Business Plan - Torus Foundation

Business Plan 2019 – 2024

Introduction 1

Torus Foundation at a glance 2

Governance 4

Priority Areas: 5Employment 6Money Matters 8Health and Wellbeing 10Go Digital 12

Objectives 14

Measuring Impact 15

Growth 16

5 Year Business Plan 17

Appendix 1: Torus Foundation Objects 18Appendix 2: Service Offer 19

Torus Foundation Business Plan 2019 - 2024

Contents

Introduction

1Torus Foundation Business Plan 2019 - 2024

The Torus business model

SURPLUS

GIFT AID

Generating jobs and training opportunities

Assisting you with money and benefits

Helping you to get online

Providing health and wellbeing activities

Torus Developments

TorusHomes

TorusFoundation

HMS GIFT AIDGIFT AID

The Torus Foundation is the charitable arm of the Torus group - a diverse and ambitious social purpose organisation committed to unlocking potential and creating sustainable, thriving communities.

The Foundation was created to make a positive difference across the Torus heartland areas of Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington – to tackle significant issues, address deprivation, promote inclusion and support customers and communities. Torus Foundation projects cover four primary themes or ‘pillars’, which are designed to change lives through employment, health and wellbeing, financial inclusion and digital inclusion. For stronger communities The ultimate objective of better connected, independent and more sustainable neighbourhood is reflected in the charity’s mission statement ‘for stronger communities’.

The Torus group’s sustainable business model underpins the Foundation’s work. Every year, fellow group member HMS donates a proportion of its commercial profits through Gift Aid to sustain and support social projects.

The Torus Heartlands

Warrington


Torus Foundation at a glanceThe Torus Foundation concentrates its activities in areas where Torus owns or manages social and affordable rent properties. Every project strives to improve the quality of life and wellbeing for customers, supporting all members of the household with a particular emphasis on people who are younger, older or vulnerable.

On 1st January 2019, Liverpool Mutual Homes and Torus – two of the North West’s largest social landlords – joined forces to create a new diversified social purpose group with big ambitions to improve lives and communities.

The Foundation’s launch in April 2019 unites the group’s previous social investment activities, including the Social Impact Team from Torus, ComMutual in Liverpool and New Leaf in Warrington. Bringing the teams together enables the Foundation to reach more people and deliver enhanced services in partnership, building on the impacts delivered by the charity since it was established in 2013.

Flagship projects designed to deliver the organisations mission ‘for stronger communities’ include:

• FireFit Hub (FFH) – a state-of-the-art community base in South Liverpool that gives young people and the wider community access to a suite of sporting and wellbeing opportunities seven days a week

• New Leaf – a £10.67 million European Social Fund (ESF) project focused on supporting those furthest from the labour market to address barriers and enable people to take steps towards or enter employment through personalised support

As a large and diversified social purpose organisation – simultaneously landlord, property developer, commercial contractor and social entrepreneur – Torus group members strive to deliver shared ambitions and unlock potential to create sustainable, stable, thriving communities.

The group’s four core distinct business areas work together to create opportunities that make things happen.

Supporting the group’s objectives

Torus’ Corporate Plan 2019 – 2024 is built around 11 fundamental objectives, spread across four key themes: Influence, Investment, Resilience and Intelligence. The Torus Foundation will make a demonstrable contribution to fulfil the following group objectives, contributing to the group mission of ‘growing stronger communities’

• We will support customers and communities, providing opportunities that enhance life skills, employment opportunities and health & wellbeing.

• We will provide vital support to communities, helping to build resilience. We will increase strategic partnerships with a focus on health and social care.

Torus Foundation Business Plan 2019 - 2024

Part of the Torus group

3

Torus Foundation’s Board consists of a maximum of twelve Trustees. Torus Group is the sole nominating body for Trustees.

The constitution of Torus Foundation cannot be changed unless Torus Group as sole corporate member agrees.

In determining the make-up of the Board of Trustees, efforts will continue to be made to develop a good balance of skills and knowledge and to be diverse, which may include:

• Torus

• Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority

• Local Authorities

• Neighbourhood Management /

Community Regeneration expertise

• Health and Wellbeing expertise

• Finance expertise

• Community expertise

• Young People expertise

• Equalities expertise

• Legal Expertise

Torus Group has an Intra Group Agreement in place with each Group member, which clearly sets out the responsibilities of each party.

