2022-04-30-accounts

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity in England & Wales (no. 1163160)

Annual report

for the year

1[st] May 2021

— 30[th] April 2022

Trustee report 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022

Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Message from trustee

3. Message from project manager

4. Vision and mission

5. Our trustees

6. Our volunteers

7. Infograph of the year in review

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1. Introduction

This Annual Report presents a review of year 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022, reporting on achievements, performance and impact, including financial performance and financial position to demonstrate the Trustees’ stewardship and management of charitable funds.

The trustees and staff of Southend Foodbank wish to express their deep appreciation of the contribution made by volunteers, staff and donors, without which no achievements would have been possible. The trustees are confident that, by their stewardship and management of charitable funds, Southend Foodbank continues to meet the requirements around public benefit as defined by the Charity Commission.

2. Message from our trustee

As a charity rooted and established upon the teaching and life of Jesus, for those who are part of the Foodbank and who are Christians, we see God’s Kingdom at work in what we do. We seek to serve those who are hungry, and those who are in need to the best of our ability. We seek to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. And whilst we have volunteers and staff who do not have a Christian faith, it is clear that love, care and compassion are shown by all.

In this past year we have been dealing with the, thankfully fading, effects of the global pandemic, whilst also facing a cost of living crisis. Because of the diligence of our staff and volunteers and the generosity of our community we have been able to fulfil our goal of helping local people in crisis. We have done this through the provision of 3 days of emergency food in multiple locations, through signposting to additional services, and also through a new campaigns coordinator raising awareness of food poverty in the wider community. We have also sadly become a stop gap service rather than a last port of call due to the significant financial struggles that an increasingly struggling working population face.

Nonetheless, due to the generosity of individuals, churches, schools, charities, businesses and also local supermarkets we have been able to cope with a 43% increase in access to our distribution centres in the past year compared to the year before, which in itself was significantly up on the previous year. We have successfully appointed new staff in key roles, to enable us to do our best for our local community in and around Southend.

I am so grateful to all those who help, from volunteers, to employees, to trustees. There is so much faithful and passionate dedication to Southend Foodbank, and so much hunger to help from our team; it is a privilege to be part of it. The rhythm of food collection, sorting, labelling, storing and distribution is increasingly complex due to the greater demand that we face. But it is handled by all involved with grace and patience, even when the car park is too full.

As we move into a new year, the financial indications show that this coming year may see even greater need and greater access to our services. Yet we trust that in all this, we would be a light that shines in our community, a light that brings hope to those who are in crisis.

Tom Vernon Trustee

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1. Message from project manager

Our refreshed vision was launched in October 2021. We shared with our volunteers our new structure, which included a campaigning role. We want to actively work to end the need for foodbanks, and the trustees put together a new strategy to work towards this.

In January 2022, Emma Holloway, joined as our new administrator, replacing Cass Francis, one of the founding members of the foodbank, who moved to the Campaigning role. Sarah Treacher joined in 2021 as Deputy Warehouse Co-ordinator, supporting Simon Carter. Sarah runs the Earls Hall warehouse where we store the overflow of food. She also supports Simon at Friendship House.

One of the main objectives was to improve the facilities at Friendship House to make it more fit for purpose.

The increase in the number of parcels couldn’t be realised without the support of the community, the tireless work of the volunteers and staff and the funding from grants and donors. Thank you for providing food for those who need it.

Thank you! Natasha Copus, Project manager

4. Our vision and mission

Our vision is to reduce hunger and alleviate financial hardship among people living in Southend and Rochford.

We do this by providing emergency food, essential toiletries and household items to individuals and families in need. We will also provide signposting to relevant information and other advisory services. We will provide these services with a Christian ethos, supported by churches within Southend and Rochford.

The food that we distribute is collected from our community donations – people donate food at supermarkets, churches and during Covid; parking lots and on their doorsteps. Increasingly, we are buying food to supplement what the community can give us. This is made possible due to monetary donations, fundraising and grants that we apply for.

We also want to reduce the need for foodbanks. We work with referral agencies who work directly with the community. As part of the work they do, they issue vouchers to help people in crisis. Our guests then bring the vouchers to one of our centres where we fulfil them. Our aim is for them to work with agencies such as Citizens Advice, Christians Against Poverty and other agencies that can help their circumstances.

As part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, all this data is collated and goes to making real changes in policy that will help people.

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One of the outcomes of looking at our vision and mission was that we added a new role of Communications and Campaign Co-ordinator, which our existing Administrator, Cass Francis, filled. This role will enable us to campaign to make local changes.

