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2025-12-31-accounts

GRANTHAM & DISTRICT POVERTY CONCERN GROUP

( Incorporating THE GRANTHAM PASSAGE) CIO Registered Charity No: 1060003

Reg. Address: c/o D Lynn, Charity Treasurer, 142 Harrowby Road, Lincs, NG31 9DU

AGM and ANNUAL REPORT for year ending 31 December 2025 for

Grantham Poverty Concern Annual General Meeting held on 2[nd] March 2026 at the Seventh Day Adventist church, Dudley Road, Grantham

Present:

Trustees: Andy Maddison (Chair), David Lynn (Treasurer), Ann Walker (Secretary), Pat Temple Fielder, Esme Sutton, Ian Whittle, Stephen Cameron, Maureen Griffiths, Sheila Knight, Elizabeth Gaywood.

Apologies: None

Aims and Objectives

Andy Maddison opened the meeting and thanked everyone for attending and walked everyone through the charity’s aims and objectives, below.

AIMS

‘The aims of Grantham Poverty Concern is to help in emergency need, to oversee the Grantham Passages which operates in the following churches:

With the provision by rota to provide food every day of the week. The Charity also sets out to act for the relief of poverty and helps children, young people and the elderly as well as the general public. Grantham Poverty Concern operates by making loans to individuals to alleviate hunger and deprivation. It gives a ‘listening ear’, networks with other agencies and signposts clients where to go for help.

The Charity is staffed entirely by volunteers and financed by donations, with the aforesaid churches giving their premises free.

OBJECTS

The objects of Grantham Poverty Concern are the relief of poverty and of elderly persons in Grantham and the surrounding area in the county of Lincolnshire as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine.

In furtherance of the Objects but not otherwise, the Charity may exercise the following powers:1. To draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills, cheques and other instruments and to operate bank accounts in the name of the Charity.

  1. To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions; provided that in raising funds the Charity shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall confirm to any relevant statutory regulations

  2. To establish or support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for all or any of the Objects

  3. To co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the Objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them

  4. To pay out of the funds of the Charity the costs, charges and expenses of and incidental of the formation and registration of the Charity

  5. To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the Objects’

Grantham Poverty Concern – CIO Charity Number 1060003 CHAIRMANS REPORT FOR 2025

I ’ ll open and keep with tradition to formally thank all the volunteers, donors and organisations that have been involved with the Passage in the last 12 months. Without the time, dedication, generosity and the compassion that everyone has the Passage would not operate the way that it does.

I ’ d like to minute a specific thank you to you as the Trustee team for another year of working to provide a stable and supportive Passage environment. This year has been a challenging one with the loss of so many clients and also the pressures of a rise in numbers across all locations. I think we have coped well with the things that have been thrown at us and we continue to run, 7 days a week supporting those that need it the most. There have been some learnings to take away and I think that these will make us stronger as a team going forward.

As with previous years, our provision of the meals, support and the wrap-around help that is the cornerstone of what the Passage is has been unwavering and busier than I ever remember. Our numbers continue to rise, almost on a weekly basis, and its never been a more challenging time for all the sessions that we provide. The numbers of asylum seekers using our services has increased, partly with the changes of how they are supported externally to us, and this provides its own unique challenges in regards to the meals due to dietary restrictions as well as sheer numbers.

The last year has also been a particularly difficult one with the loss of so many of the clients that we have known, in some cases, for many years. With the initial loss of Barry, Roger, Kim and then Nigel all in the same week, this was followed by the much missed Dag, as well as Christian and then Carl after that. It ’ s a great loss whenever our clients pass away and it a effects so many around them.

All these deaths took their own toll on the clients mental health, but it has also a affected those of us that support the clients. I will personally admit that I found that particular time difficult with so many deaths in such a short time. I know that in the work that we do this is going to be a constant consideration, but I do think we have to look into the mental health and wellbeing of those that provide the support. Being better supported ourselves means that we can provide better support for those that need it.

We continue to work closely with many agencies and charities such as BHive, Change4Lincs, the Foodbank and the Ark as well as SKDC. Each of the relationships we have builds stronger links and provides a more comprehensive network where we can refer (and be referred) clients to the correct support, plus information share for the

benefit of all. The Passage continues to be a trusted partner with all those that we work with.

Outside of the those listed, I would like to thank all the volunteers and Trustees who talk to other companies, agencies, organisations and individuals who in turn provide support and assistance to the Passage. It ’ s a large group effort to keep in the eyes of the public and also to uphold our reputation across so many years.

Financially although we start the year on a stable footing the funds that we have are not endless. With the continued geo-political instability, I can only see that our costs are going to be increasing and this needs to be considered. Luckily we are continued to be well supported (especially with the large fundraiser from the BHive) but we will need to look towards some dedicated fundraising in the coming months.

I ’ ll finish my report looking forward with cautious optimism for the remainder of 2026. I ’ m sure that our services will be called upon like no other previous year and we are in good position to help those that need it. As quoted by Helen Keller (author, activist and rights advocate), “ Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”

The Trustees have not received any emoluments other than authorised expenses.

Andy Maddison, Chair of Trustees 02 March 2025

Stephen Cameron took on the role of Vice Chairman. All nine trustees continue to serve.

Treasurer’s Annual Report for financial year ending 31 December 2025

David Lynn submitted a report of the annual accounts for the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. He had prepared accounts and had been examined by an Independent Examiner and no corrections were needed. They were signed off on 02 March 2026. Summary of accounts.

Bank balance at 01 January 2025
 41,346.46
Income:
Donations 35,443.75
HMRC tax claim 0.00
Bank interest 0.00
Total Income 2025: 35,443.75
Expenditure:
Passage costs 24,289.52
Quiz night to raise funds 569.65
Food parcels & presents for clients 992.90
Stock of mobiles, tents & sleeping bags 1,392.22
Food bags / containers 530.37
Donation for use of kitchens 1,600.00
Admin / Miscellaneous
 2,093.35
Centre costs
 3,904.83
New kitchen, equipment, repairs, cleaning 7,536.84
Total Expenditure 2025: 42,909.68

Bank balance at 31 December 2025

33,880.53

Account held with: Virgin Money Bank Total balance – 33,880.53 o General Account - Balance 32,525.14 o Edith Meredith Account – Balance 1,355.39

The Accounts had been Independently Examined by Virginia Leverton – see her report below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Report to the Trustees of Grantham Poverty Concern Charity Number 1166263 On accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025

Respective Responsibilities of trustees and examiner: The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement: My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement: In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached

Signed:

Date: 02 March 2026

Virginia Leverton

Name: Virginia Leverton 73/74 Main Street Denton Grantham

Lincs NG32 1JZ