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2024-05-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number 1183436

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ending 31 May 2024

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

As the Board of Trustees, we present our report and financial statements for the year to 31 May 2024.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity Number 1183436

Registered Office The Bank, 19-21 Derwent Street, Chopwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE17 7HU

Independent Examiner Mr Pete O’Hara FCA, Chartered Accountant, 26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Documents

Chopwell Regeneration CIO was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 15 May 2019. As a CIO it is governed by its constitution and Articles of Association.

Structure and Governance/ Board of Trustees

The charity currently has a board of 11 non-executive Trustees.

The Trustees of Chopwell Regeneration CIO during the year and to the date of signing this report were as follows:

Jodie Barwick-Bell Mark Bell Rev’d Tom Brazier John Coburn Robert Donaldson Appointed 1 February 2024 Laura Ferrie Stacey Forster Appointed 25 November 2023 Emma Hamilton Appointed 25 November 2023 Dr Marie Imlach Jacqueline Quincey Granville Wright Appointed 25 November 2023 Kyle Ashton-McKirdy Resigned 31 July 2023 Christina Lattimer Resigned 25 November 2023

Recruitment and Appointment of Board of Trustees

In selecting individuals for appointment, the Trustees aim to ensure that the Board has the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity and is as diverse as possible, as well as being representative of the local community.

Trustees are elected to the Board based on discussions and recommendations offered by Trustees, Members and outside advisors to the organisation, as well as through a range of advertising channels. It is an agreed principle that at least 75% of the Trustees should live or work in Chopwell.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Trustee Induction and Training

Trustees are provided with a range of resources to support their understanding of Chopwell Regeneration’s activities and outlining Trustee duties and responsibilities.

Management

Day-to-day operation of the charity is delegated to the senior management team.

Structure

We continue to be a grassroots community charity and our achievements come from hundreds of people in our village working together because we want to bring about change for the better in Chopwell, a place in which we are proud to live.

During the financial year all our Trustees lived and/or worked in Chopwell. Strong community engagement is our most fundamental principle which underpins, and is embedded in, everything we do.

We are a membership organisation with over 200 members.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable Purpose, Aims & Objectives

Chopwell Regeneration Group is a community-led organisation.

We are regenerating Chopwell by creating employment & skills-learning opportunities, improving the environment, improving health & well-being, improving education & training, facilitating intergenerational communication, increasing visitors, stimulating growth & improving the look & feel of our village. Given the significant deprivation in our community we also aim to alleviate immediate need arising from financial hardship, including in particular food poverty.

All activity is driven by consultation.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Charitable Purpose, Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

The principal objects of the charity are:

1) the promotion for the benefit of the public of urban or rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation (and in particular in Chopwell and surrounding area), by all or any of the following means:

2) to develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically socially disadvantaged community of Chopwell and the surrounding area in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society.

3) To further or benefit the residents of Chopwell and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.

4) The prevention of financial hardship by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.

5) The relief of financial hardship among people living or working in Chopwell and surrounding areas by providing such persons with goods and services which they could not otherwise afford through lack of means.

6) To promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public by: (a) the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment and the prudent use of resources; (b) the relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; (c) the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Charitable Purpose, Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

7) To advance the education of the public in subjects relating to sustainable development and the protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of the environment and to promote study and research in such subjects provided that the useful results of such study are disseminated to the public at large. Sustainable development means “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

8) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one of more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).

Public Benefit

The Trustees understand and have discussed the implications of the provisions of the Charities Act 2006, which requires all charities to be able to demonstrate that they are established for public benefit and have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

The Trustees believe that the charity meets both of the key principles.

- Principle 1 There must be an identifiable benefit, or benefits

The benefits from our work are enshrined in our objectives to regenerate Chopwell in Gateshead:

- Principle 2 Benefit must be to the public, or a section of the public

Each element of our work is able to provide benefit to the public in general.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

The Trustees aim to firstly hold a level of unrestricted Reserves which enables the charity to have sufficient financial resources to meet various liabilities which would crystallise if Chopwell Regeneration’s funding were to be withdrawn and/or it were unable to continue operating.

At present, the Trustees estimate that the Unrestricted Reserves required for such purposes amount to approximately £70,000.

If possible, the Trustees then aspire to retain an additional allowance of £5,000 to £10,000 to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be identified outside of its annual budgeting process.

