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← Runcorn And District Foodbank

2024-03-31-accounts

2023/24 Trustees Annual Report And Receipts and Payments Accounts

For

Runcorn and District Foodbank

Charity Number 1169600

For the period

1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

Runcorn and District Foodbank

Charity Number: 1169600

Period: 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

Trustees Annual Report…………………………………………… Page 3
Independent Examiners Report..……………………………….. Page 13
Accounts………………………………………...…………………. Page 14
Notes to the Accounts…………………………………………… Page 16

Page 2

Trustees Annual Report

For the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

1. Reference and Administration

Charity Name: Runcorn and District Foodbank

Registered Charity No: 1169600

Address: 53a Russell Road Runcorn WA7 4BH

Trustees

Name Position Notes Revd John Beaney Mr Matthew Hancock Mr Michael Hennessey Joined 18[th] April 2023 Mrs Anne McPoland Chair Mrs Carol Verey Treasurer Revd Gill Younger

2. Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Runcorn and District Foodbank achieved registered charitable status in October 2016 and is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, (CIO), whose only voting members are its Trustees, with the Charity Commission. It is governed by a constitution dated 20[th] August 2016 in accordance with the ‘foundation model’ published by the Charity Commission.

Previously it was known as Runcorn Foodbank, which was founded in August 2013 and was included in the accounts for Hope Corner which is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission, charity number 1138720.

Appointment of trustees

The charity is managed by a board of Trustees selected because they strongly endorse the charitable objectives of the organisation and support its Christian ethos. There are three types of trustees: charity trustees, ex officio trustees and nominated trustees.

Charity Trustees

When selecting charity trustees, the charity aims to ensure there is a range of relevant skills, knowledge and experience. Every appointed trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

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Ex officio Trustees

The Foodbank Manager and the Treasurer will automatically be an ex-officio trustees for as long as he or she holds that office in a voluntary capacity. As the Foodbank Manager is a paid employee only the Treasurer is currently Ex officio.

Nominated Trustees

Love Runcorn, formerly Churches Together in Runcorn, Leader’s Group may appoint up to 4 charity trustees; the appointments will be made at one of their ordinary meetings and will be for a term of three years.

Trustee induction and training

Trustees are appointed after meeting with existing trustees and if they are not already familiar with the workings of the Foodbank, formal visits to a distribution centre and the warehouse will be arranged to ensure they understand its vision and values.

New trustees undergo an orientation day to brief them on: their legal obligations under charity law, the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and inform them of the content of the Constitution, the committee and decision-making processes, and recent financial performance of the charity. They all have a copy of the constitution and latest trustees’ report and accounts. During the induction day they meet key volunteers and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Organisation

The board consists of not less than 3 nor more than 5 appointed charity trustees, not more than 2 ex officio trustees; and not more than 4 nominated trustees.

There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee.

The trustees meet once every 2 months to review performance and monitor the achievement of objectives. Trustees approve a budget for the current and next financial years and the Treasurer presents a financial monitoring statement to each meeting so that Trustees can review income and expenditure against forecasts.

A Foodbank Manager has been appointed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. The Foodbank Manager has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees for operational matters. In addition there is a Management Committee, comprising of the Foodbank Manager, a Trustee, Distribution Centre Representative, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Transport Co-ordinator and Warehouse Representative who meet monthly to discuss operational issues for the charity.

Related Organisations

Runcorn and District Foodbank is affiliated to the Trussell Trust (charity 1110522) which is based in Salisbury. The Trussell Trust helps churches and Christian based community groups to open new Foodbanks nationwide.

Management of risk

The Trustees have adopted a range of policy documents to manage and minimise risk. These include policies covering issues such as Health and Safety, Data Protection, Safeguarding and Lone Working.

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3. Objectives and Activities

Objects of the charity

The objects of the CIO are the prevention or relief of poverty in that part of the Borough of Halton in the County of Cheshire, which is south of the River Mersey, and the surrounding area of North Cheshire, including Frodsham and Helsby, in particular, but not exclusively, by:

The Runcorn & District foodbank was formed through Churches Together in Runcorn (now Love Runcorn). Its service is motivated and shaped by Christian values and principles and deeply rooted in the Christian faith. The aim is to serve the needs of all in poverty in the community, working with people of all faith groups and beliefs or none, who share our concern for the needs of the community.

