The Bridge Recovery Community (CIO) Annual Trustees Report andAccounts for theyear ended 31 May 2021 Charity Number.. 1167634
Table of Contents Charity Information Trustees Report Charity Purpose and Registration Operations (including statement on COVID 19) Trustees Independent Examiners Report Statement of Receipts and Payments, for the year ended 31 May 2021 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Notes to the Financial Statements
Cliarity Information Contact: Robert Bell 26a Haggard Road Twickenham Middlesex TWI 3AF Principal Address: The Arches, Richmond Bridge Richmond Road Twickenham Middlesex TWI 2EF Bankers: Lloyds Bank Business Banking BXI ILT
Trustees Report Charity Purpose and Registration The purpose of the charity is stated in its foundation document as: 'To facilitate recovery from addiction in all its forms for the public good, by providing low cost meeting space for people attending 12 step fellowship groups; and the provision of a safe and recreational space for social, volunteering and community fellowship activities . The Charity is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the following charitable objects: 'The object of the CIO is to promote, for the benefit of the public and society as a whole, social inclusion and relieve the needs of those in need who are dependent upon, addicted to, recovering from or affected by drugs, alcohol or other similar substsnces, in particular (without limitstion) around the Richmond on Thames area, primarily (but not exclusively) through the provision of appropriate low cost meeting space for such people attending 12 step fellowship recovery groups. a safe space for social, volunteering and community fellowship activities and facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom they are intended. Operations Room Rentals: The Bridge Recovery Community's (The Bridge) main activity it to provide low cost meeting space for 12-step fellowship recovery groups. Before COVID 19 lockdowns, eight 12 Step fellowships held 19 weekly meetings at The Bridge between them. This meant that in the course of a year around 988 meetings tske place. When the Bridge isn't being used for 12 Step meetings, it is often available for recovery-related workshops events and activities, for example the meditation group on a Saturday morning and The London Polish Intergroup. When COVID restrictions allow: the latter group meet on a Sunday on every two months. The Charity raises funds from three other principle sources: Friends - regular contributors to the charity, mainly (but not exclusively) from the groups using the facilities Events- events such as quiz nights and film nights are organised by an Events Committee consisting of rtain trustees and additional members from the groups using the facilities
Anonymous donor - the charity has received a number of donations from a Charities Aid Foundation Donor, who has asked to remain anonymous. These donations make good any shortfall in resources of the charity, and are experted to be available in the fvture. We are very grateful to all our contributors, who help to keep The Bridge running for the benefit of the local recovery community. We are also very grateful to our many volunteers, who undertake a number of tssks to support The Bridge. These include running social and fundraising events, taking part in Maintenan project working groups, a variety of administrative tasks and assisting the Caretaker/Manager with regular maintenance of The Bridge. The part-time Manager/Caretaker runs and maintains The Bridge day to day. His costs are charged to the Charity on a monthly basis. In addition, operational oversight and support is provided as required by Robert Bell, who is contracted by the Double 'O' Charity Limited for this and other charitsble purposes. The Charity undertakes occasional improvement projects for the benefit of users of t facilits. The projects to be undertaken in the year are approved by the Trustees at the time of setting the annual budget. The Trustees meet regularly and hold an annual Strategy Meeting where the longer term de%elopment of the charity is discussed and agreed. In making decisions about current xtivrties and future dirertion, the trustees have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefiL COVID 19 Impart" For much of the year under review, The Bridge was unable to operate normajly due to COVID restric. During these periods, The Bridge provided virtual meeting faalities and mary grws used this resource to continue to meet online. Many continued to make contributions to The Bridge, although the Trustees did not make any formal requests. The Treasurer sought and was granted some temporary support from Richmond CourKil (oor landlord) in the form of a deferral of one quarter's rent for one year. As the accounts are prepared on a cash basis, this means that the rental expenses are approximatety 75% of what would be expected in a normal year, and this will be made up in the followin8 year. The trustees are keeping the financial situation under constant review. Trustees The trustees during the year were as follows: Maria Pemberton (Chair from September 2020, resigned May 2021) Lisa Chittenden (Chair - resigned September 2020) Robert Bell Michael Pilling (Treasurer) Sarah Lavelle (Resigned May 2021)
