## **THE CHRISTOPHER CENTRE**
## **Trustees’ Report**
For the year ended 31 March 2022
## **Administrative Information**
The Christopher Centre is a company limited by guarantee, registration no: 6173167 and registered with the Charity Commission no. 1120942.
Registered office:
The Christopher Centre, 10 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2EU
_**Trustees**_
Jennifer Wilkins
Kathleen Leigh
David Lowe (Treasurer)
Karoline Wells
Susan Ayres
Dave Sullivan (appointed December 2021)
Jesse Carter (appointed March 2022)
_**Manager**_
Teresa Bishop
## _**Administrator**_
Helen Martin
## _**Company Secretary**_
David Lowe
## _**Cleaner**_
Gregory Bishop
## _**Volunteers**_
_**Receptionists:**_ Jane Benton, Sarah Dovell, Belinda Green, Collette Harrop, Sue Howting, Jenny Ince, Jennie Wilkins and Lizzie Alexander.
**Volunteer Handyman** : Niall Hennessay
Michael Francis
**Volunteer Gardener:** Lee Young
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## **Structure, Governance & Management**
## **1. Nature of governing document**
The activities of _The Christopher Centre_ are governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association that were incorporated by Companies House on 20 March 2007 and approved by the Charity Commission on 21 September 2007.
## **2. Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The trustees and staff are always on the lookout for potential new trustees who can bring their skills and expertise to assist in the organisation’s governance. Potential trustees have access to both the chair and the manager to discuss their involvement. When recruited, new trustees are inducted through meetings and an induction pack, which not only covers information about the organisation but their roles and responsibilities as trustees.
## **3. Review of the financial position**
Total income for 2021/2 was £50,428 a decrease of £13,245 on the previous year largely due to a decrease in grants.
Expenditure for 2021/2 was £60,172, an increase of £21,433 on 2020/21. This was in part due to the purchase of a new boiler which cost £5,500.
The net result was a decrease of £9,744 in the fund balances carried forward of £32,798.
## **4. Financial Management**
The Christopher Centre accounts are managed by a Treasurer who is one of the trustees.
Bank accounts continue to be held at the Sudbury branch of Barclays Bank. All cheques require two signatories. The signatories are Robin Hodgkinson (Chair) and Jennie Wilkins, in addition to the Treasurer.
The systems of internal control include written reports submitted by the Treasurer at the quarterly trustees’ meetings. Also, consideration of the financial results and forecasting of possible funding shortfalls are discussed in detail at trustee meetings.
## **5. Reserve Policy**
The Christopher Centre has built up a reserve for possible redundancies (£3,000) and a maintenance contingency fund of £226. There is also a general reserve fund of £27,335. This is because some of the grant money and donations received in 2021/2 includes money that is due to be spent in 2022/3. Being an old Grade 2 listed building, the trustees consider the maintenance contingency fund a necessity and strive to build the fund up each year, where possible. In some years this is not possible when essential repairs and maintenance are necessary.
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## **6. Risk analysis and plan**
There are a number of areas that the Trustees consider as potential risks. These are as follows:
a. The Christopher Centre Building – being an old building there is always a risk of the need for major structural repairs.
b. The Christopher Centre Users – losing potential hirers of office accommodation and meeting rooms always remains a risk. Organisations’ and people’s circumstances change and this is obviously out of our hands. The Trustees ensure that rents and meeting room charges are kept at a competitive level to avoid losing users who might otherwise remain. However, office users who do decide to vacate the accommodation, are required to give three months’ notice of their intention and this provides a reasonable window of opportunity to find a replacement.
c. The Current Pandemic and Future Pandemics – the pandemic and Lockdown has meant that activities in the building had to be curtailed at certain times of the year. Although Lockdown restrictions have been lifted, there is no guarantee that the Government may impose further lockdowns in the future.
d. Energy costs – we wait to see what impact the huge rises in energy costs will have on the building and the Christopher Centre’s finances. Hopefully, having a new boiler, which should be more efficient, will mitigate some of the effects that price increases will have.
## **7. Funding**
The running of the Christopher Centre is financed from renting out office space and casual hire of rooms for meetings and community activities and the occasional donation or grant. During 2021/2 We had a number of grants and donations to help us through the tail end and aftermath of the Pandemic. We again received a Covid grant from Babergh District Council to counter the effects of the Omicrom variant.
A number of donations were also received totalling £1,007. These include £200 from Dave Sullivan (in memory of Mike Norton) plus additional donations from Michael Williams, Jane Bentley and Miriam Toosey.
We received a General Grant of £4,000 from Babergh District Council General Payments.
We also received a number of Restricted Grants including: £100 from Martyn Chaper; £500 from Sudbury Freeman’s Trust; £1,000 from Sudbury Municipal Charities; £2,385 and £3,355 from Suffolk County Council PORS; £120 from Ciaravolo; £50 from Martyn Preceptory; £115 from Babergh Lodge; £500 from Stour Valley Lodge; £1,000 from Sudbury Rotary; and £750 from Sudbury Freeman’s Trust.
