providing crisis packs for those in need 

## PORCH BOXES 

## ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 

2025 

Page 1 

## Contents 

|Contents||
|---|---|
||Page|
|Statement of Welcome by the Chair|3|
|Trustees’ Annual Report||
|Reference and administration details|5|
|Structure, governance and management|6|
|Objectives and activities|7|
|Summary of main achievements|8|
|Financial review|9|
|Assessment of achievement|9|
|Information From User Agencies|13|
|Volunteers|14|
|Thanks and Donations|15|
|Referral agencies|18|
|Income and Expenditure Account|20|
|Reconciliation of Funds|21|
|Ring Fenced Funds|22|
|Certification by the Independent Examiner|23|
|Statement of Management Committee Responsibilities|24|
|Declaration on behalf of the Trustees|24|



## Cover Photo 

## Some of our volunteers ready for action! 

Welcome    2026 

Page 2 

Welcome to our twenty sixth Annual Report. 

It has been another busy year. 

We live in challenging times, with the increases in energy prices, the rise in the cost of living plus extra strain on the benefit system causing so many people to turn to charities like ourselves for help with the basics. 

I am proud to report that the team at Porch Boxes continue to work with dedication, enthusiasm and compassion. Offering much needed help to so many people in our area. 

Again I would like to thank the countless numbers of people who have contributed to the work of Porch Boxes in so many ways this year. 

Our committed team of volunteers meet on Wednesday mornings at the warehouse and last year packed and delivered on average around 62 bags per week. This number continues to fluctuate on a weekly basis. 

Increasingly with the pressures of budget cuts affecting statutory services we have seen a change in the agencies using our service. Some continue to work from home and with some services having to make cuts to their operations. This continues to bring difficulties for their service users. 

We continue to be a member of the Bury Community Support Network BCSN. All the various food groups working together sharing information, resources and support. 

Many regular donors continue to support us financially which allows us the flexibility to purchase many more much needed items which are not usually donated. We have also been able to be more generous in the number of items in each food bag. 

We continue with our provision of high calorie nutrition bags to elderly and vulnerable patients on their discharge from Fairfield Hospital. The contents of the bags have been agreed with nutrition experts at the NHS Foundation trust. 

These remain tough times and the cost of purchasing pack contents has increased dramatically over the last year and thankfully the kindness and generosity of the people of Bury has also increased. 

We are grateful to have the continued support from Bury Council. We could not operate without the use of part of one of their industrial units at Bradley Fold Trading Estate. This is our main distribution and work centre. 

Our project ‘Beds 4 Bury’ which we started in early 2022  has been steadily growing. We have been able to expand this as ‘bed poverty’ is a real issue here in Bury. We have also been able to fund the purchase of other non food items for families due to the increased financial support we have been fortunate enough to receive. 

This increased funding has left us in the fortunate position to continue to offer support for the purchase of food items to our partner food providers in Bury. 

Page 3 

Following the rise in energy prices and the cost of living we have found increasing numbers of families and individuals needing help. Many people are finding it difficult to access services and staff able to help them with underlying problems creating a need for help with food provision. 

We are often approached by individuals seeking help and we continue to signpost them to relevant agencies and groups offering access to food provision and advice. If they have difficulty accessing further help we will aim to meet their needs directly. 

I am immensely proud to work with such an incredible team of volunteers who have continued to go the extra mile during this past year. 

As always it remains a tremendous privilege to act as Chair to Porch Boxes and it is an honour to work with such a committed and dedicated group of volunteers who make a difference to the lives of so many people. 

Page 4 

Trustees’ annual report for the period 1 January to 31 December 2025 

## Reference and administration details 

Charity name: Porch Boxes Other names by which The Porch Charity is known: Porch Project Registered charity number: 1089998 Charity’s principal address: 46 Starling Road, Radcliffe M26 4LN Names of the charity trustees Julia Rowlands Chair who manage the charity: Michael Perrin Treasurer Alan Wood Secretary Iain Hodcroft David Archer Laurel Avery Andy Clark Eileen Smith 

Website: www.porchboxes.org.uk Bank: Santander UK plc, Bridle Road, Bootle L30 4GB Staff: The charity has no paid staff. 

