Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Registered charity number – 1174060 **Supporting local people out of homelessness** ## **Contents** **1. Introduction to our year 1 Welcome 2 About Robes 3 Chair’s Statement 4 2. What we do 5 Winter Night Shelter 6 Our Guests 7 Ayla’s Story 8 Steven’s Story 9 Guests Comments 10 Outcomes 11 Wednesday Club 12 Claire’s Story 13 Our Volunteers 14 Statistics 16 Corporate Partnerships 17 Tribute to Aubyn Lue 18 Advice Work 19 From Referral to Home 20 Jonathan’s Journey 21 3. How to get involved 22 Events and Future Plans for 2023–2024 23 Southwark Cathedral SleepOut for Robes 24 Our Supporters 25 4. Financial Information 26 Operational Information 27 Independent Examiner’s Report 32 Statement of Financial Activities 34 Balance Sheet 35 Notes to the Financial Statements 36 Legal & Admin 45 An Ode to Robes 46** ## **1. Introduction to our year** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023Photo by Eve Milner. 1
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## **Welcome** **Robes is a small charity alleviating homelessness in the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth with the assistance of over 550 incredible volunteers and 29 churches and community centres.** This financial year has been one of change, with a new staff team for Robes – I would like to take this opportunity to thank those staff members who have now moved on who contributed so much to the continued success of Robes, especially through the difficult times during the pandemic. I would also like to thank the new staff who have come on board, for their enthusiasm and dedication to the organisation, and for continuing the good work supporting those who need it most. Gratitude and a special mention must also go to all of our Robes supporters, who have so warmly welcomed the new team. The 2022 – 2023 year has been a challenging one for the sector – after four years of decreases in the numbers of rough sleepers, 2022 saw an increase in people experiencing homelessness. Nearly half the people rough sleeping in England were found in London during the 2022 Rough Sleeper Count, where there was a massive 34% increase in rough sleeping numbers. Lambeth had the 5th highest number of people experiencing rough sleeping in London, and the rates of homelessness in Southwark increased by 40%. This year also saw the return of the rotating Winter Night Shelter, after the pandemic put a pause on this. A huge thank you to the participating churches and volunteers, who helped make this happen. We eased back into things, with just the one circuit, and were able to support 30 people experiencing homelessness. With the increase in rough sleeping, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, it’s clear that Robes work is more relevant than ever. The team and I are looking forward to continuing the vital work that Robes does in partnership with our incredible supporters, and are excited about our future development and impact. Thank you for taking an interest in Robes. ## **Lisa Moodie** Chief Executive Officer ## **About Robes** **Robes has been supporting those experiencing homelessness in Southwark and Lambeth since 2007.** Robes provides a volunteer led Winter Night Shelter for those in need, providing safety, a warm bed and food, somewhere to sleep, and a community to connect to. We offer tailored advice, guidance and referrals in all areas, and work in partnership with our guests to aid move on to longer term accommodation. Once in their new dwellings, we offer a tenancy sustainment Floating Support service, aimed at Advice Worker and Guests. Photo by Eve Milner. preventing repeat rough sleeping. Both our current and former guests are welcome all year round at our Wednesday Club, where they can receive breakfast, a hot lunch and showers. Wednesday Club is an opportunity for our guests to reconnect with their community, play some games, have some laughs, and our dedicated Advice Workers are on hand to assist with any challenges they may be facing. Robes is a small but mighty charity, and with the assistance of our amazing volunteers, we are proud to support those who need it most. Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **3** **2** ## **Chair’s Statement** ## **Robes’ ability to successfully deliver in the face of change and uncertainty remains undiminished.** This past year has seen a programme of rebuilding and revitalising our volunteersupported night shelters across Southwark and Lambeth, as we brought in and developed a brand new front line staff team, spearheaded by Lisa and wonderfully supported by great trustees, team leaders and volunteers alike. Our Wednesday Club hosting breakfast, lunch and advice at Crossway URC, Elephant & Castle, is an amazing example of Robes bringing practical help to those in need. Fantastic to welcome the “corporate teams” who have stepped forward to help and enjoy the “team building opportunity” at this unique event! ## **Paul Venning** Chair of Trustees Our long-term plan to secure Robes vital work through a multi layer approach of static shelters and volunteer-supported night shelters remains our critical focus. A huge “Thank You” to all the Robes Family. Our 2022 SleepOut raised £47,724! This year we are looking to really ramp that up – everybody welcome to join us! – 2023 SleepOut – Friday 24th November. **4** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023Wednesday Club. **5** ## **Winter Night Shelter** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Friendship House
(Christmas period provision).
Photo by Eve Milner.