The required level of Reserves is therefore in the range of £70,000 to £80,000.

Chopwell Regeneration currently has total Unrestricted Reserves of £137,813 at 31 May 2024.

From this total, the Trustees have previously agreed to designate 2 sums:

In addition, the Trustees now seek to designate a further £5,000 towards a project to replace the roof at The Bank and install solar panels.

Free Reserves, defined as Unrestricted Funds minus the value of these Designated Funds at 31 May 2024 (£27,578) minus the value of Tangible Fixed Assets (£21,112) are £89,123, thereby providing a degree of additional contingency.

The Trustees regularly review specific liabilities at each Board meeting. The Reserves Policy is revisited by the Board annually in the light of progress against budget and is updated at the time of drafting the annual accounts.

Investment Policy

The charity has the power under the Memorandum and Articles of Association to make any investment which the Trustees see fit.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Risk Management

The Trustees of the charity regularly review the major governance, operational and financial risks which the charity faces as part of its annual business planning process and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate these risks.

Chopwell Regeneration has a risk management strategy in place that comprises:

The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate financial systems and controls are in place, together with appropriate employment policies and practices and building-related processes and procedures.

The Trustees consider the key risk facing the charity at this time and the mitigating actions taken to be as follows:

The Trustees also manage the general financial risks by ensuring that:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year

It has been another successful year for Chopwell Regeneration CIO. As a charity, we have taken major steps in our shift from originally being a volunteer-run charity, to a professional organisation with a dynamic team of skilled staff. Several of our staff live in our community and the team work closely with the community, numerous partners and our board of 11 trustees (who all live or work in Chopwell).

Our projects and programmes continue to be directed and informed by our community, and the impact of this work has further grown this year.

The Bank

The Bank continues to thrive across all facets, despite the challenging economic environment. Being flexible in our approach we have been able to diversify and expand to meet the needs in the community and best fulfil our purpose.

Over 700 people a week now come through our door at The Bank (a 60% year on year increase).

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

The Bank Café

Now in our second year of trading we have focused upon opportunities to become more financially sustainable through piloting new offers. We have extended opening hours, increased and diversified our food and drinks menu, and introduced events and offers with the aim of increasing footfall and earned income.

It has been a challenging year for controlling costs as we have seen the quantity and quality of food donations fall, resulting in us having to purchase more ingredients. Despite this, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to utilise food waste wherever we can source it.

Rising inflation has also had an impact on our café costs, however we have managed this carefully and have been able to keep food and drink costs affordable. New lines have proven popular, such as our paninis and jacket potatoes.

The cost-of-living crisis continues to be experienced across the village and our Pay-it-forward offer has been popular, with generous donations keeping up with demand for free meals. This year 310 meals and 209 hot drinks were paid for by local people for others in the community and all were claimed.

The Bank’s Community Market

We have developed our community market to offer a wider range of healthy meals, fruit and vegetables, as well as the food donations we receive. The market continues to be popular, and we have explored ways to keep the shelves stocked to meet demand and are grateful to our grant funders who have ensured we have been able to do this. This year 1,527 people used the community market.

Office spaces

The licensees of our upstairs let offices continue to be great advocates and supporters for our work. All rooms have been occupied throughout the year with minimal void time arising when there has been a changeover in licensees. We now have a waiting list for rooms. We increased our office rental prices by 6.7% this year in line with inflation.

The Regeneration Shop

A significant new project this year has been establishing The Regeneration Shop, a repair shop and skills centre that we opened in Spring 2024. The Trustees led a community consultation in Autumn 2023 on what projects we would next undertake. 95% of community voters were in favour of opening the repair and re-use shop. The community also decided on the name - The Regeneration Shop.

The Shop is already delivering real impact, through its’ volunteers, skills development and through customers having items repaired cheaply rather than buying new products and sending more waste to landfill. Post financial year end, The Regeneration Shop has won the national ‘Rural Community Business Going Green Award’.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

Learning and skills activities

Our learning and skills programmes are now run across The Bank and The Regeneration Shop.

We are continually adapting and changing our activities in response to the needs and interests of community members, understanding what will work best to enable people to participate and benefit from the activities and services we offer. For example, we have learned that formal education programmes can be off-putting for people who are not yet ready to take that step so have designed a range of informal opportunities as part of existing programmes such as volunteering.

