Original. BEG￿TERED COIIP.41%Th I%ITrIBE￿. 07886315 ffngland and Il'ths) REGISTERED c￿*R[￿. NUMBER: 1148731 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.￿￿) FINANCL4L ST.4TEMLYtS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER ?OJ? FOR REAL DEAL PLUS LID Contents .4•nual Rtpfjrt of the Trwtees Pagts Pagt$ 6-8 Page ## **REAL DEAL PLUS LTD** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** **The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2019. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ as applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE) effective January 2015.** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Registered Company number** 07886315 (England and Wales) ## **Registered Charity number** 1148731 **Registered Office Bank** 29 Leander Avenue HSBC Bank Choppington 110 Grey Street Northumberland Newcastle upon Tyne NE62 5AX NE1 6JG **Trustees Independent Examiner** A Lodge-Johnston Rev’d. A. A. Clements MA, ACIB, ACIE. A Hargreaves 15 Carleton Road, J Pearce Great Knowley, T Benjamin Chorley PR6 8TQ ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing document** The charity is controlled by its governing document, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. ## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** Trustees are appointed according to the memorandum and articles of association. ## **Risk Management** The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. ## **Reserves policy** It is the intention of the Trustees to have available the equivalent of 3 months income to satisfy normal expenditure wherever possible. Any surplus funds to be deposited in an interest-earning account. ``` 1 ``` ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Our aims and objectives.** Our charity’s purpose as set out in the objects contained in the company’s memorandum of association is thus: **RELIEF OF HOMELESS AND OTHER PERSONS WHO ARE IN NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS, IN PARTICULAR (WITHOUT LIMITATION) THROUGH THE PROMOTION AND PROVISION OF SUPPORTED ACCCOMMODATION, THE PROVISION OF RESPITE, EDUCATION, TRAINING, INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR SUCH PERSONS BY PROVIDING FACILITIES WHICH WILL LEAD TO SELF-RELIANCE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY** ## **HOW OUR ACTIVITIES DELIVER PUBLIC BENEFIT** Our main activities and who we try to help are described above. The trustees are mindful of the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit. ``` 2 ``` ## **BRIEF REPORT OF ACTIVITIES 2023** This year has been another challenging time for Real Deal Plus. As economic conditions continue to significantly impact businesses and community organisations we were pleased to be able to offer ongoing support for vulnerable local residents despite the challenges. Our foodbank, homeless support and furniture scheme continued to be available throughout the week with the Community Café, Teen Bar and Food Bank services needed more than ever. This year we have continued to see a huge increase in the need for support by vulnerable members of the local community especially in the areas of food poverty and isolation (and the associated mental health issues & stresses due to cost of living increases and the fuel crisis). Our Community Café has seen an increase in demand for healthy, affordable food options and the need for food parcels and referrals has also significantly increased due to benefit processing times, the long period between application and first payment of benefits and a huge rise in the cost of living – especially mortgage, utility and fuel increases. The centre has been able to remain available for local community use as an official ‘Warm Space’ as well as continuing as a Community Hub for the services already listed and signposting to relevant support and statutory organisations. Teen Bar attendance has also increased continuing to focus on young people’s mental health and our art sessions & music sessions provide a vital outlet for expressing emotions and sharing issues. Our furniture scheme continued to provide good quality donated furniture to families in need and those being rehoused following a period of homelessness (normally by statutory services referral). Refugees and Asylum seekers are now included in our client list and numbers are expected to increase in the current economic and world climate. We are extremely grateful to both members of the community and local businesses who have helped us by fundraising, volunteering and supporting the work we are doing and to all our funders and fundraisers who have helped us support so many vulnerable people. Specific thanks go to the following for supporting this project, vision and community: National Lottery Fund RC North East Region The Northumberland Children’s Trust The Ballinger Charitable Trust Ashington Town Council The Asda Foundation The Arnold Clark Community Fund Neighbourly Northumberland Holiday Provision Northumberland County Council Community Chest The Banks Community Fund The Charity carries out a wide range of projects and community activities in pursuance of its Charitable Aims. The Trustees consider that these activities provide benefit to the residents of South East Northumberland and in particular to Ashington. Current projects and activities are as follows (local restrictions permitting): **Youth work** –The Teen Bar provides a safe, healthy environment for young people to “hang out” with friends and get involved in supervised activities if they choose to. We offer all the young people that come to The Teen Bar the opportunity to do something positive and provide alternatives to getting into trouble on the