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2023-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE002343 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1157993

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FOR

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

J W Hinks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham West Midlands B15 3BH

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 12
Independent Examiner's Report 13
Statement of Financial Activities 14
Balance Sheet 15 to 16
Notes to the Financial Statements 17 to 26

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

Smethwick Church Action Network is a grassroots organisation that seeks to support our neighbours in times of crisis and walk with them to a place of hope and self-sufficiency. Smethwick CAN is an asset-based community organisation, grown from the premise that we can achieve much more together than we ever could in isolation. We have an established foodbank, community pantry, signposting, and volunteering services, as well as supporting the churches in the network to develop their own social action projects and initiatives including being the lead organisation for the local community sponsorship group.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Significant activities

How we go about our work is as important for us as the work itself. Therefore, all our endeavours are underpinned by an ethos that we are always stronger working together.

Smethwick Church Action Network has a set of 12 Core Values that underpin how we work:

Smethwick Foodbank

The demand on Smethwick Foodbank has remained very consistent since the steep increase in demand in April 2020, with an average of 427 parcels being given out each month, in both 2021/22 and 2022/23. (As a comparison, 190 parcels per month were given out in 2019/20). The main causes of crisis throughout the year have remained low income, no recourse to public funds and benefit delays. In the last twelve months there has been a shift in the household structure of people requiring Foodbank support: currently, 48% of people accessing the Foodbank are families (with 16% of these being single parent households), down from 61% last year; 41% are single; 11% are couples. The biggest increase has been in the number of single people accessing our services as support for families has been a priority in Sandwell this year and has consequently reduced the number of families that need emergency foodbank support.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

As in previous years, 60% of Foodbank users are from the four Smethwick wards, with residents of the remainder of Sandwell and of Birmingham each making up around 20% of users each month. To address the needs of clients accessing Foodbank and not seeking additional help for their monetary crisis, we have successfully implemented a variety of strategies to encourage clients to seek help from other organisations. We host a Signposting Hub with representatives from Citizen's Advice, Healthy Minds Sandwell, Action for Children and Sandwell Community Offer and other local and national organisations each Foodbank session. Advice and signposting leaflets are provided to each client and are updated monthly. There is also a telephone service for additional signposting. We have subsequently seen an increase in clients who would normally self-refer attending with vouchers and receiving benefits reviews, budgeting, and income maximisation advice etc. and needing less long-term support from us.

We have continued to operate a pre-packed only service and to provide a range of personal care and household cleaning items, fresh fruit, and vegetables from Fareshare, and fresh bread and bakery items donated by both Warburtons and Marks and Spencer. We also provide specific pre-packed parcels for homeless and vegetarian / Halal Foodbank users and have these available each session. Smethwick Foodbank operates a 'donations day' each Wednesday where Holy Trinity Church is open for donations from the local community and corporate and business donors.

We have increased the number of Referral Agencies, focusing on local services that are providing face-to-face provision, including all doctor's surgeries and schools within Smethwick, and a wide range of local charities, including refugee support charities that have been created in response to the war in Ukraine. It is vital to work in partnership with our referral agencies to ensure that the full spectrum of advice and support is offered to our neighbours in financial hardship.

Meet and Greet volunteers have completed Budgeting and Signposting training from Citizen's Advice and most warehouse volunteers have completed Safeguarding training, Health and Safety Level 2 and Food Hygiene Level 2, courtesy of a Volunteer Grant from The Trussell Trust. We have also trained staff and volunteers in Emergency First Aid at Work. Going forwards, the focus is on maintaining funding; developing our strategic goals; developing the training and support we offer to volunteers; and in ensuring that clients receive timely help and avoid long term Foodbank use where possible.

Your Local Pantry: Smethwick Food Pantry

The pantry has been able to support members with access to high quality fresh food saving an average of £26.50 per week on a grocery bill. We have utilised our volunteer and member skills to create a recipe book and provide "Meal Deal" ideas to make the most of a regular Pantry shopping basket.

