2021-03-31-accounts - The Hope Centre St Helens

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The Hope Centre - St Helens

Charity number 1103903

A Company limited by guarantee number 05089663

Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 March 2021

The Hope Centre - St Helens LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees		Position
	Mr J Ryan	Chair
	Rev J P Fell
	Mr J Cooper
	Mr T Kelly
	Rev C Lawrenson
	Mrs J Webster
Project Director	Mrs A Metcalfe
Company Secretary	Mrs B Barton
Charity Number	1103903
Company Number	05089663
Principal address	The Hope Centre
	St Helens Christian	Life Centre
	Atherton Street
	St Helens
	Merseyside
	WA10 2DT
Bankers	Yorkshire Bank
	6 Bridge Street
	St Helens
	WA10 1NF
Independent Examiner	Jane Williams
	MAAT
	Greater Merseyside Community Accountancy Service
	Halton & St Helens	Voluntary and Community Action
	Beacon Building
	College Street
	St Helens
	WA10 1TF

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Contents	Page
Report of the Board of Trustees	2 to 13
Independent Examiners Report	14
Statement of financial activities	15 to 16
Balance sheet	17
Statement of cash flows	18
Notes to the financial statements	19 to 27

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

THE TRUSTEES:

The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Rev J P Fell Mr J Ryan Mr J Cooper Mr T Kelly Rev Craig Lawrenson Mrs J Webster

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS:

Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of members of the board and professional advisers on page 1 of the financial statements

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:

The Hope Centre is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As such its activities are overseen by a board of trustees who are also directors of the company. However the day to day running of the charity is overseen by the Hope Centre Director and the Chair of Trustees.

The date of incorporation of the charity was 31 March 2004 and the date of appointment of the first Trustee was 4 April 2004. Currently the Board is made up of six members. The Hope Centre continues to rent its office and training accommodation from St Helens Christian Life Centre. In addition Hope House, the homeless day centre is leased from St Helens Borough Council.

Trustees on appointment are provided with the Charity Commission documentation for trustees, outlining roles and responsibilities. In addition briefing papers are provided from the management to all new trustees.

Trustees are normally appointed for a period of 3 years after which they must be re-elected at the next annual meeting. The Trustees Board has met on four occasions during this year for full Board meetings with a further 3 meetings for Business Planning strategy meetings.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:

A Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for determining the Hope Centre’s strategic direction, approving capital and revenue expenditure and monitoring performance and is comprised of a Chair, and six other Trustee Board Members.

The trustees of the Charity are drawn from a range of backgrounds with some being members of the founding church whilst others are not. Trustees members are drawn from within the third sector, the financial and business sectors. All the Trustees give their time voluntarily.

An Executive Management Team is comprised of the Chair of Trustees and the Project Director who assume overall responsibility, with support from staff team leaders, for executing the strategic and financial plan.

Finance and Administration is managed by the Hope Centre Director with the support of two volunteers and finance issues are reported to the Management Team and Trustees.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

Finance and Administration staff manage the day to day financial position of the Charity as well as producing end of year accounts, liaising with banks and auditors. All monitoring of service users/learners achievement of project targets and completion of monitoring reports are carried out by this team. Major reports for funders are collated and produced. The significant volunteer data base is also managed within the team as are new applications for funding under the direction of the Hope Centre Director.

Operational Management is delegated by the trustees to the Project Director and 3 team leaders responsible for Hope House homeless services, the Training department, the Foodbank and Engage Community projects. The Project Director has overall responsibility for the operational and performance management and quality framework and responsibility for priorities through specific project development, service delivery, tailored interventions and training, service improvements, joint networking practices and general administration.

Four Operational Teams of staff and volunteers support the Project Director. Training, Advice, Advocacy and Support Services, Hope House - Homeless Provision; Engage Community Projects; St Helens Foodbank. Finance and administrative staff who report directly to the Hope Centre Director. Regular operational meetings take place with the Project Director & Team Leaders who then report to the Executive Management Team (E.M.T). General staff meetings take place monthly and staff training away days bi-annually.

