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ContentsWelcome from our CEO’s Welcome from our Chair’sWho we areOur Public Benefit - Living Well in Later LifeOur ClientsLiving Well IndependentlyLiving Well SociallyLiving Well ConnectedlyLiving Well HealthilyOur Strategic PrioritiesLooking to the FutureGovernance & ResponsibilityRisk ManagementFinancial ReviewIndependent Auditors ReportAccountsAUKMM Annual Report 2023/241234569121417222325273337

Welcome from our CEO’s I feel very privileged to have joined Age UK Mid Mersey at thestart of our journey realising our strategic ambitions. I havebeen humbled by the passion and dedication of our staff,volunteers, and Trustees during what has been a significantperiod of change. My first priority was to create stability for ouramazing charity and, with the joining of Jane Brown, our Headof Services, and the appointment of our previous CEO ShelleyBrown as Director of Operations, we have created a robustsenior leadership team able to work collaboratively, sharing ourskills and experience and driving us forward in our mission.Whilst I have the honour of introducing our Annual Report,most of the achievements and activities detailed are the resultof the vision and efforts of our Board of Trustees and Shelley’sleadership in 2023-24. I accept the baton of responsibility forleading the next phase of our transformation with gratitudealongside determination to create sustainable impact for olderpeople living in Mid Mersey’s four boroughs. AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24As I reflect on the past year as the outgoing CEO, I am proud ofthe resilience and dedication demonstrated by the staff team innavigating a challenging period. Despite the unprecedentedrecruitment interruptions we faced throughout the year, oursmall team demonstrated remarkable spirit and continued toexcel in supporting clients across the Mid Mersey region, drivenby a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for olderpeople and providing them with the information, resources andcommunity connections they need to live with dignity andindependence. This report highlights the key initiatives we haveundertaken and the impact of our efforts. Rachel McKernanCEO from November 2023Shelley BrownCEO until December 20231

Welcome from our ChairsI have the privilege of joining Age UK Mid Mersey as its newChair of Board of Trustees from March 2024. Firstly, I wouldlike to thank the outgoing Chair, Pete Stubbs for hisstewardship and commitment during his tenure. This yearhas been one of challenges and opportunities, and I amproud to report that the charity has demonstratedremarkable resilience and adaptability within a challengingoperating environment. As we look to the future, I remainoptimistic. I believe that our strong market position andprofile, and dedicated workforce position us well forcontinued success. We will continue to invest in our people,technology, and sustainability initiatives, as these are keyto creating a long-term future for the charity. I would liketo express my sincere gratitude to our colleagues for theirhard work. I would also thank our customers for theircontinued trust, our partners for their collaboration, and ourTrustees, for their ongoing support and commitment. AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Nick FarmerAppointed Chair March 2024To stay relevant and fulfill our mission of improving thequality of life for people over 50, Age UK Mid Mersey had toadapt to the changing world. This meant developing along-term strategy and transforming the organisation tosupport our team in delivering new services and securinglong-term funding. In 2023, after consulting with clients,staff, and stakeholders, we created this strategy. The Covid-19 pandemic made us realise that we need to be able to beadaptable and responsive to needs. We also evaluated ourstructure and leadership to ensure we were equipped tomove forward. From 2023 to 2024, we underwentsignificant changes, including appointing a new CEO,strengthening our leadership team, and welcoming a newChair of the Board of Trustees. I’m confident this new teamwill support and empower the 50+ community for years tocome.Pete StubbsRetired Chair March 20242

Who We Are

Our Vision: Age UK Mid Mersey exists to promote improved quality of life and empowerment for people aged 50+ and their carers Who We AreAge UK Mid Mersey is a local, independent charity that is a brand partner of AgeUK. This means we operate under the Age UK brand name, but source our ownfunding and set our own services. We offer support to anyone aged 50+ living inKnowsley, St Helens, Warrington or Halton. We have been operating across Mid-Mersey since 2008, when Age Concern and Help the Aged merged to form what isnow Age UK. AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Our Mission: To be enabling, caring, influential, proactive and to share our expertiseOur Values:Continually Strive for Excellence Value, promote and protect the welfare of ourbeneficiaries Treat all people fairly, positively and with respect Always act with integrity Be transparent and accountable for our actions We put our values into action by independently speaking out on what effectspeople the most, campaigning to improve policy and attitudes in partnership withothers & developing excellent local services to meet and fulfil unmet needs. 3

Our Public BenefitLiving Well In Later Life

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Our services and activities are centeredaround creating public benefit andpositive impact in four key dimensions ofwellbeing in later life. HealthSocial LifeIndependenceConnectionOur holistic Living Well approachrecognises that each of thesedimensions of wellbeing interact,strengthening and supporting eachother to promote overall wellbeing andquality of life. Our team of dedicated Living WellOfficers work across all activities andservices, ensuring that wherever olderpeople access our services they receive aholistic, tailored response based on theirneeds and expressed preferences. We work in partnership with, and receivefunding from, Halton and St HelensBorough Councils to deliver holisticLiving Well Support to older residents inthese boroughs. This year we also benefited from fundingfrom Bradford Teaching Hospitals for aresearch project supporting older peoplein Warrington and from Widnes PrimaryCare Network for a pilot wellbeingproject in GP surgeries. We offeredinformation and signposting support inall four boroughs. Our approach is underpinned by theNew Economics Foundations evidencebased “5 Ways to Wellbeing”4

Our Clients

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Who We Supported in 2023-24We responded to 2767 individual enquiries/requests for support and provided 7082contacts with clients. Of our 2453 clients, 2287 were new and 166 were existing clientscontinuing to receive support from March into April 2024. In addition, 131 individualclients regularly attended our groups and activities and 85 were engaged in communityconsultation events and expert panels. 98% of our clients were aged over 50 and 70% were aged over 70. Our oldest 3 clientswere over 100 years of age. 60% of our clients were female, and we supported a small butgrowing number of transgender clients. 54% of our clients who received advice andsupport live alone. A further 36% live with their partner or spouse.In 2023-24 we provided support to 2453 clients across Mid-MerseyClients by Borough Age Profile of our Clients70-7939.4%80-8926.3%60-6923.2%50-596.1%90+5.1%5Female60.7%Male38.8%Transgender0.6%Our Clients Living ArrangementsGender of Our ClientsLives Alone55.2%Partner/Spouse35.7%Lives with Family7.8%Other 1.3%

Living WellIndependently

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Advice & Information ServiceOur flagship Advice and Informationservice is the cornerstone of our LivingWell Offer providing critical support forolder people. Our trained Living WellOfficers provide free, confidential, up-to-date information and advice forpeople aged 50 plus and their significantothers. We do this by:Listening to the client’s needsExplaining the choices open tothemSupporting with the choices theymake to address their issuesIf required, we act on their behalfAnd – if we are not able to help, wewill try to put them in touch withpeople who can help. Over the last year we provided thefollowing areas of support: Welfare benefits advice for people50+, including carrying out benefitentitlement calculations andassistance to complete claimforms (e.g. Attendance Allowance,Personal Independent Payment,Pension Credit, Housing Benefitetc). Support to identify care and supportneeds, including help accessing SocialServices and advice on how to pay forcare and support and helping tocomplete financial assessmentswhere the client was unable to dothemselves. Advice on housing issues, includinghelp with maintaining a propertyand advice on the different typesof housing for older people whomay need more support or want tomove nearer to family or friends. Help to apply for travel passes andblue badges.Advice on services, support,groups, activities, and statutoryservices available locally. Advice for those who are finding ithard to manage financially or arestruggling to pay their bills. Helping to make complaints orchallenge decisions that have beenmade by the Department for Workand Pensions, Local authoritysocial services, National Healthservices and Utility providers. Helping with scams and consumerissues. The Living Well Team havegiven me confidence to facedifficult situations, theyhave been such great helpto me - thank you6

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24This year we responded to the following number of advice, information andsignposting enquiries in each topic area: 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200Adult EducationEmployment/Voluntary WorkNational AUK ServicesPersonal & Family IssuesResidential CareConsumer Rights/IssuesHealth ConditionsSocial IsolationMoney ManagementTravelHealth ServicesLegal InformationHousing OptionsLeisure & Social ActivitiesCommunity CareOur Services/ActivitiesWelfare Benefits4723274344889910110813313819724457786011217I looked forward to talking to someone that I didn'thave to see face to face, that I could tell my troubles toand know I wouldn't be laughed at... if I had to sit infront of someone I wouldn't have spoke openlyI felt they listened to me... I came inunannounced and they still helped me. I find itdifficult to keep appointments as I have no carI didn't know where to turn, you went out ofyour way to help me... I’d have been lostwithout you

