Wycombe Rent Deposit
Guarantee Scheme
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
1st April 2024_ 31st March 2025
Helping to prevent homelessness
The Office
2nd Floor.
The Hub,
Easton Street,
High Wycombe,
Bucks. HP11 1 NJ
EMAIL: info
TELEPHONE: 01494 528557
www.wrdgs.org.uk
crent.or
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation - No. 1171222

Objectives and Activities
The Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme (WRDGS) is a charity set up for the relief of
poverty amongst people who are homeless or inadequately housed in the Wycombe area.
The Scheme provides guarantees for rent deposits. and other assistance on behalf of said
persons who are in need of accommodation and who would otherwise be unable to secure
accommodation in the Wycombe area.
The actions taken by the Scheme to meet its objectives include"
1. Providing a guarantee as an alternative to the cash deposit normally required by a
landlord to secure a tenancy. The landlords can claim against the guarantee if they
would be entitled to make deductions from a pre-paid deposit. This can help those
who are able to pay rent. for example if they qualify for Universal Credit Housing
Costs, but who cannot afford a deposit.
2. Maintaining and sustaining existing tenancies by liaising with tenants, landlords,
benefits agencies and other support bodies to pre*mpt and address issues
threatening a tenancy.
3. Giving free, confidential advi￿ on housing-related matters.
4. Using restricted grants received from Buckinghamshire Council to help those who
have been rough sleepers into accommodation. This help may include paying cash
deposits, paying the first month's rent in advan￿, giving landlords incentives for
housing people who are difficult to house and purchasing items of basic furniture
needed to live in the accommodation.
Background
The early planning stages of the Scheme were started in 1995 by a partnership between the
members of The Wycombe District Council Housing Forum and The Source Group - a lay
ecumenical Christian covenant community based in High Wycombe.
The Charity was registered in 1996 as a charitable trust but converted to being a Charitable
Incorporated Organisation (CIO) for the year 2017-18. The charitable objects, staff and
trustees remained the same, but a CIO is the recommended legal structure for a small
charity like WRDGS.
At WRDGS, inception it was agreed that Wycombe District Council (WDC) would provide an
annual grant to pay for on-costs (the costs of employing staffj, the churches of High
Wycombe would contribute towards running costs and The Guinness Partnership Limited
would set aside £30,000 to cover the guarantees.
VVRDGS applies for an annual grant from the Council (which is now Buckinghamshire
Council (BC)). The Council grant no longer fully covers on-costs, so the Scheme has to raise
money from other grants, donations and fund-raising activities.
Achievements and Performance in 2024-25
In 2024125 we celebrated 29 years of helping to prevent homelessness in Wycombe District
and, more re￿ntly, Buckinghamshire.