Torus Foundation is supported by Torus Group through Service Level Agreements for the provision of ICT, Finance, HR, Communications, Business Support and Facilities Management.


Governance

Tours Foundation has developed 4 pillars which provide a framework for delivery. Each of the pillars is underpinned by a rationale which is constantly reviewed to ensure that projects remain relevant and continue to create a positive impact. There is a significant interdependent relationship between the 4 pillars; no single pillar or project stands in isolation.

Working across communities in the North West, the charity aims to create thriving, vibrant places to live. Projects vary from support specifically for Torus tenants to projects open to the wider community. The ratio of support delivered to Torus tenants compared to other residents is estimated at 80:20.


Priority Areas

The Torus Foundation is committed to:

Generating jobs and training opportunities

Assisting you with money and benefits

Helping you to get online

Providing health and wellbeing activities


Employment

Residents claiming out of work benefits (Nomis 2016)

People in employment (Nomis 2018)

Workless households (Nomis 2017)

Job density: Ratio of total jobs to population aged 16-64 (Nomis 2017)

* Hidden deprivation: 28 of 127 LSOAs in Warrington are amongst the 20% most deprived in the country for the Employment Domain

† Hidden deprivation: 22 of 127 LSOAs in Warrington are amongst the 20% most deprived in the country for the Education, Skills & Training Domain

Warrington 7%

National Ave. 8%

St. Helens 12%

Liverpool 14%

Warrington 13%

Warrington 1.14

National Ave. 14.5%

National Ave. 0.86

St. Helens 21%

St. Helens 0.65

Liverpool 24%

Liverpool 0.83

Warrington 76%*

National Ave. 75%

St. Helens 73%

Liverpool 68%

Working age people with no qualifications (Nomis 2018)

Warrington 6%†

National Ave. 8%

St. Helens 12%

Liverpool 11%

Torus Foundation is committed to employment and enterprise as one of its key themes. This is directed by national statistics which demonstrate that the Liverpool City Region (LCR) underperform in comparison to other areas of the country.

There is also extreme deprivation affecting a concentrated section of the population in Warrington with hidden pockets of poverty and unemployment.

The charity aligns itself with local strategies developed by the Local Enterprise Partnership and local authorities which address areas of underperformance.

Unemployment across the region is high and is compounded by significant numbers of working age adults who have long term health conditions. It is also recognised that people who live in social housing are more likely to be unemployed than any other tenure type.

In 2012, the Welfare Reform Act introduced a series of policy changes which aimed to increase the number of people in work by ‘making work pay’. In addition, the ‘spare room subsidy’ was introduced to address under occupancy and to reduce the Housing Benefit Bill. The effects of such reforms are greater financial responsibility for tenants and less money to support the costs of their housing and day to day living expenses. Further changes to Welfare Benefits and the introduction of Universal Credit have increased financial pressures and the requirement for people to gain employment and become economically active.

Torus Foundation aims to support people in work poverty to complete vocational qualifications and progress in their careers from zero hours/low paid work. The percentage of working age people with no qualifications is particularly high in Liverpool at 16%; double that of the national average. Skill priorities identified for the region include; customer service, science and technology, logistics, project management and basic literacy skills.

The introduction of the apprenticeship levy and new frameworks have impacted the number of apprenticeships nationally, which have seen a 31% decrease in take-up in the 2017/18 academic year compared to the previous year (Department for Education). The region faces challenges in how to promote apprenticeship opportunities and how to maximise opportunities through the levy, ensuring there is access routes to learning frameworks.

Torus Foundation offers a range of voluntary projects which help people to enter the labour market. The projects reflect the different stages which customers may be at on their journey into work, providing a supportive pathway to gain positive outcomes for customers.


Employment


Money Matters

Gross weekly full time pay (Nomis 2018)

No. of children classed as living in poverty (Nomis 2015)

Families relying on tax credits to top up low (JFR, 2017 ‘Inclusive Growth in Livrpool City Region’)

* Hidden deprivation: 24 of 127 LSOAs in Warrington now fall into the most deprived 20% in the country. These 24 LSOAs have a total population of 37,700- over 18% of Warrington’s total population.

