2022-03-31-accounts - The Forge Project

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Supporting homeless and adults at risk

Annual Report 2021/2022

www.theforgeproject.co.uk

A word from the Chair Councillor Julie Reed

Welcome to our Annual General Meeting and Annual Board Report on the activities of The Forge. This is the third year of my Chairmanship and I am delighted to be able to report that it has been a very successful year. We have finally secured all of the funding needed and invested over £179k in extensive remodelling works, making the building energy efficient and bringing it up to an acceptable standard. We now have a centre to be proud of in North Lincolnshire, offering a safe space in which to engage in meaningful support in the areas of drugs and alcohol, housing, physical health, education and employment and access to food, clothing and toiletries. The journey out of homelessness requires a wide range of services and we are now well placed to provide those.

We have carried out a full review of our staff and trustees and developed a strong team with specialist knowledge and experience in Mental Health, Education & Employment and Community Support. We have secured funding from The National Lottery, Lloyds Foundation, North Lincolnshire Council and The Police and Crime Commissioner to support the establishment of this team. We still rely on fundraising and personal donations to support our wider staff of administrator, cook and cleaner and to meet our overheads.

We work in close partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, the Health Service and the Police to ensure that we maintain focus and influence policy and strategy in relation to the vulnerable people we serve.

We have actively engaged with schools and community groups to raise awareness and advocate for those who are experiencing homelessness and have attended events wherever possible. We have individual success stories which are detailed later in this report and an overwhelming sense of reward is felt by our Forge Family of staff and volunteers when a person has their own front door key and a job.

I would like to personally thank my fellow Board Trustees, our staff, our volunteers, our funders, the business community and the individuals who have donated their time, energy, goods or money to our project; without them we would simply be unable to keep going.

Regards Julie Reed

The Forge Team

Staff

Andrea Houghton………………………………………........................................... Manager Joanne Laughton ………………………………………….....……..… Senior Project Worker Simon Fletcher …………………………………………………. Community Support Worker Simon Fletcher ………………………………....… Employment/Education Support Worker Adam Livermore…………………………………….………….……………………..... Cleaner Lyn Noble ……………………………………………....…….……………….. Support Worker Janine Place ……………………………………………...……………………….…….… Cook Nikki Seaman …………………………………………..……..... Community Support Worker

Trustees

Cllr Julie Reed………..……………………………………..…………………….. Chairperson Margaret Evans ……………………………………………..…………….… Vice Chairperson Simon Batt ……………………………………………………..……….... Company Secretary Peter Bell Ruth Chittenden Paul Vollans Sheila Walshe Rachel Williams (resigned April 2021)

Advisor to the Board:

James Jellinek

Volunteers

Bobby Croft, Jean Gray, Tracy Henderson, Lyn Noble, Ray Parkes, Mark Peace, Jo Sarsfield, Richard Smith, Patricia Wards, Sonia Ward-Foster, Peter Whittaker

Vision Statement:

‘Those experiencing homelessness are valued by society and provided with opportunities to move their lives forward’

Mission Statement:

The Forge Project supports people on their journey out of homelessness towards healthier and safer lives. Working in North Lincolnshire we achieve this by:

Offering a safe and accepting community which builds self-confidence, resilience and wellbeing
Working with partners to offer opportunities to manage underlying challenges such as physical and mental health problems, drugs and alcohol, employment and financial independence, and sustaining a tenancy
Providing food, toiletries, clothes and facilities to meet basic needs

Values:

Respect

We are non-judgemental and compassionate. We treat everyone we work with as an individual; we take time to listen carefully to their needs accepting and valuing that they may be different to our own.
We deliver our service on an equal footing to all, treating people as we would like to be treated ourselves.

Integrity

We are transparent, accountable and honest. We do what we say we will and take responsibility for our own actions; when we make mistakes or things go wrong, we apologise and learn.

Community

We are welcoming and encourage positive relationships within and between service users, staff, volunteers, supporters and other service providers who comprise The Forge Project Family.
When issues do emerge, we are prepared to sit down and talk them through to resolve conflicts and difficulties.
We stand alongside, and share the journeys, that our service users are experiencing.

Empowerment

We provide opportunities for life long change and personal growth which enable service users to increase their independence and self-responsibility.

We use a person-centred approach encouraging service users to recognise their own strengths and supporting them to build their skills, knowledge, confidence and resilience.

Collaboration

We work co-productively with our service users in the planning and delivering of support. This ensures our services meets service user’s needs in the most effective way.
We work as a team across The Forge Project, recognising and using each other’s strengths and supporting each other in difficult times.
We believe better outcomes can be achieved for service users by organisations and agencies working together. This means we actively seek opportunities for The Forge Project to add value to other’s work and for partners who can add value to our work.

Board of Trustees’ Statement

The trustees are responsible to ensure that the Annual Report and Annual Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The Trustees can confirm that the report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the above.

Our Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty of Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 and have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance when reviewing our aims and objectives and when planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. To achieve our vision, we see it our mission to provide a varied service providing support and relief to homeless and other vulnerable adults who are in need, hardship or distress. They evaluate our impact, outputs and outcomes on a regular basis to ensure that The Forge Project is meeting the public benefit.

The Trustees undertake strategic planning on a regular basis to ensure a constant fit with the charity’s environment and current trends, that there is a clear alignment of strategy with operational planning and with outcomes and impact and that there is a pro-active consideration of organisational form to support sustainability.

