Hartlepool foodb Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2023
Table of Contents
Chairman’s Letter.................................................................................................3 Hartlepool Foodbank Coordinator's Annual Report.............................................5 Networking.................................................................................................................................8 Hartlepool Poverty Truth Commission......................................................................................8 Strategic Poverty Group.............................................................................................................8 Guarantee our Essentials Campaign...........................................................................................9 Local and Senior Organiser meetings........................................................................................9 Future Plans..............................................................................................................................10 Financial Report 2023........................................................................................11 Appendix I: Notes to the Accounts.....................................................................15 Appendix II: Registration Details........................................................................17 Appendix IV: Examiners Report.........................................................................19
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
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Chairman’s Letter
The “cost of living crisis” and the withdrawal of supplementary payments of Universal Credit that had been introduced by the Government to help families during the Covid 19 pandemic combined to increase the demand for food aid to unprecedented levels during 2023. The numbers of vouchers presented at most sessions now, and people needing help, would have been considered exceptional just a few years ago. We have had to extend the hours of opening on Tuesdays and Fridays to accommodate this. At the same time donations of food did not increase overall, which meant that we exceeded by a factor of about 4 our budget for purchasing additional food to meet demand.
That’s the bad news. Our strategic aim, and that of our franchisor Trussell Trust, has been to reduce, not increase, the call for emergency food aid. In time we would love to create conditions that would mean foodbanks were no longer needed. We are in the second year of the implementation of our 5 year plan with that vision in mind. Our partnership with West View Advice & Resources Centre for financial inclusion has already made quantifiable improvements to the financial wellbeing of hundreds of vulnerable people. In April we welcomed Tracey Cartwright as a community influencer/organizer to help identify and tackle issues that relate to food poverty. Tracey is developing a strategy that will initially address bed poverty , working with Hartlepool schools and the charity Zarach . Both of these initiatives have been fully resourced by the Trussell Trust.
We have also been working with one of our member churches, Oxford Road Baptist Church, to establish a community store at the church in collaboration with The Message Trust . When opened early in 2024, this will give access to a full range of fresh and pre-packaged food and personal products at a very low, heavily subsidised price, giving members the dignity of choosing, and paying for, their goods – reducing the need for handouts. This project provides further opportunities for love and Christian service of disadvantaged people and families in our communities.
We are grateful for our friends in Hartlepool’s Food Network, who help direct surplus food from supermarkets and other outlets to organizations able to distribute it. As a result of this and the continued generosity of Embleton Hall Dairy, we have been able to extend the range of food given to clients, including fresh bread, dairy products and, sometimes, fresh fruit and vegetables.
The development of a food plan for Hartlepool continues. Supported also by Hartlepool Borough Council and the Joseph Rowntree Trust , and facilitated by Hartlepower, fora have been held on a variety of topics including nourishment of children and the community use of land for food. We look forward to continuing being involved with the Food Partnership.
We are very grateful to the schools, churches, supermarkets and individuals that have continued collecting food for us - and also to our corps of volunteers, none of whom have withdrawn on account of the additional demands on their time and energy. We are also very grateful for continued generous financial support from the Council, our member churches, individuals, retailers (including Tesco , the supporter of Trussell Trust nationally), employers
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
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and charitable trusts. A list of donors is given in Appendix 1 of this report. Support from private sector organizations and employers is also very welcome, including from some of the larger retailers. We are especially grateful for those individuals and organizations that support us every year, giving us some confidence in a regular core income.
I would also like to thank my fellow trustees, especially our treasurer Angela Carrick who also provides payroll services at the same time as carrying out her own full-time job – and Susan Atkinson who continues to oil our wheels administratively and financially. Alan MacDonald joined the trustees in 2023 and I value the expertise, energy and commitment that he has brought to our work. There continues to be at least 1 trustee vacancy and I am interested to hear from any individual who might consider contributing in this way by joining us.
I pay tribute to our coordinator, Lisa Lavender, who has continued ably leading the foodbank through challenging times. Our job-share deputy coordinator and warehouse manager, Paul Anderson, resigned in September, so I would like to thank him for his contributions over the last 2 years – and also Teagan Burns who stepped up to the mark, taking on additional hours and responsibilities, contributing hugely to our presence on social media and, together with Marion Fulton, maintaining and improving the warehouse operation.
As well as our employees and volunteers, I would like to thank Mrs Josie Watson who continues to let us use 28 Church Street rent free; the owners and managers of Middleton Grange for providing us with our warehouse free of charge; and Clive Rathbone our pro bono auditor.
To all our supporters, employees, volunteers and funders, thank you very much for your generosity, your commitment and your love of the individuals and families in difficulties that we serve. I’m looking forward to continuing striving with you for the good of those who need our help in the year ahead. God bless you.
Yours sincerely,
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Rev’d Dr Andrew Craig Chair of Trustees
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Hartlepool Foodbank Coordinator's Annual Report
Summary
As a Foodbank we remain constant; to provide a welcome and safe space for those who need us. As always, our donations have peaked and troughed during this last year, but we have always had enough to give out.
We continue to work with our partner agencies. To end the need for foodbanks takes a ‘joined up’ approach, one we cannot do alone. We meet a very practical need and hope that we can provide respite from stress. One of our main aims is to assist with the wider needs, to do this we need our partner agencies, therefore our relationships are very important to us. We have seen a new staff member join the team, Tracey Cartwright, our Local Mobiliser. Tracey joined the team in April 2023, her role is new to Trussell Trust and to us as a foodbank but we are looking forward to seeing the fruits of this new role. Please see the report from Tracey. Paul Anderson moved onto pastures new and we wish Paul all the best. We have also had the joy of welcoming new volunteers both corporate and regular to the foodbank team.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are incredible. They remain loyal and faithful to our sessions. Without them we simply would not exist. This last year is yet another testimony to their commitment to the foodbank. We recently celebrated them with our Christmas Pie‘n’Peas at the Nursery Pub.
Thank you Debbie and staff and the band Acoustic Buffoonery for a lovely evening.
The volunteers have clocked up an incredible 9996 hours plus, which in terms of monetary value would be in the region of £114,954. Our Trustees are also volunteers and tirelessly serve the team behind the scenes. Both the hours and monetary value go beyond the above figures.
Our huge Thanks to both the Amazing Volunteers and Trustees of Hartlepool Foodbank.
Donations and Distributions
In 2023 Hartlepool Foodbank Volunteers processed 3109 vouchers which equates to 6116 people fed of which 4256 were adults and 1860 were children. This is an increase of 34% from the previous year which saw 2323 Voucher processed; 4582 people fed of which 1499 was children.
The Community and Businesses of Hartlepool continue to give despite the cost-of-living crisis. Some of the highlights include:
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Hart Biological
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Pheonix Group
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Cubic Transport
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Tanglewood Games
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Virgin
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Hartlepool United Foodball Club
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A sponsored Boxing Day dip
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Continued support from Embleton Dairy
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Continued support from Warburtons
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Provision on weekly sandwiches from Fast Snacks
We also have a number of individuals who give financially on a regular basis. All donors and amounts are listed in the finance section. Food donations come in on a weekly basis from all over Hartlepool, Children’s Nursery’s, Local Football Clubs, Schools, Churches. Our donations also come from far and wide. Another regular donor lives 300 miles away, our thanks to Ai Peng who sends regular donations from Asda. We have so many that give on a regular basis. We are indebted to ALL who give. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.