By far the greatest number of enquirieswere relating to welfare benefitentitlements. We know nationally that £8 milliongoes unclaimed in welfare benefits forolder people and that the continuingcost of living crisis and spiralling energycosts has meant many older peoplehave struggled to make ends meet. As we serve some of the most deprivedareas in the country it is not surprisingthat we have seen this volume ofenquiries relating to welfare benefits.As well as supporting clients withassessments to determine if they areeligible to claim certain benefits, we willalso support those who need it withform filling, submitting claims andlodging appeals if necessary. Havingsupport to navigate online forms or tofind the right words to describesomeone’s worst days can beinvaluable in facilitating access toentitlements. AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Welfare BenefitChecksLast year we undertook 205welfare benefit checks on behalfof clients.Additionally, we provided supportto 316 clients to start new benefitclaims, providing direct support to121 clients with claiming forattendance allowance. This resulted in awards ofadditional annual income forclients of £458,020 in welfarebenefits. 8

Living WellSocially

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Our Groups & ActivitiesThroughout the year we continued toprovide weekly opportunities forsocialisation and peer support throughour Social and Activity Groups. In response to the cost-of-living crisisand the ending of the energy price capwe widened the remit of our groups tobecome warm spaces and ensured theywere all dementia friendly by default. The groups are volunteer led withsupport from Living Well Officers. Theyhelp individuals to get out and meetnew people, learn new skills orknowledge from guest speakers. Havinga regular place to go and being part ofa group with a common interest isrecognised as having a positive impacton mental wellbeing. In total we hosted 249 groupsessions that attracted 131clients culminating in 2207individual attendances. Our volunteers and group attendeescame together in December to enjoy afestive film night. The event was anopportunity to say thank you to ouramazing volunteers for all their helpand support during the year andallowed the attendees to cometogether in a more informal setting,enjoy some food and watch thetraditional Christmas film ‘It’s aWonderful Life’. Billinge Coffee & ChatUpton Mens GroupRuncorn Coffee & ChatSt Helens Mens GroupMixed CraftsWe also have a digital WhatsApp Group9

Digital Champion Volunteers The Digital Champion Volunteerssupport older people with whateverthey wish to learn to do on digitaldevices at their own pace, with the aidof step-by-step picture instructions.We are also able to provide a mediatablet / laptop and access to theinternet to those who do not haveaccess to technology at home. Theprogram has enabled participants toconnect digitally with friends, family,groups & the wider world and hasgiven them the confidence andknowledge to get online. Admin & Reception Volunteers Our admin & reception volunteers playa critical role in maintainingorganisational efficiency and providinga friendly first point of contact forclients visiting our premises.Volunteers assist with behind-the-scenes tasks including updatingleaflets and literature, data entry andother office support functions. My favourite part aboutvolunteering is gettingtogether with the group andenjoying their companyAUKMM Annual Report 2023/24VolunteeringVolunteering is the life blood of thevoluntary sector – providing meaningfulopportunities for volunteers to make adifference in their community,supporting their own wellbeing, whilstalso creating benefit for the otherpeople they support. This year we have benefited from thesupport provided by a small group ofincredibly dedicated and passionatevolunteers who undertook various rolesenabling us to expand our reach andprovide support to more clients. Our volunteers provide critical supportacross various areas of theorganisation. Below is a snapshot ofsome of the roles undertaken and theimpact they create within ourcommunity; Group Support Volunteers These volunteers work directly withinour groups, facilitating activities andproviding hand-on assistance toparticipants, offering guidance andsupport. Their presence enhances theexperience for participants by creatinga welcoming, supportive environment,allowing our staff to manage largergroups and deepen group engagement. A Digital Champion Volunteer with a client10

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Wellbeing BefriendersThis is a new role and we expectnumbers to significantly increase in thenext 12 months. The WellbeingBefrienders provide companionship andemotional support to older clients whomay be isolated, lonely, or lacking socialinteraction. Through regular check-ins,phone calls and in person visits, theWellbeing Befrienders offer a listeningear and provide encouragement toreconnect, for example re-engagingwith a hobby, assisting on a short walkor accompanying them to a communitygroup. Across all roles, ourvolunteers contributed over1,278 hours per annum,providing the equivalent of£14,620 added value (basedon national living wage rate)in support. Pandemic RecoveryAs with many local charities we saw asignificant decline in our volunteernumbers after the pandemic, whichwas proving difficult to reverse. Thisrequired us to review the way in whichwe recruited, inducted, trained, andsupported volunteers to ensure theyfelt safe and secure in theirvolunteering roles with us. Trustees have invested in the creationof a dedicated Volunteer CoordinatorRole, who is working with our Director ofOperations to create a simple andsupportive volunteering pathway thatwill enable more residents to volunteertheir time with us. Our investment in volunteering isstarting to mature and by the end ofthe year we had increased the numberof active volunteers by 34%. We expectthis to continue to grow at similar ratesfor the year ahead. 11A few of our volunteers meet John Bishop when he dropped intoour Runcorn Coffee & Chat group.

Living WellConnectedly

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Digital InclusionDigital technology is playing anincreasing role in all our lives, and formany people, it is essential to the waythat they socialise, work, shop, managetheir finances, access NHS services, andget entertainment. Although many older peoplefully embrace the digitalworld, evidence shows thatdigital exclusion increaseswith age. 18% of people aged65 & over, around 2.3m, do notuse the internet, increasing to29% of people aged 75 & over. We believe that this is a barrier to olderpeople being able to live well in laterlife. This year we were awarded UKprosperity funding in Halton to developa programme to support access todigital technology for older residents.This enabled us to purchase laptopsand tablets and create a digitalinclusion drop-in session in Runcorn forolder people to learn digital skills attheir own pace, supported by trainedvolunteers and/or living well officers. This programme was so successful thatwe wished to expand this to all fourboroughs. We were able to use thelearning from this project tosuccessfully apply for funding from AgeUK national for an 18 month DigitalChampions programme which willcommence delivery in July 2024. This programme will match speciallytrained digital champion volunteerswith older people who wish to developtheir digital skills. It will include anequipment loan scheme and providedata to enable participants to learn intheir own homes as well as our venues. 12

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Community ConsultationOur established Older People ExpertPanels in Halton and St Helen’s ensurethe views of older people are at thecentre of all our activity, includingservice design, consulting on issuesaffecting older people and influencingpolicy makers locally and wider. Our Expert Panels have a total of 14members and met 8 times this year.They have helped us design our digitalservice, develop our Living Well Service,improve volunteer recruitment andprovided feedback on our openingtimes.We also continue to actively participatein multiple partner networks across all 4boroughs.This year we supported theengagement of over 75 olderpeople in 12 publicconsultations and events. This included Halton and St Helen’sBorough Councils Loneliness surveysand St. Helen’s Joint Strategic NeedsAssessment for Older People. We continued to support systempartners by engaging older residents inconsultations to inform their strategicpriorities and service design. A few members of our Halton Expert Panel & our Engagement, Inclusion& Co-Production Officer13

Living WellHealthily

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24ProsperAge UK Mid Mersey were one of only ahandful of local Age UK charitiesselected to conduct Prosper Researchfollowing a partnership between AgeUK and the Universities of Leeds andManchester, funded by the NationalInstitute for Health Research. The project concluded inFebruary 2024 and supported300 clients in total over thecourse of the project. Prosper was a clinical trial working withpeople 65+ who were selected basedon strict frailty criteria. Working closely with GP practices, thestudy involved our specially trainedLiving Well Officers visiting older adultsand helping them identify life changesand goals. They encourage clients to talk about the things they feel are important in life and what they would like to achieve, developing a plan of support to make things happen. The benefits for older people taking partin the trial included: Increased confidence - helpingpeople regain and maintainindependence Decreased social isolation – linkinginto their community. Promoting health and well beingthrough information and advice. Improved safety in the home -organising safety checks, repairs,and adaptions Supporting families and carers instressful situations. Help with financial security –supporting benefit claims orswitching gas and electricitycompanies. The Prosper team for Age UK Mid Mersey, Age UK Bradford, Age UKLeeds and Age UK Wakefield14

