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2023-03-31-accounts

The Red Hen Project – Annual Report & Accounts 2020-21

supporting our community to raise happy, healthy, and independent children – working directly with families, promoting positive, confident parenting and cooperative relationships between schools and families

Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23

redhenproject.org Registered Charity No. 1183845

The Red Hen Project – Annual Report & Accounts 2022-23

About Red Hen

Legal Status/Registration

Charity Registration Number: 1183845 (previously 1072190, formed 1998)

Registered Address: 51 Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6AW

Contents

Our 2022-23 Impact Report

Our Vision, Values and Outcomes

Trustees

Lesley Ford (Chair) Sara Garnham (Vice Chair) Kirsty Cooke (Secretary) Bobby Ford Helen Skaer Miranda Gomperts Sophie Evans

Finance Report & Annual Accounts

CEO

Sarah Crick

Independent Examiner

Lisa King − Burdett King Accountancy Ltd 8 The Hamiltons, Newmarket, CB8 0NF

Bankers

Lloyds Bank, 125 Chesterton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 3AU

Structure and Governance

The charity is governed by a constitution adopted on May 2019

The charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1[st] April 2020

Other Relevant Information Independent External Evaluation Strategic Plan 2022-25

2022-23 IMPACT

Our skilled, experienced and trusted family workers worked 121 with families to

intensively support 177[children] in79 families

for on average 8 months

feel more confident in finding and getting support for themselves and their family

100%

would seek support from Red Hen in the future if needed

recommend other families getting support from Red Hen

96%

confidence in parenting their children is better, or much better

feel less isolated and have more links in their community

feel more able to cope when/if things go wrong

Familys’experience of working with Red Hen*

* every comment from 2022-23 parent feedback

Excellent Wonderful

Really Good

Really good and would love to have continued if Very good, they are very we didn’t move friendly and helpful Brilliant - Excellent! My family worker makes meetings fun and enjoyable Perfect 10 out of 10 Really Good

Excellent! My family worker makes meetings fun and enjoyable Delightful Wonderful

Would have been lost without it, so 100% wonderful

Very supportive to me any my family

Amazing, my family worker is very helpful, kind, patient and friendly person. I also trusted her with my problems and never felt judged.

Excellent. Very clear about what was doable, happy to roll up sleeves and help with specific things I needed

My worker helped me and supported me and my daughters Exceptional in a very difficult time (lost father and hisband) Brilliant

Our four drop-ins across CB4 provided drop-in hours of sessions support 116 232 individual visits 1162 to drop-in volunteers hours of 18delivered 275 support

we have through our outreach provided 1128 over support activities programs

parents/carers report improvement in

82% 81% 77%

behaviour at home & confidence

attitude to school

emotional resilience

91%

report improvement in general confidence and wellbeing

doing more together as a family

SCHOOLS report improved relations with REPORT 100% teachers by child and family

of children have 100% improved

confidence attendance & punctuality emotional & physical wellbeing

How Red Hen has helped...

...has helped changed our family into a positive Gave me the confidence to admit I am in family who are all happy and content now. I felt an abusive and destructive relationship very lost and unsure what to do before her help.

[My family worker} helped with a number of things within our family, we completed the parenting course together, took part in a few activities, she helped me gain confidence to go for a job I’d of never even applied for before & the main point I want to make is she was there for us as someone to talk to which we appreciate so much!

Help with school problems - Help us manage our money

Helped me resolve my problems, be more organised, better educated,more productive,motivated and confident

[My Red Hen famuily worker] has helped us so much, not only with emotional and parenting support, but with financial too. She was able to get funding for a few things we were struggling with, including a bed for our daughter when hers broke and we couldn't afford a new one, and Red Hen has also funded some dance classes for her, which has really boosted her confidence,.. .Without [her] and Red Hen, this last year or two, would have been a whole different world for us. We were at breaking point, and the wonderful [family worker] stepped in and fixed the broken pieces, renewed our confidence as parents, and got us back on track with life in general. So many positive changes have happened, and we are forever grateful for the kindness and support we've received.

We're looking forward to volunteering our time to Red Hen too, to give back to a fantastic team of people, making a huge difference to Cambridge families! Thank you all, so very much.