Liverpool 1 in 3

Liverpool City Region 1 in 5

St. Helens 1 in 5

National Ave. 1 in 6

National Ave. 1 in 6

Warrington 1 in 8

Liverpool City Region is ranked the most deprived of England’s 39 LEP areas (Gov:UK, 2015 ‘English Indicies of Deprivation 2015’)

National Ave. £571.10

Warrington £569.50*

Liverpool £530.50

St. Helens £516.20

Torus Foundation aims to ensure the financial inclusion of customers including Torus and prospective tenants; improving the range, quality and availability of financial services to reduce the number of people living in poverty across the North West.

Over the last 20 years, poverty in the UK has significantly reduced; particularly in high risk groups including pensioners and families with children. However, trends are beginning to reverse with poverty rates in both groups rising again. This is attributed to three factors:

• Rising employment is no longer reducing poverty;

• Rents are increasing across some tenures;

• State support for those on low-income

is reducing in real terms (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2017 ‘UK Poverty’)

Gaining employment does not necessarily mean a reduction in poverty in the UK; 67% of children living in poverty are part of a family where at least one person works(Child Poverty Action Group, 2018 ‘Child Poverty Facts and Figures’). Torus Foundation recognises that projects should also target working households, and conduct better-off calculations with customers who are supported into work.

Those most disadvantaged in the UK experience significant barriers in accessing services. Issues are further compounded by the ‘poverty premium’ where people face higher charges including; loan services and interest rates, lack of access to online discounts, expensive prepayment utility meters.

Poverty and unsecured debt are also strongly associated with mental health issues. Children and adults living in households with the lowest 20% income in the UK are two to three times more likely to develop mental health problems than those in the highest income bracket. (Mental Health Foundation, 2016 ‘Fundamental Facts About Mental Health 2016’ p57).

The roll out of Universal Credit is creating an immediate financial crisis for a significant number of Torus households who are experiencing a gap in benefit support of between 4-6 weeks. Tenants are facing increased financial pressures, resulting in a reliance on emergency provision. Project work directly supports tenants at immediate high risk; however the aim is to work proactively within communities to try and reduce the need for emergency support and enable people to take control of their finances so they can afford to pay their rent.

Working in collaboration is key to the charity’s approach; commissioning partners to deliver benefits and welfare advice, including specialist support for those with complex needs including; offenders and asylum seekers.

Torus Foundation helps tenants to maximise income, gain access to affordable credit and actively push against loan shark activity which will ultimately help neighbourhoods become more economically active and attractive places to live.


Money Matters


Health & WellbeingLife expectancy at birth (ONS 2014-16)

Year 6 children classified as obese (ONS 2016-17)

% of people living with life limiting long-term illness (Census 2011)

Emergency hospital admissions for injuries due to falls in persons aged 65+ per 1000 (Public Health England 2017)

* Hidden deprivation: 19,700 people in Warrington (just under 10% of total population) fall into the most deprived 10% of the country

76.37 77.46Liverpool St Helens

Male

78.92 79.53Warrington National Ave.

Female 81.9 83.14Warrington National Ave.

80.29 80.95Liverpool St Helens

Children

Warrington 17.5%

Warrington 3,250

Warrington 17%*

National Ave. 20%

National Ave. 2,114

National Ave. 18%

Liverpool 23.4%

Liverpool 3,168

Liverpool 22%

St. Helens 24.5%

St. Helens 2,845

St. Helens 23%

Torus Foundation aims to remove barriers and reduce health inequalities in communities across the three heartlands. The North West has high concentrations of deprivation; with 19.6% of neighbourhoods in the top 10% most deprived in England, according to the most recent Index of Multiple Deprivation results. Health deprivation is particularly concentrated in this region, contributing towards disparity between the North West and the rest of England.

With a significant number of older tenants living across the three heartlands, a priority for the charity is supporting an aging population. Older people can feel isolated due to limited access to services, particularly in deprived areas. This is highlighted as a priority in Warrington, for example the number of residents living with dementia in Warrington in 2026 is anticipated to increase by 15%.

Torus Foundation enables residents to develop positive health behaviours and in doing so can help to; prevent health issues arising, promote independent living, reduce hospital admissions and increase life expectancy.

The charity offers a broad variety of wellbeing activities for all ages in priority neighbourhoods; reflecting the diverse nature of the tenant base and meeting local needs. This approach includes promoting gender equality and participation in sports, for example providing female only fitness sessions at FireFit Hub.

