2023-03-31-accounts

ARMCHAIR CHARITY

Registered CIO - Charity no. 1164966

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2022- 2023

DONATIONS RECYCLED TO THE NEEDY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS

During the year we received 825 free items of furniture, donated by the public, and delivered them free to 268 families and individuals, equivalent to over 3 items to one household helped every working day of the year. Referrals came from Worcester City Council, Citzens Advice Bureau, Housing Associatons, Health Visitors, Social Services Probaton and Worcester Municipal Charites.

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DON’T THROW IT AWAY – GIVE IT AWAY Others less fortunate need it

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The furniture delivery addresses demonstrate clearly that the charity is providing a priority service to those areas in the City where families traditonally experience fnancial hardship:-

WR4	Warndon,Brickfelds,Tolladine	89
WR1	CityCentre,Barbourne,Lowesmoor,Arboretum	67
WR5	Ronkswood,Wylds Lane,StanleyRd. etc.	42
WR2	Dines Green,St. Johns	48
WR3	Northwick,Bevere,Perdiswell,Claines	22
Total		268

VALUE FOR MONEY

• The Charity offers very good value for money. Each family/person helped, received on average 3.1 items, costing £43 each. A total cost of £130 (about the cost of a single bed) for 3.1 good pieces of 2[nd] hand furniture which would otherwise have been taken to a landfill site at great cost to the local community

ALL ENQUIRIES TO: Richard Hines, Manager Tel: 01905 - 456080 Email: [e-mail] www.armchairworcester.org.uk

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - 2022/2023	ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - 2022/2023
NAME OF THE CHARITY	The Armchair Trust CIO
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER:	1164966
CHARITABLE TRUST DEED:	Adopted 27/09/1989. Registered with the
	Charity Commission on 06/10/1989. Registered
	as a CIO on 22/12/2015. Not amended since.
NAMES AND EMAILS OF TRUSTEES:	Schedule atached page 7
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS:	Independently Examined - atached page 8
ADDRESS:	Unit 6b, Checket’s Lane Trading Estate,
	Worcester. WR3 7JW Tel: 01905 - 456080.
BANKERS:	Unity Trust, 4 The Square, 111 Broad St.,
	Birmingham B15 1AR
SOLICITORS:	Hallmark Hulme LLP,
	3-5 Sansome Place, Worcester, WR1 1UQ
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:	Paul Grifth MBE

THE REGISTERED CHARITABLE OBJECTS OF ARMCHAIR

“To relieve generally, and individually, persons resident in Worcester City, who are in conditions of financial need, and hardship, by the provision of furniture and other household accessories, donated by the public, or acquired otherwise, which are calculated to reduce the need and hardship.

Armchair welcomes gifts of second-hand furniture and household items from the public, and recycles these items, free of charge, for re-use by needy individuals and families, referred to Armchair by Statutory and Voluntary Bodies.

AREA OF BENEFIT

The area of benefit is "within 10 miles of Worcester City centre". Occasionally, gifts are collected from just outside the City but due to limited resources, the need to economise on fuel, and to achieve a low carbon footprint, all deliveries of household items are within the City boundary.

htp://armchairworcester.org.uk/

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FINANCES – HISTORY OF THE FUNDING

In 1996 the National Lottery gave Armchair a very generous four-year revenue and capital grant enabling us to purchase the 50-year lease of a warehouse in 1996.

Armchair's finances between 1997 and 2008 from the main statutory referrers, i.e. the Primary Care Trust and the County Council Social Services Department were originally regular and apparently secure. However, in 2008 the County Council Adult Social Care Department ceased its funding entirely and the Primary Care Trust did the same in 2010 having already halved its grant in 2008.

In 2007/8 for the first-time limited financial assistance was received from the waste disposal authority and this continues. This was £1351.56 in 2022/2023.

This year we are most grateful to the following organisations and charities etc. for their continued major support and place on record our thanks to them for their generous donations in 2022–2023:-

Worcester Municipal Charites, Worcester City Council, Platorm Housing, Laslets Charity, The Eveson Trust, Six Masters, The Hopmarket, Worcester City Parish Relief in Need, Mary Hill, Grimley, Chris Cox, and Worcestershire CC Waste Disposal

In general terms, Armchair’s fnances are secure with regular grants from new and existing funders. The cash reserves are currently £33,019.82.

TRANSPORT

Trustees agreed to set up a designated fund, to purchase a new van as required. This is essential to Armchair’s operation and without a van could not operate. Surplus funds raised in recent years have been allocated to this fund and the total in this designated fund is £25,000 (this has been increased due to the rise in inflation ). This will ensure that there are enough funds available for when the van needs replacing again. The current van is 14 years old but with low mileage so should be expected last for several more years, however it is essential to keep this fund in the event that a new van is required.

