2024-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE002343 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARifi NUMBER: 1157993 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUOITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 FOR SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK JW Hlnks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Hlghfield Road Edgbaston Blrmlngham West Mldlands B15 38H

SMEfHWICK CHURCH AclloN NmvoRK CONTENTS OF THE FINANaALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Pale Ch•lrman'$ Report Report of theTrustees 2 to 10 Independent Examlnw's Report li Staternent of Nnanclal Actlvltle5 12 Balance Sheet 13 to 14 Notes to the Flnandal Statements 15 to 24

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK CHAIRMAN'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2023: leavlng behind the Covid pandemic, but not Its aftermath in the communlty that Is Smethwick. Partner agencies struggling to re-establi5h thelr seNices, recruit staff and face the new reallty that is 2023. Behind every bag of food that is handed out at Smethwlck Foodbank and every customer welcomed at Your Local Pantry Smethwick. there is a huge team of Feople that most people don't see. There are the people spottlng need, perhaps a teacher seeing a thild who Is hungry, a community midwife seelng empty shelves when they visit, a neighbour who offers supporL In these and many other sltuatlons the story ￿gIn$ of an individual or family who are goln8 to bed hungry but who do not need to. Smethwick CAN.. It's a people thlng. There are the twenty-5even volunteers who tum up every week ready to seNe the most vulnerable In their communlty. Alongslde them are the teams from Birmin8ham Youth offending SeNice and Crockett's Communlty Primary School who tome In every week to assist In the warehouse. There a￿ the partner a8encles who work directly with us. There are the funder5 who make p0551ble all we do. Then there is the team of outstanding part-time staff. Flnally, there are the trustees of Smethwlck CAN who have responslblllty for the overs18ht of all that is done by thls amazlngteam of people. Smethwlck CAN, It's a people thing. All of these people come together to seTve the people who come to Pantry and Foodbank. These are the people that Smethwick CAN exists for. My dream contlnues that nobody needs to go to bed hungry in Smethwick. The people of Smethwlck serylng the people of Smethwlck. Smethwlck CAN, It's a people thlng. Wlth thanks to all who make Smethwlck CAN possible Revd David Gould Chalr otTrustees, Smethwick CAN Page I

SMETrIWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK {REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE5 FOR THE YEAR ENOEO 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees who are also dlrectors of the chaflty for the purwses of the Companies Act 2006, present thelr report wfith the flnanclal statements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accountlng and Reporting by Charltle5'. Statement of Recommended Practlce appllcable to charltles preparing thelr accounts In accordance with the Financial Reportlng Standard appllcable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20191. OBJEcnvES AND AcfiviTIES Oblectlves and alms Smethwlck Church Artlon Network is a grassroots organisatlon that seeks to support our nelghbours In tlmes of cr15is and walk wlth them to a place of hope and self-sufPiciency. Smethwlck CAN Is an asset-based community organisatlon, grown from the premlse that we can achleve much more together than we ever could In Isolation. We have an established foodbank. communlty pantry, slgnpostln& and volunteerln8 seryices, as well as supporting the churches In the network to develop their own social actlon projects and Inltlatives. How we go about our work is as Important for us as the work itse￿, Therefore, all our endeavours are underpinned bv an ethos that we a￿ atways stronger working together. Smethwick Church Actlon Network has a set of 12 Core Values that underpln how we work,. * Collaborative and Partnerln8 We work together as a group of churches, partnering wlth local inltlative and resources to slgnp05t our nei8hbours to ad dltlonal support withln the community- * Inclu51ve and Acceptlng Anyone is welcome to come and serye or be served regardless of a8e, dlsabllity, gender reasslgnment, marrlage and civil partnershlp, pregnancy and maternity, race, rellglon or bellef, sex, and sexual orientstion. * Intèntlonal and Responslve To love our neighbours and communlty well, we need to be watchful of the needs and Intentional about how we ￿SpO nd: stewardlng our resources to where they are needed and wanted Inte8rity and Excellence We want to dellver hlgh quallty projects with transparency. Thls Includes the food we provlde (high quallty and healthyl. the way we recrult and treat our team (safeguarding and staff carel, the way we treat our nelghbours and colleagues Iw¢th dlgnity and respect) and the way we handle our flnances,. as we steward ALL aspects of what God has entrusted to us In a responsible wav. * Adwcacy and Empowerlng We want to pay attention to the ideas, dreams and volces within our neLghbourhood a5 well as speaklng up for those who don't have a voice through athocaLry, whlle also working to empower them to have one through campaigning an d seeking change at a structural and governmental level. Prayerful and Motlvated by the Love of Chrlst All our work 15 done in prayer because we belleve God loves 5methwick and wants to see our nelghbours and o ur communlty flourish. Page 2

5METHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK {REGISTERED NUMBER.. CE002343) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJECTIVES AND AcfiviTIES SiEniflcant artlvlties Smethwlck Foodbank The demand on 5methwick Foodbank has Increased over the past 12 months due to the Cost-of-LivSng crlsls, rlse In fijel prices and other factors affecting the local community. The demand had remained very conslstent since the steep increase In April 2020, however, demand increased sharply in September 2023, and overall, 483 parcels have been given OLft on average each month during the last financial year, compared with an average of 427 parce15 being given out each month, In both 2021122 and 2022123 las a comparlson, 190 parcels per month were given out In 20191201. The maln causes of crisls throughout the year have been the rislng cost of essentlals, the ongoing impart of a physlcal or mental health conditlon, and insecure houslng. a change from previous year5 where havlng no recourse to public funds and benefit delays were common reasons for referral. In the last twelve months there has been a shft In the household structure of people requlrlng Foodbank 5UPPOrt.' currently, 36% of people accessln8 the Foodbank a￿ famllies Iwith 16% of these being single parent households). down from 48% last year,. 61% are slngle,. 3% are couples. The biggest increase has been In the number of single people accessing our servlces as SUPPOrt for famllSes has been a priorlty in Sandwell over the last few years which has onsequently reduced the number of families who need emer8ency foodbank support. for example Sn the provislon of food and vouchers for during school holldays for children who receNe free school meals. As in previou5 years, 60% of Foodbank users are from the four Smethwlck ward5, wlth resldents of the remainder of Sandwell and of 81rmingham each mak5ng up around 20% of users each month. To address the needs of cllents accesslng Foodbank and not seeking additlonal help for their monetary crisls, we have successfully Implemented variety of strategles to encourage clierits to seek help from other organlsations. Each Foodbank ses5lon, we host a Signposting Hub wlth representatives from The Cost of Llving Team ICOLn, Citizen's Advlce, Healthy Mlnds Sandwell, Actlon for Children and Sandwell Communlty Offer and other local and natlonal organlsations. Advice and sSgnpostlng leaflets are provlded to each cllent and are updated monthly. There is also a telephone service for addltional slgnpostln8. We have subsequently seen an InC￿35e In cllents who would normally self-refer attending wtth vouther5 and recelvlng beneflts reviews, budgetlng. and Income maximisatlon advice erc. and therefore needln8 le$5 long-term support from us. We have contlnued to operate a pre-packed only service and to provlde a range of personal care and household cleanin8 item5, f￿sh frult, and vegetables from Fareshare and other providers. and fresh bread and bakery Item5 donated by both Warburtons and Marks and Spencer. We also provlde speclflc pre-packed parcels for homeless and vegetarlan I Halal Foodbank users and have these available each session. Smethwlck Focdbank operates a 'donatlons day, each Wednesday where Holy Trlnlty Church 15 open for donations from the local community and corporate and buslness donors. We have agaln increased the number of Referral Agencles, focusing on Iixal service5 that are providlng *ace•to-face prov15ion, Including all dottor'5 surgerles and schools wlthin Smethwlck, arbd a wlde range of local charitles, Including refugee support charlties and those offerlng debt and addiction support. It 15 Vltal to work in partnership wfth our referral agencies to ensure that the full spertrum of advice and support is offered to our neighbours in financial hardship. Tralnlng ha5 been a prlority in the last twelve months. with volunteers and staff accessing an unprecedented level of tralning and support. We have trained staff and volunteer5 In Emergency First Aid at Work, Safeguardin& Health and Safety, Manual Handling and Allergen Training. Page 3

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJECTIVES AND AcfiviTIES Going forwards, the focu5 15 agaln on maintalnlng fundlng: workln8 In partnership wlth Sandwell Council in thelr new food distributlon hub for foodbank5 and pantrles,- developlng our strategic goa15; developing the training and support we offer to all volunteer5. regardless of need5,. and in ensurlng that clients contlnue to receive tlmely help and avold long term Foodbank use where p0551ble. Your Local Pantry: Smethwlck Food Pantry Your Local Pantry Smethwlck Is a member of the Your Local Pantry network and operates as a longer-term and sustalnable optlon for addresslng fc4)d poverty within the local area. It operates a5 a member-led nelghbourhood hub that provides Iow-COSt. quality food to Its members, as well as being a 5prlngboard Into other community Inltiatives and support service5. The pantry has been able to support members wlth access to high quality fresh food savlng an average of £33.96 per week on a grocery bill, plus free frult and vegetables which are provlded in addltion to thelr maln shopping, Members have struggled wlth the cost-of-Ilvin8 crlsls and the rlslng cost of energy bills. Members reported that they were not uslng thelr conventlonal gas cookers to make hot meals as they were worrfed aboirt their Lrtlllty bills,. they we not usln8 thelr free ve8etables and in some cases were throwlng them away. As a pantry team. we war*ted to find creatlve ways to overcome these hurdles. The aim for thls year was to help pantry members to utillse all of the produce sold at the pantry and in the summer, we launched the proJect 'Don't Waste Food,. We ran cooklng classes wlth demonstrations of how the fresh produce could be cooked and made into wholesome meals without the need for lengthy cooklng In an oven. The meals were cooked uslng slow cookers and air fryer5 $0 that they could be more cost effectlve. Research conflrmed that It cost5 only 13p to cook a hot, healthy and nutrltlous meal in a slow cooker and Just 18p In an alr fryer. The cookery classes were a g￿at success but most member5 did not own a slow cooker nor an alr fryer, so we secured fundlng to purchase both of these for pantry members and these were distrlbuted In the winter months to members who are now benefltlng from these Items. Tenderstem Broccoll. who are a partner of Actlon A8alnst Hunger, contlnue to support Your Local Pantry Smethwlck, whlch has enabled us to extend the openlng hours of rhe pantry to Tuesday afternoons in addltion to the main pantry day of Wednesday. 8ecause of thSs, the waltlng list has sl8nificantly Come down from 120 to 13 and we have been able to accommodate dlrect referrals from the Foodbank. We have built good working relationshlps with PRL@Sainsbury's where we have a local donation polnt. We provlde 'wish Ilst, of scarce items and donors are generous in thelr response. Smethwlck Pantry is a150 working closely wlth local independent Supermarket and now has a donatlon point in their premlses whlch Is collected weekly. These relatlonship5 help malntsin the sustainablllty of the Pantry. Currentty we have 74 members signed up as pantry members. In the 202312024 financlal year we had a total of 2,049 Individual member vlsits. Smethwick Pantry is more than a pantry. it is about connecting people and helping them build brightsrfuture. Church NÈtwork Meeting monthly for prayers. encouragement and havlng a moanlll Is becomlng a habit agalnl Church Leaders are encouraged to look beyond their own responslbilities and begln to dream drearns for the future of our work together. New friendshlps and partnershlps are being estsblished and it Is from these new foundations that future minlstry and Ideas will flow. Page 4