Mental health challenges are significant for many people in our community, and are often a barrier for people who find it difficult to engage in activities, so we have brought in the NHS mental health peer support team to run a weekly wellbeing drop-in session in the café.

Our learning programme has grown and our training and skills development activities now include apprenticeships as well as volunteering and formal work placements for people referred by local job centres. The safe environment that we have created at The Bank to support people towards ‘work readiness’ has enabled staff and volunteers to thrive, but we recognise that it is challenging for people to take the big step from our safe space into a new, unfamiliar work environment outside of Chopwell.

Our principal activities this year have been:

Adult literacy and numeracy programmes

We have been able to extend our learning programme to offer more opportunities for Chopwell residents to improve their numeracy and literacy skills through a range of offers.

We have delivered informal learning support through our volunteering programme, creating opportunities for volunteers who have identified low literacy levels as a barrier to employment. This has included support to take orders, write and print food labels and write the names of dishes on the café blackboard menu. We have worked with 5 people who have chosen to volunteer with us to improve their English skills in order to get a job. They have demonstrated a huge improvement in their communication skills and confidence in the time they have volunteered with us and two volunteers were recently successful in being invited for job interviews.

There has been a recent increase in non-English speaking families moving into Chopwell, and we have supported local families to improve their English language skills by acquiring a number of children’s books which people have taken home to read together to improve their English.

A number of regular cafe customers regularly ask for support with reading and understanding household bills. We are liaising with the charity Read Easy who have recently set up a new branch in the North East but the residents we support are not yet ready to engage in a formal learning programme.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

We have worked in partnership with Gateshead Council Learning Skills to deliver Multiply, a 1- year programme at The Bank to help people in our community to improve their maths skills. This project recognises that maths is important in life and having good maths skills means better employment chances, higher wages, and better wellbeing. This was delivered through cookery classes, barista coffee training and a course for volunteers to recognise the importance of maths used in the workplace. 22 participants without a level 2 maths qualification completed the programme, positively engaging with maths in accessible and enjoyable ways.

Overall, our programme dedicated to increasing employability of low skilled, unemployed residents has supported 16 people to gain employment following their placements/training with CRG between June 2023 and June 2024.

Expansion of STEM programme

Our Code & Create STEM programme for children and young people which launched when The Bank opened in 2022 has been a great success. We have worked with expert digital makers, artists and technologists who have delivered a variety of different types of workshops. Following 2 years of delivery we have worked with local children and young people to design the next phase of the project which will focus on practical STEM skills necessary to repair household goods.

The programme links directly with The Regeneration Shop and gives opportunities for intergenerational skills sharing. The STEM group is very keen to be involved in the repair service at the shop and learn new skills to help others in the community to repair their broken items rather than sending them to landfill.

Work placements for ex-convicts

During the last year we have further developed partnerships with other local services and organisations and developed good relationships with new referral partners. For example, we work closely with Blaydon and Consett Job Centres who refer local clients who face multiple barriers to employment. We also have regular conversations with the social prescribing link workers linked to Chopwell surgery who refer patients to our programmes and services on a weekly basis. Their clients include people who have recently left prison, veterans and patients in recovery from addiction. Our partners recognise that we offer an inclusive, safe and supportive environment for volunteers and learners who need a higher level of support. Over the next year we plan to formalise some of these partnerships and develop formal programmes with education and health partners and organisations such as the probation service.

New partnership activities for socially isolated residents

In addition to new programmes delivered at The Bank such as the very successful Men’s Pie Club (targeting socially isolated men) and a series of popular Sri Lankan Cookery classes, we have launched a new learning programme at The Regeneration Shop. Through local advertising and referral partners including MHA and the NHS Gateshead Mental Health Peer Support team, we have gained 15 new volunteers including several older socially isolated residents.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

The Regeneration Shop is a different social environment to The Bank and we have been able to provide different opportunities there. One volunteer is a carer for his wife and he comes to repair items every week to ‘feel useful’ and share his technical expertise. Another volunteer with PTSD finds it difficult to socialise so he and his partner collect items to repair from the shop and take them home so that he can participate in the security of his own home. We hope he will be able to gradually spend more time at the shop.