RELATED PARTIES:

The Hope Centre was established by the St Helens Christian Life Centre (Elim Pentecostal Church) from which the Charity rents its accommodation and to whom a contribution is made for facilities, such as copiers, and utilities. In addition the Church makes donations to support the work of the Charity.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

The Management Team and Trustees continually consider the impact of our financial position and stability at their regular Trustee meetings. Attention continues to be focused on reviewing the current strategies and planning effectively for the future. New services and training opportunities continue to be a focus as is promoting the work in order to attract longer term funding. The Trustees, in conjunction with the Director, identify and review major risks which may affect the stability and successful operation of the Charity. Action is then planned and implemented, as far as possible, to minimise or remove the identified risk. The Trustees, together with the Director continue to review the long-term future viability of the Charity, particularly with a view to reducing dependence on a single stream of funding and report to trustees. Long term sustainability continues to be a challenge as longer term funding opportunities and increased donation income are sought. Financial viability is continually monitored and addressed throughout the year in management team meetings and at trustee's meetings.

Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and anti-fraud policies. Measures are also in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, service users, learners and visitors.

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

OBJECTS, ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE:

Public Benefit Statement

The principal aim of the Hope Centre – St Helens is to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the borough of St Helens.

The Trustees believe that the services provided by the Hope Centre - St Helens are compliant with the Charities Commission Guidance on Public Benefit and the public benefit is further exemplified in the following statements of Activity and Performance, and Future Development Plans.

Objects of The Hope Centre - St Helens

The Charity's objects (revised December 2011) contained within the governing document are:

1. to advance the christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statement of belief appearing in the schedule hereto in St. Helens and in such other parts of the United Kingdom as the Trustees may from time to time think fit and in so doing to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the Trust

2. To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

a) For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one of more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; homelessness or poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards).

3. to prevent or relieve poverty in St. Helens by providing: education, training and support services to individuals in need

Hope Centre Strategic Objectives

The Hope Centre, in partnership where appropriate, will work with vulnerable and/or disadvantaged people to:

empower them for positive behaviour change and improved life choices
improve their social, economic, physical, psychological and spiritual well-being
prepare them for and help sustain their independent living
encourage their responsible participation in society

The Hope Centre employs an inclusive approach and provides relevant social care services and training for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and adults, and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or age.

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

HOPE CENTRE COVID RESPONSE 2020-21

Introduction

As the pandemic unfolded in the UK, the lockdown which impacted provision of service happened as the financial year drew to a close. The following therefore is a brief insight into the final few weeks of planning for the Hope Centre response to the unfolding crisis.

We envisaged that all our services would be impacted in one way or another, and this proved to be the case. However, the Hope Centre was designated by the local authority as an essential service for two main areas of our work: Foodbank and homeless services.

The Church, St Helens Christian Life Centre, from whom the Charity rents space for its administrative offices and some projects: Training, Engage, Foodbank, Breathe, closed for all church services and related activities at the commencement of national lockdown. As a result of this and the designation of the Charity as an essential service, the building was solely used by the Charity, which collaborated with the Church to ensure all COVID guidance was followed.

In final weeks of March 2019 the Project Director and Team leaders developed a series of action plans and risk assessments for the emerging situation. Inevitably the work on these continued into the new financial year. Therefore a more detailed report on these will be given in the next annual report.

Impact on the people we support.

It was envisaged that those who we work with would be affected by changes to services however, the following services continued into and throughout the pandemic:

Foodbank
Homeless services (Hope House)

Other services and projects ceased during the national lockdown.

Impact of Virus Control Measures

All clients and service users were impacted by the changes to services: Foodbank clients:

affected by social distancing requirements, and use of PPE
Impacted by a reduction of some distribution hubs in some parts of the borough (not at the Hope Centre base however because of our sole use)
Impacted slightly by a temporary reduction in volunteers, though this was resolved

Impact on Staff

As an essential service, all staff were encouraged to work from home as much as possible, apart from the requirement to be in the buildings to carry out essential work.

The Government furlough scheme was explored as it was envisaged this scheme might be needed in due time. Staff were informed of this possibility

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

Impact on Volunteers

The Hope Centre has a heavy reliance on volunteers for many of its services. Many of these are amongst the older population and it was anticipated that we would lose some of these through the shielding and lockdown requirements.

As an essential service we had close collaboration with the St Helens Council COVID response team and the local Voluntary Community Action organisation (former CVS) which developed a COVID volunteer response. This later mitigated the loss of volunteers.

Impact on Charity’s operations and activities

Plans for some activities to cease were developed, as they were not essential at that time and the volunteers were not available: e.g. Engage, Breathe.

