Chair’s Report 2024
After celebrating our 7th anniversary we continue to work with those on the poverty line and prevent homelessness in order to keep the homeless figures down, I am sorry to say that despite our Charity spending nearly another £185k on homelessness and those in poverty during the year, we have currently 18 individuals rough sleeping.
The main issue for this is the rising cost of living and also the rise during 23/24 in the interest rates and now the new tax implications have made rental property more difficult to find at reasonable prices for those in need.
We have been so lucky with our donations and fundraising which has allowed us to send people to rehab - whether this be the funded one at £6k or Betel when we just need to pay for the transport fees and sort the individuals debts etc before they can go, the requirement is they do not come back to the same area.
The Befriending team headed up by Erica and Richard, our Trustees, are continuing to go from strength to strength using the Loose Ends facilities to meet with the clients. Richard’s lawyer experience is invaluable in assisting those facing eviction.
Thank you to all of those volunteers who commit their time and effort to our Charity in this area, with particular mention of Marj, who is our Administrator, and Lynda, who keeps our Accounts up to date. Without you all we could not continue.
Fundraising - a massive thanks to everyone who has contributed to us as a Charity - this is the churches that raise money, businesses or the schools or individuals - we cannot do what we do without the money coming in consistently.
I am very sad to report the death of Gerald, Erica's husband, this past year and there is always an empty chair at our meetings at Erica’s house which is hard for us all. May his soul rest in peace - I was so delighted to see so many volunteers at the funeral supporting Erica. Thank you.
The difficulty in placing the current homeless is that there is no longer a winter initiative as per last year providing emergency accommodation and any emergency accommodation has to be covered by our Charity. We have endeavoured to get a night shelter up and running, however due to lack of suitable premises, this has not been successful. West Berkshire Council are not in favour of our launching a Night Shelter as they state their current provision was sufficient, despite 18 sleeping rough, a waiting list for the local hostel and the Emergency Bed Provision only coming into effect in minus temperatures. So far we have just been so lucky with the weather - Erica has met with our new MP and also written to the Council on the many issues that we are facing with the 18 people that are homeless and in tents.
Half way houses - the individuals in our houses are never really going to make a life change - we have supported them for over 5 years and now they have all shown that they can live the way they want to and are happy to continue. To this point, we have managed to move the most of them on and managed to reduce our outgoings by closing down 151 Craven Road. We will aim to close Kennet Place shortly and this will free up the need to hold back funds to ensure we are not insolvent - thus allowing every penny to be fully utilised.
I ask for your prayers for quite a few of our volunteers who are fighting cancer and illness at this time - they have all been instrumental in helping the Charity.
2025 - looking at just being a boutique one shop support charity - who can continue to act with agility, low cost and every pound that is given is spent on doing great work
Erica, Kevin, John and Richard I am so blessed and grateful to you all for allowing Erica to do what she loves to do - to find ways to say YES not NO.
Here is to another year
Catherine Knight Chair
West Berkshire Homeless
Financial Activities
November 2023 - October 2024
| Income Donation Emergency Accommodation Refunded Grants - Direct Non Profit Income Rent received Transferred from 24414264 Total Income Total Expenditures Advertising/Promotional Bank fees Business Expenditures-Fines, Penalties, Judgments council tax emergency accommodation Facilities and Equipment Facilities and Equipment-Property Insurance Facilities and Equipment-Rent, Parking, Utilities Operations-Books, Subscriptions, Reference Operations-Supplies Operations-Telephone, Telecommunications Poverty Fund property and maintenance purchases Rehabilitation Costs Rent paid Repair and maintenance training travel utilities website costs Total Expenditures Net Operating Income Other Expenditures Facilities and Equipment-Donated Facilities Payments to Affiliates Transfer to Bank Account 24414264 Transfer to Bank Account 54096166 Total Other Expenditures Net Other Income Net Income/(Expenditure) |
Total |
|---|---|
| Nov 2023 - Oct 2024 Nov 2022 - Oct 2023 (PY) Change % Change |
|
| 85,459.79 8,977.24 76,482.55 851.96% 31,370.63 31,370.63 15,686.70 47,034.75 - 31,348.05 -66.65% 21,141.01 34,801.27 - 13,660.26 -39.25% 15,743.59 16,655.00 -911.41 -5.47% 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 169,401.72 £ 107,468.26 £ 61,933.46 57.63% |
|
| £ 169,401.72 £ 107,468.26 £ 61,933.46 57.63% 22.99 -22.99 - 100.00% 114.00 114.00 150.00 200.20 -50.20 -25.07% 4,513.71 4,941.68 -427.97 -8.66% 44,964.24 11,987.89 32,976.35 275.08% 158.99 158.99 989.97 1,885.90 -895.93 -47.51% 20.00 20.00 122.40 122.40 25.00 -25.00 - 100.00% 777.20 1,160.70 -383.50 -33.04% 69,994.97 21,825.17 48,169.80 220.71% 4,443.15 1,316.00 3,127.15 237.63% 655.99 1,197.32 -541.33 -45.21% 6,115.00 -6,115.00 - 100.00% 40,854.50 40,045.20 809.30 2.02% 813.72 780.37 33.35 4.27% 35.00 80.00 -45.00 -56.25% 1,940.95 1,601.71 339.24 21.18% 12,132.32 16,625.14 -4,492.82 -27.02% 462.19 237.66 224.53 94.48% |
|
| £ 183,143.30 £ 110,047.93 £ 73,095.37 66.42% |
|
| -£ 13,741.58 -£ 2,579.67 -£ 11,161.91 - 432.69% 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 30.00 £ 0.00 £ 30.00 |
|
| -£ 30.00 £ 0.00 -£ 30.00 |
|
| -£ 13,771.58 -£ 2,579.67 -£ 11,191.91 - 433.85% |
Friday, Jan 10, 2025 11:33:34 am GMT0 - Cash Basis
Reviewed by Dave Carter ACMA/CGMA
20/01/2025
I, David Carter confirm I have carried out an Independent review of the above FinanciaI Statement to 31st October 2024 and confirm the statement is a true representation of the Financial affairs of West Berkshire Homeless Charity.
As part of my review, I was made aware of the payment issues experienced during the year and the consequent changes to payment procedures. Whilst this did not affect the reported numbers above it does give concern to the adequacy of the Internal controls on the bank account.
Trustees should give further thought to implementing further changes to minimize any such issues in the future.
West Berkshire Homeless Balance Sheet
As of October 31, 2024
Total
| Fixed Asset Total Fixed Asset Cash at bank and in hand Cash on hand Cash on Hand 2 petty cash Total Cash at bank and in hand Net current assets Net current assets (liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets (liabilities) Charity funds Opening Balance Equity Retained Earnings Surplus/(Deficit) Total Charity funds Bank Balance @ 31 October 2024 |
38,322.32 0.00 0.00 £ 38,322.32 £ 38,322.32 £ 38,322.32 £ 38,322.32 £ 38,322.32 10,300.83 41,793.07 -13,771.58 £ 38,322.32 38322.32 |
|---|---|