Soho First Community Development Trust Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statement for the Period 1st April 2021 - to 31st March 2022
Charity name: Soho First Community Development Trust
Other names charity is known by: Soho First, Soho First CDT
Charity Number: 1173499
Principle address: Handsworth Baptist Church Centre 38A Victoria Road Handsworth Birmingham B21 0SA
Trustees
Andrew Simons (Chair) Rhona Rouse (Treasurer) Robert John Higginson (Minutes secretary) Rev John Mall
We thank the Trustees for their continued commitment and contribution to the work of Soho First.
We would also like to thank Chris Milton for taking the lead on Soho First’s environment work. Thanks also to Pat Whyte from Birmingham City Council’s Neighbourhood Development Support Unit for attending meetings as an Observer and keeping us up to speed on Council matters.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Carlene McKenzie who was coordinator for Ladywood Neighbourhood Network Scheme and NNS project worker for Soho and Jewellery Quarter Ward. Carlene’s sudden and unexpected passing at the beginning of 2022 had a profound impact on all who knew her. It was a huge privilege and blessing to know and work with Carlene. Carlene was incredibly supportive of Soho First and the many community groups and organisations in Soho and Jewellery Quarter. She will be greatly missed by everyone.
Structure, governance, and management
Governing document
Association model constitution Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered 20 June 2017
Trustee selection
The Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. The objects of the charity are:
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To develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically disadvantaged community of Soho Ward, Birmingham, in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society.
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The promotion for the public benefit of urban regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation (and Birmingham’s Soho Ward) by all or any of the following means:
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a) the relief of poverty in such ways as may be thought fit;
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b) the relief of unemployment in such ways as may be thought fit, including assistance to find employment;
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c) the advancement of education, training, or retraining, particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience;
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d) the provision of financial assistance, technical assistance, or business advice or consultancy in order to provide training and employment opportunities for unemployed people in cases of financial or other charitable need through help: (i) in setting up their own business, or
- (ii) to existing businesses;
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(e) the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms;
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(f) the provision of housing for those who are in conditions of need and the improvement of housing in the public sector or in charitable ownership provided that such power shall not extend to relieving any local authorities or other bodies of a statutory duty to provide or improve housing;
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(g) the maintenance, improvement, or provision of public amenities;
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(h) the preservation of buildings or sites of historic or architectural importance;
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(i) the provision or assistance in the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large and/ or those who, by reasons of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty, or social and economic circumstances, have need for such facilities;
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(j) the protection or conservation of the environment;
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(k) the provision of public health facilities and childcare;
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(l) the promotion of public safety and prevention of crime; and
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(m)such other means as may from time to time be determined subject to the prior consent of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.
The Trust’s mission statement is:
“Connecting the gifts, aspirations, capacities, and skills of people in Birmingham’s Soho and Jewellery Quarter Ward so that we are better able to identify local needs and priorities and act in response to them. Soho First aspires to work alongside residents and partners to make a difference to local priorities - social, economic and environmental - to create a place that is even better for all to live and work in.”
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Summary of main activities undertaken
This report covers the financial year from 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022. With the roll out of the vaccination programme, there was a gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions with all restrictions finally removed on 19[th] July 2021. This meant that Soho First AGM was able to take place in person at Soho Community Hall on 29[th] July, though many Trustee meetings continued online.
Neighbourhood Network Scheme (Ladywood NNS)
Soho First continued as one of four partner organisations on the delivery group for Ladywood NNS. The other partners are Birmingham Settlement (lead partner), Karis Neighbourhood Scheme and Nechells Pod.
Ladywood NNS is one of ten constituency-based schemes in Birmingham that aim to ensure that as many citizens as possible aged over 50 access community-based support to promote well-being and a better quality of life. This is achieved through better co-ordination of community-based prevention & early intervention services.
Soho First were represented throughout the year at the regular meetings of the partners and also the wider steering group meetings which were attended by representatives from the social work team and many statutory and third sector organisations active in Ladywood Constituency.
This was the second year of a two-year pilot for NNS and Birmingham City Council decided in July 2021 to extend the scheme for a further five years. The recommissioning process began in August 2021 with a view to the new contracts starting in April 2022. After discussions among the four partners, Birmingham Settlement decided to team up with Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID) to tender for the new contract.
An event celebrating the two-year pilot was held at Villa Park on 30[th] March 2022.
Thriving Soho
A meeting was held in June 2021 to review progress on the Community Economic Development Plan for Soho and Jewellery Quarter Ward with the intention to organise an event, preferably in person once conditions permit.
Environment
Chris Milton has continued to organise litter picks and clean up days in the area bringing together numerous partners and residents. For example, an event on Saturday 26[th] June 2021 in Winson Green brought together residents and organisations such as the Active Wellbeing Society, Erdington Litter Busters, Bishop Latimer Church, St John’s Church, Soho First and local Councillors.
Website and Facebook page
Lee Thorpe at Steamroom Media continues to help maintain and host the Soho First website. Thanks to Thomas Cantwell for continuing to add updates to the Facebook page.
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Soho First Community Development Trust Financial Statement 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022
| Income Expenditure Public Liability Insurance Website domain name and hosting Service charges Total expenditure Balance from previous year Total income Total expenditure Balance as of 31st March 2022 |
0.00 63.53 105.99 72.00 _ 241.52 7,190.49 0.00 _ 7,190.49 241.52 6,948.97 |
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Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature
Full name: Andrew Simons Position: Chair Date: 28[th] December 2022
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