Registered charity number 1184223
Every Month (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Trustees' Report and Financial Statements
31 October 2020
Every Month Report and accounts Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Statement of cash flows | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 |
Every Month Charity Information
Trustees
Anna Hall (appointed 25 August 2018) Charlotte Atkinson (appointed 28 May 2020) Emillie Hampson (appointed 25 August 2018) Isobel Southgate (appointed 28 May 2020) Hannah Aziz (appointed 25 August 2018)
Independent Examiner
Stephanie Stevens Hobday-Stevens Limited Shaw House 1 Shaw Street Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6QJ
Registered office
7 The Grove Stockport Cheshire SK2 6QU
Charity number 1184223
1
Every Month Registered number: Trustees' Report
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 October 2020.
Welcome to our first Trustees' Annual Report. Every Month started as a grass-roots, volunteer-led group in 2015 after our former CEO founded the group. The aim of Every Month was and remains to this day, to provide those experiencing period poverty with a practical means of assistance through the provision of our period packs. Our former CEO asked for volunteers to help make the period packs and also assist with meeting the growing demands of running the group. Many of those original 2015 volunteers now serve as our dedicated trustees.
Demand for Every Month's services quickly grew and thanks to some fantastic fundraising efforts, Every Month was able to apply to become a registered charity. Every Month officially became a CIO on 3 July 2019. Registration enabled us to expand our operations and supply many more of our packs. Alongside the provision of period packs, raising awareness about period poverty has been central to our aims. We do this through our social media channels and through our network of approximately 500 volunteers. We are extremely fortunate to have a committed and active bank of volunteers who help fundraise, make period packs, spread awareness and generally donate their time for any task that we may need assistance with.
In January 2020 our former CEO left the charity and two directors were installed in her stead. They remain in their roles which are director of fundraising and communications and director of operations respectively. Some of our original trustees left the charity and additional trustees were put in place. Not long after the directors took on their roles, the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Our first year as a registered charity presented a steep learning curve coupled with the personnel changes noted above. We now have a better understanding of how to support our frontline community partners and we continued to work at a challenging pace, particularly in light of the Covid19 pandemic. Like many charities, we were forced to rethink our approach to running the charity. We had to cancel our in-person packing parties where we make our period packs, as well as suspending any planned fundraising events such as our charity quizzes which have always proved popular. We are proud to have pivoted our normal way of working to new ways as a result of the pandemic. We still require significant funding to enable us to help more people and to become a driver for change by raising awareness of period poverty.
Our core ambition is that the people we serve will no longer require our service or need us to champion the issue of period poverty. Until everyone has access to period products we will not stop. We want to play a role in influencing the tackling of period poverty and ending the period stigma full stop.
We believe everyone should have access to period products. It is not right that a basic healthcare right is only open to those who can afford to buy period products.
What we want to see going forward
One of our charitable aims is to raise awareness about period poverty. Our social media presence has proven instrumental in achieving this. We also have a template contact your local MP letter on our website so that people have an accessible and easy way to help effect change and raise awareness. In the future, we want to see England adopting the same law as in Scotland, to make period products free for all. We would like greater campaigning to raise awareness about period poverty and to help empower people to overcome poverty through greater access to products and services to support people in need.
2
Every Month Registered number: Trustees' Report
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are: (1) the relief of poverty, in particular but not exclusively, of people living in Greater Manchester and the surrounding area through providing period packs containing menstrual hygiene products to food banks, shelters and other services used by people experiencing poverty and (2) by raising awareness about period poverty and the wider social impact of the same. Menstrual hygiene products refers to both disposable and non disposable products. We fulfil this purpose by creating and providing period packs (containing tampons, sanitary towels and a chocolate bar) to food banks, shelters, medical centres, drop in clinics and advice centres.