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NEnfiioRK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES As churche5 we have an opportunity to offer leadership In our local communlty in areas such as cllmate change, communlty cohe51on, welcoming of newly arrived people and settlng the tone and manner for that a5 we seek to live the gospel we try to Ilve by. We give thanks for the work of Hannah Girlin& Trustee responsible for the Church Network, who is energising us all and making sure we are on tlme and In the right church every monthl Thank5 Hannahl Communlty Sponsorshlp Smethwick CAN is no longer the lead sponsor of the Smethwick Communlty Sponsorship group, however we are still providing advi￿ and support, including organising volunteering opportunltles for a member of the sponSo￿d family. Part of the Home offlce scheme, the project alms to house and support a newly arrlved famlly in the UK. Wlth funds provlded by Solihull Methodlst Church, the group were successful In obtalning a house and welcomed a family In September 2022. Wlth support from a dedlcated group of volunteers from varying churches and community groups, the family are now thrivlng and accesslng t￿th natlonal and community-based support setvlces includln8 health, educatlon. ESOL classes, as well as recreatlonal actlvltles, Including local parks and communlty 8reen spaces. Publlc benefit Smethwlck Church Actlon Network ICANI alms to serve our nelghbour5 In times of cr1515 and help facilitate a transition from being a place of need, to one of OPF)OrtynitV* hope, and 5elf-sufficiency. Smethwick CAN started out as a grassroots nelwork of churches who gathered in 2011 with the alm of supportlng those In the IcKal comrnunity who were experlencing food poverty. From thi5, Smethwlck Foodbank Ipart of the natlonal Tru55ell Trust ne￿orkI was launched. Sadly, our Foodbank Is now busier than ever, with this trend only set to contlnue as the cost-of-llving cr15is and aftermath of the pandemic take thelr toll. In 2014 Smethwlck CAN became a re8lstered charity and Since then the churches have launched numerous other projects. We currently run a Communlty Pantry In Smethwlck Llbrary as well a5 aidlng local churches to expand and develop thelr community actfivities. The churches In the network host a varlety of coffee momlngs, chlldren and youth artivities, Places of Welcome and Community luftches. We collaborate closely wlth numerous partner organisatlons and, with thanks to funding from SCVO, have expanded our Informatlon and slgnpostlng hubs at both Foodbank and Pantry, to Include a wlde ran8e of advlce and support partners. We would love to see a day when there is no need for Foodbanks and are actlvely looklng at ways we can support our neighbours out of places of crlsi5 and food poverty and Into places where they can thrive. Page 5

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH Z024 OBJEcnvES AND AcfiviTIES Volunteers We have further developed our exlstlng relationshlp with the 8irmlngham Youth Offending team by including a formal volunteer recruitment process for their cllents, gSvin8 them practlce In the skills requlred when applying for lob5. We also Include them Sn Safeguardlng and Manual Handling trainln& giving them certlficates that can add to thelr CV. We have had very positlve feedback from the parolees post-placement reviews. particularly about how welcomed and valued they felt whilst with us. A150 thls year. we were asked to provlde reference5 for parolees attendlng court hearlngs, detsllln8 any progre55 they have made In thelr learnlng and development. We have been able to extend Ilmited support to adult5 recently released from pri50n on parole, and have made links wlth Released to Change, a local charlty that SUPPOrts adult men released from prison, who are trylng to bulld a new life in the communlty. On two occasions thls year we had applicatlons from two such men, who due to the limlts of their parole, were unable to volunteer with us, but we were able to Introduce them to Release to Change who help them look for more sultable volunteerlng roles and offer them mentorshlp to help wlth other concerns they may have. Thls year we have started working In partnershlp wtth the Sandwell Adult and Famlly Learnlng Team ISAFALI. We have been worklng together to develop volunteering opportunlties for adults with Learnin8 or physl¢al difflculties, wfth one per50n actlvely volunteering and three others goln8 through an extended recrultment proce55 to ensure they have the rlght support to become a volunteer wlth us. Thls can be a tlme-consumlng process as It requlres multlple vlsits or meetin85 wlth the potentlal volunteer, their families and SAFAL followed by robust support plannlng and rlsk assessment to ensure a successful and 5UPPOrtlve placement. It ha5 been wldely ocknowledged that volunteerln8 In a Foodbank or Food Pantry can be emotional and stressful, therefore the Volunteer Co-ordinator ha5 contlnued to provide formal and infomial opportunltles to 'check In, with all volunteers and support where needed. A reflectlon template has been developed and has been offered followlng any dlstresslng incldent that has caused concerns. Thls can be used with an indlvldual or a group and Is facilltated by the Volunteer Co-ordinator. It has proved to be very effective In helpln8 volunteers overcome their emotional distress. It has also been shared with two other local charlties who expressed an Interest in what we do he￿ to support volunteers. Page 6

