Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period stsrt date 01 08 Period end date 31 07 2023 2024 To Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Armed Forces Community Support Hub Other names charity is known by Armed Forces Community Support Registered charity number (if any) 1168398 Charity's principal address Veteran Support Centre (Off Alder Lane) Warrington Postcode WA2 8AG Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Office lif any) Name of person lor body) entitled toa oint twstso ifan David Chandler Lead Trustee Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional infonnation) Edward John Arnold - CEO Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Description of the charity's trusts Type of governing document -lee( 3nstitLAtion I Constitution How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee selection methods "g. Appointed by elected by. Appointed at a quorate meeting of the trustees properly notified as per our constitution and considered to have the skills which would be an asset to the charity. TAR March 2012
Additional governance issues (Optional infonnation) All of our policies are constantly updated and promulgated to all staff and volunteers to read. All policies are then signed by staff and volunteers to ensure good governance. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees. the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works., relationship with any related parties., trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and prOdureS to manage them. Our Trustee induction policies have been updated and a comprehensive folder containing all relevant papemork and guidance is issued to any individual that wishes to apply to be a Trustee within the Charity. Although currently we only have one Trustee we have been actively recruiting for new individuals to take on the reigns. We work closely with Local Government and recognised relevant organisations to assist us to provide our services to our Glients. An area of risk identified resulted in the purchase and recording of DBS certificates for everyone. All staff and volunteers are fully DBS checked, and copies of all certificates are now held securely. Section C Ob"ectives and activities Amied Forces Communi ort Hub Ob'ectives The Armed Forces Community Support Hub is built upon a unique working partnership between, Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Citizens Advice, The Royal British Legion, ASDIC, SSAFA, DMWS, AFCTF, NHS, Cheshire Police, CGL, Pathways to Recovery. Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document We promote social inclusion, wellbeing, and reintegration back into civilian life after Servi utilising peer support and well-being projects. We are here to assist the need of individuals and family members living in Warrington and Cheshire who are currently serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. TAR March 2012
We deliver 2 weekly Veterans Breakfast Club in Warrington at the Veteran Support Centre(Coffee Mornings) Weekly 'Naafi Break Drop-lns" located within the Cheshire West and Chester area. Naafi Breaks are spread over three locations to ensure maximum attendance and availability to veterans and their families. Numerous trips have been organised for the veterans to the National Arboretum and other significant military locations as well social trips. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) Veteran volunteers always play a major role in the support of the charity. It has always been peer-support led and is the fundamental part of the transition back into the Community for many. All veterans have signed terms of agreements and a Code of Conduct as guided by our policies and procedures. The Veterans peer support group meet each week fa to face or via online to discuss any issues or concerns they have or any ideas on what our next project would be to support further clients. Any outcomes that require CEO approval would then be presented and if needed further agreement from the Lead Trustee if the idea requires funding. Should the volunteer group wish to purchase new items for the good and benefit of the group the CEO could grant the request (subject to financial limits imposed). If further or larger amounts of funds is required, then the CEO would request funds through the Lead Trustee. All newly appointed volunteers and veterans requiring assistance complete a Needs Assessment to identify any issues. Early intervention reduces further deterioration and promotes mental health recovery. Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional infonnation) The contribution made by our volunteers is paramount to the daily running and provision of services to our veterans, community. Without our volunteers we would have difficulty in providing our ServiS. We have focussed mainly this year on either self-funding or projects not requiring external funding. We strive to be self sufficient without burdening the already stretched funding organisations. Our passion to support veterans is driven by the support we receive from veterans who have either utilised our services or wish to assist others. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: policy on grantmaking., policy programme related investment., contribution made by volunteers. Our secondary aim is to support the local communities in which we are located. Having their support is crucial to the centre remaining open and allowing the veterans to re-join communities in which they have previously felt excluded. TAR March 2012
