**REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1163355** **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** **Other working names** **Trustees at 31[st] December 2023** Faith Christian Group Faith ReadiFood B4N Bed for the Night Mr Peter Horne Mrs Helen Martin Mr Edward Rundell Mrs Stella Stroud ## **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT** Faith Christian Group is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its trustees. It was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 1[st] September 2015. ## **OBJECTS** The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit: a) to advance the Christian faith in Reading and other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the charity trustees may from time to time determine; and b) to relieve persons in conditions of need, hardship or distress or who are aged or sick in Reading and other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the charity trustees may from time to time determine. Page 2 **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Faith Christian Group (Reading) CIO for the year ended 31[st] December 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). Having satisfied myself that the accounts are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mr Michael Homer AFA MIPA Independent Examiner MCH Accountants Ltd 68 Charlton Road Andover Hampshire SP10 3JN **DATED: 18/10/2024** Page 3 **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** ## **Organisation** The work of Faith is primarily to fight physical poverty among the homeless, needy and deprived, and by so doing to share the gospel through love, care and practical service. This work is carried out largely by teams of volunteers as well as part-time staff, mostly Christians from many different churches in and around Reading. In 2023 Faith employed eight part-time staff, with one temporary member of staff in addition. The organisation was running for some time before receiving charity status in 1996 as Faith Christian Group (Reading) Trust. Since 2015, the organisation has been a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). ## **2023 review** Throughout 2023, Faith worked in four main, and Reading Pantries, which are subsidised food shops where members can choose food as well as content at a café run alongside each site. related ways to achieve its objects: “Readistreet” and “A Bed for the Night” (B4N), which work with the hungry and homeless on the streets of Reading and “ReadiFood” which provides food parcels to individuals and families who are housed, but struggling to make ends meet, and Reading Pantries, which are subsidised food shops where members can choose food as well as content at a café run alongside each site. **“ReadiStreet”** involves the distribution of food to those on the streets. On Tuesday to Friday evenings, the support of Reading Minster Church gives us a town centre base from which we offer free sandwiches (kindly donated by Pret a Manger) and hot soup to the hungry and homeless of Reading. We have different partners who come on different evening offering hot food. On Sundays, we run the Tea Bar to provide free hot and cold drinks and soup and rolls. A key element of this work is to demonstrate to everyone we meet on the streets that they are valued individuals. **“ReadiFood – Reading's Food Bank”** is a service delivering food parcels to families and individuals in need throughout the town. Those in need are referred by RBC Social Services, Job Centre, Citizens Advice and other charities, agencies and churches. The average number of food parcels delivered in 2023 was 170 per week. **A Bed for the Night** (B4N) didn’t open in 2023, although plans were put in place to return to opening the winter night shelter 7 nights per week starting in early 2024. **“Reading Pantries”** During the year, we rebranded our pantry name to be Reading Pantries with a wider vision to open a food pantry in every community across Reading over the next few years. This year saw us add Coley Park Pantry, Whitley Wood Pantry and Pavilion Pantry to our already established Norcot Pantry. A pantry is a membership-based food shop where, for a nominal subscription, members can buy subsidised goods, so giving choice and support for those on low incomes or on benefits. We now have over 200 members able to use the shops. A café running alongside each shop creates a setting where members could be better supported and signposted to other partner agencies if additional help was needed. ## **Journey 2 work** 2023 saw us also rebrand our women’s project that had initially been set up by funding from Sage to Journey 2 Work. This project offers a mentoring and work experience programme for ladies wanting to return to employment. 5 ladies were given one-to-one support and worked in our food warehouse to gain confidence and skills to help in the jobhunting process. ## **Relationships** Building relationships over time is a key factor in the success of what we do. Providing some sandwiches on the street, or a food parcel via ReadiFood, can lead to befriending and further opportunities to help in many other practical ways. We have seen members helped and support through our Pantries. On occasions Faith has to act as an advocate for those without a voice, and the charity helped a number of individuals in this way during the year. We have continued to work hard to maintain good working relationships with relevant agencies and organisations in the town, including the various sections of RBC such as Social Services, Housing, Homeless and Housing Pathways. ## **Safeguarding** All charities are required to report serious safeguarding incidents to the Charity Commission. There were no such incidents to report. Page 4 FArrH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO Fln•nei&l •umm•ry È receNe financial SUP[￿rt from w ir#Jr¥th* for ow65% ofgmng, ￿￿al ¢hUrd￿ and a nuthr and other items were donated to FAITh for distriLwJtx¥n to peop￿ in need. Prior year 2021 was an exwtional year. aknrMJ wth 2020. where indivKluaL8 •)d local authori￿ Thxabty irmased gwing in reacbon to COVID,. wilh the retum lo mre ncmlalised cA)ndttKTh grant income and gifts frorn have Tedwj in 2022 nxTr akin to pre- COVID thls. whth 1$ in line with exp￿takn. In the year ended 31 De(x)*w 2023 the Charity had a) cwey8ll def￿ of£22.814 as Ihe Chwty looks to effeclivdy deploy resep•es In a {￿trOlled nmnner. CW we in line *ith the year 2021 with svnilar levels of staffing and expendrture, with e08t allo¢atths shilbng belween proj•*. notsbly as &trrfrtw for Bed for the Night decreased Reserves remaln hgh due to the Carr￿for￿￿ 6Ufplus from the COVID The f0p*ar&￿ln9 plan remain8 to largest expense is ongoing staff costs. ThANK8 Ttr￿ trustees thank all the volunteers and p* 8taff for all IP*tr hard in 2022 en&Ying Faith to Serve so Thny of thé dis&fvantaged and rK•)r in Re•JirwJ. A*1. the wouhj like to express their thanks to churches, organi8ations and indlvKluals in aThJ around Ro•Jing for Ihelr support The trustees are very gratefvl for th8 generou8 financial support the ¢hanty ￿1¥8$, as withtyjt 41.417 14. 