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES Volunteer Recruitment Stage of Recruitment No. Comments Expressed an Interest Numberwe declined Completed applicatlons revlewed Number fully recrulted Number who volunteered All who rang or emailed expressing a w15h to volunteer All who were not eligible to become a volunteer at SCAN All completed applications received All who completed the full recnJ6tment process All who carried out at least I session as a volunteer. 36 20 17 The above figures show that of all the requests we have to volunteer, 29% res￿￿ed in actual volunteers across SCAN'S projects. It is dlfficult to compare these fi8ures to the Natlonal Councll for Voluntary Organisation data as it does not ollate figures showln8 percentage of enquiries resuthing In successful recruitment of volunteers. However, on dlscussion with other local charStles and the Sandwell Council Voluntary Organlsatlon, 29% recrultment rate from Inltlal enqulrles to actual volunteering Is considered a very good outcome, Reasons for leavlng In descendlng order: l. Declined a DBS check 2. Inadequate referen￿S 3. To commence full tlme educatlon 4. To start a newlob 5. Moved to a new area CHARITABLE ACTWMES Smethwlck Foodbank Over the 12-month perlod from 1st Aprll 2024 to 31st March 2024 we provided 5796 emergency food parcels 15,121 In 2022-20231 provldlng over 123,000 meals for people crisS5. Throu8h fundlng from the Esmee Falrbalrne Foundation ISCVO l Eplcl, Harborne Parlsh Lands Charlty, Awards for All, lulla and Hans Rauslng Trust, TFL Community Fund, The National Grid Communty Fund and The Trussell Trust, we were able to maintaln our part-time staff team to include Foodbank Manager, Warehouse Cwrdinator, Warehouse Asslstant, a Sl8npostlng and Volunteer Cowordlnator and an Adminlstrator. We continue to be sUPPOrted by a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers, including some volunteers who have helped slnce the Foodbank opened in 2012. Despite the unantlcipatsd c05t of livlng crisi5 that has followed the Pandemic. and the ongolng need for our services, we were able to keep up wlth the demand, Includlng provldlng fresh fruit and vegetables to supplement our food parcels through twice-weekly dellveries from Fareshare. We have Increased our volunteer team and our slgnpostlng and support servlces to those in financial crlsls. We worked wlth over 100 partner referral agencies and continue to work with partners such as Cltizen's Advice, Brushstrokes, Help Through Hardshlp. Local Welfare Provislon and The Community Offer to provlde support to people experlencing a range of Issues includlng redundanty, unemployment, benefft delays, domestlc vlolence, and addlctlon. Your Local Pantry: Srnethwick The Pantry continues to provlde support wlth new members signlng up weekly- we have extended our opening tlmes by opening an addltlonal afternoon each week and have increased Mem￿rship. with plans to increase thls further. We have worked in partnershlp with Smethwlck Library to create an Information and slgnp05ting hub during Pantry openlng hour5. This has included atlzen's Advice, mentsl health sUPPQrt and local children'5 centre services. Page 7

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK (REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002343) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES As a charlty, two of our core values are to be Inclusive and accepting, and therefore we are passlonate about ensuring not only the quallty and standards of the food we provide, but to offera ray of hope to those who are in financlal crlsis. Case Study., a pantry member with 9 chlldren who has lost Income due to a change In her ellgibllity for certain benefits was havin8 to borrow money to pay her £6 pantry membershlp fee. As well as providing a referral to Citlzen's Advice. we were abte to provlde free nappies, sanltary products and baby food to the member to help reduce the burden on her Income. The pantry always goes above and beyond to support our communlty when In need. Church Netwo The churche5 that had fundlng to develop thelr kltchen spaces last year have now been able to reopen prevlous communlty Initlatlve5 as well as start new ones, for example, a 'chatty cafe, to support those learnln8 Eng115h,. communlty youth group that Involves the young people cooking and eating together; stay and play sessions that Include family cooklng tlme- Places of Welcome and coffee mornings. A Renew Wellbelng Café at one of the churches In our network has now been open for over a year and Is successfully welcoming members of the local communlty In need of support and frlendship. Cornmunlty 5pon50rship The Community Sponsorship 8roup welcomed their ftrst famlly In September 2022, throughout the whole of the last year, this h85 been a wonderful opportunlty for members of varyin8 churche5 and communities to come together and support the family as they settle to1Sfe In the UK. Even thoLrgh we are no longer the lead or8anlsation, Smethwick CAN have helped by supporting them to occes5 health seNices and tts complete flnancial applications,. assistSng wlth access to s¢hools and provlsion of school unlform, and attendlng school parenrs, evenings, as well as provldlng volunteerlng opportunlties to a member of the famlly. In addition, the volunteers have provlded a safe and consistent befrlendlng base and enabled the family to access local comrnunlty support e.g. findln8 a welcoming place to worship. connectlng them with other familie5 from the same cultural background, IntroducSng and supportlng them to use public transport, and ac¢ompanylng them to stay and play 8roups and ESOL servlce5. Currently the volunteers are helping the family develop their own hobbies and interests and continue to Improve their English lan8uage skllls. F114ANCIAL REVIEW Flnandal posltlon The Statement of Flnancial Actlvities for the year ended 31 March 2024 shows incomSng resources totallSng £187,980 12023.. £199,389) and resources expended totalling £190,388 12023.. £147,630), generating net outgoing resources of E2,40812023'. net incoming resources of £51,759). The charlty's balance sheet 15 re¢ordlng total net assets of £99,405 as at 31 March 202412023.. £101,813). Page 8

