2022-03-31-accounts

SPRINGWELL COMMUNITY HUB

Springwell Community Centre Lanchester Avenue Gateshead NE9 7AL

– SPRINGWELL COMMUNITY HUB CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1171744

- ANNUAL REPORT : JUNE 2021 JUNE 2022

The aims of Springwell Community Hub continue to be to provide a safe environment for the Springwell Estate community where they can meet, find friendship, and receive help and support covering a wide range of problems and enquiries if needed.

Springwell Community Hub is situated within a highly deprived area of Gateshead in the county of Tyne & Wear. The scope of our provision is to offer activities, events, and educational and vocational opportunities to all who visit or contact the centre.

We have had yet another challenging year which we can attribute in large part to the lasting impact that Covid-19 has had. We have still been unable to offer many of our services, and even in some cases where we have attempted to re-introduce activities, many people, especially the older members of the community, have been reticent about coming into the centre. We know from personal reports, that many of these people are feeling safer at home, and that they don’t want to make the effort to come out. Many have lost friends in the pandemic and don’t wish to start in a new group with unfamiliar people. When we are able to operate on a broader basis, we will be focusing more effort in persuading people to join us. This should help to relieve some of the problems of loneliness and mental health issues that many local people experience. A round up of the year follows.

Covid-19

Fortunately, we appear to have passed the peak of this pandemic. However, we remain vigilant, and we are maintaining high standards at all times, with the ongoing provision of hand sanitizing stations, and appropriate reminder signage placed around the building. We have also undertaken deep cleaning of the building. This was especially important before and after the centre was used as a Polling Station in local

elections. We also engaged the services of a specialist cleaning company to carry out this process on one occasion.

Hardship/Poverty/Distress

Sadly, our Community Café did not re-open after the pandemic. Whilst we canvassed for opinions on re-opening the initiative, many people were hesitant about coming into the centre and there was little enthusiasm for the service.

A short-term provision of breakfast and lunchtime snacks was trialled. However, this was not well supported, and the decision was taken to close the café for the time being, given that it must be economically viable to make it work. We will pursue this option again in the future as we judge it is important to offer low cost, healthy option meals and drinks to residents on the estate. This is especially true during school holidays when families can struggle with providing meals.

Fareshare

We have been working with Fareshare for a prolonged period, paying them a monthly fee in return for the provision of a weekly delivery of food. However, this has been cancelled due to rising costs and the fact that demand fell off during this time. We are hoping to re-start this service again in the future. Prior to start up, we will advertise the service on social media networks and by using our local ‘bush telegraph’ communicators.

Drop-in Sessions

Whilst there are no in-house drop in sessions currently, people have still been able to leave messages at the centre. Some direct support has been provided or alternative helpful contacts have been given out. This work has been carried out by two volunteer Trustees.

Education

We have maintained our initiative with those experiencing difficulty working in a usual school environment. During this time, we have also continued providing access to a laptop for a number of vulnerable and disadvantaged children/young people who do not have access to this technology so that they can more easily complete homework and online study.

Springwell Community Garden

We have been lucky enough to be able to receive the services of the Community Payback initiative. Their help has enabled us to keep on top of the large garden at the rear of the estate. Fortunately we now also have two local volunteers who are helping out at the site. We were able to express our thanks to the team and their organiser when she paid us a visit earlier in the year. In July a member of the Local Authority also

paid a visit to check on the work that was being carried out. We are also grateful for the donation of gardening equipment that we have received, to aid our horticultural efforts.

Activities

During this period, the following activities took place. Dancing was able to be introduced most easily. With careful monitoring of Covid compliance instructions, groups were able to come together to re-start their programmes. Sessions were held on a weekly basis. These have now increased and we hold multiple sessions on different evenings.

The Easter holidays saw a programme of activities which included meals for children. This was funded by the award of a grant from the Local Authority and was greatly subscribed to. Feedback was very positive from both the children and parents alike.

In May, a Council backed initiative held a ‘Dr. Bike’ session. This was held outside and children were able to bring their bikes to the Centre to be fixed. Also in May, we held our first Baby Fitness class. This was also run by the Local Authority. In August we held a successful Table Top Sale. This was followed by a meeting in October with a local councillor to discuss other potential future uses that could be introduced to the centre. Anything which is deemed appropriate will be added to any future development plans. December saw a range of Christmas related events. There were two children’s parties, one including a disco, and we also held a cinema night. These were greatly appreciated by the local community. Surestart was also able to be re-started.

