TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2024
List of Trustees during the financial year and term of office:
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Simon Rogers (Chair)
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Anne Emmins
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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: 2024 Activities and Developments
During 2024, The Besom in Esher continued to serve individuals and families across Elmbridge through the provision of furniture, household goods, and practical help. Our work again demonstrated how prayer and generosity combine to meet local needs in tangible ways. We accepted 59 referrals from local agencies, and we supported people moving into new accommodation after personal crises, ill health and setting up home for the first time.
Supporting Needs in the Community
The need for beds and household furniture remained significant, with bed poverty a continuing theme. Donated items such as bed frames, mattresses, and household essentials were matched to those in need—often within days of prayer.
We saw referrals increase by over 60% from the previous year and the complexity of need often increased also. Insurance restrictions again prevented the reuse of second-hand white goods, meaning we purchased new appliances where there was no other option.
Van Operations and Volunteer Commitment
Our Time Givers continued regular van runs throughout the year, collecting and delivering items to those in need. Despite our van requiring major repair work after foxes damaged its wiring, volunteers adapted brilliantly—using their own cars and resources to ensure deliveries continued. We are deeply grateful for the creativity, flexibility and commitment of our volunteers who faithfully serve week after week.
Special thanks also go to those who offered sewing, DIY, and administrative support. Their behind-the-scenes work—such as making and fitting curtains, or managing referrals—greatly enhanced the reach and responsiveness of our ministry.
Premises and Building Works
A key milestone in 2023 was securing the lease of our permanent home at Hersham Cemetery. In 2024, we made significant progress transforming these buildings into a welcoming operational base. The Chapel was renovated and decorated to serve as a multifunctional meeting and worship space, with new infrared heating installed to make it usable throughout the year. Drainage repairs and works to the internal ceiling of the store were also completed.
During the year we spent £6,727 on these building works. Additional costs were incurred for lighting and power—new overheads that come with having premises of our own. These improvements were funded through generous restricted gifts from a few individual donors and one of our supporting churches specifically for capital expenditure.
Further building projects are planned for 2025 to refurbish the mortuary store, add a small kitchen and WC, and create improved racking and flooring for storage. We continue to pray for additional funds and for a project organiser who can oversee the next phase of the work.
Christmas Hamper Project and Community Engagement
Our annual Christmas Hamper initiative once again brought joy and encouragement to those we had supported throughout the year. Over 40 luxury hampers were distributed by an increased number of volunteers from local churches. Recipients expressed deep gratitude, with one heartfelt message describing the hampers as “a tangible link between donors and recipients” and a reminder that “we are not as isolated as we sometimes feel.”
SAFEGUARDING
No safeguarding issues were raised.
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 funding, as well as the time given by volunteers.
Total donations from individuals were broadly stable in 2024 when compared to the previous year. The ongoing support from local churches and individuals remains consistent and we received a significant donation from a supporting church with the restriction of it being used for capital expenditure in the form of building works to our new leased property.
Direct Giving Costs were broadly similar to 2023. Motor Vehicle expenses were increased due to damage caused to wiring of the van by foxes. We experienced additional costs associated with the new premises, such as lighting and power, that we had not incurred before. We also spent £6,727 on building works, which consisted of:
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Renovating and decorating the chapel internally to create a meeting place.
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Drainage Repairs
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Infrared heating was also installed in the chapel to make it useable all year round.
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Works to the internal ceiling of the store.
Further building projects are planned to refurbish the store and to add a WC and small kitchen.
Funds spent on Building Works come from Restricted Donations given specifically for this purpose and not from general donations.
NOTE: The van was damaged by foxes and repaired in May 2024. Foxes also attacked the van wiring again in late December 2024. This was reported to the Insurance company at the end of December 2024 but the case was not resolved until January 2025 when the van was written off due to the damage. But as this claim was not settled until 20th January 2025 it is not included in the 2024 accounts.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - 1 JAN 2024 - 31 DEC 2024:
| Income and Expenditure Summary | |
|---|---|
| 1. Income | £ |
| Donations from churches(unrestricted) | 1,200 |
| Donations from churches(restricted) | 12,542 |
| Donations from individuals(unrestricted) | 700 |
| Donations from individuals(restricted) | 1,350 |
| Gift Aid Recovered | 337 |
| Investment Income(bank interest) | 109 |
| Total Income | 16,238 |
| 2. Expenditure | £ |
| Charitable activities – direct costs | 1,932 |
| Support and administrative costs | 4,998 |
| Buildingworks(restricted funds) | 6,727 |
| Depreciation on Motor Vehicles | 3,256 |
| Total Expenditure | 16,913 |
| Balance Sheet Summary | £ |
| Fixed Assets - Motor Vehicle | 16284 |
| Less: Accumulated Depreciation on Motor Vehicles | (3,256) |
| Net book value | 13,028 |
| Current Assets | 17,266 |
| Creditors: amounts fallingdue within oneyear | (146) |
| Net Assets | 30,148 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
Simon Rogers (Chair)
Dated 29 October 2025
Besom In Esher | Registered charity number: 1182123 ℅ 6 Park Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8NP