In November 2022 we opened the Café /signposting hub for members to utilise. This has been a big success and we have great networking relationships with services that support our members. We are fortunate to have representatives from water, utility companies, CAB, Safer streets and community navigators whom attend regularly, enabling pantry members to gain direct access to these services in a timely manner.

The pantry management has built good networking relationships with PRL @ Sainsbury's management. We provide a wish list of scarce items and donors are generous in their response. Smethwick Pantry is working closely with STAR Supermarket and now has a donation point in their premises which is collected weekly. These relationships help maintain the sustainability of the Pantry.

Currently we have 67 members signed up and operate from 10.00am -14:45 pm every Wednesday. In the 2022/2023 financial year we had a total of 2,199 individual member visits. The waiting list for Pantry membership is growing in these unprecedented times and we are looking to extend our opening hours on a Wednesday as well as an additional session on Tuesday afternoon. Smethwick Pantry is more than a pantry, it is connecting people and helping them build brighter futures.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Church Network

As churches in the network reopened after the Covid-19 Pandemic, Smethwick CAN was able to restart the church leaders' gatherings from January 2022. There is a recognition amongst the churches that the need to work together is stronger than ever, and there has been a renewed commitment to this from the churches involved. Some of the churches have also seen new leadership who are keen to join and collaborate. Smethwick CAN has been supporting the churches in exploring what they have to offer their local community, particularly in terms of buildings. With funding from Action Against Hunger, we have been able to support the rejuvenation of three of the church kitchens, allowing these buildings to be used more fruitfully.

The church leader's gathering has been a welcome monthly event with new churches joining us. Topics explored have included sustainability for churches as they struggle to manage rising energy bills; opening of Warm Spaces and Places of Welcome; opportunities to collaborate, including supporting one church with the development of its Community Orchard; supporting and developing work within our local schools; considering how the churches should respond to climate change and sharing resources on best practice, as well as the use of online opportunities.

Bakery

The Bearwood Community Bakery is a participant-led social enterprise that offers opportunities for those in our community currently not able to work due to immigration status or other reasons. The Bakery offers the group of women a chance to interact with other people in the community, gain the skills of how to run a bakery and to develop their personal skills. The Bakery enables the bakers to sell their bread to members of the community, which encourages social interaction and offers the chance to come together in a place where everyone is welcome. Smethwick CAN was one of the founding partners of this project and we continue to support and promote the bakery locally. The day-to-day operations and overall management of the project is now run by Bearwood Community Hub CIC.

Community Sponsorship

Smethwick CAN is the lead sponsor of the Smethwick Community Sponsorship group. Part of the Home Office scheme, the project aims to house and support a newly arrived family in the UK. With funds provided by Solihull Methodist Church, the group have been successful in obtaining a house and welcomed a family in September 2022. With support from a dedicated group of volunteers from varying churches and community groups, the family are now thriving and accessing both national and community-based support services including health, education, ESOL classes, as well as recreational activities, including local parks and community green spaces.

Public benefit

Smethwick Church Action Network (CAN) aims to serve our neighbours in times of crisis and help facilitate a transition from being a place of need, to one of opportunity, hope, and self-sufficiency. Smethwick CAN started out as a grassroots network of churches who gathered in 2011 with the aim of supporting those in the local community who were experiencing food poverty. From this, Smethwick Foodbank (part of the national Trussell Trust network) was launched. Sadly, our Foodbank is now busier than ever, with this trend only set to continue as the cost-of-living crisis and aftermath of the pandemic take their toll. In 2014 Smethwick CAN became a registered charity and since then the churches have launched numerous other projects. We currently run a Community Pantry in Smethwick Library as well as being the lead sponsor organisation for the Smethwick Community Sponsorship group. The churches in the network also host a variety of coffee mornings, children and youth activities, Places of Welcome and community lunches. We collaborate closely with numerous partner organisations and, with thanks to funding from SCVO, have developed information and signposting hubs at both Foodbank and Pantry over the past 12 months. We would love to see a day when there is no need for Foodbanks and are actively looking at ways, we can support our neighbours out of places of crisis and food poverty and into places where they can thrive.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Volunteers

In line with our aims and objectives, we aspire to take an asset based, community development approach to the recruitment and support of our volunteers, but this has been challenging due to the significant amount of time and effort it requires, from staff whose main role is not managing volunteers.

