DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
North London Action for the Homeless
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No. 07178434. Registered Charity No. 1139024.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
The objects of NLAH are to run a drop in centre that is open to all who are homeless or in need, within an ethos of service, respect and acceptance. We also run a wellbeing gardening project as an educational programme to increase the knowledge and skills of people to address food poverty where they learn to grow and cook different food. NLAH strives to influence policy and overcome barriers to accommodation and other services to which homeless and excluded people are entitled.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Trustees Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 4 |
| Report of the trustees | 5 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 9 |
| Statement of financial activities | 11 |
| Statement of financial position | 12 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 13 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2022
Trustees
Jessica Hodge (Chair) Conor Gibson (Vice Chair) George Currie (Treasurer) (appointed 8 January 2023) Elizabeth Barnes Sarah Baker-White Jayne Doherty James Nguyen (appointed 30 November 2022)
Registered Office
St Paul’s Church West Hackney Stoke Newington Road London N16 7UY
Charity and Company Registration
Registered charity 1139024
Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales 07178434
Independent examiner
Kim D Hooper 132 Admirals Tower 8 Dowells Street London SE10 9GE
Banker
Unity Trust Bank plc Nine Brindleyplace 4 Oozells Square Birmingham B1 2HB
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
Activities, Achievements and Performance 2022-2023
2023 marks 30 years since North London Action for the Homeless opened its doors in Hackney to provide free meals. Established in direct response to the basic needs of rough sleepers and homeless people, we are proud of our many years of service.
We are deeply concerned by the rise in rough sleeping, the cost of living challenges and inadequacy of support services available to our service users. We are keenly aware that we are often a service of last resort. As such, we strive to keep our doors open each week and offer access to our services to alleviate some of the hardship people are facing in our community
This year, in response to feedback from our service users, we commenced facilitating group social activities to provide relief from social isolation. We have been successful in continuing to secure sufficient funding and donations to run all our services.
Key outputs from our service for the year ending 31 March 2023 include:
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Served more than 6,000 meals (2022: 5,500)
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Ran 14 gardening sessions (2022: 14)
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Provided support 209 times (2022: 189) to our service users, such as providing letters of support for PIP claims, liaising with health care providers, calling utility companies, acting as a care of address, arranging foodbank vouchers, and other referrals.
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Provided 52 food parcels (2022: 911) with suitable shelf stable foods and toiletries. We wound down this service towards the end of last year, as this is no longer core part of our offering, but are continuing to provide emergency packages
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Continued to be a hub for other organisations to offer support services such as health checks
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Provided access to 532 hot showers (2022: 245) and 212 laundry washes (2022: 137) and 188 haircuts (2022: 122) during drop in sessions
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Ran 4 activities as part of our Social Isolation project, including a trip to the Museum of the Home and movie screenings at St Pauls
Our plans for 2023-24
We plan to continue to run our four key services; twice weekly drop in sessions with meals, advocacy service, social activities and gardening project.
We also plan to undertake a review of our organisational purpose and strategy. We intend to hold a review and planning session which will be open to everyone to attend to help us shape how we see the future of NLAH.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Financial Review and Reserves Policy
NLAH continues to enjoy strong local support from charitable funds and trusts, businesses and individuals.
During 2022-23, NLAH received over £39,000 in donations from the community and local businesses. The generosity of our local community ensured we were able to continue to focus on our service delivery supported by a secure financial position.
NLAH also received almost £56,000 in grant funding (2022: £15,000) from various charitable trusts, a significant increase from the previous year. Details of our grant funding are shown in note 2 to the accounts.
A large number of individuals volunteer their time at the twice weekly drop in sessions, with an active pool of 80 volunteers. The charity is also grateful to all those local businesses and individuals who have supported it during the year by donating food or other items and services.
Expenditure increased during the year by over £2,000 to £93,000. This was largely due to increase in staff costs.
The charity aims to hold six months running costs in reserve. There has been no change to the Reserve Fund over the period, maintained at £45,000, reflecting approximately six months of expenses.
Structure, governance and management
North London Action for the Homeless (NLAH) has been supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Stoke Newington for 30 years. NLAH was formed by members of the local community in 1993 and held its first drop in session that year.
NLAH originally formed as an unincorporated charity, registration number 1032580. The present charity was incorporated in 2010 and on 31 March 2010 the activities of charity number 1032580 were transferred to it.
The Charity’s trustees are appointed by the board and stand for re-election by the Charity’s Members at the Annual General Meeting. The trustees meet on average every six weeks, together with Management Committee including staff and members.
