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← Bechange

2024-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: D9EEAE3F-A44A-454D-826A-38B66C964ECB

Company registration number: 05332355 Charity registration number: 1108040

Bechange

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Batchelor Coop Ltd The New Barn Mill Lane Eastry Kent CT13 0JW

Docusign Envelope ID: D9EEAE3F-A44A-454D-826A-38B66C964ECB

Bechange

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9 to 10
Balance Sheet 11 to 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13 to 21

Docusign Envelope ID: D9EEAE3F-A44A-454D-826A-38B66C964ECB

Bechange

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairman R J Hansell Trustees Dr A L Carr R J Hansell S Bennett J E Flaig Charity Registration Number 1108040 Company Registration Number 05332355 Registered Office Veranda Block Unit D Ackholt Road Aylesham Canterbury Kent CT3 3AJ Independent Examiner Batchelor Coop Ltd The New Barn Mill Lane Eastry Kent CT13 0JW

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

The Directors, who are all Trustees of Bechange (‘the charity’) for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their annual report and the financial statements of the charity for the financial year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP).

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission, registration number 1108040, and with Companies House, registration number 05332355.

Trustees and officers

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Trustees: Dr A L Carr R J Hansell E Barnes (resigned 10 December 2024) S Bennett J E Flaig

Chairman: R J Hansell

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated on 13 January 2005 and amended by special resolution on 12 December 2006 and on 30 January 2012.

The objects of the charity are:

(A) To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of East Kent and the surrounding areas without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or political, religious or other opinions, by associating together inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants, and:

(B) To promote such other charitable purposes to benefit the area as may from time to time be determined.

The Trustees govern the strategic direction of the charity and ensure that it operates within charity and company law and the charity’s governing document. The Trustees conduct the charity’s affairs in the best interests of the charity and act with a duty of care, prudence and compliance. The Trustees delegate the day to day management of the charity to paid staff, who report into the Trustees on a monthly basis.

The charity adopts an open process to recruit Trustees and appoints Trustees at the charity’s annual general meeting or during the year by ordinary resolution. New Trustees receive a full induction to the charity and ongoing training is offered to all Trustees.

Financial review

The financial statements of the charity are set out on the following pages. The Trustees are satisfied with the financial performance. Below are some of the key performance indicators:

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

Policy on reserves

The Trustees have agreed to maintain a minimum of three months running costs as a prudent measure to protect the charity against loss of any significant funding stream or core funding, any redundancy payment obligations or unforeseen circumstances that may threaten the stability or future health of the charity. This reserves policy is regularly reviewed.

Major risks and management of those risks

The Trustees examine the major financial risks facing the charity when planning the charity’s strategy, with a view to minimising the impact of these risks on the charity’s activities.

Funds accounting

The charity’s restricted funds are set out in note 19 of the financial statements.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. This assumption depends on the success of grant funding applications where the outcome has not yet been determined. The Trustees are confident that a sufficient proportion of outstanding grant applications will be successful and are engaged in positive discussions with potential funding bodies. The Trustees continue to review the Charity’s operating expenditure and reduce costs where appropriate. On this basis, the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Plans for future periods

Aims and key objectives for future periods

The Trustees intend to continue to work with communities throughout the Dover District, providing support with: skills and employment, finance and housing and families and relationships.

Public benefit

The Directors have complied with their duty under Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The charity has undertaken activities to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit over the year. A report of these activities is detailed below.

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

Objective and Activities

During the reporting year, the Charity continued to fulfil its objectives by providing a range of services to families, adults, young people, and children. Our activities fall into two main areas:

1. Crisis Assistance: We provide support at critical moments to prevent individuals from becoming over-whelmed during times of crisis. We enable them to take control of their lives when they most need to and support them in making positive changes to improve their lives.

2. Community Engagement: Our community hub delivers a variety of activities to engage people in different ways. Local people gain new skills, improve financial confidence, understand and access their full benefit entitlements, have secure housing, improve mental and physical health, and develop positive relationships with their families and social networks.

Our hub is a friendly and welcoming environment with excellent facilities, including a beautiful Community Garden, a hall, a large training kitchen, and a Social Pantry. We deliver a range of community engagement activities that help build local connections and offer gateways to support.

The Charity works with local people in Aylesham and the surrounding rural area. We continue to utilize our venue as a Community Hub, making it a focal point for people to access support and activities provided by Bechange and a range of partner agencies.

