**NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH 2024 END OF YEAR REPORT. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1146639** Networkfour’s Registered Office Address: 61 St Paul’s Square, Charlotte Street, Birmingham, B3 1PX **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **Networkfour Board of Trustees:** Previous Chair: Mr Brian Eccleshall (Retired June 2024 due to sudden ill health) Current Chair: Mr Russell Lowman Vice Chair: Ms Sam Peacock Safeguarding: Mr Paul Powell Trustee: Mr Leslie Mukwedeya **Networkfour Accountant** - Bryan Johnson – J.E. Johnson Accountants 61 St Paul’s Square, Charlotte Street, Birmingham, B3 1PX **Independent examiner: Registered Company number:** 07316168 **Registered Charity number:** 1146639 **Charity Registered Address** - 61 St Paul’s Square, Charlotte Street, Birmingham, B3 1PX **Website:** https://networkfour.org.uk/ **Charity Banking Details:** Co-operative Bank plc P.O. Box 101 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP Page **1** ## **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024** The Trustees, who also serve as Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report together with the financial statements of Networkfour Community Outreach for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees prepared this report in accordance with the provisions of _Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice_ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the _Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (FRS 102), effective from 1 January 2019. ## **Charitable Objectives and Strategic Overview – 2024** In 2024, Networkfour remained steadfast in its commitment and support for some of Birmingham’s most vulnerable and hard-to-reach individuals. The charity’s principal objectives continue to focus on providing high-quality intervention, advice and information, to support and care for over 14,524 vulnerable young people and adults who each are experiencing significant personal and social challenge. This mission has been delivered throughout 2024 via a diverse portfolio of specialised projects, each carefully designed to address the complex and evolving needs of individuals and communities that come to us requiring support and compassion. These initiatives are structured to tackle a wide range of key social issues, including but not limited to: Homelessness & housing instability / Long-term unemployment & worklessness / Violence against Women and Girls / Domestic abuse & coercive control / Offender rehabilitation & outreach / Mental & physical health challenges / Substance & alcohol misuse / Debt & financial hardship / Signposting toward education, training & sustainable employment / Urban Street Youth Intervention / Sexual & Workforce Exploitation & Trafficking. During 2024, Networkfour has supported individuals and families facing multiple, interrelated difficulties. This includes vulnerable children, at-risk youth, socially isolated adults, and families in acute crisis. The charity’s reach has also extended to rough sleepers, prolific offenders, and individuals requiring guidance into employment or career development pathways. The Trustees have carried out regular strategic reviews throughout 2024 to evaluate the charity’s effectiveness, impact, and alignment with its core mission. Each project has been assessed in terms of its measurable outcomes and its contribution to improving the lives of our clients. This ongoing process ensures that Networkfour remains a responsive and forward-thinking organisation, capable of adapting to the dynamic social landscape in which we operate. In 2024, these evaluations have been conducted with due consideration of the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. This has informed both our operational planning and our long-term strategy, ensuring that Networkfour’s activities remain compliant, transparent, and deeply rooted in charitable purpose and care for the most vulnerable at all times. So, as we reflect on the progress made throughout the year, we have so much more to do and remain deeply committed to our