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2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the Period from Year ended 31 December 2023

Charity Number 1183290

HOPE CENTRAL Annual Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Contents Pages
Trustees’ Annual Report 2 to 12
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees 13
Statement of Financial Activities 14
Balance Sheet 15
Notes to the Financial Statements 16 to 22

1

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered Charity Name Hope Central Charity Registration Number 1183290

Registered and Principal Office

St Chad’s Parish Church Wilmslow Road Handforth WILMSLOW Cheshire SK9 3ES

The Trustees

The trustees who served throughout the year were as follows:

Mr Chris Murr Rev’d Steve Burmester Rev’d Nigel Atkinson

Mr Ian Robertson

Mr David Allen was appointed as a trustee on 15 May 2023

Following the year end Rev’d Nigel Atkinson retired and Mr Chris Ainsworth was appointed on 8 July 2024.

Bankers

CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill WEST MALLING Kent ME19 4

2

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of Hope Central for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Hope Central is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) formed under a foundation constitution dated 5th March 2019 and registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales on 7th May 2019.

Management structure

A team of staff and volunteers report to the Hope Central Director who is responsible for the day to day running of the charity. Under the guidance of our human resources consultancy Cornerstone HR, we were delighted to promote an internal candidate to the role of Director effective 2[nd] January 2023. The vacancy was advertised internally, and details of the interview process which was fulfilled in December 2022 are contained in the 2022 annual return. Each of the services we offer has a service manager who leads a team of volunteers; these are the Food Banks at Knutsford and Handforth, the Debt Counselling service, the Job club, the Displaced Persons support service, the Hope Centres and the Life Skills course. Additionally, we offer a Money Coaching course which is led by a volunteer. The Director submits a report to the board of trustees on a quarterly basis which focuses on our achievements and progress against the agreed goals in our annual plan. She also leads monthly meetings with her management team and monthly prayer meetings. The Chairman holds quarterly trustee meetings which throughout the year have also included the Director, and the Treasurer who submits quarterly management accounts and management information reports for the trustees. During 2023 we held trustee meetings on 16[th] January, 6[th] March, 15[th] May, 14[th] August and 27[th] November.

Recruitment and Appointment of trustees

Our trustee numbers were unchanged at the start of the year, however we were conscious of the increasing need to fulfil board related tasks specifically in the area of general administration. We were also conscious of the need to rotate the chairman’s role given that the current chairman has completed his initial 3 year term and has agreed to continue in post while we look for a replacement. Our March trustee meeting was devoted entirely to governance issues and the need to increase our board capacity for trustee related tasks. As a result we agreed to approach a candidate known to some of the trustees who retired some years ago after a career in operational management, and he agreed to join the board bringing our total to 5 trustees. There were no further appointments to the board of trustees in 2023. As stated in previous annual returns, two of the existing trustees are church leaders, and the other two trustees are retirees with commercial management experience. A key goal in Hope Central’s Plan for 2023 is to “Create a culture which helps achieve the organisation’s charitable purposes”. In this context the trustees recognise the importance of recruiting staff and appointing trustees that have a variety of perspectives, experiences and skills. Referencing our Plan for 2023, we are committed to “creating a culture which is open and accountable” and therefore nominations for election of trustees are made on merit and against objective criteria that take into account the benefits of diversity. Objective criteria could mean that a specific need for expertise had been identified by the trustees and this may include professional and corporate expertise such as accountancy, legal, digital marketing, human resources, public relations, information technology, and general management experience. The trustees will be mindful of Hope Central’s Equality and Diversity policy when recruiting staff and appointing trustees. New staff and trustees receive an induction which will involve explaining the 6 goals in the Hope Central Plan for the current year, and introduction to our staff team and our volunteers.

3

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Objectives and Activities

The objects clause in our constitution is the prevention and relief of poverty in East Cheshire by providing items and services to individuals in need and/or partnering with other charities and organisations that have the same or similar objectives. Also, to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the statement of belief appearing in the constitution schedule which is the Nicene Creed.