Aims and Objectives

In Runcorn, Frodsham, Helsby and the surrounding area, there are families struggling to put food on the table. For people on low incomes a sudden crisis – redundancy, benefit delay or an unexpected bill - can mean going hungry.

In 2019 Halton, which covers Runcorn and Widnes is 13[th] on the most deprived local authority districts according to the IMD2015 and the IMD2019 - local authorities are ranked on the proportion of neighbourhoods in the most deprived 10 per cent nationally in the Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

Runcorn and District Foodbank aims to relieve the poverty, through the provision of food and toiletries to those in crisis, in partnership with local frontline care agencies who refer clients in crisis to us. By signposting people when they visit a distribution centre to care agencies, advice services and other support agencies, we aim to help seek resolutions to their immediate crisis which is causing their need to use the foodbank. Anyone in ‘food crisis’ can be referred to the foodbank, regardless of their race or beliefs.

How the Foodbank works

Non-perishable food is donated by the community and local supermarkets to the foodbank. It is collected by volunteers and taken to the warehouse. The food is checked to ensure that it is in date and not damaged. It is then weighed, sorted and stored by type and date.

People in food crisis are issued with a Runcorn and District Foodbank evoucher number or a physical voucher by one of our Voucher Referral Agencies after discussing their issues and what action can be taken to alleviate their situation.

The person then brings their evoucher code or voucher to the one of the seven distribution centres in Runcorn and Frodsham within 3 working days (approx.). In the case of Runcorn and District Foodbank the clients are allowed 6 vouchers in each rolling 6 months. This, however, can be extended with permission from the Foodbank Manager.

Page 5

At the distribution centre volunteers discuss food allergies, food preferences, cooking facilities or lack of these with the person prior to packing up bags of food for them. The Foodbank uses set lists of suggested food and appropriate quantities provided by the Trussell Trust who have use of nutritionists to advise on what would provide a nutritionally balanced diet of food for 3 days.

Volunteers have a sympathetic, non-judgemental, listening approach. They spend time with the person signposting to other appropriate agencies, pantries, community supermarkets, other charities and will offer prayer for people where appropriate.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charities Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives, and in planning future activities.

Contribution made by volunteers

The Charity has an excellent team of volunteers who contribute to the working pattern of the organisation. Volunteer roles vary from warehouse team leader, warehouse duties, collecting food from supermarkets and other stores, health and safety checks at distribution centres, safeguarding officers, meeting clients at the distribution centres and providing them with emergency food, signposting clients to other agencies who may be able to help with the crisis they are experiencing, administration, social media, newsletters, volunteer coordination and helping at supermarket collection days and other local events.

We are extremely fortunate to have these people supporting the work of the foodbank which is mainly volunteer led; without their dedication, support and help the charity would not be sustainable.

Objectives for 2024/25

bjectives for 2024/25
CHANGING COMMUNITIES
Voucher holders/ agencies Continue to manage agencies:
ensure all demographics are covered,
 purge and retrain agencies when needed.
Signposting Maintain and develop links with local initiatives/ support agencies.
Disseminate information.
Support DCs to develop signposting activity: consider
‘signposting’ feature on DCS
Volunteers Continue to strengthen teams
Develop new team leaders/ deputies: identify individual potential,
build skills, opportunities to expand experience.
Two volunteer sessions:
CHANGING MINDS
Communications – agencies,
volunteers, users, partners		 Build on existing relationships to develop the food support for our
community:
Agencies: referral and signposting
Halton Borough council
Churches
Other local Foodbanks
New partners where mutual benefits exist.
Continue to use Social Media to inform the community of RDF
presence.
CHANGING POLICY
Governance Monitor trend of donations: food v. money (and sources)

Page 6

4. Achievements and Performance in 2023/24

a. Consolidate Voucher Referral Agencies by retraining/purging

This was achieved in by breaking down the objective into 3 phases.

Phase 1 - Cull of referral agencies that were uncontactable due to the email being rejected and returned to us and no working Tel No. Most of these agencies had ceased to operate but had not informed us.

Phase 2 – Contact and cull all agencies that had not issued a single voucher in over 12 months. Many agencies did not even know that they were foodbank referral agents as the main ‘Point of Contact’ within the organisation had left their role or the agency had a single custodian who had since left. Those agencies that hadn’t issued a voucher but wished to remain as agents we agreed to and where necessary provided training, as many of them are a stand-alone post in a remote area.

