2023-09-30-accounts - Help A Squaddie

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 30/09/2022 Period start date To 30/09/23 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. Provided Fresh/ambient Food Parcels and provided online food shops for veterans and their families. 2. Assisted veterans in Mental Health Crisis with emergency therapy and NHS (Tils) ongoing therapy. 3. Hosted a monthly breakfast for veterans and their families. 4. Opened The Russell Aston Home For Veterans. 5. Organised various water sports activities including canoeing/paddleboarding and a water-based obstacle course. 6. Organised veterans walking and cycling activities. 7. Paid for veterans to attend bushcraft weekends. 8. Provided Christmas gifts and food. 9. Paid for hotels and food for homeless veterans. 10. Provided clothing for veterans. 11. Social care for elderly isolated veterans including transport.
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 as well as opening The Russell Aston Home For Veterans.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers 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	January 2023 The Charity opened The Russell Aston Home For Veterans, with the official opening 24th June 2023 to commemorate the 20th anniversary year of Cpl Russell Astons passing. The home has gone on to provide accommodation to 8 homeless veterans so far, which has led to the property being at full capacity, and now with a waiting list. Case studies J being a young veteran, finding himself homeless sleeping in his car, contacted The Charity via a Social Prescriber from his GP. The Charity provided J with immediate emergency accommodation, also providing emotional and social support. The Charity liaised with the Local Council, and J has gone on to permanent housing, and is now in a better position in his life. S was referred to The Charity by his friend, after S became homeless over night. The local Council provided S accommodation in a hotel, however S hadn’t any cooking facilities. The Charity stepped in and provided meals

daily for 2 months, until S was eventually placed in to permanent accommodation. M rang The Charity Caseworker after he was unfortunately subjected to DV, which led to him having to leave his property immediately for his safety. The Charity housed M and provided strong emotional support day and night, until M felt strong enough to move on to his own home. Support with M is ongoing. R being an elderly veteran became socially isolated, and struggled with anxiety and depression. The Charity visit R weekly and give daily phone calls to ensure that he is well. R now attends social events accompanied by a volunteer for The Charity, with the volunteer providing transport. Recently R was unwell, and The Charity have supported R with his medical appointments.

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	The Charity are now in a fortunate position that the general public and businesses now fundraise on behalf of the charity. We also have our own merchandise.
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
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are 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	None
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	Like All Charities money is uncertain but we now have a steady stream of income.

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	Public fundraising. Business fundraising. National lottery grants. Various other grants. Rental income.
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	No immediate risk.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable incorporated organisation with 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

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Help A Squaddie
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1182523
Charity’s principal address	St Johns Church Hednesford Road, Cannock. WS12 3DZ

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	Chairman
	Ayden Fessey	Treasurer
	Mike Aston

– 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, CEO Chair, etc)

Date 09/06/2024

Help a Squaddie Income and Expenditure Account 1st October 2022 - 30th September 2023

2,896.09 3,396.65 30.00 1,692.52 6,332.64 5,114.56 18,867.89 - 19,320.00 - 339,460.02 66,896.57 - 2022- - 2023-	2,896.09 3,396.65 30.00 1,692.52 6,332.64 5,114.56 18,867.89 - 19,320.00 - 339,460.02 66,896.57 - 2022- - 2023-	2,896.09 3,396.65 30.00 1,692.52 6,332.64 5,114.56 18,867.89 - 19,320.00 - 339,460.02 66,896.57 - 2022- - 2023-
£386,906.64 £77,100.30 12,600.00 0.00 4,056.07 4,167.78 2,384.96 5,202.86 8,099.02 0.00 3,675.57 4,665.21 13,014.54 9,697.88 31,502.85 26,948.03 866.97 246.16 0.00 1,150.00 16.31 5.00 250.00 250.00 0.00 400.00 652.80 1,892.85 0.00 341.29 0.00 265.00 443.96 516.97 904.35 0.00 360.30 207.49
	£78,827.70 £308,078.94 68,872.02 308,078.94 £376,950.96 69,428.76 288.02 600.02 306,880.84 246.68 - £376,950.96 4,429.04 1,454.40 0.00 0.00 8,563.17 728.01 3,164.66 11.28 1,010.47 357,589.93 £376,950.96	£55,956.52
		£21,143.78
		47,728.24 21,143.78
		£68,872.02
		67,540.02 432.00 900.00
		£68,872.02
		9,357.35 3,552.37 55.93 199.71 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 55,706.66
	£376,950.96	£68,872.02

ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT

The above Income & Expenditure account for the year ending 30th September 2023 has been prepared without full audit from books, records, information and explanations supplied and is in accordance therewith.

Rugeley, Staffs 6th June 2024

MJ Accountancy Ltd.

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Help-a-Squaddie On accounts for the year 30[th] September 2023 Charity no 1182523 ended (if any) Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement (other than that disclosed below *)

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Name: Address:	P Johnson	6thJune 2024

	Philippa Johnson

	MJ Accountancy Ltd

	Suites 2 & 3 Bow Street Chamber
	½ Bow Street
	Rugeley, Staffs WS15 2BT

IER

March 2012

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

No other matters arise at this time.

IER

March 2012