mission and to the people we serve, striving to extend care, compassion, and practical support to all in need. ## **Charitable Activities** In determining the charity’s objectives and its activities, the Trustees consider the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. All proposed and ongoing initiatives are assessed for their contribution toward the charity’s aims and the capacity to deliver meaningful change to those served. Significant activities undertaken during the year included the provision of specialist advice, support, and guidance to individuals who are often excluded from mainstream services due to the complex nature of their circumstances. This targeted outreach remains central to the charity’s mission and impact. Page **2** ## **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Networkfour Community Outreach is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 07316168, Charity No. 1146639). Incorporated on 15 July 2010 and granted charitable status on 28 March 2012, operating under a Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees, who also serve as company directors, govern the charity and may appoint new members as set out in the governing documents. In the event of winding up, members contribute up to £1. All Trustees volunteer their time without remuneration, with any expenses detailed in the financial statements. ## **Organisational structure** The trustees who have served during the 2024 period are disclosed above under Trustees Board Details and Charity Administrative details. The charity wishes to acknowledge the outstanding and long-standing trustee chair-ship of our Retiring / Retired Chair, Mr Brian Eccleshall, standing down from his long and distinguished service to the charity due to ill-health from a position as Charity Chair, Trustee and Director in June 2024, having served so faithfully on the board for many years. The Trustees met at monthly intervals, alternating meetings to combine the Charities CEO: Mr Gary Wicker. We continue to utilise both face-to-face and virtual meetings throughout 2024 via Microsoft Teams, first adopted during the COVID pandemic, and continued by agreement and in-line with Paragraph 12.3 - Quorum of the Articles. In addition, the wider team of Trustees and Management has convened twice during the year around wider, longer-term strategic and structural issues as outlined in a more detailed manner in this report. This has led to a much clearer assessment of our current effectiveness against objectives and awareness of the risks and opportunities in the future. Monthly trustee accountability and real-time oversight have improved the Board’s risk management. In 2024, the potential loss of regular donors posed a major financial risk. Thanks to effective planning and successful fundraising and grant applications, funding was secured for the next 12 months. The charity now stands in its strongest financial position to date. A cost-effective, long-term fundraising strategy has also been launched to support future growth. ## **Project Outcomes and Development** The charity’s specific mission has been focussed on its three current projects: **Lifelinefour -** This core project supported 649 vulnerable clients in 2024, primarily through our 15-year partnership with Force Contact and West Midlands Police (WMP). New referrals came from WMP’s Offender Management, Schools & Vulnerability Policing, and Neighbourhood Policing Units across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Coventry, Solihull, West Bromwich, and Birmingham. Support included emergency referrals to local authorities, schools, colleges, charities, employers, and churches, addressing issues such as debt, crime, domestic abuse, addiction, education, employment, and relocation. LifeLineFour faced challenges due to WMP Neighbourhood Policing reorganisation, limited funding, and stretched resources, leading to fluctuating case volumes. **Birmingham Pastors –** The below pie chart showing Networkfour’s areas of support and impact for 2024. Each slice represents the percentage of effort and resources dedicated to key areas of