Winter Night Shelters
Christ Church Blackfriars
Christ Church Clapham
Holy Spirit Clapham
Holy Trinity Clapham
Mostyn Road Methodist Church
St. John the Evangelist
St. John’s Waterloo
St. Luke’s West Norwood
St. Mark’s Kennington (Montgomery Hall)
St. Mary Magdalene
St. Matthew’s at the Elephant
St. Paul’s Clapham
St. Saviour’s Herne Hill
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**On Monday, November 28, 2022, we began the Winter Night Shelter season for this year. We worked in partnership with 13 churches across Southwark and Lambeth to give 30 guests a safe and positive shelter environment.** Over the season there were 3,600 bed spaces available. Our compassionate and dedicated volunteers generously provided an incredible total of 1,998 hot meals, nourishing our guests in the evening and setting them up with a hot breakfast every day. Each volunteer contributed to the creation of an inclusive and welcoming shelter season for our guests to receive respite as they navigate their way out of homelessness in partnership with our Advice Workers. Guests received generously donated clothing and essential items, as well as practical support. To ensure a smooth transition for our guests between circuits, we provided support for them throughout the holiday season. We relocated them to Friendship House, where they were each given a room and access to a communal kitchen. We have provided guests with food vouchers, extra food in the kitchens and a dedicated Robes staff member on call. They were able to use the facilities at Friendship House which included a study room, laundry room and gym. ## **Winter Night Shelter Our Guests** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Age Sex Nationality
18–25 (13%) Female (27%) UK (20%)
26–35 (28%) Male (73%) EU (30%)
36–45 (23%) Rest of the world (50%)
46–55 (23%)
56–65 (10%)
66+ (3%)
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## **Reason for homelessness** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Money problems/debt
Immigration issues
Relationship breakdown
Lost job
Asylum accommodation ended
Issues with landlord
Care leaver
End of tenancy (not renewed)
Evicted
% 0 5 10 15 20 25
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**6** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **7** ## **Winter Night Shelter Ayla’s Story** Ayla appreciated the fact that Robes had a face-to-face interview with her and felt welcomed by the Advice Workers. The entry time for the night shelter was suitable for Ayla as she was able to run her errands during the day and arrive at the night shelter for 7pm. She enjoyed having a hot, home cooked meal at the shelters each night, a warm bed, and safety. She felt the community spirit at the shelter each night as she sat at the table with the rest of the guests and volunteers, with real cutlery and crockery, enjoying a hearty, nutritious meal. After Robes, Ayla moved on to supported accommodation. Her goal on joining the shelter was to find a place to live that she could call a home. After nine months of homelessness, she finally collected her keys to her new flat. **Ayla became homeless after suffering financial hardship, sleeping rough in bus shelters for two months. The bus drivers became her emotional support network. Ayla became aware of Crisis Croydon, who referred her to Streetlink.** Thames Reach Outreach Team found Ayla rough sleeping during SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol), and she was placed in an emergency shelter. After this, Ayla was given various emergency accommodation in Lewisham, Deptford, Greenwich, Docklands, and a Crisis shelter, before coming to Robes in January. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Shelter Guest. To protect the guest’s identity the
photo and story are unrelated. Photo by Eve Milner.
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## **Winter Night Shelter Steven’s Story** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Shelter Guest. To protect the guest’s
identity the photo and story are unrelated.
Photo by Eve Milner.
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**Steven came to Robes after being referred by Crisis. His family background had been dysfunctional, and relationship breakdown with his mother led to him becoming homeless and sneaking into garages at night to sleep in safety.** Steven has a brother who has poor mental health and substance misuse issues, and Steven has always felt a sense of responsibility towards him. After Steven’s change in circumstance, he found that he was no longer able to support his brother as he had always done in the past. As a result Steven started experiencing severe low mood, with elevated levels of anxiety, frequent panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. Robes supported Steven in seeking mental health support from his GP and arranged a substantial number of property viewings for Steven to attend. Steven was at first discouraged by the sheer number of people who would attend these viewings, and disappointed when he was not selected by the landlords. After persevering through all of this, Steven was accepted by a private landlord and is no longer homeless. His mental health has greatly improved, and Steven is appreciating the little things in life as he continues working to better himself and care for his brother. **8** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **9** ## **Winter Night Shelter** ## **Guests Comments** **----- Start of picture text -----**
St John’s Waterloo.
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**Having your own home and a place to call home after so long is an adjustment… but it’s a good adjustment. There are the times where you reflect on all that you have been through, but I have been fortunate to have met the best people along the way.** **Without Robes, I would have been back at the bus shelter after Christmas.”** ## **Robes Guest** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Friendship House.
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**It’s the quiet that you don’t realise you miss – when you’re homeless, you spend so much time outside that you forget what silence sounds like.”** ## **Robes Guest** ## **Winter Night Shelter Outcomes** ## **Shelter move on accommodation** ## **Key outputs** **----- Start of picture text -----**
No fixed abode (10%)
Short-term (33%)
Long-term (57%)
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1,800
Bed spaces available
30
Guests supported
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**1,998** Hot meals served ## **Shelter advice sessions** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Accommodation
Welfare
Immigration/legal
Employment/education
Health
% 0 25 50 75 100
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**10** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **11** ## **Wednesday Club** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Wednesday Club.
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**The Wednesday Club continues to run weekly in Crossway at the Elephant. It has been good to return to a stable base for TWC (The Wednesday Club); a location where guests old and new know they will find us and be able to access advice work, showers, warm space, charging facilities, internet, Wi-Fi and hot food.** We have seen the return of several former guests, some sadly now returned to street homelessness, who need the shower and hot food along with help, advice, and signposting. We continue to welcome guests from last season and others who came with us from Clapham on a Tuesday. We are grateful to corporate teams who have cooked and engaged with guests this year. We are incredibly grateful too for our amazing team of volunteers who have given over 800 hours’ time to cook, play games, chat and support guests. ## **Wednesday Club Claire’s Story** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Wednesday Club Activities.
