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2022-07-31-accounts

Annual Report 2021 – 2022

www.bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk

Contents
Our Mission 2
Our Values 2
Chair’s Report 3
Referrals Report 4
Treasurer’s Report 5
2021-22 Financials 6
Future Plans for BBB 7
Words from families we have helped 8
Words from our referrers 9
Words from our supporters 10
Words from our volunteers 10

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

1

Our Mission

Our Values

Community

We harness the power of the community to support its most vulnerable members.

Inclusivity

We aim to be thoughtf ul, inclusive and respectf ul of the diverse families we support.

Dignity

We respect the families we support and aim to reduce the sti gma associated with growing up in poverty.

Sustainability

We are mindful of the environment and committ ed to reducing waste as much as possible.

Well-being

We promote and are mindful of the physical and mental health of the families we support and everyone else in the BBB community.

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

2

Chair’s Report

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Bromley Brighter Beginnings. The charity started back in 2012 as part of the National Childbirth Trust and grew organically by word of mouth, creating a network of referrers, supporters and volunteers.

It became clear very early on that we would be able to apply to a wider range of grant-making organisations, and meet the rising demand for our service, if we were an independent charity. Once we were independent, we had more success with obtaining funding, and by 2015 had reached the income threshold to be recognised as a registered charity by the Charity Commission.

Fast forward ten years to 2022 and we now have a team of 32 volunteers , an extensive network of referrers and over 8500 supporters in the local community. These numbers show just how far BBB has come and what a huge number of people have contributed towards getting the charity to where it is today. We are grateful to everyone who has been involved in supporting us on this amazing journey.

Over the last ten years we have benefited from some fantastic fundraising on behalf of BBB. We still don’t have any regular funding - all our funding comes from one-off grants, donations from individuals or businesses, and sponsorship from events that our supporters carry out. Without this funding, BBB would simply not be able to offer the service it does, so we would like to thank all those who have contributed to date.

Key achievements over the last ten years:

August 2022 was our busiest month yet where we reached 146 children in the borough.

Our volunteers are key to the success of BBB, and the charity is solely run by them, with no paid staff. I would like to thank each and every volunteer, past and present, for your contribution towards making the charity what it is today.

Whatever the future holds for BBB, we will continue to do what we always do – support families living in poverty to the best of our ability by providing them with practical support to help them to look after their children.

Emma Martin - Chair

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

3

Referrals Report

565 referrals which is a 30% This financial year (August 2021 – July 2022) we completed increase on last year.

These referrals have allowed us to reach 786 children.

We have supported 23% of the families referred to us multiple times throughout the year.

Our busiest areas in the borough where we have received the most referrals are Anerley & Penge with 144 , Bromley with 119 and with 114 . Orpington & Petts Wood

In previous years we’ve been a charity that mostly provided support with items for babies; however this year our top requested items were for clothes and toys, showing that referrals are now fulfilled for families with children of all ages.

One of the biggest increases in demand we have seen is for School Uniform where we received 125 referrals this year versus 71 last year. These 125 referrals were for 283 children who we equipped with correct, wellfitting school uniform and shoes, as well as the necessary equipment, to start or return to school.

We introduced a new initiative this year called the Basics Bundle . After lockdown we recognised that many of our families need a greater level of support than our normal offering. For families in extreme circumstances or with no recourse to public funds we offer a three-month supply of nappies, formula, and basic baby toiletries. We have supported 23 families with a Basics Bundle this year.

We have made some changes to our referral form to allow us to collect more information about our clients. This has allowed us to tailor our service to make sure we are providing support where it’s really needed.

We are seeing referrals from many more types of professionals in recent months including BCWA refuges, social services, secondary and primary schools, health visitors, Citizens Advice, Bromley Children’s Project, and many other organisations.

We anticipate that with the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many people, the number of families needing our help will only grow. August has already shown this with us supplying items to 146 children in the month compared to 112 in August last year. It is our aim to continue to help as many families as possible through difficult times.