In 24-25 our staff provided highly specialised advi￿ via 338 meetings with clients, some in
person and some remotely. Some of our clients have only contacted us once, whilst we
speak to others on a weekly basis.
We housed 58 households with 8 different landlords. Using our tenancy support servi￿,
most of our clients have renewed their tenancies without a guarantee being required.
indicating that our landlords consider them to be reliable tenants.
We helped 13 households rescue their tenancies and 57 households to sustain their
tenancies thus preventing them from becoming homeless. Thanks must go to
Buckinghamshire Council Housing Benefit Department for providing advice and discretionary
housing payments also to the Wycombe Homeless Connection Housing Legal Clinic. Our
staff have provided specialist benefit and housing advi￿ for this project for many years.
People helped by the Scheme from start until the end of 24-25
By the end of 2024-2025, the Scheme had HOUSED 1850 households, a total of 2023
adults and 757 children housed. Of these, 58 households (58 Adults and O children) were
new to the Scheme in 2024-25 and 7 households (7 Adults and O children) renewed their
tenancies with the help of the Scheme.
By the end 2024-2025, the Scheme had RESCUED 719 clients, tenancies. Of these 13 were
new in 2024-2025. We have also helped to SUSTAIN 528 tenancies in order to keep clients
in their accommodation who would have been at risk of becoming homeless. Of these 57
were new in 2024-2025.
The following case studies are based on real people, although names and details have
been changed to preserve anonymity. Much of the work that we do is more
complicated than simply housing someone:
SECURING FOUR TENANCIES SIMULTANEOUSLY
A landlord approached us with a four-bedroomed property, seeking potential clients for
occupancy. After discussions with a local hostel. they referred three refugees who had been
found sleeping rough after being granted indefinite leave to remain. The fourth client was
also a refugee experiencing homelessness and residing in emergency accommodation.
Using funds from the Rough Sleepers Initiative, we provided a month's rent in advance, a
landlord incentive, and financial assistance for purchasing fumiture and bedding. Within a
few weeks of securing their new tenancies, all four clients successfully found employment.
FROM HOMELESSNESS TO STABILITY
We also assisted two separate clients who had been found sleeping rough and placed into
emergency accommodation. Both were housed in a local hostel, where we contributed a
modest amount to cover their initial expenses. Both clients were older than the typical
residents at this hostel. Subsequently, we were approached by a landlord, who was
developing two new flats so we recommended these clients for consideration. Following
interviews, both clients were successfully pla￿d in the new accommodation, thereby freeing
up space at the hostel for additional potential clients.
A DIFFICULT TRANSITION" TENANTS AFFECTED BY SALE OF THEIR HOME
A long-standing landlord decided to sell two of his properties. Although the new landlord
initially indicated his intention to retain the tenants, eviction notices were served to all the
residents. Many of these tenants sought assistance from our scheme to facilitate this
transition. We helped some apply to local hostels while we rehoused others into affordable
private sector accommodation. Additionally, several were referred to the Buckinghamshire
Council housing team for further support.

WRDGS referred clients to the following during 2024-25
Buckinghamshire Council (buckinghamshire.gov.uk }
Central Aid Society (central-aid.org.uk )
Wycombe Homeless Connection
Connection Support {connectionsupport.org.uk )
hoc.or
Vicars Relief Fund - St Martin-in-the-Fields
Supporting people away from homelessness (smitfc.org )
One Recovery Bucks (onerecoverybucks.org )
One YMCA High Wycombe Hostel {oneymca.org.uk )
Old Tea Warehouse (riverside.org.uk )
Wycombe Women's Aid
Youth Enquiry Service
Financial Review
In the 2024-25 financial year the total value of new guarantees written by the
scheme was £7,360.00. By the end of 2024-25 the total value of Guarantees written
by the Scheme Sin￿ its inception was £447,954.48 with a total claim pay out of
£4,863.26.
This makes the Scheme's average claim rate 1.090/0
Many thanks to our Grant providers and donors in 2024-25=
Buckinghamshire Council
Rothschild Foundation
St Augustine's Church, R. Balacanta, E. Ball, J. Briggs, C. and W. Bunting, S. Connolly, G &
H Dodgson, N. Hanbury, P. Hogwood, St John Henry Newman Parish, St Peters Church
Loudwater. Deacon P. Priestley. W.& C. Plummer, K. Russell, P. Webb.
West Wycombe Chamber Choir (many thanks for putting on a concert in aid of WRDGS and
for their generous donation and continued support).
Thanks also to all who provided tombola prizes for our stand at the Hazlemere Fete and to
those who helped us on the stall.
Apart from the contribution towards our running costs. Buckinghamshire Council passed on
to us money from a restricted grant which they had re￿iVed from the Government to help to
house those who are particularly difficult to house (the Move on Prevention Fund). We
already received a restricted fund in 22-23 from the Council from the Rough Sleepers,
Initiative fund. Amongst other things, this has enabled us to pay off people's rent arrears,
give them money for their first month's rent in advan￿, pay cash deposits if required and to
buy essential furniture (eg. beds).