These objectives form the basis of our Strategic Plan which we review annually. The Plan for 2023 maintained the 6 Goals of previous years which were as follows;

Goal 1 The relief of poverty in providing items and services to individuals in need in Cheshire East Goal 2 The prevention of poverty by providing services to individuals in need in Cheshire East Goal 3 To advance the Christian Faith in our community Goal 4 To ensure that the organisational purpose is sustainable

Goal 5 To create a culture which is open and accountable and helps to achieve the organisation’s charitable purposes Goal 6 To create a management structure that helps to achieve the organisation’s charitable purposes

The Goals were supported by specific priorities which were activities that we planned to fulfil during the year. Goal 1 includes activities that relate to our food bank operations, our Hope Centres and our Displaced Peoples Goal 2 includes activities that relate to the support services and courses that we offer in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) such as the debt counselling service, the Money Coaching course, the Job Club and the Life Skills course. Goal 3 includes activities that relate to sharing our Christian Faith such as presenting the Alpha Course throughout the year, and organising evangelistic events.

The remaining Goals 4,5,6 are not derived from our objects clause, but they are there to provide the infrastructure we need to fulfil our objectives. As an example, under Goal 4 the Director’s quarterly report “will focus on the agreed priorities and the progress being made on achieving the priorities”. Similarly, under Goal 6 we commit to “maintain and grow a database of supporters to enable Hope Central to pursue a multi-channel approach when communicating it’s values, purposes, and achievements”. We have a part time Marketing Manager with the responsibility of fulfilling this commitment, developing our profile on social media, and keeping our website up to date and relevant.

In keeping with previous years, the trustees agreed a budget to support the Plan for 2023 at the beginning of January.

Economic environment

The economic conditions during 2023 were dominated by high inflation and a sharp rise in the cost of living. The UK entered the year with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation at 10.1% for January and it remained stubbornly high until the 4[th] Quarter.

Soaring inflation, wage stagnation, and real terms cuts to welfare during the last decade created a “perfect storm” that impacted household budgets and created a “cost of living crisis” that dragged more families into food poverty and unmanageable debt.

4

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Achievements and Performance

Hope Central is so much more than a food bank. We recognise that the causes of poverty are complex and multi-layered, and that we need to offer a range of support services that can attempt to address the root causes of poverty, restore dignity and give people the opportunity to overcome their current circumstances. Please see below a description of our achievements and some measurement of our performance. We set ourselves an ambitious Plan for 2023, and we were pleased that we made progress expanding our existing support services and launching a new Life Skills course.

Goal 1 The relief of poverty in providing items and services to individuals in need in Cheshire East

Food Banks

We distribute emergency food parcels based on referrals that we receive from a range of local agencies. These include local authority emergency assistance, social services, the DWP, the NHS, housing associations, children’s centres, the probation service, mental health teams, GPs, churches and Cheshire Police. There has been exponential growth in our food bank operation since COVID, and in 2023 we have again seen year on year growth in demand for emergency food parcels.

Our Knutsford and Handforth food banks received a total of 2,768 referrals for emergency food parcels which supported 853 people, of which 46% were children. Each food parcel contained emergency food support for 3 days which is 9 meals per person, and this equates to 60,000 meals for the full year, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. These statistics include clients that need long term support, so they are a measurement of volume rather than unique people. The main reasons for referrals are problems with the Benefit System, (delays and reductions), and specific life challenges such as redundancy, debt, ill health, marital breakdown, and drug & alcohol dependency. During 2023 we have made some decisions that have improved the efficiency of our operation. We launched an online referral form which can be sent to referral agencies via a link and when the form is submitted by the referral agency it populates our spreadsheet. This has enabled us to manage the “required” and “optional” fields to the point that we are able to signpost to our other support services. A response is required as to whether a client needs further support, and the referral form cannot be completed without a response to this question. This has resulted in an increase in demand for our other support services. Administrative benefits are that it reduces error and is also time efficient. We moved our Knutsford food bank from the Welcome Centre to St. Cross church which is also the venue of our Knutsford Hope Centre drop in. The space allotted to the food bank at St.Cross church is similar to the Welcome Centre, but a major benefit is the space in which the Hope Centre can expand, and there is crossover between the two support services, with some of our food bank clients attending the weekly Hope Centre drop in. The move has also generated more interest in volunteering. Last year we invested in a commercial freezer, and a commercial fridge and we have now benefited from a full year of increased capacity to store frozen and chilled food surplus from local supermarkets and significantly reduce the cost of our weekly Fare Share pick up. It has proved to be a timely investment that has enabled us to continue meeting the increased demand for emergency food parcels in our local communities. Our food banks are registered on the “Bank the Food” App which gives food donors sight of our current food bank needs. We are heavily reliant on our volunteers to control our food stock and pack the food parcels, and our volunteer drivers who fulfil the food parcel delivery schedules for us. Similarly, we have enjoyed strong supportive relationships with local churches, which have helped to coordinate supermarket pick-ups and deliveries to our food banks, as well as coordinate weekly food donations from their congregations. We are grateful too for the support that we have

