ARMCHAIR CHARITY Re815tered CIO- Charity no. 1164%6 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 DONATIONS RECYCLEDTO THE NEEDY FOR OVER ThIRTY YEARS DurlnB the year we recelvÈd 815 free Items of furniture. donated by the publlc, and dellvered them free to 233 families and Sndtvlduals, equivalent to 3.5 items to one household helped every working day of the year. Referrals rAme from Worcester Clty Councll. Cltlzens Advice Bureau, Housing Associations. Health Visitor5, Soclal Serv1 Probatlon and Worcester Municipal Charltles. DON'T THROW IT AWAY- GIVE IT AWAY Others less fortunate need it The furniture dellvery addresses demon5trale clearly that the charlty15 provldln8 a priority servl¢e to those areas in the Chy where famllles tradltlonally experlen¢e financlal hardsh•p:" WR4 WRI WR5 WR2 WR3 Total Warndon, Brickfields, Tolladine City Centre, 8arbourne, Lowesmoor, Arboretum Ronkswood , Wyld5 Lane, Stanley Rd. etc. Dines Green, St. John5 Northwick, Bevere, Perdiswell, Claines 89 53 29 22 233 VALUE FOR MONEY The Charity offer5 very good value for rnoney. Each familylperson helped, recelved on average 3.5 Items. at an averaBe cost to the charlty of £531 itern. A total cost of £186 (about the cost of a double bed) for nd 3.5 good pieces of 2 hand fvrniture whlch would otherwise have been taken to a landfill site at great cost to the local communrty. ALL ENQUIRIES TO: Rlchard Hines, Manager Tel.. 01905- 456080 Email.. armchairw ester.or www.arm¢hairworcester.orR.uk
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES- 202412025 NAME OFTHE CHARITY The Armchair Trust CIO CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1164966 CHARITABLE TRUST DEED.. Adopted 2710911989. Registered with the Charity Commission on 0611011989. Registered as a CIO on 2211212015. Not amended since. NAMES AND EMAILS OF TRUSTEES: Schedule attached page 7 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS: Independently Examined - attached page 8 ADDRESS.. Llnit 6b, Checketys Lane Trading Estate. Worcester. WR3 7JW Tel.. 01905- 456080. BANKERS- Unity Trust, 4 The Square, 111 Broad St., Birmingham B15 IAR SOLICITORS: Hallmark Hulme LLP, 3-5 Sansome Place, Worcester, WRI IUQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Paul Griffith MBE THE REGISTERED CHARITABLE OBJECTS OF ARMCHAIR o relieve generally, and indlvidually, persons SIdent 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 welcomes8ifts of second-hand furniture and household itemsfrom 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 collerted from just outside the City but due to limited resources, the need to etonomise on fuel, and to achieve a low carbon footprint, all dellveries of household items are within the Clty boundary. htt armchairworcester.or
FINANCES- HISTORY OFTHE FUNDING In 1996 the National Lottery gave Armchair a very generous four-year revenue and capital grant enablin8 us to purchase the 50-year lease of a warehouse in 1996. Armchair's flnances between 1997 and 2008 from the main statutory referrers, i.e. the Primary Care Trust and the County Council Social SeNices 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 8rant in 2008. In 200718 for the first-time limited financial assistance was received from the waste disposal authority and this continues. This was £1,789 in 202412025. Thi5 year we are most grateful to the following organisations and charities etc. for their continued major 5UPPOrt and place on record our thank5 to them for their generous donations in 202412025.'_ Worcester Munl¢ipal Charftles, Platform Houslngi Lasletts Charity, SIX Masters, The Mary Hill Trust, Worcester Clty Parish Relief in Need, Grimley. Chris Cox, and Worcestershlre CC Waste DIsp05al. In eneral terms Armchalrfs finances are secure with regular grants from new and existing funders. The cash reserves are currently £21,648.75. TRANSPORT Trustees agreed to set up a designated fund, to purchase a new van as required. This is essential to Armchairfs 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 £35,C4JO Ithis has been increased due to the rise in inflatlon l. This wlll ensure that there are enough funds available for when the van needs replacin8 again as the SeIte cannot function without this vehicle and ensures that there is minimal disruption to providing the service. The current van is 16 years old. srAFF The Trustees employ two part time staff working momings 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 Charlty 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 month5, 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. Thls represents about 150 van loads most of which would be tipped - costing c. £115.00 each representing about £17,250 In waste fees. The County Waste Disposal Section introduced a "Recycling Credit Scheme" which brou8ht Armchair£1789 this financial year base(l on the weight of the 815 recycled items. STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT- ASSESSMENT OF CHARITABLE NEED Armchairs referral form ensures the intended beneficiary has exhausted statutory entitlement before applying to Armchalr. The Tnjstees ensure that the Charity supplements rather than supplants the work of the Statutory Servites, especially the DWAS, and check5 that all the beneficiaries are In receipt of means tested benefits or on low incomes.