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**Claire came to The Wednesday Club as she was having some trouble with her utility bills.** As a result of the energy crisis, Claire’s utility bills had been increasing, however, she received a letter stating her bill to be double the usual price. Claire was confused, she did not know what to do, and she was anxious about calling the company herself as English is not her first language. Robes called the company with her and spoke to the representative about the situation. Claire felt more confident and was able to speak to the representative directly. The company confirmed that this had been a miscalculation on their side, and that the usual payment amount was all that was due. The financial pressure was alleviated, and Claire shared that she felt more able to have those conversations in the future. Guests have taken approximately 83 showers, received 1,250 meals to eat in or take away, have tucked into 1,200 croissants and have drunk 312 litres of fruit juice and countless cups of tea and coffee. **12** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **13** ## **Wednesday Club Our Volunteers** **A special thank you to Crossway URC who have hosted our Wednesday Club. It has given us an opportunity to feed our guests with the assistance of our dedicated volunteers and provide Advice and Guidance support. Louise and Joseph are part of our current cohort of Wednesday Club Volunteers.** ## **Louise** Louise has been volunteering with Robes since 2017 in the shelters, and since semi-retiring a year ago, she is a regular at Wednesday Club. Louise initially started volunteering in her own church, St. John the Evangelist, in the first year they hosted the Night Shelter. Since then, she has volunteered at six different shelters with Robes. She is always keen to do cooking for breakfast alongside her husband and food prep for the evening meals as she really enjoys cooking (her chicken pies are always very popular)! Louise’s favourite thing about volunteering is the continuity with the guests, particularly those attending Wednesday Club. Along with current shelter guests, former guests attend – some who may still need some support with welfare advice or those who have progressed to longer term accommodation. She feels that the Wednesday Club has had a very positive impact on the community because the welfare advice is fantastic – it’s about supporting people to be able to lead their own lives to the best of their ability. She always gets lots of positive feelings when being in the shelters and Wednesday Club. Louise said that part of Robes’ ethos is getting people into housing by the end of the season rather than “see you next year”, so people won’t always be returning guests because they will be housed. ## **Joseph** Joseph has been volunteering with Robes for 10 years. He started out supporting at the shelter venue at St. Peter’s Church in Vauxhall, where he helped make up the beds, kept the shelter clean and stocked, and helped guests settle in and feel welcome. After two years at St. Peter’s, Joseph became Team Leader. He also volunteered at Trinity Church in Clapham before later moving on to Wednesday Club, where he is often seen cooking up a storm. Joseph always ensures that both volunteers and guests are treated equally and with respect everywhere he goes. Louise and Joseph volunteering in the kitchen. His favourite thing about Wednesday Club is meeting all the guests and volunteers and playing scrabble (which he is very good at). Wednesday Club is very important to Joseph because for many it is the only decent meal they have all week, and they can take extra food home with them if needed. He feels it is a safe space and often the only social outlet for current and previous guests to confide in a friendly face and address any problems they are facing in life. **14** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **15** ## **Wednesday Club Statistics** ## **Key outputs** **65** Different guests **58/42** Male/Female (%) **1,250** Hot meals served ## **Wednesday Club advice sessions** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Accommodation
Welfare
Immigration/legal
Employment/education
Health
% 0 20 40 60 80
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## **Wednesday Club Corporate Partnerships** ## **A helping hand** Our corporate teams have supported us to run our Wednesday Club – providing ingredient’s and cooking as a team to feed our hungry guests. **Myself and a few other members of the team here at Pivotal London were looking for somewhere we could make a difference and be a part of an initiative that we were all passionate about.** ## **The fun of fundraising** Companies have organised pub quizzes and even a baked potato sale, bringing their staff together over a good cause. **The Robes Project was a great experience for us all and was more than we expected. From the first day we were given a great overview of what to expect and given autonomy to cook our own food and interact with people at the shelter.** ## **A hot meal** Eden Catering a catering company in North Lambeth donated a meal to guests on their first night at Friendship House. ## **Corporate supporters** Higgins Partnership Mount Anvil Circle Health Group Pivotal London Currys Inigo Insurance **We all had an amazing day and was so great to hear others stories, play games, and generally bring fulfilment to those less fortunate. The team had a really good day and the Robes Project is something we will definitely be participating on again in the near future.”** ## **Quote from Pivotal London** **16** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **17** ## **Wednesday Club Tribute to Aubyn Lue** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Aubyn Lue.
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**Lue was a longstanding guest and friend of the Robes Project Team. He regularly attended the Wednesday Club, embracing the other guests, staff, and volunteers with his kind-hearted and friendly nature.** Lue was known in the Wednesday Club primarily for his deep appreciation for Reggae music, which he would play loudly and proudly on the bluetooth speakers. A Jamaican national who cooked a hearty meal of curry goat and rice and peas for us all. We will miss Lue dearly and will always remember him for the jokes he cracked, the laughs we shared, the dominoes we played, and the time we spent together. Forever in our hearts and memories, rest in eternal peace Mr Aubyn Lue. ## **Advice Work** The journey starts with a referral from our partner agencies – local charities and day centres. We review the referrals and invite potential guests for interviews with our Advice Workers. We stay connected with the referral agencies so that we can all work collaboratively in supporting the guest, with them at the centre of their housing journey. If accepted into the shelter, guests will be provided with a warm, safe space to sleep at night, a hot and nutritious breakfast and dinner, and travel allowances to access appointments and other commitments. **At Robes Project, our Advice Workers are dedicated to supporting our service users in finding their way out of homelessness, and into stable accommodation.** We do this by supporting the guests in the other aspects of their lives which have an impact on their housing situation, and by signposting them to relevant organisations who may specialise in fields like immigration and employment. It is important to us that we have a strong network of partner organisations who can assist us in supporting our guests. We work closely with the guest and the referral agency in finding stable accommodation, and we are always available to support former guests as they navigate the new chapter of their lives and focus on tenancy sustainment. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Shelter Guest.