She helped me discover new ways Supported me where needed, gave me

to help my son with his daily confidence to handle things the right way, struggles and make his days a lot100% gave me hope. I am now in a much better

more structured place and feel a lot happier in myself

Our school partners...

This was a complex case with multiple intrinsic layers. [Red Hen] worked successfully in building the relationship with the family. A referral was made to Young carers.....and a project worker has visited him in school. Both [children] attended after-school clubs - liaising with another parent to bring the boys home after clubs. {Stepfather} has been attending the Red Hen Raising Children Course, which has been a huge step forward. {Mother} enjoyed the visits; she is progressing at her own pace. [She} is aware that she can call/text any time if she needs further advice/support. Thank You for all the work with this family.

[Red Hen] supported this family with managing children’s behaviours, rewards and toileting issues. [The family worker] worked really hard at gaining [mother's] trust and worked hard to support her accessing MH support..... [Red Hen]'s support with this family has been invaluable, as [mum’s] relationship with school had broken down.

Through Red Hen's support, [her] self-esteem and self-confidence grew. This resulted in her feeling empowered and enabled her to make a huge decision for herself and her children. We are very thankful that Red Hen built up this supportive, trusting relationship with this family, as it has literally been life-changing for them! Thank you!

hello@redhenproject.orgREDHENCAMBRIDGE

Our Vision, Mission, Values and Outcomes

A welcoming community where families are supported and empowered to raise happy, healthy and independent children who grow up to fulfil their lives and engage fully with society.

To achieve this vision, we support children aged 3-11, their families and communities in North Cambridge, focusing our attention on those experiencing challenges in their lives. We promote and enable positive , confident parenting and cooperative relationships between schools and families .

Children affected by poor wellbeing and engagement with learning and school, are happier , more confident and have better wellbeing . This, in turn, creates increased emotional resilience and better mental health, and improved school attendance and engagement with education

Families affected by poverty, stressed family relationships, isolation, and poor access to opportunities have improved family relationships , feel less isolated , access more opportunities and resources and are better linked to and able to seek help . This, in turn, leads to fewer crises and families receiving the right support - including meeting additional needs. Family life is better.

Parents who are struggling with children’s needs, parenting challenges, poor wellbeing, and poor access to services have increased parenting confidence and a better understanding of the additional needs of their child(ren), better wellbeing and practical skills (work, money etc). This, in turn, creates an increased sense of community and engagement with it and improves mental health.

Communities affected by low inequality and socio-economic challenges see parents acting as positive role models , an increase in volunteering and better relationships within the community. This, in turn, creates an increase in engagement , families becoming socially and politically active and a reduction in anti-social and risk-taking behaviour

Overstretched services and infrastructure that struggle to engage some families and with high demand for costly crisis support see better so-ordinated services around families and relationships between families and services. This, in turn, leads to increased social capital and savings to the public purse by prevention of crises.

