Annual Report and Accounts
Period ended 31[st] March 2024
Company Number: 08688131 Registered Charity Number: 1154277
Authors: S Hargreaves, E Shingler Date: December 2024
Page 1 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Chair of Trustees Report
Executive Summary
Despite a rise in need between 1[st] April 2023 and 31[st] March 2024, we were able to meet the challenge of providing food for all those who have come to us in need. This was due to a concerted effort by over 30 volunteers, who volunteered regularly; the generosity of countless individual donors and grant-giving organisations; a large network of referrers; support from other organisations like the Trussell Trust and Healthy Hyde; and help from Tesco and ASDA supermarkets. We also received support from local firms who facilitated their staff to help with one off projects, one example of which was our move from our previous warehouse into temporary accommodation.
In this period the effects of the 2022 budget, the rise in fuel cost and in interest rates caused referrals to rise almost to the level of 2020/21when the COVID crisis created financial problems for so many. The winter period was particularly difficult and fuel payments were made to many clients through our partnership with the Fuel Bank. The provision of food and energy together provided significant relief to many individuals and families in crisis.
In the past there has been an underlying assumption at foodbanks that people who receive full benefits should be able to manage if they have not had a crisis like a lost purse, washing machine breakdown or debt. In 2022-23 we reported that this was no longer true and that people came because they were unable to make ends meet on benefits or low wages. This has undoubtedly remained the case.
Therefore we continue to support the Trussell Trust vision for a UK without the need for foodbanks because people have enough money to live.
In the year 2023-24 we provided:
-
2,611 meals on average each month, calculated on the basis that a parcel provides a person with 3 meals a day for three days.
-
Supermarket vouchers worth £15,150 to families struggling without free school meals
-
We received:
-
30 tonnes of food donated by individuals, supermarkets and local churches
-
Help from over 30 volunteers
-
Help from companies including United Utilities, Tesco and ASDA
Page 2 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Overview
As the chart below shows, 2021 was an exceptional year, as a result of the economic impact of COVID. Demand fell in 2022 but started to rise in 2023, with the worrying trend of a year-onyear rise showing by 2024. If the trend continues, the Covid influenced number of 2021 will soon be reached and possibly exceeded in the next couple of years.
It is also of note that the percentage of parcels which are provided to children (u/16) has fallen consistently year-on-year. From 45% in 2020 to 32% in 2024. The number of children referred as part of a family has, however, remained fairly consistent – the rise is in adults without dependents.
----- Start of picture text -----
Number of Parcels by Year
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
----- End of picture text -----
32% of the people fed were children.
Distribution Centres - Our distribution centres at St Mary’s in Hollingworth, St Barnabas in Hattersley and Hyde Central Methodist Church remained open throughout the period. The support of these churches is essential to foodbank. They enable us to provide local community support to clients for whom a £2 bus fare is too expensive. A decline in the use of the
Hollingworth food bank was, however, noted and the Trustees supported efforts to widen the reach by creating a hub of services in the delivery centre, including input from Welfare Rights, and Healthy Hyde.
Volunteers – We continued to have a committed team of around 30 volunteers who worked faithfully in the warehouse and at distribution centres. We had two paid workers – Dez Clare who worked 21 hours a week supported by a grant from the Trussell Trust and Moira Wallis who worked for 7 hours a week providing administrative support.
Page 3 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Relationships – Our relationships with organisations gave us enormous support throughout the year.
Tameside Welfare Rights helped many of our clients with benefits advice – enabling them to no longer need to use the foodbank. Feedback from clients has been very positive.
Healthy Hyde nurses worked alongside us in each Centre, providing health care in the community to a significant number of people who used foodbank and had on-going physical and mental health conditions and who were not seeking treatment through GP services. The nurses were able to fast-track them to GP appointments and in cases of severe anxiety were available to accompanied them. In the case of some serious physical illness, immediate GP consultations were made available. At some sessions in Hyde, a local GP would also visit and see patients there and then, often with exceptional results.
Tesco, ASDA and their customers provided us with 41% of our food during the year. Both supermarkets also gave us cashback on donations bought in store. We are not viable without this support.
Trustees
Stuart Hargreaves stood down as a Trustee, however, he continued to manage our accounts and provide helpful insights into our financial affairs. Stuart also continued to regularly collect the donations from the supermarket baskets.