Significant developments 2019/2020
During the accounting period we:
-
Strengthened our commercial partnerships with Lil-lets and Hey Girls UK, receiving pallet loads of period products for distribution
-
Featured in Positive News UK in a piece on period poverty in the UK
-
Strengthened our partnership with Manchester United RTC
-
Kiri Pritchard-McLean appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, raising our profile and choosing us as her nominated charity
-
Had our first birthday celebrations. We created Every Month party packs that were sold for people to celebrate at home and the proceeds from the packs helped us to purchase products - Raised funds during 'Menstrual miles' where people could participate in sporting activities covering the distance of 14.7 miles (representing the length of all the products we supplied in 2020)
Strategic approach
We are a volunteer-led organisation and this remained in place during this accounting period even during the pandemic. Our normal volunteer community model rests on our packing parties which are an integral part of how we bring volunteers together and help in a practical way to produce the packs that we ultimately distribute. Our volunteers also host fundraising events including in their individual workplaces (by asking others to bring in products to go into our packs), by hosting quizzes either in-person or online, participating in sponsored sporting events on our behalf (including the Manchester Marathon) and through raising awareness about the work we do through engagement on our social media platforms.
We also work with various community groups including Manchester United Girls RTC who provide us with chocolate bars and products to put into our packs. Our work has also taken us to local schools where we have spoken about the work we do and the students have collected products for us.
We have also strengthened our partnerships with commercial groups such as Hey Girls UK and Lillets UK and we are grateful for their continued support in providing us with products. Similarly, our relationship with Lush UK goes from strength to strength as they continue to support our work and provide us with products to use in our raffles and other fundraising prizes. We have also received support from Never Fully Dressed, Missguided, Co-op UK, Greggs and local pubs and restaurants.
Achievements and performance
2019 was a time of growth and learning as a newly registered charity. A greater core organisational structure was implemented, particularly in the early part of 2020 with the introduction of our two new directors and the departure of our then CEO. More robust systems of operation (including storage, inventory and stock-taking) were developed to enable us to track supplies and meet increasing demand for our services.
3
Every Month Registered number: Trustees' Report
Part of this rigorous approach was captured in our first Annual Impact Report 2020/2021 which was published outside this accounting period (February 2021) but we consider it demonstrates the progress and achievements made that are relevant to the accounting period. The report highlighted that we had created and distributed 6,000 period packs to over 44 organisations across Greater Manchester in the previous year.
Financial review
Our accounting process is based on an accruals basis. We have recently purchased accounting software to help make this task easier.
Our income for the accounting period of 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020 was £24,856. Our total expenditure for this period was £13,126.
Prior to becoming a registered charity, we had a pre-registration balance of £4,479.
As a newly registered charity, our options to seek funding were limited due to many funders requiring a first set of accounts to be filed as a pre-requisite to making an application. One of our goals in the next year is to increase our applications to secure funding to help us to meet our charitable aims.
Despite the impact of Covid-19, the Trustees consider the Charity to be a going concern.
Holding reserves
There is currently no reserves policy in place. At this stage, and given that the charity is in its infancy, we will be seeking appropriate advice on the level of reserve to maintain going forward in order to adequately meet our statutory obligations. This will be regularly reviewed by the trustees as part of assessing our strategic needs going forward.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is constituted as a CIO and became a registered charity (number 1184223) on 3 July 2019. The object and powers of the CIO are established in its governing document.
The charity is run by a board of Trustees. There are no paid members of staff. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 in having paid due regard to the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit.
Plans for 2021 and beyond
Since its inception the charity has been running to catch up with the enthusiasm of its volunteers and the demands for its services. The charity runs on a shoestring and in the first year of registration, it has been largely reactive particularly in light of the global pandemic. This is slowly changing to ensure that we can continue to fully service the needs of those we assist in line with our charitable objectives. We hope to build upon the experience of our board and look to recruit new trustees with expertise to ensure we have a diverse board that is fully reflective of the society we live in and of those we serve.
We will continue our campaigning efforts and we hope to see further changes occur in England as they have in Scotland with the introduction of the Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill. We will also continue to work in a Covid-19-safe way and we are mindful of the challenges the pandemic presents and will continue to present in the future both on an operational and demandlevel basis.
4
Every Month Registered number: Trustees' Report
We are keen to obtain greater funding to look to cement more long-term operations with perhaps the acquisition of tangible assets such as a delivery van. This will help us reach more people and also reduce our reliance on voluntary assistance in this regard which cannot always be guaranteed in this era of Covid-19. Our first year of filing accounts will enable us to expand the types of grants we can apply for as well as expand our network of prospective funders and corporate partners.