Our Theory of Change

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Needs in our community What we do How we work Short term outcomes Long term outcomes Our goal
Families are affected by:•••• Poverty Stressed family relationshipsIsolationPoor access to opportunities to reach their ••• Holistic assessments of needsFinancial and practical helpAdvocacy ••• We are warm and welcomingWe are inspiring and funOur work is ••• Improved family relationshipsFeel less isolatedBetter linked to right services and confident to ask for help ••• Family life is betterFamilies have fewer crisesFamilies receive the right support, including to meet additional needs
aspirations • One-to-one support personalised and • Have better access to
• Family members with additional needs • Group activities and trips holistic- ensuring children’s and parents’ • resourcesAccess more opportunities • Increased emotional resilience
• Signposting and referral to voices are heard • Improved school
Children are affected by: help • We are proactive and attendance and
• Poor wellbeing fast-acting • Are happier in school engagement with education
• Poor engagement with learning and school • Parenting courses and support • We are well informed • Are more confident • Have better mental health
• Help to access services • We don't judge and are • Have better wellbeing healthy and Happy,
and information honest
Parents/Carers are affected by: • Better engagement with independent
• Struggling with children’s needs • Facilitating parent to • We empower, and help • Increased parenting community activities and children,
• Parenting challenges parent support families connect confidence projects - including as who,
• Poor wellbeing • Parent ambassador roles • We stay with families • Have better wellbeing • volunteersIncreased sense of in turn,
• Poor access to services they need as long as needed • Have better understanding community grow up to
of additional needs of their • Have better mental health fulfil their lives
child
• Promote and encourage • Better practical skills and engage
Communities are affected by: attendance at community (money, work) fully with
• Low community engagement or social action • activitiesProvide volunteering • We are honest • Wider range of services and activities in the society
•• Socio-economic challengesHigh levels of inequality • opportunitiesPromote community ambassador roles • We work cooperatively in partnership • Parents acting as positive role models • community are being usedFamilies become socially and politically active in
• Anti-social and risk-taking behaviour • We are honest about • Increase in volunteering communities
what we can and can't • Better relationships within • Reduction in anti-social
• Help agencies to work with do and have clear community and risk-taking behaviour
families expectations of others
Service providers and commissioners are
affected by: • Sharing knowledge • We value and protect
• Struggling to engage some families • Advocating for understanding the assets in our • Better co-ordinated • Reduction in need for
• Overstretched services and of our families’ needs and holistic responses communities • services around familiesBetter relationships • higher cost, crisis servicesIncreased social capital
• infrastructureHigh demand for costly crisis support • Help families be heard and influential in service design • We work flexibility between families and services • Savings to the public purse by preventing crises
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Our Achievements and Highlights

Our work and reach

Life for the children and families we support is challenging. 2022-23 saw a need in our community grow in both quantity and complexity, with a multitude of varied and often interlinked issues impacting lives. Red Hen has been at the coal face and working alongside families as the true impact of the pandemic lockdowns emerged, and the following cost of living crisis hit.

177 children in 79 families received long-term casework support from a Red Hen family worker for on average 8 months during this year.

This year has seen the average length of time we work intensively with a family rise to, on average, eight months. This is a local reflection of the increase we see nationally in the poor mental health of both parents and children, the financial challenges families face and domestic abuse. It also is a symptom of the reduced services and long waiting lists for more specialised support of all kinds, including mental health, social care, and diagnosis of additional needs. We also see long waits for appropriate housing impacting the mental health of families.

We have been able to give our family workers time to support families to tackle the underlying causes of issues and make real, lasting change. Having this time is also critical for our team, preventing the low morale and burnout we often see in other services in what can be a very emotionally draining job.

Alongside this intensive support, we have delivered 1128 separate outreach support interventions.

Complementing the intensive support, our outreach program encompasses wide-ranging activities that lead to positive indicators towards the outcomes that underpin Red Hen’s impact. For example, help and advice with a particular parenting issue, attending a well-being drop-in, provision of a fuel grant or referral to the food bank, completing our parenting courses, or a place on a summer trip for their family.

Our four weekly drop-ins across North Cambridge provided 232 hours of group support, receiving 1162 individual visits. Our volunteering program meant 18 individuals donating 275 hours to support these groups.

In these groups, we have built community resilience by introducing families to one another and to other services and community groups, all in the 'safety' of an environment where they feel comfortable.

This ‘wrap-around’ outreach support is particularly effective in unearthing unmet needs, connecting families we are working with intensively to their community, and continuing support as families move to independence. Knowing that should a problem re-emerge Red Hen is on the end of the phone, or that they can call into one of our four groups running across the week, prevents an issue from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

Our Reputation in our Community

Our community has a long history with Red Hen and the trust they have in us is well-established. We are now working with parents who received support as children. This community memory means we are held in high regard locally by residents who know we are committed, which leads to high levels of engagement. We often find people willing to work with us when they have refused statutory offers of help. We use this strength to reach those most in need.

Our Team

Our outstanding staff team of exceptional individuals continue to demonstrate the values and ethos created and embedded into the organisation’s DNA over 25 years.

During 2022-23, our team of committed, highly skilled and experienced family workers - Maria David, Theresa Quarmby and Gemma Pavitt, and project worker Vicky Waterton worked under the superb guidance of Rachel Bennett, who brings immeasurable experience and care to the oversight of the delivery of our services.

Working alongside the core delivery team, the invaluable Jen Rutter has supported us in multiple areas, including coordinating our volunteer program, developing our budget cookery project and supporting our fundraising efforts. Kathy Skill shares her experience by regularly supporting our drop-in groups.