THE MANAGEMENT COMMIThEE- ELEcfioN, 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: Citizens Advice, Platform Housing and Worcester Municipal Charities. The Mana8er and his assistant attend the Committee meetin85 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 vislt the furniture warehouse and talk to the staff. The following Trustees retire by rotation at the GM - this year Mr. Paul EDWARDS Ms. Mel KIRK In addition Mr David George retired and Ms Kate Collier 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 conslder 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-votlng advisers. The independently examined accounts are approved by the Management Committee and then formallv adopted at the Annual Meeting of the TrLtstees. ANNUAL MEETING The meeting takes place once a year, on 14 May 2025 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 re orts as follows: We made a deficlt 01 £4137.01. During the year a total of 815 items of furniture were delivered to 233 families or indivlduals in need, with each receiving on average 3.5 items. A complete breakdown of referrals and deliveries is set out from page rateful thanks are due to Richard Hines (who also manages finances) and Mark Richardson, for another successful yearfs 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 trustee5, 011 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 Ilke to than Paul Griffith MBE for his assessment of our account5
FINANCE REPORT Rlchard Hlnes re orts as follows-. Thi5 year there was income of £39,276.85, expenditure of £43,413.86 and a deficit of £4,137.01. At the year end the charit$ a55ets had a book value of £81,948.75 which includes the warehouse at £25,300, the van at £0, desi8nated fund for new van of £35.000.QO and accumulated cash of £21,648.75. The Accounts have been independently examined free of charge byour 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 8. The Charlty offers very good value for money. Each family/person helped, received on average 3.5 items, C05ting £53 each. A total cost of £186 labout the c05t of a double bedl for 3.5 good pieces of 2 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 2024 TO MARCH 2025 Richurd Hines reports as follow5.' We have collected very careful statistics with the computer to help us demonstrate our worth to the Worcester community both In term5 of meetlnE need and avoidin8 unnecessary waste. There were 233 referrals to which we have responded with 815 items delivered. All the donations have to be collected first, ond we then deliver straight from the van to the waiting list. These are our dellvery flgures for 202412025 by postcode: Thi5 demonstrates dramatically to our funders that we help needy people, many of them living in areas where families traditionolly experlente financial hardship. WR4 WRI WR5 WR2 WR3 Total Warndon, Brickflelds, Tolladine City Centre, Barbourne, Lowesmoor, Arboreturn Ronkswood , Wylds Lane, Stanley Rd. etc. Dines Green. St, Johns Northwick. Bevere. Perdiswell, Claines 89 53 29 22 233 REFERRALS OF PEOPLE IN NEED TO ARMCHAIR 0110412024- 3110312025 Social SeNices linc. children5' centresl Worcester City Council 45 Worcester Citizens Advice Bureau Maggs 67 37 Housing Associations (Platform, Citizen} Health Visltors 29 Community Care Project 22 WOrSter Community Trust Basement Project Onside Advo¢acy Emerging Futures Good Soil Trust Headway Womens Aid SSAFA YMCA Total 233 Probation Total Grand total 134 99
COLLECTION & DELIVERY OF DONATIONS BY ARMCHAIR 0110412024- 3110312025 Double Beds Wardrobes Bedside Cablnets Sofas Sofa Beds Dining Chairs TV Stands Stools Ottomans Computer Desk 83 37 Single Beds Chest of Drawers Dressing Table5 Armchairs Dining Tables Coffee Tables Bookcases Sideboards Bunk Beds Other Total 61 137 40 32 44 13 128 27 15 28 815 LANDLORDS OF DELIVERY ADDRESSES PLATFORM HOUSING CITIZEN HOUSING PRIVATE CITIZENS ADVICE WORCESTER ANO HEREFORDSHIRE WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES ROOFfop HOUSING SANcfuARY HOUSING BROMFORD HOUSING sfoNEWATER WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL WEST MOORLANDS TOTAL 127 36 29 17 233 NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF- 202412025 TRUSTEES E MAIL ADDRESS Mel Klrk IChair} Margaret Jones Ivice Chair} Sue Osborne Alan Purchon Richard Boorne Paul Edwards Kate Colller Email: mel.kirk citaworcester.or Email: oneslre5 btinternet.com Email: smosborne46 mail.com Email: a urchonl mail.com Email- sales bondtech.uk.com Email: Paul.Edwards latformh Email-. katie¢ollier mail.com .com STAFF MEMBERS: Richard Hines Manager Mark Rlchard50n Assistant Manager Email: info armchairworcester.or -uk Email- info armchairworcester.or Non-voting members ofthe Management Committee