streets, which can lead to difficult, dangerous or anti-social behaviour, petty crime or vulnerability to drug and substance misuse. We have seen a significant rise in the numbers of young people with mental health issues and are successfully supporting these youngsters by providing practical and emotional care and support. We give encouragement, support and a warm welcome to disengaged young people. Non- 3 judgemental groups and activities, advice, support, guidance, access to health advice/support including sexual health, contraception and relationship issues, encourage healthy relationships; build self-esteem and independence, school holiday meal provision and a safe place to be, educational information sessions on drug/alcohol awareness, online safety and the dangers of the internet/grooming, arts and other programmes of activities, day trips & excursions. Of particular benefit are the School holiday trips and excursions (funded by Northumberland County Council Holiday Provision) which gives the young people attending both educational and fun experiences which they would otherwise not have access to. **Homeless and Crisis support -** Our on-site **Emergency Food Bank** supplies dried and tinned foods, which complements the existing local Food Bank by covering the hours when the regular Food Bank is closed e.g late nights, weekends and bank holidays helping combat food insecurity and supporting the reduction of food waste. The food bank provides vital support to families in the area as well as support for street sleepers and ‘sofa surfers’. Our **Community Shower** is available to people with no access to hot water (e.g broken boiler, financial hardship) and those who are homeless, increasing their self-respect by enabling them to wash, shampoo their hair, shave and feel normal – something most of us take for granted. A **Crisis Day Bed-sitting Room** for street sleepers and 'sofa surfers' provides a safe place for a few hours’ sleep, some much-needed privacy and the opportunity to relax in their ‘own space’ for a while. The day room is part of a service which includes showering and laundry facilities as well as meals and hot drinks, signposting, and the provision of a change of clothing and other items needed for living on the streets. The day room also doubles as a ‘crisis room’ for social/statutory services referrals. We also provide tents, sleeping bags, emergency shelters, clothing, laundry facilities, hot meals, telephone access and referrals to the local council homeless team and other housing organisations and emergency accommodation provision Our second hand **Furniture Scheme/Furniture Bank** supplies referrals from Social Services, Northumbria Healthcare, Women's Refuge, and Jobcentre as well as benefit recipients, refugees & asylum seekers. ## **Use of Volunteers** Volunteers are a vital resource in our Community work and are involved in all our community activities. We currently have approx 7 volunteers freely donating their time and resources to support the Charity and its work. Volunteer availability has decreased substantially following Covid with older people now having to step in to support family with childcare. We encourage all of our clients to become involved in voluntary activities and share their skills with others. All staff & volunteers working with children in our Teen Bar and other vulnerable groups are DBS checked. The directors of the company are also the **charity trustees** for the purposes of charity law. At the balance sheet date the charity is managed by a board of four trustees selected because they strongly endorse the charitable objectives of the organisation and support its Christian ethos. When selecting trustees, the charity aims to ensure there is a broad range of relevant skills. Trustees are appointed after interviews with existing trustees and formal visits to the organisation, to ensure that they understand our vision and values. Trustees are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks where applicable. The Trustees wish to thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement, their observations and suggestions over the past year were both welcomed and appreciated. **Public benefit statement** In accordance with the Charities Act 2006, Real Deal Plus is required to confirm that the activities it undertakes to achieve its objectives are all carried out for the public benefit as described by the Charity Commission. The beneficiaries of the charity are members of the public who are in need because of homelessness, poverty and associated issues. Through its activities, Real Deal Plus seeks to relieve poverty by delivering life-changing services. The Trustees have described in this report the charitable public benefit of our activities. The Trustees regularly review Real Deal Plus’ progress against its 4 aims and objectives and confirm that they have complied with their duty in the Charities Act 2008 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. ……………………………………………………………… Date…… 01/07/2024 A. Lodge-Johnston – Trustee 5 ## **Real Deal Plus Ltd** ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ## **For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023** ||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior year**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**funds**|**total funds**| |**Income and endowments from:**|||||| |Donations and legacies|33,738.86|40,413.00|-|74,151.86|138,010.85| |Income from charitable activities|7,152.00|-|-|7,152.00|8,117.00| |Other trading activities|450.00|-|-|450.00|1,105.00| |Investments|-|-|-|-|-| |Other income|6,235.89|68,443.98|-|74,679.87|40,616.68| |**Total income**|**47,576.75**|**108,856.98**|**-**|**156,433.73**|**187,849.53**| |**Expenditure