A big Thank You for your support and kindness.
This year I would like to honour Cath Francois who has single handedly donated a whopping 3506kg and Fast Snacks for their provision of sandwiches every week to give out to our clients.
Thank you, Fast Snacks, – You are greatly appreciated Thank you, Cath, for being so faithful with your weekly drop offs.
We continue to give out bulk donations. A small supply of single parcels and ‘grab bags’ go to the Food Network based on the Headland and the Preventative Mental Health Team based in Burbank Street. This means food is available for those who need it outside of our normal sessions. This year, once again, we applied for funding from the Household Support Fund. A sum of £20,000 was granted by our local council to provide single food parcels to C.A.B, Advice at Hart and West View Advice & Resource Centre. We provide 28 parcels a month to each agency over a 6-month period. This current period will end in March 2024. These parcels are ‘No Voucher Required’. As part of the Household Support Fund, the agencies have autonomy when distributing the parcels.
Hands Up for Hartlepool
We have now closed the space in Middleton Grange and handed the key back. The space was not proving productive. We originally set up the space to invite agencies to come along. This was to provide an extra service to those who use the foodbank and to help with wider issues. This did not take off as we had hoped with the closure due to the pandemic. The space was handed back to Middleton Grange.
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
The Story So Far
From previous reports you will know that Trussell Trust embarked on a 5-year strategy to end the need for foodbanks. We began with introducing a financial advisor to our sessions. This was through partnering with West View Advice and Resource Centre (WVARC). This is going very well. Below is from Katherine Parker from WVARC;
Since the formal partnership agreement between Hartlepool Foodbank and West View Advice & Resource Centre started in September 2022, it is estimated that 205 individuals (up to 31[st] December 2023) no longer needed to use the food bank for food, after accessing advice and support. 151 individuals have achieved or are expected to achieve financial gains in excess of £813,925.90. Initially, when the partnership started, we tried having different advisers on site, but we now have an established worker based in the foodbank sessions who then refers to our wider team as required. Having an established advisor keeps continuity for those who need to access the advice.
The next part of the strategy was to hire a Local Mobiliser. With the support of Trussell Trust, the post was filled in April 2023. The post was developed to look at local issues and support with campaigning for change. Each area within the Trussell Trust Network will have different issues. The mobiliser role will look at what is unique to Hartlepool and how we can ‘make the change’. Alongside both roles, we shall continue to work from our strategy plan. This is available on our website and in hard copy. Should this be of interest please email info@hartlepool.foodbank.org.uk
Supermarket Donations
Our thanks, once again, for the support of our local supermarkets; Tesco – 8497kg Asda - 3798kg Morrisons – 2825kg Sainsburys – 1370kg
We have permanent collection points in each of the supermarkets.
A huge thank you to the local community who donated to each of these points.
Looking to the future.
We shall continue in the ‘fight’ to end the need for foodbanks, continue to work with partner agencies to do the best we can to serve the people of Hartlepool. We shall remain constant with our opening days and times and hope for the day when we are no longer needed.
Lisa Lavender Project Coordinator, Hartlepool Foodbank
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Local Organiser’s Annual Report
I began this new role on 3[rd] April 2023 and can’t quite believe how quickly the last 9 months have gone! I feel I have learnt a lot and put my skills to good use during this time. As the cost of living continues to affect the people who can least afford it, it’s more important than ever that we work to make change happen. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the food bank sessions which enables me to have one-to-one conversations with people using the service and to gain invaluable insight from the volunteers who carry out an incredible job. The briefing sessions allow me to keep staff and volunteers up to date with the ‘Guarantee our Essentials’ campaign together with ideas and findings for my local campaign. The work of our food bank network is inspiring, but as detailed in our 5-year plan, the hope is that everyone will have enough for basic living costs and the right to choose.
Networking
I have worked in the benefit sector for over 35 years and have used my connections to establish relationships with people who have a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for change. I have helped to form new links between Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus and Hartlepool Foodbank, which is proving invaluable in working together to encourage partnership work and promote change. The contacts established during my first few months in post have led me to also play a significant role in Hartlepool’s Poverty Truth Commission and the Strategic Poverty Group.
Hartlepool Poverty Truth Commission
The Poverty Truth Commission involves engaging with people with lived experience of poverty and leaders in the community to discover and address the causes of poverty. The first meeting was in November 2023, and we meet monthly with regular contact between meetings. The project is at an early stage with relationships being built and a launch event planned for Spring 2024. It will run for 18 months in total. The Poverty Truth Commission seeks to discover the answer to the question “What if people who struggled against poverty were involved in making decisions about tackling poverty?” The Commission will comprise two groups of people. A group of around 15 people with lived experience of the struggle against poverty will meet with around 15 people who are leaders/decision makers within Hartlepool. Collectively we work to understand the nature of poverty, what are some of the underlying issues that create poverty and explore creative ways of addressing them. It is hoped that at least 3 issues will be identified after 6 months, and I will lead a sub team on one of these issues or potentially a different issue depending on what areas are identified.
Strategic Poverty Group
This is a group of like-minded professionals, who meet fortnightly to discuss how we can make positive changes for the residents of Hartlepool, struggling with poverty. The meetings are chaired by Penny Thompson from Hartlepool Borough Council and have been running for
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several years. I have been an active member of this group since July 2023 and Penny has praised the people currently attending the meetings, saying we have given her the most hope that change will happen soon.
Guarantee our Essentials Campaign
I feel passionate about the ‘Guarantee Our Essentials’ campaign launched on 8[th] September 2023 and have played an active part in its promotion. On 9[th] September Margaret, Lisa, Teagan, the volunteers, and I took part in the Action Day at Tesco. This was a huge success, not only in promoting awareness of the campaign and obtaining signatures, but in asking for and receiving food donations. The campaign calls on UK political party leaders to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit to ensure that the basic rate at least covers life’s essentials such as food and bills. For 75 years the rate of benefits has been marginally increased in line with inflation, but an overhaul of the system is required. Research by charities reveals that the £85 weekly Universal Credit standard allowance is £35 less than the weekly cost of common essential items for a single person, contributing to hundreds of thousands of people being forced to use food banks because they can’t make ends meet. Right now, 90% of low-income households receiving Universal Credit say they have to go without essentials, according to research by the Jospeh Roundtree Foundation. The Essentials Guarantee would be enshrined in law and set regularly, based on an independent recommendation. It would be the first time since the welfare state was created that social security rates were based on what people need, and how much those things cost. The charities calculated that a list of essential items includes utility bills, travel expenses, food essentials, plus hygiene and cleaning products currently cost approximately £120 per week for a single person.