5

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

received from local schools and scouting & guiding groups at Harvest festival and at Christmas. When we deliver food parcels, we try to initiate conversation with our clients and assess whether they might benefit from any of our other support services.

After being supported by our food bank a recipient wrote a thank you note “I just wanted to say a massive thank you for helping my family today. It really does mean the world to me. What you have provided is absolutely above and beyond! I cried when I saw the chocolates in there. You have made my day! My month actually! Thank you again, and I will give back when I am back on my feet. You are true saviours”

Partnership with Food Suppliers

Our close relationship with local supermarkets means we are now receiving more of their surplus food, which has reduced the cost of our emergency food support and has enabled us to offer fresh fruit and vegetables alongside ambient groceries we provide. We enjoy strong supportive relationships with Waitrose, Booths, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Lidl and Vestey Foods and we are very grateful for this support. We also work closely with FARE SHARE, Manchester and pick up weekly consignments of food surplus for our Handforth food bank. We also receive support from Wilmslow Community Market Garden which has enabled us to add locally grown seasonal fruit and vegetables to our food parcels.

The Hope Centres

Our Hope Centres at Knutsford, Handforth and Lacey Green (Wilmslow) continue to provide a weekly drop in offering community, IT support, crafts, board games, a lunch, signposting to our other services and an uplifting faith-based word of hope which is presented as “Thought for the day”. Supportive relationships within the Hope Centres help to reduce feelings of isolation, and as staff and volunteers get to know attendees, they can direct them to other services. We have had examples of people attending a Hope Centre drop in, and then registering for the Debt Counselling course, the Money Coaching course, the Job Club, the Life Skills course and being supported by our emergency food parcel service. Opening the Hope Centres on different days of the week we can offer this service 3 days per week. Our Knutsford Hope Centre has settled into a new venue at St. Cross church, and we have seen an increase in people attending which has averaged 20 per week. We have seen an average of 50 attendees per week at Handforth, and 12 attendees per week at Lacey Green. Our Hope Centre at Lacey Green is adjacent to playing fields, and a good-sized car park in the middle of the Lacey Green community. We made use of these advantages, and organised a Fun Day in June to promote our Hope Centre service in the hope that more local residents will attend our Lacey Green Hope Centre. All households in the community were leafleted, we advertised the day on social media, and we were delighted that 150 people including children came to enjoy the fun!

Feedback from people attending the Hope Centres has been very positive with one of our regular attendees telling us “Being at the Hope Centres means so much to me. I feel the Hope Centre does what it says on the tin, giving hope in a family friendly atmosphere” Another attendee commented “I enjoy coming to the Hope Centre in Handforth because of the friendship, help and respect that I receive. The atmosphere is very good, and I get good information from the centre”

6

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Local Housing Associations have been taking an interest in our work, and plans have been made to open a fourth Hope Centre in Colshaw (Wilmslow), with the financial support of Riverside Housing Association. The centre will open on Fridays weekly early in the new year, which will mean we can offer our Hope Centre service on 4 different days of the week.

