| Trustees' Annual Report for the period | |||||||||
| From | To | Period end date | |||||||
| Period start date | |||||||||
| 2022 | 31 | 2023 | |||||||
| 01 | 04 | 03 | |||||||
Section A Reference and administration details
| Charity name Other names charity is known by |
The County Toy Library | ||||
| Registered charity number (if any) | 1166245 | ||||
| Charity's principal address | 4 Park Square | ||||
| Kings Heath | |||||
| Northampton | |||||
| NN5 7LQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Dates acted if not for Name of person (or body) entitled Trustee name Office (if any) whole year to appoint trustee (if any) Chair 1[Lorraine Elks ] Board Member 2[Laura Furr] 3[Eve Bond] Co-Secretary 4[Debra Scott] Co-Secretary
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | HSBC | 22 Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 2AN |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
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N/A
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
Elected at AGM
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
-
policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
The relief and education of children in the county of Northamptonshire for the public benefit by:
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Summary of the objects of the (a) the provision of a not-for-profit lending library of educational, stimulating and age appropriate toys and equipment for babies and chil-
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charity set out in its governing document dren;
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(b) promoting within the county the use and benefit of toy libraries for children, families and communities in such ways as the trustees think fit.
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A full report of the main activities are contained in section d.
Summary:
Summary of the main activities 1. Continuation of key objectives of The County Toy Library for the undertaken for the public bene- benefit of the local community fit in relation to these objects (include within this section the 2. Increasing awareness profile and ultimately membership of the statutory declaration that trus- library tees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity 3. Providing a wide range of high-quality toy and equipment and Commission on public benefit) disposing of old stock in the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner possible
- Increasing funding to enable the provision of a better level of service and to be working towards becoming self-financing.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
Covid Risk assessment
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, Continue to raise funds during the Covid 19 pandemic. about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Section D Achievements and erformance p
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The County Toy Library had a great year of increasing memberships and community engagement. The County Toy Library increased its membership by 48% over the year. Membership from the Kings Heath area increased by 82%, and memberships for those with additional needs also increased by 9%. The number of regular users has grown during this period.
The County Toy Library Facebook page has gained 29% more followers. Regular photo updates are posted, and parents/carers questions are answered promptly.
The County Toy Library held its sixth AGM on September 21, 2022. This provided an opportunity to reflect on the work done in the previous year. The County Toy Library received positive feedback from the parents/carers and professionals who attended. The Committee designated the meeting, following last year's AGM, to discuss the feedback given by parents/carers during the AGM.
The County Toy Library received £286 from Northampton Partnership Home in January 2022. This was allocated to 11 free memberships, along with £20 to spend in the shop, for children with special educational needs.
Barratt Homes donated £1,000 to The County Toy Library, which was allocated to local families living in Kings Heath. This covered 14 memberships and £30 spend in the shop, with £500 earmarked for advertising flyers. The County Toy Library contacted local school to promote this offer, which was used by November 2022.
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Section D Achievements and erformance p
A Grant Application to the Council, which was submitted in August 2022, was successful. This grant included 20 free memberships for those with additional needs, each with a £20 voucher to spend in the Toy Library. It also covered 20 free memberships and £20 vouchers for low-income families. This grant allowed our service to purchase £400 of new additional needs toys/equipment. Currently 15 memberships have been allocated for additional needs, and 14 have been allocated for low-income families.
The County Toy Library successfully applied for a £500 grant from Magic Little Grants which was received in October 2022. The Toy Library is conscious that parents/carers and groups for children with additional needs often cannot afford to buy and store expensive toys/equipment required for skill development. The grant funds were spent on purchasing new equipment for parents/carers and groups to borrow for a small fee.
In March 2022, The County Toy Library successfully applied for two Well Northants Community grants for the Kings Heath area. Upon applying, Toy Library representatives were invited to a Kings Heath Community Voting Day and were asked to present their applications, which were voted for by residents of the area.
The County Toy Library were awarded 1st place for their ‘Toy Box’ application. The Toy Boxes contain age and development- appropriate toys, together with an accompanying Health and Safety guidance on the toys; a Toy Library advertisement leaflet and a 12 month Toy Library membership and a £20 monetary voucher. These boxes are distributed by the Health Visitors Nursery Nurses during their 9-month and 2- year health checks. The aim is for the child to use the boxes for 2 months, after which time they are encouraged to utilise their membership to borrow more toys, and perhaps to become regular users. Further, it fosters a collaborative approach with local Health Visiting services.
The second grant for Well Northants was for our rental costs, as The County Toy Library pays £250 per month in rent to West Northants Council. The Library received £2,500 during the Voting Day.
