Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 18/05/2023 Period start date To 17/05/2024 Period end date
Charity name: Rapid Response North West
Charity registration number: 1183502
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO is to preserve and protect human life with the advancement of health and saving lives in particular but not exclusively by providing: 24-hour on call assistance, water search & rescue, event support & first aid, traffic management and other resources which will offer support to the emergency services, statutory bodies and other organisations as deemed appropriate by the trustees across the United Kingdom. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During our fifth year as a registered charity, Rapid Response North Westcontinued to expand and develop our activities and services to benefit the community. Community Welfare Services We maintained ourShop Assist Welfare Service, providing weekly support to those in need. Additionally, we expanded our Street Welfare Services, launching key projects such as: • Support on the Streets • Warmth & Support in Our Community • Intervention on the Streets These initiatives focused on supporting vulnerable individuals, including those struggling withmental health challenges, suicidal thoughts, or homelessness. Our dedicated team conductedroutine street welfare patrols on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, providing: ✅ Emergency meals & warm drinks ✅ Food parcels & essential supplies ✅ Warm clothing, sleeping bags & emergency shelters ✅ Emotional support & signposting to further services Our long-term goal is to expand these patrols toseven days a week, ensuring even more people receive the help they need. Educational Development & Training In 2023-2024, we explored new ways to providefree educational opportunitiesfor disadvantaged children, young people, and individuals facing mental health challenges or economic hardship. Our training courses, offered at no cost, included: • First Aid at Work Courses • Paediatric First Aid Courses • Mental Health Awareness • Pre-Hospital Care Courses • Early Years & Mini Medics Courses– Teaching young children how to assist someone feeling sick or unwell. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| These courses have helpedunemployed individuals, those not in education, and those facing social exclusiongain valuable life-saving skills and improve their prospects. Medical Cover & First Aid Support We alsodoubled our First Aid & Medical Cover capabilitiesat community events across the UK, working throughout the summer and winter monthsto provide essential emergency care at public gatherings. Through these expanding projects and services, we continue to make a substantial impact on the lives of those in our community, providing critical support, education, and emergency care where it is needed most. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have complied with guidance issued by the charity commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
Policy on grant making |
Para 1.38 |
|
Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
|
Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 |
Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 |
Summary of Achievements and Impact During our fifth year as a registered charity, Rapid Response North Westhas continued to expand its reach, making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and strengthening communities across the Wirral Peninsular, and throughout the UK. Street Welfare & Suicide Prevention Support OurStreet Welfare Serviceshave provided essential support to individuals struggling withhomelessness, mental health issues, and suicidal thoughts. Through initiatives such as“Support on the Streets,” “Warmth & Support in Our Community,” and “Intervention on the Streets,”we have offered: • Emergency meals, warm drinks, and food parcelsto those in crisis. • Warm clothing, sleeping bags, and emergency sheltersto individuals experiencing homelessness. • Emotional support and crisis intervention, offering a listening ear and signposting people to further help. For many, our patrols have provideda lifeline during times of distress, offering hope, comfort, and practical assistance to those who need it most. Expanding Access to First Aid & Mental Health Training We have continued tooffer free training coursesto individuals who are unemployed, facing hardship, or looking to develop life-saving skills. These courses have: |
| • Improved mental health |
|---|
| awareness and resiliencein both |
| young people and adults. |
| • Boosted confidence and |
| employabilityby providing |
| recognised qualifications. |
| • Introduced first aid skills to |
| young childrenthrough our Early |
| Years & Mini Medics courses, |
| helping to build a culture of safety |
| and awareness from an early age. |
| Many participants haveexpressed a |
| renewed sense of purpose, with some |
| showing interest in pursuing careers in |
| healthcare, first response, or community |
| support. |
| Medical Cover at Community Events |
| Throughout the year, we haveexpanded |
| our First Aid & Medical Cover services, |
| supporting a wide range of public events |
| across the UK. Our presence has helped to |
| ensure public safety, provide immediate |
| care when needed, and reduce the burden |
| on emergency services. |
| Wider Benefits to Society |
| • Oursuicide prevention efforts |
| have contributed to early |
| intervention, reducing the number of |
| individuals reaching crisis point. |
| • Ourfree education and training |
| programmeshave helped |
| individuals build essential skills and |
| increase their opportunities. |
| • Ourcommunity engagement and |
| outreachhave helped to create |
| stronger, more connected |
| communities, where people feel |
| supported and valued. |
| Overall, our work has helped tocreate a |
| safer, healthier, and more resilient |
| society, providing much-needed support to |
| those in crisis while empowering individuals |
| with the skills and confidence to make a |