Jacqueline Brennan resigned as a Trustee but continued her valuable work as a volunteer in the warehouse. Gary Ferguson joined the Trustees in December 2023 and has been a valuable addition.
The other Trustees continued to provide active leadership to the foodbank through a period of transition.
Food Donations
30,371 Kg of food and toiletries were donated in 2023-24 and 10,407 Kg of food were bought to top up areas where we were short. Donated cash and grants were used to purchase food. Food from supermarket collections amounted to 10,723 Kg, representing 61% of the total amount of donated food. This demonstrates the importance of our relationship with Asda and Tesco supermarkets and the generosity of their customers
Warehouse Storage
We were grateful to the Tameside East Food Bank for providing space in their warehouse to facilitate the provision of food to our distribution centres, whilst we continued to search for suitable premises.
Page 4 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Volunteers
The volunteers continue be the engine of the foodbank. Around 30 people volunteer regularly in the distribution centres and the warehouse. They work hard lifting, shifting and listening to difficult stories. Thank-you to all of you.
Reasons for Referral
The main reason for referral was low income – either for those working or those receiving benefits.
----- Start of picture text -----
Number of parcels by reason for referal 2023-24
194
341
Earning related
Health
409
Benefits related
486
Rising costs
174
Personal
circumstances
468
Debt & expenses
Number of parcels by reason for referal 2023-24
Health
Rising costs
Debt & expenses
Personal circumstances
Benefits related
Earning related
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
----- End of picture text -----
Page 5 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Referrers
There were over 100 organisations that can refer clients to the foodbank including housing associations, schools, NHS and churches. 75 % of referrals, however, come from NHS Services – Healthy Hyde, GP practices, Mental Health Service, with the rest of the referrals being received from schools and Adult and Children’s Social Care.
The referrers keep the foodbank sustainable. They are within the community and so can encourage people in crisis to come to us. They know the clients, can verify their situation and allow us to confirm to donors that their generosity is targeted to those most in need.
Other Services
We continued to try to signpost clients as our volunteer resources allow. A food parcel helps a family for 3 days, but it is help with benefits and debt that enables clients to live without the need to use the foodbank.
Foodbank funds and a grant from Tameside MBC enabled us to work with local primary schools to provide supermarket vouchers to the families during school holidays. Tameside MBC provided vouchers for children on free school meals but local schools told us that other families were also struggling. We provided 120 vouchers for Tesco or Morrisons to these families during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays at a cost of £15,150
The Foodbank is a member of Advice UK through the Trussell Trust Group Membership scheme.
We provided fuel vouchers through out partnership with the Fuel Bank, a service essential during the 2023/24 winter period,
Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank Office
The Foodbank Office remained located at:
Hattersley Baptist Church, Melandra Crescent, Hattersley SK14 3RB.
Elizabeth Shingler
For Trustees of Tameside South & Longdendale Foodbank Limited
Tameside South & Longdendale Foodbank Limited (TSLF) is a company registered by guarantee (No. 08688131) and a registered charity (No. 1154277).
TSLF is a member of the Trussell Trust’s network of foodbanks but is independently registered and managed.
Page 6 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
At 31[st] March 2024 the Trustees were:
Ms Susan Ayers: Chair
Dr Hugh Roderick: Supervisor, Hyde Distribution Centre Ms Elizabeth Shingler: Safeguarding Mr Ewan Quayle: Social Media
Mr Gary Ferguson: Supervisor, Longdendale Distribution Centre Jacqueline Brennan and Stuart Hargreaves resigned as Trustees during the year. Membership is open to all the regular foodbank volunteers.
Page 7 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Public Benefit Report
Purpose
TSLF’s Charity Objectives are: ‘to relieve persons in England and Wales and primarily in Tameside and Longdendale and their surrounding areas who are in conditions of need or distress in such ways as the Trustees from time to time think fit’.
Key Activities in the 12 months to 31[st] March 2024
In the year 2023 - 24 Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank has:
-
Met 1,310 requests for food parcels from its network of over 100 referring agencies
-
Provided 26,811 meals to people in need
-
Received 30 tonnes of food from donors
-
Provided food through 3 distribution centres – St Barnabas Meeting Point Hattersley, Hyde Central Methodist Church and St Mary’s Hollingworth
Public Benefit
The Trustees have taken account of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning future the foodbank activities. The Trustees consider that activities undertaken match with our aims and objectives. Foodbank feeds clients referred by professionals within the community who are in a position to assess the clients’ position. Low income, benefit delays, benefit changes, sickness and debt account for 84% of food parcels provided and so we are confident that we are providing relief to persons in need or distress.
