**Mears Foundation** Annual Report & Accounts **The Mears Foundation | Annual Report & Accounts 2023 | 1** For the year ended 31 December 2023
**The Mears Foundation | Annual Report & Accounts 2023 | 2**
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Our Grant Locations
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Glasgow Gloucester Hammersmith Hersden Ilford Islington Kent Leeds Manchester Maryport Middlesbrough Milton Keynes Newcastle Portree, Sky Redbridge Rotherham Sedgefield Sheffield Stirling Thurrock Tower Hamlets Wakefield
Aberdeen
Aldershot Beckenham Belfast Brighton Bristol Cambridge Canterbury Coatbridge Daganham Darlington Dover Eastbourne Exeter Folkstone
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- Our Vision and Mission
- Objectives and activities
- Activities 2023
- Strategy Forward Look
- Grant Strategy
Structure, Governance & Management
- Financial review
- Responsibilities of the trustees
- Small company provisions
- Accounting policies
- Statement of financial activities
- Balance sheet
- Notes to the financial statements
The Mears Foundation is the independent charitable arm of Mears Group.
The Foundation is a grant-making trust that seeks to harness the goodwill, talents, and skills within Mears Group plc to benefit charities or good causes that provide practical help and support to vulnerable people in communities in the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland.
**We work with groups and individuals who share our values to improve their lives and life chances by providing them with opportunities and skills to become stronger and more self-reliant.**
The Mears Foundation undertakes to raise money through charitable donations and fundraising activities. The income is then applied to such charities or good causes and for such charitable purposes as set out in our Grant Strategy below.
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Activities 2023 saw us award grow our Friends
more community of the Mears
2023
grants than ever Foundation.
before.
Our community grants were
spread throughout the United
Our fundraising Kingdom and targeted specific
events saw projects in keeping with our
Grant Giving Strategy. We also
an uptake in launched our Green Spaces
participants, and initiative, where we supported
the greening of over 65 spaces
we continued to
throughout the United Kingdom
and we consolidated our
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## Case Study **Fish For Me**
Fishing trips which started as a hobby and form of escapism during lockdown have turned into a long term project supporting mental health.
Nick Coote, a Multi-skilled Operative on the South Cambs contract, applied to the Mears Foundation for a community grant to take people fishing. His ‘Fish for Me’ project is an opportunity to take people away from their everyday and not only engage in something different, but also find some time to get things off their chest.
Nick was acutely aware that not a lot of people want to sit and talk about their mental health and found that a simple fishing trip offers a safe space, making it much easier to talk.
Anyone is welcome to go fishing with Nick, but the biggest effect has been breaking down the stigma around men’s mental health. To date, eight people have gone fishing with him and every one has asked to return, with some of them surprised by how much they’ve taken to it. The grant has generated three times as much in social economic value, with a combination of the grant itself and Nick volunteering a large proportion of his own free time.
Govan is one of the most diverse communities in Glasgow, the community reflects different races. 21st of May is the World Day of Culture & Diversity each year. Safety Awareness Glasgow being a Black led organisation in the heart of Govan was approached by some of the residents about
their desire to see their culture shared with the community. 20 Mears service users took the lead in the development of an event that celebrated Glasgow’s diverse communities through song, food and dance.
Approx 150 members of the local community visited the event and benefitted from the celebrations which focused on integration and socialisation within the community.
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Case Study
FareShare Volunteer
Driver Initiative
The volunteer drivers from which they have distributed
Mears have been taking over 6.6 tonnes of food which
surplus food to schools, is the equivalent of 157,666
hospices, care homes and meals to those struggling with
food banks throughout food insecurity. In addition,
Ashford and Medway every they have distributed 100
Friday. They have also food parcels for the Family
supported the Family Food Food Bank. The Mears Orbit
Bank, the largest food bank team have committed to
network in Kent with parcel support with volunteer drivers
deliveries to their distribution throughout 2024 and will
centres. The partnership look to extend the offer into
began in September for a 2025
three month pilot, during
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Case Study
Green Space
The Mears Foundation were created nationally with
supported Mears Group to our branches , suppliers,
become the most socially sub-contractors and clients
responsible business getting involved to support
in the public sector by the project.
2025 through the Mears
The health and well-being
Foundation ‘Green Spaces
benefits of local green
Project’.
spaces and their positive
The aim of this initiative contribution to tackling
was to create or regenerate the climate emergency
at least one green space are clear. However, there’s
for the benefit of each of also plenty of evidence
the communities in which about a lack of access to
Mears works. Through the green spaces across the
Foundations Green Space country, particularly for the
grants 60 green spaces communities we work in.
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## **North Lanarkshire – Buchanan School (Green Space)**
and to help poverty proof the school in a sustainable way.