Ken Crosland (Chair from June 2021) Julia Bell Lindsey Pilling
Independent Examiners Report Report to the trustees/ members of The Bridge Recovery Community (CIO number 1167634) on st accounts for the year ended 31 May 2021 set out on pages 7 to 9 Respective responsibilities of trustees aiid exaniiiier The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitvs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5){b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statemeiit My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent ex miner s state In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements= to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signature: Date: Name= Neil Harwood Relevant Professional Qualifications or Body (if any): Address= Holly Tree House, Croasdale Drive, Parbold, Lancashire, WN8 7HR
Statement of Receipts and Payments, for the year ended 31 May 2021 Unrestricted Funds Note (to nearest £) 2021 Totsl Funds Totsl Funds (to nearest £) (to nearest £) 2021 2020 Receipts Rentsl income Donations Gift Aid Income from Events Additional contributions 5,668 18,205 1.720 5,668 18,205 1,720 16,667 6,044 1,477 649 15,000 25,593 25,593 39,837 Asset and Investment Sales Total Receipts 25,593 25,593 39,837 Payments Rental expense Events expenses Management and caretaking costs Electricity Repairs and Renewals Insurance Other operating expenses 5,614 5,614 7,000 204 20,193 28 3,299 326 2,738 19,000 3,924 1,180 327 2,099 19,000 3,924 1,180 327 2,099 32,144 32,144 33,788 Asset and Investment Purchases Total Expenses 32,144 32,144 33,788 Net of Receipts / (Payments) Cash Funds last year end (6,551) 26,372 (6,551) 26,372 6,049 20,323 Cash Funds this year end 19,821 19,821 26,372 These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis, as permitted for non-corporate small charities.
Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds (to nearest £) (to nearest £) (to nearest £) 31 May 2021 31 May 2021 31 May 2020 Note Cash funds 19,821 19.821 26,372 The Charity has no other monetary assets, investments or liabilities. Assets retained for the Charity's own use consist of fixtures and fittings used within the premises, the principal items being: Flooring and under-floor heating Exterior decking Seating Laptop computer Kitchen equipment Leaf blower Sound and lighting equipment (used for events) These items have all been expensed in the year of purchase within "repairs and renewals" Signed by on behalfof all the trustees Ken Crosland (Chair of Trustees) Michael Pilllng (Treasurer)
Notes to the Financial Statements l. Reserves Policy The following outlines the reserves policy of the Bridge. The Charity currently has no restrictions on its funds, and the trustees have therefore formulated a reserves policy which is appropriate to sustaining the ChariVs artivities without retaining excessive funds. The income of the charity consists mainly of regular rentsl payments and donations which are fairly predictable in the short to medium term. However the longer term viability of the charity is currently dependent on the continued willingness of a Charities Aid Foundation donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) to provide support, or on the ability of the Trustees to secure an alternative should such support be withdrawn. Although such an event is considered unlikely, in the opinion of the Trustees it would tske approximately 34 months to wind up the Charity's activities in an orderly manner, and adequate reserves should be retained to cover this eventuality. Our reserves policy is therefore to allow unrestricted cash reserves to reduce to approximately 4 months expenditure (currently around £12,000) before seeking additional funding from the C.A.F. donor. 2. GiftAid Gift Aid monies of £1,720 were received from HMRC during the year. These consisted of £1,324 in respect of the 2019/20 financial year with the remainder being in relation to current year donations paid through online donation platforms. 3. Donationsfrom CharitiesAid Foundation donor No donations were received from the anonymous Charities Aid Foundation donor during the year.