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK {REGISTERED NUMBER: CE0023431 REPORTOF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 FUTURE PiANS Like all organlsation5, the Pandemlc and the ongolng cost of IivSng crlsis has contlnued to have had a major impart on our services, with demand cofttinuing to be at all-tSme high. Thls is a trend that unfortunately is only goin8 to continue. As we look to the future, our aim Is to continue to focus on ssjpporting people to move from crisls to self-sufficiency, whllst also bein8 reallstic about our own Ilmitations and a deslre to do all things well, Although much has been achieved In thls area over the past 12 month5. 80in8 into the new financial year we are planning to focus on.. Contlnulng to develop a sustainable funding strategy. not only with grant appllcation5 but deepenlng our relationships with local organisations, for examFle surplus food donations, corporate support (including our partnership with Actlon Against Hun8erl and exploring how we can share resources Wlth other local charltles and partners. in¢ludlng being a lead organlsatlon in the Sandwell-wide d15trlbutlon hub for Foodbanks and Pantrles which opens later this year. As a grassroots or8anisatlon, the relationshlp between the charlty and assoclated churches has been one that has 8rown and developed organically over the course of the charlty's existence. As a result of the work that began In March 2022 to consider the questlon of 'What makes a church a Smethwick CAN Church?, a more formallsed membershlp statement that churches Can slgn up to has been created, with the focus being on partnershlp work and on proactlvely seeklng opportunlties to collaborate. Thls collaborative work culminated in a celebratory event in Ottober 2023. The Church leaders, gathering wlll remaln open to all church leaders, whether members or not. Further increase the opening hours for Pantry to be able to increase the number of members that we can welcome on weekly basis, wlth a partlcular focu5 on dlrect referrals from the Foodbank Energy advlce servlces wlll begin attendlng Pantry sesslon5 in the summer of 2024. Focus on Sncreaslng the cultural dlver51ty of food on offer at the Pantry to ensure that It reflects the multl-cukural needsand backgrounds ofour members. Contlnued development and integratlon of signpostlng and Informatlon hubs at both Foodbank and Pantry, Sncludlng further expbration of advocacy servlos and how we can better support people to advocate for themselves In times of crlsls. Formatlon of a steerlng group for both Pantry and Foodbank, comprising of trustees, Staff, volunteers, donors, and servlce users to ensure those wlth Ilved experlence remaln at the heart of all we do, and their voices are heard at all levels of decision making. We are continulng to explore longer term blds for both core and addltional cost5 and more sustalnable mlxed models of fundraising. To further develop the impact and scope of our dedlcated Volunteer Coordinator to ensure volunteer5 of all need5 and abillties are well supported and thelr volces are heard at all operatlonal and strategic levels. In 2024-25 there wlll be a focus on recrulting and 5UPPOrtlng volunteers w￿h addttional needs, both at Foodbank and Pantry, as well as at projects wr(hln the church network. In addltion. we are looklng at developing our volunteerlng offer through seeking accreditation for all volunteer training. We are also sourcing new avenues from which to recruit new volunteer5 and further developing our collaboration working wlth Birmingham Youth Offending Servlces to provlde a wlder variety of placements for young people le.g. at the Community Orchard). We are addStionally hoping to begin the process toward5 Investing In Volunteers Quallty Standards aCc￿ditatIon, howeverthls Is dependent on funding. Page 9

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN N￿oRK {REGiSTERED NUM8ER, CE0023431 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAft ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 srRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Go¥ernin8 document The charity Is controlled by Its 8overnlng dgcument. a deed of tiU5L 4nd constltules a Ilrnrted cornpany. limited by guarantee, a5 deftned by the Companles Act 2006. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTIIATIVE DETAILS Reglstered Company number CE0023431En8land and Wales1 Reglstered Charfty number 1157993 Reilstered offlce HolyTrinity C¢)mmunlty Offlce Chuich 11111 Street Smethwlck West Mldland$ 867 7AH Trustses Q R Gould NMR055 W D¥ke K J Penlket l R Crewes I C3nnin8S S J Bentham H Girllng G D Srown Company Secretsry W Dyke Independent Examlner I W Hlnk5 LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Highfleld Fload Ed8baston 8irmingham West Midlands B15 38H Approved by order ofthe board of trustees on.....-..

Q-ir . and sSEned on Its behall by: D R Gould - Trustee Pa8e 10

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRusfEES OF Sm￿HWICK CHURCH AcfioN NEfwoRK Independent examiner's ￿pOrt to the trustees otsmethwlck Church Actlon Network I'the Company,) I report to the charity trustees on my examlnation of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024, Respon5iblllties and basls of report As the charity's trustees of the Company land also its dlrectors for the purposes of company lawl you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance wlth the requlrements of the Companie5 Att 20061'the 2006 Act'l. Having satisfled 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 charlty's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charlties Act 2011 I'the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Dirertions 8iven by the Charlty Commlssion under Settion 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Act. Independent examlner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attentlon in connection with the examlnation giving me cause to believe.. accountln8 records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or the accounts do not accord with those records; or the accounts do not comply wlth the accountlng requlrements of Sertlon 396 of the 2006 Act other than anv requlrement that the accounts 8lve a true and falr vlew whlch Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent exarnlnotlon; or the account5 have not been prepared in accordance wlth the methods and prlnclples of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reportlng by charltles lappllcable to charlties preparln8 their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland IFRS 10211. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connectlon wlth the exaTninatlon to which attentlon Should be drawn In this report In orderto enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached, James Cruse ACA, FCCA J W Hinks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Hlghfield Road Edgbaston Bimiingham West Midlands B15 3BH Date: .... Page 11

SMEfHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Totsl funds Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donatlons and grants 42,391 134,116 176.507 190,149 Other trading actlvltles 11,473 11,473 9,240 Totsl 53,864 134,116 187.980 199,389 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable artlvltles Charltable actlvlties Support C05t5 Governance costs 23039 11,360 2,769 147,289 5,104 17 171,128 16.464 2,796 131.769 13,218 2,643 Total 37,968 152,420 190,388 147,630 INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI 15,896 118,304) {2,408) 51,759 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Totsl funds brought forward 47,533 101,813 50,054 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 70,176 29,229 99.405 101,813 The notes form part of these financial statements Page 12

SMETHWICK CHURCH AclloN NETWORK {REGISTERED NUMBER: CE002>13) BALANCE SHE 31 MARCH 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Totsl funds Unrestrlcted funds Restricted funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tanglble assets s,0 53114 7.065 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 79 70,560 79 544 98,893 29,230 70,639 29,230 99,869 99,437 CREDThORS Amounts falllng due wlthln one year 15N78) 15,478) 14,689 NEf CURRENT ASSErs 65.161 29230 94,391 94,748 TOTAL A55EtS LESS CURRENT LIABIUTIES 70.175 29,230 99M05 101,813 70,175 29,230 99,405 101.813 FUNDS Unrestricted fund5 RestrScted funds 70,175 29,230 54.280 47,533 TOTAL FUNDS 99,405 101,813 The charltablè company Is entitled to exemptlon from audlt under Section 477 of the Companles Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. The members have not requlred the company to obtain an audlt of Its finan¢lal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 In accordance with Sectlon 476 of the Companles Act 2006. The trustee5 acknowledge thelr responslbllSties for ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply wlth Sectlons 386 and 387 of the Companles Att 2006 and preparing financlal statements which glve a true and fair vlew of the state of affairs of the charltable company as at the end of each financlal year and of its surplus or deficit for each financlal year In accordance wlth the requirements of Section5 394 and 395 and which otherwlse comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitsble company. Ibl The notes form part of these financial statements Page 13 continued...

SMEfHWICK CHURCH AcnoN NETWORK (REGISTERED NUM&ER: CE(1023431 BALANCE SHEET- rontlhu•d 51 W4RCH Z024 These finantial statements have been prepared in accordance wlth the pfomslons applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies rEgime. The fin neial statements were approved by the Board of Tr¢ts¢ees and auihorlsed for Issue L4-.... ènd wefe Signed on its behaw by.. on D A Gould .Trustee The notes form part Of these fin3ntial statements Page 14