Phase 3 – Those referral agents who did not want to continue with being a voucher holder were encouraged to become signposting agencies for the foodbank. This was very popular and signposting booklets were sent out to the participants

The foodbank has reduced the referral agencies from 144 to 76.

The key to this is that we now have fully focused, trained and engaging referral agencies that have good lines of communications and react to requests and support in a very supportive manner. The communications between the foodbank and all agencies has proven a real success.

b. Signposting : Continue to create in-foodbank expertise with volunteers/partners

Voucher Referral Agencies – Encouraged them all to become signposting agents and utilise their network to encourage others to become signposting agents. Issued electronic copies of the foodbanks signposting booklets to agencies and produced stand alone posters with QR codes for agencies and future clients.

Foodbank - Signposting booklets updated with new wellbeing services added including QR codes for ease of contact. Accessible for anyone on the webpage. All Distribution Centre (DC) volunteers have access to both hard and soft copies of the signposting booklets and volunteer handbook.

Decided to remain as an electronic booklet for 23/24 rather than producing hard copies as they can be updated far easier and are more accessible to clients.

c. Volunteers: Strengthen the volunteer group, continue to develop team leaders/managers. Two volunteer sessions.

Our volunteer recruitment drive has been a huge success mainly down to advertising on Social Media. The foodbank also took on a focussed approach to recruiting rather than the generic approach, although we will return to a generic approach. This meant focussing on specific roles and where and when volunteers are required (ie: driver on Tuesday 1-3pm). This allowed us to fill any gaps and also allowed us to have volunteers in depth so that we always have a reserve that can step into a specific role. This has proven very positive and now we have no major gaps (less Health and Safety) and depth in reserve.

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DCs have also developed their specific area of operations by getting more volunteers trained and registered on the Data Collection System and having reserve managers in role. The DCs also have a very successful WhatsApp group that can recruit from each other if they are short of volunteers that week.

We have had a stress awareness day and a social evening during the last reporting period that proved very successful. The social evening was the first of its kind and will become a regular event as it was so popular.

STAFF and VOLUNTEERS (May 2024)

A review of the foodbanks operations and governance has been carried out during the last reporting period.

Both reports have been sent to the Trussell Trust with very positive feedback. Some minor observations were made which has resulted in all points being actioned.

A very positive report for both Governance and Operations received which gave both the Trustees and Management Team reassurance that the foodbank is in good shape legally, operationally and morally.

f. Churches involved

Love Runcorn (formerly Churches Together in Runcorn) and the Frodsham churches continue to support the foodbank with donations of food. Many of our volunteers are recruited via these churches and form the nucleus of our volunteer base.

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Four of our seven distribution centres are currently based in church premises and the churches concerned do not charge rent for these rooms.

Electronic vouchers now 100% of referrals

The total number of food packs issued via our Centres and Christmas hampers has increased again this year. During the financial year 2023/2024 we witnessed a 4% increase.

Strict enforcement of the 6 voucher limit has been imposed due to the increase in footfall but primarily to ensure that the client has all round support and can be signposted to the correct support services that they require. Authorisation of more than 6 can be given by the Foodbank Trustees and Foodbank Manager following advice from support workers / services of the client in question.

This year the DCs have continued to issue supermarket vouchers to families who attend their premises both in Runcorn and Frodsham.

The following statistics show the number of vouchers fulfilled and the number of adults and children fed by the foodbank. It also includes the type of crisis for which vouchers were issued, the spread of the clients around the area who are using foodbank, the numbers of clients using each distribution centre and the voucher referral agencies being used.

h. Annual Data – 2023-2024

Summary data

Annual information: 2023-24 summary

Total People fed

----- Start of picture text -----
Year 23-24 22-23 21-22
People 5513 5294 3843
Distr centres 5433 5134 3237
Xmas hampers 80 160 606
adults 3461 3145 2225
children 2052 2149 1618
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
People fed Distribution point
6000
2% Brook Chapel
4%
5000
Christ Church
2052
4000 2149 6%
Old Town
26%
3000 1618 11% Bethesda
2000 St Bertelines
3461 3145 14%
1000 2225 St Martins
20%
0 Frodsham
17%
2023-24 2022-23 2021-22
Xmas hampers
adults total children total
----- End of picture text -----

Page 9

3-day packs distributed

5513 3-day food packs (up 4%)