The shop opened in April 2024 and in the first 4 months we ran 14 workshops for local residents to learn new skills including clothes alterations, upcycling classes, ‘fix-it’ workshops and an 8- week work experience placement for a 16 year old. We hold weekly repair sessions with volunteers who repair broken items for customers or carry out clothes repairs and alterations for a small fee. Our volunteers are receiving training for accredited qualifications and certificates in STEM skills.

Other Projects

Although The Bank and The Regeneration Shop have been our primary focus, they are not the only projects we have worked on this year:

Staff

This year we have expanded our staff team to meet the needs of our growing organisation. After trialling having a part-time Executive Director in the team, we restructured the team and promoted one team member into a joint leadership role as our Senior Programmes Manager alongside our newly recruited Senior Finance and Commercial Manager.

We also recruited a new manager for The Regeneration Shop who is someone who has lived in Chopwell all his life and previously was a volunteer.

Our apprenticeship programme has developed and expanded successfully with 4 apprentices in place at year end.

8 of our 10 staff members / apprentices live in the local community.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

Volunteers

We are also overwhelmed with the volunteering support we have had from within our community with over 200 volunteers taking part in various activities throughout the year. This is over 5% of the people in our community who now volunteer with us.

Volunteers typically range from:

In recognition of what we’ve achieved, we were delighted to be recognised at the 2024 North East Charity Awards. We were named Uniquely North East Charity, and our Front of House apprentice Poppy Brown won Rising Star of the Year. In addition, we were highly commended finalists in the North East Charity of the Year category.

Support received

We are hugely grateful to the grant funders and organisations who have supported us this year including:

We are also very grateful to the hundreds of local people in our community who have donated and got involved in our fundraising activities.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

Financial Review

Our income has continued to be predominantly generated from grants, donations and fundraising. Our trading income from the café has increased as has our rental income from renting out the office spaces upstairs at The Bank. We also have begun trading at The Regeneration Shop which is a new source of income. The Trustees are pleased with the level of income generated, which has overall steadily increased over the course of the year.

All expenditure incurred meets our objectives.

The outturn for the year is an unrestricted deficit of £(22,238), leaving Unrestricted Funds at 31 May 2024 of £137,813.

FUTURE PLANS

As well as continuing to deliver existing services at The Bank, and further developing our new offering at The Regeneration Shop, the Trustees and staff also plan to focus on:

Many of these activities are dependent on fundraising which will continue to be a very important responsibility of the Board of CRG.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for managing the business of the charity and may exercise all the powers of the charity unless restricted by the Charities Act or the constitution of the charity.

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year.

In preparation of the financial statements the Trustees should follow best practice and:

  1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them.

  2. Make judgements and exercises that are reasonable and prudent.

  3. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue on that basis.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity.

The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

DECLARATIONS

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005 by the Charities Commission England and Wales).

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 17 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Jodie Barwick-Bell Trustee/Treasurer Chopwell Regeneration CIO

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024

I hereby report to the Trustees/Members of Chopwell Regeneration CIO (Charity Registration Number 1186728) on the accounts for the year ended 31 May 2024 set out on pages 16 to 30.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s Trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods or principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)).

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 accounts to be reached.

Pete O’Hara, FCA, Chartered Accountant

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF

17 November 2024

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR TO 31 MAY 2024

Note
Income
Interest from Investments
3
Income from Charitable Activities
4
Income from Grants, Donations &
Legacies
5
Total Income
Expenditure
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
6
Total Expenditure
Net Income/(Expenditure)
7
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward
13		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
204
-
204
-
62,898
-
62,898
47,910
46,024
170,591
216,615
186,173
109,126
170,591
279,717
234,083
131,364
145,460
276,824
164,702
131,364
145,460
276,824
164,702
(22,238)
25,131
2,893
69,381
160,051
205,914
365,965
296,584
£137,813
£231,045
£368,858
£365,965

The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of the financial statements.

There are no recognised gains and losses during the year other than as shown above.

