Registered charity number: 1182123 6 Park Road, Esher, KT10 8NP 

## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2022** 

## **List of Trustees during the financial year and term of office:** 

- Anne Emmins 

- Simon Rogers (Chair) 

- Sherry Secker 

## **Governance administration:** 

The Besom in Esher is a CIO constituted in the CIO foundation Constitution dated 19 Feb 2019. 

## **How its trustees are appointed and trained** 

Trustees are appointed by existing trustees at the Board Meetings. 

## **How the charity’s decision-making processes work.** 

The Besom in Esher holds quarterly meetings where main decisions are discussed and agreed upon. 

## **Objectives** 

The objects of the CIO are the relief of poverty, financial and other hardships to persons in the Borough of Elmbridge through the distribution of gifts of household items, and the carrying out of decorating and gardening projects to meet their needs. 

## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit** 

The organisation exists to provide a bridge between those who want to give time, money, skills or possessions and those in need. It is focused on doing this in the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey. Those in need are frequently referred by social workers in Elmbridge and Surrey and these needs are then matched with those willing to give. In organising and carrying out the work of the charity the Trustees have read the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The Trustees are confident that the work of the Charity fulfils these requirements. 

## **Main achievements through the year:** 

The previous year’s ‘Operational Pause’ period finished in early Spring as a new member joined the core team to assist with the weekly operations and admin tasks, relieving the time burden from other members. 

Our level of support was lower than the previous year, partly due to issues with the van. We aided 33 individuals and families with furniture, white goods and household items during the year. Our van runs were regularly disrupted by the van breaking down in extreme cold and in need of big repairs. The Core team asked the Trustees to plan to replace the van in the next financial year. Relationships with many Social Workers (existing and new) continued to flourish. 

Participation in projects was infrequent and fresh strategy and resources are under review to raise our profile amongst local church congregations. Our annual Christmas Hamper project went ahead 



with increased time-givers involved in doorstep deliveries. The distribution of 33 luxury food hampers to all the recipients we worked with in the year was achieved by more individuals from local churches giving their time to deliver directly. 

Progress moved forward, albeit slowly, to secure more permanent premises in Hersham Cemetery (Chapel and Mortuary Building) with leasing negotiations with Elmbridge County Council continuing. 

Implementation of a Safeguarding Policy remains ongoing with plans for Safeguarding for Trustees training course booked early in 2023. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The Besom in Esher relies on donations from individuals and churches and its activity levels are determined to a large extent by the availability of the funding and time given by volunteers. 

Total Income was reduced by around 16% compared to 2021 with a reduction in smaller donations from individuals. The support from local churches remains consistent. We also received a one-off large donation from an individual with a request that it should be used for capital projects only, such as work to new premises if obtained or towards a replacement Van. 

Direct Giving Costs were reduced when compared with 2021 mainly due to a reduction in White goods, which had been high in 2021. Administration costs were broadly similar to 2022. 

Financial planning began in 2022 with the expectation of signing a lease for premises with Elmbridge Borough Council in 2023. 

## **Financial Summary 1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022:** 

|Donations from churches|£4,690.87|
|---|---|
|Donations from individuals<br>(Restricted Funds)|£3,997.50|
|Donations from individuals|£1,380.00|
|Donations from others|£280.00|
|Total Receipts|£10,348.37|
|||
|Payments||
|Direct Costs|£3,433.65|
|Overheads|£4,068.37|





|Total Expenditure|£7,502.02|
|---|---|
|||
|Assets||
|Total Assets and Reserves|£18,101.23|



## **Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees** 

## **Simon Rogers**