Whitchurch Men In Sheds Annual Report 2023 to 2024 Registered Charity No 1179267
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document:
Charitable Objectives: For the public benefit, the preservation and protection of good health among people in Whitchurch and the surrounding area, through the provision of facilities for hobbies, recreation and practical interests, skills sharing and learning and conducting community-based projects.
Overview of the Charity: The Whitchurch Shed offers workshop space and tools including tools larger than used in most home workshops. Members decide which projects that they do. These include projects for members, individuals and community organisations.
It is an open entry Shed with no qualification criteria, although, applicants must be responsible for their own care and the safety of themselves and others. The premises are accessed via a staircase thus prohibiting some of those of a less mobile disposition .
These are the main areas of public benefit undertaken by the Shed.
-
To learn and share skills and interest, swap ideas and pass on knowledge.
-
Work on projects that will aid the community and develop a sense of achievement.
-
Provide a venue where members can meet, relax and share concerns and discuss issues.
-
Use machine and other tools on more challenging projects
-
Promote physical and mental well-being and meet visitors to the Shed.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
All current Whitchurch Shed Trustees have read and taken note
of the Commission’s public benefit guidance and have regard to it when making decisions and exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance as relevant.
Policy on Social Investment including programme related investment :
Whitchurch Shed is proud to be associated with the Social Prescribing network where Primary Health Practitioners refer appropriate individuals to the Shed to develop self-esteem and counter the effects of social isolation.
Contribution made by volunteers
The Whitchurch Shed has no employees and is run completely
by Volunteer Members. Two of whom have attended a de-fibrillator training course. One member is a certified Mental Health First Aider.
Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries:
Members can choose to work on personal projects for individual use and also community based, usually more complex activities.
We have recently completed
-
A bespoke hardwood free standing notice board for a local parish church
-
In the region of 20 bird and bat boxes for Shropshire Wildlife Trust
-
Countless turned wood items from 2 lathes, some sold for club funds
1 of 3
Whitchurch Men In Sheds Annual Report 2023 to 2024 Registered Charity No 1179267
-
We have established a presence in the town’s annual Blackberry Fair
-
We have engaged with the Community Connector’s Network
-
We are listed in the Shropshire Services Directory
-
A flight simulator cockpit for the local Air Cadets
-
A mud kitchen for local infants’ school
-
We repurposed a lady’s dining table into a coffee table so she could take it to her new, smaller, house
General
Whitchurch Shed has in the region of 30 paying members paying £10 per quarter to access all aspects of the Shed. We are an inclusive Shed and currently have 5 female members. The Shed is housed in a old Tesco warehouse as tenants of a modern-day Christian fellowship’s Church.
We have specialist members who lead on woodworking, electronics and software engineering skills.
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The charity has maintained its finances at almost the same level as at the end of the previous year.
Governance of the Shed
Type of governing document: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Association Constitution
The Shed is governed by a committee of 6 Member Trustees with a Treasurer and Secretary. Communication with the wider membership is via email. An Annual General Meeting is held in the second week of each February with the minutes of that meeting emailed to all registered members
The charity is constituted as a: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered 2017
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees: Elected by members at Annual General Meeting (AGM) The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed, or as an additional charity trustee, provided that the limit on the number of charity trustees as detailed in the Constitution is not exceeded. The number of Whitchurch Shed Trustees over the period has not exceeded the constitutional requirements.
Charity name Whitchurch Men in Shed (Shropshire) Other name the charity uses The Whitchurch Shed (Working name) Registered charity number Charity number: 1179267
Charity’s principal address The Watergate Centre, Castle Street, Whitchurch, SY13 1DW
2 of 3
Whitchurch Men In Sheds Annual Report 2023 to 2024 Registered Charity No 1179267
The above report has been approved by the Trstees.
3 of 3