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2023-03-31-accounts

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 2023

The Hope Centre - St Helens LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Position Dates Mr J Ryan Chair Rev C Lawrenson Vice Chair Mr T Kelly Treasurer Mrs J Webster Till December 2022 Bill Schafer From March 2023 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 Virgin Money 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

1

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 2023.

Mr J Ryan Mr T Kelly Rev Craig Lawrenson Mrs J Webster Mr Bill Schafer

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 five 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 rented from Green Pastures.

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.

2

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 Project Leads responsible for Hope House homeless services, the Training department, the Foodbank, Hope Pantry and BabyBasics 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.

3

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:

  1. empower them for positive behaviour change and improved life choices

  2. improve their social, economic, physical, psychological and spiritual well-being

  3. prepare them for and help sustain their independent living

  4. 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.

4

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

HOPE CENTRE Covid

Although there have been no new lockdowns in this period the service has continued to experience reduced levels of volunteering and increased levels of people using the service with significant mental health issues and in some cases increased use of illegal substances.

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2023

H OPE CENTRE TRAINING April 2022 to March 2023

Breathe Mental Health

Funded by Liverpool City Region

Breathe Men’s Mental Health

Changes in delivery :

Course review and feedback:

Digital Skills sessions:

Delivery of digital skills in a formal training session has been taken out of project delivery – the team are looking at other ways to deliver digital skills and funding opportunities are being accessed outcomes of which will be reported 2023-2024

5

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

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2023

Hope Pantry is part of the wider Your Local Pantry network. The key aim of having the pantry is to help soften the blow of high living costs and create the conditions for communities to grow and thrive, by bringing people together around food. To strengthen communities, fostering friendships, loosening the grip of poverty, and contributing to healthier, happier lives.

Activity Figures for the Year Impact

From September 2022 to March 2023, Hope Pantry has supported 418 adults and 202 children. We had 157 active members and had 1411 recorded visits to the Pantry. Our volunteers have also contributed 924 voluntary hours to the project.

Our main challenge we have faced through the pantry this year is sourcing food supplies.

Good news

We are very thankful to Warburtons Baking Company for their weekly donations of bread to the pantry. They donate 100 fresh loaves a week to Hope Pantry.

Volunteer roles: Kath and Kev Lawrenson – taking clothes home and washing and ironing, and cleaning prams (respectively), Lynn and Janet Heath – general

6

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

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2023

Hope House aims to develop social awareness of homelessness and substance misuse within our community, promoting responsible citizenship. As well as offering advice, guidance, and personal development support to help individuals become valuable upholding members of their community.

Activity figures for year

Please note, although most of our data is recorded, it is difficult to provide a completely accurate representation of our current case load.

Any difference from previous years

Over the past year we have seen a drastic increase in service users accessing our day centre provision regularly. This is clearly reflected in the IMS report.

Regular extended interventions such as Benefit Consultations, Mental Health Referrals have increased over the past 12-month period clearly demonstrating the need for our service. The cost-of-living crisis has had a big impact on our provision also with more service users accessing our breakfast/dinner provisions as well as shower and laundry facilities.

In addition to this, over the past year we have also noted a significant increase in mental health deterioration from those who access our service.

7

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

Good new story

Mr Paul Jones, has been supported on his journey from homelessness and bad mental health to his allocation of permanent supported living accommodation.

Paul presented at Hope House for the first time on the 4th of April 2023 and was dealing with several personal problems. Paul lived and cared for his mother for several years. After the death of his mother, Paul struggled to deal with this and started to drink alcohol to deal with his bereavement. Paul started to live in his car and struggled with day-to-day life and his alcohol addiction.

Before Paul’s mother passed, he had a wife, kids, a job and after the passing of his mother he felt as if he had no one to talk with or offload his problems.

Before being admitted to hospital Paul chose to leave his partner/home for his own sake after his partner at the time was a regular user of freebase and crack cocaine along with several other substances.

Paul first presented to Hope House in February 2023 after leaving hospital with his own health concerns at “rock bottom” struggling with the likes of addiction and his crippling mental health.

After a number of weeks Paul was offered a self-contained private apartment where he had access to a shared shower and kitchen facilities along with his own personal bedroom, bathroom and appliances etc.