Homeless services were in process of redesign as the financial year closed to fit the prevailing need and COVID restrictions.

Impact on fundraising

As most of the Charity’s income is from grant funding rather than donations, no serious impact was envisaged in the short term. Funders however were contacted to discuss the impact and ensure compliance with terms and conditions.

Financial Security

Our primary intent in the early days was primarily to focus our attention on redeveloping services, the Charity believed that our financial security would not be at significant risk, dependent on the timescale of the crisis. This was kept under constant review.

Summary

The Project Director led a team effort to ensure those services which needed to continue remained fit for purpose in the new crisis situation. In addition, consideration for the large number of volunteers meant the team contacted volunteers and assured them of our continued support and provision of PPE etc for them if they wished to continue. Inevitably those who felt the need to step back for health purposes etc, did so with the Charity’s full support.

As an essential service in our locality, there was a rapid response to redesign services to meet the new situation. This was done very successfully by a concerted team approach, with full support from Trustees. The Charity entered the crisis well prepared and flexible in its responses, proving its worth as an essential service and adding value to the effectiveness of the community, voluntary, private and statutory COVID partnership.

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2020 - MARCH 2021

Volunteers

Our volunteers are a major part of enabling support and delivery of all our projects. They represent a wide range of local churches, other organisations and individuals from our community who have heard of our projects and want to give back. Specifically they volunteer in Foodbank, Hope House, Baby-Basics, Make Lunch and in supporting the administration of the Hope Centre. COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions have affected many of our team volunteers. Some had to self-isolate and projects had to adapt. This has meant a reduction in the number of volunteers involved in our projects this year but we have endeavored to keep in touch and support many of our volunteers throughout the pandemic.

Total Volunteers 109 (27 of them volunteer at the Christmas homeless provision) Total Volunteer Hours 9451 Value to Hope Centre £82,412

HOPE CENTRE TRAINING

Coronavirus Impact on courses & delivery: April 202-March 2021

When the government imposed a countrywide lockdown on 23[rd] March 2020, delivery of all courses stopped with immediate effect. To support vulnerable beneficiaries we established a Hope Line to maintain regular contact with Breathe learners, those attending Digital Skills & Computer Club, English & Maths and was quickly extended to support others whom was felt would benefit from regular contact during unprecedented times.

For some this was the only outside contact they received and the weekly call was a great boost for some of the participants.

Breathe Mental Health – Breathe Employability

We transitioned the course to on-line delivery, via Zoom, with limited success. The overall feeling is the course content is best suited to face-to-face delivery. All aspects of delivery has been liaised with the funder.

Digital Skills: Delivered to a maximum of 10 learners

UK Online Basics - This course is offered to adults 18+ who have had very little or no experience of using a computer. This is a student-led, tutor-supported course allowing the learners to gain basic computer skills at their own pace. Once this course is completed, the learner is encouraged to progress onto Beyond Basics

Beyond Basics - This course is offered to learners wanting to refresh their computer skills and (re)introduces the learner to Microsoft packages, social media etc allowing them to explore the internet and give them confidence in work searches. Again, this is student-led tutor-supported allowing the learner to progress at their own pace.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

Computer Club – an opportunity for learners who have completed the above courses and who want to access the internet and continue to use the Hope Centre facility. This has been set up to free spaces for those on the waiting list.

The above sessions have been paused and re-established when social distancing guidelines means delivery can be carried out safely for everyone concerned.

English & Maths : Basics Skills – delivered at the Hope Centre by St Helens College tutor.

Due to the impact of lockdown and social distancing measures St Helens College stopped delivery of its sessions at the Hope Centre – this will be revisited 2021-2022 when social distancing measures are eased.

Pop-Up Project: Recognising an opportunity to support local school-children struggling to home study, because of lack of equipment, a pop-up project was set up January 2021 in partnership with Bringing Youth Technology & Education [B.Y.T.E.] and St Helens Council. The Hope Centre acted as a delivery point for pre-loved laptops & devices – these were regularly collected by B.Y.T.E. who wiped them of any sensitive data, uploaded relevant MS Office programs and delivered to schools. The feedback from this support was extremely positive, showing that not all projects have to be costly or long-lived to make a positive impact.

