Braintree Area foodb BRAI￿REE AREA FOODBANK LTD TRusfEES ANNUAL REPORT AND Accouprrs YEAR ENDED 31- MARCH 2025 Registered in England and Wales Charty No: 1148782 Company No: 08183618 the trussell trust Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Financlal Stalements Pagels) Charfty Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Annual Report Disclosure of intormation lo independent review Indepe￿Ient Examinerfs Report Statement ol Financial Activities lincluding Income and Expenditur& Report) Balance Sheel Noles to Financial Statem8nts 10-20 Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Charity Reference and AdmInistra￿ve Details Year ended 31" March 2025 Charity Registration Number 1148782 Company Registration Number 08183618 Truslees and Directors who have served during the year and Sin￿ the year end Rosemary Joy Bailey (stood down 17 August 20241 Claire Yvonne Gibson (appointed 7 June 20251 Zelma Holt Lyndon John Hopknns Roman Henry Kuknewc2 (appointed 4 November 2023 and resigned 17 August 2024) Graham Chades Pateman (stood down 2 November 20241 Lisa Margaret Scott Islood down 13 July 20241 Malcolm Henry Seward Nicholas CINe Vosper (apFX)inted S August 20241 GeoTge NAartin Wafula Robert Wakeman Dale Jason West (awointed 1 June 20241 Company Secrelary Zelma Holt Registered Office Unit 6 Lakes Industrial Park Lower Chapel Hill Braintree CM7 3RU Indepe￿Ient Examiner Mark Pearson FCA Lambert Chapman LLP 3 Wamers Mill. Silks Way, Braintree CM7 3GB Solicitor Holmes & Hills LLP 9 Bocknng End Braintree CM7 9AJ Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kingshill Avenue Ingshill West Mallir¥J ME19 4JQ Are4 Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Truslees. Annual Report (including Dlrectors, Report and Stralegl¢ Report) Year ended 31" March 2025 The Trnstees present their report and I￿ancIal statements of ihe charity for Ihe year end 31$1 March 2025. Oblo¢tlves and Actlvltles The objectives ol the charity are the relief, or prevention, of poverty in the Braintree area by providing emergency food supplies and hollstic wraparound support to individuals in need. Bralntree Area foodbank supports local people in need of food through our dlstrlbution centres in Braintree, Halslead, Great Nolley, Wilham, Sible Hedingham and Home Delivery SeNice. We currently partner Wlth 140 referral agencies who issue vouchers to those needing our help. Vouchers are exchanged for food and toiletries at our centres. In addition, our volunteers are able to signpost people lo the agencies that may be able to help thom address the underlying issues behind their crisis. Our Community Outreath OffI￿r is on hand lo spend more time. 1 to 1, wfjth our clients. Through this, we aro able to dive deeper into the root cause ol a clients need to use the foodbank, with the aim to resolve some, or all, ol these causes. This may be done in a variely ol ways, som81imes supporting them ourselves, advocating on their beha￿ or linking them up with exlernal agencies. On top of Ihis we now have our own in-house Citiz8ns Advice Advisor, who, although only being wtih us for 4 months so far. has made a big impact in temis of creating solutions foi our clients. Public Beneflt statement The charity has, during the year, run a foodbank ￿thin the Brainlree district. The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The results achieved by this are sel out in the following sections. Achlevements and Portonnance (FY 2024125> The cost of living continues to impact individuals and families across the Braintree area. During the year. the Foodbank supported a lolal of 11,866 people, comprising 7,382 adults and 4,484 children. This reflects a slight reduction in overall demand from tho previous year, which we believe is linked to the Increased wraparound support wo are now abl8 to offer clients. We distributed 101.73 tonnes ol food and personal hygiene items lo beneficiarfes. Although this is slightty less than the 109 tonnes dislributed last year, due lo a reduction in available 'exlra' Items. tho core food parcel provision remained con51Stenl in quality and quantity. We now oporat8 from seven distribution centres.. Chrlsl Church (Bralntreel, Sl Paul's (Braintreel, Food and More (Braintreel, Great Nolley, Wilham, Halslead, and Sible Hedingham. These centres continue lo provide essential support in their local communities. Our eighth service point, the home delivery service, eonlinues to play a crucial role in reaching clients unable lo attend centres in person. This year. it supwrted 1.742 indivKluals and is now firrnly embedded as part of our s8Nice delivery model. We remain committed to providing more than just food. Peabody conlinues to offer sUPWrt at Christ Church. We aiso now benefit from the expertise of our in-hous8 Citizens Advice Bureau (CABI advisor who regularly attends Halslead, Christ Church, and Food and More. Volunteer CAB advisors SUF)POrt clients at St Paul's and Witham, with them providing covei and handling more complex cases relerred to them. Although the advisor has only been with us for a few months she has made a big impact already, with over £150,000 of expected gains lor clients. Whilst the Green Doctor no longer attends in person. we maintaSn a strong referr￿ relationship with them lo ensure clients re￿1ve support on energy-related issues. Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Sarah, our Community Outreach Offi￿r, continues to woth closely with indiwduals to understand and address the root cause5 of food inseujrity, whether through in-house SUkWOrt, advocacy, or referrals to relevarrt Servi￿5, induding our CAB advisor. Her work has contribuled significantly to the reduction in higher-dependency clients, many ot whom are now either using our service less frequently or no longer require support. FoL)J and More has grown into a thriviro ￿rnMunty hub, now hosting a range of partner organisations offering holistic support to clienls. These include- Hope House {homelessness support) Phoenix Futures (criminal justice. mental health. and social isolatÈon} Open Road laddictv)n support) Brainlree District Council Employment Support Braintree Bridge Isociat isolation, launthing soon} Acts 435 continLtes to be a valuable partnership, allowing us to raise £7.636 to provide essential household goods suth as beds, fridges. washing mathines, and other urgent needs. Funding The charity conltnued to activety seek donalions and grant funding to ensure the sustainabilty of its setvices to those in need. Stock donations of food and essential household items are largely donated by individuals via collection points in supem)arkets, schools. churthes, and other ￿MMunity locations. We are incr￿lb1Y gratelul ihaL despite ongoing economic pressures. our doTrJrs have continued to support us. However, the cost-of-living crisis has understandably impacted donation levels. This year. we collected 61,649 kg of food and essential groceries, down from 68,600 kg the previous year, wlh an estimated value of £139,193. To make up the shortfall, the remainder was purchas￿ al a cost of £88,205 to ensure adequate stock levels. While donations fomi a vital part of our operations our core costs continue to require significant financial support. These have been partially met through generous individual donations, online giving, and a range of grants from local authorities, txjsinesses, and charitable foundations. For the financial year 2025126, we have secured continued funding from Braintree District Council to maintain key *Tvices induding Food and More, our delniery seNice, and our Community Outreach Officer. Additionally, this lunding wll support a new Communty Outreach Assistant. the creation of a hardship fund, and help with stock purchases to meel ongoing needs. The Trustees remain deeply appreciative of the many indNiduals, community groups, and organisations who have made financial Contributions or provided grant support, enabling the Foodbank to rA)nlinue its vital work across the Brainlree area. Stsffing the Foodbank The Foodbank continues to benefft frorn the ServI￿S of our employees, Henry Hopkins our Charity Manager. Joe Currie our newly appointed Warehouse and Distribution Manager. along with Sarah Dynan. our Community Outreach Officer. Their hard work and dedication are at the core of the foodbank. Addtbonalty. the charity gains from the input of 155 volurrteers (iasl year 1491. working across the distribthion centres, offi￿, transport, and warehouse. These people, who gwe freely ol their time and effort, are also essential and cnjcial to the running of the foodbank Structure, Governance and Managemenl The Company is limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales. The Company is affiliated to the Trussell Trust who provide support and advice for the establishment and running of foodbanks nationwide and who collect and disseminate statistics regarding the use of Braintree Area Foodbank Limited foodbanks. The Trussell Trust has prescribed procedurgs and processes which apply to all foodbanks which are affiliated lo their ne￿ork. Volunteer Managers are appointed to oversee various areas of the operation of tho Foodbank including Transport and each Distribution Centre. Regulai meetings are held which are attended by the various Managers, plus the Directors, al which day lo day operational matters regarding the efficient running of the foodbank are discussed and agreed. Trustees ol the Charlty The Directors of the charitable company are its Twslees for ihe purpose of chartty law. They are elected by th6 charity's annual general meeting, according to the procedure