Paul stated, “Being in my flat now, with my own space makes me feel safer, more secure and overall, a happier person, eliminating the stresses of feeling agitated”. Paul no longer drinks alcohol.

Paul left a few small quotes he asked I would include in his testimony one being, “Hope House will always have a close place to my heart. The dedication of the staff members daily throughout this difficult time has contributed to over 80% of my rehabilitation and has provided a steppingstone to better times.

Hope House has led me down a road I never knew existed 12 months ago, your work, attitude, dedication has helped to bring my old self back and I can look forward to getting back into hobbies like fishing now I’m headed in the right direction. Temptation is difficult, no one said it would be easy but the continued support your staff have shown me have led me to happiness and success and I will always be grateful for the work you do for vulnerable people within our town. Thank You”.

One thing to highlight is the close working relationship we have built over the past year with Whitechapel and Housing First. Both agencies over the past year have used our day centre as a central hub to tie in with service users in a professional environment. This has helped both us and the other agencies as we have been able to develop a better understanding of the needs of those who access our service regularly and to allocate our resources to the specific needs to those people.

8

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

– Hope Centre St Helens Volunteers Annual Report

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2023

The Hope Centres Volunteers have done an amazing job this year contributing to the growth and day-today service and ongoings of the Hope Centre. They have shown sheer dedication, loyalty, and hard work. Each volunteer is extremely valued at the Hope Centre, and we appreciate their contributions to our projects.

Activity Figures for the Year Impact

Impact

This year we have seen an increase in volunteer numbers from the general busy-ness of foodbank increasing. Ascent College support increasing, primarily due to more stock arriving at Hope Centre rather than direct to Chalon Way. Increase in volunteer hours also caused by both new projects and therefore new volunteers, but also with current volunteers contributing more to the everyday activities necessary in supporting the Community of St Helens.

Activity

9

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2023

The aim of this project is to feed the people of St. Helens making sure that no one goes hungry. Working with other partners either in collecting donations or issuing vouchers.

In April 2022 to March 2023, we gave out a total of 2254 vouchers which helped to feed a total of 3214 adults and 1791 children. This is an increase on the previous year of 484 vouchers feeding and extra 644 adults and 328 children.

The stock incoming went up by 25409.08 kg. Although here was a decrease in donations from Charities - 4.4%, Corporates -0.2% and Education – 2.8%.

We did have an increase from Churches +4.42%, Community Groups + 0.27% Individuals + 3.19% and Supermarkets + 1.55%.

We also purchased an extra 776.59kg. (This is due to the donations being made were beans and pasta).

We ran a food drive at local Supermarkets every 3 months on a Friday & Saturday which brought in a lot of stock.

Forge Fitness started a weekly collection for us. This is still ongoing.

Eastertime, we found we had a lot of chocolate eggs donated.

MPH College came in every Tuesday for 4 months to help with the Food bank. This was 3 students helping to mark, sort and pack donations.

June 2022,

The Fuel Foundation was set up which is a foundation that gives out fuel vouchers to clients that are struggling who are on pre-payment meters. They must be referred into us then we can be sure that the voucher is needed and then we can apply for a £30.00 in summer and £45.00 in winter voucher for them. They then go into Post office/Shop and exchange the voucher for either Electric/Gas or split between the two. They are not allowed 2 vouchers within 10 days.

July 2022 ,

We had the volunteer celebration at Tunza.

This was a great celebration of all Hope Centre Volunteers and the amazing contribution they make to the impact of the The Hope Centre in St Helens..

October 2022,

We started a connection with Wargrave College, and students came in to help with the Foodbank. This is still ongoing, and they are a brilliant help collecting from Asda and Tesco then marking/sorting and packing the donations.

Jan 2023 We managed to get a new warehouse in Chalon Way which is larger than the storage units at Micklehead, and this means that we have the room to sort and store more stock.

10

Report of the Board of Trustees

The Hope Centre - St Helens

CHANGING COMMUNITIES – CIC

The CIC was officially formed on 30th 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”.

