Southwark Carers is run by a board of carers and former carers. The current board (elected in December 2009) are:

• David Lebon – Chair
• John Bland
• Dan Brennan – Treasurer
• Peter Cather
• June Hollands – Vice Chair
• Carol Vincent

Please click here for a copy of our latest annual report..

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Southwark Carers is a company limited by guarantee (each member having a liability of £1) and a registered charity.

The charity is governed by a Board of Directors (the Management Committee) which meets monthly.  Directors are appointed by the Board and serve for one year after which period they may put themselves up for re-election at the Annual General Meeting as prescribed in the Articles of Association.  Officers are appointed by the Board and elected annually.  The Articles provide for a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 15 Directors.  The Board has the power to co-opt up to five non-voting members.  At its monthly meetings, the Board agrees the broad strategy and activities of the charity, information, communications, fundraising activities, reserves policies and risk management.

Directors are elected to the Board annually from members who have registered with the charity.  Candidates must be elected by a majority of Directors.  The induction process for any new Directors comprises initial meetings with the chair, existing Directors and the chief executive.

The induction pack comprises a range of back-ground information on the charity’s history and recent activities and includes a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, notes of recent Board meetings, recent accounts and a copy of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers guidance document for trustees.  Potential directors are asked to attend a Board meeting as observers.

On going training to Directors is provided as required through meetings, away days and courses.

During the year the Board continues to work to review and develop Southwark Carers and it’s services. The majority of the Board, who give their time voluntarily, are carers, or former Carers. Both the Board and the staff work together to help inform and develop the Carers Strategy which is designed to bring local agencies together to deliver improved support for Carers and to consult with them about their needs.

Statement of Responsibilities of Directors

Company Law requires Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period.  In preparing those financial statements the Directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and consistently apply them;
• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• state whether applicable Accounting Standards, have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the relevant legislation.  They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.  The Directors confirm that they have taken appropriate steps to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such information. As far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information which has not been disclosed to the auditors.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects of the charity as defined in the memorandum and articles of association are:

“To alleviate the conditions of life of carers in necessitous circumstances, who care for the elderly, sick, disabled, mentally ill or otherwise infirm, by any means that is charitable”.

Our Vision - all carers in Southwark will have access to the practical and emotional support they need and the recognition and influence they deserve.

Our Mission - to be an organisation run by and for Carers, which provides practical and emotional support to increasing numbers of carers from the diverse communities of Southwark, and to obtain recognition of their invaluable contribution and influence policy in their interests.