ARMCHAIR INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 0110412024- 3110312025 INCOME WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES PLATFORM HOLtSlNG LASLErfs CHARITY SIX MASTERS CHARITY MARY HILL TRUST WORCESTER CITY PARISH RELIEF IN NEED GRIMLEY MR CHRIS COX WORCESTERSHIRE C C RECYCLING CREDIT £18.998.00' £6,5(K).00 £3,869.00 £2,500.00 £4,000.00 £800.00 £700.00 £120.00 £1,789.85 E- £39 276.85 TOTAL INCO EXPENorruRE WAGES NEST PENSION EMPLOYERS CONnBUTION INLAND REVENUE VAN FUEL VAN SERVICING & REPAIRS SEVERN TRENT STATIONERY AND OFFICE MATERIALS TELEPHONE FURNITURE STORE INSURANCE VAN ROAD TAX ELECTRICITY VAN INSVRANCE BANK CHARGES SUNDRIES £31,035.08 £1,596.84 £4,955.22 £674.15 £40. £274.39 £258.58 £725.84 £1,822.88 £335.00 £478.82 £755.84 £71.40 £389.82 TOTAL EXPENOITURE= £43 13.86 RESULTS FOR THE YEAR OEFECIT INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE.. £4 137.01 8AL4NCES AND BANK RECONCILIATIOM Date Income Expenditure 3113125 £39.276.85 £43.413.86 Brought forward current A/C 203V2024 Deficit 202412025 Unity Current A/C Un-banked Income Un-presented cheques Accumulated cash Balance -£4,137.01* £60,785.76 -£4,137.01• £56,648.75 £21 FIXED ASSETS Warehouse Ipurchase price 19971150 year leasè) Depreciation 1997- 2025 - 27 Yrs @ £1,100 Value at year end £55.tsJO.00 £29,700.00 £25 300.00 Van Ipur¢hase pri Nov 20141 Depreciation 10 Yrs @ 1.629.40p.a. Book value at year end 16.294.00 £16,294.00 £OA)D ACCUMULATED FUND Cash Designated fund for purchase of new van when requlred Van Warehouse Total £21,648.75 £35,¢Y)O.00 £0.00 £25,300.00 £81948.75 £14248.50 recelved from Worcester Municlpal Charities as of 3113125 £4749.50 duè in April 2025, thls addltlonal payment has been Included in this year5 accounts as it is due im Signed on behalf of the Board MEL KIRK (Chairl 14 May, 2025
Independent examlnerfs report on Iho accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANL) ffiLILES Scctig11 A liidep&ndci)i EKaminpr's Rtspori R•port to the IrustE¢sI ol ArniGhDir CIO On •cwunts for th• y•¥ 4d•d 31f03fa925 Charlty no lif any) li66 S•1 Out on pag R•&pacthT• rnpoMl>llifiE¥ ¢1 Ju•t••# Ind •x•ml The chantlslwstEEJ ¥1¥ 1P¥klis1) lor Ihé pre?arafjon of the &GGwnlS. The ¢h8rftw'$ Iruslees collside. Ih8t arts audit is nDt requii¢1i lil I'l$ year undo. souion 144 of the Charilles Aol 7011 1'lhÉ Chaltla6kt"l and that an dependert exgmlnallw is n••d•d. Ili# rny pon#11.1Y to: •K/Mlne the under 4?n .45 ol th• chArl65 Ad. lo follow PTu¢¥duf8s laid tk,e geieral DirEclions gIn by lh• ChArlly commiss)n lundtr S2Clion 14515}Ibl ol ttre Ch8rilws Acl, 4nd lo stata whether p•rtl¢u matters havè ccmo to rry al.:enl.on. B••ii of Indep•¢ My examinglion w4$ carrted in rdanCe with ger& DdionS 9 V•n txwthln•f$ •taE•rn•nt by Thè Charliy C)mmi4aon. An eKJrr,Inètion IncludeB & revi¥ ol ttre ccounting recoith kÈpt by th@ tharfty and B cornp4ristsn of the accounts preientèa wtth Ihcs8 r•corc$. It4lso Includes wnsldernth.on ol tsny LJnuAual Itèms or dbdosures in the o¢counts. and seeklng ¥plèn8ilons trom Ihe tru5Aes cvn¢ernSn9 #ny $ueh malt•N Thè proc&gJr•s underten do ml prv¥ide all th8 0vid¢n¢a that wouk1 te requlTed In an audli. and ¢4nitsquéntlY no opinlon l¥ giv¥n as lo whcthEr the a¢cwnt8 V8$5011t 8'tsue and tair, vlew andtfro wort Is Ilmit•d b Ihme m•tt•rs set OLrt in the 8lpterrEnl bplc4Y. Ind•pthd•nt In COnnecn Yh my vi4mhallon. n¢.m911rf hag Ce to my attentic e¥arTrlnvr'8 etstérn•nt l. wNch glv•s ma wa8onJla £at¢ LlIe Ihat'n, any rn8lerla. re5pEGI, Ihq rAquir•ryntS'. to kttp accourrting f•¢ord$ li 8¢¢prdgnc• wlth wllDn '.YJ ofthe ChwMS•s A¢t,' and to prepare JccourtB ithich aGGord with the a¢Mtsnlhg r•¢tsrds mply with th¥ ntIn9 fWLU[w¢ts ol ltte chaTtt Act ha¥• not Ixan rnel; cr 2. to which. in my opinlon, attèntbn shftultl drawn In ordèr per un(r8t8ndino of t acwhjqts 10 ba reachvd. 8lwod: Wme. 7LI Agri12025 Pwl Griffith MBE Relwant prol•s$lDvAI quallf*atlpnlsl ot body Irf any): Addmss: NIA 'Gr•¥16 Couap.. Lower Dingle, INest MIJrry VlorcEUter6Nf•. INR14 4