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Widnes Primary Care Network PilotEnhanced Communication andCollaboration. The project allowedfor closer collaboration withhealthcare providers, improvingcommunication and ensuring thatolder patients received well-coordinated care across differentsectors. We were proud to work in partnershipwith Widnes PCN to deliver a 6-monthpilot project providing personalised andholistic support for older people across6 GP practices, focusing on preventativeinterventions that would help olderpeople maintain independence andmanage long-term conditionseffectively. The benefits for older people supportedby the project include; Reduced Loneliness and SocialIsolation - Many older individualsexperience loneliness, which islinked to poorer health outcomes.We were able to offer short-termbefriending and access to socialactivities and group support,improving mental well-being andpreventing conditions that mightlead to increased healthcare needs. Increased Confidence –empowering individuals to regainand maintain independence. Improved Patient Experience –having a Living Well Officerembedded in the GP practices led toenhanced overall experience forolder patients, as they receive amore personalised, patient-centredapproach. 15

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Winter Warmth Campaign Through our Warm HomesProject, we completed 94Home Energy Checks,supporting the mostvulnerable and fuel poor olderpeople in our boroughs. We installed energy efficient nightlights, provided a Winter Warmth bagand gave tips and advice on keepingwarm and saving energy. We also referred individuals to theirlocal council and charity partners toaccess grants and other help with boilerrepairs or replacement. We partnered with the Public HealthTeam at Halton Borough Council toaccess money from their HouseholdSupport Fund to deliver tutor-ledcooking sessions to 16 individuals – allparticipants received a free crockpotand supermarket vouchers to enablethem to cook healthy meals whilstreducing their energy bills. 16

Our StrategicPriorities

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24In 2023 we were proud to launch our new 3-year strategic planfollowing a period of needs assessment and consultation with clients,stakeholders, and staff. We committed to the following key strategic priorities: Throughout the year we worked withspecialist recruitment agency CharityPeople to recruit and appoint a newChair and two new Trustees (one ofwhom was formally elected to theboard in April 2024). A campaign to recruit a newTreasurer rolled into 2024-25 withJeanette Stringer being appointed inOctober 2024. We commenced planning for and working towards these keypriorities during 2023-24 as follows: Building Organisational ResilienceStrengthening our Board and Senior Leadership Team We also appointed a new ChiefExecutive Officer in November 2023who undertook a strategic review of therequirements of a senior leadershipteam leading to the creation of aDirector of Operations Role and aResources Manager role.These roles alongside the CEO andHead of Services comprise the Charity’snew Senior Leadership Team chargedwith planning for and delivering ourstrategic priorities on behalf of theboard of trustees. 17

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24In addition, competition for fundingfrom grant making bodies is becomingfiercer. Whilst we still have the ambitionto be the provider of choice for fundedwellbeing services for older people inMid Mersey’s four Boroughs, we alsorecognise the need to grow our internalcapacity to generate income and widenour income streams, whilst alsocreating impact for our beneficiaries. QualityA key factor in creating organisationalresilience is ensuring the Charity andthe services we deliver are of thehighest standards and candemonstrate best practice inoperations, management, andgovernance. In September 2023 we were proud toachieve the Age UK Charity QualityStandard. This achievement recognises the highstandards of our charity, demonstratingthat we are well governed andmanaged, have a clear direction andstrategy and are committed to ensuringthe well-being and safety of our staff,volunteers and clients. In January 2024 we requestedassessment against the new Age UKQuality of Advice Standards andcommenced planning to ensure thatour provision of Advice and Informationservices meets the latest higheststandards in terms of accuracy ofadvice and quality of experience for ourbeneficiaries. The assessment isscheduled to take place in Autumn2024. 18Reviewing our business model We have recognised the inherent risk tofinancial sustainability in our currentbusiness model where the largemajority of our income comes viarestricted grants for the provision ofservices. The current economic climate hascreated challenges for charitiesreceiving grant funding from, ordelivering commissioned services to,Local Authorities.

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24In January we held an Age UK MidMersey Team away day exploringseveral themes including: what will helpus achieve our strategic priorities andwhat will hold us back, what wouldmake us the best place to work andwhat would help us increase ourimpact. Insights from this event, alongsidebenchmarking against other charityemployers, led to a review of ourcurrent employee package. This included the harmonising of termsand conditions which had over manyyears become unequal amongst teammembers, alongside improvements inkey contractual terms and conditionsincluding: Increasing employee entitlement tosick pay and extending this toinclude one week’s paid sick leave inthe first six months Our PeopleInvesting In Our PeopleIncreasing the paid annual leaveentitlement for all staff Harmonising the full-timeequivalent working week to 35hours per week. We also reviewed our salary scales andincreased these for all staff belowSenior leadership Team grade by 9.8%in line with the increase in The NationalLiving Wage. This followed several yearsof little or no pay award and brought usin line with other employers in thecharitable sector. Following the awayday we establisheda “staff action group” of teammembers from across the organisation.We will be undertaking a staffsatisfaction survey in 2024 and thestaff action group will help the SeniorLeadership Team to interpret theresults and plan to address any areas ofconcern. To enable our team members to carefor their own, each other’s and theirclient’s mental health and wellbeing weprovided Mental Health First AidTraining. This enables mental healthfirst aiders to identify when people maybe struggling with their mental healthand provide information about self-helpstrategies and signpost to professionalsupport. We recognise that our people create the impact that we seek toachieve in our communities. Without our staff and volunteers, wewould achieve nothing.The whole team at our Team Away Day19

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24This year saw us pilot a new service inpartnership with Widnes Primary CareNetwork and continue our Prosperresearch partnership with the Instituteof Health Research. Whilst the funding for these projectsended in year, the learning from themhas been used to inform continuousservice improvement within our Adviceand Information service and Living Wellsupport. We were active partners in thedevelopment of the Warrington LivingWell Hub. Service DevelopmentThe Living Well Hub is a one stop shopwhich helps people to look afterthemselves, to live happily, healthily,and independently for longer. It is animportant part of Warrington’swider Living Well programme. Tuesday is dedicated to older people’shealth and wellbeing services and wehave provided an Advice andInformation Surgery at the hub since itopened in March 2024. For full details of our service and activityoffer in 2023-24 please see pages 6-16. 20

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24To achieve our aspirations of creatingimpact for more residents andincreasing our income via fundraising itis pivotal that we are well known andtrusted locally. This year we invested in extra capacityin our marketing and communicationsactivity and have been raising our localprofile by:Creating regular social mediacontent, sharing details of ourservices, and sharing key messagesto support our beneficiaries Creating reciprocal “tagging”relationship with other third sectorand statutory providers to increaseour reach Reviewing our website content andpreparing for integration with theNational Age UK Website to enablepotential beneficiaries to reach oursite via the national web site Issuing press releases on issues thatmatter to older people Developing a communications andmarketing strategy, with a view tosetting benchmarks and KPIs andmonitoring our success in 2024-25 Engaging with local radio stations Attending outreach events andmarketplaces across our fourBoroughs Raising Our Profile & PositioningDementia Awareness Event OutreachRadio Halton Interview21

Looking tothe Future

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24We continue to work towards our strategic aims and ambitions andTrustees have designated funds in 2024-25 to align to these strategicpriorities. We continue with the process ofconveyancing on the sale of MansionHouse to release capital to invest inmuch needed services in Mid Mersey.The process has been complicated andconvoluted due to the building’s Grade2 listed status and the number ofcovenants attached. We have identified several priority areasfor the development and expansion ofour services. These include: Addressing pension poverty viacomprehensive advice andinformation provision, includingwelfare benefit checks and supportto apply. We are investing our fundsin 2024-25 to enable this to beprovided equitably across all fourboroughs we serve, whilst we seeksustainable funding for itscontinuation Community Befriending support,providing short term intensivebefriending to those who want toreconnect with communityactivities following a period ofisolation or illness, or who arelacking the confidence to do thisalone. This will provide muchneeded support to many isolatedolder people as well as providemeaningful volunteeringopportunities for older people intheir own communities. Wecontinue to invest our funds involunteering to develop this supportacross Mid Mersey We are proactively seeking fundingopportunities to enable us to develop orexpand services to meet theseidentified priorities. Recognising that our income model isprecarious, we are also investing inwidening our public appeal and imageand developing sustainable incomestreams through fundraising – wideningour income sources and broadening ourbusiness model. Trustees and the seniorleadership team are sighted on the risksto our financial sustainability in thefuture and have developed a range ofscenarios to address and manage theserisks should they become reality. A key priority for 2024-25 is to be ableto better demonstrate the impact ofour activities and services. We will bereviewing our data system andcollection processes, ensuring weconsistently capture what matters, andare able to report on our outputs andoutcomes. We will also be working ondeveloping a meaningful outcomesframework and introducing systematicoutcome measuring, reporting andanalysis, enabling continuous serviceimprovement and development. 22