Within the Health and Wellbeing pillar, Torus Foundation delivers a high quality youth provision at FireFit Hub. Reducing youth violence and anti-social behaviour is a real priority, with focus on neighbourhoods in Liverpool where gang culture and knife crime is an issue, working in partnership with key stakeholders including Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and local youth providers.

Torus Foundation has developed strategic links with key health partners including; CCGs, the NHS, local authorities and third sector organisations; ensuring our approach links with local priorities and strategies. The charity is keen to promote new approaches in creating a more joined-up approach to health and wellbeing across sectors, including development of social prescribing models.


Health & Wellbeing


Go digital

UK households that do not have an internet connection (ONS 2017)

Percentage of people aged 75+ who haven’t accessed the internet recently. (ONS 2017)

Adults who have never used the internet. (ONS, 2017 ‘Internet Users in the UK’)

65% of adults use a smart phone to go online. (ONS, 2017 ‘Internet Users in the UK’)

22% 60%

4.8million 65%www

The Government’s Digital by Default agenda has seen continued growth in services available online such as welfare benefits, school admissions, job vacancies and NHS services.

Households without the means or knowledge to access services online are at a disadvantage as they may find it harder to find employment or access services. In addition, households could pay higher prices for goods and services, become socially isolated as more people are communicating by social media, and if in education may find it difficult to study.

Torus Foundation is working in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country with a low take up of Internet access; as a result, a significant number of customers lack digital skills.

Torus Foundation is committed to reducing the number of households who are digitally excluded, removing barriers for customers by providing free, bespoke IT training, in Digital Hubs which are situated in close proximity to where they live.

The charity continues to closely follow developments in emerging technology, such as 5G internet, ensuring customers don’t miss out on opportunities.


Go digital

The charity’s objectives are fundamental to achieving Torus Foundation’s vision ‘For Stronger Communities’.

Each objective is supported by a series of goals, projects and performance measures to ensure the charity fulfils its ambitions over the next five years:


Objectives

Objective Outcome

Strong Communities

To improve skills and access to sustainable employment pathways

Customers are closer to the job market with increased self-esteem and confidenceCustomers have completed vocational trainingCustomers are supported into employmentCustomers on zero hour/ low skilled jobs are supported into better jobs

To provide free IT training to reduce the number of digitally excluded households

Increased services providing digital accessCustomers and communities become digitally included

To tackle health inequalities by delivering tailored health and wellbeing projects

Increased provision of health servicesCustomers develop positive behaviours that support healthy livesCustomers gain increased confidence

To help people to maximise income and stimulate economically active neighbourhoods

Customers offered help to manage their financesCustomers receive direct financial gainsCustomers supported out of debt Receive support around welfare benefits

Torus Foundation measures social value using an independent tool which is externally verified. This allows the charity to convert social outcomes into monetary values based on how much they increase an individual’s well-being.

The approach works through the analysis of large national data sets to isolate the effect of a particular factor on individual well-being. Examples of social value outcomes include: increasing a customer’s confidence level and attending a social club. These outcomes are important, but are not commonly expressed or measured in the same way that financial value is.

The value of social return calculated gives a strong indication of ‘what works’ well, enabling informed decisions to be taken on the continuation of projects that generate the higher values of social return on investment.

Torus Foundation takes a robust management stance on social impact measurements. Projects will often require multiple interventions to have a genuine long-term impact; for this reason, Torus Foundation only measures the social value of projects that have delivered at least eight interventions.

During 2018/19 Torus Foundation measured social value using Housing Associations Charitable Trust (HACT) ‘Value Insight’ social value tool. A summary of the social value achieved can be found below: Torus Foundation Social Value 2018/19

Budget for community investment

£878,500

No. of people experiencing an outcome

2262

Social Impact £7,590,498 Based on 3081outcomes

Budget to impact ratio £1 : £8.60

In addition to Social Value, Torus Foundation also measures the value of ‘In Kind’ support generated using a series of proxy values which reflect the financial cost of purchasing goods or services that have been provided free of charge to enable a project to take place.

Torus Foundation also measures actual cash values which have been realised for customers through projects which it delivers or commissions.


Measuring Impact

The Torus Foundation is an ambitious organisation, keen to expand its impact across the three heartlands. Following a place shaping approach, the charity will use its regional influence and partner networks to ensure communities have the right resources; acting as an enabler and coordinator (where needed) to create places people want to live, work and do business.

Where possible, the charity will seek to work in collaboration, utilising the strengths of partners across Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington; promoting co-investment models.

