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2025-08-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: CE007184 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1168522

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

for

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 12
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 13 to 14

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims

Public Benefit

The object of Wokingham Foodbank is the relief of financial hardship amongst people in Wokingham and the surrounding area, in particular, but not exclusively, by:

  1. Providing emergency food, essential toiletries and household items to households in need, and/or for distribution by other charities or organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.

  2. The provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Who we are and what we do

The Wokingham Foodbank started in September 2013 when Churches Together Wokingham recognised that some members of the community were struggling to afford food. From small beginnings in a tiny premises in central Wokingham our Foodbank has now become a much bigger charity, operating across two sites.

We occupy a warehouse space in Winnersh where we receive donations, prepare food parcels for delivery and our administrative support is based. In addition, we run a distribution centre from The Charity and Community Hub in central Wokingham three afternoons a week. Here we are co-located with numerous local charities, many of whom make referrals into the Foodbank.

Our core service is to alleviate food poverty for households experiencing financial hardship. This is done through the distribution of emergency food parcels and issuing energy support vouchers for gas and electricity. After all, what is the point of giving someone a bag of pasta if they can't afford to cook it.

Achievements and Performance

Charitable activities

The foodbank continued to supply food parcels and emergency energy vouchers to those in financial hardship. During the reporting period the foodbank received referrals from 72 organisations. This included schools, charities, health partners and the local authority. We received 1671 referrals, this constituted 4457 food parcels of which 2595 were distributed to adults and 1862 children. The most common household make up was single parent families and the three most common reasons for referral were the rising cost of essentials, debt and the impact of new or ongoing health conditions. We were pleased that the number of people we supported was a decrease of 32%, when compared to the previous year. However, we recognise that too many people in our community are still unable to afford to buy food for their household. Essential items continued to be generously donated by our community and we received around 55.5 metric tonnes of stock. We are incredibly grateful for the kindness of strangers, helping to support those less fortunate within our community.

Our fuelbank continues to provide emergency energy support vouchers for people who access their gas and electricity via pre-payment tariffs. During the reporting period we received 504 referrals for this project, an 18 % decrease when compared to last year.

Financial Inclusion

Last year we were fortunate to receive funding from the Trussell Financial Inclusion grant stream. This allowed us to commission Citizens Advice Wokingham to employ a foodbank advisor to support our clients with income maximisation advice. After a lengthy recruitment process the project is finally up and running. So far this project has seen 87 people access the service with estimated financial gains of around £78,000.

Page 1

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Volunteers

Our volunteer team remained strong at over 100 dedicated individuals, with retention levels staying consistently high. We recognise that their ability to serve those in need with kindness and compassion is the true beating heart of our foodbank. Furthermore, we are fortunate to maintain a waiting list of community members eager to assist with vital roles, from collecting donations and sorting stock to packing food parcels.

Significant events across the year

The start of our 24/25 year kicked off with a strong Harvest Festival. Our volunteers attended numerous educational settings during this period to talk about our work and share our ‘Journey of a Tin’ video, which helped explain what happens to all the items donated. As part of their celebrations the local community of schools and churches once again gave generously and we received just over 6000 kg of stock, representing an increase of around 30 % when compared to the previous year.

We joined forces with our charity partners Share Wokingham and First Days Children’s Charity once again to deliver the Christmas Presence project. The volunteer team enjoyed making hampers of treat food for the families experiencing financial hardship. We also helped out at the open access weekend sessions where people from across our community could visit a low cost grotto to Father Christmas. Simple craft activities were available for children and many mince pies were consumed by the adults. Our relationship with Share and First Days was further strengthened by the continued development of Roots Community Pantry, a membership based social supermarket which targeted lower income families. We also worked with Share to promote the ‘JAM Club’. A school breakfast club and snack provision for children who come from households who are Just About Managing to make ends meet. These children have benefitted from some additional support during the school day with access to food items.

Over the course of the year we have participated in a number of events which have brought in funds to the food bank but also provided us with a platform for us to engage with the wider community to talk about our work at the foodbank and raise awareness. This has included collecting donations after a Squeeze gig at a local music venue, taking part in the Wokingham Swimathon and having a stall at the Winnersh Summer Fete. All events were well supported by our volunteer team, raised funds and facilitated meaningful conversations across our local area.

We continued our popular engagement sessions where churches and organisations such as scouts and guides attended the foodbank to hear about our work and get involved with some basic volunteering activities. These sessions continue to be well received and led to lots of meaningful conversations about why so many people in our area receive emergency food support. We were also pleased to receive a visit from our MP and key elected members from Wokingham Borough Council. It was an opportunity for us to discuss the Local Welfare Provision scheme and why it played an important role in local crisis support.