Governanceand SocialResponsibility

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24During the year, trustees have carried out their responsibilities with due diligence.They work within their obligations under the brand partner agreement currently inplace with Age UK. Age UK Mid Mersey is an active member of the “Age EnglandAssociation (AEA),” a membership body who represents all brand partner’s interests inits legal partnership with Age UK nationally. The company is governed by itsMemorandum and Articles ofAssociation and is limited by guarantee,whereby every member of thecompany undertakes to contribute tothe assets of the company in the eventof winding up, while they are membersor within one year after they cease tobe a member, for payment of the debtsand liabilities of the companycontracted before they cease to bemembers, such amounts as may berequired not exceeding £1. Trustees attend events and visit sitesregularly to facilitate theirunderstanding of the organisation. Governing DocumentAppointment of TrusteesThe trustees (listed on page 24) areappointed by the members of thecompany and one third of the trusteesretire by rotation each year and mayoffer themselves for re-election inaccordance with the Articles ofAssociation. Trustee Induction & TrainingNew trustees are inducted into theOrganisation by attending the sameinduction course as staff, sessionalworkers, volunteers, and placements.Additionally, trustees are offeredtraining, given advice and informationand charity commission guidance ontheir role & responsibilities. OrganisationThe Board of Trustees administers thecharity. The board meets formally with theChief Executive Officer and Director ofOperations six times a year to manage thecharity. In addition, they meet annually toreview strategic aims and objectives. Thetrustees appoint a Chief Executive to managethe day-to-day operations of the charity. Tofacilitate effective operations, the ChiefExecutive has delegated authority, withinterms of delegation approved by thetrustees, for all operational and procurementmatters. Key Management PersonnelThe Trustees and the Senior Leadership Teamcomprise the key management personnel of thecharity in charge of directing and controlling,running, and operating the charity. All trusteesare volunteers and no trustee receivedremuneration in the year. Details of trustees’expenses and related party transactions aredisclosed in notes to the accounts. The pay ofthe Chief Executive and senior staff is reviewedannually following completion of a satisfactoryperformance appraisal and consideration isgiven for any increase in accordance withaverage earnings (subject to budgetaryconstraints). In view of the nature of the charity,the directors benchmark against pay levels ofother local charities and similar Age UK brandpartners in the region. The remunerationbenchmark is the mid-point of the range paid forsimilar roles adjusted for a weighting of up to30% for any additional responsibilities.23

Livesey SpottiswoodChartered Accountants &Registered Auditors17 George StreetSt. HelensMerseysideWA10 1DBAuditorsFordshams Solicitors17/19 Hardshaw StreetSt. HelensMerseyside WA10 1RBSolicitors Senior Statutory AuditorMr. D Hudd BA FCAThe directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees and are collectivelyreferred to as the trustees. The trustees serving during the year and since the year endwere as follows:The trustees serving during the year, and since the year end, were as follows:Elected Trustees: Directors and TrusteesAUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Key Management Personnel Mr. Peter Stubbs – Chair (retired March 2024) Mrs. Susan Haden - Vice-Chair Mr. John Chapman - Treasurer (resigned September 2023) Mr. Nigel Thompson – Interim Treasurer (appointed September 2023) Mr. William Arnold (retired March 2024) Mr. Colin McKenzie (retired November 2023) Ms. Lynn Woods (appointed November 2023, retired March 2024) Mr. Nick Farmer – Chair (appointed March 2024) Ms. Siobhan Birch (appointed March 2024) Ms. Amanda King (appointed May 2024) Ms. Jeanette Stringer (Treasurer, appointed October 2024) Mrs. Shelley Brown –Company Secretary, Chief Executive Officer (to December 2023), Director of Operations (from January 2024) Mrs. Rachel Mckernan – Chief Executive Officer (appointed November 2023) Mrs. Bridgid Dineen – Charitable Services Director (resigned October 2023) Mrs. Amanda Foxcroft – Finance Manager (resigned October 2023) Mrs. Sharon Hale – Senior Finance Officer (appointed November 2023) Ms. Jane Brown – Head of Services (appointed November 2023) Ms. Katie Barr – Head of Resources (appointed December 2023) 24

Risk Management

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24The Board of Trustees considers the major strategic, business, and operational risksthat the charity faces each year when considering budgets and business planning. The incoming CEO worked with the Board of Trustees to review and update theCharities Risk Management Policy and Procedures in line with Charity CommissionGuidance and National Council of Voluntary Organisations best practice. The Finance and Risk Sub Committee presents a reviewed risk register at each boardmeeting so the board can agree and monitor the organisation’s risk management plan.This plan is kept under constant review by the Senior Leadership Team. We categorise our risks as Governance, External, Regulatory and Compliance, Financialand Operational. During the year these were the principal risk management activitiesthat the charity was executing: With the planned retirement of fourTrustees this year, it was imperativethat the charity recruit experiencedTrustees to continue leading ourstrategic vision. Throughout the yearwe worked with specialist recruitmentagency Charity People to recruit andappoint a new Chair and two newTrustees (one of whom was formallyelected to the board in April 2024). Acampaign to recruit a new Treasurerrolled into 2024-25 with JeanetteStringer being appointed in October2024. In November 2022 Trustees acceptedan offer on the property and enteredconveyancing. Being a grade 2 listedbuilding, subject to covenants and partof a National Lottery Heritage Fundingarrangement with St Helen’s BoroughCouncil, has meant that this processhas been protracted and expensive.Throughout the year trustees and themanagement team have worked withour solicitors to respond to all enquiriesand undertake all necessary work toprogress towards exchange ofcontracts. Unfortunately, this was notachieved in year and this risk hascarried over into 2024-25Strengthening Our GovernanceManaging the sale of Mansion House In January 2021 Trustees decided toput the Charity’s main asset, theMansion House, up for sale. Thisdecision was taken as the property wasno longer fit for purpose for thecharity’s activities and incurredsignificant costs to operate andmaintain, which could better be spentdelivering services and activities for ourbeneficiaries. 25

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24The appointment of a new Head ofServices in November 2023 was pivotalin stabilising the staff teams andcompleting the new Senior LeadershipTeam. The trustees confirm that they haveidentified and fully understand all otherrisks to which the charity is subject andthat systems are in place to managethese risks. Strengthening the Senior Leadership TeamRisks were identified regarding thecapacity and resilience of the Charity’sleadership team. Previous approachesto managing financial pressures hadstripped capacity from the leadershipteam and it was recognised thatwithout investment and transformationof leadership structures the charitywould be at significant operational riskand unable to capitalise onopportunities for growth and expansion.Trustees designated funds to invest instrengthening organisational resilienceand growth. CEO, Shelley Brown recognising that shedid not have the strategic leadershipskills to lead the new strategic plandecided to step down and make wayfor new leadership. Trustees appointed a new CEO andworked with them to review theorganisational structure, resulting inShelley remaining with the charity inthe role of Director of Operations,providing stability for the Charitythrough a period of significant change.This was alongside the creation of therole of Head of Resources to enable theorganisation to develop and implementthe processes and systems required tooperate effectively and more cost-efficiently. 26Jane Brown, Head of Services

FinancialReview

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Our income for the year was £497,481 (2023 - £564,644). The reduction in incomeduring the year of £67,163 is largely due to a reduction in income in respect of legaciesand donations of £49,516. In addition, there is a smaller reduction in income fromcharitable grants of £19,632 and, as we have now wound up the Age UK Mid Merseytrading arm, a reduction in income from trading activities of £5,781. These reductionswere partly offset by an increase in income from investments of £7,793. Where our income came from in 2023-2495%3%2%Charitable ActivitiesInvestmentsDonations & LegaciesWhat we spent money on in 2023-2496%4%Raising fundsCharitable activitiesOur expenditure amounted to £592,957 (2023- £592,137). This was broadly equivalent tospending in the previous year. At year end there was an effective budget deficitof £11,734, before spending against designatedfunds was taken into account. Trustees aresighted on the financial uncertainties facing ourCharity and have developed multi-facetedapproaches to maximising income, reducingexpenditure and releasing funds currently held asfixed assets. 27