HOPE HOUSE - ADVICE, ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT CENTRE

Hope House has continued to support those who are experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness throughout the year. The service was adapted during the pandemic to ensure that it was COVID-19 safe for our staff, volunteers and service users. We have supported 483 individuals, through the service this year, with service users engaging in 14523 interventions. Our volunteers have continued to be invaluable to the work of the Centre. Even at reduced numbers, they have donated 1213 hours of their time during the pandemic.

BASIC NEEDS

During COVID-19 it was recognized that the practical support provided was going to be essential for service users to be able to manage the changes. Social distancing guidelines led to the adaptation of the service. A breakfast pack and hot lunch were provided at the door each day, for those who were struggling, resulting in 9002 meals provided over the year. For those in their own tenancy, a weekly nonperishable food hamper was provided to ensure they were able to access food but did not have to attend the service each day. In total, 1948 hampers were given to service users who identified as at risk of homelessness.

In addition, the team worked in partnership with the Local Authority and other charity partners to provide a packed lunch, a hot meal and drinks to those rough sleepers who were temporarily accommodated by the Local Authority, through the Everyone In scheme. 3364 hot meals and 3369 cold packed lunches were provided under this scheme.

The personal care service availability had to be reduced but was still offered to those with no alternative. The shower facilities were used on 110 occasions, with the laundry facilities accessed on 92 occasions. Toiletries and items of clothing provision with 1444 items given to service users.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

ADVICE AND SUPPORT

The support service had to be adapted due to the need to reduce the numbers of people in the building at any one time. 1533 support interventions were provided to service users during this year.

Outputs

82 signposting and advice interventions provided
662 pieces of mail received for service users without a stable address
528 phone calls to housing, health and benefit organisations
220 internet café sessions

Outcomes

74 accessed emergency accommodation support
46 were referred into temporary accommodation
59 accessed emergency benefit support
13 maintained contact with drug and alcohol treatment
48 occasions of support to access other organisations’ support including, the Domestic Violence team, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Probation

DEVELOPMENTS

The need for social distancing led to a pilot scheme to extend the opening hours of the Centre to include evenings and weekends. This pilot highlighted the need for social support with 80 service users visiting the Centre on 497 occasions during the extended hours.

ST HELENS FOODBANK

St. Helens Foodbank continues to be very active with 2514 vouchers fulfilled and having fed a total of 6,023 people; 3,825 Adults; 2,198 Children over the past year. This is a decrease of 2,436 people attending foodbank from the previous year.

We believe this was partly due to small community foodbanks opening during the lockdown in March around St Helens.

At the beginning of the Covid 19 outbreak, quite a few of our regular volunteers had to self-isolate but we were able to liaise with the VCA and recruit temporary volunteers. We were therefore able to keep all our Foodbank Hubs open where people could come to redeem their 3 day emergency food hampers. We opened a new Hub in December and now have 5 hubs which run over 5 days Monday to Friday.

As many of our Referral Agencies staff now had to work from home and not able to issue the red vouchers, we responded by inviting our agencies to become E-Referral Agencies enabling them of offer their clients foodbank vouchers by E Code which could be emailed or code texted to their clients. This procedure has worked really well with many agencies accepting this offer.

From 23[rd] March 2020 our wrap around service had to change due to Covid 19 restrictions and to help keep our volunteers and clients safe.

Social distancing was implemented and volunteers were issued with PPE and hand sanitiser in line with government guidelines. Limited access of foodbank by clients and food hampers given at the door to restrict contact in some instances

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

For foodbank families who had to self-isolate or shield, home delivery of food hampers was implemented.

We currently have over 50 regular volunteers who have worked selflessly over the past year in the Hubs, warehouse, delivery and administration. They are the mainstay of the foodbank and without them could not function. Their commitment, hard work and compassion are to be commended.

We have also been able to employ a Volunteer Coordinator from November 2020 which has been a huge help and support during this difficult time.

Our food stocks are very good as donations continued to flow in all through the pandemic. We also now include fresh bread, butter, fruit and veg in our food hampers.

Our greatest challenge is still the storage of food as it is spread out over various locations around the town, which can cause logistical problems. It would be ideal to have all our stocks in one storage warehouse.

ENGAGE PROJECT 2020-21

Hope Centre objectives state we will respond when we can to prevent or support families in poverty and to encourage social inclusion. The way our projects deliver has been adapted during the past year to provide their beneficiaries with the services they need, whilst complying with social distancing rules.