Treasurer’s Report

During the 2021/2022 fi nancial year, we conti nued to see high demand for the charity’s services. Thanks to our kind donors and grant providers we were able to generate just enough to cover our expenses for the current year. Highlights are provided below for the 1 Aug 2021 to 31 Jul 2022 period with rounded fi gures (£k = ‘000).

Highlights:

£133k Received total infl ows of roughly which was a mix of donati ons, grants and fundraising eff orts

Total outf lows were £125k ; the main drivers were:

£7k retained Net cash fl ow was positi ve with

Ending cash balance was £73k

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

5

2021-22 Financials

Period FY 21/22 Start Date 01-Aug-21 End Date 31-Jul-22

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By Cause
Direct to BBB
45,964
BFEC
-50,735
Just Giving/General
36,741
School Uniform Exp
-31,000
Grants/General
0
Hampers
-13,038
Benevity
3,028
Healthy Homes
-11,370
PayPal
555
Referrals
-6,890
Facebook
165
Crisis Support
-1,844
Monthly Scheduled
320
Food Poverty
-4,386
Sponsorship
0
Basics Bundle
-849
Newborn Packs
-1,278
Passively Sourced
Book for every child
-63
Amazon
531
Other Misc
-700
202
Covid 3 month Sup
0
Enhanced support
0
BFEC/Just Giving
0
4
2
,3
-
sts
o
C
g
nin
n
u
R
0
5
7
,6
BFEC/Various
1
6
1
-
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nid
r
a
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e
f
a
S
0
0
2
,2
2
Hampers/Just Giving
8
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m
p
ole
v
e
D
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T
7
6
Hampers/Various
0
g
nisitr
e
v
d
A
0
0
0
,6
Healthy Homes/Just Giving
0
M
G
A
4
7
4
Healthy Homes/Various
0
Food Poverty/Just Giving
41
School Uniform/Just Giving
1,325
School Uniform/Various
7,014
Newborn Hampers/Various
1,500
Total Incoming
132,87
otal Outgoin
125,562
8
T
g
-

----- Start of picture text -----
Bank A/c Equals A/c Total
60,829.891 2,345.78 73,175.67
----- End of picture text -----

Ring Fenced Balance Tracker Ring Fenced Balance Tracker Ring Fenced Balance Tracker
BFEC
Hampers
Healthy Homes
Food Poverty
School Uniforms
Newborn Packs		 01-Aug-2
Beginning

0
0
0
0
1
4,694
15,887		 1-Jul-22
3
Closing
0
0
1,696
5,104
1,997
823
Totals
20,581		 9,621

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

6

Future Plans for BBB

Environmental Sustainability

It is becoming clear that we all need to take responsibility and action to prevent the escalation of the environmental crisis. Environmental sustainability is one of BBB’s core values - reusing items rather than sending them off to landfill is part of where we came from. We are however aware that it is the families that we help who are going to be impacted by climate change first and they will be hit the hardest. Therefore, one of our key priorities over the coming months is to seek advice on how we can improve our carbon footprint as a charity and find out what we could do to help the families we support, with the climate crisis in mind.

Cost of Living Crisis

We have already seen a huge increase in the number of families being referred to us for help and unfortunately we are anticipating that that is only going to continue. Families who are already struggling are now under more pressure, and often anxious and fearful about what is going to happen in the autumn and over the coming winter. The crisis also threatens to engulf families who were previously ‘just about managing’. We need to prepare as best we can for the increased demand for our service.

We are recruiting some additional trustees to help us to direct our overall strategy and financial responsibility with the above two key priorities in mind.

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

7

Words from families we have helped

Hi I have received Newborn pack today and it is So So Fabulous. Really, I dont have words to thank you….You guys has helped me Right in front of My Delivery Date and during these hard times when my husband has lost his job. Please say my thanks to all at BBB your help much appreciated. May God Bless you all

I would like to say thank you very much for existing. You are special and you have brought back my smile and also my confidence. You are right it is not a shame to ask for help. I’m grateful that destiny put you in my life.