Re-Store – St Helens project is key to alleviating resource poverty within St Helens. The Project has 3 aims which are;

  1. Providing volunteer and mentoring opportunities to socially excluded individuals who live locally, they will up skill and learn how to re store second hand furniture.

  2. Providing affordable furniture for low income families, vulnerable individuals with a new tenancy and individuals who are leaving street homelessness to secure their own properties.

  3. Re-store donated furniture items for re sell which will reduce landfilling, reduce energy use and reduce carbon footprint.

The project will engage with vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals within the Borough who face barriers including unemployment, risk of homelessness, mild to moderate mental health, in recovery from substance misuse and have no or low qualifications.

These individuals often suffer from a lack of skills and confidence and there are few opportunities for them to gain real work experience. The project will provide placement opportunities and will build skills through the restoration of furniture and home furnishings which will reduce the waste produced by our 'throw away' culture and will in turn provide furniture which is in good condition to those transitioning into their own properties.

This in turn will increase the chances of sustaining their tenancies as the properties will become their own personal spaces, increasing their value to the individual.

11

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Report of the Board of Trustees

FINANCIAL REVIEW:

The Charity’s principal source of income continues to be grant funding. Trustees and the 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 2022-2023 include: St Helens Council, Trussell Trust, Steve Morgan Foundation, Awards for All, Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, Liverpool City Region, John Moores Foundation, Torus Foundation and the Pilkington Charity.

Many thanks to these and to the many smaller donors who have supported us during the year. This includes a large number of individuals who have made regular and one-off donations.

Like most charities, the Hope Centre’s major challenge is to secure grant funding. This obviously affects the services it can provide. The Trustees have 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 charity has an agreed reserves policy. In addition to Unrestricted Funds, it has Restricted Funds and monies invested in fixed assets. Trustees have noted Charity Commission guidance, and the ambition is to hold at least three months’ (13 weeks) running costs in Unrestricted Funds. This has been achieved for 2022-23, and our aim is to maintain a healthy level of reserves. At year-end, our Unrestricted Funds were £218,174.

There have been no serious incidents to report in this financial year. Our auditors have worked closely with us to minimise 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. The key result is that the Charity has a surplus of £77,680 for the financial year, and this has increased the level of Unrestricted Funds available.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The Charity appointed Jane Williams of Greater Merseyside Accountancy Service as its examiner for this year, subject to annual review.

12

The Hope Centre - St Helens Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities For the year ended 31st March 2023

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 5th December 2023

Mr John Ryan Chair

13

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Independent Examiner's Report to the members of

The Hope Centre - St Helens for the year ended 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Hope Centre - St Helens for the year ended 31 March 2023.

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

5th December 2023

14

The Hope Centre - St Helens Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

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 2022
Fund balances at 31 March 2023		 Funds
£
57,347
98,779
27,101
24
183,251
(66,271)
116,980
-
116,980
101,194
218,174
Unrestricted		 Restricted
Funds
£
115,692
77,829
4,264
-
197,785
(237,085)
(39,300)
-
(39,300)
334,368
295,068		 2023
Total
Funds
£
173,039
176,608
31,365
24
381,036
(303,356)
77,680
-
77,680
435,562
513,242		 2022
Total
Funds
£
137,030
240,114
-
-
377,144
(249,296)
127,848
2,008
129,856
305,706
435,562

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.

15

The Hope Centre - St Helens Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
(2)
69,251
Charitable activities
(3)
19,853
Investments
(4)
-
Other Income
-
Total
89,104
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
(5)
(54,719)
Net (expenditure) / income
34,385
Transfers between funds
(15a)
2,008
Net movement in funds
36,393
Fund balances at 1 April 2021
64,801
Fund balances at 31 March 2022
101,194		 Restricted
Funds
£
67,779
220,261
-
-
288,040
(194,577)
93,463
-
93,463
240,905
334,368		 2022
Total
Funds
£
137,030
240,114
-
-
377,144
(249,296)
127,848
2,008
129,856
305,706
435,562

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.