Structure, governance and management 

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## Description of the charity’s trusts 

## Type of governing document: 

Constitution amended and adopted 21 May 2002 

How the charity is constituted: 

Association consisting of 

- individuals (over the age of 18 years) who are interested in furthering the work of the Charity and who have paid any annual subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee [presently set at zero], and 

- any body corporate or unincorporated association which is interested in furthering  the  Charity’s  work  and  has  paid  any  annual  subscription [presently set at zero] [any such body being called in this constitution a ‘member organisation’] 

Individual members include those who by their presence at meetings or in other ways demonstrate their interest in furthering the work of the charity. 

## Trustee selection methods: 

Trustees are elected or re-elected annually at the Annual General Meeting held in Spring each year 

## Additional governance issues: 

- All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.  Agreed expenses incurred are reimbursed. 

- In accordance with its Constitution, Porch Boxes co-operates with other agencies locally where they are undertaking work similar to that of Porch Boxes. 

- Porch  Boxes  representatives  have  attended  and  are  willing  to  attend meetings and forums as required in order to share information relevant to our users and those with a shared interest in countering food poverty. 

- The  Trustees  have  identified  major  risks  to  the  achievement  of  the charity’s objectives and have put in place insurance, policies or practices to seek to avoid the objectives of the charity being frustrated.  Policies include Diversity, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Support, Supervision and Training of Volunteers. 

## Objectives and activities 

Summary of the objects of Porch Boxes set out in the Constitution: 

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The Charity’s objects are the relief of poverty and distress primarily amongst people living in the Bury and Rochdale Metropolitan Boroughs in particular but not exclusively by the provision of food, toiletries and other essential goods. 

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects: 

In planning the activities for the year, the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at meetings of the Management Committee. 

We continued to promote our service with agencies working with vulnerable people in the areas indicated by our Constitution. We do not turn down occasional requests for assistance from contacts within neighbouring areas. 

New agencies are provided with service on request.  Our service is available to everyone who falls within our charitable objective, i.e. all vulnerable people in crisis need.  Grant applications are made when appropriate. 

Operations are massively supported by gifts in kind.  The work of the charity is publicised amongst community groups such as Churches and schools whenever possible.  Our website has proved to be an invaluable path for many agencies, community groups and others to learn of our work and offer support as financial donors, by offering gifts in-kind, and by volunteering. An on-line donation and gift-aiding capability is available. 

A great  contribution  is  made by volunteers  who  serve  as  Trustees,  as packers, as deliverers of packs, as people who collect donations in kind, as publicists in various ways, as fundraisers and as administrators.  We thank all these people, without whom there would be no “Porch Boxes”. 

We  are  increasingly  being  asked  to  support  individuals  in  crisis  need directly, we have experienced a growing number of telephone requests from such people. Where there is a need for a direct access response, we endeavor to signpost individuals to other appropriate agencies. However if this is not possible then Porch Boxes will meet that direct need for help. 

Additional details of objectives and activities 

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year: 

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The following section sets out the Trustees’ assessment of the achievement of the charity this year. 

The referral  agencies  through which we support  vulnerable people  in  crisis  need  continue  to  report  a  high  degree  of satisfaction  with  the  service  provided.  In  particular,  they continue to report that Porch Boxes makes a huge difference in the lives of their service users. 

Porch  Boxes  supports  many  agencies,  and  assists  them  in meeting their own objectives. Thus assisting them in encouraging healthy lifestyles, returning vulnerable people to sustainable lifestyles, preventing crime, reducing dependence on drugs and alcohol and avoiding destitution. 

Porch Boxes provides an outlet for the spontaneous urge of many in the community to provide practical support to people in crisis. 

Throughout  the  year,  Porch  Boxes  has  continued  to  work closely with other groups who are planning and working to support local vulnerable people in crisis need. 

Our partners include local churches, schools, individual teams within Bury Council and local foodbanks via BCSN. 

The website is proving valuable and the Trustees are grateful for the work that goes into maintaining this. 