Over the past year we have been successful in our application for funding through the Lloyds Bank Foundation Trust for an unrestricted development grant. This enabled us also to work with a consultant in strategic planning. We held two consultation days and developed our new Strategic Plan for the next three years.

The Board of Trustees recognises its broader responsibilities towards communities, stakeholders, wider society and the environment and acts on them in a manner consistent with its purposes, values and available resources.

Regards The Trustees

DAY CENTRE

As the Day Centre was not able to open in May 2021, we carried on serving lunch through the door and offered one to one support only, but at this time service users could access the building one at a time, we also delivered hot food out to people in temporary accommodation.

As restrictions eased, we implemented a two-service system so that we could feed the homeless people that arrived daily with reduced numbers in the building, ceased delivering meals and our wonderful volunteers returned to us. The external agencies returned and once again worked collaboratively with staff and service user and, by re-focussing our entry criteria to people with homeless and housing issues only, we have the time to work in a far more effective way. We are supporting people to move steadily forwards in their journey through homelessness.

As Nicky Daly from the Housing Advice Team explained at the 2021 AGM, there are now far more housing options available to our service users and we have seen some successes with the Direct Lets and other new supported housing projects. We have seen long term homeless people sustaining tenancies and some achieving full tenancy status. We have also seen some of these people returning to employment after years of rough sleeping and substance misuse.

As The Forge Project were successful in securing funding to make our building fit for purpose, the Day Centre had to move from one part of the building into another and service users -and the team of builders- quickly became used to accommodating each other’s needs. This meant that in four months of extensive works being carried out, the Day Centre only had to close its doors for two days and reverted to serving food through the door. We have a much more welcoming building and are now happily ensconced in our new room with two fabulous consulting rooms for staff and external agencies to carry out confidential work.

The Day Centre was approached by a hairdresser looking to work with us. Claudia volunteers and through Haircuts for the homeless and has regularly styled 10 service users’ hair in a morning!

Through discussions with NHS and members of the CCG dental nurses started holding a monthly surgery and they make referrals into the Community Dentist where necessary. There were four different

opportunities for service users to access Covid-19 vaccinations at the Forge Project as nurses held pop up clinics for hard-to-reach patients.

We are with you, local substance misuse and alcohol services, have held regular sessions to educate service users, staff and volunteers around Naloxone kits and introduced other harm minimisation techniques and also to engage (and re-engage) people into treatment. This year has brought its own challenges but it feels like the Day Centre is working in a more rounded and successful way than before and this benefits our service users to move on successfully.

We are moving towards working totally co-productively in an environment where people using the services, staff, volunteers, service users and managers work together in an equal partnership to design and deliver services and that people using the services also share in designing and delivering services. We believe that if someone is involved in the development of the project, its aims and objectives, then they are invested in it and the positive future of the project.

Service User Representative

Hi, I am Richard. I am the Service User Representative. My role this year has been to liaise with service users to find out if they have any positives, ideas or problems with The Forge Project. I relay these ideas to staff, management, and if necessary to the board at various board meetings throughout the year.

I try to let service users know they can be whatever they want to be and can choose their path in life once they have found a road out of homelessness. I really enjoy the role and letting people know they can get their points across without always having to go to staff if they feel they don't want to.

Community Support Worker 2021

Hi, my name is Simon. During 2021 I worked as the Community Support Worker. At the beginning of the year, we continued to deliver hot food to service users who were based in temporary accommodation around Scunthorpe. This enabled us to keep in touch with them and monitor their physical and mental wellbeing. People who were rough sleeping attended the Forge Project for lunch and they were able to access support during the Day Centre. We continued to support the EU foreign nationals without settled and pre-settled status to obtain it.

As we opened fully again in May and the covid restrictions were withdrawn I was able to support people out in the community ensuring that the support given at The Forge Project Day Centre was not lost as they left the centre after lunch.

Education/Employment Support Worker

Early in 2022 I became the Education/Employment Support Worker providing support to clients on their journey out of homelessness by moving them closer to employment. With my support, some clients have been able to secure work and sustain said employment. I have sourced training courses either online or through partnership working and have many clients that have either completed their training, have training ongoing or about to start a course. I have forged a link with Re-volution the new bike and horticultural project just behind Scunthorpe Central (The old library) and have one client attending at present and another due to start his course in the next few weeks. I have also been able to create a link with the Employability team at ONGO which has given our clients access to a wide variety of courses. One client is currently undertaking an ESOL (English Speaking for Other Languages) at present and progressing well.

Community Support Worker 2022

Hi, my name is Nikki, I took over as the community support worker in early 2022. My previous background is in psychotherapy and I recently gained my master’s degree in psycho-sexual behaviour. So far while supporting services users, I have liaised with different agencies such as Anvil house, We are With You, housing related support, Homeless outreach team and Re-set. I have supported services users to move into the new properties and attended various appointments with services users, who did not feel they could attend by themselves.

Moving forward I would like to continue with the work I am currently doing with services users. I would like to support more clients to engage with other services and I would also like to continue supporting clients through their journeys out of homelessness, as this can be daunting.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

During periods of severe cold weather, emergency accommodation is provided by the local authority, through Anvil House, a building that is owned and run by Framework. This can be accessed either by contacting the Housing Advice Team directly or coming to The Forge Project. Support staff can refer people into this every morning and there are six emergency beds available.

Afternoon Activities

The Forge Project usually offers afternoon activities e.g., baking/cooking, arts/crafts, gardening activities, not only for those attending the Day Centre but those members of the community who are vulnerable and need more community involvement. Community members are also encouraged to volunteer during these activity sessions, sharing their skills with service users, building on confidence and self-esteem for both parties.