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24The Trustees have reviewed thecharity’s needs for reserves in line withthe guidance issued by the CharityCommission and have a reserves policywhich is reviewed annually inaccordance with financial auditprocesses. The trustees believe that inaddition to known commitments thereis a need to hold six months’ runningcosts in reserve given that the charity’ssources of funding are not certain. The policy statement provides that thetrustees will produce annually adetailed analysis of reserves, bothrestricted and unrestricted based onthe audited accounts, indicating thetrustees’ intentions about the use ofthose reserves. Investment Powers & PolicyUnder the Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation, the trustees have unlimitedpowers of investment subject only toseeking advice from a person ororganisation authorised under theFinancial Services Act. The trustees have a cautious approachto investments. They continue tomonitor the deposit account market forhigher yielding accounts, looking toreallocate funds should suitableopportunities arise.The return on investments of £13,568 inthe year saw an increase of £7,793(138%) on that received in the previousyear. Reserves PolicyMarch 23 March 24Free ReservesDesignated ReservesRestricted FundsUnrestricted Fixed Assets£356,699£383,672£402,733£282,000£13,816£18,016£558,544£552,628Our Funds March 2023 & March 202428At 31 March 2024, our total reserves were £1,236,316, of this, £552,628 was held asunrestricted tangible fixed assets, £282,000 was held within designated funds, £18,016 washeld as restricted funds and the remaining balance of £383,672 represents approximately7.5 months operating costs based on the 2024-25 budget.

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Designated FundAmountFuture Cash Flows£134,184Staff Costs£32,000Property Maintenance£105,000Expansion & Growth£50,349IT & Equipment Upgrades£45,200Replacement Vehicles£15,000Training£11,000Legal & Professional Fees£10,000Total£402,733At 31st March 2023 the Trusteesdesignated £402,733 of our reserves tobe spent over the following two years tofurther our strategic priorities. At 31st March 2024 a total of £83,742had been spent against the nameddesignated funds. Only £11,732 wasspent against the protected future cashflow designated reserves. This was dueto a combination of robust costmanagement practices and successfullyapplying for additional funds, meaningthe predicted budget deficit at point ofpublishing the previous year’s annualaccounts was significantly reduced froma projected £134,184. In line with ourreserves policy, we require free reservesof £296,479 for the operating year2024-25 and currently this figure standsat £383,672. 29Investing Our Reserves to Further Our Strategic PrioritiesHaving reviewed our reserves position andto further our strategic ambitions trusteeshave designated the following funds for2024-25 Designated Funds 2024-25AmountFuture Cash FlowsPredicted budget deficit at October2024 £53,300Investing in PeopleCosts of implementing newemployee benefits package£50,200Property MaintenanceCosts of maintaining and runningMansion House duringconveyancing £44,100Expansion & GrowthPartnership with CompetitiveSolutions Limited £32,000IT & Equipment UpgradesNew laptops for outreach andmobile working £17,000Service DeliveryExpansion of Advice andInformation service to Knowsleyand Warrington Boroughs andVolunteer Coordinator £59,000TrainingLiving Well Team training inpreparation for Quality of AdviceAssessment£4,400Legal & Professional FeesSolicitor’s fees for ongoingconveyancing on Mansion House £22,000Total£282,000

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24The current financial environment withinwhich the charity operates is precarious.There are severe pressures in the widersystem which are impacting on thefinancial security of many charities andfrom which Age UK Mid Mersey are notimmune. There are continued funding pressureson Local Authorities, Integrated CareBoards and NHS Trusts leading to feweror reduced grant and contract awards tothe third sector. In addition, the reduction in statutoryfunding to local charities is leading togreater competition for funds from non-statutory sources, such as grant makingcharities and National Lottery Funds. One of our Borough Council Grants hasbeen cut by 30% for 2024-25 and wehave worked collaboratively withcommissioners to remodel our offer todeliver continued impact within thereduced resource envelope. At the timeof writing a three-year fundingarrangement has just been offered bythis funder in place of the usual annualaward, which will provide us with ahigher degree of funding certainty intothe near future. Going Concern AssessmentTrustees have a legal duty to assess theCharity’s ability to continue as a goingconcern, and in so doing have taken intoconsideration the following: Budget and reforecasts for 2024-25.At point of writing the latest budgetforecast (period 6 2024-25) alignswith the designation of funds as listedabove and is showing a deficit to bemet from free reserves (designatedfuture cash flow) of £53,300 Predicted budget scenarios for 2025-26, reflecting the variousuncertainties reflected in our riskmanagement activity and with costedplans to remodel if risks materialiseinto certainties. A review of the charity’s businessmodel with costed plans to diversifyour income streams expanding ourfund-raising activity Future Cash flow projections. Cashflow is monitored closely and thecharity has sufficient free reserves tomeet our cash flow needs,maintaining the current required levelof free reserves and taking norestructuring action until November2025 based on worst case scenariobudget forecasts. The status of the Charity’s reserves.The charity holds significant illiquidreserves in its main fixed asset, theMansion House. The conveyancingrelating to the sale of the MansionHouse is still in progress and theexchange of contracts is beingmanaged as a significant risk.However, on the best informationavailable from solicitors at the pointof writing there is optimism thatcompletion will occur prior to the endof the financial year 2024-25.30Financial Uncertainties

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24BankersThe organisation has accounts in the following Banks:Barclays Bank19 Church Street St. HelensMerseysideWA10 1BGRedwood Bank The Nexus BuildingLetchworth Garden City SG6 3TAUnited Trust Bank1 Ropemaker StreetLondonEC2Y 9AWShawbrook BankLutea HouseWarley Hill BusinessPark BrentwoodEssexCM13 3BECambridge & CountiesBank LtdCharnwood CourtNew WalkLeicesterLE1 6TETrustees monitor the financial situation 6 weekly via the Finance and Risk Sub Committeeand have prepared efficiency and restructuring scenarios for 2025-26 should the sale ofmansion house not be realised by March 2025 and if currently unconfirmed income targetsare not achieved. 31

AUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Statement of Trustee’s ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities of the Board of Trustees The trustees (who are also the directorsof Age Concern Mid Mersey for thepurposes of company law) areresponsible for preparing the Trustees’Annual Report and the financialstatements in accordance withapplicable law and United KingdomAccounting Standards (United KingdomGenerally Accepted AccountingPractice). Company law requires the trustees toprepare financial statements for eachfinancial year, which give a true and fairview of the state of affairs of thecharitable company and of theincoming resources and application ofresources, including the income andexpenditure, of the charitable companyfor that period. In preparing thesefinancial statements, the trustees arerequired to: select suitable accounting policiesand then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principlesof the Charities SORP make judgements and estimatesthat are reasonable and prudentand prepare the financial statements onthe going concern basis unless it isinappropriate to presume that thecharitable company will continue inoperation. The trustees are responsible for keepingproper accounting records that disclose withreasonable accuracy at any time thefinancial position of the company and toenable them to ensure that the financialstatements comply with the Companies Act2006. They are also responsible forsafeguarding the assets of the company andhence for taking reasonable steps for theprevention and detection of fraud and otherirregularities. Statement as to Disclosure of Information toAuditors In so far as the trustees are aware at thetime of approving our trustees’ annualreport: there is no relevant audit information ofwhich the charitable company’s auditoris unaware; and the trustees have taken all steps thatthey ought to have taken to makethemselves aware of any relevant auditinformation and to establish that theauditor is aware of that information. TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTThe Report of the Trustees, incorporatingthe Strategic Report was approved by thetrustees as the Company’s Directors on4th December 2024 SIGNED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES Mr. Nick Farmer (Chair) 32

IndependentAuditor’s ReportAUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Age UK Mid Mersey Limited Company Number 02625647Charity Number 1003476

