Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 30/09/2020 Period start date To 30/09/2021 Period end date
Charity name: Help A Squaddie
Charity registration number: 1182523
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Our aim is to help develop the capacity and skills of the socially and economically disadvantaged community of ex-military and their families within the Staffordshire and South Derbyshire area. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
1. Organised regular successful drop-in sessions for veterans. 2. Rehoused a number of homeless veterans. 3. Intervened successfully in suicide interventions through our veterans helpline. 4. Organised bushcraft/Gardening and magnet fishing activities. 5. Assisted veterans in household items. 6. Assisted veterans with children to purchase Christmas gifts for their children. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We have had regard to the guidance issued for public benefit and have met this by facilitating Drop in sessions, running a mental health helpline and veterans foodbank. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers have helped run regular drop-in sessions for veterans and their families and run a successful veterans food bank as well as walking and other outdoor activities. We have started making plans to train more volunteers in Military MHFA so they have a better understanding of the issues that veterans face. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | 2021 saw veterans face many challenges with The Covid pandemic still affecting the whole world and mental health conditions worsening but nothing could of prepared us for the fallout of from the fall of Afghanistan. We were successful in running online sessions and when the country opened up we restarted our drop in sessions which were welcomed by all. Our helpline was busier than ever and we were able to offer comfort and support to veterans in crisis. We also assisted police and paramedics in similar situations. Case Studies M was referred via Tils. He was sofa surfing with his young daughter and his mental health was suffering as a result. We assisted him with his housing application and supported him while permanent housing was found. Once this was secured we assisted him to furnish his daughters bedroom and offered further support when needed. B came to us via a call to our helpline, he was homeless and hadn’t eaten for a number of days. We arranged food for the short term, we then secured accommodation for him and offered ongoing support. |
J came to our attention via the local council and police. He had recently been discharged from hospital after suicidal thoughts and Alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, J was not a priority for our local council even though he was having severe withdrawals from alcohol, he was asked to leave council funded accommodation after a few nights and this was done at very short notice so we had to act extremely fast to signpost J to suitable accommodation in Liverpool. We transported J via train under our supervision due to his health condition at the time, Once there we paid a months rent up front and paid for food and other essential items. Other Activities We have managed to run regular dropping sessions for veterans and their families as well as outdoor activities which included walking cycling magnet fishing and camping. Our veteran’s food bank has been successful in securing funding for the next 12 months we also have a fantastic relationship with our local Morrisons who regularly donate food. Help A Squaddies Christmas appeal was a huge success and we managed to help over 50 families with things such as Christmas food and gifts for their children.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity has been affected by the pandemic financially although we are financially sound. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statingwhytheyare held |
Para 1.22 | We aim to keep £20000 in reserve at all times so we can keep the charity running efficiently and cover all our overheads. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £20000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | We like many other charities have faced uncertainties financially because of the impact of the covid 19 pandemic. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Various grants and fundraising events/activities. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | None at this time. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable incorporated organisation with constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Any New Trustee is selected by current board of trustees and the CEO. We are constantly trying to find any gaps in the skillset of the board and we will advertise through our local support organisation Support Staffordshire if and when needed. We ask for references and previous experience of a trustees role. We also prefer to have trustees with lived experience of Veterans issues. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Help A Squaddie |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1182523 |
| Charity’s principal address | 11 Anson Street Rugeley Staffordshire WS152BG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Urquhart | Chairperson | |||
| Mike Aston | ||||
| Martin Jackson | ||||
| Eben Tatam | ||||
| Ayden Fessey | Treasurer | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Cameron Urquhart Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 23/03/21
Income and Ex 1st Octo ndl re Account mber 2021 Incomg Collection, Donations & Events Sales Fundraising Donation from Staffordshire Regiment Prior year adjuslmenl to income Resliicted Income 3.770.78 5.582.98 5.990.05 4,710.86 314.30 1,500.00 3.413.36 18,650.C 20,000.00 £37.407.17 £26,526.16 Exyndfturo Officè Costs Cllent Dropln Centre EquipmenVFund Ralsing co$t$ Client Support Restricted Fun¢Js Spent Insurance Trainin9 & Subscriptions Post, printing & statsonery Workwear Accounts Travel co818 Equipment for Office Web¥ile Other 966.05 1,463.51 3.11940 3,414.85 18,173.92 936.52 628.22 1.310.83 33.950.54 248.18 0.00 201.03 305.83 540.00 620.30 299.48 107.18 38.98 723.57 29.47 168.00 240.00 278.03 446.84 251.31 29.89 £29,304.84 £39,183.06 8urplu• I ID•flclt) £8.102.3J £12,667.89 Current Account Opening 8alance as Surplus I IDefi¢itl for the Year Movement Summary 1 Oct 2020 39.625.91 8.102.33 É47.728.24 52,283.80 12,857.89 £39,626.91 Current Account Closing 8alance a8 Debtor Owed to Kerry Urquhart 30 Sept 2021 47,573.24 200.00 45.00 £47,728.24 43,345.31 -306.24 £43,039.07 Funds Summa Restricted Funds - Lotto Reslrided Funds - Govemment Restricted Funds - J Jukes Garden Restricted Fund$ - One$top Unreslricled Funds 13.82S.99 3.592.16 SS.93 199.71 30,054.25 £47.728.04 28,484.56 4,857.71 55.93 199.71 8,028.00 £39.625.91 NTANT The abgve Income & Expenditure account for thg year ending 301h September 2021 has been prepared wthout full audrt from books, records, infrymth'¢)n and explanation8 Supplied and is in accordanrE therevth ntsn Ltrl.
Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru8ts0s1 memborn of Helpa-squaddie On accounts for the year endod 30th September 2021 Charlty no (If any) 1182523 Respectlve The charity's trustees a responsible for the pparatIon of the account8. rnsponslbllltles of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trust* •nd examln•r under seclion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charrties Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to.. examine the a¢Unts urKIw 8edion 145 of th• Chantw Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Chanty Commission (under section 145{51(b) of the Charities Ad, and to state whèther particular matter8 have come to my attention. Basls of Indop•ndent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given •xaminef s statemeirt by the Charrty CommissFon. An examinalion includes a review of the accounting record8 kept by the charrty and a comparison of the account8 presented wrth th08e records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanalions from the truslees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is grven as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the Statement bolow. Independont In connection wrth my examination. no matter has come to my attention •xam1noS •tatomont lother than that disclosed below "} 1. which gives me reasonable cau88 to believe that in, any matorial respect, the requirements". to keep accounting records in accordance with s•ction 130 of the Chafities Act: and to prepare account$ which accord with the accounting records and comply wrth the acUntIng requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or 2. to which, in my opinion. 8tterrtion should be dravm in order to enabk proper understanding of the accounts to b8 reached. . He8se delete the )rdS in the br8ck8ts rfthey do not apply. Slgn•d: Date: 10th March 2021 Name: Midfael James MJ Accountancy Ltd Addrnss: Suites 2 & 3 Bow Street Chamber 'A Bow Street Rugeley. Staffs WS15 28T IER Alah 2012