**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1064952** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND** ## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** **FOR BABY BASICS MK** Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY **BABY BASICS MK** ## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ||Page| |---|---| |Report of the Trustees|1 to 4| |Independent Examiner's Report|5| |Statement of assets and liabilities|6| |Receipts and payments account|7| **BABY BASICS MK** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Registered Charity number** 1064952 ## **Principal address** C/O Kings Church Community Centre Creed Street Wolverton Milton Keynes MK12 5LY ## **Trustees** S L Forbes - Chair S E McGrory - Trustee L J Cusdin – Trustee ## **Volunteers** D Parker - Treasurer ## **Independent examiner** Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire, MK40 3JY ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing document** The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust (resolution and amended deed adopted February 2017) and constitutes an unincorporated charity. ## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** Trustees are appointed after being interviewed by the panel of trustees then voted upon and appointed. ## **Risk management** The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Baby Basics MK receives donations, sorts and prepares these donations into gift packages, and gives these to those in need. Page 1 ## Network of Referrals: All of this is done through referrals from Health Professionals, Children Centres, Nurseries, Churches, Social Services, MK University Hospital and General Practitioners and the like across Milton Keynes. ## MK Charity Hub: Baby Basics MK is situated in the Milton Keynes Charity Hub, alongside Foodbank MK, Xtra Project, St Marks Meals, which is sponsored by Milton Keynes Council. ## King's Church MK/King's Community Centre: King's Church give free office space to Baby Basics MK for daily use and work together supporting the local community. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Summary of the objectives of the charity set out in its document** a) The prevention of relief of financial hardship, poverty or distress, among people living or working in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas, by providing such persons with children's clothing, toys and related children's furniture which they could not otherwise afford through lack of means and by the recycling and provision of furniture, clothes and other items specifically related to the needs of young people. b) The promotion of such other charitable purposes which may conveniently be carried on in connection with the above objects. ## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objectives** Baby Basics MK was first established and funded on a voluntary by a dedicated project manager who played a pivotal role in establishing the charity’s core operations and services. The voluntary nature of this role reflected our early stage and resource constraints. As the need for Baby Basics MK services expanded it became apparent that we needed to ensure consistent and professional oversight. We applied for a grant from Milton Keynes Community Foundation as a paid part-time role was necessary to keep pace with the increasing demand. This was particularly critical as our operations grew and we sought to ensure that the charity could continue to effectively meet the needs of families across Milton Keynes. Baby Basics continues now funded via regular financial donations from individuals and companies/businesses or varying sizes. The success of the charity is deeply intertwined with the dedication and passion of our volunteers, whose unwavering commitment to helping families across Milton Keynes continues to drive our mission forward. Their enthusiasm, selflessness and invaluable contribution have been integral to the services we provide. Over the course of the past year our volunteer base has expanded allowing us to reach more families and create a more resilient support network within our community. As we continue to grow we are grateful for the diverse skills and backgrounds that our hard working volunteers bring, enriching Baby Basics Mk and its impact. Page 2 ## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE** 2023-24 has been another exceptionally busy and challenging year for Baby Basics MK. The ongoing financial crisis has pushed many more families into poverty, increasing the demand for our services. As living costs soar and essential bills, such as utilities, become unaffordable the need for support has never been more pressing. Despite these challenges we are proud to report that Baby Basics MK has continued to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of families across Milton Keynes. We remain committed to providing vital services and support, helping those who are most vulnerable to navigate through these difficult times. The following pr é cis of the numbers of babies and children up to the age of 6 that we have helped since 2014 will best demonstrate this: - 2014 - gave out 64 parcels to babies/children - 2015 - gave out 486 parcels - 2016 - gave out 650 parcels - 2017 - 2019 gave an average of 1200 parcels each year - 2020 - gave out 1600 parcels (start of lock down) - 2021 - gave out 1931 parcels (start of Charity Hub) - 2022 - gave out 2987 parcels - 2023 – gave out 