Pershore & District Volunteer Centre operating as Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre Charity Number 1166141 ## TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022/23 **i n s p i r e** inclusive nurturing sustainable professional integrity resilient empathetic ## INDEX **3** **4** **5** **6** **7** **8** **9** **10** A WORD FROM THE CHAIR A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO MEET THE TEAM COMMUNITY MATTERS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT WHAT DOES THE SERVICE MEAN TO OUR COMMUNITY? FACTS AND FIGURES SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE! **12** **13** TELEPHONE BE-FRIENDING **14** VOLUNTEERING **15** BECOME A VOLUNTEER **16** FINANCIAL REPORT **18** EXAMINERS REPORT CHARITY GOVERNANCE **19** INFORMATION **2** ## A WORD FROM THE CHAIR It’s hard to believe that another year has passed, and it’s been one that has been full of challenges, changes and many events. The demand for our services has not diminished and we continue to ensure our charity responds to the diverse needs of our community. In this day and age, it’s imperative to portray a clear and unambiguous image, and as such, we decided to change our name to Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre to raise our charity’s profile. We wanted to communicate ‘Who we are’ and ‘What we do’ more clearly and along with the name change, we have had a rebrand and updated our website accordingly. Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre continues to work in partnership with Pershore Town Council, the Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council, and this has ensured the continuation of our primary services which encourage social integration through the provision of critical transportation, befriending services, the distribution of household support grants, and of course our ever-popular lunch club. Special thanks must go to the Pershore Co-op and the Pershore Factory Shop, along with all of the other benefactors whose financial support is key to enabling the Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre to continue to provide essential services to our local community, and of course none of our services would be possible without the continued support from all of our wonderful volunteers, staff and fellow trustees who ensure the charity is available to respond to the ever-increasing demand for its services. Current times are very challenging, but we are confident that we have collectively developed a ‘new’ strategy which will positively help to sustain the charity's ability to deliver these important goals. Of course, I cannot finish my Annual Review without a ‘small’ mention about our CEO Karon Swinburn, who has raised nearly £2000 by running 5 km for 30 consecutive days, a feat definitely not to be under estimated. Very well done indeed Karon! I look forward to working with my fellow trustees, Karon and her team to ensuring that Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre has a long and successful future ahead. Colin COLIN DAVIDSON CHAIRMAN ## **i n s p i r e** inclusive nurturing sustainable professional integrity resilient empathetic **3** ## A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO As the financial year April 2022 - March 2023 drew to a close, we have had a lot to celebrate. We have a fantastic group of volunteers who are caring, committed and go above and beyond in providing an exceptional service for our customers. The highlight of the year was our new brand, the launch of our mission vision and values, and development of a new strategic plan for 2023 - 2028 which was put together by volunteers and staff alike and aims to I N S P I R E all of us to make Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre the very best service for our volunteers and the communities in and around Pershore. However, the year has not been without its challenges in terms of resources. We still have a way to go to get our volunteer numbers up to pre-pandemic levels and as COVID recovery monies started to come to an end, grant funding and fundraising activities have been difficult for recruitment events. You will see as you read this report how much we have achieved throughout the last year, but the demand for our services outweighs the number of volunteers we have, and at times, we have had to turn some people away. Although research shows that since the pandemic recruitment of volunteers has become more difficult, we are committed to finding new, innovative, and flexible ways to engage with volunteers going forward. I am extremely proud of all our volunteers and staff for the