All the activities for the year are continuing activities.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION/BALANCE SHEET At 31 MAY 2024

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
9
Current Assets
Stocks
10
Debtors
11
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Creditors:
Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year
12
Net Current Assets
Total Net Assets
Represented By:
Unrestricted Funds - General
13,14
Unrestricted Funds - Designated
13,14
Restricted Funds
14,15		 2024
£
2023
£
177,297
185,596
241
282
4,295
5,713
193,707
177,811
198,243
183,806
(6,682)
(3,437)
191,561
180,369
£368,858
£365,965
110,235
125,051
27,578
35,000
137,813
160,051
231,045
205,914
£368,858
£365,965

The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of the financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board, and authorised for issue, on 17 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Jodie Barwick-Bell Trustee/Treasurer

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

1. Accounting Policies

Charity Information

Chopwell Regeneration CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The registered office is The Bank, 19-21 Derwent Street, Chopwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE17 7HU.

The charity is a public benefit entity.

Basis of Accounting

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 – 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102'), and with the Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value.

Advantage has been taken of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a statement of cashflows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

Income

All income, including grant income, is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA), net of VAT, when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Such income is only deferred when the donor or funder has specified that the grant or donation can only be used in future accounting years or where the donor or funder has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Income from Investments

Interest receivable on fixed interest securities and bank deposits is included on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when a liability is incurred.

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CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

1. Accounting Policies (Cont.)

Expenditure (Cont.)

Irrecoverable VAT

All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

Operating Leases

The charity classifies the lease of certain printing equipment as operating leases as the title to the equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged against income on a straight-line basis over the year of the lease.

Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on the fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the assets over their remaining useful lives as follows:

Leasehold Improvements - over the length of the lease
Office & ICT Equipment - over 3 years
Fixtures & Fittings - over 5 years

A full year’s depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal.

Impairment of Fixed Assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Fund Accounting

The charity has a number of restricted income funds to account for situations in which a funder requires that a grant must be spent on a particular purpose or where funds have been raised for a specific purpose. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in Note 13 to the financial statements.

All other funds are considered Unrestricted Funds and are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

19

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

1. Accounting Policies (Cont.)

Taxation

Chopwell Regeneration CIO is a registered charity and, as such, is not liable to taxation on its income in the current year.

Pensions

Chopwell Regeneration contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. Further details can be found in Note 8.

For the defined contribution scheme, the amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the balance sheet.

Financial Instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’ of FRS102 to all its financial instruments.

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. Going Concern

The Trustees believe that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be drawn up on a going concern basis.

3. Income from Investments

4.

Bank Interest Receivable
ncome from Charitable Activities
Cafe Income
Catering & Event Income
Community Market Income
Janette Kirton-Darling Memorial
Prize
Rental Income
Other Revenue		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
204
-
204
-
£204
£-
£204
£-
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
32,891
-
32,891
27,500
3,078
-
3,078
913
2,524
-
2,524
2,185
-
-
-
3,000
20,542
-
20,542
13,662
3,863
-
3,863
650
£62,898
£-
£62,898
£47,910

Income from Charitable Activities

The 2023 total of £47,910 related wholly to Unrestricted Funds.

20

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

5. Income from Grants, Donations & Legacies

Grant Income
Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust
Ballinger Charitable Trust
Barbour Foundation - Shop
Bernicia Foundation
Catherine Cookson Foundation
Community Foundation (CF) – Travel
Connected Voice
Co-op Local Community Fund
County Durham CF (Boundary Lane
WF)
Garfield Weston Foundation
Gateshead Council - Holiday Fund
Gateshead Council - Multiply - 3rd
sector - Maths
Gateshead Council - Small Grants
Guy Readman Fund (via CF)
Hospital of God
Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust
Linden Family Fund (via CF)
National Gardens Scheme
NHS - Thriving in Chopwell
North East BIC - Innovate for Good
People’s Postcode Lottery
Platten Family Fund (via CF)
Reed Family Fund (via CF)
Rothley Trust
Royal Countryside Fund
Samares Jersey - Sir James Knott
Jersey Trust
Tesco Bags of Help
Tesco Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund -
Reaching Communities
Tudor Trust
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via CF)
Virgin Money Foundation
Warburtons Foundation
William Leech Foundation
Donations
British Engines Community Fund
Crowdfunding/Donations
Gift Aid		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
3,000
15,000
-
15,000
15,000
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
438
438
-
-
-
-
4,000
-
-
-
1,513
-
5,000
5,000
-
25,000
-
25,000
25,000
-
4,210
4,210
-
-
800
800
1,200
-
3,360
3,360
8,666
-
10,000
10,000
-
1,000
-
1,000
-
-
1,500
1,500
-
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
-
-
4,950
-
8,150
8,150
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
24,107
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
2,000
2,000
-
-
1,250
1,250
-
-
12,500
12,500
-
-
15,000
15,000
-
-
-
-
1,375
-
-
-
1,000
-
33,333
33,333
-
-
12,700
12,700
22,400
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
15,000
15,000
-
-
-
-
400
-
4,850
4,850
-
41,000
170,091
211,091
123,611
-
500
500
-
3,946
-
3,946
60,572
1,078
-
1,078
1,990
5,024
500
5,524
62,562
£46,024
£170,591
£216,615
£186,173