need, giving a clear visual of how your services are distributed across different types of support. ## **As a project these are our recorded Volunteer Statistics for 2024:** **Students Training Hours = 1168 Visitor Hours: 164 Faith Groups Training Hours: 368** Page **3** ## **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **Student Internship Shift Hours = 3260 Volunteer Total Hours: 23,986** ## **Our Impact at a Glance** Over the past year, our dedicated team has made a real difference in the heart of our community: - Responded to **10,186 incidents** - Delivered **life-saving CPR** to **2 members of the public** - Provided **first aid** to **2,121 individuals &** Handed out **353 plasters** and **197 pairs of flip-flops** - Given **812 people directions** , helping them get home safely - Used **89 foil blankets** to protect vulnerable individuals - Collected and safely disposed of **over 1,325 glass bottles** - Called in **1,005 ambulances** for urgent medical support - Cared for **382 vulnerable females** , ensuring they received further emergency care - Prevented or de-escalated **2,347 incidents** of crime and anti-social behaviour - Referred **1,117 incidents** to police cameras, aiding in crime prevention - Collaborated with **121 partners** across the city to support vulnerable lives ## **Life & Sole** This project continues its yearly reach and incredible impact across Birmingham, surrounding areas of the Midlands and further afield. To date and writing this report in total we have given away 37,107 pairs of shoes and in 2024 - 3621 pairs of preloved good quality footwear went to the most vulnerable children, youth and crisis families in our city, the Midlands and beyond. We have on average recycled approximately 16 – 20 tons of worn and broken footwear and throughout this time we have remained partnered within our free retail unit for nearly 5 year inside of the iconic Mailbox Birmingham. Page **4** ## **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** **Life & Sole have given away 3621 free pairs of preloved shoes** . **Life & Sole Future** - We are deeply grateful to The Mailbox and the University of Birmingham ARLI Project for their incredible support in expanding the impact of Life & Sole. As we evolve to serve more vulnerable children, we constantly face the challenge of storing thousands of preloved and increasingly worn footwear. That’s why we’re committed to strengthening every aspect of the project—ensuring no child is left behind. **Retreads Social Business Development** - Meanwhile, our CEO and trustees are nurturing the successful fourth-year partnership with ARLI and the University of Birmingham Engineering Faculty, exploring the viability of **Retreads** —our ESG-focused social enterprise dedicated to reusing, repurposing, and recycling footwear. Together, we’re making Life & Sole a shining example of community-driven transformation. **Partner Agencies** |**Partner Agenciesgenciesencies**|**Partner Agenciesgenciesencies**|**Partner Agenciesgenciesencies**| |---|---|---| |**Public & Private Sector**||| |West Midlands Police
WMP Violence Reduction Unit
British Transport Police
W-Mid’s Ambulance Service
West Midlands Police IAG
WMP Crime Commissioner|Birmingham Business
Improvement Districts:
Westside / Jewellery Quarter /
Southside / Central / Colmore
Bullring Shopping Centre
New Street Station|ESS
Richard Tubb
Abussi IT Service Provider
IT Seadoak
Millenium Point
Bham CommunityPartnership| |**Voluntary & Faith Sector**||| |Gas Street Longbridge Church
Oasis Church Harbourne
St John’s Harborne
Salvation Army
Christian Homelessness Forum
Washington Court|Shelter
Birmingham Churches Together
The Youth Centre Longbridge
Christians Against Poverty
Birmingham Children’s Trust
Betel|Rowheath Pavilion
ASYLUM Project
WAITS
Birmingham Voluntary Society
The Active Well-Being Society
RoomMatch| |**Schools & Education**||| Page **5** **NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH (REGISTERED NUMBER: 1146639)** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** |University of Birmingham
Birmingham City University
Newman College