STAFF

The Trustees employ two part time staff working mornings only, 9.30 am to 1.30pm to collect and deliver items and to take and respond to referrals of people in need.

RESERVES

In accordance with the Charity Commission's S.O.R.P. the Trustees have assessed risks and arranged lifting training for staff. Insurance has been taken out for the major risks. A "reserves" policy of a minimum of 8 months' spending has been adopted as a prudent level given the general insecurity of long-term funding.

WASTE DISPOSAL SUPPORT

Armchair collects and delivers about 3 vanloads of furniture every week. This represents about 150 van loads most of which would be tipped - costng c. £115.00 each representng about £17,250 in waste fees. The County Waste Disposal Section introduced a "Recycling Credit Scheme" which brought Armchair £1351 this financial year based on the weight of the 825 recycled items.

STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT - ASSESSMENT OF CHARITABLE NEED

Armchairs referral form ensures the intended beneficiary has exhausted statutory entitlement before applying to Armchair. The Trustees ensure that the Charity supplements rather than supplants the work of the Statutory Services, especially the DWAS, and checks that all the beneficiaries are in receipt of means tested benefits or on similarly low incomes.

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THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - ELECTION, COMPOSITION, INDUCTION AND TRAINING

There are 7 trustees (also the members) who replace vacancies as they occur. They are the Board or Management Committee who manage the Charity and authorise expenditure. Membership was drawn from representative groups from the local community. The following are represented: - Maggs Day Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Platform Housing and Worcester Municipal Charities. The Manager and his assistant attend the Committee meetings but do not vote and withdraw if they have a pecuniary interest.

New trustees are inducted by being given the most recent Annual Report and Annual Accounts, the Charity's Constitution, a copy of the Charity Commission publication CC3 "The Essential Trustee - What You Need To Know", and by being invited to visit the furniture warehouse and talk to the staff.

The following Trustees retire by rotation at the GM - this year

Mr. David GEORGE Mr. Richard BOORN Mrs. Margaret JONES

In addition Mr Paul Edwards stands for formal election

Nominations may be proposed from the floor providing those nominated have already been appointed as members, duly approved by the Board.

MEETINGS OF THE TRUSTEES

The Board Management Committee meets once every two months. The Trustees receive and consider a report from the Chair, and Manager who keeps the finance books. Minutes are taken and circulated. The Management Committee has the power to co-opt new Trustees and non-voting advisers. The independently examined accounts are approved by the Management Committee and then formally adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Trustees.

ANNUAL MEETING

The meeting takes place once a year, on 17[th] May 2023 at 12.30 p.m. The meeting receives the trustees’ annual report and the independently examined accounts which are approved by the trustees.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Mel Kirk reports as follows: We made a surplus of £ 16,638.38. This was mainly due to a 2 year grant provided by Worcester City Council

During the year a total of 825 household items was delivered to 268 families or individuals in need with, on average, 3.1 items. A complete breakdown of referrals and deliveries is set out from page 5.

My grateful thanks are due to Richard Hines ( who also manages finances ) and Mark Richardson , for another successful year’s hard work. Their commitment to providing help to those in need has shone through significantly, shown through their commitment to as far as possible continue to provide furniture to those in need, and ensure that they themselves and others remain safe.

I would also like to thank all trustees, all of whom have carried out their roles with care and commitment. The wide-ranging backgrounds of our trustees, their broad skills & experience, and the stability of the membership of our committee as a whole, provide a strong team which has ensured our survival and effectiveness during difficult times.

I would also like to than Paul Griffith MBE for his assessment of our accounts

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FINANCE REPORT

Richard Hines reports as follows: This year there was income of £52918.41, expenditure of £36280.03 and a surplus of £16638.38. At the year end the charity’s assets had a book value of £88778.62 which includes the warehouse at £27500, the van at £4888.20, designated fund for new van of £25,000.00 and accumulated cash of £33019.82.

The Accounts have been independently examined free of charge by our independent examiner Paul Griffith to whom we are most grateful. A full copy of the accounts, including the Income and Expenditure for the year, the Balance Sheet at year end and the Examination Certificate is attached at page 9.

The Charity ofers very good value for money. Each family/person helped, received on average 3.1 items, costing £36 each. A total cost of £115 (about the cost of a single bed) for 3.1 good pieces of 2[nd] hand furniture which would otherwise have been taken to a landfill site at great cost to the local community

ARMCHAIR MANAGER’S REPORT ON THE YEAR’S WORK - APRIL 2022 TO MARCH 2023

Richard Hines reports as follows: We have collected very careful statistics with the computer to help us demonstrate our worth to the Worcester community both in terms of meetng need and avoiding unnecessary waste. There were 268 referrals to which we have responded with 825 items delivered. All the donations have to be collected first, and we then deliver straight from the van to the waiting list.

These are our delivery fgures for 2022/23 by postcode:

This demonstrates dramatically to our funders that we help needy people, many of them living in areas where families traditionally experience financial hardship.