21

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

5. Income from Grants, Donations & Legacies (Cont.)

Of the 2023 total of £186,173, £119,851 related to Unrestricted Funds and £66,322 to Restricted Funds.

6. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Direct Costs
Advertising & Marketing
Café & Ingredient Costs
Shop Costs
Event Costs
Non-Capital Equipment
Salaries & On Costs
Workshop Fees & Expenses
Support Costs
Depreciation
Insurance
Repairs & Maintenance
Telephone, ICT & Website Costs
Utilities
Other Overhead Costs
Governance Costs
Accountancy, Book-keeping,
Independent Examination & Payroll
Loan Interest		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
3,029
3,454
6,483
1,497
1
18,760
18,761
8,626
992
-
992
-
-
359
359
307
1,191
2,377
3,568
520
88,784
86,668
175,452
100,183
893
9,769
10,662
8,580
4,690
13,303
17,993
16,706
1,487
-
1,487
995
2,256
3,000
5,256
4,568
4,320
1,065
5,385
3,134
9,767
-
9,767
8,588
9,522
5,605
15,127
5,713
4,432
1,100
5,532
5,277
-
-
-
8
£131,364
£145,460
£276,824
£164,702

Of the 2023 total of £164,702, £35,127 related to Unrestricted Funds and £129,575 to Restricted Funds.

22

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

7. Net Income/(Expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Independent Examiner - Examination Fees
Depreciation of Owned Fixed Assets
Staff Costs
Gross Salary Costs
Employer’s National Insurance
Employer’s Pension Contributions
The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was
as follows:
Operations and Management
Apprentices		 2024
£
2023
£
1,100
1,100
17,993
16,706
2024
2023
£
£
166,757
96,410
5,914
2,091
2,781
1,682
£175,452
£100,183
2024
No.
2023
No.
6
6
2
-

8. Staff Costs

No employees received remuneration in excess of £60,000 in the year (2023: None).

The total paid to key management personnel, defined as the members of the Management Team, was £112,026 (2023: £76,744).

No remuneration was paid to or waived by Trustees/Directors in the year (2023: £Nil).

No expenses were reimbursed to Trustees (2023: £Nil) in respect of their attendance at meetings of the charity. £65 was reimbursed to a Trustee for mileage expenses for food collections and deliveries as a volunteer.

9. Pension Scheme

Pension benefits are provided through a Group Personal Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in a separately administered fund. In the year to 31 May 2024 Chopwell Regeneration made an employer's contribution of 3% of pensionable pay, provided that the employee makes a minimum contribution of 5%.

These amounts are paid over to the scheme on a monthly basis.

No contributions were outstanding at 31 May 2024 (2023: £Nil).

23

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

10. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost
At 1 June 2023
Additions in year
At 31 May 2024
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 June 2023
Charge for year
At 31 May 2024
Net Book Value
At 31 May 2024
At 1 June 2023
Cost
At 1 June 2023
Additions in year
Disposals
At 31 May 2024
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 June 2023
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 May 2024
Net Book Value
At 31 May 2024
At 1 June 2023		 Leasehold
Improvements
£
Fixtures &
Fittings
£
IT &
Office
Equipment
£
168,784
8,467
12,511
6,165
555
-
174,949
9,022
12,511
9,645
2,934
8,146
4,970
2,558
4,171
14,615
5,492
12,317
£160,334
£3,530
£194
£159,139
£5,533
£4,365
Repair Shop
Fixtures &
Fittings
Kitchen
Equipment
£
Total
Fixed
Assets
£
-
27,105
216,869
3,454
541
10,715
-
(1,699)
(1,699)
3,454
25,947
225,883
-
10,548
31,273
691
5,603
17,993
-
(680)
(680)
691
15,471
48,586
£2,763
£10,476
£177,297
£-
£16,557
£185,596