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year During this reporting period we have identified and assisted 10 veterans who were designated as homeless into supported living accommodation during this reporting year. This has been through the continued support of outside agencies who support veterans e.g. The Royal British Legion, Night Stop and local government assistance. Although our successful numbers are low compared to other larger organisations every veteran housed is one less having to endure life on the streets. 213 Veteran referrals have been received and recorded through our services following Needs Assessments which has provided guidance and supporuassistance to veterans, dependants and families. This year again, our Bicycle Recycle project has been our biggest success. Working in conjunction with Cycling UK who have supported us for of our bike projects during this reporting period we have been able to sustain the project. We have supported 21 veterans with free bicycles but, due to the success and supply of bicycles from our local community we have also managed to supply repaired bicycles back to the community who have been referred from local community agencies for assistance. We have also been able to supply (via local government services) several bicycles to local families who due to circumstances could not afford to purchase bicycles from their own funds Our latest project in which we are very keen to explore has been our Laser crafting project where the veterans are learning and understanding how to craft items from Wood, Plastic, Glass etc into items which we can sell at our fundraising events. This has become popular with the clients who are learning a new skill and taking more time out of their own homes to interact with like minded individuals and the public as a whole. We still maintain a close link with NHS medical services and our continued commissioning from Greater Manchester Mental Health has assisted us greatly in providing wrap around support for them and their clients. Now in our 6th year of commissioning from Cheshire West and Chester Council we continue to provide support to veterans and dependants within the Cwac area. The Veterans Support Centre has developed greatly within this reporting period and we are keen to utilise the building more not just for the veterans and their families but to the wider general public as a whole. We have continued to utilise our minibus to provide support and assistance to veterans who engage with us. However, the age and condition of the bus and the increasing costs of maintaining her have now seen her removed from service and has now been sold on for parts. This is an unfortunate situation as the bus was a stalwart within both the veteran community and the local community as a whole. However, the bus was utilised for the following: Social trips and events for both Veterans and their families. Social trips for local non-funded community agencies for social trips. Moving Military Veterans personal belongings in and out of storage House Removals TAR Marth 2012
Section E Financial review Brief ststement of the charity's policy on reserves We have continued to fundraise throughout this reporting year to maintain funds sufficient to cover our operational costs for three months minimum. Details of any funds materially in deficit nla Further financial review details (Optional infom)ation) You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about: The charities principal source of funding this reporting period has been from Veterans in Mind (NHS) and Cheshire West and Chester Council. the charity's principal SoUrS of funds (including any fundraising)., how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity. investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. We are working more towards self-funded projects which can sustain the charity such as the bike project and our new Laser craft project. For future years. Section F Other optional information 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) Position (e.g., Secretary, Chair, etc) Edward John Arnold CEO Date 21 May 2025 TAR Mar¢h 2012
YearEndod 31.072024 TotslFund5 Period OLI)&2D22.31.07.2023 TotalFunds Unreslrlctsd ReS¢te0 Notes Funts Funds Heathng Income&Endowm¢fttsfrom Donations and Legacies Bank Irttèrestreceed 6794&57 ExpendTture On chafftableatttQ5Ger3I 75355 75355 Its696.6 Natincorne IE¥pendltu¥el TransfÈrt)eMeenfund5 NEf MOVEMENfoFFUNDS -5282 45748.03 AECONCIUAnON OF FUNDS Totslfvntts broudhtfomard 13028.4S 028A5 Cash In hand 1729 Totalfvnd5 Carried Fomar 7767 13028.45 D•tsMed ststementotflnanclaiA¢thStl•s In¢omeand EndowmeDts Y•¥rEnded3L072024 FoiiMYear31siJyty2024 Y•ar£nd•d3L072023 Donatton$&Legacles 67948.57 Inter•# RtteNé¢ r¢rtal Incomlnqre50urce$ 67948.57 p•ym•fits Charftsbi8Athlles 50 Payroll In$uran¢• 1649 relephonenniem?I Postarfe &Sonary 107A 570.8 Rertl8ullldlwMaintenaflee SU.22 Comwterequlpmem VoJntes Expenses 614A5 Fu8L 4473.78 SIW Unit Jbxrlptlons UwngHistoryPmject 8lk¢Proleet VetwaTh8 Found*styn Prtye¢t cWAC8kts5tc s667.si
TotsiRosource$ Expended 75355 1136%6 Armed Ftxce5CommunitySupportHub Batsnce Sheet At31stJuly2024 YearEnded Perlod OLI)&2022.3L072023 TotalFyn41$ Heading Funds Funds TotalFunds A55ets MarqueeslG8zebo 06 Mlnl 2Q)O 2eoo 5106 5106 P£cumuiateé Depreclation -5106 Total 51C 8ankCurientA¢cLyJnt 4726.98 7367.84 8ankDepOsllAccrt 3005.2 5655.54 Cash 816 17.39 herCre¢llO 7786.89 13028
INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS REPORTTOTHETRUSTEESOFWARRINGTON ARMED FORCESCOMMUNITYSUPPORTREGISTERED CHARlNUMBER. 1168398 I reportto the Trustees on my examination ofthe accounts ofthe Armed Forces Community Supportforthe year ended 31•t July 2024 (rhe Trust). Responsibilities and Basis of Report As the CharttyTrustees of the Trustyou are responsible forthe preparation of the 8ccounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusts accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have foLlowed all applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent Examiners Ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination gbving me causeto believeth8t in any materiaL respect: 1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act, or 2. The Accounts do not accord wtth those records. I confirm that there are no matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts. Woods & Cooper, Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers 23 Farnworth Street Widnes WA8 9LH Signed: Date: Chair of Trustees." D8vid Chandler Signed: Date: 05