Going above and beyond to help children and their families with kindness and passion throughout the year, our team ensure families are treated with dignity and compassion whilst building their confidence and supporting them to independence.

Our Partnerships, Collaborations and Networks

We thank our partner referrers including schools' heads, teachers and broader staff, especially during these challenging times. As our year came to a close, new referrer Hundred Houses joined and we look forward to working with them over the coming year.

During recent work writing our strategic plan, outside of these partners we logged over 70 other organisations that we work with to deliver our services – these include:

Abbey People, ABC Life Support, Arbury Carnival, Arbury Community Centre, Beesom, Blue Smile, Cambridge Acorn Project, Cambridge Aid, Cambridge Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Cambridge City Council, Cambridge City Foodbank, Cambridge Community Nursing Trust, Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance, Cambridge Housing Society (CHS), Cambridge Re-Use, Cambridge Student Community Action, Cambridge Sustainable Food, Cambs Youth Panel, CAP, Centre33, Chesterton Methodist Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Cogwheel, Corkscrew Theatre, CPLS Mind, Football Fun Factory, Free Cakes for Kids, FullScope,GrowKids, HomeStart Cambridge, Illuminate, Kettle's Yard, King’s Hedges Family Support Project, Meadows Children & Family Wing, North Cambridge Community Partnership, Orchard Park Community Centre, Orchard Park Community Council, Pinpoint, Romsey Mill, The Junction, The Library Presents, The Rudd Centre, Sharing Parenting, Spectrum, WEA, Winter Comfort

New, more efficient ways of working introduced during the pandemic have enabled us to become more involved and actively participate in more networks across the city and the council. We are active members of the Food Poverty Alliance, Cambridge Mental Health Network, Cambridge City and South Charities Network, GET Group (Guidance Education and Training), and the Financial Resilience Network.

Alongside our partnerships and collaborations, membership of these groups enables us to access help and advice, share our experience and best practices, and work together to create solutions to issues facing our community and partnerships to address challenges.

Our Strategic Plan 2022-25

Changes to our governance structure in the two years following Sarah Crick taking over leadership of The Red Hen Project in mid-2018 mean trustees now have our beneficiaries and our community as our priority. As a result of the changes, we have greater confidence in our expertise, role, and value to schools, the community, and the broader 'system'.

Our strategic plan was launched at our last AGM, and during the year we have started delivering on its seven aims to:

protect and strengthen what we do best - articulating our offer clearly,

mapping out and protecting our capacity and nurturing partnerships

reach out to new children and families - working to welcome new and diverse referrals and ensuring we continue to develop strong relationships with schools

have resilient, measured growth - ensuring we have complete clarity about the costs of our work and raising funds strategically from a diverse income base

improve our external communications to raise our profile - ensuring we are sharing the right information with the right people, especially about the impact and value of what we do

In the coming year, our 25[th] , we look forward to the charity serving more children and families in our communities with these aims guiding our direction.

Our Thanks

Cambridge remains a city of two halves and we have worked hard over the past year to tap into the affluence and generosity of the wider community and businesses surrounding the wards in which we operate. We no longer rely on one funding source and instead continue diversifying our funding streams to seek sustainable support for the future.

Thanks to grant funding from Awards for All, Cambridge City Council, Cambridge County Council, Fore Trust and Reach Community Solar Farm.

We thank the organisations and individuals who have donated their resources, expertise, time and energy, and in many cases, also funds. Your belief in what we do and the help you give remain crucial to our survival.

Our finance report outlines thanks to our supporters, fundraisers and donors, too many to mention individually, and many of you have requested anonymity. Alongside generous individuals, these include:

Local groups and organisations such as Cambridge Rugby Club, City & University of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust, Clare College, Kings College School PTA, St John’s Church – Orchard Park Businesses such as Beam Group, Johh Lewis, Mathworks, Mills & Reeve, Savills and TNS.

Particular thanks to the following special friends

Huge gratitude goes to our growing family of regular donors who provide a critical backbone of support for the charity, enabling us to plan ahead and build our capabilities and services to meet the needs of more children.