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Year|23-24|22-23|21-22| |3day packs|5513|5294|5881| |Centres|5433|5134|3237| |7d pack|+0|+0|+2038| |Xmas|80|160|606| |Food|out|(tonne)|39.82|39.67|36.24| |Food distributed (up 6%)|

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

Packs distributed - 3days

----- Start of picture text -----
6000
80 606
160
5000
2038
4000
3000
5433 5134
2000
3237
1000
0
2023-24 2022-23 2021-22
Centres 7-day packs Xmas
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Food received| |Food received| ||45.29 tonnes received (up 15%)| ||Donations down 6%|Supermarkets| ||Purchases up 406%| |Companies| |22%| |Year|23-24|22-23|21-22|Churches| |35%| |Total|(tonne)|45.29|39.26|38.73|2%|Individuals| |Donations|35.10|37.17|34.38| |5%| |Purchases|10.12|2.00|4.35|Schools| |8%| |13%|15%|Community/ Charity| |Purchased| |-| |DISTRIBUTION CENTRES (2023|24)| ||2354 vouchers fulfilled (up 9%)|Year|23-24|22-23|21-22| ||5433 people (up 6%)|Vouchers|2354|2152|1441| |People|5433|5134|3237| |3-day packs|5433|5134|5275| |Referral type|Vouchers|(22-23)| |Referral agencies| |Advice (eg. CAB)|35% (31%)| ||51 active partner agencies|(22-23: 59)|Medical/Social|25% (24%)| ||Vouchers issued by 86 agencies|(22-23: 90)|Employment|18% (18%)| |Housing|7% (8%)| |Child/youth|6% (6%)| |Others|6% (5%)| |Emergency|3% (8%)|

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

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----- Start of picture text -----
Family type (2354 vouchers) Crisis type (2354 vouchers)
 Increase in multi adult households  Up to four crisis types per voucher
Vouchers - household type Crisis types
3%
Cost of living
6%
6% Single 5%
Benefit delay/change
10%
Single Parent 7% Earnings delay/change
44%
46% Debt
18% Family 10%
Health
Other Personal circumstances
11%
22% Couple Immigration status
12%
No answer
----- End of picture text -----

5. Financial Review

Effect on finances, fundraising and reserves

The foodbank can use the reserves and the current year donations to keep the warehouse stocked for the foreseeable future and therefore, the charity remains a going concern and is financially robust.

Main Funding sources

How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity

The IT network has been particularly important now that Voucher Referral Agencies are issuing 100% of referrals as evouchers and the distribution centres need Wifi access to enable them to check and register the food against the vouchers.

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Our basic food stocks during the year have not always been sufficient to cover the incoming vouchers and this year the foodbank has had to obtain more items that were low in stock. The problem with this is logistical but our volunteers have been really helpful and so has the local supermarket in obtaining the bulk items for us. This seems to be a continuing trend whereby we are receiving increasing financial support and reduced food item support. However, as our reserves are healthy this will not pose a problem for the foreseeable future.

Reserves Policy

Reserves are maintained for a variety of reasons as identified below:

a. Uncertainty over future income

As most of our income is reliant on donations from individual people, churches and businesses. The trustees consider that holding reserves equivalent to six months of the usual unrestricted income of the charity to cover the risk of not receiving sufficient funds. This would equate to £20,000.

b. Contingency Fund for food

During the last few years it has been evident that the amount of food donations has reduced and the amount of financial donations has increased. This has meant a shortfall in the amount of stock being held in the warehouse on a monthly basis. To help cover the shortfall, food has been purchased from the local supermarkets using grants we have received. During the next financial year these grants will reduce or even stop altogether so that funds from the unrestricted reserves will need to be spent to plug the gap.

The trustees feel that they should hold a contingency fund to cover this potential expenditure from the unrestricted reserves. This would equate to £20,000.

c. Contingency Fund for unplanned expenditure

The Foodbank Manager is suffering from health issues and monies will need to be set aside to be held for contingency if the Foodbank Manager is not available for a period of time. This could equate to £20,000.

The trustees feel that they should hold a contingency fund to cover any unplanned expenditure. This would equate to £15,000.

6. Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signed:

Name: Mrs Anne McPoland

Position: Trustee

Date:

Page 12

Independent Examiner’s Report

To the members/trustees of Runcorn and District Foodbank

Charity Number: 1169600

I report on the accounts for the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024, which is set out on pages 14 to 17.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

The trustees of the charity are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They 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

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 management committee 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 fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

  1. which give 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; or

  2. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or

  3. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: Alyson Jablonski

Address: Neville Road, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH44 2AR

Date: 30[th] August 2024

Page 13

Annual Accounts for Runcorn and District Foodbank

Period: 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

Receipts and Payments

a) Receipts

a) Receipts
Note Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Total Funds
2024
£		 Total Funds
2023
£
Donations & Legacies 3a 71,762 5,900 77,662 90,605
Income from charitable
activities		 3b - 35,000 35,000
25,000
Fundraising 528 - 528 797
Interest on bank account 2,043 - 2,043 926
Sub Total 74,333 40,900 115,233 117,328
Asset and Investment Sales - - - -
Total Receipts 74,333 40,900 115,233 117,328

b) Payments

b) Payments
Note Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds £		 Total Funds
2024
£		 Total Funds
2023
£
Expenditure on raising
funds		 3c - - - -
Expenditure on charitable
activities		 3d 28,682 37,965 66,647 55,269
Sub Total 28,682 37,965 66,647 55,269
Asset and Investment Purchases - - - 50,000
Total Payments 28,682 37,965 66,647 105,269
Excess Receipts over payments 45,651 2,935 48,586 12,059
Cash at bank 1st April 112,068 300 112,368 100,309
Cash at bank 31st March 157,719 3,235 160,954 112,368

Page 14

Annual Accounts for Runcorn and District Foodbank

Period: 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 (cont)

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

c) Cash Funds

h Funds
Unrestricted
£		 Restricted
£
CAF Current Account 4,629 3,235
CAF Gold Account 152,996 -
Petty Cash 94 -
Total Cash Funds 157,719 3,235

d) Other Monetary Assets due

r Monetary Assets due
Unrestricted
£		 Restricted
£
Gift Aid Recoverable 8,273 -
Total Monetary Assets 8,273 -

Assets & Liabilities

Assets

ets
Fund Value
£
IT Equipment Unrestricted 274
Furniture and Fixtures Unrestricted 5,097
Stock of Food Unrestricted 24,468
COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund Unrestricted 98,577
HMRC Unrestricted 1,839
Total Assets 130,255

Liabilities

ilities
Fund Value
£
Total Liabilities -

Page 15

Annual Accounts for Runcorn and District Foodbank

Period: 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 (cont)

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies

The trustees have agreed that as the charity is not a company, and has an annual gross income of less than £250,000 then it can prepare Receipts and Payments accounts.

2. Restricted Funds

Fund B/Fwd
£		 Receipts
£		 Payments
£		 C/Fwd
£
Household Support Fund - 35,000 35,000 -
Food/Vouchers 300 5,900 2,965 3,235
Total Funds 300 40,900 37,965 3,235

Household Support Fund is a grant for £35,000 given by Halton Borough Council to provide support to children and households who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, poverty, where they are impacted by the ongoing public health emergency and where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable.

Food/Vouchers is made up of donations given solely for the purchase of food items and supermarket vouchers which maybe in short supply in the warehouse and Frodsham Distribution Centre at a particular point in time.

3. Notes to the accounts

3a) Donations & Legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Total Funds
£
General Donations 63,304 5,900 69,204
Gift Aid 8,458 - 8,458
Total 71,762 5,900 77,662

Page 16

Annual Accounts for Runcorn and District Foodbank

Period: 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 (cont)

Notes to the accounts (cont)

3b) Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Total Funds
£
Grants - 35,000 35,000
Total - 35,000 35,000

3c) Expenditure on raising funds

c) Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Total Funds
£
Fundraising costs - - -
Total - - -

3d) Expenditure on charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Total Funds
£
Salary, pension costs 16,494 - 16,494
Rent & Rates 2,140 500 2,640
Utilities 2,808 - 2,808
Insurance, Alarms & Risk Assessment 1,241 - 1,241
Cleaning & Cleaning Products 690 - 690
Telephone, broadband and IT support 1,091 - 1,091
Stationery, postage and office costs 1,032 - 1,032
Uniforms 402 - 402
IT Equipment & Software 245 - 245
Bank Charges & Annual Fees 95 - 95
Volunteer expenses & Taxis 1,844 - 1,844
Repairs, Furniture & Fittings 189 - 189
Food and vouchers 411 37,465 37,876
Total 28,682 37,965 66,647

Page 17

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signed:

Name: Mrs Anne McPoland Position: Trustee Date:

Page 18