Community Care North Bucks (CCNB) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1172135) operating in North Bucks.
A Board of Trustees, appointed by the membership of CCNB, oversees the governance and management of the Charity. There are currently eleven Trustees:
Keith Croxton
David Jackson
Jacqui North
Sue Watkins
Gerry Bluck
Margo Jackson
Lauren Taylor
Brian Hirst
Carol Penny
Ros Hutt.
They govern the Charity within the object set out in the Constitution, which states: –
“To promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the inhabitants of North Bucks, and to advance education, protect and preserve health and relieve poverty, sickness and distress.”
To fulfil this object the Charity currently has four activities: –
A Hospital Car Service
A support group for adult carers (aged 18 plus)
A support group and club for young carers (for carers under 18).
Open House, a support group for ex carers and people who live on their own.
The Trustees confirm they have referred to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when reviewing and monitoring the activities of CCNB. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no private benefit from the work of the Charity. Services provide benefits which are either free or subsidised to ensure anyone can access them.
The Trustees review all the policies and procedures of the Charity annually or earlier if needed. These include a risk assessment so that risks to the Charity are identified and managed.
The Charity is run entirely by volunteers: there are currently 75 volunteers involved.
CCNB is funded through grants, local fundraising and subsidised charges from patients using the Hospital Car Service.
The economic landscape continued to be challenging throughout the year and Trustees have needed to keep the finances of the charity under constant review. It is good to report that the finances remain stable and are in a sound position. Income for the year was £48,000.78 with expenditure at £47,922.89 giving a surplus of £77.89: with the reserves of £39,424.12 we are carrying forward £70,816.42 which equates to 18 months expenditure. The year ahead presents significant challenges and uncertainties for Trustees with the onset of Covid 19.
The aim of Trustees is to ensure CCNB remains sustainable and Trustees have an agreed reserves policy which is reviewed each year. The funding received by CCNB is not consistent throughout the year. Grants applied for can be unsuccessful as well as successful. Trustees have determined to maintain a charity reserve of one year’s expenditure. A specific action plan is required if the reserves fall to 6 months. At present the reserves stand at 18 months
This level of reserve should provide a sufficient buffer to enable the charity to cope with disruptions to services during the Covd 19 pandemic.
We are grateful to those who have supported us financially during the past year. Full details of all those who have supported us during the year will appear on our web site later in the year
The Trustees are committed to ensuring succession and Trustee expertise and recently agreed a strategy for developing the Board. The aim is build a new Trustee Board over the next three years, introducing new Trustees gradually over that period.
The following objectives have been set for 2019/20 :
To seek a Trustee with HR experience
To recruit two new Trustees as part of the ensuring succession plan.
To negotiate a deal and working partnership between Young Carers and Carers Bucks.
To maintain at least 38 drivers on the road for the Hospital Car Service to meet increasing demand
To achieve a balanced budget
The outcomes were :
A new Trustee with HR experience was co-opted during the year and is standing for appointment at this year’s AGM.
One appointed – to be carried forward.
This was successfully completed with a Service Level Agreement signed.
Achieved
Achieved
In view of the covid19 pandemic the following objectives have been set for 2020/21 :
To ensure each wing of the charity resumes their services in a planned and sustainable way as government pandemic restrictions allow.
To monitor the finances closely to ensure the charity remains sustainable throughout the covid 19 pandemic
To continue to seek a further new Trustee
To produce a revised risk analysis for each wing of the charity in the light of the covid 19 pandemic
Reports from each wing of the Charity will be presented at the Annual General Meeting and attached to the minutes of the AGM.
The Hospital Car Service made 1328 trips in the year, the highest monthly figure being 138.
The pattern of trips has also changed with an increase in longer journeys being made to centralised hospital services : this has seen trips to hospitals further afield such as in London and Papworth. Recruiting drivers remains a constant challenge, currently we have 42 drivers. Hospital parking remains a constant issue for drivers with facility companies running hospital car parking being quick to issue parking tickets.
The purpose behind setting up Open House was to provide a service for former carers whose lives have been filled with their caring duties and now have an opportunity to widen their horizons. The group also reaches out to people living alone and experiencing isolation. The year has seen increased numbers and a busy programme of outings and meetings. The volunteers have been busy during the covid 19 lockdown phoning group members to ensure their needs are being met.
Adult Carers meets twice a month providing a range of activities as well as support, guidance and advice those with caring responsibilities. Speakers have covered issues that are relevant to the needs of Carers . There has also been a programme of outings and social events. Carers join the group via a number of pathways including GP surgeries and social workers. The team of volunteers continue to provide an excellent and much needed service to those with caring responsibilities. At the end of the year the Covid 19 lockdown meant meetings were no longer possible but volunteers are keeping in touch with Carers.
Young Carers (YC2 ) continues to deliver a much needed service for Young Carers in North Bucks which is well supported. There are currently 55 members aged between 7 and 18 years: 28 are seniors (12 plus) and 27 juniors. A creative programme was run throughout
the year on the two club nights per month with targeted activities for each age group. In addition Small Group outings and Weekends Away have been organised .The demand for this service continues to grow which reflects the increasing number of children and young people in caring situations. Responsibility for Young Carers in Buckinghamshire is now in the hands of Carers Bucks. Following negotiations a Service Level Agreement between YC2 and Carers Bucks was agreed in respect of the service being provided by YC2 to Young Carers in North Bucks. YC2 continue to grow and develop young leaders via the Young Leaders Award, an innovate scheme which is very well received. Young leaders provide valuable support to the work of YC2 throughout the year.
The end of the year saw significant changes for the charity as the government social distancing restrictions to combat covid 19 meant all our services had to be suspended This step was taken very reluctantly but it was crucial to follow the government directives. However support was still provided where possible by telephone and zoom meetings.
It is expected that the need for the services we provide will increase as lockdown is eased and those we care for have to cope with new ways of living. Public expenditure will undoubtedly remain under pressure at local and national level. This will present us with new challenges financially which Trustees will need to address. Thankfully the support of the local community for the work we do remains positive and strong.
I want to place on record the thanks of the Trustees to our volunteers who have worked so tirelessly to help others. Without the selfless commitment of our volunteers week in week out we could not run the services we provide to so many in our community.
Keith Croxton
Chair of Trustees.