Activities at the Hub

The Hub continues to thrive, with an increasing number of local people attending clubs, activities, and courses at Bechange. We support volunteer-led activities such as sewing, art, bridge, and crafts. This year, we launched our Shed Project, which, though not exclusively for men, aims to tackle social isolation for men, particularly those who have recently retired. Our weekly Baby Club provides a space for parents/carers with new babies to gather in a safe and relaxed environment. For families with older children, we delivered a family holiday program during school holidays, including fun activities that raise awareness of healthy foods and living. Children received healthy packed lunches and enjoyed eating together during the sessions.We have partnered with Your Leisure to provide activities as part of their Get Out, Get Active initiative and their over-55 Wellbeing Project, including monthly tea dances and Pilates.

In response to the cost-of-living crisis and the difficulties people face in heating their homes, we continued to provide a warm room several times a week. This allows people to come along, get support, join an activity, sit in the Public Living Room (Camerados), and chat with others. With energy costs so high, it is a great way for people to save on energy by spending a day with us.

We developed a program to support beneficiaries in gaining practical skills that positively impact their household budgets. This included activities such as making and mending clothes and household items, creating seasonal gifts, decorations, and cards, upcycling furniture, growing food, and cooking on a budget. We provided food demonstrations and recipe cards to help those using the pantry and foodbank make the most of the food they receive. We also partnered with Social Enterprise Kent to provide three sessions on digital skills and energy saving.

During the year, we extended our partnership with Riverside Dover, whose Dementia and Me Organisers have been providing monthly dementia support sessions. We also collaborated to provide a monthly free lunch to anyone in the community, offering an opportunity to engage and discuss services available for older people.

Community Garden

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

This year, we have successfully developed activities in our beautiful community garden. The local primary school visited with around fifty children aspart of their forest school activities. The children were given a dedicated area to plant and grow potatoes, with support from our gardener and family support worker for outdoor activities. Our weekly gardening program, Hoe Sow and Grow, combines theoretical and practical gardening to increase physical activity and foster a sense of well-being through outdoor collaboration. Throughout the course, the group formed friendships and enjoyed the shared experience of watching the garden flourish as spring arrived, all while benefit-ing from the peaceful, outdoor environment.

Food Projects at Bechange

We continue to build on our food projects, providing activities that help people access surplus "still good to eat" food, learn about cooking healthier meals, grow and use seasonal foods, and connect with others in the community through food.

Our popular Community Lunch, with a "pay what you can afford" approach, attracts a diverse group of people. For some, it provides a much-needed hot meal and serves as a weekly social event. We have seen an increase in attendance, attracting a mix of local people who may not otherwise have visited the hub.

In May 2023, we launched a membership-based social grocery shop for the community in partnership with Aylesham Community Trust and as part of the Your Local Pantry scheme. In order to raise the profile for local agencies and residents we launched our pantry by inviting a range of referral partners from local charities, the district council, and local businesses. In the first month of launching, we had over 90 members join the pantry. As the 100th “Your Local Pantry” to open across the UK, a large event organized by the Co-operative Foundation's event team and Your Local Pantry brought community members together for one of the year's largest community events in Aylesham. The occasion included entertainment, a live band, a magician, and a celebrity chef, and people were invited to join a sitdown meal.

The Aylesham and Rural Pantry has been a fantastic resource for the community, providing local people with the opportunity to shop once a week, selecting at least 10 items from a range of groceries valued at an average of £20-£25, for a small membership contribution. There are no requirements for professional referrals, and it is not time limited. The pantry aims to supplement rather than fully replace a household's regular food shop and serves as a great stepping stone for people who no longer need the foodbank. With each pantry member saving around £1060 a year, it has a significant impact on family budgets. There is also a social element, as people can stop for a cuppa and a chat before or after shopping. The pantry also serves as a gateway to other Bechange activities and services. Since opening the pantry, we have seen an increase in people participating in activities or seeking assistance at the hub. All our volunteers are kept up to date with services at Bechange and can signpost people to Bechange if they require support.

Additionally, our Community Fridge provides a space for people to donate or pick up surplus food, an initiative to prevent food waste and food insecurity. We have delivered a range of cookery workshops over the year, as well as taster and demonstration sessions, helping people gain a better understanding of cooking on a budget, using food available from the Community Fridge, Pantry and Foodbank.

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

Drop-ins and one-to-one advocacy and guidance

We continued to provide tailored one-to-one support, assisting families and individuals with various issues such as financial crises, housing, benefit entitlements, and overall wellbeing. The needs we address range from quick tasks, like completing forms and applying for Universal Credit, to more complex matters, such as advocating for benefit entitlement appeals. Our support is holistic; we recognize that issues are intrinsically linked. An individual presenting with one issue is likely to have multiple challenges that need to be addressed to move forward. We work closely with them to navigate these interconnected challenges, offering comprehensive support to ensure they can achieve stability and progression in their lives.