## Financial review 

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves: 

Our reserve policy is always to have sufficient funds for known commitments and to allow for the purchase of items for crisis packs and volunteer expenses. The reserve fund of £60,000 has been put in place to 

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protect the Charity should the rent free use of the Bradley Fold Unit be withdrawn at any point in the future. It is intended to cover accommodation costs in the short term and has been estimated as 24 months at an assumed monthly rent of £2,500. 

## Details of any funds materially in deficit: 

Not applicable 

## Further financial review details: 

The Accounts for 2025 are included in this Report.  They have been scrutinised by an Independent Examiner, whose signature is held on the original documents. Further comments on the finances of the charity are included as notes to the Accounts, and a commentary in the Assessment of Achievement section of this Report.  Those making financial gifts are listed in the Thanks section of this Report (although individual donors are not named there). 

## Assessment of achievement 

The Trustees have established a number of measures to assess the success of Porch Boxes’ service.  Those measures and our assessment against them are set out briefly. 

## Measure 1:  Satisfaction with service provided to be assured, as expressed by referral agencies 

- Unsolicited testimony to the importance of the work of the charity continues to be received. 

- Communications with us bear testimony to the responsive nature of the service in providing what customers say they want.  They also show that agencies are convinced that the contribution made by Porch Boxes to their work makes a real difference in the lives of their vulnerable clients. 

## Measure 2:  Weekly deliveries 

- The following numbers are for weekly parcels packed and delivered. This doesn’t include additional items such as nappies and baby items. The numbers on the chart below for 2025 are purely food parcels/bags. 

- The data for the additional items are now collated separately 

## 2025 

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|Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||
|1stJanuary|Closed||5thFebruary|61||5th March|69|
|8th  January|67||12thFebruary|34||12th March|58|
|15thJanuary|117||19thFebruary|61||19thMarch|47|
|22ndJanuary|56||26thFebruary|68||26thMarch|59|
|29thJanuary|67|||||||
|||||||||
|Total|307||Total|224||Total|233|



## Easter Eggs 2025 

|Agency|Number|
|---|---|
|||
|WOW|21|
|CAP|Chocs for  hampers|
|Resettlement|165|
|Travellers Service|8|
|Lily B|Chocs for hampers|
|Bury Social Care|95|
|Spring Lane|110|
|||
|Plus individual families|49+Unknown|
|||
|Total|454|
|||



|Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||
|2ndApril|47||7thMay|57||4th June|72|
|9th  April|53||14thMay|32||11th  June|23|
|16thApril|37||21stMay|57||18thJune|67|
|23rdApril|53||28thMay|32||25thJune|89|
|30thApril|75|||||||
|Total|265||Total|178||Total|251|



|Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers||Date|Numbers|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||
|2ndJuly|73||6thAugust|78||3rdSeptember|93|
|9th  July|72||13thAugust|49||10thSeptember|51|
|16thJuly|50||20thAugust|93||17thSeptember|71|
|23rdJuly|49||27thAugust|49||24thSeptember|52|
|30thJuly|66|||||||
|||||||||
|||||||||



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|Total|310|310|||Total|Total|269|269||Total|Total|267|267|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||
|Date||Numbers||||Date||Numbers|||Date||Numbers|
|||||||||||||||
|1st  October||80||||5thNovember||57|||3rdDecember||47|
|8th  October||58||||12thNovember||79|||10thDecember||89|
|15thOctober||51||||19thNovember||62|||17thDecember||123|
|22ndOctober||31||||26thNovember||70|||24thDecember||closed|
|29thOctober||48||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||
|Total||268||||Total||268|||Total||259|
|||||||||||||||



Annual total   3,099                           Weekly average  62  bags 

## Christmas Numbers 2025 

|Family Hampers|Individual<br>Hampers|Presents Children|Single people Gift<br>Bags|
|---|---|---|---|
|120|324|102  Children gifts|216|



Extra choc and treats to various agencies plus   stock for hampers for various groups Individual Selection boxes to children [ 139 ] plus resettlement team [165] All gift bags contained selection boxes  [540] 

## Additional Items Provided 2025 From 1[st] January 2025  up until December 17[th] 2025 

|Item|Numbers<br>1stJan  to Dec 17th||
|---|---|---|
|Nappies|113||
|Baby Milk|25||
|Safety Gate|40||



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|||
|---|---|
|Sets of Toys<br>[excluding xmas]|18|
|Sets of Clothes<br>[excluding xmas]|24|
|Single Bed Frame|47|
|Mattress|87|
|Duvets|70|
|Bedding sets|75|
|Pet Food|121|
|Bunkbed|16|
|Toiletries/Cleaning|314|
|Hospital Bags|60|



## Measure 3:  Budget to be established and met 

- A budget has been established for 2026 as shown in the Accounts section. Expenditure will be undertaken against that budget. 