On a day to day basis, NLAH services are delivered by five part-time staff. The Co-Centre Managers have responsibility for overseeing the running of the drop in sessions (twice weekly), volunteer recruitment and the gardening Wellbeing project. We have a Support worker that assists the Co-Centre managers with running the drop in sessions. The Cook oversees the running of the kitchen for the drop in sessions. NLAH also employs a Mental Health support worker for the Wellbeing gardening project.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Fundraising
NLAH raises money from charitable trusts, a donation page on JustGiving, Charities Aid Foundation, and a small number of fundraising events. Companies or individuals can set up campaign pages on the JustGiving to raise funds on behalf of NLAH.
NLAH invites supporters to fundraising events. NLAH also promotes our annual Winter appeal on JustGiving and makes it known we are looking for particular food items or toiletries on our social media channels. NLAH does not contact individuals requesting donations.
THANK YOU
We would like to say a huge thank you to all our supporters. Big or small, all of the assistance we receive is the reason we can keep our doors open to all those in need. Firstly, to all of our drop in session volunteers, thank you for all your work supporting our sessions.
For attending our sessions to provide services to our guests or accepting referrals
Big Issue Dual Diagnosis Rough Sleep Project (Turning Point) Find and Treat Van, St Mungos Groundswell Hackney Migrant Centre Health Inclusion Project (Hackney Council/City of London) Hackney Street Outreach Response Team Hackney Money Hub Hackney Winter Night Shelter Homerton Hospital Homeless Pathway Project NHS Lawstop Rough Sleepers Mental Health Project (RAMPH) Outward The City and Hackney Public Health Team - Clinical Van Thames Reach Outreach UCL Mobile Health Unit
For food and goods and financial donations
Akdeniz Art Terry Blue Coats Pub Castle Gibson Clapton Girls’ Academy Computers4Charity Dusty Knuckle Faith in Nature Francis Holland School Girl Guides Growing Communities Hackney Council Hackney Downs Studio
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Hackney Parochial Charities Howdens Invescorp Laptops 4 Charity London Community Foundation London Red Rope Mutual Aid Group (Stoke Newington) Punks for the Homeless Sai Baba Curry Silver Linings Soho Sandwich Company SoleShare SongWorks St Paul’s Harvest Donations Time to Help West Hackney Parochial Charity
Jessica Hodge Chair 29 January 2024
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of North London Action for the Homeless
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 11 to 16.
This report is made solely to the trustees as a body, in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kim D Hooper 132 Admirals Tower 8 Dowells Street London SE10 9GE
Date: 31 January 2024
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
North London Action for the Homeless
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes Incoming resources Grants 2 Donations and fundraising activities Total incoming resources Resources expended Drop In Centre running costs Advocacy Service running costs Wellbeing Gardening Project running costs Social Isolation costs Accounting and governance costs Fundraising / publicity Depreciation 8 Total resources expended Net incoming / (outgoing) resources Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2023 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 55,97455,974 15,000 39,935 039,935 52,814 |
|---|---|
| 95,909 55,974 95,909 67,814 |
|
| 47,239 24,07571,314 70,962 2,852 10,00012,852 11,853 2,358 3,750 6,108 5,769 649 0 649 0 1,681 0 1,681 1,328 393 0 393 562 248 0 248 0 |
|
| 55,420 37,825 93,245 90,474 |
|
| (15,585) 18,149 2,664 (22,660) 0 0 0 0 |
|
| (15,585) 18,149 2,664 (22,660) 67,648 10,000 77,648 100,308 |
|
| 52,163 28,149 80,312 77,648 |
The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these accounts.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2023
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 8 | 1,072 | 0 | |||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets |
81,467 | 79,938 | ||||||
| 81,467 | 79,938 | |||||||
| Creditors falling due within one year | ||||||||
| Creditors and accruals | 5 | 2,227 | 2,290 | |||||
| Net current assets | 79,420 | 77,648 | ||||||
| Net assets | 80,312 | 77,648 | ||||||
| Funds | ||||||||
| Designated Income Funds (Restricted) | 9 | 28,149 | 10,000 | |||||
| Reserve Fund - Designated | 9 | 45,000 | 45,000 | |||||
| Unrestricted Income Funds - not designated | 9 | 7,163 | 22,648 | |||||
| 80,312 | 77,648 |
Audit Exemption Statement
For the year ended 31 March 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors’ (who are also trustees of the charity) responsibilities:
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the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
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the directors’ acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts;
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these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by the directors on 30 January 2024 and authorised for issue and signed for on their behalf by:
Jessica Hodge Chair
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Grants
Grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) as received following the satisfaction of any pre-conditions.