Work with Displaced people

In August we saw a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers attending our English classes in Handforth. This was due largely to a government policy update that required hotels accommodating asylum seekers to increase their capacity by applying a dual occupancy room policy to the accommodation of asylum seekers. Although food poverty is not a challenge that asylum seekers face while they are in the hotels, many of the new intake had arrived in the summer months, and did not have suitable shoes and clothes for the autumn and the winter months that lay ahead. We had not previously seen need for shoes and clothing on this scale, but nevertheless we were able to respond at short notice. We are grateful to the congregations of our founding churches, and our partner churches in the local community for helping us to relieve this very different type of poverty. At this time typically between 25 -30 people were attending our English classes in Handforth on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. This did stretch our existing resources, but again we were able to meet the demand as more volunteers came forward to help us with the English classes, and we were able to find enough space. From the beginning of November government policy changed again and many of the Serco contracts with the hotels were either terminated or not renewed, and the asylum seekers were moved to Serco contracted houses and flats in Greater Manchester or Merseyside. At this time the Knutsford hotel was closed to asylum seekers shortly followed by the Handforth hotel in early December, and this clearly led to a dramatic decline in numbers at the English classes, which has left a core group of people from Hong Kong who continued with the classes.

Goal 2 The prevention of poverty by providing services to individuals in need in Cheshire East

With our CAP (Christians Against Poverty) partnership we have achieved the following results;

Debt Counselling

Throughout the UK in 2023, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and their partners supported 9,582 clients with debt counselling, and 2,292 became debt free. Our debt counselling service is included in the above CAP statistics, with 10 of our clients becoming debt free and a further 25 client cases were opened during the year. An emerging trend during the year was that many cases we took on came with a level of complexity that we had not seen before, and such was the demand at the beginning of the year that in January we had to accept that we didn’t have the capacity to take on any more cases. As a result, we agreed with CAP to freeze our caseload in the month of January, and we began the process of trying to get more resources into our debt centre. This resulted in the appointment of a key volunteer as a Service Support Administrator, and a consensus that we needed a part time debt coach to join the team. Our debt counselling service is free and is led by our Debt Centre manager who is supported by a team of volunteer “Befrienders” from the founding churches who offer practical help and ongoing support until freedom from debt is achieved. This includes time taken to just talk and befriend and to offer practical help. As a faith based charity we also offer prayer to our clients, and we have been encouraged that most clients are happy to receive prayer when offered. There is no obligation to agree to prayer and our support services are available to people of any faith and no faith. We are finding that the average time required to get our clients through the debt counselling process is about one year. During and after the completion of the process we signpost to our other services, and we encourage all

7

HOPE CENTRAL

Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

our debt centre clients to attend our CAP Money Coaching course. Some have enrolled in our CAP Job Club and Life Skills courses, and have attended our Hope Centres. Poverty is both a cause and consequence of ill health, and anxiety about debt can lead to mental health problems, feelings of hopelessness and depression. Nearly half of all CAP’s clients have attempted or considered suicide as a way out of debt before seeking help. At Hope Central we also see at first hand the devastating impact that debt can have on people’s lives, but we also get to offer them hope, and share the joy when they become debt free. It is so encouraging to hear positive feedback from people that have used our debt counselling service and listen to them talk about their release from the burden of debt, and their plans for the future. The following quote from CAP’s publicity material eloquently describes what it meant to one of their clients to get free from debt.

“In the past when I was on my own, I thought that there was never any hope, and it was always dark. Now I’m living a brighter, bigger more colourful life”

One of our client’s wrote “When someone listens to you and believes in you, and tells you there is a way out, it gives you an amazing feeling of hope”

Another one of our clients told us “I felt like I was in a black hole with every glimmer of light being plugged. But now I’ve got my budget, and I can see a way to move forward”

We are grateful for the support of the generous donors at Acts 435. It’s a charity that links the needs of people that are living through financial hardship to those who can donate. This has enabled us to purchase cookers, washing machines, beds, furniture etc for our debt centre clients.