- We are very grateful again this year for the very generous level of financial  support  we have  received by way  of  donations  from  both individuals and corporate bodies. 

## Information from agencies: 

We always ask our agency users for the reasons why their client needs a box from us. This allows us to try and understand the reasons and trends behind the food poverty issue in our locality. 

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## Here are the main reasons: 

- Increased energy bills and cost of living increases 

- moving to independent living with delays in establishing benefits 

- destitute asylum seekers with no recourse to public funds 

- Benefit delays following change of circumstance appeals 

- Inability to budget and manage income. 

- Illness and bereavements 

- Addiction issues 

- fleeing difficult home circumstances 

- ‘sofa surfing’ and ‘rough sleeping’ 

- Unemployment, loss of hours and changes to contracts 

## User Comments 

I just wanted to express my sincere thanks to yourself, all at porch boxes and the amazing community you all work with who provide donations and support. 

I have accessed porch boxes over the recent years more times that i can count on my fingers! The support and donations that we as social workers are able to access, to further support our families experiencing a multitude of difficulties or in times of crisis is invaluable and always received with such gratitude from our families. 

Thank you for all that all of you continue to do - It takes a village to raise a family and you are all definitely a part of that village! 

## _**Natasha Social Care Team**_ 

## Comments From Our Volunteers  2025 

I have been at Porch for yonks and work with a great team. We have a laugh and get to give something back to those in the margins. Julia and Frank are inspirational and very organised. They have the system now so efficient. Even our local friendly robin who comes into the warehouse is gobsmacked. 

## **Steve** 

I’ve been a volunteer for a while now and there have been changes some obvious and some subtle, in the way we work at Bradley fold in the warehouse. The obvious ones for me are that I still enjoy helping like the first day I started there. I enjoy the interaction with people who drop off donations and those who come to collect donations. I enjoy working with all our volunteers and value their friendship and good humour, which is continuous even when the warehouse is damp, freezing, and it’s warmer outside! 

The subtle changes are the different people and different kinds of organisations who now need our donations. The amount and type of donations that we receive has also changed. There seems to be less coming in than when I first started to volunteer. I believe that we 

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have adapted to the changes and the needs in our local community extremely well. We are aware of what the current needs are and always try our best to meet them. **Shirley** 

What stands out for me working at Porch Box is the sense of community and teamwork. Everyone involved shares the same goal of helping others and that creates a welcoming and supportive environment for both volunteers and those accessing services . It’s something I’m really glad to be part of **Andrea** 

It’s still a pleasure to volunteer at Porch Boxes although it’s sad that the need for the food bank continues. Our team is as dedicated, enthusiastic & supportive as ever &, apart from having to get up early on Wednesday mornings, the experience remains enjoyable. It’s also good to know from the agencies that use Porch Boxes that the items we provide are very much appreciated & make such a difference to the people they support. **Diane** 

I enjoy the work I do on a Wednesday morning. I am happy to take on whatever task is needed. The team are all of a like mind and we also enjoy sitting down together for a cuppa half way through the sessions. **Don** 

It is a privilege to be able to provide help for so many people. The people of Bury are incredibly generous. We have developed strong relationships over the years with the professionals supporting families and the lengths these workers go to to help families in need is commendable. I thoroughly enjoy being part of such a dedicated team of volunteers and mid-morning coffee break helps me forget the cold !! **Frank** 

Another year with a brilliant team of committed volunteers 

## **David** 

Laurel 

I volunteer at Porch Boxes as I feel I am contribung to a much needed and worthwhile cause.  Much 

of the work is physical and helps me keep acve while helping others.  The connuing posive 

feedback from the agencies we serve shows that we sll make a di!erence to the people w Laurel 