Governance

Charitable Objects

The charitable objects of the charity as set out in our new Constitution, are

To advance the education and development of children and their parents/carers in North Cambridge by providing support, activities and services designed to

Powers and delegations

The Board of Trustees holds all the charity's powers and authorities. It is ultimately responsible for the charity's overall control and strategic direction and protection of its assets. Day-to-day running of the charity is the responsibility of the CEO, Sarah Crick.

The Trustees of the charity are appointed by the Board and are representative of our community, our families, and our schools, and they met four times during 2022-23. Trustees are re-elected annually at the AGM unless they choose not to stand for re-election. Our quorum is two, or the number nearest to a third of the total trustees, whichever is greatest. The names of Trustees served during the year are listed on page 2.

New Trustees attend an initial meeting where they are provided with a full report on the charity's activities and their roles and responsibilities as Trustees. Trustees are encouraged to call meetings of Trustees whenever they feel it is necessary to discuss any issues that arise. Ongoing training is available as needed.

Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

Red Hen's Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The Trustees review and agree financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity.

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring the employees of the charity maintain proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity Commission's requirements.

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

Statement of Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'. That guidance addresses the need for all charities' aims to be demonstrably for the public benefit.

The Red Hen Project addresses its objectives by providing early intervention in the form of intensive family work, complemented by a range of outreach support designed to support children and families on their journey to independence. This report highlights the achievements of this work over the year.

We aim to help children and families experiencing challenges and disadvantages in our community. No person is excluded on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social position.

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Other income 2%
Finance Report &
School contribution
2022/23 Annual Accounts 19%
Income
£132,380 Donations 50%
Grant funding 20%
Fundraising 9%
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Expenditure £181,409

For 2022/23 we budgeted a deficit and planned to use designated reserves to support our projects. We finished the year more than £17,500 better than planned. The brought forward balance for 2021/22 was £160,858 and we ended 2022/23 with a surplus balance of £115,828.

Accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 are available for inspection.

Budget 2022/23

Income £132,900
Expenditure (£196,684)
We set an in-year deficit budget of (£63,784)
With the carry forward from 2021/22, we set an overall surplus to be carried forward as of 31
March 2023 of £97,074

Year-end position

Income £132,380
Expenditure (£181,409)
The in-year deficit was (£46,030)
With the 2021/22 carry forward, we ended the year with an overall balance to be carried
forward as of 31 March 2023 of £115,828

As part of the detail provided within the financial statements, we have shown the brought-forward balances as unrestricted and restricted. The movement between unrestricted and designated funds is in line with the updated designated funds policy (see further details below).

Performance

Income: plan and actual 2022-23

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80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Donations Fundraising Grants Other income
Budget £'000 Actual £'000
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During 2022-23 our income was almost as budgeted, and an increase in donations offset any lower amounts raised by other means.

Our drive to diversify our income streams is well underway with a range of sources with more than 50% of these unrestricted.

Many thanks to those who granted and donated funds so generously; please see the end of the report for more details. This income meant we were able to continue to provide support to families experiencing complex challenges.

Planned income 2022-23

Actual income 2022-23

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36%
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27%
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Donations
Fundraising
Grants restricted
Other income
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50%
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20%
9%
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Funding

Grant funders

Until April 2022, The Big Lottery funded our work through two four-year Reaching Communities grants. We are grateful to have received support this year from several other funders, including Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and The Fore Trust.

Fundraising, group giving and individual donors

This financial year has seen continued support with over £20,000 in donations from groups and organisations including Cambridge Rugby Club, local Masonic groups, Clare College, King’s College School PTA, Reach Community Solar Farm, St John’s Church Orchard Park, and many others.

We received more than £31,500 from individual supporters, £12,500 of this was from supporters giving regularly. These funds have been crucial to allowing us to fill the gap left by the Lottery funding and has enabled us to embark on numerous initiatives that have aided children and families in the community through a particularly challenging time.

A range of fundraising activities have taken place, from those with our active involvement and unexpected gifts from others undertaking activities independently. This included our team running the Cambridge Half Marathon, The Haymakers Pub charity day, and both the Accord and Cambridge New Singers choirs.