Independent auditor’s report to themembers of Age UK Mid Mersey (AgeConcern Mid Mersey)OpinionWe have audited the financial statementsof Age Concern Mid Mersey (the charitablecompany) for the year ended 31 March2024 which comprise the Statement ofFinancial Activities, the Balance Sheet, theCash Flow Statement and notes to thefinancial statements, including asummary of significant accountingpolicies. The financial reporting frameworkthat has been applied in their preparationis applicable law and United KingdomAccounting Standards (United KingdomGenerally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements:Give a true and fair view of the state ofthe charitable company’s affairs as at31 March 2024 and of its incomingresources and application ofresources, including its result for theyear then ended;Have been properly prepared inaccordance with United KingdomGenerally Accepted AccountingPractice; andHave been prepared in accordancewith the requirements of theCompanies Act 2006Basis for opinionWe conducted our audit in accordancewith International Standards on Auditing(UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Ourresponsibilities under those standards arefurther described in the auditorresponsibilities for the audit of thefinancial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitablecompany in accordance with the ethicalrequirements that are relevant to our auditof the financial statements in the UK,including the FRC’s Ethical Standard andthe provisions available for small entities,in the circumstances set out in note 20 tothe financial statements, and we havefulfilled our other ethical responsibilities inaccordance with those requirements. Webelieve that the audit evidence we haveobtained is sufficient and appropriate toprovide a basis for our opinion.Conclusions relating to goingconcernIn auditing the financial statements, wehave concluded that the trustees’ use ofthe going concern basis of accounting inthe preparation of the financialstatements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, wehave not identified any materialuncertainties relating to events orconditions that, individually or collectively,may cast doubt on the charitablecompany’s ability to continue as a goingconcern for a period of at least twelvemonths from when the financialstatements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilitiesof the trustees with respect to goingconcern are described in the relevantsections of this report.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2433

Other informationThe other information comprises theinformation included in the trustees’annual report,other than the financialstatements and our auditor’s reportthereon. The trustees are responsible forthe other information contained withinthe annual report. Our opinion on thefinancial statements does not cover theother information and, except to theextent otherwise explicitly stated in ourreport, we do not express any form ofassurance conclusion thereon. Ourresponsibility is to read the otherinformation and, in doing so, considerwhether the other information ismaterially inconsistent with the financialstatements or our knowledge obtained inthe audit or otherwise appears to bematerially misstated. If we identify suchmaterial inconsistencies or apparentmaterial misstatements, we are requiredto determine whether this gives rise to amaterial misstatement in the financialstatements themselves. If, based on thework we have performed, we concludethat there is a material misstatement ofthis other information, we are required toreport that fact.We have nothing to report in this regard.Opinion on other matters prescribedby the Companies Act 2006Responsibilities of trusteesIn our opinion, based on the workundertaken in the course of the audit:The information given in the Report ofthe Trustees for the financial year forwhich the financial statements areprepared is consistent with thefinancial statements; andThe Report of the Trustees has beenprepared in accordance with applicablelegal requirements.Matters on which we are required toreport by exceptionIn the light of the knowledge andunderstanding of the charitable companyand its environment obtained in thecourse of the audit, we have notidentified material misstatements in theReport of the Trustees. We have nothing to report in respect ofthe following matters in relation to whichthe Companies Act 2006 requires us toreport to you if, in our opinion:Adequate accounting records havenot been kept or returns adequate forour audit have not been received frombranches not visited by us; orThe financial statements are not inagreement with the accountingrecords and returns; orCertain disclosures of trustees’remuneration specified by law are notmade; orWe have not received all theinformation and explanations werequire for our audit.As explained more fully in the Statementof Trustees’ Responsibilities, the trustees(who are also the directors of thecharitable company for the purposes ofcompany law) are responsible for thepreparation of the financial statementsand for being satisfied that they give atrue and fair view, and for such internalcontrol as the trustees determine isnecessary to enable the preparation offinancial statements that are free frommaterial misstatement, whether due tofraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, thetrustees are responsible for assessing thecharitable company’s ability to continue AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2434

Our responsibilities for the audit ofthe financial statementsas a going concern, disclosing, asapplicable, matters related to goingconcern and using the going concernbasis of accounting unless the trusteeseither intend to liquidate the charitablecompany or to cease operations, or haveno realistic alternative but to do so.Our objectives are to obtain reasonableassurance about whether the financialstatements as a whole are free frommaterial misstatement, whether due tofraud or error, and to issue a Report ofthe Independent Auditors that includesour opinion. Reasonable assurance is ahigh level of assurance, but is not aguarantee that an audit conducted inaccordance with ISAs (UK) will alwaysdetect a material misstatement when itexists. Misstatements can arise fromfraud or error and are consideredmaterial if, individually or in theaggregate, they could reasonably beexpected to influence the economicdecisions of users taken on the basis ofthese financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, areinstances of non-compliance with lawsand regulations. We design procedures inline with our responsibilities, outlinedabove, to detect material misstatementsin respect of irregularities, includingfraud. The extent to which our proceduresare capable of detecting irregularities,including fraud is detailed below.However, the primary responsibility forthe prevention and detection of fraudrests both with those charged withgovernance of the entity andmanagement.Our approach was as follows: Discussions with management andthose involved in the financial reportingprocess including consideration ofknown or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulationscentral to the charitable company’sability to operate, and fraud;Evaluation and testing of theoperational effectiveness ofmanagement’s controls designed toprevent and detect irregularities; andIdentifying and testing journal entries,in particular any journal entries postedwith unusual account combinations orof significant monetary amounts. There are inherent limitations in the auditprocedures described above. The furtherremoved non- compliance with laws andregulations is from the events andtransactions reflected in the financialstatements, the less likely we wouldbecome aware of it. Also, the risk of notdetecting a material misstatement due tofraud is higher than the risk of notdetecting one resulting from error, as fraudmay involve deliberate concealment by, forexample, forgery or intentionalmisrepresentation, or through collusion. A further description of our responsibilitiesfor the audit of the financial statements islocated on the Financial Reporting Council’swebsite atwww.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.This description forms part of our Report ofthe Independent Auditors. AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2435

Use of our reportThis report is made solely to thecharitable company’s members, as abody, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our auditwork has been undertaken so that wemight state to the charitable company’smembers those matters we are requiredto state to them in an auditor’s report andfor no other purpose.To the fullest extentpermitted by law, we do not accept orassume responsibility to anyone otherthan the charitable company and thecharitable company’s members as a body,for our audit work, for this report,or forthe opinions we have formed.Mr David Hudd BA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Livesey SpottiswoodLimited Chartered Accountants & StatutoryAuditors17 George Street St Helens Merseyside WA10 1DB Date:AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2436

AccountsAUKMM Annual Report 2023/24Age UK Mid Mersey Limited Company Number 02625647Charity Number 1003476

IncomeNotesUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024Total£2023Total£Donations and Legacies212,157-12,15761,673Other Trading Activities3596-5966,377Income fromInvestments13,568-13,5685,775Income fromCharitable Activities413,896457,264471,160490,792Other Income5---27Total Income40,217457,264497,481564,644Statement of financial activities (Incorporating an income and expenditureaccount) for the year ended 31 March 2024Expenditure OnRaising Funds623,795-23,79536,257Charitable Activities7116,098453,064569,162555,880Total Expenditure139,893453,064592,957592,137Impairment of fixedassets---(299,656)NetIncome/(expenditure)for the year(99,676)4,200(95,476)(327,149)Reconciliation offundsTotal funds broughtforward 1 April 20231,317,97613,8161,331,7921,658.941Total Funds carriedforward 31 March 20241,218,30018,0161,236,3161,331,792The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 40 to 53 form part of these accounts.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2437

Fixed AssetsNotes2024£2023£Tangible Assets10566,188572,360Current AssetsStock11227240Debtors1281,51393,485Cash at bank and in hand633,009719,806Total714,749813,531Creditors: Amounts falling duewithin one year13(44,621)(54,099)Net Current Assets670,128759,432Net Assets1,236,3161,331,792FundsRestricted Funds1418,01613,816Unrestricted funds held in fixedassets15552,628558,544Designated Funds15282,000402,733Unrestricted general funds15383,672356,699Total1,236,3161,331,792The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 4th December 2024 and signed on itsbehalf by: -Mr N Farmer (Chair) ____________________ Mrs S Haden (Vice Chair) ____________________ Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024The notes on pages 32 to 44 form part of these accounts.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2438