Policy for holding reserves and amounts at end of 2024-25
As we ended 23-24 with £42,000 undesignated reserves, we were able to set aside a
reSe￿e of 3 months, salaries and oncosts for 24-25. This has put our finances in a much
healthier position.
WRDGS had the following funds ear-marked for specific uses in 24-25. These are
documented on the Balance Sheet of the annual accounts.
a) Restricted fund from the Deposit Protection servi￿ (DPS) for arrears payments and
other expenses needed to help people into housing.
b) Restricted fund from the Move on Prevention Scheme to be used to house those who
are particularly difficult to house.
c) Restricted fund from the Rough Sleepers Initiative to be used to house people who
have been sleeping rough.
d) Fund to cover our statutory redundancy liabilrties if our staff had to be made
redundant.
e) Fund to cover 26 weeks statutory sick pay.
Fund to cover 3 months, salaries and oncosts.
g) £2,000 given to the Scheme by Guinness Partnership Ltd in the early days to
alleviate cash flow problems. It is kept aside to enable a quick payout of a claim on a
deposit guarantee while the Scheme waits for Guinness to pay the claim. It is not
restricted.
Funding for the Future
It is estimated that WRDGS will need £85,700 to run during the year 2025-26 (including
money required to topup its statutory liabilities for possible redundancy and sick pay).
Before the end of 2024-25. VVRDGS had secured promises of several grants for 2025-26 as
well as expecting £1,100 from our regular donors. The expected grants were as follows:
£65,000 from Buckinghamshire Council,
£40,000 from the People's Postcode Lottery as a local person won the lottery,
£10,000 third instalment from Rothschild Foundation.
WRDGS was noted as a key partner in Wycombe District Council's Homelessness Strategy
and has continued to collaborate with Buckinghamshire Council as it did with Wycombe
District Council.

Structure, Governance and Management
IMIDGS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose governing document is a
constitution. As well as individual people applying to be trustees, the following organisations
can nominate trustees for the charity:
Buckinghamshire Council.
Guinness Partnership Ltd..
Churches Together High Wycombe.
The Youth Enquiry Senrfice,
The Citizen's Advice Bureau.
The Scheme is managed by a steering committee comprising the trustees and its two
members of staff.
The Scheme's Steering Committee during 2024- 25
Catriona Plummer
Trustee nominated by Churches Together High Wycombe
(Chair of trustees)
Cllr. Paul Turner
Trustee nominated by Buckinghamshire Council
Nancy Bradshaw
Trustee (Fundraising)
Clive Bradshaw
Trustee (Secretary)
Eddie Maguire
Trustee (Treasurer)
Phil Thomas
Operations Manager (paid member of staffj
Tracey Thomas
Client Servicing Officer (paid member of staffj.
The trustees would like to thank the following people who donated their servI￿S free of
charge:
Anthony Peannain - Web site design and IT Consultant @ Stratmetrix
Sharon Marshall - Keeping Books 4 U (Payroll)
Steven Potts - Independent Examiner of End of Year Accounts
We are very grateful to our many donors during 2024-25 who continued to support us in
spite of cost-of-living increases.
Future Aims of the Scheme
To recruit more accommodation providers.
To secure permanent long-term funding to ensure a more secure financial
position" to increase our general unrestricted reserves.
To improve the conditions in private rented accommodation, especially
Houses of Multiple Occupation. by ensuring that reasonable standards
are met.
To recognise that, when seeking accommodation, certain groups and
individuals are discriminated against and to oppose such discrimination.
Through good management to maintain our low claim rate.
To strive to improve our servi

Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity's trustees:
Signatures
Full Name
Catriona Plummer
Eddie Maguire
Position
Chair of Trustees
Treasurer
Date

CHARITY COMMISSION
roR INGLANO AND WALES
WYCOMBE RENT DEPOSIT GUARANTEE SCHEME
1171222
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the period
01-Apr-24
31-Mar-25
To
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total funds
Last ygar
tt> the nearest £
to th8 n•artst £
to the nearest £
to the nea￿t £
A1 Recei
Buckinghamshiie Council Grant
Donations Ifrom the Publscl
Other Grants. non-restrirted
Other Grants - Restricted
Interest
Lotto
Giftaid Tax Refund
62.500
62.500
5,229
10,000
76,341
1,273
72
62.500
9,321
42,000
31,623
1,009
10.000
76.341
119
1.154
72
80
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
78,460
155,458
146,$33
A2 Asset and investment sales,
see tsble .
tota
78,998
76.460
155,458
146,533
A3Pa
ments
Salaries,oncosts.pen5ion
Print,Post,Stationery
Phone/lT
Mileage,parkin&trav
Subscriptions
Insurance
Rent
Bank Charges
Sundry-Data protection
Miscellaneous
DBSICRB Update
79.059
130
79.059
130
75,683
1,057
129
189
295
29S
29S
713
713
120
3.995
120
3.960
120
26
Move On I P￿Vention
Rough Sleepèrs Intsfve
37,404
4,152
37.404
4152
19,315
Sub total
85.059
41.556
126.615
101.385
A4 Asset and investment
urchases
see tsble
Sub total
85,059
41,556
126.615
101,385
Net of recelpts/(payments)
AS Transfers bettryeen funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
6.061
28,843
45,148
82,629
76,568
46.876
81,780
129,505
158,348
Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme
1 of4

