The Red Trust Bushey
THE RED TRUST BUSHEY
(Working name: The Red Cafe)
Registered Charity Number 1161424
Trustees Report and Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2023
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The Red Trust Bushey
Trustees Stuart Singleton – Chairman Ann East – Founder trustee and Secretary Elizabeth Vis – Founder trustee and Treasurer Alison Guthrie Sam Frampton -Resigned 4 August 2023 Staff Sharon Fowler -Joined 6 November 2022 Mia Handley Miriam McCulloch Katie Smith – Joined 29 May 2022 Address 2 Lower Paddock Road, Watford WD19 4DS Bankers CAF Bank Limited, 25, Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
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The Red Trust Bushey
Contents
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|Page|
|Report of the Trustees|4|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|9|
|Receipts and Payments Account|10|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|11|
|Notes to the Accounts|11|
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The Red Trust Bushey
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees are pleased to present their report for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Formation and constitution
The Red Trust Bushey (RTB) was set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1st March 2015. The members of the CIO are the charity trustees.
Objects of the charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
In accordance with Christian principles, the Objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit:
-the relief of those in need (but not exclusively) by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other social or economic disadvantage.
-to advance in life and help young people through the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life and providing support and activities which help develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals; and
-to further or benefit the residents of Bushey and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
Trustees
The trustees who have served during the period to the date of this report (unless otherwise stated) are as above.
New trustees are selected when there is a need for additional expertise and experience. A new trustee will be recommended by a member of the current trustees and the new trustee is then appointed by a majority vote at the trustees’ meeting. A comprehensive induction is undertaken by the Chair of Trustees for new trustees. This includes giving them a copy of the trustee handbook, discussion on RTB Vision and Values and attendance at a trial trustee meeting. The risk assessment, finance report and outline of current activities of the trust is given to every new trustee.
Organisation
The trustees meet at least four times each calendar year for a business meeting to decide policy, to manage the affairs of the trust, to discuss news and to pray.
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The Red Trust Bushey
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
Use of volunteers and other non-monetary gifts
The Trust could not function without the work of volunteers who assist with running the café and foodbank and other events. We are grateful for their commitment and enthusiasm – they make the work of the Trust possible.
This year we have increased the number of Red Trust volunteers from 20 regular volunteers to 30 supporting the foodbank, café and at local events. RTB has also invested in our volunteer process and procedures to ensure we are up to date with safeguarding guidelines. We now have an online and hard copy volunteer application form and follow up on all references for each volunteer. We have also become members of The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and as part of our membership we are able to access the volunteer resources, support and policies to ensure we are in line with national guidelines.
We couldn’t run our foodbank without the support and partnership of Bushey Parish, which provides storage and access to their hall and garage to run the foodbank. We are also extremely grateful to Bushey Baptist Church for their provision of free office and meeting space, as well as many other forms of support.
It would be impossible to run the foodbank without the support of so many local schools, places of worship, local businesses, other organisations and individuals. The ongoing supply of basic staples has enabled people in our community to live without hunger.
Achievements and Performance
Foodbank
The foodbank has continued to open every Friday and we have been able to give food to anyone who has come because of the generosity of the local community. We have been able to continue employing a part time foodbank manager. Many who come to the foodbank have complex needs and we have been able to journey with some who come regularly and support them where possible. A common theme for many is the loss of self-esteem and the restrictions they feel from being on benefits. We’re grateful for the trust that has been built up and continue to learn how to be community together.
In February we also set up an evening foodbank for working families as it had become apparent that there was a need for this. This opened in the Phoenix centre in Farringdon Avenue and has had an ever-increasing number of visitors.
Café
The Red Café runs on Saturdays from 11.30-1.30pm at the Phoenix Centre in Farringdon Road, Bushey. We employed a part time cafe manager from June 2022 and since then and in conjunction with outreach initiatives from our pioneer worker, the numbers using the café have increased. There was a Jubilee celebration event and other special event at Christmas. These events have bought in new users to the café and the café has become a regular for a number of local people.
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The Red Trust Bushey
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
Pioneer Worker
From November 2022, we employed our new Pioneer Worker, who has supported our projects and has been looking to expand our work with young people and families.