The Hope Centre Baby-Basics project is a response to the growing need for practical help for new mothers and families unable to afford the basic essential and equipment necessary to look after new born babies. This project is delivered in partnership with many local churches and partner agencies within the town.

88 Baskets have been given out during this year.

Make Lunch

Make Lunch is an event to help families who are on low income/or in receipt of free school meals. It takes place during school holidays. This is delivered with the support of St. Helens Local Authority.

During the pandemic this support has taken the form of delivery of hampers and holiday activity packs to support families in their own homes, rather than through the provision of holiday activity clubs. Over the 6 school holidays 477 family meals were provided including 1527 portions. On average 29 families accessed the provision each holiday with 35 adults and 69 children receiving food support.

HOPE CENTRE DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2019-2020

The major challenge for the Charity continues to be the raising of funds. The Management Team and Trustees considered the impact of this at their regular meetings. Hope Centre aims to be stronger, more agile, more innovative and adaptable to the new funding environment and to continue to develop new opportunities, investigate new potential partnerships and programmes, which can attract new funding.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

Partnerships this year:-

Health & Wellbeing Partnerships Crisis – Skylight Team Citizens Advice St Helens St Helens Job Centre St Helens Third Sector Consortium Salvation Army Lifehouse [St Helens] Housing Options St Helens Social Inclusion& Disability Network Asda & Tescos Green Pastures TLG Baby Basics

CHANGING COMMUNITIES – CIC ( The CIC was officially formed on 30[th] March 2017).

The vision statement is “We will positively help change communities and improve people’s lives”, with the tag line “Changing Communities – one life at time”.

The mission statement is “We shall positively support people and communities to help them develop their sense of belonging, increase local involvement and help them have the confidence to make new life choices”.

The CIC Directors and Management Team have focused delivery on ‘the Restore – St Helens Project’.

The Restore Project Key Information – To provide opportunities for volunteering, to learn and to train, To redirect items of furniture destined for landfill, restore or upcycle household good.

1. 10 tonnes of Disposal Diversion through furniture, repair, reuse, upcycling and refurbishment activities.

2. 34 volunteers

3. 6570 volunteer hours

4. Partnership working with Hope Centre, Social Services, Housing Associations (for example)

As part of the Hope Centre development process, a volunteer skills audit is being undertaken. It is hoped this may provide volunteers with customer service, furniture restorations skills and communications skills to staff the project.

The Christian ethos of the project with the God of restoration and hope at the centre of the project, is restoring the lives (practically and spiritually) of those involved.

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expection that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Report of the Board of Trustees

FINANCIAL REVIEW:

The Charity’s principal source of funding continues to be grant funding. The Trustees and Management team aim to maintain financial stability and considerable attention has therefore been given to identifying new income sources as well as encouraging one-off donations. In addition to grants from the local Council, local and national funders are approached to invest in our projects. Major funders in 2019-2020 include:

St Helens LA Henry Smith St Helens Charitable Trust Coalfields WEA – Training Grant Garfield Weston L.C.V.S

Like most charities, the Hope Centre’s major challenge is to secure grant funding. This obviously affects the services it can provide. The Board has been aiming to achieve a balanced budget and to increase our current level of unrestricted reserves. This will provide a safety net that will allow us to maintain basic services.

INVESTMENT POLICIES:

The charity currently has no investments, or investment income

RESERVES:

The Hope Centre needs reserves to protect its core work and ensure this continues. In addition, reserves provide a level of funding that enables us to plan for future developments, and to provide a safety net to protect against risks such as unforeseen expenditure or a significant loss of income.

To achieve these objectives, trustees plan to hold at least three months expenditure in “Unrestricted Funds”. The Hope Centre is meeting this objective currently and trustees aim to maintain this level in future years. However, they recognise circumstances may change and will monitor and review this policy and the level of reserves held annually.

In addition to Unrestricted Funds, we hold Restricted Funds from funding income for projects to achieve specific results. There is also a designated fund (Hope House 2) which is money set aside with the aim of developing and purchasing the new Hope House building in the next few years.

At year end our Unrestricted Funds were £64,801 and the Hope House 2 Fund had a balance of £67,000.

There have been no serious incidents to report in this financial year. Our auditors have worked closely with us to minimize risk and strengthen financial processes and procedures.