The Torus Foundation Fundraising Strategy sets out its approach to diversifying income to increase resilience of the charity and expand provision across the north west. Torus Foundation will maximise impact in communities by:

• Securing significant additional grant funding

• Developing a fundraising programme for corporate and major donor giving

• Levering additional monies through match and in-kind funding

• Creating direct financial gains for customers.

Torus Foundation will also look to expand its provision by amalgamating with other organisations where an opportunity exists to add mutual value.

The charity has identified three stakeholder groups to continue engaging with, building business intelligence:

• Customers - recipients of services who will inform the design of Torus Foundation’s delivery model including Torus tenants, residents and FFH members

• Communities - key influencing people and organisations, whose strategies and policies directly compliment and impact the charity

• Corporates - with strategic connections and those seeking to deliver corporate social responsibility.

Torus Foundation will continue to deliver projects to support communities with a specific focus on where Torus own and manage homes. The charity will deliver a core service offer for all Torus tenants, alongside an enhanced offer in localities which require greater input.


Growth

Cashflow Forecast

Added Value ForecastSocial Value = £1 : £6

2019/20£k

2020/21£k

2021/22£k

2022/23£k

2023/24£K

O/Bal 2,512 1,887 1,231 1,067 1,080

Gift Aid 2,000 2,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Income 4,422 4,448 3,827 3,841 3,855

Expenditure (Excl. Dep’n) -7,048 -7,103 -8,992 -8,827 -8,842

C/Bal 1,887 1,231 1,067 1,080 1,093

Reserves Required (Golden Rule) 792 804 817 830 843

Excess Cash Over Reserves 1,095 427 250 250 250

2019/20£k

2020/21£k

2021/22£k

2022/23£k

2023/24£k

Total£k

Existing Contracts 4,460 4,460

New Grant Funding 150 150 150 150 150 750

Corporate Funding 50 60 70 80 90 350

Match and in kind Funding 800 800 800 800 800 4,000

Cash realised for customers 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000

Total 10,460 6,010 6,020 6,040 6,040 34,560


Five Year Business Plan

Torus Foundation Objects

The Objects of the Charity, which are for the public benefit, are specifically restricted to the following:

1.1.1 to further or benefit the residents of Merseyside and its surrounding areas, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment pregnancy or maternity, race, disability, marriage or civil partnership status or of political, religious or other beliefs by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents;

1.1.2 the promotion of public health, including (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) through the provision of facilities for healthy exercise and sport for the benefit of the public;

1.1.3 to act as a resource for the residents of Merseyside and its surrounding areas by providing or facilitating the provision of advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities as a means of:

1.1.4 to relieve elderly people resident in Merseyside and its surrounding areas who are in need, by providing services or facilities calculated to relieve the needs of such persons;

1.1.5 to build the capacity of charities and other organisations carrying out charitable activities and provide them with the necessary support, information and services to enable them to pursue or contribute to any charitable purpose;

1.1.6 such other charitable purposes according to the law of England and Wales that the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine from time to time.”

a. advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals;

b. advancing education;

c. relieving unemployment;


Appendix 1


Appendix 2

Liverpool Enhanced Offer• ‘FireFit Hub’ youth provision and community wellbeing• ‘IT Include’ digital skills• ‘Access to Work’ paid work experience (ESF funded)

St Helens Enhanced Offer• ‘IT Include’ digital skills

Warrington Enhanced Offer• ‘New Leaf’ 121 employability mentor, financial advice (ESF funded)

Core Service Offer: projects and support available across all heartlands

• Work placements• Access to job search• IAG support• Employability fund• Career progression• Vocational training• Access to self-

employment advice

• Health and Wellbeing activities

• School holiday camps• Breakfast Clubs• Volunteering

Opportunities

• Digital Hubs• Training

• Money advice• Charitable Grants

Worker• Winter Warmth Packs• Community

Investment Fund • Food banks

Torus Stock NumbersWarrington: c.8,500 homesSt Helens: c.13,500 homesLiverpool: c.15,500 homes

Enhanced Service Offer: projects & support specific to the following locations

The Observatory 1 Old Haymarket Liverpool L1 6RA

call: 0300 123 5809email: [email protected]: www.torusfoundation.org.uktwitter: @torusfoundation

Documents

Business Plan - Torus Foundation