resilience they have shown in our pandemic recovery, and I look forward to the launch of the strategy for the fantastic Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre, with a stronger governance and a modern, dynamic new brand. We will build on our successes in the year ahead, we will learn from our challenges and will be investing in all aspects of our work. Thank you to all our volunteers, the board of trustees, and our staff for all their support over the year, and I am extremely proud of all those associated with our fantastic charity. I look forward to working with you for a successful year ahead, as we move towards our 40th year! ## Karon KARON SWINBURN CEO ## **i n s p i r e** inclusive nurturing sustainable professional integrity resilient empathetic **4** ## MEET THE TEAM Karon Swinburn Donna King Gabby Thomas CEO Operations Manager Finance Administrator Jo Stylianou Kim Macdonald Robin Gaden Social Engagement Officer Volunteer Co-ordinator Administrative Officer Colin Davidson Amanda Tanfield Andrew Budden John Rees Chair Company Secretary Treasurer Trustee **----- Start of picture text -----**
Tony Rowley
Trustee
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Tony Wright Jones
Trustee
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Jodi Arnold
Trustee
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**5** ## COMMUNITY MATTERS! Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre (PPVC) is centrally located in the small market town of Pershore. not guarantee someone will not experience social isolation and loneliness, particularly in old age. As well as covering the town, we also serve 40 of the surrounding villages, which illustrates our very rural location and all the challenges this brings. The population of Pershore is approx. 8,500 people, and the total number of people in the surrounding villages is around 27,500, which clearly demonstrates that many of our customers and potential customers live in areas heavily reliant on a car, or the very limited public transport. Pershore and its surrounding villages are mainly affluent areas with many people being educated to a level 4 qualification or above. However, there are key pockets of low-income households, and affluence does **'Central to our charity’s mission is to tackle loneliness and isolation, by bringing communities together.'** Our membership of the Worcestershire Community Transport Partnership, in conjunction with a strategic grant from Worcestershire County Council, helps to contribute to the overall costs of the services we offer, both locally and across the county. The total funding of £90,000 is shared between the Partners, and the charity acts as the grant administrator for the partnership which has nine partners, and the PPVC receives 5% for acting as the lead body. **6** ## COMMUNITY TRANSPORT The community transport service continues to be the project with the most volunteer involvement within the charity, as well as being a source of income generation. Community transport is at the heart of our mission. The Social Car Scheme volunteer drivers provided a total of 2722 passenger journeys, whilst the Community Transport Minibus / WAV provided 2155 passenger journeys. In total, 4877 passenger journeys were made in 2022-23, reflecting a 12% increase on the previous year, and we registered 157 new clients, compared to 187 registrations in the previous year. **'We aim to inspire volunteers to create community connections by providing transport and associated services suitable for all needs, with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation.'** ## OUR FLEET ## **Our Vauxhall Vivaro** Our EV joined our fleet in April following the successful Spacehive Crowdfund Green campaign. Our electric vehicle is used to fulfil the WCC contract, transporting four individuals who have additional needs to a day service in Bromsgrove, twice daily, five days a week. ## **Our VW Minibus 14-Seater** Working in partnership with Worcester County Council, our minibus / WAV has a contract with Wychavon Parish Council to deliver the CB4 Village connector minibus trip, which enables people living in the surrounding villages to connect to Pershore town for shopping essentials. ## **Our Citroen Berlingo** Our wheelchair accessible vehicle provided 266 journeys from April '22 to March 2023 covering almost ten thousand kilometres. With the exception of Christmas, this service ran every week, and in total the minibus has completed 2155 journeys. **7** **"The minibus is a big lifeline for me as I don’t drive, so it’s my only time out of the house for a few hours to see my friends.”