RESULTS:

The results for the year and the charity's financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

A resolution was passed by Trustees at the last Annual Meeting on 1st December 2020 to seek new auditors. The opportunity would be put out to tender in the ensuing months with a view to appoint new Independent Examiners in time for the end of financial year 2020-21. The Charity appointed Jane Williams of Greater Merseyside Accountancy Service as its examiner for this year, subject to annual review.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities For the year ended 31st March 2021

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of The Hope Centre - St Helens for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provision relating to small companies within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 26th January 2022

Mr John Ryan Chair

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Independent Examiner's Report to the members of

The Hope Centre - St Helens

for the year ended 31 March 2021

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Hope Centre - St Helens for the year ended 31 March 2021.

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of The Hope Centre - St Helens (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination’; or

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Jane Williams

MAAT

Greater Merseyside Community Accountancy Service Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action Beacon Building College Street St Helens WA10 1TF

26th January 2022

The Hope Centre - St Helens Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes Income from: Donations and legacies (2) Charitable activities (3) Other income Investment income (4) Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities -(5) Net (expenditure) / income Transfers between funds (15) Net movement in funds Fund balances at 1 April 2020 Fund balances at 31 March 2021	Funds £ 53,148 - 1,111 24 54,283 (33,506) 20,777 (62,150) (41,373) 106,174 64,801 Unrestricted	Restricted Funds £ 135,362 201,585 - - 336,947 (205,197) 131,750 62,150 193,900 47,005 240,905	2021 Total Funds £ 188,510 201,585 1,111 24 391,230 (238,703) 152,527 - 152,527 153,179 305,706	2020 Total Funds £ 74,829 112,818 920 12
				188,579
				(220,203)
				(31,624)
				-
				(31,624) 184,803
				153,179

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The Hope Centre - St Helens Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes Unrestricted Funds £ Income from: Donations and legacies (2) 41,805 Charitable activities (3) - Investments (4) 12 Other Income 920 Total 42,737 Expenditure on: Charitable activities (5) (13,972) Net (expenditure) / income 28,765 Transfers between funds (15a) (7,938) Net movement in funds 20,827 Fund balances at 1 April 2019 85,347 Fund balances at 31 March 2020 106,174	Restricted Funds £ 115,842 30,000 - - 145,842 (206,231) (60,389) 7,938 (52,451) 99,456 47,005	2020 Total Funds £ 157,647 30,000 12 920
		188,579
		(220,203)
		(31,624)
		-
		(31,624) 184,803
		153,179

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2021

Notes 2021 Fixed Assets £ Tangible Fixed Assets (10) 335 Total fixed assets 335 Current Assets Debtors and prepayments (12) 20,632 Cash at bank and in hand 318,340 Total current assets 338,971 Current liabilities: amounts falling due within one year Creditors and accruals (13) 33,600 Total current liabilities 33,600 Net current assets / (liabilities) 305,371 Total assets less current liabilities 305,706 Funds Restricted Funds (15) 173,905 Designated Funds 67,000 Unrestricted funds 64,801 305,706	2020 £ 10,187
	10,187
	34,587 141,174
	175,761
	32,769
	32,769

	142,992

	153,179
	47,005 - 106,174
	153,179

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) confirm that for the year ended 31 March 2021

the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, and

the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act .

The trustees acknowledge their responsiblities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, the the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

The notes on pages 12 to 23 form an integral part of these accounts.

These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, were approved by the trustees on 26th January 2022 and signed on their behalf by:

John Ryan (Chair) Trustee

Company registration number 05089663

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2021

Cash flows from operating activities: Net income/(expenditure) per SOFA Depreciation Investment Income (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Increase/(decrease) in deferred income Cash flows from investing activities: Investment income Net increase/(decrease) in cash: Total cash as at 1 April 2020 Total cash as at 31 March 2021	2021 £ 152,527 9,852 (24) 13,955 832 - 177,142 24 177,166 141,174 318,340	2020 £ (31,624) 19,056 (12) (8,448) 9,553 (802)
		(12,277)
		12
		(12,265) 153,439
		141,174

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting policies

Charity Information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Hope Centre, St Helens Christian Life Centre, Atherton Street, St Helens, WA10 2DT.

1.1 Accounting convention

These accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities"; Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006 as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The accounts are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

1.2 Going Concern

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting Policies (continued)

1.3 Charitable funds

(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.

(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.