Financial Review
The main sources of revenue cash funds were grants (£62,841), and donations from various sources, including individuals, churches and other local organisations (£98,580).
The value of food distributed to clients was £79,863. The value of food distributed is shown as income (food donated) and expenditure (food distributed to clients through our distribution centres) in accordance with the Statement Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities.
Administration Costs including rent, insurance and warehouse costs were £16,610.
Governance and Operation Employees Costs were £19,521.
We purchased £21,273 worth of food for the warehouse – many donors were unable to give food directly and gave money instead. We bought items needed to provide a balanced food parcel.
We have continued our school meals programme. 10 local primary schools nominated struggling families for help with school holiday meals. We provided vouchers for Tesco or Morrisons worth a total of £15,150 to these families.
The foodbank has assets of £583 relating to furniture and equipment at 31st March 2024, after charging depreciation of £194 for the year.
Page 8 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
The foodbank has two paid employees. An administrator works 7 hours per week and an operations manager who works 21 hours per week. The vast majority of our activities are undertaken by dedicated teams of volunteers.
Page 9 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Tameside South Longendale Foodbank Ltd
A company limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities
| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
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Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ 2022 to 2023 Total £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming Resources Incoming Resources from generated funds |
||||||
| Voluntary Income: Revenue Specific Grants for Capital Items 2 98,580 0 62,841 0 161,421 0 123,956 0 |
||||||
| Total Incoming Resources 98,580 62,841 161,421 123,956 |
||||||
| Resources Expended | ||||||
| Cost of Generating voluntary income Resources Expended on Charitable Activities 3 111,064 53,130 164,194 118,882 |
||||||
| Total Resources Expended 111,064 53,130 164,194 118,882 |
||||||
| Net Movement of Funds for Year (12,484) 9,711 -2,773 5,074 |
||||||
| Total Funds at 31stMarch 2023 Movement Between Funds 44,560 19,634-4648 64,194 59,120 |
||||||
| Total Funds at 31stMarch 2024 | 32,076 | 29,345 | 61,421 | 0 | 64,194 |
Page 10 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank Ltd
Balance Sheet
31[st] March 2024
| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Total £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Assets | ||||||
| Tangible Assets 4 583 583 777 |
||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Debtors 5 0 2,994 2,994 3,982 |
||||||
| Cash at Bank and in Hand 32,830 26,351 59,181 0 60,035 |
||||||
| Total Current Assets 32,830 29,345 62,175 64,017 |
||||||
| Creditors 1,337 1,337 600 |
||||||
| Amounts due within one year | ||||||
| Total current Assets Less Current Liabilities 31,493 29,345 60,838 0 63,417 |
||||||
| Total Funds | 32,076 | 29,345 | 61,421 | 64,194 |
Page 11 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
The charitable company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the period ended 31[st] March 2024.
Members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the period ended 31[st] March 2024.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and were signed on their behalf by The Trustees
Page 12 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102) effective from 1[st] January 2015 and as amended from 1[st] January 2016 with compliance with the Charities Act 2011 and The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. A summary of the more important accounting policies of the Trust and the group, which have been applied consistently, are set out below:-
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are recognised once entitlement to the resources has been established, it is certain that the resources will be received, and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability. Donations of food are recognised in the accounts only when they are distributed to clients. They are valued by weight at a calculated average retail cost per kg.
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Trust to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Any irrecoverable VAT is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities, or capitalised as part of the cost of the related asset, where appropriate.
Funds
Unrestricted charitable funds comprise those funds, which the Trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Restricted Income funds consist of grants made for specific costs due to be incurred within a defined period. The charity has not received and does not hold any Endowment Funds.
Tangible Fixed Assets
Expenditure is capitalised where the Trustees expect to derive future economic benefits over a period exceeding one year. Tangible Fixed assets are stated at cost, are all items of furniture and equipment, and are depreciated at a rate of 25% per annum.
Stocks
Page 13 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
In accordance with the SORP, donated items for distribution are recognisedin the accounts only when distributed to clients. Thus when the value of stock distributed is calculated as expenditure, an equal amount is stated as income from donations.
The foodbank stores stocks of food in its warehouse. This warehouse stock at 31[st] March 2024 is not required to be recorded in the balance sheet. Stock received, stock distributed and warehouse stock is recorded using a stock control system.