Money Coaching

We presented the CAP Money Course, and the rebranded CAP Money Coaching course which replaced it, to a total of 20 people (4 courses) during 2023. It’s a 3 week course, which helps people to budget and avoid getting into unmanageable debt. It uses a combination of videos, sharing experiences and discussing options. The course has proved successful in providing people with greater confidence to manage their finances and help avoid getting into debt, while learning to save and spend well. The course is ideal for small groups encouraging participation, and we have been encouraged by the complimentary feedback that we have received “It gave me more control of my finances and I felt less overwhelmed by them” and “I have changed the way I budget my money.” The Money Coaching course is recommended to our Debt Centre clients when they get debt free.

Life Skills

We presented 4 Life Skills courses to a total of 27 people during 2023. It’s an 8 week course which explores how practical skills can help to make money go further e.g. how to eat well on a budget. It is also a great opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed and friendly environment. Attendees have commented that they hadn’t previously cooked from scratch before, and now felt this was something they could do to make their budgets go further.

Job Club

Our Job Club Manager presented 4 Steps to Employment courses during 2023, and a total of 51 clients have completed the course since we began offering it in January 2021. In addition to the course work we offer one

8

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

to one sessions for clients seeking employment, and to date we have had an 78% success with our clients moving on into paid employment, voluntary work, further education and one person has started a business. Establishing links with local employers and charities is fundamental to the success of our Job Club, and this work is ongoing. We are grateful for these partnerships, and our close working relationship with Job Centre Plus and Springboard. We have received positive feedback, one of which commented “During the course I gained the confidence I needed to put myself forward for a customer facing role that I wanted, and it was also helpful that in the course I had learned about the perspective from an employer – what they would be looking for, as well as interview skills. All this knowledge helped me”

Goal 3 To advance the Christian Faith

Prayer is essential to all we do and we continue to have monthly prayer meetings, offer prayer at the Hope Centres when appropriate, have a prayer WhatsApp group, and prayer boxes at the Hope Centres. The “Thought For The Day” at the Hope Centres often contain a Christian message and service users are made aware they can talk to staff further about their beliefs. We have had 170 prayer requests across all the Hope Centres in 2023, and it is a privilege that our service users feel confident and comfortable enough to ask for prayer and an honour to pray with them.

We have completed 2 Alpha Courses which were attended by 16 people in total. We held an evangelistic event in Wilmslow and invited Vicky Lloyd from Victory Outreach, Manchester to speak at the event. Her message did have an impact, and was an opportunity for us to signpost the Alpha Course. We plan to repeat the event in Knutsford in 2024.

We have also been offering Alpha Courses in Farsi and Arabic to the Displaced People that attend our Hope Centres. They are mainly asylum seekers who are already Christians or who have an embryonic Christian faith. However, there are some that have no faith. Throughout these recent courses several people have come to know and experience God’s love for them and 4 people have been baptised into the Christian Faith.

Acknowledgements

We simply could not be doing this without our wonderful supporters, volunteers and staff. You have been an inspiration to us, and we are grateful that you have been with us during another challenging year which has seen growth in demand for our services. The trustees would like to acknowledge and thank all who have supported Hope Central with grants, gifts, donations, monthly giving and time given throughout the year:

Argos, Wilmslow Arnold Clark Acts435 Integrity Automation Cheshire Community Trust Handforth Town Council Wilmslow Town Council Onward Homes Peaks & Plains Housing Association Co-op Local Community Fund Neighbourly Community Fund Bare Necessities Wilmslow Community Market Garden Groundwork (Tesco Bags of Help) Lindow Ministry Trust KPS Architects

9

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The Charities Trust The Grange Primary School The Good Estate Agent Fare Share John Lewis Pownall School Parents Association Alderley Edge School for Girls Waitrose, Wilmslow Waitrose, Alderley Edge Tesco, Handforth Tesco, Alderley Edge Lidl, Dean Row, Wilmslow Cheadle Royal Rotary Handforth Jazz Band Handforth Band Concert Handforth Christian Fellowship Bramhall Methodist Church Wilmslow Methodist Church Steve Bourne Charity Sheila Millar’s family St.Benedict’s Church, Handforth St.Philip’s Church, Alderley Edge St.John’s Church, Lindow St.Christopher’s Church, Pott Shrigley Wilmslow URC St.Chad’s Church, Handforth Vinelife Church, Wilmslow Wilmslow Health Centre Railway Public House Santa Sleigh