Towards the end of the reporting year the board of trustees and staff created a new food bank strategy for the next three years. This work centered around our vision statement: Working towards the day we can remove the need for food banks, one client at a time. The three major workstreams to support our strategy were ‘Service Delivery’, ‘People Excellence’ and ‘Community Engagement’. This work has provided the staff team with a clear and meaningful direction of travel for the year ahead.

Page 2

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Forward Look

Footfall to our foodbank has decreased this year, however it is important to note that we are still far busier than we were pre-pandemic. While general inflation is starting to ease, food inflation remains high. Our operations are now very streamlined, making us efficient with the resources we have available to us. This has provided us with the headspace required to deliver on our strategic goals for the year ahead, ensuring we remain a resilient safety net for our community.

While the charity remains in a stable position, we closely monitor key risks and uncertainties. Financially, our primary challenges relate to high rental costs and upcoming salary pressures as specific grant funding concludes; however, this is actively mitigated by a healthy level of unrestricted reserves. Externally, we recognise that a shifting political landscape could influence community support, which we are proactively addressing through a dedicated new Community Engagement workstream. Furthermore, while international events can present unpredictable surges in demand for our services, our extensive operational experience in recent years ensures we are robustly positioned to adapt and manage these peaks effectively.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee.The charity is controlled by its governing document and constitutes a CIO Foundation, registered 01 August 2016. Wokingham Foodbank is part of the foodbank network of the Trussell Trust. A formal review of the charity's processes is undertaken annually by representatives of the Trussell Trust. The Trussell Trust provides software systems for stock management, and client referral.

Wokingham Foodbank policies exist for Safeguarding, Data Protection, Health and Safety based on Trussell Trust models. Other policies at Wokingham Foodbank include Personal Safety, Equality and Diversity, Complaints and Finance.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

In the Trustees’ view, the reserves should provide Wokingham Foodbank with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future. It is our policy to hold cash reserves equivalent to at least 18 months operational costs, to ensure we are able to meet our financial obligations despite the irregularity of our income. This level of reserves will also provide a degree of protection for any unexpected falls in donations received. For these reasons it is unlikely that the reserves would be spent, unless in exceptional circumstances and by the approval of the trustees. Our reserves policy is reviewed annually and the level of actual reserves is reviewed during the financial review at Trustee’s meetings.

Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed by the board of trustees at a full board meeting. They are chosen with regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity and their having personal values which accord with but not necessarily subscribe to those of the charity's founders and of the Trussell Trust.

Organisational structure

The trustees set the strategic direction of the organisation. The trustees delegate the day to day running of the charity to the Foodbank manager.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

CE007184 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1168522

Page 3

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Registered office Unit 2 Frederick House 498 Reading Road Winnersh Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5EX

Trustees S Sudlow J Lonnon S Hobbs A Reaney A McNeile

Independent examiner Rachel Burgess BMus FCA CPFA

23/06/2026 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by: .............................................................................. S Sudlow - Trustee

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Wokingham Foodbank CIO ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Rachel Burgess BMus FCA CPFA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

23/06/2026

Date: .............................................

Page 5

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund fund funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 129,895 196,273 326,168 345,818
Investment income 2 10,488 - 10,488 3,826
Total 140,383 196,273 336,656 349,644
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Main activity 132,715 179,483 312,198 285,704
Other - 16,790 16,790 947
Total 132,715 196,273 328,988 286,651
NET INCOME 7,668 - 7,668 62,993
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
-
Total funds brought forward 390,722 390,722 327,729
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 398,390 - 398,390 390,722
----- End of picture text -----

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Balance Sheet 31 August 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund fund funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 7 1,592 - 1,592 1,314
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 18,644 - 18,644 5,302
Cash at bank and in hand 379,646 57,291 436,937 441,819
398,290 57,291 455,581 447,121
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 9 (1,492) (57,291) (58,783) (57,713)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 396,798 - 396,798 389,408
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 398,390 - 398,390 390,722
NET ASSETS 398,390 - 398,390 390,722
FUNDS 10
Unrestricted funds 398,390 390,722
TOTAL FUNDS 398,390 390,722
----- End of picture text -----

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

26/06/26

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. S Sudlow - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Where grants are subject to performance-related conditions, income is recognised only to the extent that the charity has fulfilled those conditions at the reporting date. Amounts received in advance of meeting these conditions are included in deferred income.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings - 10% on cost Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Tangible fixed assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

continued...