Acts 435
The Acts 435 scheme provides grants of up to £120 for clients. The money is held in a separate bank account. The funds received and distributed to clients are not part of the Foodbank income or costs.
Reserves
Need for reserves
The Foodbank needs reserves for a number of reasons:
-
Potential changes to existing income streams
-
Sustainability of services – we need to keep adequate food stocks and cash reserves to sustain supply in the event of unforeseen events. This is currently set at £15,000.
-
New services – the foodbank is seeking to develop new services and there will be additional costs involved in providing these services.
Current Position – Based on the Accounts to 31[st] March 2024 the unrestricted current assets are £32,076. Overall food stocks are reasonable, but the stocks are mainly pasta, tinned beans and tinned vegetables. Obtaining the right mix of items continues to involve encouraging appropriate donations and selective stock purchases.
As a result of the generous funding received reserves are still high. However, the need for our services is still rising and so the Trustees will continue distribute the funds through school holiday meal vouchers and fuel vouchers in addition to food.
Related Party Disclosures
There are no transactions with related parties that require disclosure.
Page 14 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Employees
There were two employees employed by the Foodbank in the year to 31 March 2024. None of the Employees earned over £60,000. Total Employee costs for the year amounted to £19,521.
Expenses
No Trustees incurred any expenses in the year to 31 March 2024.
Independent Examination
A fee of £600 has been included in the accounts to 31 March 2024 for the Independent Examination of the accounts.
The Company is Limited by Guarantee.
Page 15 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank Ltd
Accounts to 31.03.2024
| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Total £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Voluntary Income | ||||||
| Grants | ||||||
| Tameside MBC 3,960 3,960 2,320 |
||||||
| Be Fibre 0 0 300 |
||||||
| May We Help 0 0 4,000 |
||||||
| Forever Manchester 0 0 3,500 |
||||||
| Action Together 0 0 375 |
||||||
| Trussell Trust 35,484 35,484 19,614 |
||||||
| Onward Housing 0 0 4,000 |
||||||
| JH Rausing Trust 0 0 8,000 |
||||||
| United Utilities 4,497 4,497 0 |
||||||
| National Lottery 17,500 17,500 0 |
||||||
| Community Foundation 1,400 1,400 0 |
||||||
| Total 62,841 62,841 42,109 |
||||||
| Donations | ||||||
| Organisations 7,293 7,293 7,040 |
||||||
| Individuals 11,424 11,424 15,396 |
||||||
| Donated Stock Items Delivered to Clients 79,863 79,863 59,411 |
||||||
| Total 98,580 98,580 81,847 |
||||||
| Total Voluntary Income | 98,580 | 62,841 | 161,421 | 123,956 |
Page 16 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Total £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Resources Expended | ||||||
| Donated Stock Items Distributed to Clients 79,863 79,863 58,610 |
||||||
| Purchase of Stock 2,245 19,028 21,273 12,451 |
||||||
| School Holiday Supermarket Vouchers 10,150 5,000 15,150 12,870 |
||||||
| Meter Cards and Outreach work 345 345 2,669 |
||||||
| Warehouse and Distribution Centre Rent 6,680 2,520 9,200 14,880 |
||||||
| Employee Costs inc governance 4,176 15,345 19,521 9,466 |
||||||
| Insurance 673 673 475 |
||||||
| Depreciation of Tangible Assets 194 194 259 |
||||||
| Administration Costs 6,737 6,737 6,401 |
||||||
| Stock Written Off 0 0 801 |
||||||
| Financial Inclusion 0 11,237 11,237 |
||||||
| Total 111,064 53,130 164,194 118,882 |
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| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Total £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Tangible Assets | ||||||
| Brought Forward 777 777 387 |
||||||
| Assets Purchased during the Year 0 0 649 |
||||||
| Depreciation for the Period -194 -194 -259 |
||||||
| Net Book Value at 31stMarch 2024 583 583 777 |
||||||
| 12 months to 31.03.24 31.03.23 |
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| Note Unrestricted £ Restricted £ Total £ Total £ |
||||||
| 5 Debtors | ||||||
| Gift Aid 0 0 988 |
||||||
| Fuelbank Club 0 2,994 2,994 2,994 |
||||||
| Total 0 2,994 2,994 3,982 |
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Page 17 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales
Page 18 of 18 Company No: 08688131 Charity No: 1154277 Registered in England and Wales