24

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

11. Stock

11.
Stock
Café Stocks for Resale
12.
Debtors
Trade Debtors
Other Taxes & Social Security Costs - VAT
Prepayments
Accrued Income
Other Debtors
13.
Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Trade Creditors
Other Taxes & Social Security Costs – PAYE/NI
Other Taxes & Social Security Costs – VAT
Income Received In Advance
Accruals		 2024
2023
£
£
241
282
£241
£282
2024
2023
£
£
226
1,620
-
510
2,657
3,177
1,062
406
350
-
£4,295
£5,713
2024
2023
£
£
2,364
359
2,247
1,299
71
-
-
233
2,000
1,546
£6,682
£3,437

14. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Fixed Assets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Creditors – Due Within 1 Year		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
21,112
156,185
177,297
185,596
282
-
241
282
4,295
-
4,295
5,713
118,847
74,860
193,707
177,811
(6,682)
-
(6,682)
(3,437)
£137,813
£231,045
£368,858
£365,965

15. Analysis of Charitable Funds

A number of grants set out below related to the development and fitting out/equipping of The Bank have been received and fully spent in cash terms, but the required accounting treatment releases the grant over the period of the useful life of the associated assets, matching the annual depreciation on the equipment/building costs.

25

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

15. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)

Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted General Fund
Designated Fund – Roof
replacement/Solar Panels
Designated Fund - Upcycling/Repair
Shop
Designated Fund - Brightening Chopwell
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Barbour Foundation
Barbour Foundation - Shop
Bernard Sunley - Building Development
Bernard Sunley - Training Kitchen
British Engines Community Fund
Catherine Cookson Foundation
Carolyn & Tony Brookes Fund (via CF)
Community Foundation – Travel Grant
Co-op Local Community Fund
County Durham CF (Boundary Lane WF)
Donation – Christmas Lights
Garfield Weston Foundation
Gateshead Council – Mental Health
Gateshead Council - Holiday fund
Gateshead Council – Multiply
Gateshead Council - Small Grants
GMBC VCSE - IT & Digital Support
Guy Readman Fund (via CF)
Hilden Charitable Fund
Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust
Linden Family Fund (via CF)
National Gardens Scheme
National Lottery Awards for All
National Lottery Community Fund
National Lottery Community Fund -
Reaching Communities
NHS - Thriving in Chopwell
North East LEP
People’s Postcode Lottery
Platten Family Fund (via CF)
Reed Family Fund (via CF)
Rothley Trust (2024)
Rothley Trust (2023)
Royal Countryside Fund
Samares Jersey - Sir James Knott Jersey
Trust
Tesco Community Fund		 Fund at 1
June 2023
£
Income for
Year
£
Expenditure
for Year
£
Fund at 31
May 2024
£
125,051
104,126
(118,942)
110,235
-
5,000
-
5,000
15,000
-
(12,422)
2,578
20,000
-
-
20,000
160,051
109,126
(131,364)
137,813
4,533
-
(2,142)
2,391
-
10,000
-
10,000
9,524
-
(238)
9,286
9,563
-
(2,534)
7,029
-
500
(500)
-
-
5,000
-
5,000
2,000
-
(500)
1,500
-
438
(438)
-
2,275
-
(2,045)
230
-
5,000
-
5,000
151
-
(151)
-
23,810
-
(595)
23,215
3,015
-
(3,015)
-
-
4,210
(4,210)
-
1,200
800
(2,000)
-
-
3,360
(3,360)
-
1,621
-
(540)
1,081
-
10,000
-
10,000
2,496
-
(1,082)
1,414
-
1,500
-
1,500
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
3,704
-
(753)
2,951
3,145
-
(589)
2,556
28,286
-
(857)
27,429
-
33,333
(33,333)
-
-
8,150
(1,074)
7,076
91,909
-
(2,785)
89,124
9,459
-
(9,459)
-
6,678
10,000
(6,678)
10,000
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
1,250
-
1,250
860
-
(320)
540
-
12,500
(12,500)
-
-
15,000
(15,000)
-
1,000
-
(1,000)
-

Continued overleaf…

26

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

15. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)

