is looking at ways to enhance services and reach out to more people in the community by expanding and growing the service.
  • We have a brand new fleet of vehicles which are modern, warm and comfortable.  Three of the vehicles have wheelchair access, ensuring that all of our community can access our services.
  • Our free Information and Advice Service is still under an ever-increasing demand, and due to the high level of need it has become evident that more resources are required to maintain the levels of service.  We are very fortunate to have a volunteer who provides a very valuable drop in clinic two days a week.
  • Foot care in the community - We now have two self-employed Community Practitioners who hold cliinics at the Community Hub and also do home visits.  They offer a variety of services from nail clipping to callous removal, corn treatments, reflexology and nail reconstructions.
  • The Intergenerational Project has been supported this year from designated funds. With 'Chat & Chew' on Wednesday evenings, and 'Sunshine Saturdays' for adults who are living with dementia, their peers, children and adults who have additional needs.  Providing much needed support for care givers, social interaction, stimulation, confidence and friendships for those that attend.  2018 was a great year for the Intergenerational project as they won 'Best Intergenerational Activity' for 'Chat & Chew' at the Dementia Friendly Kent Awards.  The team also came third in the Tesco 'Bags of Help' scheme voted by the local community, and won £1,000 to support with providing activities and entertainment.  This very successful community activity has found it difficult to obtain funding streams and with the changing climate of grant funding evolving into contracts, the future of this vital community support to many, may be in jeopardy.  Age UK Thanet feels strongly in supporting this project as it offers a diverse group of people much life and laughter and would be a detrimental loss to the community if funding is not found.
  • Age UK Thanet and Orbit Housing (Funders) are working in partnership, providing a project called the 'Newington Big Local'. This project is delivered by the Intergenerational team every Thursday evening providing activities and support to the local community of Newington in Ramsgate for all ages.  It has been a very successful year for this project and it is hoped that this partnership will continue for years to come.
  • Monthly Dementia 'Drop In' Café’s working in partnership with Kent & Medway NHS Trust, Age UK Herne Bay, Crossroads Care, Kent County Council, Alzheimer's Society, Carers Support plus many other partners involved in Adult Social Care.  The drop in provides much needed professional support and information for those living with dementia, their families and care givers.  Consultant psychiatrists, community mental health nurses, an admiral nurse and an occupational therapist are all on hand.
  • ART project (Acute Rapid Response Team) This is an integrated team which provides a range of clinical and personal care and support for patients who have healthcare needs which would have previously been met by admission to hospital.  We are commissioned by local CCG for 12 hours a week to provide support information and aid general wellbeing.  The primary aim of ART is to reduce hospital admissions.
  • Our Outreach venues have expanded into supporting residential homes, offering activities and stimulation to all of the residents.  Day trips have become very popular and will increase over the next year.  All Outreach venues are at a high demand and currently have a waiting list.  New venues within the Thanet area are being looked at to support this demand.  The Outreach team were also delighted to come first in Tesco 'Bags of Help' voted by the community in the local Tesco store, receiving a grant award of £4000!  This will enable amazing days out and equipment for the team to continue their valuable work.
  • Deputy Chief Officer - Timothy Van Vugt has joined the team at Age UK Thanet.  Timothy has a background in corporate business.  His main role over the next year will be to support the Chief Officer/Organisation to become sustainable.  Looking at bids and grants to secure funding.  To network in partnerships with the voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure all areas of need continue to be supported by services to meet the ever-changing needs of the community in Thanet.
  • We have continued to work collaboratively with Age UK's/Age Concern's Consortium and other partners within the voluntary sector.  We have recently commenced 'Voluntary Avengers' sessions, and all voluntary sectors have been welcomed into the Hub to offer support 'united as one' to the local community on the last Friday afternoon of every month.
  • Continuous fund-raising events to raise much needed unrestricted income are undertaken by both staff and volunteers who give up their own time and their contribution is highly valued.  This year has been an exceptional year of attending various community events.
  • The Age UK Thanet charity shop in Margate High Street has gone from strength to strength since moving to bigger premises at the end of 2016.  On an average month the shop is taking double the amount compared to 2 years ago.

Plans for the Future

In the coming year Age UK Thanet will be facing major changes to the way we are funded due to KCC stopping the grant funding from December 2019.  We are striving to ensure our services become financially self-sufficient.  Other factors including the rise in the national living wage and work place pensions will also have a major impact to our costs.  This will have to be reflected in our pricing strategy.  However, we still remain committed to meeting our communities changing needs to ensure that services remain available.

To meet the ever-changing needs of the ageing population we are looking to create more community-based services to enhance, enable and facilitate people to live independently within their own homes, reducing the statutory sector.

  • Ensuring informed choice and health and wellbeing are at the forefront of our objectives.
  • The Board of Trustees and the Chief Officer are exploring new ways of expanding services for adults living with dementia as there is a recognised need within the Thanet area.
  • Continuation of our Governance and Administration to show our excellence in our field by continuing to develop ISO9001/2015 accreditation and Age UK QMS certification.
  • Develop our community capacity and play a stronger role in the wider community.
  • Further development of Community engagement representing and supporting a whole range of groups, forums, voluntary sector organisations and statutory authorities that directly and indirectly help to support people in the Thanet area.
  • Still maintaining the emphasis on generating more unrestricted revenue in line with the changing financial climate that all of the voluntary sector is currently facing.
  • Continue our added social value by enabling younger people to access work experience, apprenticeships, volunteering opportunities, enhancing their confidence and creating prospects within Health & Social Care.
  • Ensuring informed choice and health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our objectives.

Our Board of Trustees has changed during the year with the resignation of David Kelly due to work commitments.  We are grateful for his contributions to Age UK Thanet and his time on the Board and we wish him every success in his future endeavours. We have since welcomed 3 new Trustees; Eric Barrett, Judith Andrews and Linda Trew whose knowledge, skills and expertise will ensure that our governance and leadership will continue to provide a professional and multi skilled Trustee Board.

My Personal thanks to all of the staff at Age UK Thanet for their support through what has been a busy, transformational year.  However, with Vanessa our Chief Officer firmly committed to Age UK Thanet, the Board are confident that the future will be a positive one which will ensure our most vulnerable and lonely residents of Thanet are cared for and have a voice.

We must not forget the incredible work our volunteers do within the various areas.  Our volunteers need to be recognised as a vital part of the success of Age UK Thanet and its future. Thank you, you are all really appreciated.

I would also like to thank the Board for their continuing support and expertise, and I look forward to another exciting year for Age UK Thanet.

Shirley Tomlinson

Chair – Board of Trustees