Annual Report 2020 – 2021
“Helping you feed our hungry neighbours”
OUR OBJECTIVES VALUES AND AIMS OF THE CHARITY.
Our Objectives are:
To relieve persons in central Bedfordshire and the surrounding area that are in poverty or financial hardship in such ways as the Trustees from time to time think fit, in particular, but not exclusively by:
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Providing food packages to support individuals and families who are experiencing food deprivation.
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Providing other items to meet immediate and essential needs, as resources allow.
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Developing other forms of support to meet immediate need and alleviate financial hardship.
To achieve these objects The Need Project has the following:
Our Values are:
We are a Christian organisation motivated by Jesus’ teaching on poverty and injustice. We operate according to Christian principles of compassion, honesty, integrity, openness, kindness and care of all people, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs (or none). We are passionate about inclusion and being non-judgemental is central to what we do. We believe that everyone has the right to have food on their plate, dignity, skills, a chance to work and hope for the future.
Our Aims are:
The Trustees employ a number of strategies to assist The Need Project to alleviate poverty or financial hardship and meet its Objectives by:
- Providing free food parcels, and when resources allow furniture and clothing, for adults and families experiencing financial crisis.
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By providing food and other essentials to families and individuals referred to the charity by recognised social work agencies, local authorities, community bodies, churches, charities or other organisations whose purpose includes the prevention or relief of poverty (‘referral agencies’).
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Developing effective relationships with local councils (County, unitary, parish and town), referral agencies, faith groups and community groups.
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Ensuring wide community participation in the charity’s projects through giving and raising awareness.
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Developing a culture of lifelong learning throughout the organisation to allow the trustees, core staff and volunteers to do their allotted jobs effectively.
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Building strong links with the local media, and regularly updating the charity’s website to stimulate public awareness of the charity’s work and the issues facing people in poverty and distress.
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Setting up social enterprises which add value to the charity’s existing projects by generating surpluses.
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Identifying, evaluating and incorporating best practice in project templates to ensure that projects become self-sustaining and are easy to replicate.
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Working closely with churches to help the Christian faith community to take a more active, practical and effective role in social action.
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Providing educational support to enable those referred to become more selfsufficient where it is appropriate, and resources allow.
“OUR” KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
We have summarised below the outputs, outcomes, impacts and benefits of the work of the Need Project, but as Christian Charity it is our conviction that the Lord has done His work of meeting peoples’ needs through our labours.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE
These are the key outputs from our work, covering Christmas 2020, and our work through the year excluding Christmas.
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Christmas 2020
Two “hubs” packed and distributed Christmas Hampers, and the area of distribution covered over twenty-seven towns across Central Bedfordshire and parts of Hertfordshire. The total number of Christmas Hampers delivered was 944 (this did not include the regular parcels in December). The total value of these Hampers was £66,080 (at an average value of £70 per parcel).
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April 2020 – March 2021
End of Financial Year
Total value for financial year at £54/parcel £201,150.00 Christmas parcels at £70/parcel £66,080.00
Yet again every month this past year has exceeded the previous two years in terms of food parcels delivered.
Statistics
Adults & Children Served
| Children | Age 0-4 | Age 5-10 | Age 11-17 | Adults | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals(yr) | 2220 | 2315 | 2183 | 6908 | 13626 | |||
| Christmas | 388 | 463 | 346 | 1287 | 2484 |
Served by Each Distribution Hub
| Hubs Summary | Total | Monthly Average |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Flitwick | 420 | 35 | |
| Sandy | 1066 | 89 | |
| Stotfold | 520 | 43 | |
| Shefford | 447 | 37 | |
| Biggleswade | 398 | 33 | |
| Marston | 132 | 11 | |
| Out of Area | 696 | 58 | |
| 3679 |
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Analysis of the reasons for referrals
Furniture, Furnishings and White Goods
Despite restrictions on being able to supply furniture, we were still able to supply some families with furniture etc. Due to lockdown, and restrictions, collection of donated items was not possible, and there was maintaining a safe distance when delivering. We had to turn down a few requests again during the year. The situation is expected to remain the same for a while.
| Items | |
|---|---|
| Whitegoods | 0 |
| Beds,single,double,bunk | 3 |
| Bedroom furniture,furnishings | 4 |
| Lounge furniture,furnishings | 9 |
| Misc & babyequipment | 15 |
| Bedding | 10 |
| Estimated value | £900.00 |
| Actual items include | |
|---|---|
| Cookers | 0 |
| Fridges/freezers | 0 |
| Suites/sofas | 2 |
| Washingmachines | 0 |
| Microwaves | 0 |
| TV's / DVDplayers | 0 |
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
We delivered a record number of food parcels – an increase of 25% on the previous year.
We changed our procedures for the way we operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also experienced a lack of food and an increase in the number of parcels delivered. We appointed three new trustees.
A new hub was established in Gamlingay (Cambridgeshire).
We updated safety procedures for volunteers.
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We purchased of a new van for food delivers.
We introduced a Complaints Procedure and reviewed and updated other policies as necessary during the year.
WHAT DIFFERENCE WE HAVE MADE
A sample from those we are called to serve
“Hi Gordon and the wonderful ladies that helped me this morning at short notice. I was given so much food and other items for a family I am working with. This is the third family you have helped me with and words cannot express my thanks. The families have also been so grateful for your kindness. With grateful thanks L” - Health visitor in North Herts
“On behalf of ‘Feed Up Warm Up’ I would like to say a huge thank you for helping us with much needed items for our drop-ins and food parcels. It’s so nice for charities to work together. You’re always so kind and cheerful.”