Restricted Funds (Cont.)
Tudor Trust
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via CF)
Virgin Money Foundation
William Leech Foundation
Total Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 Fund at 1
June 2023
£
Income for
Year
£
Expenditure
for Year
£
Fund at 31
May 2024
£
685
12,700
(13,385)
-
-
10,000
(2,377)
7,623
-
15,000
(15,000)
-
-
4,850
-
4,850
205,914
170,591
(145,460)
231,045
£365,965
£279,717
£(276,824)
£368,858

Name of Designated Fund

Description, Nature & Purpose of the Designated Fund

Roof and Solar Panels To replace roof and install solar panels Upcycling/Repair Shop To open a new charity, upcycling and repair shop Brightening Chopwell To work with our community to make Chopwell brighter, cheerful and brilliant

Name of Restricted Fund Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund

Barbour Foundation Towards the costs of fitting out and equipping the building Barbour Foundation - Shop Towards the costs of fitting out and equipping a Repair & ReUse shop

Bernard Sunley - Building Towards development of ‘The Bank’ building Bernard Sunley - Kitchen Towards the costs of a training kitchen and food preparation British Engines Community Fund Towards the costs of running a community market Carolyn & Tony Brookes Fund (via Towards the costs of fitting out and equipping the building CF) Catherine Cookson Foundation Towards a replacement roof, solar panels and double glazing Community Foundation Towards development of ‘The Bank’ building Community Foundation - Tony Platten Towards the costs of a STEM skills development Fund programme with young people

27

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

15. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)

Name of Restricted Fund Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund

Co-operative Community Fund Towards the costs of furniture, allotments and community fridge costs County Durham CF (EDF Renewables Towards roof works and double glazing - Boundary Lane Wind Farm) Donation – Christmas Lights Towards the costs of Christmas lights Garfield Weston Foundation Towards development of ‘The Bank’ building, transforming lives in Chopwell Gateshead Council - Holiday fund Towards the school holidays activities programme Gateshead Council – Maths/Multiply Towards a mathematics programme Gateshead Council - Small Grants Towards food costs Gateshead Council VCSE Towards the costs of IT & Digital Support Guy Readman Fund (via Community Towards installation of solar panels at ‘The Bank’ Foundation) Hilden Charitable Fund Towards the costs of a training kitchen and food preparation Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust Towards The Regeneration Shop Linden Family Fund (via Community Towards running costs and supplies to run the community Foundation) fridge, market and café National Gardens Scheme Towards the costs of improving an outside area National Lottery Awards for All Towards running costs and provision of a shed and shelving National Lottery Community Fund Towards development of ‘The Bank’ building National Lottery Reaching Towards funding core costs Communities Fund: RC North East and Cumbria Region NHS - Thriving in Chopwell Towards improving mental health activities in Chopwell North East LEP Towards development of ‘The Bank’ building Postcode Lottery Neighbourhood Towards salaries and on costs of a Chef Trust

28

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

15. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)

Name of Restricted Fund

Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund

Platten Family Fund (via CF)

Towards supporting young people and adults from rural Gateshead to gain accredited qualifications to pursue STEM employment

Reed Family Fund (via CF)

Towards food and essential supplies in the community market

Rothley Trust (2023) Rothley Trust (2024)

Towards the costs of equipping a meeting room

Towards the replacement of café windows

Royal Countryside Fund

Towards the costs of employing two apprentices over two years

Samares Jersey - Sir James Knott Towards the running costs of The Bank Jersey Trust

Tesco Community Fund Towards brightening up Chopwell

The Fore/Bulldog Trust

Towards the salary and on costs of a Chef

Tudor Trust

Towards the salary and on costs of a Front Of House Manager

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via Community Foundation)

Towards a Chopwell village repair and reuse shop

Virgin Money Foundation Core funding William Leech Foundation Towards the cost of the roof and solar panels

29

CHOPWELL REGENERATION CIO (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 MAY 2024

16. Related Party Transactions

Details of Trustees’ remuneration and expenses are disclosed in Note 8.

In addition, a tenant of The Bank is connected to Trustees as follows:

All rent for this tenant was agreed at arm’s length and is at the standard market rate.

There were no other transactions in the year with related parties, such as are required to be disclosed under the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (Effective April 2008). (2023: None)

17. Financial Commitments

No material financial commitments have been made in respect of future financial years.

30