These activities are vital to the service users to help reduce social isolation, build on resilience, and improve confidence. These services were greatly missed by service users during the pandemic.

VOLUNTEERING

The pandemic massively impacted on our volunteers since many fell into the ‘at risk’ category. Since the relaxing of the Covid-19 restrictions, many of our volunteers who had really missed their time working at The Forge Project were happy to return.

The staff who had been required to take on the majority of the work previously carried out by the volunteers were keen to welcome the volunteers back as they are a vital link in The Forge Project Team.

A word from some of our volunteers ….

A word from volunteers during the last year…“I like to help others and love meeting new people. I’m a very sociable person and this a great way of keeping busy whilst giving back to the community”

“I would be isolated if I wasn’t volunteering, I like the social interaction with different people. The work is varied, I might be working in the kitchen or sorting donations. I feel fulfilled and part of the team.”

“I volunteer here because I used to be a service user and I like to feel useful and appreciated.”

Building Works

At the beginning of the year ESH Civils, a national civil engineering company working in the area on building a new transport link, as part of their community giving offered to fund part of our renovation project. New railings were installed on the perimeter of our car park which enhanced the outlook of the building for the community. They also fenced a garden area for service users giving them the opportunity to undertake therapeutic horticulture and a green space for them to socialise, learn and thrive. We are encouraging volunteers from the local community to come and support service users in tending the area and also encourage clients from our partner agencies to participate.

For the main part of our renovation work we raised £140k from many funding sources to totally remodel 80% of the building. The new facilities make the building more cost and energy efficient as the ceilings have been lowered, there is new lighting, new windows and doors all round.

The dining area has been totally renovated with a lowered ceiling and new lighting, new flooring, storage cupboards and a serving station. The kitchen was totally removed and a new stainless steel catering kitchen installed with brand new cookware. The new kitchen is not only beneficial for staff and volunteers during the mornings for the Day Centre meals but also enables service users to participate in cooking and baking sessions in the afternoon. Service users are encouraged to volunteer in the kitchen etc. and during the past year have undertaken health and safety training to gain qualifications.

Two consultations rooms were built in the foyer area for support staff to have confidential meetings with service users. This also enables our partner agencies to meet in private with mutual clients.

BEFORE AND AFTER BUILDING WORKS

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Day Room (Before) Day Room (After)
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Exterior (Before)

Exterior (After)

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Kitchen (Before)
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Kitchen (After)

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Consultation Room 1 (New) Consultation Room 2 (New)
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The Impact of The Forge Project

Over the past year The Forge Project supported a total of 249 unique clients, 9,579 points of contact with service users and 7,227 meals were served at the Day Centre.

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71 were rough sleeping 194 were male 55
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19 were European 99 had substance 31 had alcohol issues misuse issues

69 mental health issues

During this time:

139 sleeping bags were given out 702 pieces of clothing were given out

103 referrals to the Food Bank 265 crisis parcels were given out

302 Toiletries were given out 1,195 referrals into SWEP

1,413 individual support sessions Agencies supported service users 426 times

Everyone deserves a place to call home Over the past year The Forge Project staff have supported in collaboration with other agencies:

63 people into emergency and temporary accommodation

39 people into supported accommodation

45 people secured a rented home

It may be that some individuals have moved through more than one situation on their journey through homelessness.

A word from one of the service users during this time...

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for The Forge Project. They have helped me in so many ways”

The Forge Project staff continued to represent and advocate for service users at all the local multi-agency meetings through Teams throughout the year.

CASE STUDIES

A 45 year old male who had been trapped in the homelessness/ crime/drugs/prison cycle for some years began to talk of changing his lifestyle. He stopped using opiates and became a peer volunteer in the Day Centre. He was offered a Direct Let property (supported by the local authority Outreach Team) and moved into a furnished flat shortly before Christmas 2021. He has now reconnected with his family, Mum and daughter. As his confidence grew, he obtained a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate. This was followed by CSCS card which enabled him to start working in the building trade. He now works full time (often away), drives a works vehicle, has been transferred onto a permanent tenancy without support, pays his own rent and bills and his daughter has recently asked to come and live with him. He stays in touch and is a now lifelong friend of The Forge Project.

A 42 year old male, who originates from Iraq, lived and worked in Scunthorpe for 15 years until he lost his job (and then housing) through the pandemic, was signposted to The Forge Project by North Lincolnshire Council. He was referred into the night provision and settled into the routine of daily referrals for a bed. On the occasions that he was unsuccessful it was very difficult to explain that he would have to sleep on the streets. He was supported to bid on Home Choice Lincs to find a property, placed in Band 2 and after almost 5 months of living this way (with nowhere to be for 12 hours each day) he secured a tenancy with Ongo and has moved in. We are still supporting him to settle into his tenancy and start work, he is waiting for an English course for speakers of other languages to begin.

Working in partnership with other agencies

Partnership working is extremely important to the people who attend The Forge Project as it enables us to provide the highest quality of service for people to transform their lives. People attending the Day Centre find it better meeting other agencies at The Forge Project as they see it as a safe, non-judgmental environment. Partner agencies find that mutual clients respond more positively to them at The Forge Project and this allows service users to engage or re-engage with vital services that will allow them to move forwards with their lives.