Donations and other income
Donations and other income are recognised when received.
Gifts in kind
Much of the food used by the charity is donated by local businesses. No value is assigned to contributions of food or clothes donations passed onto service users, or the provision of the services of a health access worker and a hairdresser. Similarly, the contribution by volunteers is not recognised in the accounts. Other gifts in kind are valued at their value to the charity.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
Allocation of expenditure
Expenditure is allocated directly to the appropriate fund, and where this is not possible costs are apportioned on the basis of time spent on the relevant activity.
Fixed assets
Expenditure on renewals, fixtures and fittings which exceeds £400 is capitalised.
Provision for depreciation of capitalised fixed assets held for use by the charity is made at annual rates calculated to write down their cost over their useful lives.
Kitchen equipment three years Office equipment three years
Provisions
Where the charity has an obligation to transfer economic benefits but no liability has been recognised, a provision is raised in accordance with FRS 12.
Taxation
No provision for taxation is included in the accounts as the charity is entitled to exemption from tax afforded by Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
Funds structure
The charity has a single unrestricted income fund and some of the grants received are restricted to a particular purpose. Part of the unrestricted income fund has been designated by the Management Committee as a Reserve Fund. See note 9 for further details.
Cashflow
The charity qualifies as a small company and therefore, in accordance with FRS1, no cashflow statement is required.
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North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
2. Grants
| 2023 2023 2023 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ West Hackney Parochial Charity 15,00015,000 15,000 Investcorp 15,00015,000 Hackney Parochial Charities 15,97415,974 LondonCommunityFoundation 10,00010,000 |
|
|---|---|
| Total 0 55,974 55,974 15,000 |
3. Salary costs
During the year the charity employed five (2022: five) part-time employees.
No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum.
4. Insurance
Public & employer's liability Insurance was purchased at a cost of £298 (2022: £316).
Trustees Indemnity insurance was purchased for £361 (2022: £351).
5. Creditors and Accruals
| . Creditors and Accruals | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accounting and Governance Costs | 1,500 | 1,000 |
| Payroll Expenses | 132 | 841 |
| Pension Costs | 595 | 449 |
| Total | 2,227 | 2,290 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
6. Trustees remuneration and expenses
None of the trustees were remunerated directly or indirectly (2022: nil). During the year, no expense reimbursements were paid to trustees (2022: £23).
7. Contingencies and contractual commitments
In the opinion of the members of the management committee, as at 31.03.2023 there were no contingent liabilities and no contractual commitments (2022: nil). No assets are held under leases.
8. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net Book Value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 |
Office Equipment £ 0 1,320 |
|---|---|
| 1,320 | |
| 0 248 |
|
| 248 | |
| 1,072 | |
| 0 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 9F411633-A404-41D7-B9DB-552178879940
North London Action for the Homeless Trustees Report and Financial Statements - 31 March 2023
| 9. Funds Designated Funds West Hackney Parochial Charity Investcorp Hackney Parochial Charities London Community Foundation Total Designated Funds (Restricted) Reserve Fund - designated Unrestricted Income Funds Total Funds |
At At 31/03/2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 31/03/2023 £ £ £ £ £ 10,000 15,000 (13,750) - 11,250 - 15,000 (13,750) - 1,250 - 15,974 (5,325) - 10,649 - 10,000 (5,000) - 5,000 |
|---|---|
| 10,000 55,974 (37,825) - 28,149 |
|
| 45,000 - - - 45,000 22,648 39,935 (55,420) - 7,163 |
|
| 77,648 95,909 (93,245) - 80,312 |
Details of the designated grants were as follows:
West Hackney Parochial Charity
Use of grant Purpose/service
Drop in service Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 Staff costs & rent costs
Investcorp Purpose/service Use of grant
Drop in service May 2022 – May 2023 Staff costs & running costs
Hackney Parochial Charity Purpose/service Use of grant
Drop in service Dec 2022 – Dec 2023 Staff Costs & running cost
London Community Foundation Purpose/service Use of grant
Drop in service Jan 2023 – Jun 2023 Staff Costs & running costs
The trustees have designated £45,000 as a Reserve Fund in line with the charity’s reserves policy to hold three to six months operating expenses in reserve.
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