WR4	Warndon,Brickfelds,Tolladine	89
WR1	CityCentre,Barbourne,Lowesmoor,Arboretum	67
WR5	Ronkswood,Wylds Lane,StanleyRd. etc.	42
WR2	Dines Green,St. Johns	48
WR3	Northwick,Bevere,Perdiswell,Claines	22
Total		268

REFERRALS OF PEOPLE IN NEED TO ARMCHAIR 01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023

STATUTORY AUTHORITIES	STATUTORY AUTHORITIES	VOLUNTARY SECTOR	VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Worcester City Council	62	Worcester Citzens Advice Bureau	71
Social Services (inc. childrens’ centres)	48	Maggs	11
Health Visitors	23	Community Care Project	11
Housing Associatons (Platorm,Citzen)	20	Onside Advocacy	4
Probaton Service	1	Cranstoun	4
		Headway	4
		Womens Aid	3
		Worcester Municipal Charites	3
		Worcester Community Trust	3
Total	154	Total	114
Grand total		268

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COLLECTION & DELIVERY OF DONATIONS BY ARMCHAIR 01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023

Double Beds	65	Single Beds	77
Wardrobes	47	Chest of Drawers	154
Bedside Cabinets	89	DressingTables	2
Sofas	69	Armchairs	38
Sofa Beds	5	DiningTables	34
DiningChairs	127	Cofee Tables	39
TV Stands	26	Bookcases	5
Stools	7	Sideboards	1
Otomans	7	Bunk Beds	1
Computer Desk	1	Other	31
		Total	825

LANDLORDS OF DELIVERY ADDRESSES

PLATFORM HOUSING	139
PRIVATE	30
CITIZEN	28
WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES	21
CABWHABAC	26
SANCTUARY HOUSING	16
ROOFTOP HOUSING	5
Nexus	1
Orbit	1
COMMUNITY CARE PROJECT	1
TOTAL	268

NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF - 2022/23

TRUSTEES E MAIL ADDRESS

Mel Kirk (Chair) Email: [e-mail] Margaret Jones (Vice Chair) Email: [e-mail] David George Email: [e-mail] Sue Osborne Email: [e-mail] Alan Purchon Email: [e-mail] Richard Boorne Email: [e-mail] Paul Edwards Email: [e-mail]

STAFF MEMBERS: Richard Hines * Email: [e-mail] Manager Mark Richardson* Email: [e-mail] Assistant Manager

• Non-voting members of the Management Committee

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ARMCHAIR INCOME AND EXPENDITURE O1/04/2022 - 31/03/2023

INCOME WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL PLATFORM HOUSING LASLETT’S CHARITY EVESON CHARITABLE TRUST SIX MASTERS CHARITY THE HOPMARKET WORCESTER CITY PARISH RELIEF IN NEED MARY HILL TRUST GRIMLEY MR CHRIS COX WORCESTERSHIRE C C RECYCLING CREDIT EXPENDITURE WAGES NEST PENSION EMPLOYERS CONTIBUTION INLAND REVENUE VAN FUEL VAN SERVICING & REPAIRS SEVERN TRENT STATIONERY AND OFFICE MATERIALS TELEPHONE FURNITURE STORE INSURANCE VAN ROAD TAX ELECTRICITY VAN INSURANCE BANK CHARGES SUNDRIES RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

16,640.00 15,000.00 5,000.00 3,506.85 3,500.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 800.00 500.00 500.00 120.00 1,351.56 TOTAL INCOME : £52 ,918.41 25,682.71 1,290.72 3,624.08 720.87 717.87 214.85 128.25 668.40 1,564.69 290.00 269.43 776.16 72.00 260.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURE: £36 ,280.03 EXCESS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE: £16 ,638.38

BALANCES AND BANK RECONCILIATION
Date Income Expenditure	Balance
31/3/23 £52,918.41
£36,280.03
£16,638.38
Brought forward current A/C 2021/2022	41,381.44
Surplus 2022/2023	£16,638.38
Unity Current A/C	41381.44
Un-banked Income	-
Un-presented cheques	-
Accumulated cash	£33 ,019.82
FIXED ASSETS
Warehouse (purchase price 1997) (50 year lease)	55,000.00
Depreciaton 1997 - 2023 = 25 Yrs @ £1,100	27,500.00
Value at year end	£27 ,500.00
Van (purchase price Nov 2014)	16,294.00
Depreciaton 8 Yrs @ 1,629.40p.a.	13,035.20
Book value at year end	£3 ,258.80
ACCUMULATED FUND
Cash	£33,019.82
Designated fund for purchase of new van when required	£25,000.00
Van	£3,258.80

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Warehouse Total Signed on behalf of the Board

£27,500.00 £88,778.62

MEL KIRK (Chair)

4[th] May, 2023

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