I volunteer at Porch Boxes as I feel I am contribung to a much needed and worthwhile cause.  Much 

of the work is physical and helps me keep acve while helping others.  The connuing posive 

feedback from the agencies we serve shows that we sll make a di!erence to the people w 

14 | Page 

Most of the people at porch box have been volunteering regularly for a number of years and we are a friendly, enthusiasc and ecient team.  We sll feel that Porch boxes is having a posive impact with the feedback received from the agencies giving us the incenve to turn up every week.  For me, it’s a privilege to work with a great team of volunteers helping 

15 | Page 

those in the local area who are less fortunate than ourselves and volunteering at Porch Box connues to be an enjoyable Most of the people at porch box have been volunteering regularly for a number of years and we are a friendly, enthusiasc and ecient team.  We sll feel that Porch boxes is having a posive impact 

16 | Page 

with the feedback received from the agencies giving us the incenve to turn up every week.  For me, it’s a privilege to work with a great team of volunteers helping those in the local area who are less fortunate than ourselves and volunteering at Porch Box connues to be an enjoyable 

Most of the people at Porch Boxes have been volunteering regularly for a number of years. We are a friendly, enthusiastic and efficient team. We still feel that Porch boxes is having a positive impact with the feedback received from the agencies. This gives us the incentive to turn up every week!  For me it is a privilege to work with a great team of volunteers, helping those in the local area who are in need. Volunteering at Porch Boxes continues to be an enjoyable experience. 

17 | Page 

## **Laurel** 

I’ve been volunteering at Porch for some years now. We are always busy. It’s a good team to be a part of but it’s sad we exist. We’ve evolved from just dealing with food poverty to dealing with bed poverty in our Beds 4 Bury initiative the stories we hear are very sad and shocking. 

## **Andy** 

## Donations throughout 2024 

Our thanks go to all those many people and organisations who have given gifts of help, food, goods or money. These include; 

Ainsworth Parish Church Ainsworth Social Club Ainsworth Unitarian Chapel All Saints Church [St. Francis House] Allied Health Professionals @ Fairfield Hospital Asda Bury   [weekly collection trolley] Asda Radcliffe [weekly collection trolley] Asda Pilsworth [weekly collection trolley] Asda Foundation 

Bolton Road Methodist Church Bury URC Bury College Students Bury Veterans Association 

Cams Lane Community Primary School Canon Lewis Hall Chantlers Pre School Christ Church Ainsworth Church & School Christ Church Ramsbottom Christ Church Walmersley Christ Church Walshaw Church & School Crown Oil 

Elton CP School Elton High School 

Fairfield Community Primary School 

GMP via Bernie Kearns Greenmount URC Greenhill CP School Higher Lane Community Primary School Holcombe Brook CP School Holcombe Emmanuel Church & School 

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Holcombe Brook & Summerseat WI 

Lowercroft CP School 

Mersey Drive Community Primary School Morrisons Whitefield [weekly collection trolley] 

Old Hall Community Primary School 

Parrenthorn High School Prestwich & Whitefield W.I. Radcliffe Community Primary School Radcliffe Parish Church 

Seedfield Methodist Church & local Community Stables Leisure Club, Walshaw St. Andrew’s CE Church Radcliffe St. Francis House /All Saints St. George’s Church Simister St. John & St. Mark CE Church Seedfield St. Margaret’s CE Church Prestwich St. Margaret’s CE Primary School Prestwich St. Mary’s CE Primary School Prestwich St. Mary’s Parish Church Radcliffe St. Stephen’s C.E. Church & School St. Thomas C.E. Primary School Bury St. Thomas & St. John Church Radcliffe Summerseat Methodist Church & School 

The Bury Grammar Schools The Tottington Centre Tottington Methodist Church Tower Health Care 

Village Greens Community Co-operative Store, Prestwich 

Wesley Methodist Church & School WHN Solicitors Group Whittaker Lane Medical Centre Prestwich Whitefield Methodist Church Wilds Accountants Woodbank Primary School 

## Individuals 

Adrian Smith Dayna Smith Peter C 

## Financial Donations 

Beechfield 

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Bury Christian Fellowship Kirklees Valley PCC PM & M Solutions Charities Trust Elton High School Bury URC TUUT Charitable Trust St. Thomas & St. John Charities Aid Foundation D & L Charity Tower Family Health Care BVCF Walshaw Community Choir 

The Garden Bin collectors 

Diane Gaunt [Greenmount] Gill Handley [Holcombe Brook] Annette Alderson [Tottington Central] 

## Additional Thank you 

Madeleine Archer for maintaining the website and managing social media 

## Note 

In addition to these lists there are many individuals who just leave donations with us and no names. 