16

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Balance sheet

as at 31 March 2023

Notes
2023
Fixed Assets
£
Tangible Fixed Assets
(10)
106,050
Total fixed assets
106,050
Current Assets
Debtors and prepayments
(12)
20,348
Cash at bank and in hand
386,844
Total current assets
407,192
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(13)
-
Total current liabilities
-
Net current assets / (liabilities)
407,192
Total assets less current liabilities
513,242
Funds
Restricted Funds
(15)
295,068
Designated Funds
-
Unrestricted funds
218,174
513,242		 2022
£
93,459
93,459
19,335
322,768
342,103
-
-
342,103
435,562
101,194
-
334,368
435,562

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) confirm that for the year ended 31 March 2023

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 15 to 24 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 5th December 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

John Ryan (Chair) Trustee

Company registration number 05089663

17

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(expenditure) per SOFA
Depreciation
Investment Income
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Capital
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income
Net increase/(decrease) in cash:
Total cash as at 1 April 2022
Total cash as at 31 March 2023		 2023
£
77,680
12,970
(24)
(1,013)
0
(25,561)
64,052
24
64,076
322,768
386,844		 2022
£
129,856
10,414
-
1,297
(33,600)
(103,539)
4,428
-
4,428
318,340
322,768

18

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2023

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

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.

19

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2023

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.

(c) Bank interest is recognised when credited to the account.

(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

(c) Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay out resources.

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 10 years straight line basis Fixtures & fittings 10 years straight line basis

Office Equipment 3 years straight line basis

20

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 March 2023

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.

21

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2023

2
Donations and legacies
Donations
Donations from CLC
Donation from Local Authority
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Grants receivable for core activities
St Helens Borough Council		 2023
Unrestricted
funds
£
57,347
-
-
57,347
69,251
24,186
24,186		 2023
Restricted
funds
£
62,225
2,455
51,012
115,692
67,779
-
-		 2023
Total
funds
£
119,572
2,455
51,012
173,039
137,030
24,186
24,186		 2022
Total
funds
£
98,592
2,410
36,028
137,030
-
-

22

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2023

3a Charitable activities
£
Performance related grants & Contracts
The Steve Morgan Foundation
12,870
LCVS
2,000
Halton & St Helens VCA
1,000
Pilkington Charity
-
Torus Foundation
-
PH Holt Foundation
-
Albert Hunt
-
VOLA Consortium
-
Screwfix
-
B&Q Foundation
-
Brabners LLP
-
John Moores Foundation
-
The Trussell Trust
-
Awards for All
-
Albert Gubay
-
Liverpool City Region: LCR Cares
-
Julia & Hans Rausing Trust
9,342
WEA Breathe
-
Other small grants
-
Coalfields
-
Arnold Clarke
2,500
Hedley Foundation
-
M McCormack
-
Groundwork
1,000
CoOp Community Fund
-
Neighbourly Foundation
-
Jerusalem Trust
-
Buckinghams Newsquest
-
Help the Homeless
-
Other Income
HMRC Gift Aid
4,924
Services Provided
1,359
-
34,995
-
-
Other Income
31,365
31,365
Centre
Activities		 £
-
-
-
-
4,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100,923
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
500
-
-
200
-
-
-
1,526
-
-
-
107,149
-
-
-
-
Foodbank		 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,713
-
2,896
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,609
-
-
-
-
Training &
Outreach		 £
-
-
-
4,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
-
-
-
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
2,255
-
-
-
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,555
-
-
-
-
Homeless
Shelter		 £
-
-
-
-
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,300
-
-
-
-
Food
Pantry		 Total
2023
£
12,870
2,000
1,000
4,000
4,300
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000
100,923
10,000
-
7,713
9,342
2,896
-
2,000
2,500
2,255
500
1,000
-
500
-
-
-
1,526
4,924
1,359
-
176,608
-
-
31,365
31,365		 Total
2022
£
12,870
1,250
18,275
4,000
7,000
7,886
5,000
10,729
5,000
5,000
7,500
5,000
31,065
10,000
67,530
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
500
1,327
1,000
1,250
1,201
2,174
21,330
-
13,227
-
240,114
-
-
-
-

23

The Hope Centre - St Helens Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2023