The campaign will end at the end of February 2024 and be handed to all UK political party leaders. To date 40,000 signatures have been obtained with a final push planned for February 2024, new materials are being sent to me this week. I will be sharing the information with staff, volunteers and foodbank users as soon as I receive them. Working closely with Lisa and Teagan, we have been making up information packs to place in food bags given to clients. The January packs contain the “Guarantee our Essentials” postcard, loan shark pen and sweet treats. We are planning on continuing this with different items each month. February packs will include the new campaign material, a heart healthy recipe and chocolate hearts for a Valentines theme.
Local and Senior Organiser meetings
I attend regular meetings online and in person with both Local and Senior Organisers. I find them supportive, informative and reassuring, as it can feel isolated being the only person in Hartlepool carrying out this relatively new role. I have made some good friends and contacts with other local organisers in the North East and across the country. We have our own communication network, which I contribute to regularly with updates on what I am working on and to discuss ideas. I have also volunteered to be part of a Trussell Trust campaigning training and resources feedback group, to help food banks across the network to campaign more effectively. I participate in a few email consultations a month, providing feedback on areas such as training, learning resources and how the Digital Hub can be improved. A
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flagship Organising Programme event in Manchester has been arranged for February 2024. It will include speakers, updates, training and to catchup and learn from other organisers. I have opted to attend the main event together with an optional networking morning, where I am looking forward to meeting up with new staff from cohort 5 and building on existing relationships with established organisers.
Local Campaign Idea
Following local meetings, communication sessions and discussions with Trustees and Foodbank users, my first local campaign will be around “Bed Poverty.” The cost-of-living crisis has deepened the impact of child poverty. Children need a good night’s sleep in order to thrive, yet research is showing that families in crisis are having to prioritise essentials such as food, heating and electricity over things like replacing mouldy bedding or fixing a broken bed. This also ties in with the national “Guarantee Our Essentials” campaign. I am in regular contact with Jess Sandy, the National Development Manager at Zarach, a charity that was established in 2018 to end child bed poverty in England. Zarach have already identified Hartlepool as an area they would like to support, and they hosted a launch event on Thursday 30[th] November 2023. They are hoping to get most primary schools in Hartlepool involved, as this will be how referrals are made. Following the launch, 43% of primary schools registered to become involved in the scheme. I will continue to meet with Jess and the Headteacher of High Tunstall School as the service begins its rollout in Hartlepool. Once Jess secures further anchor funding, paid jobs and volunteer positions will be advertised. Jess has numerous funding contacts in the pipeline, and I provide her with information on grants and foundations that do not conflict with Hartlepool Foodbanks financial needs. The charity will supply bed bundles to families, but they also want to campaign to get to the root of the problems families are facing. I will be working closely with the staff, volunteers and families involved to run this campaign.
I have created a Bed Poverty Questionnaire that is being used at Foodbank sessions with families who are happy to complete the short survey. This is helping to gain data on percentages percentages of children requiring food parcels that also do not have their own bed to sleep in or adequate warm bedding. My aim is that statistics, good news stories and case studies obtained from the survey and working with families helped by Zarach, will all add to the success of the campaign. My findings to date are that a third of children in Hartlepool do not have their own bed. These figures tie in with the “No child left behind” statistics that Hartlepool has 7384 children trapped in poverty equating to 35% of children in Hartlepool. Sadly, at the time of preparing this report, Hartlepool’s MP has not signed up to the pledge “to do everything in her power so that no child is left behind in Hartlepool.” I have emailed her regarding this and await her response.
Future Plans
I am looking forward to a very busy and exciting General Election year ahead. I will contact local Councillors with monthly Foodbank data, supplied by Lisa. I will share the number of people in each of their wards who need to use foodbanks. This will hopefully highlight the issues affecting their communities and raise awareness of the changes needed to work towards a future without the need for foodbanks.
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Tracey Cartwright Local Organiser, Hartlepool Foodbank
Financial Report 2023
The accounts are unaudited. The independent examiner's report on the 2022 accounts is given in Appendix IV (the 2023 accounts will be examined later in the year).
Many thanks are due to our independent examiner, Clive Rathbone, for contributing to the work of the foodbank by carrying out the independent examination of the accounts without payment.
Income 2023
| Description | Note | Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ |
2024 budget £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private donations | 1 | 24,475.58 | 0.00 | 24,475.58 | 30,000 |
| Church donations | 1,388.41 | 0.00 | 1,388.41 | 2,000 | |
| Corporate donations | 1 | 39,043.07 | 0.00 | 39,043.07 | 40,000 |
| Grant funding | 38,470.30 | 86,502.00 | 124,972.30 | 120,000 | |
| Gift aid tax recovered | 3,058.67 | 0.00 | 3,058.67 | 3,000 | |
| Bank Interest | 443.15 | 0.00 | 443.15 | 2,200 | |
| Total receipts | 106,879.18 | 86,502.00 | 193,381.18 | 197,200 |
Expenditure 2024
| Description | Note | Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ |
2024 budget £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premises | |||||
| Premises maintenance, repairs & alterations |
3,976.39 | 0.00 | 3,976.39 | 4,000.00 | |
| Premises insurances & rates | 1,822.52 | 0.00 | 1,822.52 | 2,000.00 | |
| Utilities | 1,406.68 | 0.00 | 1,406.68 | 2,500.00 | |
| Equipment | 4,117.91 | 0.00 | 4,117.91 | 2,000.00 | |
| Middleton Grange Project | 1,106.14 | 0.00 | 1,106.14 | 0.00 | |
| Running Expenses | |||||
| Subscriptions | 474.00 | 34,585.50 | 35,059.50 | 38,500 | |
| Telephone & Broadband | 831.33 | 0.00 | 831.50 | 900 | |
| Office Supplies | 375.78 | 0.00 | 375.78 | 500 | |
| Food Purchases | 42,881.71 | 8,400.00 | 51,281.71 | 40,000 | |
| Support Boxes | 1,355.43 | 1,929.77 | 3,285.20 | 6,600 | |
| Transport | 4,040.64 | 0.00 | 4,040.64 | 4,500 | |
| Depreciation | 6,299.60 | 0.00 | 6,299.60 | 3,150 | |
| Volunteers | |||||
| Volunteers Training | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 200 | |
| Expenses | 2 | 675.05 | 0.00 | 675.05 | 500 |
| Hospitality | 3 | 866.38 | 0.00 | 866.38 | 1,000 |
| Employee Costs | 56,755.51 | 0.00 | 56,755.51 | 57,500 | |
| OLM Project inc. IT & phone | 0.00 | 24,417.53 | 24,417.53 | 33,300 |
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Total payments 126,985.07 69,332.80 196,317.87 196,850
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Annual Report 2023
Balance Sheet as at 31/12/2023
| Description | Notes | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Fixed assets | 3,149.80 | 9,449.40 | |
| Foodbank a/c | 54,733.94 | 96,168.98 | |
| Virgin Money Deposit | 55,122.71 | ||
| Virgin Money Current | 10.00 | ||
| Cambridge Fixed Rate Bond | 50,000.00 | ||
| Deposit a/c | 50,025.00 | ||
| Debtors | 267.01 | ||
| Total Assets | 163,016.45 | 155,910.39 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Creditors (falling due within 1 year) | 4 | 12,843.03 | 2,800.28 |
| Total Liabilities | 12,843.03 | 2,800.28 | |
| Net current assets (Totalassetsless current liabilities) |
150,173.42 | 153,110.11 | |
| Creditors (falling due after 1 year) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total Net Assets | 150,173.42 | 153,110.11 | |
| Funds | |||
| Unrestricted | 105,439.45 | 125,545.34 | |
| Restricted | 5 | 44,733.97 | 27,564.77 |
| 150,173.42 | 153,110.11 |
The notes to the account can be found in Appendix I
The main contributions are from employers, corporate donors and charitable trusts and these are listed in Appendix II. The Foodbank's trustees, partners, employees, and volunteers are very grateful to all the individuals and organizations that have provided financial support.