We work very closely with the local authority Homeless Outreach Team, the local Housing Advice Team, the local authority Housing Related Support Service, Drug and Alcohol Service, the local supporting housing providers, RESET, the local Street Workers Project and Scunthorpe Mind to broaden the services offered.

A few words from some of our partner agencies… “This year has been one of innovation and creative willpower to overcome the challenges we have all faced living post-covid. The challenges continue to present themselves, but we continually rise to overcome them to ensure we protect our most vulnerable in our community.

The Forge Project has demonstrated this innovation not only through the revitalisation of their physical space but also the creative new ways they are delivering support. Last year I spoke about the commitment that was shown through our partnerships being the platform to build on. The Forge continues to lead our ability to offer the right support, at the right time and to the right people.

We continue to be committed to ensuring that we create a community in North Lincolnshire where individuals and families have a safe, secure, and healthy place to call home. In order to achieve this, we share the ethos of delivering person-centred, strength-based support looking to prevent in partnership. The Forge has and continues to be integral to this partnership.”

James Jellinek Assistant Group Manager – Housing Advice & Support North Lincolnshire Council

North Lincolnshire MIND

Collaborative working between North Lincolnshire Mind and the Forge Project continues to go from strength to strength. This partnership has been running for 4 years and strives to provide mental health support, act as a link between The Forge Project and mental health services and to encourage, support and celebrate service user engagement.

Service users often present with complex issues and require long-term support that is flexible to meet their changing needs. Unfortunately, this often means that they are not able to access support from statutory services and they fall through the gaps in service provision. This can lead to disillusionment, mistrust of services and a reluctance to engage with support. The outreach post has enabled staff not only to offer support at the weekly sessions but provides a link that enables people to access support from our other services.

A regular presence at The Forge Project helps us build good relationship with service users and better understand their mental health needs so that we can continue providing effective support. A North Lincolnshire Mind support worker attends The Forge Project every Thursday, providing 1 to 1 support as well as group sessions focused on good mental health and wellbeing. In the last year we have provided over 30 1-to-1 sessions and 9 group sessions that focused on trying new wellness tools (arts and crafts, guided relaxation) and increasing the knowledge and understanding of mental health issues and developing ways to cope with it (Sessions on Stress, triggers, unhelpful thinking and how to manage it, effective communication skills). Although most people preferred 1 to 1 support as attending group sessions can be challenging for some, the engagement of attending service users was amazing – they were enthusiastically sharing ideas and effective ways to cope. Some service users were also referred and signposted to other services at North Lincolnshire Mind (The Haven, Talking Minds Plus, day services) and other organisations (GP’s, Crisis Team, Housing Advice Team, DWP).

Our joint work has led to service users accessing both face-to-face and telephone support from North Lincolnshire Mind’s wider service offer providing the opportunity to support them to develop more effective coping strategies and improve their wellbeing and resilience. Data from our Haven service which provides out-of-hours crisis support shows on average one service user per week called the Haven for crisis support in the year to 31/3/22.

We look forward to next year hoping that we will be able to build on existing trust and develop new ways of engaging with service users at The Forge Project.

Christmas at The Forge Project 2021

Christmas Day at The Forge Project felt far more ‘normal’ than in 2020. Service users were allowed back into the building again and were very happy to join in the festivities. Everyone adhered to the Covid-19 policy and this meant that they could celebrate safely.

During a morning craft session service users made table decorations to make the tables festive on Christmas Day.

Service users wore Christmas jumpers and enjoyed a delicious, traditional Christmas lunch with all of the trimmings and were very grateful for all of the gifts that they received again from a fabulous teenager from Crowle, Scunthorpe and Messingham Beavers and other generous donators from the community.

This makes a huge difference to homeless people who may not have anywhere else to go or anyone else to celebrate with.

The Forge Project Finances

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Our full accounts are available on request.

Supported by the community We are indebted to so many individuals, volunteers, groups and organisations for their generosity and commitment – we could not support as many people as we do without you!

Thank you to EVERYONE who offers support for our services including vital funds, their volunteer time, specialist services and essential items such as food and toiletries.

Some examples of the support we receive …….

The Rucksack Project 2021

An avid supporter of The Forge Project, Kim Newlands tirelessly works to promote, organise and facilitate the annual Rucksack Project every year.

Again, she came up trumps and we received massive donations of vital items that we need to support people who attend our Day Centre in crisis.

As with every other year the items were gratefully received by homeless people and we would like to thank everyone involved.

Donations of food items

Supporters of The Forge Project, Winteringham and Winterton residents, donated food and a cheque for £514.00 for the service users. Many thanks!

Charity Ball

Supporters raised money for The Forge Project and Isle Ride to Recover.

This fantastic ball raised a whopping £1,606.00 for The Forge Project. The staff and volunteers who attended had a fantastic night!

We would like to send our thanks to all those people who have supported us over this difficult year through their donations of food items, clothing, money and time.

Harvest Festivals

We would like to send out a huge thank you to, not only those who regularly donate food items to the project, but the schools and Churches who always remember us at Harvest Festival time and throughout the year.

Support from schools

Two of our Trustees, Margaret and Sheila attend school assemblies throughout the year and talk to students about what it is like to be homeless. This awareness raising usually results in long discussions with the students and many schools fundraising for us or giving donations of food and clothing.

National Citizens Scheme

Candidates who participate in the National Citizen’s Scheme regularly collect donations of essential items that they have either collected or fundraised for by undertaking sponsored walks, bake sales, collecting at supermarkets etc. All the while they are doing this they are raising awareness of homelessness.