We are very grateful to all our benefactors for their support and encouragement.
## **8. Objectives and Activities**
The Christopher Centre’s objects are primarily for the benefit of the inhabitants of the district of Babergh and surrounding areas (in practice, the Sudbury district) to:
- provide premises for the use of local and community groups, advance education through the provision of advice, advocacy, guidance, training, resources and associated activities
- facilitate and encourage opportunities for local and community groups to come together to identify charitable need, express views on matters of local interest and to establish projects or policies to meet these needs. This includes running its own activities such as drop-ins, a community choir, a vegan supper club, arts and crafts activities.
- develop the capacity and skills of said inhabitants in such ways as is thought fit, and particularly to enhance voluntary participation within the area of benefit
- develop and promote community services for said inhabitants who are in need of such a service because of age, sickness or disability (mental or physical), or poverty, or because of a lack or availability of adequate and safe public services
- improve or assist in the improvement of the physical and social environment in an effort to enhance the quality of life for said inhabitants.
The Christopher Centre has continued to fulfil its objects in a number of ways:
- by providing office space within the building for affordable and reasonable rents for a number of different voluntary and community groups
- by providing rooms available for hire by voluntary, community and statutory local groups
- by offering space free of charge within the reception area for local groups and services to promote their work, display leaflets and posters etc
- by utilising volunteers as reception staff who have a good knowledge of the local area and who can therefore offer information about local activities.
- by looking at ways of supporting or setting up community groups to help people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable to provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, make friends and build their confidence and self-esteem.
## **9. Meeting the Principles of Public Benefit**
The Christopher Centre has continued to fulfil its objects in a number of ways:
- through its facilities, activities and information services which are open to all voluntary and community groups, The Christopher Centre provides services which help local groups to meet, exchange information and develop their own services to a wide variety of people within the local community. It also develops its own services to help vulnerable and isolated members of the community through activities such as the Monday morning Drop-in Coffee and Chat, the Monday lunchtime Community Lunches, the Community Choir, monthly Community Markets etc.
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- it provides a community resource which members of the public can visit to find out information about local groups, events and services.
- The Christopher Centre is a Grade 2 listed building and the staff, volunteers and trustee board are therefore maintaining and preserving an important piece of Sudbury heritage, ensuring that any improvements and refurbishments made are in keeping with local heritage regulations.
## **10. Achievements & Performance**
Despite the year starting with continued Lockdown restrictions with both some easing and then some further restrictions due to the Omicrom variant, bookings and activities continued to flourish during the year. We welcomed a number of new groups to the building including a number of University of Third Age classes, Oddfellows and Speech Therapy Clinics; in addition, the Diabetic Eye Clinic increased the length of its hirings.
Because many of our activities are set up to help those who are most vulnerable and isolated in the community or who suffer from mental health issues, these continued throughout the year. These included the very successful drop-in coffee mornings on a Monday morning which was followed by delicious lunches, often attracting up to thirty people, once restrictions were eased. The Community Singers, Vegan Suppers and the Cinema Club (particularly for the more elderly members of the community) continued to attract more people.
We also continued, when possible, with our monthly fundraising Community Markets, although to adhere to COVID restrictions these were reduced in size. We were able to programme community markets until January which saw a variety of stall holders selling their wares, particularly local food products; whilst Teresa in the kitchen provided mouth-watering snacks and lunches during the day. The kitchen also provided take away lunches once a month (mainly curries and chilli dishes) and these proved very popular with around 50 – 60 orders per month.
During the year we purchased a gazebo which certainly helped with the Saturday monthly community markets as it meant that people could eat outside in the courtyard. The gazebo proved very resilient during the winter storms and high winds with minimal damage caused. During the year the major maintenance item was a new boiler for the building. We were told that the old boiler would last about ten years and almost to the day it finally gave up the ghost! Hopefully, the new boiler should be more efficient
At the beginning of 2022 Teresa and Helen, our loyal and very proficient staff members, indicated that they would be retiring at the end of March. Words cannot express how highly they were held in regard by the trustees, the volunteers and by local groups. They were very much the driving force behind all the community events initiated over the past few years. We will not be saying a total goodbye to Teresa however, as she will still be involved with the Monday drop-ins and lunches, the vegan suppers and the Community Singers.
Gregory Bishop has continued to give an excellent service in ensuring that the building is smart and tidy and our volunteer receptionists, gardeners and handymen have helped to ensure the smooth running of the building.
We are delighted to welcome Linda Adams and Kathy Lee-Rimmer as our new Centre Coordinators. They worked alongside Teresa and Helen during the latter part of March to ensure a smooth handover.
.
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## **11. Future Plans**
As I write this report, Linda and Kathy are settling into their new posts. In the coming months they will no doubt be putting their stamp on the building and starting some new activities. One project, that has been on the cards for a while, is the possibility of creating a Man Shed at the Christopher Centre using the old cart lodge. This idea has got a long way to go before it becomes a reality, but initial meetings are being held with interested parties.