| positive change in their lives. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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Achievements against
objectives set Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives Para 1.41
Other
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Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | During the period of2023 – 2024, we had another successful year in securing funding, allowing us to expand and strengthen our services. We also increased ourself-generated income, thanks to the dedication of our team throughmedical cover services and various community activities. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from our funders: • The National Lottery, whose grant funding enabled us to expand our Shop Assist and Street Welfare Services, providing essential support to vulnerable individuals in the community. • Community Foundation for Merseyside, whose funding helped us delivervarious training programmes, safety patrols, and welfare support on the streets. • The Hemby Trust, whose grant allowed us to providefirst aid training to the public, increasing life-saving skills within the community. With the funding received, we were able to cover key operational costs, including: • Charity insurance and volunteer expensesto support our dedicated team. • Vehicle maintenance coststo ensure the continued operation of our patrols and outreach services. • Safety equipment & personal protective equipment (PPE)for volunteers working in high-risk environments. • Medical equipment & suppliesto support emergency response and first aid training. • Welfare supplies, includingfood parcels, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency food & drinks, to support homeless individuals, those struggling financially, and people experiencing mental health crisis. These essential provisions helped keep vulnerable individuals safe, warm, and nourished, providing much- needed relief and comfort. Additionally, this funding has allowed us to continue investing involunteer training, ensuring our team remains highly skilled, |
|---|---|---|
| while also enabling us todeliver free training to members of the community. We remain committed to financial sustainability and will continue working to diversify our funding sources and self- generated incometo maintain and expand our essential services in the future. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves statingwhy they areheld |
Para 1.22 | The charity would like to have reserves of £1000 by the end of the next financial year. |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para 1.22 | £500 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
The charity received its income from self- generated fundraising activities, public donations, individual trusts, as well as from various fundraising events and financial support from individual team members. |
|---|---|---|
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 |
|
A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 |
Olher
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 |
Trustees are voted in to post by full members of the team at the AGM. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 |
|
Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 |
|
Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | RapidResponseNorth West |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | RRNW,Rapid Response |
| Registered charitynumber | 1183502 |
| Charity’s principal address | Rapid Response North West Whitfield Business Hub 184-200 Pensby Road Heswall, Wirral CH60 7RJ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Dates acted if not for whole|Name of person (or body) entitled|
|Trustee name|Office (if any)|
|year|to appoint trustee (if any)|
|Samuel Gwilliam|Trustee|September 2023 to|
|present|
|Luke Brown|Trustee|29|[th]|August 2020 to 8|[th]|
|September 2023|
|Daniel Anderton|Trustee|September 2022 to|
|October 2024|
|Daniel Cumbers|Trustee|September 2022 to|
|October 2024|
|Adam Grogan|Trustee|October 2024 to present|
|Sophie Davies|Trustee|October 2024 to present|
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
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Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Sophie Davies
Position (eg Secretary,
Trustee
Chair, etc)
Date
03/03/2025
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Daniel Anderton
Position (eg Secretary, Trustee 2023 - 2024
Chair, etc)
Date
03/03/2025
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Signature(s) Full name(s) Adam Grogan Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc) Date 03/03/2025
Overall Accounts
– 18[th ] May 2023 17[th] May 2024
Account Balance/Start Figure Leftover from last year
£8,375.34
Income / Sales
Public Donations £4,895.21 Grants £26,214.00 Fundraising £7,384.40
Total Income / Sales
£38,493.61
Direct Expenses and Overheads
Insurance £2,208.77 Phoneline £330.37
DBS Checking £137.30
Vehicle Insurance £1,202.40 Communication & IT Services £1,225.08 Equipment £1,049.49 Uniform/PPE £1,143.87 Medical Supplies £1,812.43 Medical Equipment £3,113.62 Funded Training £6,029.24
Training Equipment & Consumables £778.87 Fuel / Volunteer Mileage Claims £4,213.07 Event Services £1,917.95 Volunteer Welfare £203.73 Vehicle Maintenance £1,464.28 Room Hire & Storage £1,888.34 Shop Assist Welfare Services £4,609.05 Street Welfare Services £6,903.59
Total Direct Expenses / Overheads £40,231.45 Account Balance at the end of 2024 financial year £6,637.50
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name RAPID RESPONSE NORTH WEST members of On accounts for the year 17[th] May 2024 Charity no 1183502 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 17/05/2024 .
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Date: 13/03/2025
Signed:
Name: Heather Podmore
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address: 43 Rutland Road, Tyldesley
Manchester
M29 8FX
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October 2018
1
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
October 2018
2
IER