** **"I look forward to this outing with friendly, helpful drivers and a chance to visit shops and the market and with door-todoor transport provided."** **"The Pershore service is a lifesaver, since I had to give up driving for health reasons. The drivers are brilliant.”** **8** ## FACTS AND FIGURES The highest percentage of our customers are aged between **80 - 91 years of age.** We have over **600 registered customers** using the Social Car Scheme > During the last year, the volunteers provided **2155 journeys** in our minibuses / wheelchair accessible vehicle. **1500 journeys** were for medical appointments. Our volunteers provided over **500 minibus journeys.** **80 active volunteers.** We currently have over **electric 9-seater vehicle** In April we welcomed an to our fleet. During the past year, nearly **200 individuals registered** to use our Social Car Scheme. During the last financial year were **2722 journeys 230 different volunteer drivers** completed by using their own vehicles. **9** ## SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT ## WEDNESDAY LUNCH CLUB This year 645 hot meals were served to elderly and vulnerable people, with 208 return journeys provided for those with mobility issues to get to the lunch club. There are 35 customers on our register, with an average of 28 attending each lunch. In the last year, 18 new customers joined the lunch club, with 6 on the waiting list who require transport. The community transport project provides door-to-door access for those Lunch Club members who are unable to travel independently. This is clear evidence of the synergy between the projects where addressing rural and social isolation are common issues. The format of the club is very successful and offers an opportunity for increased socialising for isolated residents. 18.6% of the total population are currently aged 65 or older, compared to 16.4% in 2013, which reflects the Pershore and surrounding areas demographic, and the increased demand for this type of service. **'Collectively, our 12 Lunch Club volunteers have donated over 445 hours.'** The club is managed by one part time member of staff and could not run without the invaluable gift of time from the volunteers, who support the Lunch Club during the year. There are currently 12 volunteers including two new volunteers who have joining the team in the last year. Collectively, they have donated over 445 hours of their own time to support and improve the well-being of others in the community. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT ## ANGEL LUNCH Held once a month, this social lunch enables people to maintain their independence, but to have the chance to meet with friends and peers at the Angel Hotel in Pershore. There are between 5 and 14 people that attend this lunch, and transport is organised for those that need it. The staff at the Angel are fabulous in hosting this monthly event, to ensure it’s a positive experience for all. HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT GRANT During the last financial year, we received two grants of £4,500 and £5,000. The initial £4,500 grant had to have at least £1,500 spent on households with vulnerable pensioners. £4,495.91 was spent on vulnerable people living in our area with £1,514 going to vulnerable pensioners. Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre were the only local charity to achieve the criteria of 33.3% to spend on pensioners. A further £5,000 additional funding was secured from Wychavon District Council for the remainder of the financial year, which enabled us to support 37 adults and 22 children across 31 households. ## DAY TRIPS As a result of a £2,500 grant from Worcestershire County Council, Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre was able to encourage some of our more vulnerable customers to venture out of their homes after Covid 19. A total of 72 subsidised return outings were carried out to locations such as Rococo Gardens, Western Super Mare and Moreton in Marsh. Some of the fund was allocated to recruitment, training and the admin of volunteer drivers and the associated journeys. **11** **"On the morning of the trip, we met Gary our driver, and Kirsty our passenger assistant. We took a lovely scenic route to Gloucester, had a nice few hours shopping, and found a great restaurant for lunch. All too soon 3.00pm arrived and it was time to leave. We returned home very happy with our purchases. I'm really looking forward to going again on another day trip when more have been advertised. All in all, it was a good day out. Well done to the team at the