In Knutsford, our Hope Centre and Food Bank moved to St. Cross Church and we are very grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received from the leadership team at St. Cross Church. It has been a privilege to be involved at the Knutsford end of the Hope Central organisation, and to see the support of so many local volunteers, individuals, organisations and businesses. The volunteers and individuals know who they are, and they have our heartfelt thanks. It has been a demonstration of how adversity can unite us, strengthen us, and bring us closer together. Our appreciation goes to:

438 Marketing Aldi, Knutsford Beech Tennis Club Belway Housing Benevity Blossom Boutique Booths, Knutsford Brook Street Chapel Changing Lives Together Cheshire Community Foundation Cheshire Connect Cheshire Connected Communities

10

HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Cheshire East Council Community & Voluntary Services Cheshire East Women in Fellowship Co-op, Princess Street, Parkgate and Mobberley DNR.com Great Places Housing Group Jubilee Christian Knutsford Academy Knutsford Beats Choir Knutsford Beer Festival Knutsford Golf Club Knutsford Lions Knutsford Methodist Church Plumley Methodist Church Knutsford Rotary Knutsford Star Choir Knutsford Town Council Lindow Ministry Trust Lower Peover WI Marjorie Hurst Trust M. Howden Ltd Mobberley Churches Mobberley Primary School Mobberley Parish Council Pickmere Community Group R Choir Sainsbury’s, Knutsford Knutsford Santa Speedy Freight St.Cross Church, Knutsford St.John’s Churches, Knutsford and Toft St.Oswalds, Peover St.Vincent’s School The Houghton Weavers The Tea Room, Knutsford The White Orchid Toft Taverners Transforming Lives Together Vestey Foods Waitrose, Knutsford Weareknutsford Yorston Lodge PTA

We have been so encouraged by the support we have received this year; volunteers that have stepped up just at the right time, the wonderful intercessors that have committed to pray for us, and of course the donors that have blessed us with financial support. Ultimately, this work is a spiritual endeavour and we believe that as we call upon our God in prayer He goes before us in all that we do. Therefore, it is with joyful hearts that we thank God for the answers to so many of our prayers and for His provision during 2023 which has enabled us to meet so many of our goals this year. We are seeing the eternal truths of scripture being realised in our lives and the lives of those that we have helped.

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HOPE CENTRAL Trustees’ Annual Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3 v 5 – 6

Financial Review

The communities, churches, businesses and individuals have again generously supported the work of Hope Central and in particular the foodbanks. Income of just over £260,000 (including generous food donations) has been received.

There was a deficit for the year of £20,708 and at the year-end reserves totaled £95,115

The level of reserves at the year-end has again allowed us to move forward in confidence into 2024, developing more activities and services.

Reserves Policy

It is Hope Central’s policy to maintain a balance on the unrestricted funds, to ensure that there are sufficient funds to maintain the current level of non-discretionary expenditure for at least 3 months

Approved by the trustees on 22 August 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Chris Murr Chairman

12

HOPE CENTRAL Independent Examiner’s Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Hope Central (the charitable incorporated organisation- “charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2023. These are set out on pages 14 to 22.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view ‘which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Mr R Moore CA (SA)

24 Finsbury Way Handforth Wilmslow

22 August 2024

13

HOPE CENTRAL Statement of Financial Activities For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Note
Incoming resources
Income from:
Donations
2a
Grants
2b
Fundraising activities
2c
Income from investments
2d
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Expenditure on:
Costs of raising funds
3a
Charitable activities
3b
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Balance brought forward at
1 January 2023
Balance carried forward at
31 December 2023		 Unrestr’d
Funds
£
254,847
1,500
2,683
1,381
260,411
170
276,582
276,752
(16,341)
111,353
95,012		 Restricted
Funds
£
303
3,315
-
-
3,618
-
7,985
7,985
(4,367)
4,470
103		 2023
Total
Funds
£
255,150
4,815
2,683
1,381
264,029
170
284,567
284,737
(20,708)
115,823
95,115		 2022
Total
Funds
£
211,308
12,057
2,568
282
226,215
109
208,832
208,941
17,274

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 16 to 22 form part of these financial statements.