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Fundraising and Giving 16%
2022-23
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25%
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24%
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Fundraising
Groups
Business
Individual donations
Regular donors
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Business engagement

Our partnerships with Cambridge Fruit Company and Elica remain strong, plus we have a new partnership with The Bradfield Centre on the Science Park, which gives us membership of their co-working space pro-bono. For the second year running, MathWorks has shown us incredible kindness over the Christmas period, providing us with the space to process our Christmas present donations as well as raising funds. We have had significant support from Savills, Mills & Reeve, Arnold Clarke and John Lewis, as well as funds from Asda, Dyslexia Box, Kiss Communications and Create Signs.

School contributions

Our schools continue to face huge pressures on their budgets, but in recognition of the value of our work and the funding constraints we face as a charity, our schools have continued contributing towards the costs of the service they receive. In fact, our newest school have had such a positive experience they have increased their spending on intensive casework services with us from three to eight families at any one time.

Grants for individuals

We continue to apply for and distribute funds to individual families experiencing hardship. We are particularly grateful to Cambridge Aid, along with Cambridge Community Nursing Trust and Radley Charitable Trust.

Expenditure

This year’s expenditure has been broadly on track with an underspend of 8% as a result of a number of factors. Undertaking the process of choosing and appointing an external bookkeeping service took longer than expected and this played a significant part in this underspend. In addition, we have changed our premises rental payment to monthly rather than a lump sum pre-payment. All other variances for expenditure are relatively small and largely as budgeted.

We have retained one of the two part-time family workers used for last year’s Innovate Project and the part-time project worker to continue our focus on our poverty relief work and to support the growth in the number of our drop-in groups from one to four.

Reserves and designated funds

Purpose

The Red Hen Project holds reserves to ensure the continuation of its services to meet its charitable aims and objectives as well as to meet financial commitments of unforeseen events. These funds are split between reserves and designated funds.

Reserves

The Charity aims to hold a sufficient level of reserves to cover the operating costs of a 3-month period in the event of a significant reduction in income. This would allow for family casework to be completed or passed on to appropriate support. These reserves can also be used for unexpected emergencies or unforeseen significant increases in operational expenditure.

The reserves provide the project with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future.

Designated funds

Designated funds are unrestricted funds that have been earmarked for a specific purpose. The Board of Trustees has approved a designated funds policy. The policy has several areas identified by the Trustees as exciting opportunities for the future growth of the Charity's work. These can be found in note 8 in the annual accounts.

The Red Hen Project’s reserves and target designated funds position as of 31[st] March 2023 is as follows:

Restricted funds: £2,514
Unrestricted funds: - Reserves £65,860
- Designated Funds:
- Core Family Work £3,428
- Poverty Relief Project £9,000
- Transformational Funds £29,000
- Premises Fund £5,000
- General Funds £1,027
Total funds £115,828

Governance

As the Charity has evolved, it has also improved its governance arrangements. The Finance and Risk SubCommittee reviews the Charity's financial performance, strategy, and risk profile on a quarterly basis.

As the Charity has evolved, so has the complexity of the finances; this continues to be reflected in the financial statements within this report and in future annual accounts.

As a result of the increased complexity and our desire to provide a more detailed picture of both income and expenses in real-time, we have moved from cash to accrual-based accounting.

The Red Hen Project 51 Cambridge Road Milton CAMBRIDGE CB24 6AW

Lisa King Burdett King Accountancy Limited 8 The Hamiltons Newmarket CB8 0NF

26 May 2023

Dear Lisa

Letter of representation

The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your report on the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.

GENERAL

  1. We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and that you do not express an audit opinion.

  2. We confirm that the charity was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2023 audited.

  3. We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees as set out in the terms of your engagement letter dated Charities Act 2011, for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

  4. All the transactions undertaken by the charity have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records.

  5. All the accounting records and related financial information, including minutes of all management and trustee meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission have been made available to you for the purpose of your work.

LOANS AND ARRANGEMENTS

  1. The charity has not granted any advances or credits to, or made guarantees on behalf of, trustee other than those disclosed in the financial statements.

LEGAL CLAIMS

  1. We have disclosed to you all claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received and such matters, as appropriate, have been properly accounted for and disclosed as applicable in the financial statements.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

RELATED PARTIES

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

GOING CONCERN

GRANTS AND DONATIONS

As minuted by the trustees at their meeting of 25 May 2023.