Photo by Eve Milner.
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**18** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **19** ## **Advice Work From Referral to Home** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Advice Workers receive
referral form from a
partner agency
Guest invited for
an interview
Guest accepted
into shelter
Guest receives a
hot breakfast and
dinner everyday
Week 1: Collaborative
action planning
Week 2: Exploring move
on options, applications,
referrals and viewings
Weeks 3/4: Move on,
signing tenancy,
arranging bill payments,
GP registration
Support guest with
tenancy sustainment
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## **Advice Work Jonathan’s Journey** **Jonathan was referred to Robes Project by Ace of Clubs after Christmas for the second circuit. Due to a brief period of homelessness in the past, Jonathan was living in supported accommodation when he started to work.** As his income had increased, his housing benefit entitlement decreased, and Jonathan found himself no longer able to afford the large portion of his service charge and rent that were not covered by housing benefit. He was evicted on the grounds of rent arrears, and Jonathan rough slept for two and a half months, moving from borough to borough before hearing of Robes Project. After being referred to Robes Project by his caseworker at Ace of Clubs, Jonathan was invited to an interview with the Advice Workers. He told them about his situation and his hopes for the future in terms of housing and employment. The Advice Workers accepted Jonathan into the shelter, and he attended from that evening. On his first evening, he was welcomed by the volunteers and other guests. He enjoyed a hot meal that night and breakfast the next morning where he met the Advice Workers for his first session. During his first week, he met with his Advice Worker daily to discuss his move on plan and next steps. They then worked together with Ace of Clubs to find property viewings, make applications and referrals to supported accommodation and private rental accommodation providers. After two weeks of applications and property viewings, Jonathan was accepted to a private rented property and signed his tenancy agreement. Moving into his new property was a moment of great relief for Jonathan after three months of homelessness – he received a move-in care package from Robes Project and got to work with registering himself for the local GP. **20** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **21** ## **Events and Future Plans for 2023–2024** **At Robes Project, we are always looking for new fundraising opportunities and partners to ensure we can continue to provide support to our guests.** ## **Shelter** We are still searching for a suitable building in which to have a static shelter for our guests to stay in, with day centre facilities, in addition to the rotating shelters currently operating. If you know of anything suitable, please contact: robes.admin@robes.org.uk. ## **2 September 2023** Volunteer Thank You event at Southwark Cathedral ## **28 September 2023** AGM event at Southwark Cathedral ## **8 November 2023** Start of Shelter Season ## **Wednesday Club** Our Wednesday Club service continues at Crossway United Reform Church, and providing stability and security for our former and current guests. We have been fortunate to have a number of corporate partners supporting this year, and look forward to more. ## **Floating Support** ## **24 November 2023** SleepOut 2023 Registration open now Further details at: robes.org.uk/sleepout-robes ## **24 March 2024** End of Shelter Season (Early this time due to a very early Easter) We are introducing a pilot programme of formalised floating support to a small number of guests to assist our guests settle into their new accommodation, and prevent repeat rough sleeping. We are hoping to secure funding to make this a formal post, and have the floating support available to all guests on a permanent basis. ## **Volunteers** Robes would be nothing without the incredible support of our volunteers. If you would like to join them and make a difference to those experiencing homelessness, then please contact: project.officer@robes.org.uk Photo by Eve Milner. **22** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **23** ## **Southwark Cathedral SleepOut for Robes** ## **Following several interrupted years we were finally able to host a ‘next to normal’ SleepOut for Robes.** This is one of the major fundraising events of the year and we invite brave souls to give up their beds for the night and come and sleep out in the Southwark Cathedral Churchyard at the end of November. They compromise of many from the Cathedral Community, from Church congregations across Lambeth & Southwark, Robes volunteers, corporate teams, school/youth groups, and interested members of the local community. ## **Maggie Still** Chair of SleepOut Committee ## **Be part of Robes SleepOut 2023** More people joined us than in the previous year which was encouraging. We were conscious that our numbers are slowly growing again and we expect this to be a trend year on year. The SleepOut always begins with an evening of entertainment before we all bed down for the night. Most people will go and grab their favourite spot before the entertainment begins. Last year we had a silent disco for the young and the young at heart. This was followed by a quiz we called “Thou Shalt Not Lie” based on a familiar and popular BBC quiz. We pitted a team of celebrities against a team of clergy. Who knew what tales there were to tell! ## **Friday 24th November 7pm–7am** Help us to help those experiencing homelessness by giving up your bed for the night. Register now: **robes.org.uk/sleepout-robes** **There will be an evening of live entertainment.** Of course the main aim of the evening is to raise as much money as possible and last year the total raised was nearly £50,000. ## **Our Supporters** ## **Partners** Deutsch Bank Good Things Foundation StreetSmart ## **Referral agencies** Ace of Clubs Crisis De Paul Charity London City Mission Manna Society New Horizon Youth Centre South London Refugee Association Spires Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers Thamesreach ## **Churches who Assisted with Shelters, Volunteers and Gifts for Guests** Christ Church Blackfriars Christ Church Clapham Faith Chapel Peckham Haddon Hall Baptist Church Holy Spirit Clapham Holy Trinity Clapham Mostyn Road Methodist Church Southwark Cathedral St. John the Evangelist St. John’s Waterloo St. Luke’s West Norwood St. Mark’s Kennington (Montgomery Hall) St. Mary Magdalene St. Matthews at the Elephant St. Michael’s Church Stockwell St. Paul’s Clapham St. Saviour’s Herne Hill **24** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **25** ## **Operational Information** **The Trustees are pleased to present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 30 April 2023.** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Governing document** The Robes Project was initially set up as an unincorporated charity by a Constitution adopted 1 October 2008, amended by Special Resolution on 20 July 2009. It was registered as a Charity on 10 November 2009 and is governed by a Committee of Trustees elected at the Annual General Meeting. The areas of benefit are the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. On 1 August 2017 the Charity set up a separate Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) called ‘Robes Project’. The Charity and the CIO were merged on 18 January 2020. An asset transfer order was signed on 18 January 2020. The assets have now been transferred to the CIO and the old un-incorporated charity closed. The number of Trustees shall not be less than 5, and until otherwise determined by a General Meeting, no more than 9. Photo by Eve Milner. **26** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **27** ## **Operational Information** ## **Objectives** The objects of the CIO are the relief of poverty among people who are homeless in the London boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth by the provision of winter night shelters, food and advice, support and re-settlement services so as to help them re-build their lives. ## **Public benefit statement** The Trustees consider that the work of the Robes Project is to provide relief to poor and disadvantaged people in the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth by the provision of winter shelter, food and support helping to make these boroughs a safer, more humane place for everyone. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and no Trustee receives any private benefit from the Charity. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity. ## **Governance and management** The Charity is run by its Trustees who meet bi-monthly to determine the strategy of the Charity, to discuss operational matters and to formulate policy. The CEO attends all Trustee meetings. Sub-committees dealing with specific functions support the Board of Trustees and certain items of executive responsibility are delegated to individual Trustees to facilitate decision-making and to support staff efforts. All delegated matters are closely reported upon to the Trustee Board. The Trustees delegate responsibility for delivering day to day services to our guests primarily to the CEO, staff and volunteer teams. The CEO is responsible for individual supervision of the staff team and also ensuring that the team continue to develop their skills and working practices in line with good practice. ## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees** The Committee seek to recruit Trustees from among the churches participating in the Project who have relevant skills and experience to assist in running the Project. New Trustees are given an induction pack. ## **Risk Management** The Trustees recognise that there are risks to which the Charity is exposed. Systems have been established to mitigate known risks, including financial controls, employment procedures, agreements with participating churches and volunteer training. The Trustees keep proper accounting records and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Health and safety, equal opportunities and quality standards are prioritised. Records and archives are securely stored and electronic data carefully protected. A significant risk the Charity faces is its over reliance on the SleepOut as a fundraising event, as reflected in the events of both the current and previous year. It looks to mitigate against this risk by diversifying its funding sources which has continued to prove a successful venture. Another significant risk would be if a serious safeguarding issue were to cause the Charity to lose the confidence of guests and referring partners. The Charity mitigates against this by thorough training for staff and volunteers. ## **Financial review** Total expenditure for the year ended 30 April 2023 was £230,552, down from £335,517 in the previous year. This reflects a significant decrease in costs due to the additional complexities involved with supporting our guests during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the year, income decreased by £90,953, a decrease of 32% on the previous year, due to a number of significant one-off grants in the prior period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At 30 April 2023, the total reserves stood at £305,526, Of these reserves, £5,951 is restricted to our ongoing projects. Another £80,000 of unrestricted reserves is designated to support ‘Inn from the Cold’ moving forward, leaving £219,575 as general funds. **28** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **29** ## **Operational Information** ## **Reserves Policy** As part of the annual review of the reserves policy, the Trustees of the Robes Project assess the financial risks surrounding the Charity’s ability to provide the services we offer to the homeless in Lambeth and Southwark. In so doing the Trustees aim to hold a minimum free reserves level of £80,000 – £150,000. The current free reserves of £219,575 are safely above this limit. ## **Statement of Board of Trustees’ Responsibilities** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they are required to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Under charity law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a ‘true and fair’ view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the excess of expenditure over income for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and, - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its activities. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Charity’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. In addition, the Trustees confirm that they are happy that the content of the annual review in pages 1 to 31 of this document as well as the legal and administrative information on page 45, meet the requirements of the Trustees’ Annual Report under charity law. They also confirm that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014. This report was approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 21 August 2023 and signed on its behalf by: **Paul Venning** Chair of Trustees **30** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **31** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report** ## **Independent examiner’s report to the Board of Trustees of Robes Project Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Robes Project (charity number 1174060) for the year ended 30 April 2023 set out on pages 34 to 44. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner** The CIO’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act). The CIO’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; - To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Charities Act; and, - To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the CIO’s trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the CIO’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the CIO and the CIO’s trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the CIO 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 trustees 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** Since the CIO’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: - Accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or - The accounts do not accord with those records; or - The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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. 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. ## **Bianca Permal FCA** For and on behalf of Haines Watts (Berkhamsted) Limited – Chartered Accountants Dated: 19 September 2023 4 Claridge Court Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2AF **32** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **33** ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ## **For the year ended 30 April 2023** ## **Balance Sheet As at 30 April 2023** |Notes
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Total**
**funds**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
Total
funds
year ended
30 April 2022
£
**Income from:**
Donations
2
**193,817**
–
**193,817**
286,483
Investments
3
**1,717**
–
**1,717**
4
**Total income**
**195,534**
–
**195,534**
286,487
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
4
**11,445**
–
**11,445**
10,396
Charitable activities
4 & 5
**219,107**
–
**219,107**
325,121
**Total expenditure**
**230,552**
–
**230,552**
335,517
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**(35,018)**
–
**(35,018)**
(49,030)
Transfer between funds
10
**–**
–
–
–
**Net movement in funds**
**(35,018)**
–
**(35,018)**
(49,030)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
10 & 11
**334,593**
**5,951**
**340,544**
389,574
Total funds carried forward
10 & 11
**299,575**
**5,951**
**305,526**
340,544|Notes
**£**
**Total**
**funds**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
£
Total
funds
30 April 2022
£| |---|---| ||**Current assets**| ||Debtors and prepayments
8
**1,250**
1,722| ||Cash at bank and in hand
**313,814**
349,962| ||**315,064**
351,684| ||| ||**Creditors:**amounts falling due within one year
9
**(9,538)**
(11,140)| ||| ||**Net current assets**
**305,526**
340,544| ||**Net assets**
**305,526**
340,544| ||**Funds of the charity**| ||Restricted funds
10 & 11
**5,951**
5,951| ||Unrestricted funds:| ||Designated funds
10 & 11
**80,000**
80,000| ||General funds
10 & 11
**219,575**
254,593| ||**299,575**
334,593| ||**305,526**
340,544| ||| The notes on pages 36 to 44 form part of the financial statements. The notes on pages 36 to 44 form part of the financial statements. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 21 August 2023 and signed on their behalf by: ## Luke Whiteman ## **Trustee** **34** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **35** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **1. Accounting policies** ## **Fund accounting** General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. **Basis of preparation of the financial statements** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ‘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) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Designated funds comprise of unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund are set out in note 10 of the financial statements. Restricted funds are funds that are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or that have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in note 10 of the financial statements. The effect of any event relating to the year ended 30 April 2023, which occurred before the date of approval of the financial statements by the Board of Trustees has been included in the financial statements to the extent required to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at 30 April 2023 and the results for the year ended on that date. ## **Income** Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance indicators attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Under the exemption available to smaller charities the Board of Trustees has chosen not to include a Statement of Cash Flows within the financial statements. The functional currency of the Charity is sterling and amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound. Donations and income from fundraising events are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when entitled, receipt is probable and when the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Gift aid receivable is included when claimable. ## **Going concern** The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as the Board of Trustees is confident that future reserves and future income is more than sufficient to meet current commitments. There are no material uncertainties that impact this assessment and the ongoing economic environment has no impact on this assessment due to the high reserves held by the Charity. Grant income is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when received or receivable whichever is earlier, unless the grant relates to a future year, in which case it is deferred. Income from charitable activities is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when received or receivable whichever is earlier, unless it relates to a specific future period or event, in which case it is deferred. ## **Legal status** The Robes Project is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England & Wales and meets the definition of a public benefit entity. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability is limited to £1 per member of the Charity. The registered office is Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1 9DA. Interest is recorded when it is receivable. ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT** ## **Debtors and prepayments** All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount is applied. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Indirect costs, including governance costs, which cannot be directly attributed to activities, are allocated proportionate to direct staff costs allocated to each project area, as outlined in note 4 of the financial statements. ## **Creditors** Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred. ## **Critical estimates and judgements** ## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised. There are no assets held over this level currently. ## **Operating leases** Rentals payable under operating leases are taken to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year. ## **Pensions** The Robes Project operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Pension contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities when due and payable. These contributions are invested separately from the charity’s assets. ## **Financial instruments** Basic financial instruments are measured at amortised cost other than investments which are measured at fair value. ## **Cash at bank and in hand** Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand, deposits with banks and funds that are readily convertible into cash at, or close to, their carrying values, but are not held for investment purposes. **36** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **37** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **2. Income from donations and legacies** |**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Total**