Donations of Money

People have been incredibly resilient and have continued to find a way to support The Forge Project even through adversity.

Fundraising

Scunthorpe Youth Council and Councillor Rob Waltham raised a whopping £1,120 by completing the Tough Mudder Challenge Yorkshire in August 2021.

How you can help

Fundraising

If you would like to fundraise for the project, whether you are running a marathon or baking cakes you could raise money by doing what you like to do. If you would like to fundraise, please register your event with us so that we can help with publicity and a logo for your fundraising documentation.

Get involved with your workplace

Corporate support, from staff teams and other organisation helps us to raise much needed resources for the Forge Project. Support can be given in fundraising activities, donation or volunteer hours. This raises awareness about homelessness and gives organisations an easy way to give something back to the community. Please get in touch as we are always open to developing new partnerships.

Donate essential items

By donating items: such as coffee and sugar, long-life milk, tinned meat, peas and carrots, tinned fruit, rice pudding, black bin liners, anti-bacterial spray, toiletries, laundry liquid.

Financial Donations

Cash or cheque donations : If you would prefer not to donate online you can also make a donation by sending a cheque or cash. If you are a UK tax payer and complete a Gift Aid form (by contacting our office) you will be able to donate 25% more of the amount you donate.

Just Giving: https://donate.justgiving.com/TheForgeProject Text Giving: please text the number 70085. Use our short code FORGE followed by the amount you wish to donate e.g. FORGE10 to donate £10. (standard network rate applies plus the amount you wish to donate).

Leave a gift in your will

Remembering the Forge Project in your will is a wonderful opportunity to help support our work with homeless people.

Thank you to our partners and to our grant funders for helping us to realise a better future!

Keep in touch

The Forge Project Cottage Beck Road SCUNTHORPE North Lincolnshire DN16 1UB

Telephone: 01724 276742 Mobile: 07761957844 Email: talktous.forgeproject@gmail.com Website: www.forgeproject.co.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1134325 Company Registered by Guarantee: 05549681

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Flnanclal Statsments for the year ended 31 March 2022 VL/L VolMntaTy Action 4nTrf NoTt6 Lincolnsbiye

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Company Infomiatlon For Ihe rIOd onded 31Èt March 2022 DIRECTORS rrRUSTEES Cllr Julie Reed Margaret Evans Peter Bell Rachel Williams (resigned 121051211 Simon Batt Paul Vollans Sheila Walshe Ruth Chittenden (appointed 11105122) Chair COMPANY SECRETARY Simon Batt REGISTERED OFFICE New Brumby Methodist Church Cottage Beck Road Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire DN16 1UB REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER $549681 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1134325 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Katie Sauvage FCCA Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire 4-6 Roberts Street SCUNTHORPE North Lincolnshire DN15 6NG BANKERS CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avènue Kings Hill, Wesl Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Chgrity Number, 1134325 Comp8ny Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Indep•ndonl Examlnof8 r•port to the tru•t••• Idlr•ctor•l of Th• Forq• ProJ•ct. I report on the accounts of The Forge Project for Ihe Iwelv8 rnonlhs ended 31* March 2022, which are Set out on p8ges 8 10 15. R••p•ctlv• rn8pon•lbllltS•¥ of trustees and examlnef Tha trusteas (who are also Ihe direor¥ of the Gompany lor the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the 8ccounls. The Iruslees nSider Ih818n auciii Is n required for this year under soction 144{21 ol tho Charikn"es Acl 2011 Ilhe 2011 Acll and that an independent examination is needed. Having $8ti?fied mysew fftai the chanty is not subject to audit under company law And is eligiNe for Independent examination. rt is my responsibility lo.. axamine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direction8 given by the Charty Commission under section 1451511bl of the 2011 Act., and to stale whether p8rticular matters hava come to my attention. Ba•1• of ind•p•nd•nt •x•mln•rf8 r•port My examination was carrted OLrt In accofdance wrth the general Directions givén by tho Charrty Commission. An examination includes a revièw of tho accounting records kept by the charity and a companson of the accounts prasented with those CordS 11 also includes consi<Jeralion of any unusual item8 or diicloBures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trusts8s convirnlng any such m8tter8. The procedure8 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would b8 required in an audrt and consequently no opinion is oiven as lo whether the account8 present a 'lNe and fair view and the report 1$ limited lo those matters sel out in the statement below. Ind•p•nd•nt •x¥mln•rf¥ Jlatom•nt In conne¢tion wtth my examination, no matter ha6 coma lo my attents'on. 111 whlch gives me r•o8on•bl• Cause to beli8V8 that In any material respect the requiremenis. to keep a¢counUng records in accordan with $ection 388 of the Companies Act 20C6, and to prepare accounts which accord wth me 4ceounting records, comply wilh the accouth.ng rèquirem8nt8 of s•dion 398 of th• Companies Ad 2006 and with the m8thodo and prinrAples of the Staiemeni of Recommended Practice. Accounting and Reportsng by Chantie$ have been M., Katie Sauvoge FCCA Voluntary Action North Lincolnshlre 4-6 Robert8 Sireel SCUNTHORPE North Lincolnshira DN156NG D•t•'.