1.4 Incoming resources

(a) Income is recognised and included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the income; receipt is probable; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

(b) Where income has related expenditure (e.g. Foodbank), the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

(d) Income, which is subject to conditions that the charity has yet to fulfil, or which is specifically for use in a future accounting period, is treated as deferred income.

1.5 Resources expended

(a) Expenditure is recognised on the accruals basis.
(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

(a) Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at their value on receipt.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the costs less estimated residual value or its expected useful life, as follows:

Long Leased property 15 years straight line basis Fixtures & fittings 15 years straight line basis

Office Equipment 3 years straight line basis

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2021

1 Accounting Policies (continued)

1.7 Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

2 Donations and legacies Donations Donations from CLC Donation from Local Authority Donations from Trussell Trust For the year ended 31 March 2020 Grants receivable for core activities St Helens Borough Council	2021 Unrestricted funds £ 120,510 2,950 65,000 50 188,510 22,940 - -	2021 Restricted funds £ - - - - - 51,889 - -	2021 Total funds £ 120,510 2,950 65,000 50 188,510 74,829 - -	2020 Total funds £ 53,420 2,400 15,000 4,009
				74,829
				15,000
				15,000

The Hope Centre - St Helens Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

3a Charitable activities £ Performance related grants & Contracts Henry Smith - St Helens Council rent grant - - Medicash - Sundry Grants - St Helens Charitable Trust - Social, housing and employment support - The Steve Morgan Foundation 40,740 Homeless Link - Rathbone - LCVS - Halton & St Helens VCA - Imperial Harold Percival Group - Community Foundation - Pilkington Charity - Torus Foundation - Coalfields - LFC Foundation - Other small grants - Other Income 1,544 Services Provided 1,570 - 43,854 - - Other Income 1,111 1,111 Training grants CORE Activities	£ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,544 1,570 - 3,114 - - - - Foodbank	£ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Training & Outreach	£ - - - - - - - - 16,707 - - 5,000 - - - - 5,810 - 8,286 762 9,550 - 46,115 - - - - Homeless Shelter	Total 2021 £ 40,000 - - 7,500 - - - 40,740 16,707 1,000 1,500 5,000 2,700 4,993 4,000 11,500 5,810 14,000 11,730 19,145 15,260 - 201,585 - - 1,111 1,111	Total 2020
					£ 40,000 2,865 7,853 7,500 20,850 3,750 30,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
					112,818
					- - 920
					920

The Hope Centre - St Helens Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

5a Expenditure on Charitable activities Wages and salaries Rent Light and heat Repairs and maintenance Insurance Other establishment Other motor/travel costs Legal and professional fees Telephone Other office costs Depreciation Consumables Materials, equipment and resources Promotional activities Volunteer expenses Training & outreach - tutor costs Training & outreach - Donations 6 Governance Costs Total resources expended	£ 25,418 1,167 - - - 661 - - - 2,693 4,977 9,852 914 183 74 - - - - - 43,604 Support Costs	£ 19,498 5,999 - - 60 300 6 604 1,871 5 - 8,857 2,896 - 415 - - - - 40,511 CORE Activities	£ 31,621 2,050 - - 757 - 3,063 - 2,358 281 - 7,037 977 - 450 - - - - 48,594 Foodbank	£ - - - 17 35 - - - 300 - 360 - - - 712 Training & outreach	£ 87,434 6,068 2,997 1,563 1,105 150 1,303 2,671 60 - - 1,861 - 70 - - - - 105,282 Homeless Shelter	Total 2021 £ 163,971 12,950 2,997 1,563 2,583 300 3,219 1,924 9,593 5,358 9,852 16,808 5,917 374 935 360 - - - 238,703	Total 2020
							£ 138,324 9,360 3,730 7,820 2,054 2,493 3,412 8,863 4,036 1,885 19,057 3,426 - 788 1,413 3,960 9,582 - -
							220,203

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

6 Governance costs Independent Examination Administration Trustee expenses 7 Trustee remuneration and expenses Total amount paid During the year no trustees received any remuneration or expenses (2020: 0) 8 Employees Wages and salaries Employer's NI Pension Number of employees The average monthly number of employees during the year was: There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more. Key management of the charity received employee benefits (including pension contributions) totalling	2021 £ - - - - 2021 £ - 2021 £ 152,254 8,306 3,411 163,971 2021 Number 10 2021 21,217	2020 £ 2,610 - -
		2,610
		2020 £
		-
		2020 £ 138,324 - -
		138,324
		2020 Number 10
		2020 18,784

