2023-12-31-accounts

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TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2023

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

Simon Rogers (Chair)
Anne Emmins
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:

During 2023, we experienced an increase in needs in Elmbridge and received 62 referrals for individuals and families needing assistance with the provision of furniture, white goods and household items and/or painting, clearance or gardening projects.

We continued with regular van runs collecting and delivering items, operated by Time Givers. However as the year progressed our van became increasingly unreliable and eventually was off the road. Time Givers continued to operate using personal cars but this limited the activity.

Only a few projects were undertaken due to low interest from church groups to give time and skills at weekends.

At the start of the summer we received donations to purchase a replacement van. This enabled us to purchase a second hand van, which was only a few years old. This was a real encouragement to our Time Givers and eased the organising of furniture collections and deliveries without the challenges of mechanical issues, costly diagnostics and repairs.

The most significant development during the year was securing the leasehold contract for permanent premises in Hersham Cemetery (Chapel and Mortuary Building). A lease was signed with Elmbridge County Council for an initial period of 5 years at a peppercorn rent. The premises will provide us with a meeting and operational space in the Chapel and a storage unit in the old mortuary building. Having operated as a virtual organisation since our inception to have our own premises will be a significant change. The keys were handed over at the beginning of December. A campaign to raise funds through individual or church donations to implement the remedial works began in earnest in November 2023. Quotations for Building works were sought with plans to begin work in 2024 after clearance and cleaning by volunteers. Further funds will be needed to install amenities such as a cloakroom and kitchenette in the storage unit.

Our annual Christmas Hamper project went ahead with increased time-givers involved in doorstep deliveries. The distribution of 40 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.

SAFEGUARDING

All Trustees attended a Safeguarding for Trustees training course in early 2023. Trustees will work with the national Besom Network to prepare and introduce an induction pack and training for time-givers is needed to ensure that Safeguarding, Risk Assessments and the core values of The Besom are delivered in a consistent way in the coming year. We enjoyed good relationships between the Core Team and our many Social Workers are valued for the high level of trust shared and our care for their clients. We are proud of our hard-earned reputation; with no complaints raised from the public, or within Social Services, and the local network of churches across the Borough.

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, as well as the time given by volunteers.

Total Income was significantly increased for the year as the result of £13,000 being donated specifically for the purchase of a replacement van which came from a local church and an individual donor. The ongoing support from local churches and individuals remains consistent.

Direct Giving Costs were reduced when compared with 2022 mainly due to a reduction in White goods. Administration costs were broadly similar to 2022.

With the signing of a lease with Elmbridge Council we will be budgeting for running costs of the premises which will be mainly electricity and broadband supply from 2024 onwards. Specific funds will also be required for future improvements to the property.

Financial Summary 1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023:

Income and Expenditure
Donations
Donations from churches	£16,259
Donations from individuals	£2,360
Gift Aid Recovered	£487
Donations from others	£775
Total Receipts	£19,881

Payments
Direct Costs	£2,125
Overheads	£5,013
Total Expenditure	£7,138

Balance Sheet
Fixed Assets - Motor Vehicle	£16,284
Current Assets	£15,160
Creditors	(£599)
Net Assets	£30,845

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