In October 2023 we were able to introduce the role of a Volunteer Coordinator for 15 hours a week, releasing other key staff to concentrate on their core roles.

In the six months since their appointment, all documents relating to volunteer recruitment, training and support have been reviewed and updated. This was felt to be particularly important as the management and support of volunteers are fundamental to the provision of our services. Subsequently, our Volunteer Policy was rewritten to reflect the latest statutory and legal requirements.

Having this dedicated role has enabled wider engagement with local community groups to encourage recruitment of volunteers with a diverse range of ability, whilst effectively supporting their health and social needs. This highly individualised, one-to-one support fosters personal development and achievement and helps us ensure volunteer voices are heard at all levels of our organisation, especially those volunteers with real-life experience of living in poverty.

In October 2022 we began electronically recording all initial volunteering enquiries which has helped identify any obstacles to volunteering and gives us real time data that enables us to give more accurate information to potential funders.

We have also been able to extend our work with outside organisations to widen our search for volunteers such as:

We have continued to develop and strengthen our working relationship with local grassroots groups listed below, not only to develop a cohesive network of support for our more disadvantaged neighbours, but to help smaller charities with their recruitment of volunteers. Some of these are listed below:

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

We have increased the number of donation points, particularly with Tesco and Sainsbury Supermarkets, which are still collected by volunteers and delivered to the relevant project.

In total, we had 34 volunteers providing a total of 4878 hours of volunteering support in the year April 2022 to March 2023. In addition, we have a team of community-based donors and donation collectors that collect donations from others who live on their road. Although we do not count this in our 'official' volunteer numbers or hours, it is important to recognise that without these people and their tireless commitment to our work, what we do simply wouldn't be possible. Also not included in these figures are the hours of volunteering provided by the youths mentored by the Restorative Justice Team.

As well as the quantitative volunteer data, this year we have been able to collect more qualitative information direct from our volunteers. They have been quite vocal about their experience of becoming a volunteer and how it has affected their lives.

One of our foodbank volunteers was interviewed as part of Sandwell Council's Volunteer Week celebrations, which is available via the link below:

https://youtube/TEhQp5sujyA

Other examples of the positive impact of becoming a volunteer are listed below:

  1. A 17 year old boy with learning difficulties and limited external social interactions who lacked confidence and was very anxious joined our warehouse volunteers. During his 18months of volunteering in a supportive and friendly team, he has thrived with his growing confidence showing in all aspects of his personality. He is now in college studying social sciences as he states helping people who come to the Foodbank has helped him understand he wants to build a career in social care, helping others in need. He still volunteers with us during the holidays.

  2. A middle-aged lady who became deaf some few years ago. She used to work in a factory but was made redundant and had been unable to find any paid or voluntary work. The Volunteer Coordinator met her at Ideal for All where she was attending a job club. She is a very good lip reader but not so good at sign language skills, which deterred her from interacting with other deaf people. She had lost all confidence in herself after having been rejected multiple times, but with a carefully planned, mutually agreed induction support plan she was able to start volunteering at our Local Food Pantry. After 6 months she is meeting and greeting members and escorting them round the shop. She has also gained the confidence to begin sign language classes again, and is teaching the other volunteers and members key words and phrases in British sign language.

  3. A 19 year old autistic gentleman met through Ideal for All, who had significant mental health needs. He became very anxious when meeting new people and overwhelmed when in a room with several people. He struggled to make conversation, avoiding eye contact and maintaining his own physical space was extremely important to him. He could answer direct questions and was able to make his needs known. We were able to offer him times to volunteer with minimal numbers of people around and had his permission to explain his needs to other volunteers and employees. In conjunction with the Food Bank and Warehouse managers, we agreed a plan of support and arranged for an escape room should he start to feel overwhelmed, plus a designated person to support him was arranged for each session he attended.