We try to acknowledge all gifts over £100 (for corporations) and £50 (for individuals and churches) by letter, providing we have the necessary contact details. For individuals who are income taxpayers, we would also be able to claim your income tax back on donations you made if you endorsed a declaration form* including your address and postcode.
The treasurer would be very pleased to hear from any individual or organization where a donation has not been acknowledged, or you have not signed a Gift Aid declaration. To donate please see the website.
*Download a form from the website, or contact the treasurer on angela.carrick@vishay.com.
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Grant funding enables us to continue to run our services and pay the staff. In 2023 we were fortunate to be the recipients of the second tranche of the major grant from the Trusell Trust towards the provision of a financial advice service for foodbank users in partnership with West View Advice and Resource Centre. We have also received from the Trussell Trust funding to employ a local mobilising officer to campaign for awareness of the effects of poverty.
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Appendix I: Notes to the Accounts
Appendix I
Notes to the Accounts
| 1 | Donor over £500.00 | Amount £ | Restricted to: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco (via Trussell Trust) | 2,978.36 | ||
| Hart Biologicals | 600.00 | ||
| Skipton Building Society | 500.00 | ||
| Hartlepool United FC | 1,000.00 | ||
| Teesside Charity | 1,000.00 | ||
| Phoenix Group | 562.30 | ||
| Asda (via Trussell Trust) | 2,896.44 | ||
| Cubic | 500.00 | ||
| Cubic Staff | 500.00 | ||
| Cowie Technology | 3,000.00 | ||
| Jamie Sterry | 1,597.50 | ||
| N M Bew | 1,200.00 | ||
| L Pattison | 1,440.00 | ||
| CEO Sleepout | 750.00 | ||
| Sainsbury's Neighbourly | 500.00 | ||
| Karbon Homes Winter Well Being | 500.00 | ||
| Charities Trust | 500.00 | ||
| Tanglewood Games | 10,000.00 | ||
| Total | 27,374.60 | ||
| **1 ** | Grants | Amount £ | Restricted to: |
| Greatham Hospital Trust | 3,000.00 | ||
| Newcastle BuildingSociety | 3,000.00 | ||
| Sir James Knott Trust | 10,000.00 | ||
| Hartlepool Borough Council Annual Support | 10,000.00 | ||
| Hartlepool Borough Council £7000.00 unrestricted | 22,000.00 | Household Support Boxes |
|
| Virgin | 5,000.00 | ||
| Trussell Trust (£5370.30 unrestricted) |
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| 41,172.30 | Financial Inclusion | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trussell Trust (£5100.00 unrestricted) | 40,800.00 | OLM Project | |
| Total | 132,272.30 | ||
| 2 | Includes cost of volunteer refreshments | ||
| 3 | Includes Christmas party | ||
| 4 | Utility and maintenance/Telephone accruals/honorarium/WVARC paid in 2024 and PAYE | ||
| 5 | Description £ Carried over from previous year (2022) £ Restricted grants received £ Spent during 2023 £ Restricted reserve at year end Trussell Trust Financial Inclusion 25,635.00 35,802.00 34,585.50 26,851.50 HBC Support Boxes 1,929.77 15,000.00 10,329.77 6,600.00 Trussell Trust OLM Project 35,700.00 24,417.53 11,282.47 Total restricted funds 27,564.77 86,502.00 69,332.80 44,733.97 |
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Appendix II: Registration Details
Hartlepool Foodbank CIO
Hartlepool Foodbank is registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO)(Charity Number 1152046).
Address : 28 Church Street, Hartlepool TS24 7DH; telephone 01429 598404; Website: www.hartlepool.foodbank.org.uk
Its Objects are:
The relief and prevention of poverty for persons in Hartlepool who are in a condition of need, hardship or distress ('Beneficiaries') in such ways as the Trustees think fit, in particular but not exclusively by:
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A) Supplying food packages to beneficiaries
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B) Such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support and advice.
The Trustees are:
Rev’d Dr Andrew Craig - Chair of Trustees Mrs Angela Carrick – Treasurer Mrs Finola Andelic-Pearson – Secretary Mrs Susan Atkinson Mrs Abigail Knowles Mrs Hilary Sowden Mr Alan MacDonald
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Appendix III: Member Churches
Church of the Nazarene
Grace Church
Grange Road Methodist Church
Headland Baptist Church
New Life Fellowship
Owton Manor Baptist Church
Oxford Road Baptist Church
St. Aidan’s Church
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St. George’s URC
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St. Hilda’s Church
St. John the Baptist Church, Greatham
St. John Vianney R.C. Church
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St. Joseph’s R.C. Church
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St. Luke’s Church
St. Mary Magdalene Church, Hart
St. Mary’s R.C. Church
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St. Oswald’s Church
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St. Patrick’s R.C. Church
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St. Paul’s Church
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St. Peter’s Church, Elwick
Stranton Church
In order to become a member of foodbank, a Church should:
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Worship regularly within the Borough boundary of Hartlepool
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Subscribe to a Trinitarian belief about God as articulated in the ancient (Athanasian and Apostle’s) creeds of the Church
Provide the trustees with names and contact details of at least one, and preferably two, members of the church as well as of the minister responsible for the church, these members having been given authority to represent their church at a General Meeting of the Foodbank
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Appendix IV: Examiners Report
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Hartlepool foodb Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2023
Table of Contents
Chairman’s Letter.................................................................................................3 Hartlepool Foodbank Coordinator's Annual Report.............................................5 Networking.................................................................................................................................8 Hartlepool Poverty Truth Commission......................................................................................8 Strategic Poverty Group.............................................................................................................8 Guarantee our Essentials Campaign...........................................................................................9 Local and Senior Organiser meetings........................................................................................9 Future Plans..............................................................................................................................10 Financial Report 2023........................................................................................11 Appendix I: Notes to the Accounts.....................................................................15 Appendix II: Registration Details........................................................................17 Appendix IV: Examiners Report.........................................................................19
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
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Chairman’s Letter
The “cost of living crisis” and the withdrawal of supplementary payments of Universal Credit that had been introduced by the Government to help families during the Covid 19 pandemic combined to increase the demand for food aid to unprecedented levels during 2023. The numbers of vouchers presented at most sessions now, and people needing help, would have been considered exceptional just a few years ago. We have had to extend the hours of opening on Tuesdays and Fridays to accommodate this. At the same time donations of food did not increase overall, which meant that we exceeded by a factor of about 4 our budget for purchasing additional food to meet demand.