“You have been a life saver some weeks for me and my 5-year-old boy as we don't always have a lot of money to do a shop each week, so we’d love you to continue your excellent work as we really do appreciate it so thank you to you lovely people!”
“Don't know what we'd do without you! You've been an absolute godsend for us. We hardly have any money to do a proper shop anymore and you've been an absolute lifeline. Your such lovely people. Thank you for everything you do.”
“The families we support really value the additional items either they / we can pick up for them. Not everyone wants a food parcels request but once we have given them items from the pop-up shops, they are more open to food parcels referrals being made. Your team are always happy, polite, and helpful. So glad families can access your services as makes a huge difference to them all.”
“I know as a family support worker in Sandy who works closely both with The Need Project and with families who come to the top-up shop that they find this somewhere to come that’s friendly, non-judgmental, and most importantly a lifeline. Especially now more than ever due to the times we find ourselves in. I know from experience what hard work this takes to organise but think it’s worthwhile as it helps so many people who are in need. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Been a massive help in the times where a lot of people are struggling including myself, also saves so much waste with having the surplus shop - keep doing what you’re doing, you put a smile on a lot of people’s faces and make life a little less stressful.”
“You guys are amazing. Thank you. You have really helped me out and I enjoy seeing you all
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for a chat and a loaf! My partners nan and my mum have loved receiving flowers, it really does brighten their day, as you all do for many of us.”
“I attended the Scout Hut just before Christmas to collect food and toys for our service users and was amazed at the quantity of goods you and your colleagues had collected. The ‘For Baby’s Sake’ team delivered your kind donations over Christmas to our families and wanted to share with you some of the comments from them:
‘It really made our Christmas’
‘It was so nice to be thought of’
‘It took so much pressure off’
‘Really thoughtful and generous’
‘Can’t believe how much was there’
Your generous support and incredible kindness really made a difference and I wanted to share their thoughts and gratitude with you and finally to add my personal thanks to you and all your colleagues for doing such amazing work to support vulnerable families making such a precious time like Christmas so much better.”
THE PROJECT LEADER’S REPORT
This past year has been one I know we will never forget and will be remembered for hardship and struggle on a level we never knew, but also some incredible acts of kindness and privilege as we minister into people’s lives.
Who could have imagined that this year would have turned out the way it has? We had no clue how it was going to pan out, but here we are nearly a year on, and a lot of changes have had to take place. We have made changes to our structure, how we operate, how we deliver, how we collect and how we work in our Centre and our hubs, and cope with a large increase in demand for food parcels, but we’ve got this far praise God.
We also knew that Christmas was going to be very busy in every aspect. Our workforce was cut drastically because of COVID-19 working conditions and isolation, but we still managed to fulfil all our commitments which is quite amazing really. We are so blessed to have the support that we have from the public, and I am also so grateful for our Deputy Project Leader, Dawn, and all the volunteers. We seem to get everything done somehow and never be short of things. I miss the fact that the ladies can no longer meet at the centre because of COVID19, but I know that God is in control of all this situation, and he will deal with it in the only way he can which is the perfect way. We are incredibly blessed financially and have been a position to purchase a new van which is so needed.
The future for us, who knows? Only God has that answer, but if we continue to serve and not judge, show kindness and love as Jesus did, then his name will be gloried in all we do.
Gordon Hamilton
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TREASURERS REPORT
THE NEED PROJECT ANNUAL ACCOUNTS UP TO 31/03/2021
| INCOME £ | |
|---|---|
| Donations from Churches | 19,836.70 |
| Grants from Trusts | 109,376.43 |
| Donations from individuals | 45,730.00 |
| Fund raising income | 0.00 |
| Misc. Donations | 8,893.04 |
| Web donations | 45,856.94 |
| HMRC Gift Aid recovery | 4,124.97 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 233,818.08 |
EXPENDITURE £ |
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| Payroll | 44529.52 |
| Employers Pension and NI | 1,436.39 |
| Van | 11,286.76 |
| Fuel | 4,111.18 |
| Food | 17,268.72 |
| Insurance | 0 |
| Stotfold Centre | 15,512.89 |
| Miscellaneous items | 8,158.09 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 102,303.55 |
| CHANGE IN RESERVES | 131,514.53 |
| BALANCE AT END OF YEAR | 162,678.62 |
Results of the Independent Examiner
In accordance with the provisions of Section 43 of the Charities Act 1993, I have examined the receipts and payments accounts and statement of assets and liabilities of The Need Project Central Bedfordshire set out relating to the year ending 31st March 2021.
This examination did not extend to a comprehensive audit of such accounts.
I can confirm that the accounts and statement accord with the accounting records of The Need Project Central Bedfordshire and that such records satisfy the requirements of the Act. I am not aware of any matter to which attention needs to be drawn in order to obtain a more detailed understanding of the accounts.
Mrs G Roberts
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
We are exploring the following areas to help us meet the growing demand on the project:
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Implementation of a three-year vision.
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Larger premises to act as the Central Hub.
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Employment of a part-time paid administrator / fundraiser.
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Succession planning for project staff.
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Contingency planning for loss of staff due to illness and lack of funds.
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Development of new hubs.
On behalf of the Trustees of The Need Project Central Bedfordshire.
S R Gaunt
Steve Gaunt
Chair of Trustees
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