  4. We began working with Birmingham Youth Justice team 9 months ago. The comments in italics below are extracts from the managers' assessment of the impact of this project.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The feedback from the young people who have completed their reparation on this project has been very positive and some young people have also gone on to say they would like to volunteer in the future at this venue. Some of the comments they made are as follows;

"I found this experience very humbling now knowing how people who are employed are currently struggling"

"I found the volunteers and staff very supportive"

"I felt I was making a positive contribution to society"

"The church are doing a good job helping people and I felt honoured being part of this"

" This was a very humbling experience for me and I need to change"

From my point of view, both staff and volunteers on the project show an exceptional level of empathy and understand when working alongside these young people and this clearly manifests itself in how all young people respond both to them and the service users. It has also been highlighted from feedback given to Birmingham Youth Offending Service, that all young people who attend this project clearly enjoy the experience and have stated that this would be something which they would like to do again in the future. The staff and management exhibit a very high level of professionalism and compassion whilst working and serving the public. We will be looking into working alongside the management team in the future to develop projects which would benefit the young people with whom we work and the community at large.

SCAN is looking forward to developing volunteer opportunities further in 2023-24.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

Smethwick Foodbank

Over the 12-month period from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 we provided 5121 emergency food parcels providing over 118,000 meals for people in crisis. Through funding from the Esmee Fairbairne Foundation (SCVO / Epic), Harborne Parish Lands Charity, Awards for All, Julia and Hans Rausing Trust and The Trussell Trust, we were able to maintain our part-time staff team to include a Foodbank Manager (15), Warehouse Coordinator (12), Warehouse Assistant (5), a Signposting and Volunteer Co-ordinator (18)and an Administrator (15). We continue to be supported by a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers, including some volunteers who have aided since the Foodbank opened in 2012. Despite the unanticipated cost of living crisis that has followed the Pandemic, and the ongoing need for our services, we were able to keep up with the demand, including providing fresh fruit and vegetables to supplement our food parcels through twice-weekly deliveries from Fareshare (we have paid for this service from January 2022). We have increased our volunteer team and our signposting and support services to those in financial crisis. We worked with over 70 partner referral agencies and continue to work with partners such as Citizen's Advice, Brushstrokes, Help Through Hardship, Local Welfare Provision and The Community Offer to provide support to people experiencing a range of issues including redundancy, unemployment, benefit delays, domestic violence, and addiction.

Your Local Pantry: Smethwick

The Pantry continues to provide support with new members signing up weekly. We are also working in partnership with the Smethwick Library to create an information/ signposting hub during Pantry opening hours. This has included CAB, mental health support and local children's centre services. There is also an opportunity for energy advice services to start attending in the next few months. Over the coming months we are focusing on increasing the diversity of food on offer to ensure that it reflects the multi-cultural needs and backgrounds of our members. As a charity, two of our core values are to be inclusive and accepting, and therefore we are passionate about ensuring not only the quality and standards of food given out, but enabling those for whom English is not their primary language to access this support. Recently, an Indian couple in need of this service were able to access pantry because of having a Punjabi speaker present. Another area of development is a closer working relationship between the Pantry and the Foodbank. Since the Pantry relocated to the library, the two projects can work much closer together with approximately 60-70% of pantry members being either current or previous Foodbank users.

Church Network

Thanks to funding through Action Against Hunger, the churches have been able to develop their kitchen spaces and are able to reopen previous community initiatives as well as start new ones, for example, a 'chatty cafe' to support those learning English; a community youth group that involves the young people cooking and eating together; stay and play sessions that include family cooking time; Places of Welcome and coffee mornings. We are currently exploring funding opportunities to support another church with developing the kitchen in its community centre. A Renew Wellbeing Cafe has also opened at one of the churches, following delays due to the pandemic.