Stirchley Primary School
Selly Oak Primary Academy
Selly Oak Trust
St John Fisher School
Woodhouse Primary|Dame Elizabeth
Kings Norton Boys & Girls School
Shenley Fields Secondary School
Colmers Lane School
Pathfinders
Grace Academy
Stoke Heath Primary School
Green Lane Mosque|Numan Christi Primary
Cane Vally School
Ark Kings Primary
St Francis School
St Columbus School
St Thomas Moore Secondary
Oasis Academy
St Peters Catholic & Holte School| |---|---|---| ## Strategic Objectives for 2025 1. Construction of an annual Networkfour fundraising strategy & increased funding income of £80k p.a. 2. Create a sustainable charity growth plan. 3. Create a sustainable management and employment structure that facilitates the exciting all-round project and charity growth and balancing the load carried by the Founder and CEO. 4. Expand the Board of Trustees, adding to the range of skills and experience and capable of fostering strategic vision and support for the management and organisational goals of the charity. 5. To continue to positively explore plans to launch our Retreads Circular Sustainable Economy business. 6. Continue our very successful University of Birmingham (ARLI) 4-year partnership, delivering the above Retreads social business, reducing the need for future grant funding and generating ongoing profit from recycled footwear waste materials and all the time protecting the core charitable aims and mission. ## _**Approved by order of the board of trustees**_ _**Signed on its behalf by:**_ _**on**_ 31st July 2025 R Lowman Date 22nd August 2025 Page **6** INDEPENDENTEXAMINER'S REpoKfTOTHETRUSTEESOF NEtWORKFOUR COMMUNrrY OUTREACH IREGISTERED NUMBEK. 07316168) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31- DECEMBER 2024 Independent ex8miners report to the trustees of Networkfstcoihtnii(xi. AllI￿Orne is recwlsed IntsSt8ternentof FlnancialActMbe8ThKethechaiity has9ntitien￿tOtheI￿ThJ& li 18 probable thatthe income wlllbe recerKd andthe amountcan be measwed rellabiy. GrantsarKI (l(*￿11￿ are credited to Incomewhen the itome wiliw ￿lteria abcNe have been met I￿OMe￿XrecthfTrble in reiaiionto recevBJ WKlerGiftAid is wise(l atthe time ofthe th)nail￿towh￿h it Ex￿￿lture ls recO￿lse￿ oncethere is a legalrxc1x￿p￿ obugationtotransrerecorhom￿ benefftto all*d party. it 15 rtbabiethat a trdnlerofeconomic benefft8wiU be required insetdernentandthe amount oflhe Obligati(￿ can be nRasured ￿lIablY. ExVrfrtU￿ onch8ritsble actr￿88 18 incurred on directtyundertakingtheactsvitseswhich furtherthe Charitysowr aswdiasanYas￿iated supportcosts. Allexpenditiwe is inclu8i4v of irrecthpr8bioVAT. Interest￿[UndS held on deposit is inciudedwhen feceivabie andthe am(NJrtcan be measured reliabty bythe Chariiy. i8nrArnaUyuwn notificatlon of the interestpe*J orpaydlxetythe with whom the fund8are deposiieo. De￿￿Iatkn iswovided atthe fou￿￿li￿annU8llates1n ordertOVKite dfeach 888et o¥erits estimated uselul life. Cowrequ¥Thent . 33% on cost Olts equipment - 20% on cost Taxation The charityi8exemptfmmc(wailontsx on itsclkarftsbie aclr¥i Page11 NEfwoRKFOUR COMMUNITYOUTrEACH NOTESTO THE FINANCIALSTATEMEKfs. conlw FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 1. AccouKllNG POUCIES.cont Trwje and otherdebto￿8re Tecwls&l atthe setlien*ntamwntafteranytrad&discourrtoffered. Prepawnents are diued 8t￿ amcxmtprepaid netofanytr8dedisc(xmtsdue. Cashatbankand kn hand Cash at bank and in hand inciudesc8sh arKI short-tem hQhlyiK•Jid in¥eStr￿￿1￿ a shortmaturityofthree m(xithsor lessfromthe dateof a￿lS1110n￿rOpeNryQf thede￿sIt￿SinIIaraC¢ounL Liabthtrs a￿ reccytsed Whenthe￿ isan obli tionatts balar￿Sheetdate asa resuitofa pastevenL iti8wbable thatatya￿r0fec0￿OMic t￿￿willbe requiredwiiibe wired in setiienEnL8fKI theam￿nt(*the setiimntcan be estimated Keliabty. Liabiiidesare w@iised at￿ a￿￿m￿rtth8tthe Ch8rityanticip#tesltV￿l payt088ttiethe debtorthe amountit f*s The Charityontyhasfinancia18ssetsand financialliabiliilesas a klndthatiwallfya8 ba*f￿r￿lallnStrUff￿rt￿ Basl fjnancial Insthimentsare inlliauy r￿ogniSed attransacilonvakn* and subsequentymeaswed attsirsettknntwal The Charftycithlbutestodefined coniththn pensic￿ SCI￿neS￿ behalfof8taff. Th costof th68e C￿￿1bUtio￿8 is aCc￿￿d inthe acGounts¢Jn a mLWrthtybasi& Geneyalfunds are unrestrictedfundsvlhichare awdiialAeft*useatts disC￿lian01 ￿Tn￿e$InfLwtt￿raNX of the Deswwt￿l￿￿TrjsC(￿i￿r￿ urwestitied fundsihat hawe be￿ setasKle bytheTnwesft¥particulaTpurposes- The ain and use ofeach desigw￿lurmj is setoutints notestothefmncialslatemeni& ReSi￿￿(ur￿lSaretsjndsv￿Ich8reto be used In accfffjdancewith8peciffi¢ restri￿1(￿8 irnposed bydi*KXS orlvhich habe been rnised bythe Charityts particularpurpo8es. The costsof rdisingand adminlsteringsuchfurnlsare charged again8t the specikfvThJ. The aim and use ofeach restiicted fwl isset(Art inthe ￿tes1Othefina￿Cle1Sl8te￿￿nts. Imftsthnt Incom& galns8Th1 Ios8esare alic￿ed tothe apwf4Niatsf￿K&. Page12 NEfwoRKFOUR COMMUNITYOUtREACH NOTESTOTHE RNANCIALsfATEMEPITS.CODllnued FORIHEYEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER2024 Z DONATIONSAND LEGACIES Donaliws Grants 21820 Grants received included intheab(Ne are asfdlows: 20rJ R BiThirtham Pastors R Life& Sole General Dlrect costs Supportcosts {see note4} (see note 5) Totsts Charitable activtties 31148 31148 Supportcosts 31148 31227 DIRECTCOSTS OF CHARrtABLEACTMnES 2023 Staff costs 31148 l*ojectresources 31227 Page13 NEIWORKFOUR COMMUNifY OLifREACH NOTESTOTHE FINANCIALSTATEME1￿S. cofttinued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 GobEmance costs Totals pportcosts 1785 1785 SUp￿)rte0sts arethose coststhathave been Incwred bythe Chaiityin ordertofurtherthe continued de￿ent of the Chariirfs charitable activitses. Supp(wt costs included in the abowe are asfouow OTHER pwrt costs su￿￿rt costs Insurance Officeequipmert Sundries 347 Computersoliwa 278 1785 GOVERNANCE COSTS Inde￿entexarnlne¢Sfee 2023 Wagesand salaries Pension scheme contrlbullons 878 The average nwnberof petsonsempioyed bythe charitydwingthejtarwas l (2023- 1) No emploFe reCeI￿d Temunemion anYJuTrtingto morethan £61KJIXJ in eiiheryear. Page 14 NETWORKFOUR COMMUNITYouniEACH NOTESTOTHE FINANCIALStATEMENTS. comiDued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER2024 7. TRUSfEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS Thelwstee5did notreceive ary remuneralion. expenses oranyotherbeneffts durirotheyear{2023-£nil). & TANGIBLE FIXEDASSEts Office Comixrter equI￿ent equlpment Totsl COST At tstjanuaryantt 3tst D￿ents)er2 DEPRECIAIION At tstJanuary2024 Chargeforyear At31st DeceTrtJer2024 DEBTORSAMI)UfWS FALUNG DUE WttHIN ONEYEAR 2023 ACco￿ts recelvable 261 261 Gift aid rece6vabie HMRC 111 cRED￿OR&Am0vP1ts FALUNG DUE W￿H1N ONEYEAR 20Y3 HMRC creditor Incon* in advance 1150 Unpaid exppnse claims 57 Page IS NEIWORKFOUR COMMUNfTYOUIREACH NOTESTO THE FINANCIALSTATEMEPllS- conthiued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 IL ￿ATEMEl￿OFRlMDs Slatementof funds-currenlyear Balar￿e at Incoming Resources Batsnce at lknresificted lunds Goneralfunds 44723 Life&So 2500 Blmilntham Past(xs AYdrdsforAU -150 140 Act￿% Cltlzens TotslFunds 30104 Statemefflof funds- prioryear Balance at Incomi Resources Balance at oiioir2023 Resource5 Expended 3111212 Unrestsicied fuNIs GeneralfurKIs Life &So 7019 Binningharn Pasto AwardsforAU .2328 410 Active cili￿￿$ T•)tslfvnds 5176 11 PIMPOSE OF FUNDS General￿restrI￿￿f￿dSare used forthe dayto daypurposes Ofrunnl￿the chartty. Restri￿ f￿￿Sare u5edfDrtl* purposes exwessed althetime of thedonation and au(￿ated tothe respecll%e proiecL Aproportion of Ihe costsof the Piojectmanagefs salaryhas been aUocate(I tothese projectsto refiectthetirne 5penton them durlngthe ￿ar. PENSION COMMItMEMTS The charityC(Xltributestoa defined contribulion pension scheme on behawofsraff. The pension co*charge feiKesei co[rt￿OutIQnspaYable bythe Charitya￿l amwnteo to £934{202&" £8781 Page 16 NEIWOIIKFOUR COMMUNirYoimiEACH NOIESTOTHE HNANCIALSTATEMENTS.conlknued FOR THEYEAR ENDED31STDECEMBER21>24 MEMBER'S UABILirY Each memberofthe charllabie companyundertak&sto contribute an amount not exceedinglltothe assets of ornpanyinthe ￿nt0f it beirowouThJ upwhiie he orshe isa mernber. IS. RELATED PARTYTRANS4CTIONS There *pre no related partytran5action5 duringtheyear. Page 17