Lesley Ford, Chair of Trustees

Registered Charity No: 1183845

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Red Hen Project

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

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

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Lisa King

CHARITY No: 1183845 Year ended : 31 March 2023

THE RED HEN PROJECT

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
Notes
RECEIPTS
Donations
2.		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
62,684
5,242
67,925
2023		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
62,684
5,242
67,925
2023		 2022
Total
Funds
£
54,897
Fundraising 9,742
1,809
11,551		 7,920
Grant funding
- Lottery
- Innovate		 -
-		 79,930
37,337
- Other
3.		 27,467
27,467		 22,600
Grants for individuals
4.
Interest received
School contributions
Other income
PAYMENTS
Allocated individual grants
4.
Clinical supervision
Consultancy fees
Drop in groups & courses
Family work resources
Family workers
Project spends
5.
Project workers
Room hire
Telephones
Travel & subsistence
Fundraising costs
Insurance & compliance
IT, office equipment
Marketing costs
Memberships & subscriptions		 2,279
2,279
157
157
26,000
26,000
-
72,583
62,797
135,380
20
3,818
3,838
-
3,974
2,422
485
2,908
333
333
50,521
37,522
88,043
2,672
4,545
7,217
8,788
14,258
23,045
1,980
2,185
4,165
1,276
1,276
2,353
166
2,519
1,066
1,066
447
96
544
286
286
-
3,812
3,812		 7,147
8
20,491
1,906
232,236
5,440
1,152
11,311
2,861
544
92,098
14,396
25,786
3,750
1,676
2,352
2,642
1,404
1,478
3,645
3,231
Governance & Sundry Expenses 370
370		 268
Premises
6.		 1,725
200
1,925		 5,345
Professional Fees 7,300
7,300		 1,370
Management and admin salaries
Stationery and postage
Training
Surplus/(deficit) for the year
Accumulated reserves brought forward
Transfers between funds
Accumulated reserves carried forward		 16,563
9,834
26,397
1,303
23
1,327
1,065
1,065
108,277
73,133
181,409
(35,694)
(10,336)
(46,030)
160,316
1,542
161,858
(11,307)
11,307
-
113,315
2,513
115,828		 25,317
1,243
1,128
208,437
23,799
138,059
-
161,858
113,315
2,513
BALANCE SHEET
2023
£		 2022
£
Fixed assets 999 -
Treasurer's account
Business account
Petty Cash
Debtors
Outstanding invoices
Payroll / pension / PAYE/NI
Deferred Income
7.		 45,249
82,956
157
29,832
(3,320)
(2,213)
(37,833)
115,828		 83,107
82,649
129
1,528
(267)
(5,288)
-
161,858

THE RED HEN PROJECT CHARITY No: 1183845 Year ended : 31 March 2023

Notes

1. Accounting policies

(a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

(b) Funds structure

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or trust deed.

Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose.

(c) Income recognition

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Donations, are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon

2023
2022		 2023
2022
2. Donations Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£		 £
Arnold Clarke 1,000
1,000
Cambridge Rugby Club
Clare College
Haymakers		 4,423
4,423
2,000
2,000
752
752
John Lewis 1,000
1,000
Kings College School PTA
KISS Communications
Mills & Reeve		 2,115
2,115
1,000
1,000
3,000
3,000
City & University of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust 3,000
3,000
Reach Community Solar Farm 1,334
1,334
St John's Church
Annoymous, regular and less than £1000		 1,000
1,000
44,060
3,242
47,301
62,684
5,242
67,925
54,897

3. Grants

3. Grants
Awards for All (New Schools)
Cambridge City Council - Area Grant (Summer Trips)
Cambridge City Council - Community Grant (Poverty)
Cambridgeshire County Council Public Health (Drop-In support)
- Deferred to 23/24
Cambridge Skills (Club Cook)
The Fore Trust
Groundworks
- One Stop
11
- Tesco
Other		 2023
£
-
5,000
5,000
20,000
(18,333)
800
15,000
-
-
-
-		 2022
£
10,000
4,500
5,000
-
-
-
-
-
2,000
1,000
100
27,467 22,600

4. Grants for individuals

We applied and received funds for individual families from the following grant-giving organisations during the year.