Charity Number. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Report of the Dlrectors for the yoar ended 31" March 2022 The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31" March 2022. Obhèctlv•s and prlnclpal acllvltles The Forge Project is a Registered Charity, the objectives of which are to develop. represent, and improve the quality of life for individuals. groups and communities, principally in the area of Scunthorpe. Directors The directors who served during the year were as follows. Cllr Julie Reed Margaret Evans Peter Bell Rachel Wlliams (resigned 12105121) Simon Batt Paul Vollans Sheila Walshe Chair The followng directors have been appointed since the year end.. RLrth Chtttenden (appointed 11105122) The director5 form the Board of Trustees of the charity. The members of the Board of Trustees are elected al the Annual General Meeting. The company is limited by guarantee therefor8 none of the directors have an interest in share caprtal. Statement of tho Dlrectors, responslbllltl Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Gharitable company and of the excess of income over expenditu of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these finanaal seMentS, the directors are required to.. select sultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently make judgements and estimat68 that are reasonable and prudent prepare the financial 8tatement8 on the golng concern ba818 unless it 18 inappn)pnate to presume that the company will contlnue to operate. The Oirectors confirm thal the account8 Comply wlth tha 4bov• r•qulrom•nl•. The Directors are re8pon8ible for keeplnG proper accountlng r•cord• whlch dl•cloM wilh reasonable accuracy al any time the fin8nGial po•ltlon of th• ch•ritabl• c¢)mp•ny and to •nabl• them to ensure that the financial 8tatemenl& comply wlth tho Comp*nl Acl 2006. Thy also responsible for safeguarding the a86e18 of the company and h•nc• tor takin9 r••powb steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irre9ularili•8.

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Rèport of the Dlrector8 Icontlnued) for the period ended 31" March 2022 Corporato status The company was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital. Organlsatlon As referred to above. the company is managed by the board of Truslees whi¢h is elecled at the Annual General Meeling. The company delegates responsibility for the day-to-day running of charitable company to paid staff ofthree people. During the year five staff were employed. For a detailed narratlve on the Charity's achievement and future plans please see the Trustses Annual Report (available to view on the Charity Commission Register at www.charitycommission.gov.ukl. Rgserves policy It is the aim of the Board of Trustees to retain in the order of three month's Gore running costs in the unrestricted general fvnd, and the Company will work towards achieving this. Risks The risks to which the company is exposed, as identified by the directors, have been reviewed and systems have been established to mttigate those risks. Independent Examiner The company falls underthe audit and independent examination regime of the Charrties Ad 2011. This function has been carried out by Katie Sauvage FCCA of Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire Limited. Small companies provlslons The report of the directors has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies, exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006. Statement of Recommended Practlco The accounts comply with the SORP 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities. 2011, as amended, in July 2014, as far as possible whi18t complylng with the Companies Act 2006. By order of the Board Iltr Julie Reed Chair

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Income and Expondlture Account for the year ended 31•1 March 2022 2022 2021 Notes INCOME 206,006 195,317 EXPENDITURE 1155,968) (137,2181 OPERATING SURPLUS 50,038 58,099 Interest receivable and similar income 15 39 SURPLUSI{DEFicif) FOR THE YEARS 50.053 58.138 RESERVES BROUGHT FORWARD 12 148,724 90,586 RESERVES CARRIED FORWARD 12 198,777 148,724 Total income (Including interest) of 206,021 12021.. £195,326) comprises £76,621 {2021. £52,585) for unrestricted funds and £129.400 {2021.' £142,771) for restricted funds. A detailed analysi8 of incom8 by source is provided in the statement of financial activities. The profit for the year of £50,053 {2021'. of£58.138}, compnses a loss of £37,628 {2021. of £41,894) for unrestricted funds and a profit of £87,881 {2021.' of £16,214 } for restricted funds before transfers, as 8hown in the statement of financial activities. There ar8 no recognised gains or losses other than those passing through the income and expenditure a¢¢ount. The income and expendfture account has been prepared on the basis that the majority of operations are continuing operations. The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial 8tatements.

Charity Number. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31°, March 2022 Re$trlcted Income funds Total 2022 Tatsl unstrIcted funds Designated funds Unfestrlctod funds Income and endowments from Donats'ons & legacies 76.606 129.43 206.OC6 40,150 141771 182.921 Other trading acbvrbes Incorne from Investrnents 12.396 12.396 15 15 Oiher income Incon & endowmonts 76,621 129,4 206.021 52.585 142.T11 1.355 Expendlture on: Expenditure on raising fvnds ExFtnditure OD Charitable aCtNe5 {114,249) (41,719) (155.968) (41.719) (155,968) 1 87,681 (10.691) (10,691) (126,52T) 1137.218) Total expenditure {114.249) {126,52n {137.218) Net incomW(expenditure) (37,628) 50,053 41,894 16.244 58.138 Transfers between funds 12 (17.152) 13.397 12,332 (12,332) Netmovefflent in funds 12 {54,780) 13,397 91,436 50,053 148.724 1 198,777 54,226 3.912 58.138 Total funds brought forward Total funds carried fonrdrd 12 120,196 28,528 65.970 24.616 90,$86 65,416 13,397 119.964 120,196 28.528 148,724 The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these finanal statements.

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Balance Sheet As at 31*1 March 2022 Total 2022 Total 2021 Fixed assets Tangible assets 120,442 2,719 Current assets Cash & vouchors Bank 423 127,879 605 128,907 1,332 148,502 Dobtors 10 Total current assets 149,834 Creditors: amounts falling due within ono year Net curnnt assets/(liabilities) Total assets lèss cumt liabilities 150.572) (3.8291 78,335 146,005 198,777 148.724 Funds of the Charlty Unrestricted funds: Designated funds: Restricted Income fund8 Total funds 13 13 13 13 65,416 13,397 119,964 198,777 120,196 28.528 148,724 For the year ending 3151 March 2022 the company was entitled lo exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibilities- the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts 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 the preparation of accounts., These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable lo companies subject to the small companies, regime and in accordanrR with the FRS 102 SORP. The financial statements were approved by the Board on Julie Reed, Chalr The notes on pages 910 15 form part of th888 financlal statemen18.