Page 8

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

3.

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Deposit account interest|10,488|3,826| |NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)| |Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Depreciation - owned assets|619|-| |Other operating leases|50,288|50,276|

----- End of picture text -----

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Trustees' expenses

During the year, a trustee was reimbursed £42 (2024: £Nil) for travel.

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |Employees|3|2|

----- End of picture text -----

With reference to the Charities SORP paragraph 9.34 no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 in the current or prior year.

6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total| |fund|fund|funds| |£|£|£| |INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM| |Donations and legacies|268,228|77,590|345,818| |Investment income|3,826|-|3,826| |Total|272,054|77,590|349,644| |EXPENDITURE ON| |Charitable activities| |Main activity|208,114|77,590|285,704| |Other|947|-|947| |Total|209,061|77,590|286,651| |NET INCOME|62,993|-|62,993| |RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS| |-| |Total funds brought forward|327,729|327,729|

----- End of picture text -----

continued...

Page 9

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund fund funds
£ £ £
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 390,722 - 390,722
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and Computer
fittings equipment Totals
£ £ £
COST
-
At 1 September 2024 1,718 1,718
Additions 897 - 897
At 31 August 2025 897 1,718 2,615
DEPRECIATION
At 1 September 2024 - 404 404
Charge for year 52 567 619
At 31 August 2025 52 971 1,023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 August 2025 845 747 1,592
-
At 31 August 2024 1,314 1,314
8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Other debtors 13,750 -
Prepayments and accrued income 4,894 5,302
18,644 5,302
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Social security and other taxes 7 523
Other creditors 135 144
Accruals and deferred income 58,641 57,046
58,783 57,713
----- End of picture text -----

continued...

Page 10

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At
At 1.9.24
in funds
31.8.25
£
£
£
390,722
7,668
398,390
390,722
7,668
398,390
Incoming
Resources
Movement
resources
expended
in funds
£
£
£
140,383
(132,715)
7,668
196,273
(196,273)
-
336,656
(328,988)
7,668
Net
movement
At
At 1.9.23
in funds
31.8.24
£
£
£
327,729
62,993
390,722
327,729
62,993
390,722
Incoming
Resources
Movement
resources
expended
in funds
£
£
£
272,054
(209,061)
62,993
77,590
(77,590)
-
349,644
(286,651)
62,993

continued...

Page 11

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.9.23
in funds
£
£
327,729
70,661
327,729
70,661
At
31.8.25
£
398,390
398,390

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
Resources
Movement
resources
expended
in funds
£
£
£
412,437
(341,776)
70,661
273,863
(273,863)
-
686,300
(615,639)
70,661

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Page 12

The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 105,234 - 105,234 128,190
Gift aid 21,244 - 21,244 2,095
Grants 3,417 44,398 47,815 80,890
Donated services and facilities - 151,875 151,875 134,643
129,895 196,273 326,168 345,818
Investment income
-
Deposit account interest 10,488 10,488 3,826
Total incoming resources 140,383 196,273 336,656 349,644
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Wages 33,617 11,103 44,720 28,553
- - -
Social security 4,395
Pensions 664 148 812 362
Rent 50,288 - 50,288 50,276
Rates 3,239 - 3,239 1,364
Insurance 1,238 - 1,238 1,009
Utilities 2,877 - 2,877 2,934
-
Office expenses 3,151 3,151 1,648
Direct expenses 6,425 151,875 158,300 143,010
-
Cleaning 1,197 1,197 1,133
Travel 3,346 - 3,346 7,305
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 619 - 619 388
-
Repairs and renewals 1,479 1,479 1,585
Charis vouchers 19,913 16,357 36,270 40,951
128,053 179,483 307,536 284,913
Other
- -
Financial inclusion project 16,790 16,790
Support costs
Management
Advertising 516 - 516 -
Sundries 1,254 - 1,254 -
- -
1,770 1,770
Finance
Bank charges 117 - 117 -
Information technology
Subscriptions 227 - 227 215
----- End of picture text -----

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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The Wokingham Foodbank CIO

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Information technology
Human resources
Uniforms 400 - 400 -
Staff training 295 - 295 90
695 - 695 90
Governance costs
Accountancy 1,853 - 1,853 947
Legal fees - - - 486
-
1,853 1,853 1,433
Total resources expended 132,715 196,273 328,988 286,651
Net income 7,668 - 7,668 62,993
----- End of picture text -----

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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