That’s the bad news. Our strategic aim, and that of our franchisor Trussell Trust, has been to reduce, not increase, the call for emergency food aid. In time we would love to create conditions that would mean foodbanks were no longer needed. We are in the second year of the implementation of our 5 year plan with that vision in mind. Our partnership with West View Advice & Resources Centre for financial inclusion has already made quantifiable improvements to the financial wellbeing of hundreds of vulnerable people. In April we welcomed Tracey Cartwright as a community influencer/organizer to help identify and tackle issues that relate to food poverty. Tracey is developing a strategy that will initially address bed poverty , working with Hartlepool schools and the charity Zarach . Both of these initiatives have been fully resourced by the Trussell Trust.
We have also been working with one of our member churches, Oxford Road Baptist Church, to establish a community store at the church in collaboration with The Message Trust . When opened early in 2024, this will give access to a full range of fresh and pre-packaged food and personal products at a very low, heavily subsidised price, giving members the dignity of choosing, and paying for, their goods – reducing the need for handouts. This project provides further opportunities for love and Christian service of disadvantaged people and families in our communities.
We are grateful for our friends in Hartlepool’s Food Network, who help direct surplus food from supermarkets and other outlets to organizations able to distribute it. As a result of this and the continued generosity of Embleton Hall Dairy, we have been able to extend the range of food given to clients, including fresh bread, dairy products and, sometimes, fresh fruit and vegetables.
The development of a food plan for Hartlepool continues. Supported also by Hartlepool Borough Council and the Joseph Rowntree Trust , and facilitated by Hartlepower, fora have been held on a variety of topics including nourishment of children and the community use of land for food. We look forward to continuing being involved with the Food Partnership.
We are very grateful to the schools, churches, supermarkets and individuals that have continued collecting food for us - and also to our corps of volunteers, none of whom have withdrawn on account of the additional demands on their time and energy. We are also very grateful for continued generous financial support from the Council, our member churches, individuals, retailers (including Tesco , the supporter of Trussell Trust nationally), employers
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
and charitable trusts. A list of donors is given in Appendix 1 of this report. Support from private sector organizations and employers is also very welcome, including from some of the larger retailers. We are especially grateful for those individuals and organizations that support us every year, giving us some confidence in a regular core income.
I would also like to thank my fellow trustees, especially our treasurer Angela Carrick who also provides payroll services at the same time as carrying out her own full-time job – and Susan Atkinson who continues to oil our wheels administratively and financially. Alan MacDonald joined the trustees in 2023 and I value the expertise, energy and commitment that he has brought to our work. There continues to be at least 1 trustee vacancy and I am interested to hear from any individual who might consider contributing in this way by joining us.
I pay tribute to our coordinator, Lisa Lavender, who has continued ably leading the foodbank through challenging times. Our job-share deputy coordinator and warehouse manager, Paul Anderson, resigned in September, so I would like to thank him for his contributions over the last 2 years – and also Teagan Burns who stepped up to the mark, taking on additional hours and responsibilities, contributing hugely to our presence on social media and, together with Marion Fulton, maintaining and improving the warehouse operation.
As well as our employees and volunteers, I would like to thank Mrs Josie Watson who continues to let us use 28 Church Street rent free; the owners and managers of Middleton Grange for providing us with our warehouse free of charge; and Clive Rathbone our pro bono auditor.
To all our supporters, employees, volunteers and funders, thank you very much for your generosity, your commitment and your love of the individuals and families in difficulties that we serve. I’m looking forward to continuing striving with you for the good of those who need our help in the year ahead. God bless you.
Yours sincerely,
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Rev’d Dr Andrew Craig Chair of Trustees
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Hartlepool Foodbank Coordinator's Annual Report
Summary
As a Foodbank we remain constant; to provide a welcome and safe space for those who need us. As always, our donations have peaked and troughed during this last year, but we have always had enough to give out.
We continue to work with our partner agencies. To end the need for foodbanks takes a ‘joined up’ approach, one we cannot do alone. We meet a very practical need and hope that we can provide respite from stress. One of our main aims is to assist with the wider needs, to do this we need our partner agencies, therefore our relationships are very important to us. We have seen a new staff member join the team, Tracey Cartwright, our Local Mobiliser. Tracey joined the team in April 2023, her role is new to Trussell Trust and to us as a foodbank but we are looking forward to seeing the fruits of this new role. Please see the report from Tracey. Paul Anderson moved onto pastures new and we wish Paul all the best. We have also had the joy of welcoming new volunteers both corporate and regular to the foodbank team.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are incredible. They remain loyal and faithful to our sessions. Without them we simply would not exist. This last year is yet another testimony to their commitment to the foodbank. We recently celebrated them with our Christmas Pie‘n’Peas at the Nursery Pub.
Thank you Debbie and staff and the band Acoustic Buffoonery for a lovely evening.
The volunteers have clocked up an incredible 9996 hours plus, which in terms of monetary value would be in the region of £114,954. Our Trustees are also volunteers and tirelessly serve the team behind the scenes. Both the hours and monetary value go beyond the above figures.
Our huge Thanks to both the Amazing Volunteers and Trustees of Hartlepool Foodbank.
Donations and Distributions
In 2023 Hartlepool Foodbank Volunteers processed 3109 vouchers which equates to 6116 people fed of which 4256 were adults and 1860 were children. This is an increase of 34% from the previous year which saw 2323 Voucher processed; 4582 people fed of which 1499 was children.
The Community and Businesses of Hartlepool continue to give despite the cost-of-living crisis. Some of the highlights include:
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Hart Biological
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Pheonix Group
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Annual Report 2023
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Cubic Transport
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Tanglewood Games
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Virgin
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Hartlepool United Foodball Club
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A sponsored Boxing Day dip
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Continued support from Embleton Dairy
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Continued support from Warburtons
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Provision on weekly sandwiches from Fast Snacks
We also have a number of individuals who give financially on a regular basis. All donors and amounts are listed in the finance section. Food donations come in on a weekly basis from all over Hartlepool, Children’s Nursery’s, Local Football Clubs, Schools, Churches. Our donations also come from far and wide. Another regular donor lives 300 miles away, our thanks to Ai Peng who sends regular donations from Asda. We have so many that give on a regular basis. We are indebted to ALL who give. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.
A big Thank You for your support and kindness.
This year I would like to honour Cath Francois who has single handedly donated a whopping 3506kg and Fast Snacks for their provision of sandwiches every week to give out to our clients.
Thank you, Fast Snacks, – You are greatly appreciated Thank you, Cath, for being so faithful with your weekly drop offs.
We continue to give out bulk donations. A small supply of single parcels and ‘grab bags’ go to the Food Network based on the Headland and the Preventative Mental Health Team based in Burbank Street. This means food is available for those who need it outside of our normal sessions. This year, once again, we applied for funding from the Household Support Fund. A sum of £20,000 was granted by our local council to provide single food parcels to C.A.B, Advice at Hart and West View Advice & Resource Centre. We provide 28 parcels a month to each agency over a 6-month period. This current period will end in March 2024. These parcels are ‘No Voucher Required’. As part of the Household Support Fund, the agencies have autonomy when distributing the parcels.