Many thanks must go to the wonderful work undertaken by our volunteer receptionists and others who have continued to provide a great service at times when the building has been open.
I would finally pay tribute to my fellow trustees, who have discharged their duties and responsibilities as trustees and directors with pragmatism and good sense. Thanks must also go to Adrian Walters and the Sudbury Common Lands Trustees for their help during the year and also to those who have donated money or given grants to The Christopher Centre.
Robin Hodgkinson Chairperson
21[st] September 2022
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## **The Christopher Centre**
(Registered Charity No: 1120942)
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31 March 2022**
|Not
es
**Income & Expenditure**
**Incoming Resources**
Voluntary income
2a
Activities for generating funds
2b
Income from investments
2c
Charitable activities
2d
Other incoming resources
2e
**Total Incoming resources**
**Resources Expended**
Cost of generating voluntary income
3a
Fund raising trading costs
3b
Charitable activities
3c
Governance costs
3d
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net movement in funds**
**for the Year**
Fund Balances Brought Forward
**Fund balances carried forward**|Unrestricted
Funds
1,007
-
3
39,543
40,553
-
-
46,873
466
47,339
(6,786)
34,141
27,355|Restricted
Funds
9,875
-
9,875
-
-
12,833
-
12,833
(2,958)
8,401
5,443|2022
1,007
-
3
49,418
-
50,428
-
59,706
466
60,172
(9,744)
42,542
32,798|2021
2,456
-
7
61,210
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||63,673|
|||||-
-
38,193
546|
|||||38,739|
|||||24,934
17,608|
|||||42,542|
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## **The Christopher Centre**
(Registered Charity No: 1120942)
## **BALANCE SHEET as at 31 MARCH 2022**
|Notes
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible assets
12
**Current Assets**
Bank Current Account
Tracker Account
Petty Cash
Prepayments
Debtors
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors
Accruals
**Net Assets**
Represented by
**Funds**
Unrestricted (General)
Restricted|2022
£
-
6,156
27,132
151
13
-
33,452
-
654
654
32,798
27,355
5,443
32,798|2021
£
-|
|---|---|---|
|||10,538
32,628
17
13
-|
|||43,196
-
654|
|||654|
|||42,542|
|||34,141
8,401|
|||42,542|
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with FRS 102. The Financial
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
For the year ended 31st March 2022, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
## Directors' responsibilities:
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements
21[st] September 2022
Chairman
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## **The Christopher Centre**
(Registered Charity No: 1120942)
## **Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2022**
## **1 Accounting Policies**
- a. The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
- b. Income is not anticipated, but recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities only when it is received. Grants and donations are credited to income in the year to which they relate.
- c. Full provision is made for all known liabilities (expenses and losses) whether the amount is known with certainty or is a best estimate in the light of the information available.
- d. Only fixed assets under five years of age are capitalised and depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis from the year of purchase so as to reduce their value to nil at the end of five years. Computer equipment is depreciated over three years.
|**2**
**Incoming Resources**
a.
Voluntary income
Donations
b.
Activities for generating funds
Fund raising
c.
Income from investments
Bank interest
d.
Charitable activities
Grants
Other income
Rent & user charges
e.
Christopher Centre activities
f.
Other incoming resources
Total Incoming Resources
**3**
**Resources Expended**
a.
Cost of generating voluntary income
b.
Fund raising trading costs
c.
Charitable activities
Salaries
Christopher Centre activities
Restricted Grant
Council tax & waste
Rent & Insurance
Stationery & postage
Advertising
Telephone
Volunteer expenses & Companies
House
Repairs & maintenance
Gas, electric & water
Furniture & equipment
Cleaning
Other admin|Unrestricted
Funds
1007
0
3
4000
430
32865
2248
0
40553
0
11810
2021
0
1852
16096
546
601
828
514
6225
4424
245
738
466
46366|Restricted
Funds
9875
0
9875
0
0
12833
12833|Total 2022
1007
3
13875
430
32865
2248
50428
11810
2021
12833
1852
16096
546
601
828
514
6225
4424
245
738
466
59199|
|---|---|---|---|
10
|d
Governance costs
Independent examination
Company House
Total Resources Expended|972
0
972
47338|0
0
12833|972
972
60171|
|---|---|---|---|
## **4 Donations**
Donations received from private individuals, local businesses and charitable trusts. The amount does not include any Gift Aid tax refunds.
## **5 Lease**
The 21 year lease for the Christopher Centre expired 4[th] July 2014 and has been extended for a further 10 years with 3 yearly reviews. The current cost of the lease is now £14,000 per annum, Paid quarterly with building insurance payments to the trustees of _the Sudbury Common Lands Charity._
## **6 Tracker Accounts**
The tracker account is an interest earning account with Barclays Bank.
## **7 Accruals**
Expenses received after the year end which related to goods received or expenses incurred during the year ended 31.3.22
## **8 Trustee Remuneration & Related Party Transactions**
No member of the Trustee Board received any remuneration during the year.
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year (20189- nil).
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