Cash Flow from operating activitiesNotes2024£2023£Cash generated from operations1(100,365)(56,478)Cash flow statement for the yearended 31 March 2024Cash Flow from operating activitiesInterest received13,5685,775Change in cash and cashequivalents in the reporting period(86,797)(50,703)Cash and Cash equivalents at 1April 2023719,806770,509Total cash and cash equivalents at31 March 2024633,009719,806Note 1Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities2024£2023£Net income/(expenditure) for the reportingperiod (as per the statement of financialactivities)(95,476)(327,149)Adjustments for:Non-cash donations-(2,360)Depreciation charges6,17230,344Impairment of fixed assets-299,656Investment income(13,568)(5,775)Decrease/(Increase) in stocks13(80)Decrease/(Increase) in debtors11,972(55,836)(Decrease)/Increase in creditors(9,478)4,722Net cash provided by operating activities(100,365)(56,478)AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2439

Notes to the accounts for the year endedMarch 2024Accounting Policies1.The charity is a company limited byguarantee and has no share capital. Inthe event of the charity being wound up,the liability in respect of the guarantee islimited to £1 per member of the charity.All incoming resources are included in theStatement of Financial Activities (SoFA)when the charity is legally entitled to theincome after any performance conditionshave been met, the amount can bemeasured reliably and it is probable thatthe income will be received.For donations to be considered the charitywill have been notified of the amounts andthe settlement date in writing. If there areconditions attached to the donation andthis requires a level of performance beforeentitlement can be obtained then incomeis deferred until those conditions are fullymet or the fulfilment of those conditions iswithin the control of the charity and it isprobable that they will be fulfilled.Donated facilities and donatedprofessional services are recognised inincome at their fair value when theireconomic benefit is probable, it can bemeasured reliably and the charity hascontrol over the item. Fair value isdetermined on the basis of the value ofthe gift to the charity. For example, theamount the charity would be willing to payin the open market for such facilities andservice. A corresponding amount isrecognised in expenditure.No amount is included in the financialstatements for volunteer time in line withthe SORP (FRS 102). Further detail is givenin the Trustees Annual Report.Income RecognitionGeneral information and basis ofpreparationBasis of preparing the accountsThe charity constitutes a public benefitentity as defined by FRS 102. The financialstatements have been prepared inaccordance with Accounting andReporting by Charities: Statement ofRecommended Practice applicable tocharities preparing their accounts inaccordance with the Financial ReportingStandard applicable in the UK andRepublic of Ireland issued in October2019,the Financial Reporting Standardapplicable in the United Kingdom andRepublic of Ireland (FRS 102), the CharitiesAct 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UKGenerally Accepted Practice.The financial statements are prepared ona going concern basis under the historicalcost convention. The financial statementsare prepared in sterling which is thefunctional currency of the charity.The significant accounting policies appliedin the preparation of these financialstatements are set out below. Thesepolicies have been consistently applied toall years presented unless otherwisestated.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2440

The charity receives grants in respect ofvarious projects. Income from governmentand other grants is recognised at fair valuewhen the charity has entitlement after anyperformance conditions have been met, itis probable that the income will be receivedand the amount can be measured reliably.If entitlement is not met then theseamounts are deferred.Where practicable, gifts in kind donated fordistribution to the beneficiaries of thecharity are included in stock and donationsin the financial statements upon receipt. Ifit is impracticable to assess the fair valueat receipt or if the costs to undertake sucha valuation outweigh any benefits, thenthe fair value is recognised as a componentof donations when it is distributed and anequivalent amount recognised ascharitable expenditure.Gifts in kind donated for resale are includedin ‘income from other trading activities’.Where it is impracticable to value the itemdue to the volume of low value items theyare not recognised in the financialstatements until they are sold.Fixed asset gifts in kind are recognisedwhen receivable and are included at fairvalue. They are not deferred over the life ofthe asset.For legacies, entitlement is the earlier ofthe charity being notified of an impendingdistribution or the legacy being received. Atthis point income is recognised. Onoccasion legacies will be notified to thecharity however it is not possible tomeasure the amount expected to bedistributed. On these occasions, the legacyis treated as a contingent asset anddisclosed.Income from trading activities includesincome earned from fundraising eventsand trading activities to raise funds for thecharity. Income is received in exchange forsupplying goods and services in order toraise funds and is recognised whenentitlement has occurred.Accounting Policies(continued)1.Income Recognition (continued)Investment IncomeInterest on funds held on deposit is includedwhen receivable and amounts can bemeasured reliably by the charity; this isnormally upon notification of the interestpaid or payable by the bank.Fund AccountingUnrestricted funds are available to spend onactivities that further any of the purposes ofcharity. Designated funds are unrestrictedfunds of the charity which the trustees havedecided at their discretion to set aside to usefor a specific purpose. Restricted funds aredonations which the donor has specified areto be solely used for particular areas of theCharity’s work or for specific service provisionprojects being undertaken by the Charity.Expenditure & Irrecoverable VATExpenditure is recognised once there is legalor constructive obligation to make apayment to a third party, it is probable thatsettlement will be required and the amountof the obligation can be measured reliably.All expenditure is accounted for on anaccruals basis under the followingheadings:-Cost of raising funds comprises offundraising costs incurred in seekingdonations and legacies;costs of fundraisingactivities including the cost of goods sold,used in fundraising activities and anyassociated support costs.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2441

Fixed assets are capitalised at cost, whereacquired, or management's approximatevaluation of cost where donated. Individualfixed assets costing £1,000 or more arecapitalised at cost, depreciation is providedon all tangible fixed assets at ratescalculated to write off the cost,lessestimated residual value of each asset on asystematic basis over its expected usefullife as follows:Fundraising costs do not include the costsof disseminating information of support ofthe charitable activities.Expenditure on charitable activitiesincludes the costs of providing care andsupport,community services and othereducational activities undertaken to furtherthe purposes of the charity and theirassociated support costs.Support costs comprise those costs whichare incurred directly in support ofexpenditure on the objects of the charityand includes governance costs, financeand office costs.Support costs are allocated to each of theactivities on one of the following bases:either floor space, staff time or staffheadcount depending on the nature of thesupport costs, to best allocate the costs toeach attributable heading.Costs are allocated between directcharitable and other expenditure accordingto the nature of the cost. Where itemsinvolve more than one category, they areapportioned between the categoriesaccording to the nature of the cost.Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expensewithin support costs.Accounting Policies(continued)1.Expenditure & Irrecoverable VAT(continued)Operating LeasesThe charity classifies the lease of printingequipment and office space as operatingleases; the title remains with the lessor.Rental charges are charged on a straight linebasis over the term of the lease.Tangible Fixed AssetsAsset CategoryAssets are reviewed for any indication thatthe asset may be impaired at each balancesheet date. If such indication exists, therecoverable amount of the asset iscompared to the carrying amount. Wherethe carrying amount exceeds its recoverableamount, an impairment loss is recognised inthe statement of financial activities.Annual RateLand and buildingsEquipmentFurniture, fixtures & fittingsMotor Vehicles1% on cost20% to 33% on cost20% to 33% on cost20% on costStockStocks are stated at the lower of cost andestimated selling price. Cost includes allcosts of purchase, costs of conversion andother costs incurred in bringing stock to itspresent location and condition. Cost iscalculated using the average cost formula.Provision is made for damaged, obsoleteand slow-moving stock where appropriate.DebtorsTrade and other debtors are recognised atthe settlement amount. Prepayments arevalued at the amount prepaid after takingaccount of any trade discounts due.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2442

Cash at bank and cash in hand includescash and short term highly liquidinvestments with a short maturity of threemonths or less from the date of acquisitionor opening of the deposit or similaraccountCash at bank & cash equivalentCreditors and provisionsCreditors and provisions are recognisedwhere the charity has a present obligationresulting from a past event that willprobably result in the transfer of funds to athird party and the amount due to settle theobligation can be measured or estimatedreliably. Creditors and provisions arenormally recognised at their settlementamount after allowing for any tradediscounts due.Financial InstrumentsThe charity only has financial assets andfinancial liabilities of the kind that qualify asbasic financial instruments. Basic financialinstruments are recognised at theirtransaction value.PensionsAge Concern Mid Mersey operates a definedcontribution plan for the benefit of certainemployees. Contributions are charged in theStatement of Financial Activities.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2443

2. Donations & LegaciesDonationsUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£Sundry Donations4,335-4,33526,795Donated Minibus---2,360Gift Aid---526LegaciesMrs Fuller c/o Age UK---31,992Mr Cheetham7,822-7,822-Total12,157-12,15761,673Of the £61,673 received in 2023, £20,000 related to restricted funds and £41,673 relatedto unrestricted funds.3. Other Trading ActivitiesUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£Rental Income---6,028Lottery---95Fundraising596-596254Total596-5966,377The £6,377 received in 2023 related entirely to unrestricted funds.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2444