5. Our trustees

Our trustees have diverse skills and wisdom that they bring to leading the foodbank. As well as the skills they bring to our board, they also represent the churches we hold our centres at. Andy Goodliff, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Chair of Trustees Tom Vernon, Earls Hall Baptist Richard Sapsted, Hawkwell Baptist Melanie Venables, Shoebury and Thorpe Bay Baptist Church John Honeyands, Catholic Parish of Sacred Heart, Southend-on-Sea and St. John Fisher,Prittlewell Helen Wall, St Saviours

Sharon Watkins, Eastwood Baptist

Matt Belcher, Treasurer

6. Our volunteers

We have over 150 volunteers who give their time, energy and compassion. We have teams volunteering in our warehouse three times a week (four in peak times like Harvest and Christmas), teams run by our amazing co-ordinators in each of our eight distribution centres, a team of drivers for each of those centres that deliver the parcels from the warehouse to the centre, and drivers who pick up from churches, schools and supermarkets to bring to our warehouse. We also have ad hoc volunteers who volunteer at our supermarket collections. We also have a team behind the scenes who volunteer by staffing our info inbox, organise drivers, co-ordinate our referral agencies and vouchers, oversee recruitment, our fundraising co-ordinator who supports the foodbank in so many ways. Without these volunteers, we would have to close. We are so grateful for everyone who gives their time.

In February 2022, we undertook a survey of our volunteers using Peakon. These were some of the comments:

Quotes from our volunteers:

A man who shared a little of his situation and was so appreciative of our help. Although very sad, made me realise even more that what I am doing does make a difference.

I am passionate about providing people with appropriate signposting to help them resolve issues, as well as providing much needed food.

It means I can make a small difference to someone in need.

The mission to serve those in need is vital but knowing the aim in ending poverty so that foodbanks can be a thing of the past inspires me.

My faith is important to me. The charity's values are grounded in the love and compassion of Jesus so I can actively share in living this out.

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It's something one can do for those who are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

It is rewarding to know you can make a difference by helping in this way.

It's a privilege to be able to help in such a well-run charity meeting the needs of our community

The year in pictures

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ur year in numbers Southend Foodbank We look back at the stats that made up our year.. 1 May 2021- 30 April 2022 Numbèr of p•opl• l•d W8 fulfi118d 3410 vouchers whlch fed 5202 adult5 and 4339 childrgn inSovth8nd Br Rochlord. Atotal of 9541 p•oplgwgrg h&p8ol with • th¢•oday Supply of food. Th1• W¥5 43% mN• th•n 18st 61* 11 crxrfCMS mvwd￿Ih2o1¢l2l. thr R•f•rrql ag•n¢i•s Referr8189encles are our partners In the comrn . Th8y Inclvde Gps, schools, Cltlzens Advlce, soclal wo rs and housing associations. Whèn working Wlth their o s. they Identify their need for fo<)d and issue a vouch8T to he Ih&m in thelr crisls. Wo signpost guests to agoncles for furtii•fhelp. Ovr volvnteers... pt th• wavèhouso &nLI our d15tfibution centr8s open. giving over 8500 hours acr055 the year. Matthew 25 v 55 I waB hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty 8nd you gave fft•drlnk. I was a stranger 8nd you welcomed me. SO I was naked and'jwclothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was In prison and yo ame to mg.

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity in England & Wales (no. 1163160)

Financial accounts

for the year

1[st] May 2021 — 30[th] April 2022

SOUTHEND FOODBANK CIO FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022 £s

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Receipts

Income was down £39,105 on the previous year — at £103,698. Grants made up c.50% of total income, amounting to £49k. This represents a significant increase on last year (when most income was received in the form of large donations). Several grant applications were made this year for designated funding — including: a financial inclusion grant (£14.5k) to fund Citizens’ Advice support at the distribution centres; a bursary (£12k) for Organising and Local Mobilisation; and two grants (£8k) from Southend Emergency Fund.

Payments

Expenditure increased against the previous year — by £38,216 to £113,195. The main areas of increase were directly related to the grants received: Salaries & Wages, where the OLM bursary was used for the salary of a Campaigns and Communications Co-ordinator; Administration and Fees, which included payments to fund a Citizens’ Advice support from the FI grant; and Food, where increased levels of food insecurity meant cash purchases of stock was necessary at several points during the year to supplement grocery donations from the community. Additionally, payroll was expanded to meet increased demand.

Salaries and Wages accounted for 38% of overall expenditure; Rent and Utility payments for 20%.