Three fundraising events took place this year to promote the charity and raise vital funds. The first was a school fete at Purple Oak's School in June 2022, raising £80 through various activities. The second fundraiser at Abington Park Museum in August 2022 raised £75 via a teddy tombola. In February 2023, the library raised £107.50 at the Doddridge Community Centre event through a teddy tombola and toy sales. In December 2022, The County Toy Library held a Christmas Fair, raising £552 for the charity by selling toys, books, clothes, and household items.
The County Toy Library collected donations of unused/surplus toys and items donated by the public/members. These items (if of no use in the library) were sold online or outside Toy Library, this year this was 75% higher than last year.
The County Toy Library signed up to Amazon Smile, which gives The County Toy Library payment of a small percentage of those funds spent on Amazon Smile by it’s supporters. £45.38 has been raised this year.
The County Toy Library has raised £130 from the Northampton lottery.
During this year The Toy Library secured the donation of a computer and laptop, with Microsoft 10. It is hoped that this will lead to the introduction of new software.
The County Toy Library opened on a Friday in October to hold a professional's open day, which was effective in increasing awareness of the service among professionals.
In September, The County Toy Library visited Kings Health school, promoting its service to staff and engaging with children using Toy Library toys. This event encouraged children to attend The County Toy Library with their parents/carers. In December, The County Toy Library created Christmas vouchers so family members could purchase monetary vouchers to spend in the library.
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Section D Achievements and erformance p
The County Toy Library resumed Sunday openings again in March 2022, with the first Sunday attracting six families.
A pre visit pack for families was created, to inform them about the library, where to park and what to bring.
The County Toy Library decided not to increase membership and borrowing costs this year due to the financial crisis families are facing. The library is a place where families can borrow toys/equipment for a small cost, allowing them to use their remaining funds for priority items.
During the year the Committee Members and Trustees of The County Toy Library have watched several videos created by The Charity Commission to stay updated on charity management.
The County Toy Library attended the Northants Parent/Carer Forum AGM in November 2022. This was to promote our service to parents/carers of children with additional needs.
The County Toy Library policies, together with Risk Assessments where required, were reviewed during the year and updated as required, to include Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Volunteering, DBS, Complaints, Lone Working, Data Protection, Equal Opportunity and Equality and Diversity.
Section E Financial review
None
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Details of any funds materially None in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
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The chair would like to say a huge thank you to The County Toy Library manager, dedicated volunteers and trustees. All this amazing work would not be possible without your hard work and dedication. It is really very much appreciated!!
Thank you
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s)[Lorraine Elks ] Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 27.8.23
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| The County Toy Library Charity Name |
The County Toy Library Charity Name |
The County Toy Library Charity Name |
1166245 No (if any) |
1166245 No (if any) |
1166245 No (if any) |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01.04.22 Period start date |
To | 31.03.23 Period end date |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 11,019 - - - - - - - 11,019 - - - 11,019 613 4,224 717 180 541 2,713 - - - 8,988 - - - 8,988 2,031 - 13,248 15,279 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 6,940 - - - - - - - 6,940 - - - 6,940 - - 2,383 - - - - - - 2,383 - - - 2,383 4,557 - 3,081 7,638 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 17,959 - - - - - - - 17,959 - - - 17,959 613 4,224 3,100 180 541 2,713 - - - 11,371 - - - 11,371 6,588 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| Activities forgeneratingfunds | 11,019 | 13,209 | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
11,019 | 13,209 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| 13,209 | |||||||
| Insurance | 613 | 791 | |||||
| Wages | 4,224 | 4,340 | |||||
| Costs of charitable activities | 717 | 5,914 | |||||
| Water and Sewerage | 180 | 180 | |||||
| Telephone | 541 | 503 | |||||
| Light and heating | 2,713 | 581 | |||||
| Costs ofgeneratingvoluntaryincome | - | - | |||||
| Printing, postage, stationery and computer supplies |
- | - | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 8,988 | 12,309 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||
| 12,309 | |||||||
| 2,031 | 4,557 | - | 6,588 | 900 | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 13,248 | 3,081 | - | 16,329 | 15,429 | |||
| 15,279 | 7,638 | - | 22,917 | 16,329 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
21/01/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Inventory Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Cash in bank Details Ebond Signature Lelks |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 15,279 7,638 - - - - 15,279 7,638 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 40000 - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Lorraine Elks Eve Bond |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| Lelks | Lorraine Elks | 2.11.23 | |
| Ebond | Eve Bond | 2.11.23 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
21/01/2024
2