Hands Up for Hartlepool
We have now closed the space in Middleton Grange and handed the key back. The space was not proving productive. We originally set up the space to invite agencies to come along. This was to provide an extra service to those who use the foodbank and to help with wider issues. This did not take off as we had hoped with the closure due to the pandemic. The space was handed back to Middleton Grange.
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
The Story So Far
From previous reports you will know that Trussell Trust embarked on a 5-year strategy to end the need for foodbanks. We began with introducing a financial advisor to our sessions. This was through partnering with West View Advice and Resource Centre (WVARC). This is going very well. Below is from Katherine Parker from WVARC;
Since the formal partnership agreement between Hartlepool Foodbank and West View Advice & Resource Centre started in September 2022, it is estimated that 205 individuals (up to 31[st] December 2023) no longer needed to use the food bank for food, after accessing advice and support. 151 individuals have achieved or are expected to achieve financial gains in excess of £813,925.90. Initially, when the partnership started, we tried having different advisers on site, but we now have an established worker based in the foodbank sessions who then refers to our wider team as required. Having an established advisor keeps continuity for those who need to access the advice.
The next part of the strategy was to hire a Local Mobiliser. With the support of Trussell Trust, the post was filled in April 2023. The post was developed to look at local issues and support with campaigning for change. Each area within the Trussell Trust Network will have different issues. The mobiliser role will look at what is unique to Hartlepool and how we can ‘make the change’. Alongside both roles, we shall continue to work from our strategy plan. This is available on our website and in hard copy. Should this be of interest please email info@hartlepool.foodbank.org.uk
Supermarket Donations
Our thanks, once again, for the support of our local supermarkets; Tesco – 8497kg Asda - 3798kg Morrisons – 2825kg Sainsburys – 1370kg
We have permanent collection points in each of the supermarkets.
A huge thank you to the local community who donated to each of these points.
Looking to the future.
We shall continue in the ‘fight’ to end the need for foodbanks, continue to work with partner agencies to do the best we can to serve the people of Hartlepool. We shall remain constant with our opening days and times and hope for the day when we are no longer needed.
Lisa Lavender Project Coordinator, Hartlepool Foodbank
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Local Organiser’s Annual Report
I began this new role on 3[rd] April 2023 and can’t quite believe how quickly the last 9 months have gone! I feel I have learnt a lot and put my skills to good use during this time. As the cost of living continues to affect the people who can least afford it, it’s more important than ever that we work to make change happen. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the food bank sessions which enables me to have one-to-one conversations with people using the service and to gain invaluable insight from the volunteers who carry out an incredible job. The briefing sessions allow me to keep staff and volunteers up to date with the ‘Guarantee our Essentials’ campaign together with ideas and findings for my local campaign. The work of our food bank network is inspiring, but as detailed in our 5-year plan, the hope is that everyone will have enough for basic living costs and the right to choose.
Networking
I have worked in the benefit sector for over 35 years and have used my connections to establish relationships with people who have a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for change. I have helped to form new links between Hartlepool Jobcentre Plus and Hartlepool Foodbank, which is proving invaluable in working together to encourage partnership work and promote change. The contacts established during my first few months in post have led me to also play a significant role in Hartlepool’s Poverty Truth Commission and the Strategic Poverty Group.
Hartlepool Poverty Truth Commission
The Poverty Truth Commission involves engaging with people with lived experience of poverty and leaders in the community to discover and address the causes of poverty. The first meeting was in November 2023, and we meet monthly with regular contact between meetings. The project is at an early stage with relationships being built and a launch event planned for Spring 2024. It will run for 18 months in total. The Poverty Truth Commission seeks to discover the answer to the question “What if people who struggled against poverty were involved in making decisions about tackling poverty?” The Commission will comprise two groups of people. A group of around 15 people with lived experience of the struggle against poverty will meet with around 15 people who are leaders/decision makers within Hartlepool. Collectively we work to understand the nature of poverty, what are some of the underlying issues that create poverty and explore creative ways of addressing them. It is hoped that at least 3 issues will be identified after 6 months, and I will lead a sub team on one of these issues or potentially a different issue depending on what areas are identified.
Strategic Poverty Group
This is a group of like-minded professionals, who meet fortnightly to discuss how we can make positive changes for the residents of Hartlepool, struggling with poverty. The meetings are chaired by Penny Thompson from Hartlepool Borough Council and have been running for
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Annual Report 2023
several years. I have been an active member of this group since July 2023 and Penny has praised the people currently attending the meetings, saying we have given her the most hope that change will happen soon.
Guarantee our Essentials Campaign
I feel passionate about the ‘Guarantee Our Essentials’ campaign launched on 8[th] September 2023 and have played an active part in its promotion. On 9[th] September Margaret, Lisa, Teagan, the volunteers, and I took part in the Action Day at Tesco. This was a huge success, not only in promoting awareness of the campaign and obtaining signatures, but in asking for and receiving food donations. The campaign calls on UK political party leaders to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit to ensure that the basic rate at least covers life’s essentials such as food and bills. For 75 years the rate of benefits has been marginally increased in line with inflation, but an overhaul of the system is required. Research by charities reveals that the £85 weekly Universal Credit standard allowance is £35 less than the weekly cost of common essential items for a single person, contributing to hundreds of thousands of people being forced to use food banks because they can’t make ends meet. Right now, 90% of low-income households receiving Universal Credit say they have to go without essentials, according to research by the Jospeh Roundtree Foundation. The Essentials Guarantee would be enshrined in law and set regularly, based on an independent recommendation. It would be the first time since the welfare state was created that social security rates were based on what people need, and how much those things cost. The charities calculated that a list of essential items includes utility bills, travel expenses, food essentials, plus hygiene and cleaning products currently cost approximately £120 per week for a single person.
The campaign will end at the end of February 2024 and be handed to all UK political party leaders. To date 40,000 signatures have been obtained with a final push planned for February 2024, new materials are being sent to me this week. I will be sharing the information with staff, volunteers and foodbank users as soon as I receive them. Working closely with Lisa and Teagan, we have been making up information packs to place in food bags given to clients. The January packs contain the “Guarantee our Essentials” postcard, loan shark pen and sweet treats. We are planning on continuing this with different items each month. February packs will include the new campaign material, a heart healthy recipe and chocolate hearts for a Valentines theme.
Local and Senior Organiser meetings
I attend regular meetings online and in person with both Local and Senior Organisers. I find them supportive, informative and reassuring, as it can feel isolated being the only person in Hartlepool carrying out this relatively new role. I have made some good friends and contacts with other local organisers in the North East and across the country. We have our own communication network, which I contribute to regularly with updates on what I am working on and to discuss ideas. I have also volunteered to be part of a Trussell Trust campaigning training and resources feedback group, to help food banks across the network to campaign more effectively. I participate in a few email consultations a month, providing feedback on areas such as training, learning resources and how the Digital Hub can be improved. A
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flagship Organising Programme event in Manchester has been arranged for February 2024. It will include speakers, updates, training and to catchup and learn from other organisers. I have opted to attend the main event together with an optional networking morning, where I am looking forward to meeting up with new staff from cohort 5 and building on existing relationships with established organisers.