Funds

Many of the grants received in the previous financial year were restricted to a specific purpose; below is a summary of how these funds have been used over the past year:

Restricted / designated funds	2022	2021
Building fund	35,411	0
Kitchenette fund	610	610
Clothing fund	57	57
Shed fund	0	1,140
Food fund	0	1,125
Financial Inclusion(£12,240 rec. 19/01)	1,440	0
OLM (£16,296 rec. 08/02, o/w £14,466 restr.)	10,697	0
SEF 1 (£3,000 rec. 27/09)	1,000	0
SEF 2 (£5,000 rec. 10/03)	1,000	0
Unrestricted funds	2022	2021
General fund	55,291	112,070
Reserves	25,000	25,000

Within the unrestricted fund, an amount of £25,000 is held in reserve, in accordance with the Reserve Policy. These reserves ensure that the Foodbank is able to continue operating (purchasing food, paying staff etc.) for an extended period in the event income falls sharply. In total £80,291 was held in unrestricted funds at the close of the financial year; £50,215 was held in restricted funds.

Note that the outstanding balance in the Shed Fund was transferred to the Building Fund when that fund was set up in anticipation of significant works to the existing warehouse/a potential new warehouse.

Matthew Belcher, FIA Treasurer

SOUTHEND FOODBANK CIO

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022 £s

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Basis of accounts : these accounts have been prepared on a ‘receipts and payments’ basis and accord with Sections 132-166, Charities Act (CA 2011) for an E&W CIO

1. Approval of accounts : these accounts meet the threshold at which an independent examination is required in addition to approval by the Trustees.

2. Guarantees and disclosures : the trustees confirm, in accordance with Charitable Incorporated Organisation (General) Regulations 2012, that at year end the CIO did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on assets of the CIO.

The financial statement relating to the year ending 30 April 2022 are as approved by the Trustees.

Date: 27[th] Feb 2023 Signed: (Chair) Date: 27[th] Feb 2023 Signed: (Treasurer)

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts S•etlon A Ind•pènd•nt Examlnee$ Report Report to the trusteesl members of On a¢¢ounts for the year ended Charity no lil any) Set out on pages I report lo the Iruslees on my exafflinalion of Ihe accounts ol the above charity I'lho Trusl-l lor the year ended Responsibilitles and As lhe chaiily Iruslees ol the Trust. you are Tesponsible lor the preparation basis of report ol Ihe accounls in accordance with Ihe requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Acl'l. I reFQrt in respect ol my examinalion ol the Trusl's accounts carried out undgr section 145 ol Ihe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have lollowed Ihe aP￿Icable Dire¢lions given by the Charity Commission under seclion 14515llbl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi Ihal no material matter5 have come lo my allenlion in connection with Ihe examination which gives me cause lo beliove that in. any material respecl.. a¢¢ounling reccrfds We￿ nol kept in accordance with sgction 130 01 the Act or Ihe accounts do nol acwd with Ihe •C￿nting recofds Independent examiner's statement I have no ¢oncems and have come across no olher mallers in wnnecliDn with Ihe examination lo which allenlion should be drawn in order to enaNe a propef und&rslandin9 01 the accounts lo reached. Please delele Ihe wonls ift ih$ brackets if they do not 8ppty. Signed-. Date: 2E Name: Relevanl professlonal qualillcationlsl or body lif any1= Address: ssl IER October 2018

Sectlon B Dlsclosure Only complele il the exambner needs lo highlight mallers ol concern Isee CC32, Independenl examination of charity accoun15-. ¢Jirections and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details ol any Items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts SKllon A Indepondent Examln•e8 Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended <L Charity no lif anyl Set out on pages I report lo Ihe truslees on my exafflination ol the accounts of the above charily I"Ihe Tfusl") for lh¢ year ended Responsibilities and As the charity Iru51ees ol the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis ol report ol the accounts in accordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 20111.lhe Act-l. I report in respecl ol my examinaknon of Ihe Trust's accounts carried out under seclion 145 ol Ihe 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examination, I have followed Ihe ap￿Icable Direclions given by Ihe Charity Comrni55ion under secbon 14515llbl ol the Act. I have com￿ete￿ my examination. I confimi that no material mallers have come lo my attention in connection with the examinalion vh)ich gives m8 cause lo believe Ihal in. any ma19rial respect.. accounling recuds were nol kept in accordance with seclion 130 of the Acl or the accounts do not aCc￿d wth Ihe accounling records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come acros5 ft0 other matiefs in connection wilh the &xamination lo which atlenlion should be drawn in ordgr ID enable a proper understanding ol the a￿UnIS to be reached. Pl8as& delete Ihe words in Ihe br8¢k$ts if they do nol apply. Slgned: Date.. 2E 201 Nam•: Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body lif any).. P4cMf4 , CW Address.. - L)K. 51P4 ssl kp IER October 2018

Sectlon 8 Dlsclosure Only complete Il the examiner needs lo highlight mallers of concern15ee CC32. Independent examination ol charity accwnls.. directions and guidance lor examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any item$ that the gxamlner wishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018