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcnoN NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ACCOUNTING POUCIES BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements of the charitable company, which Is a public benefit entlty under FRS 102, have been prepared In accordance with the Charlties SORP IFRS 1021 'Accountlng and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practlce applicable to charities preparlng their accounts In accordance wlth the Financlal Reportlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffectlve l January 20191,, Flnancial ReFortlng Standard 102 'The Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland, and the Companles Act 2006. The financlal statements have been prepared under the historlcal cost conventlon. INCOME All Income Is recogni5ed in the Ststement of Flnancial Actlvlties once the charlty has entltlement to the funds, It Ss probable that the Income wlll be receSved and the amount can be measured relSablv. EXPENDtfuRE LlabllStle5 are recognlsed as expendlture as soon as there is a legal or constructive obllgatlon committlng the charity to that expenditure, It 15 probable that a transfer of economic benefits wlll be requSred in settlement and the amount of the obligatlon can be measured rellably. Expendlture Is accounted for on an accrua15 basls and has been classtfied under headin85 that aggregate all c05t related to the category. Where costs cannot ￿ dlrectly attrfbuted to particular headlngs they have been allocated to activitles on a basls consistent with the use of resource5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS DepreciatSon Is provided at the followlng annual rates In order to write off each asset over its estimated useful lrfe. Plant and machlnery Flxtures and flttlngs Computer equlpment 20% on cost at varyln8 rates on c05t 25% on cost TAXATION The charity Is exempt from corForation tax on Its charitable actlvltSes. FUND ACCOUNTING Unrestrlcted funds can be used In accordance wlth the charitable oblectlves at the discretlon of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for partlcular restrltted purposes wlthln the objects of the charity. Restrlctlons arlse when specified by the donor or when funds are ralsed for particular restrlrted purposes. Further explanatlort of the natu￿ and purpose of each fund is included In the notes to the flnanclal statements. PENSION COSTS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS The charitable company operate5 a defined contribution penslon scheme. Contrlbutlon5 payable to the charitsble company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Flnancial Activities In the period to whlch they relate. Page 15 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACnON NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 OTHER TRADING AcnviTIES 2024 2023 Shop income IIA73 9,240 NET INCOMV(EXPENDITUREI Net Incomel{expendlturel 55 5tsted after chargingjlcreditingl., 2024 2023 Independent examlners fees Auditors, remunerat¢on for non audlt work Depreciatlon- owned assets 1,800 843 2,436 996 2.291 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND 8ENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneratlon or other beneffts for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. TRUSTEES, EXPENSES There were no trustees, expense5 paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. STAFF COSTS The average monthly number of employees durlng the year was as follows: 2024 2023 Employees No employees recelved emoluments In exce55 of £60,000. Page 16 corstinued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH AclloN NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS- contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures and fittings Plant and machlnery Computer equipment Totsls At l Aprll 2023 Additlons 1,518 2.877 10fi51 240 At31 March 2024 I,s 6,256 3,117 lo￿1 DEPRECIATION At l April 2023 Charge for year 451 304 831 735 3,586 Z,291 1,252 At 31 March 2024 755 3,556 1,566 5A77 NÉT BOOK VAWE At 31 March 2024 763 2.71JO 1.551 5.014 At 31 March 2023 1,067 3.952 2,046 7.065 DEBTORS: AMOUNfs FALUNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Other debtors 544 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Soclal security and other tsxes Other credltors Credlt card Accrued expenses 173 3,222 1,800 2,889 1,8Cw) 5,478 4,689 Page 17 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcnoN NEfwoRK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement In funds At 31.3.24 At 1.4.23 Unrestrfcted funds General fund Pantry Membership 41,158 13,122 19,474 13,5791 9,543 15m5 70,175 Restrlrted funds Trussell Trust Istrateglc Facilitles Grant) Sandwell MBC Foodbank Award5 4 All EPIC fund 2 Harborne Parlsh Lands Julia & Han5 Rauslng Trust Sandwell MBC Pantry Tesco Groundworks Tru55ell Trust Iwlnter Support Grant) Alex Ferry Foundatlon Natlonal Grld Communlty Matters Fund TFL Communlty Fund Turner Trust The Eveson Trust 2250 7,5( 1,948 13,903 3,4105 6,393 239 1,540 10,349 2,250 6,41VI 11.102) 11,948) 113,903) {3.4051 16,3931 3fi24 17,9061 2037 192 41 2,037 192 41 2,000 io,(MJo io,o(x) 47,533 I￿?03) 29,230 TOTAL FUNDS lo1￿13 12,4081 99AOS Page 18 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDEO 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Net movement in funds, included in the atove are as follows: Incomlng resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrfcted funds General fund Pantry Membershlp 42.392 11,47Z 122,9181 115,0511 19A74 (3,579) 53064 (37,%9) 15095 Restrfcted lunds Tru55ell Trust IStrate8lc Facllltles Grant) Local Givln8 Maglc Grants Sandwell MBC Foodbank Awards 4 All EPIC fund 2 Harborne Parish Lands Julia & Hans Rausing Trust Sandwell MBC Pantry Tesco Groundworks Tru55ell Trust Iwlnter Support Grant) Tenderstem Broccoli Alex Ferry Foundatlon Natlonal Grld Communlty Matters Fund TFL Community Fund Turner Trust Dulverton Trust Fund The Harry Payne Fund Heart of England Communlty Foundatlon Warburtons Community Fund The Eveson Trust 19m) 1500) 148,602) 11,948) {13,903> 114A281 16,3931 14,336) 14,9921 17,906) 15,000) 1463) 16,305) 19,907) 47,5 11,1021 11,948} (13,903) 13,405 16W3) 21N23 7.960 3N52 11,540) ,9061 2,5(X) 6A97 Z.037 192 41 4,436 14,4361 11,500 12,(M)O 2,000 400 10,000 10,000 134,116 1152,419) (18,303) TOTAL FUNDS 187,980 (1903881 12,408) Page 19 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- conilnued Comparatives for movement In fvnds Net movement In funds Tran￿ets between funds At 31.3.23 At 1.4.22 Unrestrfcted funds General fund Pantry Membership 27.365 4.712 15,710 4,551 11,9171 3,859 41.158 13,122 32,077 20,261 1,942 54,280 Rertrlrted fund$ Eplc Fund Covid 19 Response 5CVO Vislon Community 8akery All Churche5 Trust Trussell Trust IStrate8ic Faclllties Grantl VINCI UK Foundation Actlon Agaln5t Hunger Communlty Spon50rshlp Faithful Neighbourhood5 Sandwell MBC Foodbank Awards 4 All EPIC fund 2 Harborne Parlsh Lands Julia & Hans RausingTrust Sandwell MBC Pantry Tesco Groundwork5 Trussell Trust (Winter Support Grant Sainsbury Nelghbourly Tenderstem Broccoll Western Power Dlstributlon 1,8(h) 123 608 7,701 2,250 2.875 161 2,128 328 I1,8￿) 11231 16081 17,701} 2,250 16001 {1611 12,1281 13281 7,064 1,948 13,903 3,449 6,349 239 1,540 10,349 12,2751 439 7,506 1,948 13,903 3,405 6,393 239 1441 10,349 97 io 1971 iioi 17,977 31,498 11,9421 47,533 TOTAL FUNDS 50,054 51.759 101.813 Page 20 contlnued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcnoN NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- ¢ontlnued Comparative net movement In funds, Included In the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement In funds Unrestrlrted fvnds General fund Pantry Membershlp 44.274 11,219 128,5641 16,6681 15,710 4,551 55.493 {35.2321 20,261 Restrfcted funds Epic Fund Covld 19 Re5F)onse Grantham Yorke SCVOV151on Community Bakery All Churches Trust Tru55ell Trust Istrateglc Facilfitles Grant) VINCI UK Foundatlon Action Agaln5t Hunger Local Giving Magic Grants Community Sponsorshlp Falthful Nelghbourhoods Sandwell MBC Foodbank Awards 4 All EPIC fund 2 Harborne Par15h Lands Julia & Hans Rausing Trust Sandwell M8C Pantry Tesco Groundworks Trussell Trust (Winter Support Grant) Salnsbury Nelghl)ourlv Tenderstem 8roccoll Western Power Dlstrlbutlon 11.8001 11231 I1,0￿) 16081 17,7011 19,OLKII 16001 11611 15001 19,6601 13281 123.9361 16,6521 121,6561 13,6921 14,3911 12,2971 11,0491 13,6501 15011 110,6031 12.4901 11,8WI 11231 1,000 16081 17,7011 9,IXJO 16001 11611 5(K) 7,532 12,1281 13281 7,064 1,948 13,903 3,449 6.349 239 31,000 8,600 35,559 7,141 10,740 2,536 2,589 13,999 5CN) 10,700 2.5 10,349 iii 97 io 143,896 1112.3981 31.498 TOTAL FUNDS 199.389 1147,6301 51,759 Unrestrlrted- General Funds This fund represents the free funds of the charlty that are not deslgnated for any partlcular purpose. Designated- Pantry Mernbership Funds Thls fund contains traded Income from money paid weekly by Pantry members. and occaslonal donations to Your Local Pantry Smethwick. Page 21 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH ACTION NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- contlnued Designated- Corporate Donatlons These are corporate donations for our general funds, whlch have been internally deslgnated to cover partlcular fundlng needs: Amold Clark.. £2,￿o- designated to Pantry Manager salary tosts from January to Marth 2024 Rlchardson Brothers: £3,000 - deslgnated to Foodbank Adminlstrator salary costs from April to September 2024. Enfinlum.. £6.000- deslgnated to Foodb3nk Manager salary costs from April to Septernber 2024. Restrlrted- rr str*eglc Fa¢llltles Grant This fundlng is a Trussell Trust grant towards the cost of Pfemlses rental from July 2021 to June 2024. and foodbank 5helvlng. Restrlcted- Sandwell MBC (Foodbink) Th55 15 0n80ing fundln8 from Sandwell MBC 5petlfically designated for food costs and carrier bags for use wlthln our foodbank project. Restrlrted- Awards 4 All {Natlonal Lottery) This Is a grant from the National Lottery Communlty fund coverlng Foodbank Admlnlstrator salary costs from June 2022 to June 2023. Restricted- Ma8lc Grants Thls Is a small grant from Local Glvlng for Your Local Pantry Smethwlck for frozen food. Restrlcted- Eplc Fund12) Thls fundln8 is a grant from Sandwell Councll for Voluntary Or8an15atlons ISCVOI deslgnated to staff costs, refreshments for meetings, and trainSng. Restrlrted- Harborne Parlsh Land Charlty Th151s a grant towards Foodbank staff costs from January to December 2023. Restricted- Julia & Hans Rauslng Trust This Is a grant towards Foodbank salary costs from January to June 2023. Restrirted- Sandwell M8C (Pantry) This 15 a grant from the Household Support Fund for food for mernbers of Your Local Pantry Smethwicl and further grant for Pantry members to be glven slow cookers and air fryer5. Restrirted- Tenderstem Broccoll This Is a grant from Action against Hunger in conlvnction wlth Tender5tem Broccoll to support Your Local Pantry Smethwick with stsffln8 C05t5, food costs and other speclfied costs as per the grant agreement. Restri¢ted- Te5co Groundworks These a￿ ongoing grants from Tesco forthe provision of fresh frult and ve8etable5 for foodbank users. Page 22 continued...

