## **Open House Bedford Trustees’ Annual Report** 

## **Year ended 30th September 2023** 

The trustees present their report and the unaudited accounts of the charity for the year ended 30[th] September, 2023. 

## **Registered Charity name: Open House Bedford** 

## **Charity Registration Number: 1180204 Location of Principal Office:** 

St Mark’s Church Community Centre 

Calder Rise 

Bedford 

MK41 7UY 

## **The Trustees** 

Mrs Morag Stewart (for 4 years, extended for further 3 years to October 2026) 

Mrs Lynne Seymour (3 years, extended for further 3 years to October 2024) 

Mrs Laura Farthing (2 years, extended for further 3 years to October 2023) 

Revd Jennie Cappleman (2 years, extended for 3 years to October 2023) 

Mr Michael Cooper (for 3 years to October 2023) 

## **Structure, Governance and Management,** 

The charity was registered on 5[th] October 2018, as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and the trustees were appointed for the above terms.  There have been no changes to the membership of the Trustees since the last annual report.  Michael continues to be the safeguarding lead for Open House. 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

The key objective of Open House Bedford: 

To provide relief of sickness and the preservation of health of people with Learning Disabilities residing permanently or temporarily in Bedford Borough, by the provision of day centre facilities for learning, social engagement and recreational activities. 

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We do this by: 

- providing a range of activities and experiences which promote: 

- independence, dignity, self-confidence and respect for self and others 

- physical and mental health and wellbeing - 

- social interaction 

- providing opportunities to extend knowledge and learn new skills 

Since resuming in August 2022, Open House has been going from strength to strength with about 20 clients attending each session, some accompanied by their carer.  We have been successful in attracting some new clients this year and although there is a wide range of disabilities, the club strives to meet their varied needs. 

The session continues to run for four hours with a break at midday for everyone to enjoy their packed lunch.  The format of the session remains largely unchanged with regular activities including our ‘circle of news’, gentle exercise, physical activity, crafts and this year clients have enjoyed more singing and musical activities.  In addition to our regular schedule, there have been some special events and theme days including: 

October – bulb planting 

November – Remembrance Day crafts and Children in Need 

December – Christmas crafts and Christmas party 

January – Chinese New Year 

February – Valentines Day and Pancake Day, making fat balls for the birds 

March – Easter activities 

May – Coronation activities 

June – painting Open House planters and sewing cosmos seeds 

August – Line dancing 

September - coffee morning and raffle which raised £124.57p for Macmillan. 

We created our outdoor Open House garden this year.  One of our volunteers made planters which the group enjoyed painting and the clients planted tomato plants and cosmos seeds.  Throughout the Summer and Autumn we all enjoyed a colourful display of flowers and an abundance of tomatoes. 

## **Financial Review** 

The unaudited financial statements show net income over expenditure for the year totalling £6,465.78.  The charity holds funds of £21,120.59.  Of this, £8,033.91 is restricted funds for purchasing specific items to support the club and £13,086.68 unrestricted funds to support day to day running costs and activities. £542.67 has been spent on our insurance premium, website and essential expenditure. Fundraising during the year raised £10,000 in grants for 

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which we are very grateful.  This additional funding has put us in a much stronger financial position. 

## **Future Plans** 

A priority for last year was to secure a paid leader for Open House.  We were not able to find a suitable candidate and the Trustees decided to continue to run the club with volunteers as this was working very well.  This arrangement will be reviewed at regular intervals. 

We have an excellent group of volunteers, with different strengths and areas of expertise which contributes to the smooth running of the club.  We are very grateful for their ongoing commitment and the huge contribution they make to Open House.  Although we have sufficient volunteers, there are times during holiday periods when it would be helpful to have a few more people we could call on to help.  We will continue to try and attract more volunteers. 

Our focus this year is to place greater emphasis on the provision of training for our volunteers.   A priority will be to ensure that everyone has completed their safeguarding training. 

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Charity Registration Number 1180204 

Open House Bedford Unaudited Financial 

Statements Year Ending 30 September 2023 



## Open House Bedford Balance Sheet for year 

||2022/2023|2021/2022|
|---|---|---|
|Current Assets|||
|Cash in Hand|190.83|305.10|
|CAF Bank Account|20,929.76|14,349.71|
|ending 30/09/2023|||
||21,120.59|14,654.81|
|Debtors Loans and prepayments|||
|Creditors and provisions|||
||21,120.59|14,654.81|
|Represented by|||
|Brought forward from previous year|14,654.81|15,576.85|
|Excess of Income over expenditure|6,465.78|-922.04|
||21,120.59|14,654.81|
|Funds of the Charity|||
|Restricted Funds|8,033.91|8,033.91|
|Unrestricted Funds|13,086.68|6,620.90|
|Total Charity Funds|21,120.59|14,654.81|



## Independent Examiners Report 

I have examined the books of the Charity and agree that the Income and Expenditure Account for the year and the 

Balance Sheet presented above give a true and fair representation of the financial position 

Signed Mr J Williams Dated 

Open House Bedford is a registered charity number 1180204 



|Open House Bedford<br>Income and Expenditure Account for year ending 30/09/2023<br>Income<br>Day Centre Donations<br>Other Donations<br>Grants (1)<br>Other income<br>Total Incoming Resources<br>Expenditure<br>Day Centre Service Provider<br>Day Centre Supplies<br>Day Centre Room Rental<br>Activity Items<br>Fundraising Expenses<br>Misc Expenses<br>Total Resources Expended<br>Income Less Expenditure|2022/2023<br>2021/2022<br>E<br>1,235.75<br>194.00<br>10,000.00<br>28.99<br>6.09<br>11,264.74<br>200.09<br>908.14<br>234.56<br>1,626.24<br>184.80<br>1,021.91<br>89.65<br>700.00<br>542.67<br>613.12<br>4,798.96<br>1,122.13<br>6,465.78<br>-922.04<br>11,264.74<br>200.09|
|---|---|





## Notes 


Open House Bedford is a registered charity number 1180204