on:**|||||| |Raising funds|-|-|-|-|-| |Expenditure on charitable activities|40,629.73|97,058.88|-|137,688.61|134,105.42| |Other expenditure|1,266.00|19,024.58|-|20,290.58|19,505.63| |**Total expenditure**|**41,895.73**|**116,083.46**|**-**|**157,979.19**|**153,611.05**| |**Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer**|**5,681.02**|**(7,226.48)**|**-**|**(1,545.46)**|**34,238.48**| |**Transfers:**|||||| |Gross transfers between funds - in|15,027.47|-|-|15,027.47|7,399.84| |Gross transfers between funds - out|-|(15,027.47)|-|(15,027.47)|(7,399.84)| |**Other recognised gains / losses**|||||| |Gains/losses on investment assets|-|-|-|-|-| |Gains on revaluation,fixed assets,charity's own use|-|-|-|-|-| |**Net movement in funds**|**20,708.49**|**(22,253.95)**|**-**|**(1,545.46)**|**34,238.48**| |**Reconciliation of funds**|||||| |**Total funds brought forward**|**81,280.40**|**115,535.81**|**-**|**196,816.21**|**162,577.73**| |**Total funds carried forward**|**101,988.89**|**93,281.86**|**-**|**195,270.75**|**196,816.21**| (30 April 2024 10:33 am) Page 1 of 1 6 Approved by the Trustees on 22/07/2024 and signed on their behalf by Arthur Lodge-Johnston **Real Deal Plus Limited Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.** ## **1. Accounting Policies.** ## _**Basis**_ **of** _**Preparation**_ The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, Statement of Recommended Practice: Reporting and Accounting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006 and the provisions of the Charities Act 2011. ## _**Income Recognition**_ Items of income are recognised in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity and the amounts are certain and measurable. Any income received that relates exclusively to future periods is deferred on the Balance Sheet. ## _**Donated Goods**_ The great majority of donated goods were gifted for general hospitality purposes and given to those in considerable need and were not resold by means of a charity shop. Such gifts have not been recognised in the accounts in view of their low value and being too numerous to quantify. The income from donated goods that are subsequently sold is recognised when the sale is made and cash is received. ## _**Expenditure**_ Expenditure is recognised in the statement of financial activities when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of that obligation can be measured reliably. ## _**Allocation**_ **of** _**Costs**_ Direct Activity costs comprise those costs that contribute directly to an activity and are allocated to the relevant activity. Support costs comprise of those costs that are necessary to deliver an activity but in themselves do not produce or deliver any activity. They include administration, finance, personnel and payroll, premises costs and legal and professional costs. ## _**Depreciation**_ Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis: Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 25% reducing balance During the year all capital expenditure was funded from grants received with such expenditure being solely used to fulfil the objects for which the grant was made. The cost of such assets is treated as being the actual cost less the amount of the grant received. ## _**Funds**_ Restricted funds represent income received which the donor has specified is to be solely used for a particular purpose. Unrestricted funds are those funds available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. ``` 8 ``` IndependeTrt Examinerfs Report to thèTrustees ol Real Deal Plus Umlted. I report on the accounts of the company the year ended 31". E*cember 2023 which are set out in this ReporL Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner. The trustees Iwho are also the dirertors of the tharity for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 lthe 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Havin8 Satisfied myself that the tharity Is not subject to audit under company law and is ell￿'ble for independent examination. rt is my responsibility to.. examine the attounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the procedures laid down In the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5llbl of thè 2011 Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the independtnt examlttèrfs rtporL My examination was carried out in accordance with the general ￿"rectiOnS given by the Charity Commission. An examinatlon Indudes a review of the acctyjnting records kept by the charity and a comparlson of the acctyjnts presented with those records. It also Includes consideration of any unusual itèms or disclosures in the accounts and seekln8 explanations from you as trustees concemin8 any such mattèrs. The procedures undèrtaken do noi prowde 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 vlew, and the report is limited to those matters set out in thè ststement below. Indep•ndent wrninerfs ststement. In ttlnnertion with my examination. no matter has come to rny attention: 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that In any material respect the requirements -to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2C￿,. and -to prepare ac£ounts whith accord with accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 386 of the Companies Act 2C(hS and with the methods and principles of the Ststement of Recommended Prath'ct.. Accounting and Reportin8 by Charities have not been mel or 121 towhich. in my opinion, attention should bè drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reKhed. Signed... tr4te. 16 July 2024. Fellow of the Association of Charity Indèpendent Examiner Address IS CarlÈti)n Road. Great Knowley. Chorfey PR6 8TQ