2023 2022
Cambridge Aid
Cambridge City Council - Food and Fuel Poverty
Cambridge Community Nursing Trust		 £
2,000
-
90		 £
2,120
1,500
1,177
The Ley's - Extra Cirricular Fund - 1,000
South Cambs Council - Winter Grant Fund - 800
Radley Charitable Trust 189 550
2,279 7,147

5. Grant/Project Funding

This is tracked income and expenditure specific to grants and/or specific project work. Projects can often be funded from a variety of sources, income categories (grants, donations, fundraising), and fund types (restricted, designated & unrestricted). Whereever possible and appropriate, income is spent in year - especially with one-year grants. Where there is a carry forward

Opening
Balances
Total Income
(Grants &
Donations)
Total
Expenditure
(Over)/Under
Balance
£
£
£
£
Awards4All (a)
10,000
0
10,000
0
Back to School Appeal (b)
716
0
491
225
Summer Trips (c)
(418)
9,032
8,614
0
Christmas Appeal
(5)
903
898
0
Club Cook (d)
44
3,890
3,500
434		 Opening
Balances
Total Income
(Grants &
Donations)
Total
Expenditure
(Over)/Under
Balance
£
£
£
£
Awards4All (a)
10,000
0
10,000
0
Back to School Appeal (b)
716
0
491
225
Summer Trips (c)
(418)
9,032
8,614
0
Christmas Appeal
(5)
903
898
0
Club Cook (d)
44
3,890
3,500
434
Corona Appeal
503
96
599		 0
Food & Fuel Grant Fund (e)
697
0
697		 0
The Fore Trust Grant
0
15,000
15,000		 0
Cambridge County Council Innovate Grant
(3,642)
3,642
0
They Ley's Extra Curricular Fund
910
0
312
Lottery
132
0
132
Cosy Christmas - Fuel Grant Fund (f)
0
683
163
Poverty Relief Project (g)
0
23,258
23,258		 0
598
0
520
0
Red Hen Crisis Fund (h)
(280)
817
0		 537
School Holiday Food Appeal
3
0
3
Stella's Food Fund (i)
0
159
0		 0
159
Talking Together Early Years Project (j)
553
0
553		 0
Winter Food & Fuel (South) (k)
220
0
180		 40
2,513

(a) New School Project

(b) Part-funded by donation from Beam Group

(c) Part-funded by Cambridge City Council Area Grant and donations from Mills & Reeve and Neuro Box

(d) Part-funded by Arnold Clarke, Asda & Cambridge Skills, & Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance Fundraiser

(e) Distributed and administered for Cambridge City Council

(f) Fundraising by Mathworks

(g) Part-funded by Savills, Cambridge City Council Community Grant, City & University Masonic Charitable Trust, The Barnabus Oley Trust (Clare College), and The Haymakers

(f) Distributed and administered for South Cambridgeshire District Council

In most cases internal project deficits are not carried forward to the following year, instead the shortfall is taken from unrestricted funds, where available.

6. Premises cost

Premises costs for the YE 31 March 2022 included £3,417 for rent paid in advance for the period to 30 November 2022. This was not adjusted for as the accounts for that year were prepared on a receipts and payments basis.

7. Deferred income

100 Houses
Green Hat Foundation
Cambridgeshire County Council Public Health Drop-in Grant
Deferred income carried forward
Income received and deferred:		 2023
£
10,000
9,500
18,333
37,833

8. Movement in funds

There has been movement in unrestricted funds in order to meet our reserves level and to support our designated funds policy. Designated funds have been put in place by the board for specific, time-limited purposes.

Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated Funds
- Transformational funds
- Poverty relief project
- Core family work
- Future office/storage costs
- Reserves
Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 at 1.4.22
Net movement
in funds
Transfers
between funds
at 31.3.23
£
£
£
£
31,316
(35,694)
5,405
1,027
-
15,000
14,000
29,000
20,000
(11,000)
9,000
40,000
(36,572)
3,428
5,000
5,000
49,000
16,860
65,860
1,542
(10,336)
11,307
2,514
161,858
(46,030)
-
115,828