5a Expenditure on Charitable
activities
Wages and salaries
Staff Travel
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
Sundry Expenses
6
Governance Costs
Total resources expended		 £
-
586
-
-
69
1,418
-
-
2,441
1,950
4,490
12,970
1,418
223
126
923
-
-
250
26,865
Centre
Activities		 £
23,058
-
14,140
-
-
878
-
3,215
19,898
1,580
3,815
-
6,634
825
50
737
-
7,448
250
82,529
Foodbank		 £
1,929
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,360
-
947
-
-
-
75
63
-
-
-
4,374
Training
&
outreach		 £
53,569
423
18,063
5,205
1,536
820
-
30
8,769
2,833
4,464
-
7,132
325
-
510
-
699
500
104,878
Homeless
Shelter		 8,634
73
-
-
346
65
-
20
1,830
178
1,513
-
6,735
236
50
625
-
864
125
21,293
Food
Pantry		 Total
2023
£
150,607
1,083
32,203
5,205
1,951
3,181
-
3,265
34,298
6,541
15,229
12,970
21,919
1,609
301
2,858
-
9,011
1,125
303,357		 Total
2022
£
158,475
414
12,041
-
4,772
327
2,008
300
3,025
23,395
4,422
8,372
10,414
20,137
15,220
278
1,150
1,460
7,168
-
249,296

24

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2023

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 (2022: 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		 2023
£
1,125
-
-
1,125
2023
£
-
2023
£
140,201
7,442
2,964
150,607
2023
Number
6
2023
21,716		 2022
£
-
-
-
-
2022
£
-
2022
£
148,215
6,943
3,317
158,475
2022
Number
10
2022
20,508

25

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2023

9
10
11
**12 **		 Tangible assets
Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
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
Creditors and accruals
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Land and
buildings
£
170,000
-
170,000
170,000
-
170,000
-
-		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
104,438
25,561
129,999
10,979
12,970
23,949
106,050
93,459		 Equipment
£
47,478
-
47,478
47,478
-
47,478
-
-
2023
£
407,192
-
2023
£
-
-
20,348
20,348
2023
£
-
-
-		 Total
£
321,916
25,561
347,477
228,457
12,970
241,427
106,050
93,459
2022
£
342,103
-
2022
£
1,004
-
18,330
19,335
2022
£
-
-
-

26

The Hope Centre - St Helens

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 March 2023

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
Hope House Homeless Centre
Hope House 2
Training Fund
Food Pantry		 Balance at
1 April 2022
114,207
11,591
84,847
127,971
(4,248)
-
334,368		 Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
107,149
(82,529)
5,160
(11,100)
67,567
(104,878)
-
(12,910)
5,609
(4,374)
12,300
(21,294)
197,785
(237,085)
Movement in funds		 Transfers
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at 31
March 2023
138,827
5,651
47,536
115,061
(3,013)
(8,994)
295,068

14a Comparative Movement in funds

Food Bank
Baby Basics
Hope House Homeless Centre
Hope House 2
COVID 19
The Steve Morgan Fdtn
Training Fund		 Balance at
1 April 2021
96,707
3,522
63,757
67,000
4,296
6,302
(679)
240,905		 Incoming
Resources
84,254
19,645
62,834
95,339
13,098
12,870
-
288,040		 Resources
Expended
(66,754)
(11,576)
(41,744)
(34,368)
(17,394)
(19,172)
(3,569)
(194,577)		 Transfers
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Balance at 31
March 2022
114,207
11,591
84,847
127,971
-
-
(4,248)
334,368

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 March 2022 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
Current assets / (liabilities)
Comparative at 31 March 2022
Current assets / (liabilities)		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
215
217,959
218,174
101,194		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
295,068
295,068
334,368		 Total
£
215
513,027
513,242
435,562

16 Transactions with trustees and related parties

As two of the trustees of The Hope Centre 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 2023 were:

Expenditure from the Hope Centre to St Helens Christian Life Centre: £9,181, this is mainly for services provided including telephones. (2022 - £3,052)

Income from St Helens Christian Life Centre: £2,455, this is donations. (2022 - £2,410)

Changing Communities C.I.C is a company 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, it is considered to be a related party. The Hope Centre also administered payroll processing and settled amounts due totalling £26,440 (2022 -£16,100) 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.

27