ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23
Recycling furniture, electrical & household goods for re-use in the community
Helping to meet the needs of low-income families in Shropshire since 1994
Reducing the amount that ends up in landfill every year.
Warehouse: Unit 9b Hartley Business Centre, Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 5ST
Reg Charity No: 1179323
Tel: 01743 246668
Shop: 27/28 Castle Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 2BQ
Tel: 01743 236382
OVERVIEW
The Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme is a registered charity which began in 1994. Our aim was to provide affordable, second-hand furniture to lowincome families in the Shrewsbury area. Since our inception, we have come a long way. We have now grown to cover a larger portion of the Shropshire area, We now supply furniture and white goods through the local council as well as through our warehouse and shop. We employ several volunteers who generously give up their time to support us in our objectives. A number of them have gone on to get jobs within the wider community and have gained confidence and skills to take with them. We are proud to have been a part of their journey.
THE CHARITY'S OBJECTIVES:
To relieve poverty and to protect and preserve the environment, by:
Providing assistance for those in genuine need or distressed persons resident in Shrewsbury and surrounding area, by the provision to them of essential furniture, electrical and other household items.
Collecting donated items for checking, repairing, refurbishing, storage and subsequent supply.
Recycling, re-using and repairing / upcycling furniture, household and electrical goods which would otherwise be disposed of in landfill.
Empowering the unemployed and others with additional needs, providing them with opportunities to acquire and practice skills, both to gain confidence and contribute to the community by establishing volunteer training schemes to undertake repair and refurbishment for recycling, thus providing essential training to facilitate re-entry to the workplace.
Educating and informing the public about sustainable lifestyles and the benefits to the community of recycling, re-use and environmentally friendly waste management
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
A board of trustees, elected annually at the AGM, oversees the running of the charity, which employs three full time & four part time staff.
Willie Strachan (Chair), Neil Bryant (Treasurer), Mike Hall, Graham Baker, Rosi Pearson, Margaret Roberts
ACTING CHAIR'S REPORT
The year 2022/23 was one of consolidation following the pandemic conditions of 2020 and 2021. We now have a good base from which to push forward and help those experiencing ‘cost of living’ problems in our current economic situation. The financial position showed an increase in sales across the warehouse and shop and with the support of a grant we recorded a deficit of £12,522. We are grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their grant of £10,000.
Despite the deficit, the charity has £94,361 in cash reserves, which provides a healthy buffer to allow us to plan ahead with confidence.
We are further developing and benefiting from our electronic systems introduced in 2021. Deliveries and collections are managed and planned online improving our logistical operations. Sales and customer databases are recorded, whilst an array of administrative tasks are maintained, including, pricing, staff holidays and accounting records.
The shop continues to perform well and contribute to the charity financially. We have continued our upcycling project whereby items of furniture that may be considered ‘difficult to sell’ but with potential for renewal have been revived and refreshed to provide goods that are attractive and extremely popular. These items which may have been destroyed now have a second life.
We have negotiated a new lease at our existing town centre shop in Shrewsbury showing commitment to the scheme and Shrewsbury.
We are further developing our social media presence and also show some of the goods which are on offer. This is proving successful and is our further shop window into the charity and its aims.
Thanks must go to our wonderful volunteers at both the warehouse and the shop who have generously given in excess of 8,000 hours of their time to support the charity, and to the employees and trustees who all help to ensure that the Scheme provides essential support to those less fortunate within our community.
We must also thank the residents of Shrewsbury, Shropshire and beyond who have donated household goods. We have made over 800 deliveries and over 900 collections.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Mel Pilliner, who stood down as Chairperson and Trustee in December. Mel has been involved for many years as Trustee, Secretary and Chair and has given great support to the charity. We will miss her enthusiasm, perception and wisdom.
VOLUNTEERS
Shaun Haynes John Pritchard Caroline Turner Lisbeth Jones
Pete Edwards Barrie Love Dave Parsons Rob Parker Les Jones Lyn Bowley Richard Lawley Alan Sayce
SMREWSBUAY FIMINITURE SOIE Ih]me Essentlals RECEIPIS AND PAYMElm AcC1X$0fft THE ItAAÉNDED31t•lARCN 202> SHOP JLO> 4COME Sales 5L995.16 m710.96 123,716.21 365.75 lo6,617 2C8.03 c)lL tucfflaMrusJobRotonthirbSch riel'verythar825 Other Gnts Sxwl FuTrJ 6,2Lll.9) 3.214.43 4C(p). 7391.1)) 3.393ts2 3,393.82 iO,C(wJ.O) 11429.0) IL429.11) Total 78.183.83 70,722.96 148.9)6.79 L32.551.63 Purchases forlte5a Ew5 5Y5reiii L102.61 1.79).48 33,11.0• l832.88 3.862.63 V52.$1 847.rfs 77.581.95 1.079.98 1.079.98 20.071_74 19J16.10 39.397.81 1710.65 2,710.65 75_Z3 7J67.46 7.442.69 643.42 6LW.78 V51.20 924XJ 713.71 1,638.51 S7.014_ 3L936.(0 88.950.98 172_47 69 241.77 7.4t4).39 7,4thJ.39 Llll.24 2S4.ts) 1,368.24 1.160.29 1.160.29 157.21 315.38 368S4 1,593.9) 2,426.79 707.26 739.29 1.243.81 L759.81 Servre tharye EGas & wèier Towoie PrlSe5 Mai stsff Wales v(nteer exFerts VApeDsE5 rGwarKe 31.98 3x46 Wortthop Postsge. prkn1iwaNlststry Mr PrDfe5sKNMI Ftes Ckani 158.17 L22S.36 2.42&79 I407.27 912. 505.27 70726 X6.97 75152 533.32 492.29 8VCard Charyes VAT¢up L2W.93 iU.79 93.333_10 66J36.87 161,429.n 133,403.01 IiW1991 18SL311 TcéalfurthaiOI.01.22 I(1.02 107,73S.•) Cash fund5* 11.f&2a 94,361.03 l(W.02
SHREWSBURY FURNITURE SCHEME Hixne Essentiats STATEMENT OF A55ETS AND UABIUTIES AT 31 MARCH 2023 CASH FUNDS Cash at Bank 94,284.55 Petty Cash 76.48 94,361.03 ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARifY's OWN USE Cost Current Value Vans Equipment Racking Shop fittings 43,724.68 35.773.21 4,752.40 3,270.59 8,862.00 481.00 5.35 246.25 87.520.88 9.S94.60
Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme – Home Essentials
Year ended 31 March 2023
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme – Home Essentials
I report on the attached accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 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 you as 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 next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
D C Blofield BSc FCA Independent examiner
Emstrey House
Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY2 6LG
30 May 2023
OPENING TIMES Monday-Friday 10am-4pm www.shrewsbury furniturescheme.com furniturescheme@outlook.com 01743246668