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

9 10 11 15 12	Tangible assets Cost At 1 April 2020 Additions At 31 March 2021 Depreciation At 1 April 2020 Charge for year At 31 March 2021 Net book value At 31 March 2021 At 31 March 2020 Financial Instruments Carrying amount of financial assets Debt instruments measured at cost Carrying amount of financial liabilities Measured at cost Debtors and prepayments Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors Cash at bank and in hand Bank Current Account Yorkshire Savings Hope Centre Special Projects Cash in hand Creditors and accruals Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income	Land and buildings £ 170,000 - 170,000 161,216 8,784 170,000 - 8,784	Fixtures and fittings £ 900 - 900 505 60 565 335 395	Equipment £ 47,478 - 47,478 46,470 1,008 47,478 - 1,008 2021 £ 338,710 33,600 2021 £ - 262 20,370 20,632 2021 £ 293,944 23,910 73 413 318,340 2021 £ 33,600 - 33,600	Total £ 218,378 -
					218,378
					208,191 9,852
					218,043

					335

					10,187
					2020 £ 174,328
					32,769
					2020 £ 10,000 1,377 23,210
					34,587
					2020 £ 117,232 23,886 - 56
					141,174
					2020 £ 29,640 3,129
					32,769

The Hope Centre - St Helens Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2021

13 Retirement benefit schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

14 Restricted funds

The Income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes: The charity supports the shortfall of funding on these programmes from reserves to ensure continuity of service.

Food Bank Baby Basics Changing Communities Building for the future Hope House Homeless Centre Hope House 2 Public Health Local Sustainablity Fund COVID 19 The Steve Morgan Fdtn Training Fund Faith to Talk	Balance at 1 April 2020 28,257 - - 8,783 5,099 - 3,144 1,591 - - 16 115 47,005	Incoming Resources Resources Expended 117,140 (48,690) 11,257 (7,735) - - - (8,783) 157,502 (98,844) - - - - - - 25,308 (21,012) 25,740 (19,438) - (695) - - 336,947 (205,197) Movement in funds	Transfers - - - - - 67,000 (3,144) (1,591) - - - (115) 62,150	Balance at 31 March 2021
				96,707 3,522 - - 63,757 67,000 - - 4,296 6,302 (679) -
				240,905

14a Comparative Movement in funds

Food Bank Baby Basics Changing Communities Building for the future Hope House Homeless Centre Public Health Local Sustainablity Fund Training Fund Faith to Talk Analysis of net assets between funds Fund balances at 31 March 2021 are represented by: Tangible assets Current assets / (liabilities) Comparative at 31 March 2020 Current assets / (liabilities)	Balance at 1 April 2019 16,615 6,059 9,304 26,350 29,584 3,144 1,591 6,694 115 99,456	Incoming Resources 39,684 5,738 - - 92,567 - - 7,853 - 145,842	Resources Expended (28,042) (12,623) (9,304) (17,567) (117,052) - - (21,643) - (206,231) Unrestricted Funds £ 335 64,466 64,801 106,174	Transfers - 826 - - - - - 7,112 - 7,938 Restricted Funds £ - 240,905 240,905 47,005	Balance at 31 March 2020
					28,257 - - 8,783 5,099 3,144 1,591 16 115
					47,005
					Total £ 335 305,371
					305,706

					153,179

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

16 Transactions with trustees and related parties

As three of the trustees of The Hope Centre - St Helens are also elders of St Helens Christian Life Centre and the church, The Christian Life Centre is considered to be a related party of the charity.

Related party transactions during the year ended 31 March 2021 were:

Payments from The Hope Centre - St Helens to St Helens Christian Life Centre: £8,208

Receipts from St Helens Christian Life Centre: £3,175

Changing Communities C.I.C is a company that was set up by The Hope Centre to deliver certain community projects. As the majority of its board are either trustees or employees of The Hope Centre - St Helens it is considered to be a related party.

The Hope Centre - St Helens also administered payroll processing and settled amounts due totalling £15,900 (2020 -£13,155) on behalf of Changing Communities C.I.C

18 Company limited by guarantee

The Hope Centre - St Helens is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. The liability of the members is limited to £1.