Community Sponsorship

The Community Sponsorship group welcomed their first family in September 2022. This has been a wonderful opportunity for members of varying churches and communities to come together and support the family as they settle to life in the UK. This has included supporting them to access health services and to complete financial applications; assisting with access to schools and provision of school uniform, and attending school parents' evenings. In addition, the volunteers have provided a safe and consistent befriending base and enabled the family to access local community support e.g., finding a welcoming place to worship, connecting them with other families from the same cultural background, introducing and supporting them to use public transport, and accompanying them to stay and play groups and ESOL services. Currently the volunteers are helping the family to get the garden 'summer ready' and finding ways that family members can access work and volunteering opportunities as well as developing their own hobbies and interests.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The Statement of Financial Activities shows total incoming resources for the year ended 31 March 2023 of £199,389 (2022: £140,279) and total resources expended of £147,630 (2022: £170,243) thereby realising an overall surplus for the year of £51,759 (2022: deficit of £29,964).

As a result, closing net assets as at 31 March 2023 total £101,813 (2022: £50,054) which includes an amount of £47,532 (2022: £15,846) in respect of restricted funds.

Principal funding sources

The principal funding sources of the charity are donations from both individuals and other organisations.

Reserves policy

The charity's reserves policy aims to secure three to six months of running costs within the general free reserves to ensure ongoing sustainability. At present the charity is holding reserves of approximately 5 months which is deemed sufficient.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

FUTURE PLANS

Like all organisations, the Pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis has had a major impact on our services, with demand at an all-time high. This is a trend that unfortunately is only going to continue. As we look to the future, our aim is to continue to focus on supporting people to move from crisis to self-sufficiency, whilst also being realistic about our own limitations and a desire to do all things well. Although much has been achieved in this area over the past 12 months, going into the new financial year we are planning to focus on:

As a grassroots organisation, the relationship between the charity and associated churches has been one that has grown and developed organically over the course of the charity's existence. When considering future and succession planning at an away day in March 2023, the trustees and senior staff began to consider the question of what makes a church a 'Smethwick CAN Church'? Following this, work has commenced on a more formalised membership statement that churches can sign up to, with the focus being on partnership work and on proactively seeking opportunities to collaborate. It is hoped for this work to be completed and shared at an event in October 2023. The church leader's gathering will remain open to all church leaders, whether members or not.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust dated 24 July 2014.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

  1. Trustees are welcome to invite people known to them to consider being a Trustee, generally those who are in positions of authority and responsibility within the church network within Smethwick;

  2. Interested parties meet with the Chair of trustees to prepare a submission for Trustees. The Chair does not exercise a view;

  3. A digest is prepared for Trustees who are invited to vote on the Trustee proposed;

  4. New Trustees are welcomed to the board of Trustees and their details sent to the Charity Commission.

Induction and training of new trustees

  1. New Trustees are cleared for Safeguarding purposes;

  2. New Trustees are introduced to the lead staff of Smethwick CAN and their new colleague trustees;

  3. New Trustees are provided with copies of the policies;

  4. New Trustees are invited to take a particular interest in a part of Smethwick CAN and get to know it in detail.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

CE002343 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1157993

Registered office

Holy Trinity Community Office Church Hill Street Smethwick West Midlands B67 7AH

Trustees

D R Gould J Lynch (resigned 21.3.23) N M Ross W Dyke K J Peniket J R Crewes J Cannings S J Bentham H Girling (appointed 21.3.23) G D Brown (appointed 21.3.23)

Company Secretary

W Dyke

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Independent Examiner J W Hinks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham West Midlands B15 3BH

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 June 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

.......................................................................... D R Gould - Trustee

Page 12

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Smethwick Church Action Network ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

James Cruse, ACA, FCCA

J W Hinks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham West Midlands B15 3BH

Date: 30 June 2023

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and grants
46,253
Other trading activities
2
9,240
Total
55,493
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
21,000
Support costs
11,615
Governance costs
2,616
Total
35,231
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
20,262
Transfers between funds
9
1,942
Net movement in funds
22,204
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
32,077
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
54,281		 Restricted
funds
£
143,896
-
143,896
104,101
8,271
27
112,399
31,497
(1,942)
29,555
17,977
47,532		 2023
Total
funds
£
190,149
9,240
199,389
125,101
19,886
2,643
147,630
51,759
-
51,759
50,054
101,813		 2022
Total
funds
£
140,279
-
140,279
150,147
17,000
3,096
170,243
(29,964)
-
(29,964)
80,018
50,054