Beneficiaries can access our services in several ways: by attending one of our regular drop-in sessions, scheduling an appointment with a support worker at our hub, or making a telephone call. Our drop-in sessions are a vital part of our service, providing a welcoming and safe place for people to have an initial conversation about their concerns. Our support team can often resolve issues during the first session; however, when more time is needed, beneficiaries are offered ongoing support. This year, our support team has assisted over 450 beneficiaries, an increase of 207 from the previous year.

The cost-of-living crisis has continued to affect local people during this year, with more families struggling to afford essentials, including food, heating and other energy cost. At Bechange, we take pride in our swift response to households in urgent need of emergency support. Our long-standing partnership with Deal Area Foodbank, which serves Aylesham and the surrounding areas, allows us to provide immediate food assistance and address the underlying issues causing the crisis.

Additionally, our collaboration with the Fuel Foundation and, more recently, Better Homes, Better Health (BHBH), enables us to offer fuel vouchers to households on prepaid meters, who are particularly vulnerable to high energy costs and the risk of disconnection. Over households have benefited from referrals to BHBH for general energy-saving advice, switching suppliers, signing up for gas and electricity priority services, and applying for grants for new boilers. Following assessments, BHBH has also provided households with items worth up to £300 to improve energy efficiency, such as insulation and thermal curtains.

This year, we have successfully supported local residents in accessing grants from the Household Support Fund. Our efforts included assessing beneficiaries' needs and purchasing essential items such as white goods, warm clothing, blankets, and food. Additionally, we partnered with a local charity to provide Christmas presents for underprivileged children and another charity to deliver food hampers to families facing financial difficulties. As a result, over 140 households benefited from these initiatives.

Volunteers

Our incredible volunteers support every aspect of our work, bringing their skills, experience, and enthusiasm to assist our dedicated and hardworking staff. In return, we strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience. Over the past year, our volunteer team has grown from 17 to 30 members. They contribute a wealth of skills to our charity and dedicate significant amounts of time, with some volunteers helping occasionally and others contributing two or three times a week. We offer an induction and training, as well as regular events to celebrate their contributions.

The operation of our Pantry relies heavily on volunteers, creating a wonderful environment for its users. Pantry volunteers were instrumental in setting up the Aylesham and Rural Pantry, helping to organise the launch event in the summer, and making decisions on its operation.

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Bechange

Trustees' Report

As our community lunch has grown in popularity, so has our volunteer team. A core group works alongside the staff to provide a weekly meal, while additional volunteers step in on particularly busy days. Volunteering also benefits the volunteers themselves, offering valuable work experience that can lead to employment and helping them connect with others in their community.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Bechange for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 27 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... R J Hansell Chairman and trustee

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Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Bechange ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (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 Company 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

I have completed my examination. I 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 Bechange 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.

...................................... Martin Roby FMAAT Batchelor Coop

The New Barn Mill Lane Eastry Kent CT13 0JW

28 January 2025

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Bechange

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Investment income
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Governance costs
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
15		 Unrestricted
funds
£
35,688
6
35,694
(60,426)
(3,933)
(64,359)
(28,665)
(28,665)
108,652
79,987		 Restricted
funds
£
137,560
-
137,560
(130,816)
-
(130,816)
6,744
6,744
10,898
17,642		 Total
2024
£
173,248
6
173,254
(191,242)
(3,933)
(195,175)
(21,921)
(21,921)
119,550
97,629

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9

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Bechange

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
Governance costs
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
15		 Unrestricted
funds
£
35,489
35,489
(13,887)
(2,610)
(16,497)
18,992
33,872
52,864
55,788
108,652		 Restricted
funds
£
135,515
135,515
(139,257)
-
(139,257)
(3,742)
(33,872)
(37,614)
48,512
10,898		 Total
2023
£
171,004
171,004
(153,144)
(2,610)
(155,754)
15,250
-
15,250
104,300
119,550

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 15.

