Basford, Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank Registered Charity Number 1153963
Trustees Report
April 2020 to March 2021
Basford, Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank (working name Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank) is an unincorporated association governed by a constitution adopted on 19[th] March 2013.
Our charitable purpose is the prevention or relief of poverty which we do through the distribution of food and essential items to people in crisis within the City and County of Nottingham.
We are part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks and our principle place of operations is St. Philip’s Church, Knights Close, Top Valley, Nottingham. NG5 9AJ.
In accordance with the constitution, Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the Annual General Meeting which is held in November.
The Trustees for the period covered by this report were Ms. Adele Brooksbank, Mr. John Gregory (Greg) Cowley BEM (Chair), Rev. Christine Little & Mr. Peter Newbold.
All trustees gave their time voluntarily and received no remuneration or other benefits.
The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by The Charities Commission on public benefit and are satisfied that the charities operation continues to satisfy those criteria.
Report on Activities
This year’s report is set against the challenging operating difficulties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Panic buying at the beginning of lockdown led to some shortages in supermarkets which in turn led to an increase in the number of referrals.
As staff from our referring partners moved to working from home, the predominantly paper based referral system did stall a little at the outset of lockdown and it became necessary to move to a telephone and email referral system.
Our foodbank stayed open for collections for as long as we could and resisted moving to a delivery model for a lot longer than many other foodbanks but we did eventually have to move to delivery and were fortunate to be helped by a number of new volunteers whilst they were on furlough.
Demand dropped in June, possibly as other food projects came online and at the same time we were swamped with donations which meant it became necessary to take over the whole Church to house all the food and also to
maintain social distancing for the volunteers. We are very grateful to the congregation of St. Phillips for their understanding and support with this step.
During this year we saw an increase in the level of financial contributions to the foodbank. We were able to secure a number of grants from the Trussel Trust but we also saw a significant increase in donations from private individuals donating through the Virgin Giving service.
To keep volunteers safe, volunteer teams were put into bubbles and our risk assessment was being reviewed weekly.
Throughout the whole period, we only had to close for one session which is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our volunteers.
As the pandemic continued longer than initially anticipated, demand began to increase to the extent that by the end of November 2020 it became necessary for us to open an extra session each week. We operate this session out of St. Mary’s Church in Bulwell.
This year we have provided food parcels of ten meals each to 3984 people.
In previous years we have attempted to help clients address the underlying issues which cause them to seek help from our charity. To that end we have hosted advisors from Nottingham City Homes and Bestwood Advice Centre who have been able to discuss housing and benefit needs with our clients. This year, due to the pandemic restrictions, advice agency staff continuing to work from home, increased donations limiting the available space, and the need to maintain social distancing for the safety of our clients, staff and volunteers, we were unable to host these sessions but will resume these sessions once it is possible and safe to do so.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
John Gregory Cowley Chair of Trustees 5[th] December 2021
Bestwood & Bulwell Food Bank
Accounts to 31 March 2021
| GENERAL FUND INCOME Donations Donations via Virgin Giving TESCO donation based on food collection Gift Aid GENERAL FUND TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Payments to Trussell Trust Health & Safety Employee costs Salary & Pension Agency fees Insurance Heat & Light Telephone Post & Stationary Warehouse costs Legal Costs Equipment purchased GENERAL FUND TOTAL EXPENDITURE Excess of income over expenditure RESTRICTED FUNDS Computer Equipment Income Expenditure Excess of expenditure over income |
Year to 31 Mar 2021 32070 17878 49948 676 216 50840 0 381 14520 96 14616 343 1000 344 11 35 7145 23875 26965 |
Year to 31 Mar 2021 32070 17878 49948 676 216 50840 0 381 14520 96 14616 343 1000 344 11 35 7145 23875 26965 |
|---|---|---|
| 14520 96 |
||
| 50840 0 381 14616 343 1000 344 11 35 7145 |
||
| 23875 | ||
| 26965 | ||
| 0 642 |
||
| -642 | ||
REPRESENTED BY
As at 31 Mar 2021 As at 31 Mar 2020
| Cash at bank General Fund as 1 April 2020 Add surplus on General fund GENERAL FUND AT 31 Mar 2020 Restricted Funds as 1 April 2020 Less deficiency on Restricted funds RESTRICTED FUND AT 31 Mar 2020 TOTAL ALL FUNDS |
20470 26965 |
50068 | 23257 -2787 |
23745 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50068 | 23745 | ||||
47435 2633 |
20470 3275 |
||||
| 3275 -642 |
3275 0 |
||||
| 50068 | 23745 | ||||
Notes to Accounts
Not all of our activities are cash based, we had the following transaction in the period.
| Kilograms | £ Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Food held in store at 1 April 2020 | 11718 | 19686 |
| Food donated to Foodbank during the year | 44852 | 75351 |
| Food given out by Foodbank during the | ||
| year | 38047 | 63919 |
| Food held in store at 31 March 2021 | 18523 | 31119 |
Food is valued at an average price of £1.68 per Kg as recommended by Trussel Trust.
Warehouse space has been provided to the Foodbank for no charge by Tomlinson Construction and Nottingham City Homes. It is estimated that the open commercial rent for the space provided would be £2080 and £3340 respectively.
Policy on Reserves
It is the policy of Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank to hold in General Reserve a sum of not less than than 50% of the general expenditure of the current financial year. We believe this represents a prudent approach to the management of general expenditure and provides a sufficiently robust safeguard to cover likely liabilities should there be any indicators of a significant decline in income.
As at 31 March 2021 Bestwood & Bulwell Foodbank held in General Reserve £47435 a figure in excess of the minimum requirement of this policy of £11938
Independent Examiners report to the Trustees of the Bestwood and Bulwell Food Bank
I report on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2021
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and the Examiner
As members of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the Financial Statements. You have requested that an independent examination is carried out. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those Financial Statements.
Basis of this report
I have examined the accounts kept by the Trustees and agreed those to the Financial Statements and the bank account statements. I have traced all items of expenditure back to supporting documentation. I have agreed the calculation of the value of food donations and other gifts. I have reconciled the bank account at the end of the accounting period. I have received your assurances that the grants received during the period are not restricted.
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
To keep accounting records
-
To prepare Financial Statements
have not been met; or
- 2) which in my opinion. Attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
M P Powditch ACA 11 Gerrard Close Arnold Nottingham NG5 9
26[th] September 2021