3711 parcels - -2024 – figures exceeding last year and this Christmas looks to be our biggest yet with 288 parcels - requested for Christmas referrals. ## **Baby Basics MK in the Charity Hub** Baby Basics MK foundational and ongoing role within the Milton Keynes Charity Hub has enabled us to provide and increase access for families in need. The integration of our services into this larger collaborative framework has been invaluable in reaching more families across the city. The recognition and feedback we have received about our unique service from families and services/agencies: NHS. Family-Centres, etc, underscores the critical role Baby Basics MK plays within Milton Keynes and we are proud to continues being a lifeline for those who need our support. ## **Launch and Growth of Top Up Shop** Baby Basics MK launched a Top Up Shop in September 2021, in conjunction with King’s Community Centre. A unique initiative designed to help families struggling to meet the basic needs of their children. Families are invited to give a small donation for a bag of 10 to 20 essential baby items, such as nappies, formula, wipes, food and other necessities. This service has been invaluable. In the current financial crisis where the likes of utility bills have been devastating famines the demand for this Top Up Shop is substantial. Top Up Shop has proven to be an incredibly popular and much needed service with the rising cost of living and utility bills taking a devastating toll on family budgets. In response we have worked tirelessly to ensure that we can meet the demand, adapting our operations to provide as much support as possible. 2022; 1202 top up bags were taken. 2023: 1801 top up bags were taken. 2024: 1203 top up bags taken to date ## **Conclusion** The persistent financial crisis is driving a constantly changing future, therefore Baby Basic MK is constantly changing to meet these needs. We are committed to expanding our services and adapting to the changing needs of families during these times. We will continue to rely on the generosity of our supporters, volunteers and staff to ensure that we can provide the vital help that families need to survive and thrive. Page 3 ## **Awards** February 16th 2023 - Shaaron Forbes, Chair of Trustees, and a Baby Basics MK volunteer were presented to King Charles at the Charity Hub in recognition of the work Baby Basics MK does for the people of Milton Keynes. This was a part of King Charles visit to Milton Keynes in recognizing its new City status. March 22nd 2023 - Shaaron Forbes, Chair of Trustees, and her husband were invited to 10 Downing Street for a Community Champions Reception in recognition of their charity work. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Reserves policy** The trustees seek to keep 2 months reserves. Approved by order of the board of trustees on .............................................. 22/12/2024 and signed on its behalf by: _SL Forbes_ ............................................. S L Forbes – Chair of Trustees Page 4 **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **BABY BASICS MK** I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages five to ten. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). I have examined your charity's accounts as required under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe: 1. that accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. that the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. that the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or 4. that there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. T J Walker (Mrs) Rawlinson Pryde & Partners Chartered Certified Accountants Argent House 5 Goldington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 3JY 22nd December 2024 Date: ............................................. Page 5 ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2024** ||**31.3.24**|31.3.23| |---|---|---| ||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted| ||**funds**|| ||**£**|£| |**CURRENT ASSETS**||| |Cash at bank and in hand|**66,077**|48,631| |**NET CURRENT ASSETS**|**66,077**|48,631| |**NET ASSETS**|**66,077**|48,631| |**FUNDS**||| |Unrestricted funds|**66,077**|48,631| |**TOTAL FUNDS**|**66,077**|48,631| |The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on................................................and were signed
22/12/2024||| |on its behalf by:||| |_SL Forbes_||| |.............................................||| |S L Forbes -Chair of Trustees||| |LGANa2.||| |.............................................||| |S E McGrory -Trustee||| Page 6 **BABY BASICS MK** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** |**RECEIPTS**
Donations
Top up shop sales
Clothes recycling and cash fundraising
Grant
**Total receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Wages
Insurance
Advertising
Telephone
Sundries
Information technology
Accountancy
Bank charges
**Costs of charitable activities**
Supplies – general and mattresses
Supplies–top up shop
**Total payments**
**Net receipts**
Cash Funds last year
Cash Funds this year|**31.3.24**
**£**
**37,678**
**3.159**
**2,386**
**43,223**
**750**
**43,973**
**19,250**
**668**
**-**
**389**
**77**
**601**
**1,212**
**5**
**22,202**
**250**
**4,075**
**26,527**
**17,446**
**48.631**
**66,077**|31.3.23
£
28,985
2,253
2,723
33,961
500
34,461
19,250
577
325
365
740
960
1,074
5
23,296
248
2,893
26,437
8,024
40,607
48.631| |---|---|---| Page 7