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10

Docusign Envelope ID: D9EEAE3F-A44A-454D-826A-38B66C964ECB

Bechange

(Registration number: 05332355) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
12
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
15		 2024
£
3,937
590
97,174
97,764
(4,072)
93,692
97,629
17,642
79,987
97,629		 2023
£
4,392
14,486
108,514
123,000
(7,842)
115,158
119,550
10,898
108,652
119,550

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 11

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(Registration number: 05332355) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

For the financial year ending 31 March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements on pages 9 to 21 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 27 January 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... AQ aw Dr A L Carr Trustee

......................................... R J Hansell Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in , and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Veranda Block Unit D Ackholt Road Aylesham Canterbury Kent CT3 3AJ

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 27 January 2025.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention, except for investments which are measured at market value.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. This assumption depends on the success of grant funding applications where the outcome has not yet been determined. The Directors are confident that a sufficient proportion of outstanding grant applications will be successful and are engaged in positive discussions with potential funding bodies. The Directors continue to review the Charity’s operating expenditure and reduce costs where appropriate. On this basis, the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. This assumption depends on the success of grant funding applications where the outcome has not yet been determined. The Trustees are confident that a sufficient proportion of outstanding grant applications will be successful and are engaged in positive discussions with potential funding bodies. The Trustees continue to review the Charity’s operating expenditure and reduce costs where appropriate. On this basis, the Trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Judgements and estimates

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Further details of each fund are disclosed in the notes to the accounts.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Investment income

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal of constructive obligation committing the charity of the xpenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor area, or per capita staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Tangible fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £50 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate Property improvements 10 years straight line Fixture, fittings and equipment 25% reducing balance

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

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

Research and development

Research and development expenditure is written off as incurred.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations and legacies;
Fund raising and donations
Pantry sales
Charitable activities
Courses, room hire etc
Other
Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from other charities
Total for 2024
Total for 2023
4
Investment income
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits
Total for 2024		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,970
9,867
13,204
3,472
7,175
-
35,688
35,489		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
137,560
137,560
135,515
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
6
6		 Total
funds
£
1,970
9,867
13,204
3,472
7,175
137,560
173,248
171,004
Total
funds
£
6
6

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

5 Expenditure on charitable activities

General running costs
Maintenance and garden
Computer and telephone
Bank charges
Pantry purchases
Pantry setup costs
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Independent Examiner’s remuneration
Legal fees
Total for 2024
Total for 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
32,189
3,643
5,474
293
6,049
3,821
1,167
7,790
-
-
2,988
945
64,359
16,497		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
123,085
5,087
2,644
-
-
130,816
139,257		 Total
funds
£
32,189
3,643
5,474
293
6,049
3,821
1,167
130,875
5,087
2,644
2,988
945
195,175
155,754

6 Analysis of governance and support costs

Governance costs

Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
Other fees paid to examiners
Legal fees		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
2,024
964
945
3,933		 Total
2024
£
2,024
964
945
3,933		 Total
2023
£
1,830
780
-
2,610

7 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

8 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2024
£
130,875
5,087
2,644
138,606		 2023
£
109,608
4,488
2,213
116,309

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2024 2023
No No
Chartiable activities 8 5

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

9 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Land and
buildings
£
14,928
712
15,640
14,928
71
14,999
641
-		 Furniture and
equipment
£
30,645
-
30,645
26,253
1,096
27,349
3,296
4,392		 Total
£
45,573
712
46,285
41,181
1,167
42,348
3,937
4,392

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

11 Debtors

11 Debtors
Other debtors
12 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals		 2024
£
590
2024
£
97,174
2024
£
1,589
585
1,898
4,072		 2023
£
14,486
2023
£
108,514
2023
£
3,117
705
4,020
7,842

14 Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £2,644 (2023 - £2,213).

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

15 Funds

Unrestricted funds
General
General Reserves
Restricted funds
Parish Council
John Swire Charitable Trust
Kent Mind
Dover District Council Grants
Kent Community Fund
Big Lottery Reaching
Communities
Co-Op
Aylesham Parish Council
Hubbub
Social Enterprise
Kent Coalfields
ACT
Bargain Hunters UK
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2023
£
108,652
1,250
6,348
-
1,300
-
-
-
1,500
500
-
-
-
-
10,898
119,550		 Incoming
resources
£
35,694
6,000
26,026
2,500
1,500
6,000
72,246
2,760
-
1,000
4,960
4,500
5,068
5,000
137,560
173,254		 Resources
expended
£
(64,359)
(6,000)
(26,952)
(2,500)
(2,800)
(6,000)
(68,246)
(2,760)
(500)
(1,500)
(2,990)
(3,500)
(2,568)
(4,500)
(130,816)
(195,175)		 Balance at 31
March 2024
£
79,987
1,250
5,422
-
-
-
4,000
-
1,000
-
1,970
1,000
2,500
500
17,642
97,629

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

16 Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
3,937
80,122
(4,072)
79,987
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
4,392
112,102
(7,842)
108,652		 Restricted
funds
£
-
17,642
-
17,642
Restricted
funds
£
-
10,898
-
10,898		 Total funds at
31 March
2024
£
3,937
97,764
(4,072)
97,629
Total funds at
31 March
2023
£
4,392
123,000
(7,842)
119,550

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