SMEThWICK CHURCH AcfioN NEfwoRK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- ¢ontlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Re5trirted- Tru55ell Trust Wlnter Support Grant Thls Is a Trussell Trust grant designated to additional staffing costs, food costs, and slow cooker5 for foodbank cllents. An underspend was allocated to rental costs. Restrirted- Alex Ferry Foundatlen Thls Is a grant from the Alex Ferry foundatlon for Foodbank Manager salary costs from April to September 2024, and for rucksacks of equipment and clothing for homele55 Foodbank cllents. Restrlcted- Natlonal Grld Communlty Matter5 Fund Thls Is a grant from National Grld Community Matters Fund for foodbank staff costs, warm home packs for foodbank clients, and additional heating costs. Restrlcted- TFL Communlty Fund Thls wa5 a grant for Foodbank staff costs frorn January to March 2024. Restricted- Turner Trust Thls Is a grant towards CO￿ costs, whlch ha5 been Intemally ollocated to Warehouse Administrator salary costs from April to June 2024. Restrlrted- The Eveson Trust Thls is a grant towards staff costs from Aprll 2024 to March 2025. Restrlcted- Dulverton Trust Fund Thls Is a grant from the Heart of England Blrmlngham and Black Country Communltles Fund In conlunctlon with the Dulverton Trust for Pantry Manager salary costs from August 2023 to February 2024, and Pantry food costs. Restrlrted - The Harry Payne Fund Thls Is a grant for addltlonal heating costs. and equipment for foodbank, Restrlrted- Heart of England Communlty Foundatlon Thls is a 8rant for Your Local Pantry Smethwlck for addltlonal food stocks. Restrl¢ted- Warburtons Community Fund Thls Is a small grant from Warburtons for Your Local Pantry Smethwick for frozen food. Page 23 continued...

SMETHWICK CHURCH AcfioN NETWORK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- contlnued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 io. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related partytransartlons for the year ended 31 March 2024. Page 24