centre." Ros** IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE! **12** ## TELEPHONE BE-FRIENDING During the last quarter of the year, we have established a good line of communication between the team and Social Prescribers in Worcestershire, and they will be working more closely with each other during the upcoming financial year, particularly in building this service. One PPVC customer has continued to be supported through the whole of this period, and sadly two of our customers have passed away in the last year. We are expecting two new volunteers to join the team. in the next couple of months, and the staff will focus more time on telephone be-friending during the next 12 months. **13** ## VOLUNTEERING Without all our valuable volunteers, the fantastic offering that Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre make to the communities of Pershore and the surrounding areas would not be possible. We massively appreciate the volunteers who freely give their time to assist with the delivery of the services, and carry out their duties with commitment, care, and a cheery smile! In the last year, our volunteer statistics are as follows: Volunteer registrations received - **42** Contact made since registration form received - **42** Interviews taken place - **36** Number of potential volunteers who didn’t turn up for interview - **6** Registered external charities - **65** Number of contacts made to external charities - **19** New volunteers who have started - **28** > Talks or promotional event given in the community - **4** Visits made to charities - **5** We held our first Volunteer Fayre in January, which was supported by Councillor Dan Boatright, District Councillor for Wychavon. This is something we would like to repeat this year and in future years, as it gives us an opportunity to engage with potential volunteers outside of the very busy environment of the centre itself, enabling us to focus fully on each volunteer’s interests and the opportunities we have to offer. Volunteer recruitment is a concern for us all at PPVC, and post COVID, our experience of volunteer recruitment has been difficult. Recruitment has been steady but nowhere near the numbers that we have seen in previous years. **14** ## RAISE MONEY OR BECOME A VOLUNTEER If you know of someone who would like to get involved with fundraising or volunteer at Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre, or for any of the organisations that we partner with, please take a look at our website for the current opportunities or telephone our centre. Pershore & District Volunteer Centre 1 Billing House, Pershore. WR10 1EY Tel: 01386 554299 Email: admin@pershorevolunteers.org.uk **15** Pershore Plus FINANCIAL REPORT Volunteer Centre Profit and Loss Pershore and Distrirt Volunteer Centre Forthe year ended 31 March 2023 Income INCOM J54117 771 1.22S YT.13J 71585 87.15$ ToLIllMCC41E W7J Ti•wortChvpi 2&7e2 iJg1 FUndA￿￿rI TDt•l￿￿r. 5Ui3 J45 com AJlJ16 Tal￿£￿￿101￿ GrossProfit mlnlstratlY•Costs Stlrfcosl 91 61144 11785 5T1 la47 33S ONk•ExF4nd 1&852 17.732 M7%6 1.173 ID.y41 4.079 Min*uSRunni￿Cf¥Sls ii. A67ts SNIO OperatingProfit Profitan OrdirbaryActivitiesBknTaxatlon ProfitafterTaxation J• 16 Balance Sheet Pershore and District Volunteer Centre Asat31 March 2023 Fixedlssets COMP￿1￿￿￿ .916 IT9261 FuiTh¢ureandFixiuRs 164 iisso 12.950 5L311 65•1 14515 CuwrentAssets Stocks IM54 )M7S T#•ip•knI n7 Shit￿n￿1ndInhx 51169 C•thITrm￿d Lun(hCIL*PtttycMh P•￿£￿￿ J71 SU67 II&Z74 ¥711 Credltors.. •mountsl¥Illniduet￿%Nn onèyur ?J54 k¢nJ•h 1117 EmpkTrws EfflpWNNI )B PAYE 1702 25S NttCuryet)tAssttslLlaknlltltsl gA790 IZ6.524 TotslNss•ts ￿s$CUrrInt Li4￿11t￿$ 15J,Dty) NetAsset5 Capltaland Rest￿5 124W7 B7J57 CuwwtY*aiEarnin T0t4lGW￿1lR4￿r￿ 1365131 38,É43 26SX) TolalRtslrirt*d Funds 15J,D 17 Pershore Plus EXAMINERS REPORT Volunteer Centre Independent Examlnerfs Rwt Reportto th•trust•eslmemkn ofr. Pethre aThJ Distrfrtvolunteer Centre On accounts1￿ th• y•ar •nd•d: 31. March 2023 tharfy No: 1166141 The charl￿$ trustee5 art resporislbl• for the preparntion of the accounts. The charltys trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year under sealon 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the CharitiesActl and that an independent examination is r*eded. It Is my re5ponslbllity to: Examine the attounts undersectkm 145 of the c￿ntieS A To folbow the procedures laid down in the general tMrertlons8lven bythe ChaAty Cornmlss5on {und¢f sectlon 14515Kbl ol the Chariiies Acii, and To stale wheiher partlcular matters h•¥e come to my attenti B•slsof k￿ep•ndEfit •xanknstat•m•Dt e¥amination was cafrled out In aca)rd•nce wlth Beneftl ￿'re(th)n$ 8lvtn by the