**funds**
**year ended**| |---| |**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**| |Donations
**112,105**
**–**
**112,105**| |SleepOut
**47,724**
**–**
**47,724**| |Other fundraising events
**6,988**
**–**
**6,988**| |Trusts and foundations
**27,000**
**–**
**27,000**| |**193,817**
**–**
**193,817**| |Unrestricted
funds
year ended
Restricted
funds
year ended
Total
funds
year ended| |30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£| |Donations
83,798
2,103
85,901| |SleepIn
34,345
–
34,345| |Other fundraising events
431
–
431| |Trusts and foundations
41,000
124,806
165,806| |159,574
126,909
286,483| ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** **----- Start of picture text -----**
4. Total expenditure
Staff Other Indirect Total
costs direct costs costs costs
year ended year ended year ended year ended
30 April 2023 30 April 2023 30 April 2023 30 April 2023
£ £ £ £
Raising funds – 9,446 1,999 11,445
Charitable activities 115,860 64,982 38,265 219,107
115,860 74,428 40,264 230,552
Staff Other Indirect Total
costs direct costs costs costs
year ended year ended year ended year ended
30 April 2022 30 April 2022 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
£ £ £ £
Raising funds – 8,552 1,844 10,396
Charitable activities 128,633 138,813 57,675 325,121
128,633 147,365 59,519 335,517
**----- End of picture text -----**
Indirect costs, including governance costs, which cannot be directly attributed to activities, were allocated between cost centres proportionate to the direct costs allocated to those activities. The prior year figures have been reallocated to show the support costs attributed to each activity. All expenditure on raising funds was unrestricted in nature in both the current and previous financial years. An analysis of charitable activities split between restricted and unrestricted funds can be found in note 5. ## **3. Income from investments** |**3. Income from investments**|**3. Income from investments**| |---|---| |**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Total**
**funds**
**year ended**|| |**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**|| |Bank interest
**1,717**
**–**
**1,717**|| |**1,717**
**–**
**1,717**|| |Unrestricted
funds
year ended
Restricted
funds
year ended
Total
funds
year ended|| |30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£|| |Bank interest
4
–
4|| |4
–
4|| An analysis of staff costs can be found in note 6. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Total Total
costs costs
year ended year ended
30 April 2023 30 April 2022
Indirect costs include the following costs: £ £
Office rent 14,036 16,550
IT and communications 7,037 8,614
Administrative costs 4,348 6,891
Finance support 9,871 10,338
Depreciation on leasehold improvements – 1,598
Loss on disposal of leasehold improvements – 5,681
Governance costs 4,972 9,847
40,264 59,519
**----- End of picture text -----**
**38** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **39** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **4. Total expenditure** continued |**Total**
Total| |---| |**costs**
costs| |**year ended**
year ended| |**30 April 2023**
30 April 2022| |**Governance costs include the following costs:**
**£**
£| |Independent examination fees
**1,680**
1,340| |Statutory accounts preparation
**1,536**
1,464| |Trustee recruitment
**–**
4,800| |Insurance
**1,756**
2,243| |**4,972**
9,847| ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **6. Staff numbers and costs** |**Total**
Total| |---| |**costs**
costs| |**year ended**
year ended| |**30 April 2023**
30 April 2022| |**£**
£| |Gross salaries
**106,205**
116,917| |Employer’s national insurance
**6,082**
7,047| |Employer’s pension
**3,573**
4,669| |**115,860**
128,633| The average headcount during the year was 4 persons (2022: 4 persons). No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2022: NIL). ## **5. Expenditure on charitable activities** |**5. Expenditure on charitable activities**|**5. Expenditure on charitable activities**| |---|---| |**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**year ended**
**Total**
**funds**
**year ended**|| |**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**30 April 2023**
**£**|| |Staf costs
**115,860**
**–**
**115,860**|| |Other direct costs
**64,982**
**–**
**64,982**|| |Indirect costs
**38,265**
**–**
**38,265**|| |**219,107**
**–**
**219,107**|| ||| |Unrestricted
funds
year ended
Restricted
funds
year ended
Total
funds
year ended|| |30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£|| |Staf costs
98,640
29,993
128,633|| |Other direct costs
36,006
102,807
138,813|| |Indirect costs
57,675
–
57,675|| |192,321
132,800
325,121|| The total remuneration paid to key management personnel during the year was £32,350 (2022: £41,409). ## **7. Pension costs** The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Contributions payable by the charity amounted to £3,573 (2022: £4,669). £270 of employer contributions were outstanding at year end (2022: £460). Pension costs are allocated between activities and funds on the same basis as relevant salary costs. ## **8. Debtors and prepayments** |**Total**
Total| |---| |**year ended**
year ended| |**30 April 2023**
30 April 2022| |**£**
£| |Prepayments
**1,250**
1,141| |Cycle to work loan
**–**
581| |**1,250**
1,722| ## **9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** |**Total**
Total| |---| |**year ended**
year ended| |**30 April 2023**
30 April 2022| |**£**
£| |Trade creditors
**3,436**
4,570| |Accruals
**3,582**
3,170| |HMRC control account
**2,034**
2,571| |Pension control account
**486**
829| |**9,538**
11,140| **40** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **41** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **10. Analysis of charity funds** |**10. Analysis of charity funds**|| |---|---| |**Balance**