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 14

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
6
6,290
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
544
Cash at bank and in hand
22,286
22,830
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
8
25,160
NET CURRENT ASSETS
47,990
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
54,280
NET ASSETS
54,280
FUNDS
9
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
775
-
76,607
76,607
(29,849)
46,758
47,533
47,533		 2023
Total
funds
£
7,065
544
98,893
99,437
(4,689)
94,748
101,813
101,813
54,280
47,533
101,813		 2022
Total
funds
£
8,001
-
47,622
47,622
(5,569)
42,053
50,054
50,054
32,077
17,977
50,054

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343)

BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 MARCH 2023

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 June 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. D R Gould - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

INCOME

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

EXPENDITURE

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery - 20% on cost
Fixtures and fittings - at varying rates on cost
Computer equipment - 25% on cost

TAXATION

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

FUND ACCOUNTING

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

continued...

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

FUND ACCOUNTING

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

PENSION COSTS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
2023 2022
£ £
Shop income 9,240 -

3. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2023 2022
£ £
Independent examiners fees 1,800 1,800
Auditors' remuneration for non-audit work 843 1,296
Depreciation - owned assets 2,436 1,620

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

TRUSTEES' EXPENSES

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

continued...

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

5. AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

The average number of employees during the year was 9 (2022: 9).

6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
Plant and and Computer
machinery fittings equipment Totals
£ £ £ £
COST
At 1 April 2022 1,518 7,643 1,826 10,987
Additions - - 1,500 1,500
Disposals - (1,387) (449) (1,836)
At 31 March 2023 1,518 6,256 2,877 10,651
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 147 2,248 591 2,986
Charge for year 304 1,443 689 2,436
Eliminated on disposal - (1,387) (449) (1,836)
At 31 March 2023 451 2,304 831 3,586
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 1,067 3,952 2,046 7,065
At 31 March 2022 1,371 5,395 1,235 8,001
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Other debtors 544 -

7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2023 2022
£ £
Other creditors - 155
Credit card 2,889 3,614
Accrued expenses 1,800 1,800
4,689 5,569
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.4.22 in funds funds 31.3.23
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 27,365 15,710 (1,917) 41,158
Pantry Membership 4,712 4,551 3,859 13,122
32,077 20,261 1,942 54,280
Restricted funds
Epic Fund 1,800 (1,800) - -
Covid 19 Response 123 (123) - -
SCVO Vision Community Bakery 608 (608) - -
All Churches Trust 7,701 (7,701) - -
Trussell Trust (Strategic Facilities Grant) 2,250 - - 2,250
VINCI UK Foundation 2,875 (600) (2,275) -
Action Against Hunger 161 (161) - -
Community Sponsorship 2,128 (2,128) - -
Faithful Neighbourhoods 328 (328) - -
Sandwell MBC Foodbank 3 7,064 439 7,506
Awards 4 All - 1,948 - 1,948
EPIC fund 2 - 13,903 - 13,903
Harborne Parish Lands - 3,449 (44) 3,405
Rausing - 6,349 44 6,393
Sandwell MBC Pantry - 239 - 239
Tesco Groundworks - 1,540 - 1,540
TT Winter support grant - 10,349 - 10,349
Sainsbury Neighbourly - (1) 1 -
Tenderstem Broccoli - 97 (97) -
Western Power Distribution - 10 (10) -
17,977 31,498 (1,942) 47,533
TOTAL FUNDS 50,054 51,759 - 101,813