14

HOPE CENTRAL Balance Sheet At 31 December 2023

Note
Current assets
Stock
6
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Creditors falling due within one year
8
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds:
Unrestricted -General
9/10
Restricted
9/10		 2023
£
11,641
5,415
79,057
96,113
(998)
95,115
95,115
95,012
103
95,115		 2022
£
14,205
5,981
96,893
117,079
(11,256)
115,823
115,823
111,353
4,470
115,823

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on the 22 August 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

Chris Birch Chris Murr Treasurer Chairman

The notes on pages 16 to 22 form part of these financial statement

15

HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hope Central is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The office address is St Chad’s Parish Church, Wilmslow Road, Handforth, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3ES.

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Hope Central meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value.

Cash flow statement

A cash flow statement has not been presented on the basis that the charity is small.

Going concern

After reviewing the forecasts and projections the trustees have a reasonable expectation that there are adequate funds to continue in operation for the foreseeable future and have therefore adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Income recognition

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of Hope Central.

Fixed assets

Assets with an individual value of greater than £1,000 are capitalised.

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HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates: -

Donated Goods

This represents the donation of food for the food bank.

Where food is provided as a donation that would normally be purchased from suppliers, this contribution is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contribution to Hope Central.

Volunteers

Hope Central benefits greatly from the involvement and support of its volunteers, details are given in the trustees’ annual report. In accordance with SORP (FRS 102), the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the financial statements.

Stock

This represents the stock of donated food and is estimated based on the value of the contribution to Hope Central.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognized at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discount used. The debtor in respect of tax recoverable is recognised where applicable on donations under gift aid receivable during the year.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount.

Pensions

Hope Central operates a pension scheme through NEST.

Taxation

As a registered charity, Hope Central is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by Hope Central, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities

17

HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

2a Donations
Regular donations
Other donations
Gift aid
Legacy
Donations in Kind - Food
2b Grants
Groundwork (Tesco bags of help)
Handforth Town Council
Cheshire East Council
Onward Homes
Peaks and Plains
Manchester Airport
Co-op Local Community Fund
Aldi Neighbourly Fund
Sainsburys Neighbourly
Community Fund
NEU Cheshire
Steve Burne Charitable Trust
Arnold Clark Community Fund
2c
Fundraising activities
Events
2d Income from investments
Bank Interest receivable
Total incoming resources		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
27,539
97,148
8,793
-
121,367
254,847
-
500
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
1,500
2,683
1,381
260,411		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
243
60
-
-
303
-
-
250
550
215
1,128
1,172
-
-
-
-
3,315
-
-
3,618		 Total
Funds
2023
£
27,539
97,391
8,853
-
121,367
255,150
-
500
250
550
215
1,128
1,172
-
-
-
1,000
-
4,815
2,683
1,381
264,029		 Total
Funds
2022
£
24,259
68,986
7,055
3,333
107,675
211,308
1,000
-
-
3,500
-
-
1,557
500
1,000
1,000
1,000
2,500
12,057
2,568
282
226,215

In 2022 £176 of donations income and £10,057 of grant income was for restricted funds.