**brought**
**forward**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Income**
**for the**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Expenditure**
**in the**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Transfers**
**between**
**funds**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**
**Balance**
**carried**
**forward**
**year ended**
**30 April 2023**
**£**|



| |**Unrestricted funds**|| |Designated funds|| |Inn from the Cold
**80,000**
**–**
**–**
**–**
**80,000**|| |**80,000**
**–**
**–**
**–**
**80,000**|| |General funds
**254,593**
**195,534**
**(230,552)**
**–**
**219,575**|| |**334,593**
**195,534**
**(230,552)**
**–**
**299,575**|| |**Restricted funds**|| |Inn from the Cold
**5,951**
**–**
**–**
**–**
**5,951**|| |**5,951**
**–**
**–**
**–**
**5,951**|| ||| |**340,544**
**195,534**
**(230,552)**
**–**
**305,526**|| The **Inn from the Cold** designated fund has been earmarked for growing this project over the next few years. The **Inn from the Cold** restricted fund consists of donations and grants to support guests in accessing the private rented sector by providing help with the up-front costs of housing, direct access to landlords and ongoing support once in accommodation. During the year one of the main funders of this project agreed to release the funds for the Charity’s ongoing work across all areas. ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance Transfers Balance
brought Income Expenditure between carried
forward for the in the funds forward
year ended year ended year ended year ended year ended
30 April 2022 30 April 2022 30 April 2022 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds 80,000 – – – 80,000
Inn from the Cold 80,000 – – – 80,000
General funds 297,732 159,578 (202,717) – 254,593
377,732 159,578 (202,717) – 334,593
Restricted funds
Food vouchers – 2,103 (2,103) – –
Homeless Link – 92,420 (92,420) – –
Housing Justice – 30,000 (30,000) – –
Guest support 5,891 – (5,891) – –
Love Your Neighbour – 2,386 (2,386) – –
Inn from the Cold 5,951 – – – 5,951
11,842 126,909 (132,800) – 5,951
389,574 286,487 (335,517) – 340,544
**----- End of picture text -----**
The **food vouchers** funds were received to support the purchase of food vouchers for guests. The **Homeless Link** funds were received to support the running of accommodation for guests during the winter season. The **Housing Justice** funds were received to support moving guests on to more permanent accommodation. The **Love Your Neighbour** funds were received to support the running of the Tuesday Club drop-in centre **42** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **43** ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** ## **11. Analysis of net assets** |**11. Analysis of net assets**|**11. Analysis of net assets**| |---|---| |**General**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**Total**|| |**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**|| |**year ended**
**year ended**
**year ended**
**year ended**|| |**30 April 2023**
**30 April 2023**
**30 April 2023**
**30 April 2023**|| |**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**|| |Current assets
**229,113**
**80,000**
**5,951**
**315,064**|| |Current liabilities
**(9,538)**
**–**
**–**
**(9,538)**|| |**219,575**
**80,000**
**5,951**
**305,526**|| ||| |General
funds
year ended
Designated
funds
year ended
Restricted
funds
year ended
Total
funds
year ended|| |30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£
30 April 2022
£|| |Current assets
265,733
80,000
5,951
351,684|| |Current liabilities
(11,140)
–
–
(11,140)|| |254,593
80,000
5,951
340,544|| ## **12. Trustee remuneration** During the year, no trustee received any remuneration (2022: £NIL). No members of the Board of Trustees received reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses (2022: £NIL). ## **13. Related party transactions** During the year there were no transactions carried out with related parties (2022: £NIL). ## **14. Guarantees and secured charges** As at 30 April 2023 Charity did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured against assets of the Charity (2022: £NIL). ## **Legal & Admin** Legal and Administrative Information for the year ended 30 April 2023. ## **Trustees** Paul Venning – Chair Luke Whiteman – Treasurer Elinor Wakefield Matthew Hanney Myfanwy Lloyd Neil Tryner Sam Forsdike Sam Johnson-Hill Wendy Thompson **Secretary to the Trustees** Nick Hodgson ## **Principal Bankers** The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT ## **Independent Examiner** Haines Watts (Berkhamsted) Limited 4 Claridge Court Lower Kings Road Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2AF ## **Accountants** Andy Nash Accounting & Consultancy Units 24 & 25 Goodsheds Container Village Hood Road Barry CF62 5QU ## **Charity Registration Number** 1174060 ## **Registered Address** Robes Project Southwark Cathedral London Bridge SE1 9DA ## **Contact us** robes.admin@robes.org.uk 020 7407 5623 robes.org.uk @robesproject_ @robesproject Selection of photography including cover taken by Robes volunteer, Eve Milner (evemilner51@gmail.com). **44** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 Charity number – 1174060 Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 **45** ## **An Ode to Robes** A cozy place to go to bed, Fluffy pillows to rest your head, Secure and snug in your home, A place that you can call your own. This vital support continues on, The churches help is still strong, And warmly welcoming the guests, The amazing volunteers – they are the best! And after the guests have had a rest, Robes staff do their very best To help them find a place of their own Of safety, that the guests can call home. For many this is not the case, Abandoned by the human race And left to sleep out on the street Not knowing when they next will eat. A group of people said “no more – We have to help the homeless soar” They said that something must be done And were led by Reverend Anderson. They settle in and Robes is there To help with any challenges they bear, Advice is provided throughout the year, Guests can always find a friendly ear. Volunteers came on board, Finally… Churches opened up their doors. Robes was born and started to meet Those needing shelter from the street. They have a cozy place to go to bed, Fluffy pillows to rest their head, Secure and snug in their home, A place that they can call their own. And in Winter those needing respite Were welcomed in from the cold night, Given a warm meal that they could eat, Somewhere comfortable to rest their feet. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Shelter Guests.
Photo by Eve Milner.
**----- End of picture text -----**
**46** Robes Annual Report and Accounts – Year ended 30 April 2023 Charity number – 1174060 **Southwark Cathedral’s SleepOut 2024 for Robes** **Friday 29th November 7pm to Saturday morning 7am** Further details can be found at robes.org.uk or @RobesProject. Experience sleeping out for a night and fundraise for local homeless people.