22.019 12.1x1 11M1 ￿.1￿) 76 538) 217. 218.801 18/io/L i£lio1£4 f.lu ## **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** NOTES to the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 ## **Note 1 Basis of preparation** ## **1.1 Basis of accounting** These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. ## **1.2 Going concern** The accounts are prepared on a "going concern" basis. The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. ## **Note 2 Accounting Policies** The Accounting Policies, used and applied consistently throughout the period, are set out below. The Trustees have reviewed the other accounting policies covered by the Financial Reporting Standard and consider they are not applicable to this period's accounts. ## **2.1 Income recognition** Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, the monetary value can be measured and it is more likely than not that the charity will receive the resources. ## **2.2 Offsetting** There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS 102. ## **2.3 Grants** Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met. In the case of performance-related grants, income is only recognised when the performance related conditions are met. The charity has received a local government grant in the reporting period. ## **2.4 Tax reclaims on donations and gifts** Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. ## **2.5 Donated food, goods and services and volunteer help** The value of any donated food, goods and services and volunteer help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report. ## **2.6 Liability recognition** Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. ## **2.7 Redundancy cost** The charity made no redundancy payments during the reporting period. ## **2.8 Deferred income** No material item of deferred income has been included in the accounts. ## **2.9 Tangible fixed assets for use by charity** These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or valuation. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in Note 6. Page 8 ## **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **2.10 Debtors** Debtors and loans receivable are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received. ## **2.11 Creditors** The charity's creditors are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts ## **2.12 Volunteer Help** The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report. ## **Note 3 Restricted Funds** ## **3.1 Restricted Funds for the year ended 31st December 2023** ## **3.2 Restricted Funds Details** The **Street Work Restricted Fund** represents donations to support the distribution of food and drink to those on the streets. The **Bed for the Night Restricted Fund** - funds donated towards the cost of running the night shelter or drop-in Hub. Preparation and training costs can be incurred in the prior year in preparation for the "B4N" in the following January to March, which means that the costs of a winter's night shelter are reported in two accounting periods. The **Readifood Restricted Fund** represents funds donated specifically for use for the food parcel service, this year the funds were used for expenses directly related to Readifood including a contribution to salaries for those working for Readifood. The **Food Pantries Restricted Fund** represents donations to support the provision of food distribution through Food Pantries. Page 9 ## **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **3.3 Unrestricted Funds Details** The **General Fund** represents income donated which is not given for a restricted purpose. In the Income and Expenditure Statement any costs that cannot be readily allocated or apportioned to the activities of the Streetwork, Bed for the Night, Readifood or Food Pantry are shown under General Funds. Any deficits on the activities are funded by transfers from the General Fund. ## **Note 4 Staff Costs and Numbers** No employees received employee benefits for the reporting periods of more than £60,000 per annum. ## **Note 5 Pension Scheme** The Charity enrols all employees that meet the criteria for automatic enrolment and pays employer’s contributions to the workplace pension scheme NEST (National Employment Savings Trust). ## **Note 6 Tangible fixed assets** Basis of depreciation – straight line The other fixed assets acquired from Faith Trust with individual values of less than £1,000 are summarised below: Estimated original value 3,000 Office furniture and equipment Page 10 ## **FAITH CHRISTIAN GROUP (READING) CIO** ## **Note 7 Creditors falling due after one year** On 31 March 2016, the FAITH Christian Group rented 33 Boulton Road under a Full Repairing and Insuring lease. In March 2021 the lease was extended for 5 years. The Trustees resolved to provide for the Full Repairing obligation by providing for the repairs through the life of the lease. In 2023 the provision was reviewed and assessed reasonable to hold at £36,400 going forward. ## **Note 8 Payments to Trustees** In the year Trustees conducted interviews for the Director position during which lunch was paid by the charity for three trustees, totalling £37. No other payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period other than purchases made on behalf of the charity for which a trustee has been reimbursed. No other material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them. ## **Note 9 Fees for examination of the accounts** Fees towards Independent Examination of £900 were accrued for in 2024 (2023 fees £875). Page 11