Local Campaign Idea
Following local meetings, communication sessions and discussions with Trustees and Foodbank users, my first local campaign will be around “Bed Poverty.” The cost-of-living crisis has deepened the impact of child poverty. Children need a good night’s sleep in order to thrive, yet research is showing that families in crisis are having to prioritise essentials such as food, heating and electricity over things like replacing mouldy bedding or fixing a broken bed. This also ties in with the national “Guarantee Our Essentials” campaign. I am in regular contact with Jess Sandy, the National Development Manager at Zarach, a charity that was established in 2018 to end child bed poverty in England. Zarach have already identified Hartlepool as an area they would like to support, and they hosted a launch event on Thursday 30[th] November 2023. They are hoping to get most primary schools in Hartlepool involved, as this will be how referrals are made. Following the launch, 43% of primary schools registered to become involved in the scheme. I will continue to meet with Jess and the Headteacher of High Tunstall School as the service begins its rollout in Hartlepool. Once Jess secures further anchor funding, paid jobs and volunteer positions will be advertised. Jess has numerous funding contacts in the pipeline, and I provide her with information on grants and foundations that do not conflict with Hartlepool Foodbanks financial needs. The charity will supply bed bundles to families, but they also want to campaign to get to the root of the problems families are facing. I will be working closely with the staff, volunteers and families involved to run this campaign.
I have created a Bed Poverty Questionnaire that is being used at Foodbank sessions with families who are happy to complete the short survey. This is helping to gain data on percentages percentages of children requiring food parcels that also do not have their own bed to sleep in or adequate warm bedding. My aim is that statistics, good news stories and case studies obtained from the survey and working with families helped by Zarach, will all add to the success of the campaign. My findings to date are that a third of children in Hartlepool do not have their own bed. These figures tie in with the “No child left behind” statistics that Hartlepool has 7384 children trapped in poverty equating to 35% of children in Hartlepool. Sadly, at the time of preparing this report, Hartlepool’s MP has not signed up to the pledge “to do everything in her power so that no child is left behind in Hartlepool.” I have emailed her regarding this and await her response.
Future Plans
I am looking forward to a very busy and exciting General Election year ahead. I will contact local Councillors with monthly Foodbank data, supplied by Lisa. I will share the number of people in each of their wards who need to use foodbanks. This will hopefully highlight the issues affecting their communities and raise awareness of the changes needed to work towards a future without the need for foodbanks.
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Tracey Cartwright Local Organiser, Hartlepool Foodbank
Financial Report 2023
The accounts are unaudited. The independent examiner's report on the 2022 accounts is given in Appendix IV (the 2023 accounts will be examined later in the year).
Many thanks are due to our independent examiner, Clive Rathbone, for contributing to the work of the foodbank by carrying out the independent examination of the accounts without payment.
Income 2023
| Description | Note | Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ |
2024 budget £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private donations | 1 | 24,475.58 | 0.00 | 24,475.58 | 30,000 |
| Church donations | 1,388.41 | 0.00 | 1,388.41 | 2,000 | |
| Corporate donations | 1 | 39,043.07 | 0.00 | 39,043.07 | 40,000 |
| Grant funding | 38,470.30 | 86,502.00 | 124,972.30 | 120,000 | |
| Gift aid tax recovered | 3,058.67 | 0.00 | 3,058.67 | 3,000 | |
| Bank Interest | 443.15 | 0.00 | 443.15 | 2,200 | |
| Total receipts | 106,879.18 | 86,502.00 | 193,381.18 | 197,200 |
Expenditure 2024
| Description | Note | Unrestricted funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ |
2024 budget £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premises | |||||
| Premises maintenance, repairs & alterations |
3,976.39 | 0.00 | 3,976.39 | 4,000.00 | |
| Premises insurances & rates | 1,822.52 | 0.00 | 1,822.52 | 2,000.00 | |
| Utilities | 1,406.68 | 0.00 | 1,406.68 | 2,500.00 | |
| Equipment | 4,117.91 | 0.00 | 4,117.91 | 2,000.00 | |
| Middleton Grange Project | 1,106.14 | 0.00 | 1,106.14 | 0.00 | |
| Running Expenses | |||||
| Subscriptions | 474.00 | 34,585.50 | 35,059.50 | 38,500 | |
| Telephone & Broadband | 831.33 | 0.00 | 831.50 | 900 | |
| Office Supplies | 375.78 | 0.00 | 375.78 | 500 | |
| Food Purchases | 42,881.71 | 8,400.00 | 51,281.71 | 40,000 | |
| Support Boxes | 1,355.43 | 1,929.77 | 3,285.20 | 6,600 | |
| Transport | 4,040.64 | 0.00 | 4,040.64 | 4,500 | |
| Depreciation | 6,299.60 | 0.00 | 6,299.60 | 3,150 | |
| Volunteers | |||||
| Volunteers Training | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 200 | |
| Expenses | 2 | 675.05 | 0.00 | 675.05 | 500 |
| Hospitality | 3 | 866.38 | 0.00 | 866.38 | 1,000 |
| Employee Costs | 56,755.51 | 0.00 | 56,755.51 | 57,500 | |
| OLM Project inc. IT & phone | 0.00 | 24,417.53 | 24,417.53 | 33,300 |
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
Annual Report 2023
Total payments 126,985.07 69,332.80 196,317.87 196,850
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Annual Report 2023
Balance Sheet as at 31/12/2023
| Description | Notes | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Fixed assets | 3,149.80 | 9,449.40 | |
| Foodbank a/c | 54,733.94 | 96,168.98 | |
| Virgin Money Deposit | 55,122.71 | ||
| Virgin Money Current | 10.00 | ||
| Cambridge Fixed Rate Bond | 50,000.00 | ||
| Deposit a/c | 50,025.00 | ||
| Debtors | 267.01 | ||
| Total Assets | 163,016.45 | 155,910.39 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Creditors (falling due within 1 year) | 4 | 12,843.03 | 2,800.28 |
| Total Liabilities | 12,843.03 | 2,800.28 | |
| Net current assets (Totalassetsless current liabilities) |
150,173.42 | 153,110.11 | |
| Creditors (falling due after 1 year) | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total Net Assets | 150,173.42 | 153,110.11 | |
| Funds | |||
| Unrestricted | 105,439.45 | 125,545.34 | |
| Restricted | 5 | 44,733.97 | 27,564.77 |
| 150,173.42 | 153,110.11 |
The notes to the account can be found in Appendix I
The main contributions are from employers, corporate donors and charitable trusts and these are listed in Appendix II. The Foodbank's trustees, partners, employees, and volunteers are very grateful to all the individuals and organizations that have provided financial support.
We try to acknowledge all gifts over £100 (for corporations) and £50 (for individuals and churches) by letter, providing we have the necessary contact details. For individuals who are income taxpayers, we would also be able to claim your income tax back on donations you made if you endorsed a declaration form* including your address and postcode.