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Pantry Membership
Restricted funds
Epic Fund
Covid 19 Response
Grantham Yorke
SCVO Vision Community Bakery
All Churches Trust
Trussell Trust (Strategic Facilities Grant)
VINCI UK Foundation
Action Against Hunger
Local Giving Magic Grants
Community Sponsorship
Faithful Neighbourhoods
Sandwell MBC Foodbank
Awards 4 All
EPIC fund 2
Harborne Parish Lands
Rausing
Sandwell MBC Pantry
Tesco Groundworks
TT Winter support grant
Sainsbury Neighbourly
Tenderstem Broccoli
Western Power Distribution
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
44,274
11,219
55,493
-
-
1,000
-
-
9,000
-
-
500
7,532
-
31,000
8,600
35,559
7,141
10,740
2,536
2,589
13,999
500
10,700
2,500
143,896
199,389		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(28,564)
15,710
(6,668)
4,551
(35,232)
20,261
(1,800)
(1,800)
(123)
(123)
(1,000)
-
(608)
(608)
(7,701)
(7,701)
(9,000)
-
(600)
(600)
(161)
(161)
(500)
-
(9,660)
(2,128)
(328)
(328)
(23,936)
7,064
(6,652)
1,948
(21,656)
13,903
(3,692)
3,449
(4,391)
6,349
(2,297)
239
(1,049)
1,540
(3,650)
10,349
(501)
(1)
(10,603)
97
(2,490)
10
(112,398)
31,498
(147,630)
51,759

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.4.21 in funds funds 31.3.22
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 23,913 (19,631) 23,083 27,365
Peaced Together 2,000 (2,000) - -
ChangeSpaces (Action City Fund) 3,161 (3,161) - -
Sandwell MBC Foodbank 12,471 (12,468) (3) -
Christmas Meal 1,300 - (1,300) -
Community Sponsorship 500 1,628 (2,128) -
Faithful Neighbourhoods 1,137 (492) (645) -
Pantry Membership - 4,712 - 4,712
44,482 (31,412) 19,007 32,077
Restricted funds
Epic Fund 15,345 (13,545) - 1,800
Trussell Trust 56 8,274 (8,330) -
Catalyst Social Action Fund 3,661 - (3,661) -
CCLORS Life Connect Grant 4,687 (4,687) - -
Covid 19 Response 754 (631) - 123
Grantham Yorke 1,076 1,655 (2,731) -
Heart of England (Co-op Pantry) 1,270 (1,170) (100) -
Homeless and Family Support 4,684 - (4,684) -
SCVO Vision Community Bakery 1,708 (1,100) - 608
Trussell Trust Emergency 2,295 (2,295) - -
Furlough Reimbursement - 428 (428) -
All Churches Trust - 7,701 - 7,701
Trussell Trust (Strategic Facilities Grant) - 2,250 - 2,250
VINCI UK Foundation - 2,875 - 2,875
Action Against Hunger - 1,693 (1,532) 161
Community Sponsorship - - 2,128 2,128
Faithful Neighbourhoods - - 328 328
Sandwell MBC Foodbank - - 3 3
35,536 1,448 (19,007) 17,977
TOTAL FUNDS 80,018 (29,964) - 50,054

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Peaced Together
ChangeSpaces (Action City Fund)
Sandwell MBC Foodbank
Community Sponsorship
Faithful Neighbourhoods
Pantry Membership
Restricted funds
Epic Fund
Trussell Trust
CCLORS Life Connect Grant
Covid 19 Response
Grantham Yorke
Heart of England (Co-op Pantry)
SCVO Vision Community Bakery
Trussell Trust Emergency
Furlough Reimbursement
All Churches Trust
Trussell Trust (Strategic Facilities Grant)
VINCI UK Foundation
Action Against Hunger
Local Giving Magic Grants
Trussell Trust Volunteer Development Grant
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
14,893
-
-
46,769
2,000
518
8,940
73,120
-
11,963
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
2,436
13,700
13,020
3,000
20,000
500
540
67,159
140,279		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(34,524)
(19,631)
(2,000)
(2,000)
(3,161)
(3,161)
(59,237)
(12,468)
(372)
1,628
(1,010)
(492)
(4,228)
4,712
(104,532)
(31,412)
(13,545)
(13,545)
(3,689)
8,274
(4,687)
(4,687)
(631)
(631)
(345)
1,655
(1,170)
(1,170)
(1,100)
(1,100)
(2,295)
(2,295)
(2,008)
428
(5,999)
7,701
(10,770)
2,250
(125)
2,875
(18,307)
1,693
(500)
-
(540)
-
(65,711)
1,448
(170,243)
(29,964)

Unrestricted - General Funds

This fund represents the free funds of the charity that are not designated for any particular purpose.

