Shirley Men’s Shed
Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2021
Origins and objectives
Shirley Men’s Shed (“the Shed”) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, formally established on 1 October 2018. It was initiated by members of St James Road Methodist Church and stands independently from the Church.
The objects of the Shed are to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing men aged 18 or over, within Shirley and the surrounding area, from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet to undertake creative, physical or recreational activities, learn or pass on skills and knowledge, and support each other socially.
The trustees during the year to 30 September 2021 were Peter Hill, Hugh Evans, Brian Hooper, Cliff Rolfe and Carl Langley. Also on the Committee were Colin Lockwood, Yolanda Zaptia, Andy Blunsden and Tony Wood.
Development in the year to 30 September 2021
The main development in the year, after the eventual signing of our lease in October 2020, was the purchase and assembly of a larger shed in June 2021, facilitated by our fundraising activities and a grant from the National Lottery.
Activity in the year to 30 September 2021
We started the year with a sponsored walk, in awful weather conditions, which raised over £1500 for the Shed.
Most of the year was under Covid-19 pandemic conditions and we met virtually, via Zoom. Much of what needed to be done was administrative, so it was not greatly delayed by the pandemic. That included obtaining planning permission and building regulations approval, arranging for receiving Gift Aid, and developing policies on risk assessment, safeguarding and other matters. Work on site also had to await funding, and our first large bid for a grant was unsuccessful. The next bid was successful and, with donations and fundraising, we were able to place orders for a concrete base and a fullsize shed, which was built in June 2021.
Our main activity for the rest of the year was to work on the new shed. We painted the concrete floor, fitted an emergency exit in the fence, connected mains water, laid a level path from the gate to the door, built temporary shelving and benches, and started to put in roof insulation.
When allowed, we continued to meet on Monday mornings to work on the shed, and restarted meeting on Thursday mornings, at the shed. The Thursday sessions included work on the shed but also had a social side, as we were able to welcome new, less physically fit, members.
On the last day of our year, 30 September, we received the very good news that our further bid to the National Lottery was successful, which was mainly to fund a power supply.
A formal membership scheme started just before the pandemic restrictions came into force, with 12 membership cards issued. Recruitment was not a priority after that but two people sought us out and joined informally in the summer.
Finance
The financial position over the year is attached as an Appendix.
Despite our lack of workshop facilities, products such as bug hotels and bird boxes generated some income. Our main income, however, came from fund raising, donations, subscriptions and grants. None of the Trustees or members received payment from the Shed.
Future intentions
In the coming year, our primary aim is to bring the shed into regular and full use, enabling us to further our objectives.
Brian Hooper Trustee and Secretary
4 January 2022
| Shirley Men's Shed Accounts October 2020- September 2021 | |||||
| Balance brought forward | £3,456.74 | ||||
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| Dona%ons | £4,675.32 | ||||
| Subs | £539.54 | ||||
| Sales | £471.39 | ||||
| Grants | £1,000.00 | £11,831.00 | |||
| Gi= aid | £375.00 | ||||
| total | £7,061.25 | £11,831.00 | £18,892.25 | ||
| Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| Siteprepara%on | £1,657.31 | ||||
| Capital | £6,553.85 | £11,831.00 | |||
| LA charges | £335.00 | ||||
| Insurance | £281.29 | ||||
| Sundries | £49.43 | ||||
| Total | £8,876.88 | £11,831.00 | £20,707.88 | ||
| Balance at 30th | September 2021 | £1,641.11 | |||
| PeIy cash | £87.72 | ||||
| Bank balance | £1,553.39 | ||||
| check | £1,641.11 |
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