The Boutique is a mini clothing bank within the school that encourages the recycling of pre-loved clothing and items to be reissued within the school, to the larder or to local appeals in the community. The aim of the boutique is to stop clothing being sent to landfill, to re-use pre-loved items
## **The Vinery – Aberdeen (Green Space)**
The Project aims were for our Gardening Volunteers to plan, design and construct three 2 x 2 x 1200mm Metre Worm Farms known as Vermiculture. Our vermiculture project biologically is defined as the process of turning organic debris, predominantly kitchen food waste into worm castings that play a crucial role in increasing the fertility of our soil.
encouraged to come along and get involved in growing fruit and vegetables and making new friends along the way
The by product was then used in community allotments where many individuals were
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## **Tower Hamlets (Green Space)**
To renovate the community garden on Parkview Estate, Bethnal Green, The project made such a difference to the many residents on the estate who were eager to use the garden but it wasn’t fit for purpose. The Mears team levelled up the garden, built planters and a seating area for the estate residents who also run the allotment creating a safe and calming area to sit together as a community
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## **Food**
The UK’s food poverty rate is among the highest in Europe.
In June 2023, the latest tracker from the Food Foundation states 9 million adults in the UK, 17% of households, experienced moderate or severe food insecurity (a massive rise from 7.3% in June 2021).
Nearly a quarter of households with children experienced food insecurity.
Mears Foundation has partnered with FareShare to combat hunger and food waste.
## **Digital**
Digital poverty is the inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where, and how an individual needs to. It exacerbates and is exacerbated by other socio-economic, educational, racial, linguistic, gender, and health inequalities.
It is both the product and the cause of other forms of socioeconomic disadvantage.
The Foundation will look to support programmes that help with Device &
Connectivity (Affordability, Data, Infrastructure) Access (Accessibility, Availability) and Capability (Skills, Education and understanding).
## **Digital exclusion is a key driver of social isolation**
**Over 3 million tonnes of the food that goes to waste each year is still edible – that’s enough for 7 billion meals.**
Figures from World Wide Fund for Nature and WRAP.
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Most of us will experience loneliness at some point in our lives, regardless of age, circumstance, and background. We all experience loneliness differently.
Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to early deaths and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and poor sleep. **It’s as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.**
Social Isolation has also been found to cause several mental health issues including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.
The Foundation will support direct interventions focussed on helping people maintain existing relationships and develop new ones. This includes supporting group activities such as lunch clubs and walking groups, one-to-one approaches like befriending schemes, as well as developing volunteering, mobilising peer support, and intergenerational support in neighbourhoods.
In 2024, the Foundation will also support a **Green Communities** campaign as part of its net zero contribution and look to promote social inclusion through Sport by supporting **Grass Roots & Community Sports initiative.**
**People who feel lonely are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia) than those who do not feel lonely.**
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Grant Strategy
The Mears Foundation awards grants to projects in the United
Kingdom only.
The Foundation exists to support the vulnerable in our
communities by awarding grants to charities and projects who are
offering people and those communities a lifeline.
The Foundation awards grants that are submitted /endorsed by a
member of Mears Group plc workforce.
The projects we look to support are ones that alleviate:
a Food Poverty
a Digital Poverty
a Social Isolation and Loneliness
And those that promote:
a Green Community Spaces (through either the ‘greening’ of
outdoor spaces or the reduction in energy costs)
a Social Inclusion through Sport
Grant requests received and supported by a Mears Group plc
employee are reviewed in March and September and awarded in May
and November annually.
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## **Structure, Governance & Management**
The charity was incorporated on the 16 September 2009 and is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The Foundation is managed by its General Manager, Heather Tyrer, under the guidance of the Chair and the Board of Trustees.
**Registered Charity Name** The Mears Foundation
**Charity Number** 1134941
**Company Number** 07021016 (England and Wales)
**Chair** Ms Christine Losecaat MBE
**Company Secretary/ Treasurer** Mrs Judith Herbert
## **Trustees**
Ms Karen Duncan (resigned 29.9.23) Mr Patrick Grace Mr Martin Gaffney (appointed 27.03.23) Mrs Judith Herbert Mr Richard Hughes (appointed 30.3.23) Ms Diane Keay Ms Alison Wilkinson Mr Liam Wilkinson (appointed 12.4.23)
**Executive Staff**
Heather Tyrer
## **Registered Office**
1390 Montpelier Court Gloucester Business Park Brockworth Gloucester GL3 4AH
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank PLC 18 Southgate Street Gloucester GL1 2DH
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## During the year, the charity raised funds in the amount of **£420,796.**
From these funds, the £42,176 incidental running costs of the charity were met and grants of £246,318 given. The excess funds remain in the bank account to carry forward for future projects and grants.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On Behalf of the Board
## **Christine Losecaat MBE**
Chair
February 2024
## **Responsibilities of the trustees**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
- a make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- a prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
- a select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- a observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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## **Basis of Accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of current asset investments at market value, in accordance with the Financial Reporting
## **Incoming Resources**
## **Donations and gifts**
All monetary donations and gifts are included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable, provided that there are no donor-imposed restrictions as to the timing of the related expenditure, in which case recognition is deferred until the precondition has been met.
## **Grants receivable**
Revenue grants are credited as incoming resources when they are receivable provided conditions for receipt have been complied with, unless
Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015), the Companies Act 2006 and the recommendations in the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting by Charities (the SORP).
they relate to a specified future period, in which case they are deferred.