sel out in Ihe Memorandum and Articles ot Association. Where there is a vacancy for the appointment ol a new TrusteelDireclor this is advised lo all company members and nominations are invited, with an emphasis on attrading applications from individuals with appropriate skills arKI Iraining, to complement our existing Iruslees. Thg trustees receive a h)cal induction along with Irailling courses provided by Community 360. The Trustees meet on a regular basis and are responsible for the overall management and the direction ol the Company. This year saw the departure of Lisa Margaret Scoll. Rosemary Joy Bailey and Graham Charles Paleman. We are exlr8mely grateful lor all that they have contributed over the years. Truslees. Rosponslbllitles The Trustees are ￿sponSIble lor preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial stalements in accordance wilh applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requiros the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each tinancial year, which gNe a true and lair view ol the stale of affairs ol the Company lor that period. In preparing these financial slalemenls, the Trustees are required to.. sel8Ct suitable accounting pollcles and apply them consistently. observe methods and principles in the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 make judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent. slate whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departU￿S disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless il is inappropriale lo presum8 that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustee5 are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial slalements comply wlh the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets ol lh8 charitable company and hence lor the prevention and detection ol fraud and olhor irregularities. In the past year the Trustees have approved upjated policies and procedures covering the tollowing- Safeguarding Pollcy Volunteering IT and communications Policy Volunteer Expenses Policy Health and Safety Policy and Personal Health and Safety and Escalation Policy Equal Opportunities Policy Drfving Policy Problem solving Policy Risk register and Risk management Policy Thlrd Party Indemnlly Provlslons The Company maintains Dife¢lors and Officers insurance for the benefit of the TrusteeslDire¢tors. Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Forward Plans In 25126 we plan to expand our Outreach Se￿￿ further, with the addition of a Community Outreach Assistant. By increasing our capacity to support clients on a 1 to 1 basis, we hope lo help more clients become sell-sufficient and thus see a reduction in Focxybank usage. We will continue with dl currenl services and aim to secure funding to ￿ntinUe thern into further years. Our Lwed Experience Project. mentioned in last years report, is talong shape and will hopefully provide us with stories of hcpe and crucialty feedback to support further projects. Investment Policy A PTudenl amount of cash is held with CAF Bank and an easy access building society account to meet expenditure as ri is needed. The remaining fvnds are held in one 1204ay variable rate acLount and four one year fixed rale bank bonds which will mature at periodic intervals and be available as required. Financial Review The Company achieved an overall surplus of ncome over expenditure lorthe year to enable it to continue lo build up a reseNe lund. Reserves Policy The Direclors have set an objective of maintaining cash reserves at the end of each linancial year to provide financial resources sufficient to cover six months expenditure which is estimated to be £203,766 in 2025-26. Our unrestricted reserve at the year eTrJed 31 St Marth 2025 is £355,276 and this obieclive has Iherefore been mel. Avatiible funds at the Balan￿ Sheel dale amount to £296,086. Disclosure ol information to independent review We, the Directors of the company who held off ice at the dale of approval ol these finanaal statements as set out above eath confimi, so far as we are aware, that there is no relevant infoTmation of ￿lCh the independent examiners are unaware- and we have taken all steps that we oughl lo have taken as Directors in order to make oursefves aware of any such relevant inlomiation and lo establish that the Company's independent examiner is aware of that into￿ation. In approving the Trustees. Annual Repor( we also approve the Strategic Report included therein in our capacity as Company Directors. The report has been p￿pared having taken advantage of the small companies. exemplion in the Companies Act 2006. On behalf of the board Trustee sonature Trustee signature Trustee Name Tnjstee Name Date Date Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Independenl Examlner's Report to the Trustees ol