Charity Commlssion. An examlnatlon Indudes a revlew of the a¢tountin8 records kept by the charity and comparison of the Jccounts presented wlth those records. It a150 includes conslderation of anv nusual iiems or dl5dosu￿S in the Jccounts, and seeking explanatlons from the trustees Con￿MIng awby such mattefs. Tht Pfixedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required In an •udiL and consequently no oplnlon 1$ given as w whether the accounts present a'trve and fai view and the report is limited to mattefs set out In the statement below. Indep•ndent ex•mSn*rfs siat•m In connertbon w5th my examinatknn. no matter has come to my attentlon.. l. Whbth glve me re•sonaile cause io believe that In •ny m•i*rial respe¢ the reoulrements.. a. To keep accounting rt¢ords in accordance with sectton IXJ of the charities act: b. To prepa￿ accounts which accord wlth the accountin8 records and compty wlth the accountin8 requlrements of the Charities Act have not been met,. or 2. Towhith, in myopinion, attention S￿uld ￿drawn In orderto enablea proper y￿￿r5￿n￿1ng ofthe accounts to be read￿d. AJS A¢wuntlng S*Md.. D•te: 3- No¥ember 2023 Ilam•: Alex Smlth ACM& CGMA for and on behalfoflJS ACC￿￿11￿ Servi￿$ Ltd R•le¥ant professloml qu￿￿a￿￿$) or body 01 any): OWJ Addrtss: Greville Court Business Centre. High StweeL Knowle. Solihull 893 LU 18 ## CHARITY GOVERNANCE INFORMATION ## ADMINISTRATION PERSHORE & DISTRICT VOLUNTEER CENTRE (working name: Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre) Registered Charity Number 1166141 Address: 1 Billing House, Cherry Orchard, Pershore WR10 1EY � 01386 554299 Email cosec@pershorevolunteers.org.uk Website www.pershorevolunteers.org.uk ## AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The main objectives of Pershore & District Volunteer Centre (the Charity), as set out in the constitution, are to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in Pershore and the surrounding villages, and in particular the advancement of education, the protection of health and relief of poverty, distress and sickness. ## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission. Its Trustees operate under a Constitution which was adopted on 14 March 2016. The Charity is managed and administered by a Board of at least three and at most ten Trustees (there are currently six). Trustees are appointed at a properly-convened meeting of Trustees for a term of three years. New Trustees may be introduced to the Charity in a variety of ways, such as registering/working as a volunteer or recommendation by existing Trustees. It is the Charity’s policy to appoint at least one Trustee from Pershore Town Council and one from Wychavon District Council. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. **19** ## TRUSTEES The Trustees who served throughout the year were: Colin Davidson (Chair of Trustees), John Rees, Cllr Tony Rowley (Wychavon District Council), Cllr Val Smith (Pershore Town Council), Ian Middleton (to 20 June 2022), Amanda Tanfield, Andrew Budden. John Rees, Tony Rowley and Val Smith were also Trustees of Pershore & District Voluntary Help Centre, which is therefore deemed to be a related party. There were nine ordinary Board meetings plus the AGM during the year. ## FINANCES The Charity’s work is reliant on income from grants, donations and fundraising. The Charity aims to utilise as much of its income as possible to fulfil its objectives, within the year the income is generated. The Charity, therefore, aims to maintain its cash reserves at the level which would, when taken together with expected income, meet its expected out goings for a rolling period of at least 12 months. The Charity and Pershore & District Voluntary Help Centre had a mutual support understanding, agreed by the Trustees of both charities, whereby staff and resources from either charity could be utilised by the other charity without the need for cross charging. This agreement was put in place to allow implementation of a longstanding strategy to transfer the operations of Pershore & District Voluntary Help Centre to Pershore & District Volunteer Centre gradually, over a number of years. All operations and staff had transferred by 31 March 2022. The Charity continued to provide such office support and staff time as required by Pershore & District Voluntary Help Centre to complete the winding up of its affairs. Pershore & District Voluntary Help Centre transferred its remaining funds to the Charity in 2022/23 and was deregistered by the Charity Commission on 26 September 2022. ## **i n s p i r e** inclusive nurturing sustainable professional integrity resilient empathetic