Grants for the purchase of fixed assets are credited to restricted incoming resources when receivable. Depreciation on the fixed assets purchased with such grants is charged against the restricted fund.
All other income is included in the statement of financial activities when received or when the charity is legally entitled to the income.
## **Fund Accounting**
Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes laid down by the donor. Such purposes are within the overall aims of the organisation. Expenditure for those purposes is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of overheads and support costs.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for expenditure on
the general objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been designated for specific purposes by the Trustees, for necessary work in connection with the ongoing provision of services yet fail to meet the stringent criteria of contractual obligation set out in FRS12 (Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets).
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## **Resources expended**
## **Grants payable**
Grants payable are accounted for in the period in which the performance conditions attaching to the grant payment are met or, where no performance conditions apply, when a legal or constructive obligation arises.
## **Other expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
- a costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising;
- a 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;
- a governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity;
- a all costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activity on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
- a allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
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|**activities**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
||**Note**|**Funds ‘23 (£)**|**Funds ‘22 (£)**|
|**Incoming resources**||||
|Voluntary income|**1**|373,101|270,222|
|Activities for Generating Funds|**2**|43,189|27,603|
|Incoming resources from Charitable|**3**|4,506|4,306|
|Activities||||
|**Total incoming resources**||420,796|302,131|
|**Resources expended**||||
|Cost of Generating Funds|**7**|2,310|1,317|
|Charitable Activities|**4**|263,160|216,984|
|Salaries|**8**|39,866|38,043|
|**Total resources expended**||305,336|256,344|
|Net incoming resources for the period||115,460|45,787|
|**Reconciliation of funds**||||
|Total funds brought forward||96,838|51,051|
|Total funds carried forward||212,298|96,838|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form part of these financial statements.
All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities.
|**Note**
**Current assets**
Cash at bank
Debtor – Mears Group Match funding
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**oneyear**
**9**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds ‘23 (£)**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds ‘22 (£)**
255,132
128,152
24,166
21,417|
|---|---|
||279,298
149,569
(67,000)
(52,731)|
|**Net assets**|212,298
96,838|
|**Funds**
General Funds|212,298
96,838|
|**Total funds**
**10**|212,298
96,838|
15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
For the year ending 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
These financial statements were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 20th February 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
## **Trustee’s responsibilities:**
- a the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476
## **Christine Losecaat MBE**
Chair
- a the trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to **Judith Herbert** accounting records and the preparation Treasurer of accounts
Company Registration Number: **07021016**
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part
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|**statements**|||
|---|---|---|
|**1 Voluntary income**|**Total Funds**
**‘23 (£)**|**Total Funds**
**‘22 (£)**|
|Donations|373,101|270,222|
|**Total incoming resources**|373,101|270,222|
|**2 Incoming resources from activities**
**for generating funds**|**Total Funds**
**‘23 (£)**|**Total Funds**
**‘22 (£)**|
|Amazon Website Link|85|35|
|Sponsored Events|25,649|17,396|
|Mears Fundays|1,919|787|
|Collections / Rafes|15,536|9,385|
||43,189|27,603|
|**4 Costs of charitable activities by**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|
|**fund type**|**‘23 (£)**|**‘22 (£)**|
|Auctions & Rafes|444|180|
|Sponsored Events|15,232|10,148|
|Mears Fundays|1,166|245|
|Grants Given|246,318|206,411|
|**Total incoming resources**|263,160|216,984|
|**5 Costs of charitable**|**Total Funds**|**Support**|**Total Funds**|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**activities by activity type**|**‘23 (£)**|**costs (£)**|**‘23 (£)**|**‘22 (£)**|
|Mears Fundays|1,166||1,166|245|
|Auctions & Rafes|444||444|180|
|Sponsored Events|15,232||15,232|10,148|
|Grants Given|246,318||246,318|206,411|
|**Direct costs**|263,160||263,160|216,984|
|**3 Incoming resources from**
**charitable activities**|**Total Funds**
**‘23 (£)**|**Total Funds**
**‘22 (£)**|
|---|---|---|
|Gift Aid|4,506|4,306|
||4,506|4,306|
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## **6 Governance costs**
Governance costs were met by Mears Group PLC.
## **7 Analysis of support costs**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**7 Analysis of support costs**|**2023 (£)**|**2022 (£)**|
|Charity giving administration fee|1,265|872|
|Staf Expenses|413|181|
|Compliance Fees|176||
|Merchandise|52|124|
|PR Fees|404|140|
||2,310|1,317|
## **8 Staff costs and emoluments**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**8 Staf costs and emoluments**|**2023 (£)**|**2022 (£)**|
|Salaries|39,866|38,043|
||39,866|38,043|
|**9 Creditors: Amounts falling due**|**2023 (£)**|**2022 (£)**|
|**within one year**|||
|Other Creditors|67,000|52,731|
||67,000|52,731|
## **10 Analysis of net assets between funds**
All funds are designated as General Funds.
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For more information on anything enclosed within this report please email heather.tyrer@mearsgroup.co.uk
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