Designated - Foodbank Funds

This fund contains donations and grants designated to Smethwick Foodbank general use.

Designated - Pantry Membership Funds

This fund contains traded income from money paid weekly by Pantry members, and occasional donations to Your Local Pantry Smethwick.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Restricted - Action against Hunger

This funding is a grant to support 4 food projects and build sustainable food poverty responses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restricted - Allchurches Trust/Benefact Trust

This funding is a grant provided under the Hope Beyond programme to enable churches and Christian charities to meet the challenging needs within their communities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restricted - Awards 4 All (National Lottery)

This is a grant from the National Lottery Community fund covering Foodbank Administrator salary costs from June 2022 to June 2023.

Restricted - Epic Fund (1)

This funding is a grant from Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and Esmee Fairbairn to develop a co-ordinated approach across Smethwick to reduce food poverty whilst also creating food related activities that build a sense of community and encourage future social enterprise and/or community owned businesses.

Restricted - Epic Fund (2)

This funding is a grant from Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) designated to staff costs, refreshments for meetings, and training.

Restricted - Faithful Neighbourhoods

These are allocated funds specifically to provide practical support around Covid-19 adaptions that allow Smethwick Foodbank to provide a safer service during the pandemic.

Restricted - Grantham Yorke

This is a grant for Foodbank specifically to provide provision of food/toiletries for those under the age of 25 years.

Restricted - Harborne Parish Land Charity

This is a grant towards Foodbank salary costs during 2023.

Restricted - Lottery Community Fund

This is a grant from National Lottery Community Fund to cover additional salary costs, room hire and training costs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restricted - Magic Grants

This is a grant from Local Giving for Foodbank specifically for homeless packs.

Restricted - Julia & Hans Rausing Trust

This is a grant towards Foodbank salary costs from January to June 2023.

Restricted - Sainsbury's Neighbourly Fund

This is a grant for Your Local Pantry Smethwick to cover food costs and cleaning products.

Restricted - Sandwell MBC (Foodbank)

This is ongoing funding from Sandwell MBC specifically designated for food costs and carrier bags for use within our foodbank project.

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Restricted - Sandwell MBC (Pantry)

This is a one off grant from the Household Support Fund for food for members of Your Local Pantry Smethwick.

Restricted - SCVO Vision Community Bakery

This grant from Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is being used to set up a community bakery in partnership with Bearwood Community Hub and Mothership.

Restricted - Tenderstem Broccoli

This is a grant from Action against Hunger in conjunction with Tenderstem broccoli to support Your Local Pantry Smethwick with staffing costs, food costs and other specified costs as per the grant agreement.

Restricted - Tesco Groundworks

These are ongoing grants from Tesco for the provision of fresh fruit and vegetables for foodbank users.

Restricted - TT Strategic Facilities Grant

This funding is a Trussell Trust grant towards the cost of premises rental from July 2021 to June 2023, and foodbank shelving.

Restricted - TT Winter Support Grant

This is a Trussell Trust grant designated for additional staff costs and food costs.

Restricted - Vinci Foundation

This funding is a grant towards the purchase of laptops and lockable cupboards.

Restricted - Western Power Distribution

This is a grant funding our Holiday Hunger Project, to provide 'Child-Friendly' food and non-food items for families accessing both Smethwick Pantry and Your Local Pantry Smethwick in July and August 2022.

Restricted - Community Sponsorship

This fund is a restricted donation from Solihull Methodist Church for supporting families from overseas and receiving support from Smethwick Community Sponsorship Group with issues such as housing, education, health, etc.

continued...

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SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.

11. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The charity is under the control of the trustees.

Page 26