Bralntree Area Foodbank Ltd I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 20. Responslbllltleg and basls of report As the Charity TTuslees ol the Company land also ils directors for Ihe purposes ol company lawl you are responsible for the preparation ol the accounts in accordance with the requirem8rits of the Companies Acl 2006 {'the 2006 Acl'l. Having satisfied myself that the accounts ol the Company are not required lo be audited urKler Part 16 of the 2006 Ad and are eligible for independent examination, I report in ￿SpeCt of my examination of your Gompany's accounts as carried out under Section 145 01 Ihe Charitles Act 2011 I'lhe 2011 Acl'l. In carrying out my examination I have folk)wed the directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 14515llbl ol Ihe 2011 Act. Independent Examlner's Statement Since the company's gross inCOTne exceeded £250,000 your examiner musl be a member of a body listed in section 145 of Ihe 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member ol Ihe Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection wth the examination giving me wse to believe that in any material r8SP8Ct- 11 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as r8quir8d by Section 386 of the 2006 Act., or 21 the accounts do not accord with those records., or 31 the accounts do not comply with Ihe accounting requirements of Section 396 01 the 2006 Act other than any requiremenl that the accounts give a 'tNe and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinalion., or 4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance wth the methods and principles of the Stalefflent of Recommended Practic8 lor accounting and reporting by charities {applicable to charities preparing Iheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. I have no ¢oncerns and have come across no other matters In connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thls report in ordef to enable a pioper understanding of the accounts lo b8 reached. Signed k Pea&"Oh Mark Pearson FCA Lambert Chapman LLP 3 Warners Mill Silks Way Braintree CM7 3GB Date ioh pJfJVckn ioli Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Statement of ￿nancIal Activities (including summary Income and ExpenditUTe Account) Year Ended 3151 March 2025 2025 Restrlcted funds Revenue Capital 2024 Notes Unrestrfctsd Funds Total Total Income from: Grants and Donations Investment Income Gift Card donations and Gifts in Kind Profil on Disposal of Fixed Assets Food & Laundry rtems donated Fund Raising Activities 90.635 15,405 7,284 165,983 256.618 15.405 355,039 9,762 4.437 139,193 2,471 139,193 2,471 155.171 TotJ Income 254￿89 165983 420,972 524.409 Expendlture on Charitable actwities Food dislributed lo beneffryaries Support actiwties Fund raising activities Total Expenditure 76.916 67,301 144.217 129,809 140.113 48,195 88,205 228,318 51,430 235,832 41,246 3,235 265224 155￿06 3,235 423,965 406087 Net In￿Me/{EXpendIIUrel 110,2361 10,477 {32351 {2,993) 117,522 Transfers belween Funds (10,236} 10N77 13235) (2,993) 117￿22 Reconciliatton of fvnds Told Funds brought lomard 365.512 55,009 10.964 431,485 313.963 Tota Funds carried foTward 13 355276 65,486 428,492 431,485 Braintree Area Foodbank Limited 8alan¢¢ Sheet Year End8d 31 *1 March 2025 Note 2025 2024 Flxed Assgts Tangible Assets Unrestricted Funds Restrict￿1 Funds 7114 32,578 7,729 31,312 10,964 42.276 40,307 Current Ass9t8 Debtors Short term Invostmerrts Cash al bank and in hand Stock 7,403 263,781 118,218 9,028 250,837 131,883 8,479 397.881 399,212 CTedilors Amounts falling due within one year 10 388,185 10 003 389,209 Net Assets 428,4¥2 431,485 Charlty Funds 12,13 Unreslricled Funds Restricted Funds 355,276 73,215 365,512 65,973 Total Chartty Funds 428,492 431.485 The Company was entitled lo exemptk)n from audlt under Sectlon 477 of the Companles Act 2006 relating to small ￿MpanIeS. The Members have not requlred the Company lo obtain an audit ol its financial slalements lor the year ended 31" March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 01 the Companies Act 2006. The Directors acknowledge their responsibilrty lor cornplying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepar￿ in accoTdance with the special provisions applicable lo companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of ihe Companies Act 2006. The financial statements were approved and auihorised for issue by th8 Board on Signed by on8 trustee on kxhall of all Ihe trus18e$. Trustee signatur Dale of Approval Th8 notes on pages 10 to 20 form part of these financial slalements. Braintree Area Foodbank Limited Notes to Flnan¢lal Ststements Year Ended 31 March 2025 Note 1) Summary ol slgnlllcant accounting policiés al General infomiation and basis of accounting Braintree Area Foodbank Lld is a company lirnite