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted
Restrlcted
funds
funds
to nearest £
to rnar8St £
Endowment
funds
to n•amt £
Cateaories
Detsils
B1 Cash funds
Nat Wesi CLHrnnt Amwnt
41,238
CAF Bank Curwt Acxxxjnt
25.330
91
CAF 8ank Current Ac¢crtJnt (R￿)
81,689
COIF
10,000
Total eash funds
76.568
81,780
rjthlsll
Restrlcted
funds
to nearg•t É
Endowment
funds
to nejrest £
funds
to ne•re•t £
Fund to whkh
J•set belon
Cun*nt valu•
onal
Cost loptlonal)
B3 Investment assets
Fund to whlch
asset belon
Unre5tiict&J
Curytnt valu•
ional
C￿t {ortloMII
B4 Assets retained for the
charity's own use
Office Fumrture
2 staff lapt
UntE5trttgJ
Fund to whkh
AnK*Ullt du
ona
Wh•n du•
tional
Deta,,Is
Potentid lithfty for Stattsw R&JuThJa
85 Liabilities
Potentkn81 IFatM"bty for St8tut¢Yy ￿ Pay
3.035
SKJned by one or ￿ trustees on
behalf of 811 tho twstees
Date of
roval
Signature
Print Name
ATRIDNJPA fL
rLI
Z-11 20"L£
Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme
2of4

THE WYCOMBE RENT DEPOSIT GUARANTEE SCHEME
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 3110312025
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 3110312025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financtal stslements have been prepa￿d on a cash basis in a¢¢ordanee with
the Charities SORP {FRS 1021 as appl￿ble to Charities preparing their acLounts
on a receipts and payrrents basis. UrKler this method. income is recognised
when received and expendrture Fs recc4nised when paid. This approach is
pennitted for charities with gr0$5 annual income under £250,000 and provides a
straWJhtfory￿rd refiection of the charl￿$ finan081 acw during the year
2)
RECEIPTS
Othèr GRnts . not restricted
Rothschild Foundation
£10,0(XJ
Other Grnnts - Restricted
Bucks Council from Move on Prevenlion (MOP} fund
But*s Counul fr¢wn R￿[gh Slee￿￿. Inibglivo (RSI) fund
£31,547
P.44 794
31
FUNDS
31 March 2025
£2.000
£38.480
£3,035
£20.500
£25.690
£55.112
£978
£12.553
31 March 2024
£2,000
£35,728
Guinness Fund
ststulory Redundancy Reserve
ststulory Sick Pay Reserve
3 month Salary l Oncosts buffer reserve
Restri¢ted Fund {Move on Prevenlionl
Restricted Fund {Rough Sleepers Inibativel
Restricted Fund from Deposit Protedion Scheme {DPSI
Undestgnated Reserves
£0
£31,547
£14,351
£978
£42,OS7
£158.348
£129.505
Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme A(xounts 2024 125
Page3of4

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Vo
OUJWJ

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report to the trusteesl
members of
Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme
On accounts for the year
ended
31 Marth 2025
Charlty no
(rf any)
1171222
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 31103 12025.
Responslbilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 (Ihe Acr).
I report in respect of my examination of the Tnjst's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5}(b) of the ACL
I have o)mpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention (
') in connection with
the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material
respect:
accounting re￿rdS were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
examinerfs statement
I have no cOn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
' Please delete the wtjrds in the brad(ets rf they do not apply.
Signed:
Date:
11
Name:
Steven Robert Potts
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(ff any):
FCCA
Address:
15 Hylton Road
High Wycombe
HP12 4BZ
IER , 1 9S -.o"
October 2018 ￿ ?