Many individuals at local churches regularly send monetary donations. Also some donations are collected from other drop off points various places in the Borough and we do not always have records of who these donors are. 

Additional financial donations are also recorded in the accounts section. 

Packs and stock provided in 2025 to referral agencies 

## Bury Metropolitan Borough 

Access and Crisis Team (Mental Health), Fairfield Hospital Achieve Bury Age UK Adullam Homes [ABEN]    2 separate Teams 

Blue Cross Radcliffe [Pet food] Bolton Road Food Club Brandlesholme Foodbank Bury Baptists Food Bank Bury Out of hours Emergency Social Care Team   Bradley Fold Bury MBC, housing Resettlement Team. Bury MBC housing drop in sessions Bury MBC, Adult Services (Social Care) Bury MBC, Children’s Services Safeguarding Teams @ 3 Knowsley Place 

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Bury MBC, Community Mental Health Team - Humphrey House Bury MBC, Education Department, Parent Support Advisers Bury MBC  Portage Service Bury MBC, Social Services & Rapid Response Textile Hall Bury MBC  Travellers Service Bury Leaving Care Teams and  Next chapter Bury College Bury Veterans Association 

Calico  Floating Support Housing CAP Creative Living Centre Prestwich 

Early Break, Radcliffe Early Intervention Team Humphrey House/3 KP Ellen Court, Radcliffe, Great Places Housing Group Elton Community Primary School Early Help Teams at Redvales, Radcliffe and Whitefield Childrens Centres 

Fairfield Community Primary School Fairfield Hospital Ward 18 Discharge lounge [Elderly Patients] Free Project 

Greater Manchester Probation Service, Bury 

Hazelwood High School Health Visitor Teams, Community Nursery Nurses throughout the Borough Heaton Park Community Primary School Heaton Park Methodist Food Club Holy Trinity RC Primary School Home Treatment Team - Irwell Unit, Fairfield Hospital Housing First 

Irwell Valley Homes Ingeus Ingeus Restart 

Nacros2 NASS Families 

Pennine care - Nursing Teams, Family Practitioners and Health Visitors 

Radcliffe Primary Care Centre Health visitors Ramy Pantry Reddisher Support Services Radcliffe Ribble Drive Community Primary School Rough Sleepers Team 

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Safenet Smilecare Bury Spring Lane School St. Stephen’s CE Primary School Staying Well Team 

Topping Fold TRA Tottington Primary School Trinity Foodbank Radcliffe Trusthouse 

Unsworth CP School Women Of Worth Youth Justice Nurse 

## Rochdale Metropolitan Borough 

Rochdale MBC, Children in Care Team Rochdale MBC, Social Services, Young People’s Support Team Watering the soul [Formerly Rose Court] 

## Elsewhere 

Out There (supporting families of prisoners), Hulme Afro Caribbean Mental Health Team 

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## Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Porch Boxes 

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] December 2025. 

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## 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act 

* to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention 

## Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as 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: 

* to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 0f the 2011 Act 

* to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act 

have not been met; or 

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

## Name Claire Sedgwick 

## Relevant professional qualification or body: FCA 

## Original signed by Claire Sedgwick 

## 26[th] February 2026 

## STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES 

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Charity Law requires the trustees of the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs for that Charity, and of the results of the Charity for that period. 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently 

- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonably prudent 

- Prepare the financial statements on the ‘going concern’ basis unless it is inappropriate to presume this charity will continue in business 

The Trustees 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 Charities Act 1993. 

- The safeguarding of the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and detection of other irregularities. 

Declaration 

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. 

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees 

**Michael Perrin Treasurer** March 2026 

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