Fundraising and Grants
During the year, the Red Trust has continued to employ a part time fundraiser who organised fundraising events and helped with specific grants for the foodbank, café and Pioneer worker. They have been involved in the following:
Fundraising events
We had a raffle during the year to raise money for general funds.
Donations from individuals
The Red Trust Bushey is grateful to individuals who support regularly. Their support is the bedrock for our financial planning.
Donations from churches
Many local churches support us financially, as well as giving food to the foodbank. We greatly appreciate these gifts as well as the prayer support.
Restricted Funds towards the Pioneer Worker
We have funds that have been given to us specifically for our Pioneer Worker. Our new Pioneer Worker started in November 2023. There was an outstanding balance on these funds at the end of the year and this will be carried forward to next year.
Grant funding
We received the following specific grants and donations during the year:
Hertsmere, Hertfordshire and ward initiative improvement scheme grants (WIIS)
During the year we received 2 DWP Cost of Living Grants which mainly covered the work of the foodbank. We also received a Warm Space grant, which was used to support the Foodbank and Café opening for extended hours in the winter months, and Jubilee Grant, which was used for café and foodbank celebrations for the Queens Golden Jubilee. These grants are required to be spent by December 2023 and have an outstanding balance at 31 March 2023. This is shown in specific funds.
Money given specifically for foodbank.
There have been donations given specifically for the foodbank and we use this to purchase food and other necessities for foodbank users. This was all spent by the year end.
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The Red Trust Bushey
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
Other Grants
We have also been fortunate to have been given several grants from other specific donors. Thank you to the small removal company, Heath Hill woman’s club and the Champniss foundation.
Grants and specific donations bought forward from previous years.
All Grants that were outstanding at the beginning of the year were spent during the year, except for the Grants for the Pioneer work (see above)
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are required to prepare accounts for each financial year, which comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. In preparing these accounts the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
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prepare the accounts on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud.
The trustees confirm that they have identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed to. The trustees have reviewed the systems and procedures to manage those risks .
The trustees are also responsible for ensuring that all employees, trustees and volunteers have the appropriate DBS checks. We have also identified any impacts of the GDPR legislation and taken relevant action where appropriate. New employees are taken on subject to these checks being made.
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The Red Trust Bushey
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023 (continued)
Financial Review
Total income for the year was £55,783 (2021/22 - £43,794) comprising £12,938 (2021/22 - £10,862) voluntary donations towards day-to-day running of the Trust, £31,360 (2021/22 - £26,954) specific grants and donations, £9,737 from Fundraising events (2021/22 - £5,595), £1,190 donations from the cafe and £558 (2021/22- £9) investment income.
Total expenditure in the year was £38,356 (2021/22 - £29,644) which includes £28,158 expenditure in relation to restricted income relating to grants, summarised in note 4 (2021/22 - £22,192).
The employment costs covered two employees working part time for one year and three employees working part time for part of the year.
The surplus for the year was £17,427 (of which £3,202 was a surplus from restricted funds) (2021/22 - £13,776). At 31 March 2023, accumulated funds were £93,555 (2021/22- were £76,129), of which £44,332 was restricted. Of the unrestricted funds we have designated £10,000 of these to the community worker; This leaves us with unrestricted and undesignated funds of £39,222. The surplus for the year was due partly to the fact that we were delayed in finding replacement staff. During the latter part of 2022, we were able to fill all staff vacancies.
Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The Red Trust Bushey uses all donations towards general reserves unless a restriction is put on that donation. During the year ending 31 March 2023, it was the aim of The Red Trust to build up Restricted Funds so that we could re-employ a pioneer worker for 2 more years. The new pioneer worker began in December 2022
At 31 March 2023, the reserves were higher than we would normally expect. The Red Trust Bushey endeavour to hold 6 months’ expenditure as our preferred level of reserves. However, we are content with the current level of reserves, as we are expecting to take on additional projects during 2023/24 and we have been given specific funds for these projects.
Appreciation
Finally, we would like to thank our supporting churches and individuals. Their faithful support, both in giving and in praying is the foundation on which our whole work is built. Without them, the Red Trust would not exist.
We would like to express our gratitude to our independent examiner Joanna Woolcock. We record our appreciation for our members of staff – Sharon Fowler, Mia Handley, Miriam McCulloch, Katie Smith and Aspen Phillips-Bidzinski. Thank you for all you have done for the Trust.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees.