The treasurer would be very pleased to hear from any individual or organization where a donation has not been acknowledged, or you have not signed a Gift Aid declaration. To donate please see the website.
*Download a form from the website, or contact the treasurer on angela.carrick@vishay.com.
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Annual Report 2023
Grant funding enables us to continue to run our services and pay the staff. In 2023 we were fortunate to be the recipients of the second tranche of the major grant from the Trusell Trust towards the provision of a financial advice service for foodbank users in partnership with West View Advice and Resource Centre. We have also received from the Trussell Trust funding to employ a local mobilising officer to campaign for awareness of the effects of poverty.
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Annual Report 2023
Appendix I: Notes to the Accounts
Appendix I
Notes to the Accounts
| 1 | Donor over £500.00 | Amount £ | Restricted to: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco (via Trussell Trust) | 2,978.36 | ||
| Hart Biologicals | 600.00 | ||
| Skipton Building Society | 500.00 | ||
| Hartlepool United FC | 1,000.00 | ||
| Teesside Charity | 1,000.00 | ||
| Phoenix Group | 562.30 | ||
| Asda (via Trussell Trust) | 2,896.44 | ||
| Cubic | 500.00 | ||
| Cubic Staff | 500.00 | ||
| Cowie Technology | 3,000.00 | ||
| Jamie Sterry | 1,597.50 | ||
| N M Bew | 1,200.00 | ||
| L Pattison | 1,440.00 | ||
| CEO Sleepout | 750.00 | ||
| Sainsbury's Neighbourly | 500.00 | ||
| Karbon Homes Winter Well Being | 500.00 | ||
| Charities Trust | 500.00 | ||
| Tanglewood Games | 10,000.00 | ||
| Total | 27,374.60 | ||
| **1 ** | Grants | Amount £ | Restricted to: |
| Greatham Hospital Trust | 3,000.00 | ||
| Newcastle BuildingSociety | 3,000.00 | ||
| Sir James Knott Trust | 10,000.00 | ||
| Hartlepool Borough Council Annual Support | 10,000.00 | ||
| Hartlepool Borough Council £7000.00 unrestricted | 22,000.00 | Household Support Boxes |
|
| Virgin | 5,000.00 | ||
| Trussell Trust (£5370.30 unrestricted) |
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Annual Report 2023
| 41,172.30 | Financial Inclusion | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trussell Trust (£5100.00 unrestricted) | 40,800.00 | OLM Project | |
| Total | 132,272.30 | ||
| 2 | Includes cost of volunteer refreshments | ||
| 3 | Includes Christmas party | ||
| 4 | Utility and maintenance/Telephone accruals/honorarium/WVARC paid in 2024 and PAYE | ||
| 5 | Description £ Carried over from previous year (2022) £ Restricted grants received £ Spent during 2023 £ Restricted reserve at year end Trussell Trust Financial Inclusion 25,635.00 35,802.00 34,585.50 26,851.50 HBC Support Boxes 1,929.77 15,000.00 10,329.77 6,600.00 Trussell Trust OLM Project 35,700.00 24,417.53 11,282.47 Total restricted funds 27,564.77 86,502.00 69,332.80 44,733.97 |
||
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Annual Report 2023
Appendix II: Registration Details
Hartlepool Foodbank CIO
Hartlepool Foodbank is registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO)(Charity Number 1152046).
Address : 28 Church Street, Hartlepool TS24 7DH; telephone 01429 598404; Website: www.hartlepool.foodbank.org.uk
Its Objects are:
The relief and prevention of poverty for persons in Hartlepool who are in a condition of need, hardship or distress ('Beneficiaries') in such ways as the Trustees think fit, in particular but not exclusively by:
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A) Supplying food packages to beneficiaries
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B) Such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support and advice.
The Trustees are:
Rev’d Dr Andrew Craig - Chair of Trustees Mrs Angela Carrick – Treasurer Mrs Finola Andelic-Pearson – Secretary Mrs Susan Atkinson Mrs Abigail Knowles Mrs Hilary Sowden Mr Alan MacDonald
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Appendix III: Member Churches
Church of the Nazarene
Grace Church
Grange Road Methodist Church
Headland Baptist Church
New Life Fellowship
Owton Manor Baptist Church
Oxford Road Baptist Church
St. Aidan’s Church
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St. George’s URC
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St. Hilda’s Church
St. John the Baptist Church, Greatham
St. John Vianney R.C. Church
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St. Joseph’s R.C. Church
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St. Luke’s Church
St. Mary Magdalene Church, Hart
St. Mary’s R.C. Church
-
St. Oswald’s Church
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St. Patrick’s R.C. Church
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St. Paul’s Church
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St. Peter’s Church, Elwick
Stranton Church
In order to become a member of foodbank, a Church should:
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Worship regularly within the Borough boundary of Hartlepool
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Subscribe to a Trinitarian belief about God as articulated in the ancient (Athanasian and Apostle’s) creeds of the Church
Provide the trustees with names and contact details of at least one, and preferably two, members of the church as well as of the minister responsible for the church, these members having been given authority to represent their church at a General Meeting of the Foodbank
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Appendix IV: Examiners Report
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Registered Charity No: 1152046
EXAMINER'S REPORT Ind8pendenl exarninerfs report to the trust88s of the HarW FC Bank CIO I report on the aCcnts of the Cornmty Int8r8st (ganISat)n for th8 year etKknI 31 Oecefflber 2023. Respective responSits'lrt ol truste8s and exam The charivs trusleos aro responsible for the kYepaTrtion of the actounts. The char?tys trustees consider that an audil is not required for this year under section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an indopend8nt 8xarnination is needed. It is rny responsibillty to: examine th8 accounts under sectlon 145 of the 2011 to follow the proc8dures laid dc•m in tho general DlrectirTh gprfen by th8 Charity Commlsslon und8r sgction 145(5Mbl of the 2011 A£1; and lo state wheth8r particular mattars have to my attenti. Basis of IrKJ8pend8nt examlnefs rerA)rt My examlnatlon was carried out In accorda vlth lh8 geral Dlrths gen by the Charlty Commisslon. An examination Indud85 a of the aCc(nI1j reCrdS kept by th8 charfty and comparison ol the ac(nts present8d wilh those records. It also ind8$ o)nsid8ration of any unusual liems or disdosures in the accounts and seekiNJ 8xplanations from YDU as trustees conc8ming any such Matters. The prcc8durès urKlertaken do not provida all Ihe 8vk58nc8 that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion Is glven as to vthether th8 accounts present a 'true and fair vi8vP and the report 1$ limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examln81ion, no rnatter has com8 to my attentlon: {1) which glves Me reaS[Thb causo to bel•8ve that In any materlal respect th8 roquiremonts: to keep aco)untlng rerdS in a(%)thr)ce with section 130 of th8 2011 Art. and lo prepare a(wunts whlch ac(x)rd *rylh the accountirvJ re(x)rds and comply with tho accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been rnet; or (2) to which, in my opinlon. attention slKwld be drawm in onler to enat48 a proper undwstandlng ofthe Cliv8 Rathbone 21 Wolviston Road. Hartlepool. TS25 W Dated.. 3110312024