18

HOPE CENTRAL

Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

3
RESOURCES EXPENDED
3a Costs of raising funds
3b Charitable Activities
Foodbanks
Food parcels
Salaries
Storage
Equipment
Phones
Other expenses
Allocated support costs
Debt Centre
Salaries
CAP subscriptions
Phone
Other expenses
Allocated support costs
Displaced persons support
Salaries
IT and Phone
Other expenses
Allocated support costs
Hope Centres and courses
Salaries
CAP subscriptions
Rental
Other expenses
Allocated support costs
Total charitable activities
Total expenditure		 Unrestr’d
Funds
£
170
125,366
12,489
6,398
82
110
328
27,250
172,023
17,701
7,200
102
2,096
7,649
34,748
9,577
844
1,433
8,127
19,981
34,168
1,080
3,649
2,806
8,127
49,830
276,582
276,752
 Restricted
Funds
£
Total
Funds
2023
£
-
170
1,065
126,431
-
12,489
1,172
7,570
1,128
1,210
-
110
-
328
-
27,250
3,365
175,388
-
17,701
-
7,200
-
102
-
2,096
-
7,649
-
34,748
-
9,577
-
844
200
1,633
-
8,127
200
20,181
3,500
37,668
-
1,080
250
3,899
670
3,476
¤
-
8,127
4,420
54,250
7,985
284,567
7,985
284,737		 Total
Funds
2022
£
109
104,591
14,255
7,750
2,626
270
1,411
7,333
138,236
13,731
7,200
120
544
1,629
23,224
5,885
-
1,142
815
7,842
26,650
980
3,246
2,136
6,518
39,530
208,832
208,941

In 2022 £5,763 of foodbank expenditure was made from restricted funds

19

HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

4
SUPPORT COSTS
Director’s salaries and expenses
Community Partnerships Director
Communications salaries and
materials
Insurance, training, HR, computer
and other administration costs
Allocated to:
Foodbanks
Debt Centre
Displaced persons support
Hope Centres		 2023
£
25,274
13,763
7,756
4,360
51,153
27,250
7,649
8,127
8,127		 2022
£
7,369
-
6,420
2,505
16,294
7,333
1,629
815
6,518

----- Start of picture text -----
5 STAFF COSTS
2023 2022
----- End of picture text -----

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs
The average number of employees in the year was 8 (2021: 7)
6
STOCK
Donated food stock
7
DEBTORS
Tax recoverable
Grant receivable
8
CREDITORS
Accruals		 £
118,751
986
1,955
121,692
2023
£
11,641
2023
£
5,415
-
5,415
2023
£
998		 £
71,888
-
622
72,510
2022
£
14,205
2022
£
5,981
-
5,981
2022
£
1,256

20

HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

9
FUNDS
Current year
Unrestricted- General
Restricted Grants
– Onward Homes
- East Cheshire Council
--Peaks and Plains
--Coop Local Community Fund
--Manchester Airport
--Sainsbury’s Neighbourly
Community Fund
Restricted donations		 At 1
January
2023
£
111,353
3,470
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
4,470
115,823		 Income
£
260,411
550
250
215
1,172
1,128
-
303
3,618
264,029		 Expenditure
£
(276,752)
(4,020)
(250)
(215
(1,172)
(1,128)
(1,000)
(200)
(7,985)
(284,737)		 At 31
December
2023
£
95,012
-
-
-
-
-
-
103
103
95,115

The grants from Onward Homes were to help fund the Lifeskills courses, food for Easter parcels and to help with celebration lunches. The grant from Sainsbury’s Neighbourly Community fund was also to help fund Lifeskills courses. The grant from Manchester Airport was to resite the foodbank in Knutsford. The grant from Cheshire East Council was to provide a warm space and the other restricted grants were to fund the foodbank. The restricted donation was to acquire warm clothing for displaced persons.

Prior year
Unrestricted- General
Restricted Grants
Restricted Donations		 At 1
January
2022
£
98,549
-
-
-
-
98,549		 Income
£
215,892
10,057
176
10,233
226,125		 Expenditure
£
(203,178)
(5,587)
(176)
(5,763)
(208,941)		 At 31
December
2022
£
111,353
4,470
-
4,470
115,823

21

HOPE CENTRAL Notes to the Financial Statements ( continued ) For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

10 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Current year
Current Assets
Creditors: falling due <1 year
Fund Balance
Prior year
Current Assets
Creditors: falling due <1 year
Fund Balance		 Unrestr’d
Funds
£
96,010
(998)
95,012
112,609
(1,256)
111,353		 Restricted
Funds
£
103
-
103
4,470
-
4,470		 Total Funds
£
96,113
(998)
95,115
117,079
(1,256)
115,823

11 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no fees, remuneration or other expenses paid to Trustees.

Donations were received from some trustees or persons connected with the trustees, but none had any restrictions attached to them.

22