Stuart Singleton Elizabeth Vis Chairman of Trustees Treasurer Date
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The Red Trust Bushey
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Red Trust Bushey
I report on the accounts of The Red Trust Bushey (Charity no. 1161424) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023, which comprise the receipts and payments account, the statement of assets and liabilities and the related notes set out on pages 9 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention,
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date
Joanna Woolcock FCA 13, Grover Road, Watford WD19 4HH
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The Red Trust Bushey
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Unrestricted funds Designated Funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds 2022/23 |
Total funds 2021/22 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||||
| VoluntaryDonations | 12,938 | 12,938 | 10,862 | ||
| Specific Donations | 31,360 | 31,360 | 26,954 | ||
| FundraisingEvents | 9,737 | 9,737 | 5,595 | ||
| Café Donations | 1,190 | 1,190 | 374 | ||
| Interest | 558 | 558 | 9 | ||
| Total receipts | 24,423 | 31,360 | 55,783 | 43,794 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Charitable Activities | 10,078 | 28,158 | 38,236 | 29,497 | |
| FundraisingCosts | 120 | 120 | 147 | ||
| Totalpayments | 10,198 | 28,158 | 38,356 | 29,644 | |
| Cash funds bought forward | 34,997 | 41,131 | 76,128 | 61,978 | |
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 14,225 | 3,202 | 17,427 | 14,150 | |
| Cash funds carried forward | 49,222 | 44,332 | 93,555 | 76,128 | |
| Signed on behalf of all the trustees | Date | ||||
| Chairman: Signature | |||||
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The Red Trust Bushey
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31[st ] March 2023
1 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March
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|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|Assets|£|
|Cameras|698|698|
|Receivables – Gift Aid Recoverable|992|841|
|Bank Account|93,555|76,129|
|Generator|515|515|
|Rent for Foodbank Hall Prepayment|0|80|
|Owed by HMRC|0|182|
|Bushey Festival Prepayment|0|20|
|Fundraising Event in March (Money not banked)|0|350|
|Unbanked Café income|27|0|
|Liabilities|
|Pension contributions deducted not yet paid|300|148|
|Rent for the Phoenix Centre (Feb and March)|0|140|
|Payables- Paul's Pest Control|0|40|
|Café Expenses Owed|105|0|
|Other Expenses owed|78|0|
|Owed to HMRC|545|0|
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2 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation of the financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
Income
Donations and gifts are accounted for when received. Tax recoverable on gift-aided gifts is accounted for on a cash basis.
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for on a cash basis. Resource materials are written off as acquired.
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The Red Trust Bushey
3 Charitable activities - breakdown of expenses
| Unrestricted funds Staff Costs Resources Insurance Communications/Promotional costs Training Printing and stationery Fundraising Bank charges Other operating expenses Restricted funds Allocated Specific Expenses (see below) Total Expenses |
2022/2023 2021/2022 8,404 5,094 20 679 248 303 576 218 0 143 0 0 120 147 72 96 758 772 |
|---|---|
| 10,198 7,452 28,158 22,192 |
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| 38,356 29,644 |
| 4.Summary of Grants and Specific Donations 2022/23 | 4.Summary of Grants and Specific Donations 2022/23 | 4.Summary of Grants and Specific Donations 2022/23 | 4.Summary of Grants and Specific Donations 2022/23 | 4.Summary of Grants and Specific Donations 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertsmere, Hertfordshire and WIIS Grants |
Money given specifically for Foodbank including Covid Fund |
Restricted Funds towards the Community Worker |
Total |
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| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Balance bought forward | 19,127 | 3,247 | 18,756 | 41,130 | |
| Donated duringtheyear | 24,200 | 7,160 | 31,360 | ||
| Total specific donations | 43,327 | 3,247 | 25,916 | 72,490 | |
| Allocated Specific Expenses | |||||
| Foodbank Expenses | 12,309 | 3,247 | 15,556 | ||
| Wages for communityworker | 4,694 | 4,694 | |||
| Other specific Expenses | 7,908 | 7,908 | |||
| Total specific expenses | 20,216 | 3,247 | 4,694 | 28,158 | |
| Balance carried forward | 23,111 | 0 | 21,222 | 44,332 | |
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