God bless you and your family have a wonderful evening dear

If it wasn’t for you and your team I don’t think I would of been able to carry on for much longer. Thank you again! Take care xx

Words can’t explain how happy I am with the things. They are more than what I expected. Wow, thank you so much . I am truly grateful . Thank you very much . I woke up this morning with a very big smile.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you and all and especially Nancy who delivered school items and vouchers for us today. We can’t thank you enough. If we can help. in any way in the future to fundraise for this wonderful charity please ask as we would love to give back. Thank you

I want to say a very big thank you to you and your team at Bromley Brighter Beginnings! The kids are extremely happy and want to see the people being so kind to them! At Clarks, my daughter was so excited... she said to the lady assisting with fitting “this is our very first time in a posh shop, having our feet measured!” We are grateful! Thank you

I have been in tears after reading your message and only summoned up the courage to reply. You and BBB has given my children unending happiness, love, support and kindness.

Words failed me last night, when I received the Christmas bag for the kids. I am beyond speechless. My kids are excited and your team has made my kids have presents for Christmas.

While I was wondering, what to say to them on Christmas day, your team made that a reality. Thank you! Thank you!

Hello, my son loves his new school le so much . He’s so bag and water bot happy to have them and can’t wait to start school . Looking forward to Monday morning. Thanks alot. My children and I appreciate your help. From mum

I have been to the school shop and got the uniform for the children. My family and I just wanted to thank you again. I am so grateful to brighter beginnings.Now I can relax knowing that the children have what they need, as my anxiety has been through the roof.

I feel really emotionally happy right now. I feel truly supported during this difficult time.

I’m very thankful for people like yourselves, thank you for existing. The little things in life mean the most.

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

8

Words from our referrers

I just wanted to drop you an email to pass on my sincere thanks for all of your eff orts and support with the family I recently referred to Bromley Brighter Beginnings.

huge impact both emoti onally and fi nancially on the family.

I cannot thank you enough for collecti ng all of the donati ons that you were able to for the children.

On Friday I delivered all of the donati ons to Mum, she was reduced to tears, I could see the sheer relief on her face…..

Mum has shared that her two boys birthdays are coming up and some of the toys, teddies and pencils she will wrap up for birthday presents, as she now has all of these clothes for the children she is able to use the money that she was trying to put aside to buy them clothes on [a litt le party for them]

immeasurable and it was evident that Mum was overwhelmed she just kept saying thank you so much over and over again.

I just wanted to email you to send you my personal thanks for both your own personal eff orts and all the outstanding commitment that Bromley Brighter Beginnings shows to our most vulnerable families, with the support of your organisati on we are able to provide some sense of relief and joy to them during moments of darkness.

Bromley Children Project - Hannah Hannen

Thank you and your colleagues for the fabulous hampers. It is great to be in a positi on to support families across Bromley and we will ensure that the families receive these in ti me for the holiday season. We already know that they will make an enormous diff erence to the families that we are working with and truly ‘brighten’ their December during what can only be described as the most diffi cult and challenging circumstances in many many years.

~ Bromley Children Project

I cannot thank your service enough and can say that all of the parents I have referred have received support from your service and they have been most grateful for everything. The turn around from the point of referral to when support has been provided has also been very swift .

~ Bianca Hart, social worker

I just want to express my grati tude for all the help you give, we would be lost without you all!!

I’ve just given a hamper to a single mum of 3 children and she is over the moon. I can’t tell you how much this hamper was needed. I can’t

believe the quality of the toys and books in there, it’s just wonderful, thank you

~ Health visitor

The family are so happy with the lovely bedding, which was delivered to them.

Once again I would like to say thank you, to you all for the hard work you do and for the smile you put onto families faces.