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the financlal statèmènts for the year ended 31. March 2022 l. Accounllng pollc108 1.1 Accountlng Convontlon The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at transaction value unless otherwise slated in relevant notes lo these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accountin9 and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Acl 2011 In addition, grants and contracts received of a revenue nature are accounted for on the accruals basis and crediled to Incoming Resources in the Slalement of Financial Activities when the company is legally entitled to the income. the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and the grant relates lo the relevant time period. Therefore grants received in advance may be deferred to future time periods. This Is a departure from the Charities SORP {FRS1021 in order lo ensure that the accounts of the Charity provide a 'True and Fair. view. The Trustees considered the requirement lo recogni5e income when the charity has enlitlemenl to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the itèm{s} of income have bèen met, It is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Due lo some grantslcontracts being receive¢J in advance this would dislort the Net SurplusllDeficit} figures which could jeopardise the Charity's position when applying for contracts. All deferred incom8 is shovm in Note 11. (b). 1.2 Company status The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the directors named on page 1. 1.3 Incomlng resourceg Grants received of a revenue nature are credited to Incoming Resources in the Slalement of Financial Activities when the ¢ompany is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quants'fied with reasonable accuracy Services provided, investment income and rents are accounted for on the accruals basis. Other income is accounted for when received. All income is shown gross with associated costs included in expenditure. Grants received lo fund the purcha88 of fixed a888ts are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when the company is legally entrtled to the inGom•. The related expenditure is charged lo Fixed Assets in the Balance Sheet. Grants rer*ived of a revenue nature are accounted for on tho 8¢crual8 bmlg and croditod to Incoming Re8ource8 in the Statement of Flnancl81 Actlvllles when the company 18 legally entitled lo the Income, the amount c8n be quar)Ilfled wllh rea80nable accuracy and the grant relates to the relevant lime period. Ther8foro, grant• roc•lvod in advanco may be deferred to future time period6. Th1818 a departure from th• Char11108 SORP (FRS102) in order to ensure that the accoun18 of the Ch8rlly provide a 'Truo and Falf viow. The Trustees considered the requirem8nl to recognl88 income wh8n tho charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance condition8 attached to the item(8) of inGome

Charity Number. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the Financlal Statements for the year ended 31. March 2022 Accounting Policies (continued) have been met, it is probable th81 the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Due lo the paymenl of some grants received in advance this would distort the Net Surpluslloeficill figures which could ieopard15e the Charity's position when applying for Contracts. Grants received and held by the Company prior lo making grants lo smaller chafltable concems are treated as deferred income. The Trustee5 consi(Jered the requirement lo cognise Income when the charity has enlitlemenl lo the fL*nds. any performance conditions attached to the Ilem{s} of income have been rnel, Il is probable that the income will be reiVed and the amount can be measured reliably Due lo the payment of some grants received in advance this would distort the Net Surplu51lDeficill figures which could ieopardise the Charity's position when applying for conlracls. 1.4 Rosources expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basi8 and has been Classified under headings that aggregate costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be dirèctly attnbuted to particular headings Ihey have been allocated lo activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. 1.5 Tangible assets and depreciatlon Tangible assels are stated at cost less depreciation, and are all now fully written down Depreciation is provided at rates calculated lo write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful lif8 {except a5 detailed below} on a straight lined basis as follows.. Equipment Furniture and Fixtures IT Equipment Leasehold Improvements 10 years 10 years 10 years 15 years 1.6 Fund accounllng Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordan¢e with specific restrictions imposed by donors. Restricted funds are accounted for separately from each other and from the core funding of the company. General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Designated funds comprise unrestrided funds that have been set aside by the directors for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notos to the financial slatements. 2 Incomo and Expendituro Account The company Is a registered charity and 80 achievement8 cannot bo m048ur•d by normal Gommercial criteria Accordingly, the Director8 con8ider that It would bo in8ppropriat• lo present a Profil and Los8 Account in one of th6 forma18 8Qt out by iho Compani•s A¢1 2006 Therefore, a8 permilled by the Compani88 Act, In ord8r to reflect the 8p•cial n•tw• of the wmpany's activities, the Director8 are ol the oplnlon that It would b• mor• appropriate to present an Income and Expendllure Account. 10

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the Flnanclal Statemonts for the year ended 31•t March 2022 3 Income and ondowments Unre8trlcted R•8trlctod Fund• Fund8 Total Unre8trlcted Restrlcted 2022 Funds Funds Total 2021 Donatlon• & legacl•s Grants Donations Gift Aid 129,400 129.400 76,606 10,000 31,294 2,396 43,690 142,771 152.771 31,294 2,396 142,771 186,461 76,606 129,400 206.006 Othor tradlng actlvltl•• 8,856 8,856 Included in unrestricted donations is £9,900 received from the Methodist Church. This has been received as the full rent of £10,000 has been paid. 11