4. Income from Charitable ActivitiesUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£St Helens MBC-88,76788,767108,767Halton Council-168,724168,724168,724Bradford Teaching Hospital-79,93879,93872,091VOLA Consortium-10,00010,000-Age UK10,00039,11849,11853,217LCR Community RenewalFund---22,745PCN Highfield Hospital-8,8858,88514,216NHSCT - VCS Partnership---7,500British Red Cross---20,472Service User Fees5,243-5,2432,849SEETEC(1,347)-(1,347)20,211The National LotteryCommunity Fund-61,83261,832-Total13,896457,264471,160490,792Of the £490,792 received in 2023, £452,777 was restricted funds and £38,015 wasunrestricted.5. Other IncomeUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£Sundry Income---27The £27 received in 2023 related entirely to unrestricted funds.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2445

6. Expenditure on Raising FundsUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£Wages and social security---31,842Telephone---144Advertising & Promotion---468Professional Fees20,292-20,292-Support Costs (Note 8)3,503-3,5033,803Total23,795-23,79536,257The £36,257 expended in 2023 related entirely to unrestricted funds.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2446

7. Expenditure on Charitable ActivitiesUnrestrictedFunds£RestrictedFunds£2024£2023£Wages and social security-195,324195,324152,304Repairs and renewals-4,5614,561697Rent and room hire-2,4122,4125,715Telephone-1,1761,176597Printing, stationary &postage-128128197Advertising & promotions-385385503Heat, light & water-72724,643Catering costs-1,4681,4682,661Motor & travel costs1175,6035,7204,124Training costs-113113-Tutor fees and materials-2,9552,9551,715Cleaning & sundry-10910946Depreciation-256256256Support costs (Note 8)115,981238,502354,483382,422Total116,098453,064569,162555,880Of the £555,880 expended in 2023, £473,033 was restricted funds and £82,847 wasunrestricted.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2447

8. Analysis of Governance and Support CostsGovernanceFunction£RaisingFunds£1%CharitableActivities£99%2024£2023£Wages and socialsecurity-2,004198,357200,361202,578Recruitment costs-14814,73014,878-Irrecoverable VAT-555,4455,50012,449Repairs & Renewals-37737,31537,69256,031Rent & room hire-818,0128,0938,547Heat, light & water-20119,91120,11217,956Telephone-444,3094,3534,553Printing, stationery &postage-494,7934,8423,917Advertising &promotion-424,1664,2087,118Insurance-12212,11412,2368,480Motor & travel costs-312,9983,0291,643Training costs-484,7974,8452,990Audit & accountancy7,530--7,5306,150Legal & professionalfees-19619,33619,53219,027Cleaning & sundry-484,8114,8594,698Depreciation-575,8595,91630,088Total7,5303,503346,953357,986386,225The trustees have considered the support costs and the above allocations are based onestimated percentages for each category.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2448

9. Staff Costs2024£2023£Wages and salaries347,748341,347Social security costs23,47322,676Pension contribution24,45422,701Total395,675386,724The average monthly number of employees of the charitable company analysed byfunction was: -2024£2023£Raising funds-1Charitable activities2121Total2121No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more and the Trustees did not receive anyemoluments during either year. The Trustees received £Nil in total throughout the year forthe reimbursement of general expenses. (2023 - £Nil).The key management personnel of the charitable company are comprised of the seniorleadership team. The total remuneration paid in respect of the charitable company’s keymanagerial personnel was £123,387 (2023 - £139,987).AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2449

10. Tangible Fixed AssetsAt Cost orValuationFreeholdLand& Buildings£MotorVehicles£Equipment£Furniture,Fixtures& Fittings£Total£At 1 April 2023570,0002,3609,78213,367595,509At 31 March 2024570,0002,3609,78213,367595,509DepreciationAt 1 April 2023--9,78213,36723,149Charge for the year5,700472--6,172At 31 March 20245,7004729,78213,36729,321Net Book ValueAt 31 March 2024564,3001,888--566,188At 31 March 2023570,0002,360--572,36011. Stock2024£2023£Stock22724012. Debtors2024£2023£Trade Debtors46,70269,981Prepayments22,87125,504VAT11,940-Total81,51393,48513. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year2024£2023£Trade creditors15,57513,339Social security and othertaxes6,0696,061Accruals and deferredincome22,97734,207Other creditors-492Total44,62154,099AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2450

14. Restricted FundsBalance at01/04/23£IncomingResources£Expenditure& Transfers£Balance at31/03/24£St Helens MBC-88,767(88,767)-Halton Council-168,724(168,724)-Age UK13,81639,118(39,374)13,560PCN Highfield Hospital-8,885(8,885)-Bradford Teaching Hospitals-79,938(79,938)-VOLA Consortium-10,000(5,544)4,456The National Lottery Community Fund-61,832(61,832)-Total13,816457,264(453,064)18,016Funds received from St Helen’s MBCtowards the provision of Positive LivingServices and Social Inclusion Services.Funds received from Halton Counciltowards provision of Office BasedInformation Service, Stay Safe,Participation Groups and Halton OlderPeople’s Empowerment Network.Funds from Age UK towards variousareas of support;In partnership with NHS England andImprovement, providing muchneeded capacity with winterpressures and safe discharge fromhospital with community-basedinterventions to support recovery athome and prevent (re)admission.Regional Covid Emergency Planningand RecoveryBenefits take up programmeFunds received from PCN HighfieldHospital towards living well servicesand primary care support.Funds received from Bradford TeachingHospitals towards improving quality oflife for older people with frailty.Funds received from VOLA Consortiumtowards community digitalconnectivity. Funds received from Nationa lLotteryCommunity Fund to financially assistthe Charity during the cost of livingcrisis.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2451

15. Unrestricted FundsUnrestrictedFundsHeld InFixed Assets£DesignatedFunds£UnrestrictedFunds£Total£Balance at 1 April 2023558,544402,733356,6991,317,976Movement in Funds in the year(5,916)(120,733)26,973(99,676)Total552,628282,000383,6721,218,300Funds have been designated in the year for the following purposes:£Future cash flows53,300Investing in people50,200Property maintenance44,100Expansion and growth32,000IT & equipment upgrades17,000Training4,400Service delivery59,000Legal and professional fees22,000Total282,000The trustees expect the above designated funds to be spent in the next twelve months.AUKMM Annual Report 2023/2452

In common with many other organisationsof our size and nature we use our auditorsto prepare and submit returns to the taxauthorities and assist with the preparationof the financial statements.The charity contributes to definedcontribution pension schemes all of whichare qualifying workplace pension schemeswith regards to auto enrolment. Thecharge for the year was £24,454 (2023 -£22,701).17. Pension CostsAge UK Mid Mersey is a member of AgeEngland Association which includes a largenumber of connected charities workingaround the UK. The charitable company holdlicenses to use the Age UK name and logofor an unlimited period so long as they meetthe conditions of use in terms of standardsand procedures within the organisations.18. Operating Lease CommitmentsAt 31 March 2024, the charity had annualcommitments under non-cancellableoperating leases as set out below: -Operatingleases whichexpire:2024£2023£Within one year2,4802,125Between one &five years23,90215,805Total26,38217,93019. Related Party Transactions20. Provisions Available for Smaller EntitiesAUKMM Annual Report 2023/2416. Analysis of Net Assets by FundTangibleFixed Assets£CurrentAssets£Creditors£Total£Restricted Funds13,5604,456-18,016Unrestricted Funds552,628710,293(44,621)1,218,300Total566,188714,749(44,621)1,236,61653

References & Administrative Details The Mansion HouseVictoria ParkCity RoadSt HelensMerseysideWA10 2UECharity Name Age Concern Mid MerseyCharity Number 1003476Company Number2625647Registered Office Key Management PersonnelRachel McKernan Chief Executive Officer (Appointed November 2023)Shelley BrownDirector of Operations (Appointed January 2024)Jane Brown Living Well Services Manager (Appointed November 2023)Halton | Knowsley | St Helens | Warringtonwww.ageuk.org.uk/midmersey@AgeUKMidMerseyAUKMM Annual Report 2023/24