Tracy Reece - social worker

Thank you once again for helping another family in desperate need. I really do not know what we would do without you.

Bromley are so blessed to have such an organisati on such as yours here doing what you do

Angie Springer

I just wanted to let you know that I have received several calls from my families reporti ng how much they appreciate the Christmas Hampers, the good quality of the hampers and how much the contents are going to help them and their children over the festi ve period.

My manager and I are very appreciati ve of all of the support and assistance provided by Bromley Brighter Beginnings to our families and wish to thank you directly.

Thank you very much.

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

9

Words from our supporters

Wow. Just wow.

Just when I think I have lost faith in humanity, you guys remind me that there are decent human beings out there, working hard for others.

BBB is an amazing charity because of the amazing people who make it that way. Well done to you all x

Words from our volunteers

I saw a referral today who is living in a sort of hostel with her teenage daughter. We got them duvets and linen recently. Today she told me that aft er I delivered them she had the fi rst decent night’s sleep since she had been there.

Angie

now beyond grateful - she was adamant that when she is back on her feet and life is back to normal she wants to “give back” (her words) with a coff ee and cake morning to raise some money. Amazing.....well done Team BBB Tracy

A massive thank you to everyone who has helped turn around every single bit of uniform and equipment, at very short noti ce, for the boy who is starti ng at [secondary school] on Wednesday. I delivered about 90% of it tonight and the mum broke down and sobbed in her hallway. I cannot imagine the amount of stress she has been under, knowing that she may not have been able to send her son to school. So thank you, thank you, thank you for relieving that stress.

Nancy

Bromley Brighter Beginnings Annual Report 2021/22

10

FY 2021/2022 Financial Stement

----- Start of picture text -----
Period FY 21/22
Start Date 01-Aug-21
End Date 31-Jul-22
Incoming Funds Sources Outgoing Funds Uses Cash Balance as of End Date
Bank A/c Equals A/c Total
Genera Use Donations Charitable Expenses 60,829.89 12,345.78 73,175.67
Actively Sourced By Cause
Direct to BBB 45,964 BFEC -50,735
Just Giving/General 36,741 School Uniform Expen -31,000 Ring Fenced Balance Tracker
Grants/General 0 Hampers -13,038 01-Aug-21 31-Jul-22
Benevity 3,028 Healthy Homes -11,370 Beginning Closing
PayPal 555 Referrals -6,890 BFEC 0 1,696
Facebook 165 Crisis Support -1,844 Hampers 4,694 0
Monthly Scheduled 320 Food Poverty -4,386 Healthy Homes 15,887 5,104
Sponsorship 0 Basics Bundle -849 Food Poverty 0 0
Newborn Packs -1,278 School Uniforms 0 1,997
Passively Sourced Book for every child -63 Newborn Packs 0 823
Amazon 531 Other Misc -700 Totals 20,581 9,621
Collection boxes 202 Covid 3 month Suppor 0
Enhanced support 0
Ring Fenced Donations by cause/source Administrative Expenses
BFEC/Just Giving 6,750 Running Costs -3,240
BFEC/Various 22,200 Safeguarding -161
Hampers/Just Giving 67 Team Development -8
Hampers/Various 6,000 Advertising 0
Healthy Homes/Just Giving 474 AGM 0
Healthy Homes/Various 0
Food Poverty/Just Giving 41
School Uniform/Just Giving 1,325
School Uniform/Various 7,014
Newborn Hampers/Various 1,500
Total Incoming 132,878 Total Outgoing -125,562
Net Cash Flows 7,316
----- End of picture text -----

Robert McPartlin

35 Quarry Park Road

Cheam Surrey

SM1 2DR

e-mail: robertmcpartlin@hotmail.com

BROMLEY BRIGHTER BEGINNINGS

I Robert McPartlin a Chartered Accountant and member of ICAEW have fully audited the accounts of Bromley Brighter Beginnings for the financial year 2021/2022.

Robert McPartlin

12 December 2022