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the Flnonclal Slalemen18 for the year ended 31•1 March 2022 Expendlture on Analysis of total Expondlture on Charltable Actlvltles Unrgstrlcted Re•trlcted Fundi Fund8 Total Unr9ry1rlcled Rostrlct•d 2022 Fundg Fund8 Total 2021 Staff Costs including pension Rates and water Insurance Light and Heat Rent Bank Charges Telephone and Internet Slalionery and Office Costs Sundries Cleaning and Maintenance Subscnptions AGcounlancy, book-keeping & I Exam fees General Food Travel Expenses Training Other Profe$8ional I Services Crime redurtion Staff costs Building fund repairs National emergencies trust expenses Big Lotto Expenses 86,584 23.755 110,339 6,365 6,365 173 1.373 3.532 10,000 24 947 1,120 1,373 3,863 10,000 88 657 740 92 100 69 41 740 92 100 69 41 331 73 513 59 572 341 341 17 2,724 17 2,724 130 875 130 875 760 3,081 20 780 i 3,081 1.360 1.360 2,445 , 1,214 496 570 2,445 1,230 656 570 16 160 165 165 8.126 8.126 7,524 7,524 3,000 3,000 96,426 96.426 Wagesloverheads National lottery COVID fund Kids Church Depreciation Expenditure on Charitable Activitie8 18.673 18,673 159 8,7701 8,929 114,249 | 41,719 , 156,968 413 10,691 413 121826 137.216 12

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the year endod 31•t March 2022 Staff costs 2022 2021 Wages and salaries (inc Eers Nl) Pension (Employers Contribution) 107,324 3,015 110.339 109,730 2,709 112,439 6. Oporatlng Surplus The operating surplus is after charging.. 2022 2021 Independent Examination Depreciation - owned assets 500 8,929 413 7. Internst rncoivable and slmllar Income 2022 2021 Bank deposrt account interest 15 39 8. Taxallon As a charity the company is exempt from Corporation Tax. Tangible Fixed Assots Improvements Office Plant & Furniture to Leasehold Equipment Machinery & Fixtures Total 2022 Cost At 1 April 2021 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2022 1.896 1,025 250 16,755 19.676 6,538 126.652 119,770 119,770 1,275 23.293 146.328 Depreciation Al 1 April 2021 Charge for the year On Disposals Al 31 March 2022 228 179 16.535 698 16.957 8,929 7,985 67 407 261 17 233 25.88¢) Net Book Value Al 31 March 2022 111785 6 060 120,442 Al 31 March 2021 831 220 The building improvement8 h8ve been 8hown 08 Improvemenlj lo le••ohokl du• to th• nature of the expendilure. If Iherb 18 and changè In the lea60 lh• Iru•t••• will und•rt•k• impairment review of the 888el8. 13

Charily Number.. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notes to the Flnanclal Slalemen18 lor the year ended 31*1 March 2022 10. Debtor8 2022 2021 Trade Debtors Prepayments 604 604 11. Credltors: Amounts falling due wlthln ono year 2022 2021 Trade ¢xeditors PAYE & NIC Accruals Deferred income 3.802 1.193 45.577 50.572 283 11 b. Deferred Incom• The followin8 income has been deferred into future years: Income Reason Total 2022 Total 2021 NLC Education Fund Received in advance for next accounting year Imatchln8 concept) Received in advance for next accounting year Imatchln8 concept) 25,634 Community Support Worker 19,943 45,577 12. Accumulatod tund8 Genoral Fund• Deslgnated Restricted Funds Funds Total 2022 Balance a11 April 2021 Movement in funds for the year Transfers Balance at 31 March 2022 120,198 {37,628) 28.528 87.681 148,724 50.053 198.777 General Fund• , R••trlct•d Fund• Tot•1 2022 Fixed Assets Current A88et Credilois Balanr£ al 31 March 2022 1.388 69,025 (4,995) 85,418 14 119,056 120,442 46,485 I28,? 45,577LM572 13,397 13,397

Charity Number. 1134325 Company Number. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Notès to the Flnanclal Statement8 for the year ended 31. March 2022 13.R•stricted funds Blfwd at Incomlng Outgolng Transfor8 Clfwd at 1.4.21 31.3.22 Big Lotto - Building Capacity Big Lotto Crime Reduction Community Support Worker Kids Church National Lottery COVID Fund Building Improvement Fund North Lincs Education Fund Fixed Assot Funds Crime Reduction National Lottery COVID Fund Building Improvement Fund 1,500 3,525 9,368 1,500 18,2951 19,3681 1571 4,770 57 1,394 5,461 5,500 (1.3941 {2,9631 2,024 12,4981 17,5241 {5,2081 5,208 704 1,076 170) {107) 124,135 {8,592} 117,038 28,528 129 400 (41,719) 119.964 A brief description of the above funds is provided in the Trustees Annual Report (available to view at vAth¥.chan commission, ov.uk {70) 1107} 1,495 862 In last years accounts some asset8 were not classified as restricted and the depreciation was mistakenly classified as unrestricted. This has been corrected in these accounts by way of a transfer to unrestricted from the re18vant restricted fixed asset fund. 14. Contingont Ilabllltle4 There were no conlingent liabilities. 15. Directors romuneratlon No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the company was paid or payable for the year to any director or lo any person or persons known to be connected with any of them. There was no reimbursement of travel expenses made to directors in respect of the year (2021.. £nill. 15

Charity Number.. 1134325 Company Number.. 5549681 THE FORGE PROJECT Flnanclal Statsments for the year ended 31 March 2022 VL/L VolMntaTy Action 4nTrf NoTt6 Lincolnsbiye