Ethnic Diversity Programme/Involvement

Our ESOL (English as a Second Language) project re-started on November 25. Members of the Syrian community were also able to hold a small party during December which saw many other local people in attendance. Members of this community also took part in the redecoration of part of the centre.

Trustees

We have held Trustees meetings in June and November and several of the Trustees see each other at the centre on a regular basis. No new appointments have been made during this time, but one of our Trustees has resigned owing to work commitments and being unable to devote time to her commitment to the Centre. We thank Mrs. Laura Binney for her contribution during her time as Trustee and wish her well in her new studies/employment.

Centre Maintenance

During this period of disruption, we have still maintained the building to ensure continuing health & safety standards are met. We have had regular visits to check water quality, gas boiler safety, and electrical compliance. We have also had our alarm system checked and serviced. To ensure emergency medical help is available, we have also had the Centre’s defibrillator checked. During this quieter time, we have carried out some re-decorating. As noted above, a team from our Syrian refugee community re-painted our internal doors. Although a reduced fee was charged for this service, it also provided an opportunity for them to feel included in the community effort.

Finance

Our accounts remain independently prepared and overseen by Hurren & Jubb Accountants Ltd. (North Shields). Our volunteer Accountant continues in his role as adviser to the Centre for consultation and advice on general financial matters.

• 4 -

The Centre remains in a positive financial position. Over the past year, we have received grants to help with post Covid operation and also to enable us to hold Easter activities for children.

We continue to meet our financial obligations to the Council, together with all necessary expenses incurred, in order to maintain the operation of the Centre for the community. All accounts, including bank statements are available for inspection on request if required.

We remain positive that we will be able to grow the activities of the centre to bring it back to pre-pandemic level use. It remains disappointing that we have regressed somewhat, but we will be working on a new plan of action to re-build for the future of the centre and the future of the local community.

Trustees

E. W. Baker - Vice Chair, January 25, 2023

Charity Name No (if any) springwell community hub 1171744

Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date To from 4/1/2021

Period end date 3/31/2022

To 4/1/2021

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds

Total funds

----- Start of picture text -----
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
room rent 6,399 - - 6,399
grant income 18,000 - - 18,000
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
24,399 - - 24,399
Sub total (Gross income for AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total receipts 24,399 - - 24,399
A3 Payments
rent and rates 2,879 - - 2,879
telephone 450 - - 450
insurance 505 - - 505
accountancy fees 1,252 - - 1,252
heat and light 2,396 - - 2,396
print, post and stationery 344 - - 344
repairs and maintenance 6,871 - - 6,871
charitable donations 400 - - 400
licences 222 222
equipment hire 580 580
sundry expenses 259 259
cleaning 289 - - 289
Sub total [ 16,447 ] - - 16,447
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
loan 19 plus c.i.c. - - -
computers and other equipment 850 - - 850
Sub total [ 850 ] - - 850
Total payments 17,297 - - 17,297
Net of receipts/(payments) 7,102 - - 7,102
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 10,672 - - 10,672
Cash funds this year end 17,774 - - 17,774
----- End of picture text -----

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

			Unrestricted		Restricted
Categories	Details		funds		funds
B1 Cash funds	funds at bank Total cash	funds	to nearest £ 17,774 - - 17,774		to nearest £ - - - -
	(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))		OK	OK
			Unrestricted		Restricted
			funds		funds
B2 Other monetary assets	Details		to nearest £ - - - - - -		to nearest £ - - - - - -
B3 Investment assets	Details		Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional) - - - - -
B4 Assets retained for the	Details computers and other equipment		Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional) 4,258
charity’s own use					- - - - - - - -
B5 Liabilities	Details		Fund to which liability relates		- - - - - Amount due (optional)
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Signature		Print	Name

----- Start of picture text -----
CC16a
----- End of picture text -----

Last year

to the nearest £

11,186 15,431 - - - - - - 26,617

26,617

5,362 467 441 1,152 4,407 319 9,406 400 216 580 68 22,818

139 229 368 23,186 3,431 - 7,241 10,672

Endowment funds

to nearest £ - - - -

OK

Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional)

When due (optional)

Date of approval