We feel incredibly grateful to those who have supported us before, during and after this accounting period in particularly challenging times. We look forward to building our existing relationships and forging new ones to help the charity go from strength to strength.
Disclosure of information to independent examiners
Each person who was a director at the time this report was approved confirms that:
-
so far as he is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiner is unaware; and
-
he has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware of that information.
This report was approved by the board on 13th August 2021. and signed on its behalf.
Hannah Aziz Trustee
5
Every Month Statement of financial activities for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
| Notes Donations and legacies 3 Other trading activities 4 Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Other 7 Total Net income Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 11 Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 22,274 - 22,274 2,582 - 2,582 24,856 - 24,856 10,622 - 10,622 2,264 - 2,264 13,126 - 13,126 11,730 - 11,730 - - - 11,730 - 11,730 - - - 11,730 - 11,730 |
|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
6
Every Month Balance sheet as at 31 October 2020
| Notes Current assets: Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds 11 Restricted income funds 11 Total charity funds |
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 £ £ £ 12,193 - 12,193 12,193 - 12,193 (463) - (463) 11,730 - 11,730 11,730 - 11,730 11,730 - 11,730 - - - 11,730 - 11,730 |
|---|---|
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit or independent examination is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
Hannah Aziz Trustee Approved by the board on 13th August 2021
7
Every Month Statement of Cash Flows for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period Net income/ (expenditure) for the reporting period Adjustments for: Depreciation Decrease in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors 10 Net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank Total cash and cash equivalents |
2020 £ 12,193 - 12,193 - 12,193 11,730 - - 463 12,193 12,193 12,193 |
|---|---|
8
Every Month Notes to the Accounts
for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Income
The financial statements are presented in Sterling.
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Income received in advance of the provision of specified services it is deferred until the criteria for income recognition is met.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the Charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.
Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2 Legal status of the Charity
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
9
Every Month Notes to the Accounts for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
| 3 Income from donations and legacies Donations 4 Income from other trading activities Fundraising Jewellery sales 5 Expenditure on raising funds Fundraising expenses Computer running costs 6 Expenditure on charitable activities Purchases Printing, postage and stationery Rent Storage unit Travelling expenses 7 Other expenditure Accountancy Bank charges Subscriptions Sundry expenses |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 22,274 - 22,274 22,274 - 22,274 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 1,000 - 1,000 1,582 - 1,582 2,582 - 2,582 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 24 - 24 216 - 216 240 - 240 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 5,701 - 5,701 344 - 344 300 - 300 4,268 - 4,268 9 - 9 10,622 - 10,622 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 463 - 463 244 - 244 1,096 - 1,096 461 - 461 2,264 - 2,264 |
|---|---|
10
Every Month Notes to the Accounts
for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
| 8 Net income/ (expenditure) for the year This is stated after charging: Other accounting services 9 Staff costs Wages and salaries |
2020 £ 463 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ - - - - - - |
|---|---|
The charity did not have any employees during the period.
The charity trustees were not paid, nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year. No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.
- 10[Creditors: amounts falling due ] within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2020 £ £ £ 463 - 463 463 - 463 |
|---|---|
11 Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds
| General fund Name of unrestricted fund General fund |
At 3 July 2019 Incoming resources Resources expended Transfers At 31 October 2020 - 24,856 (13,126) - 11,730 - 24,856 (13,126) - 11,730 Description, nature and purpose of the fund The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds. |
|---|---|
12 Principal place of business
The address of the charity's principal place of business and registered office is:
7 The Grove Stockport Cheshire SK2 6QU
11
Every Month Detailed statement of financial activities for the period from 3 July 2019 to 31 October 2020
| Income Grants Donations Fundraising Jewellery sales Expenses Purchases Accountancy Advertising Bank charges Computer running costs Fundraising expenses Printing, postage and stationery Rent Storage unit Subscriptions Sundry expenses Travelling expenses Net income |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL 2020 2020 2020 £ £ £ - - - 22,274 - 22,274 1,000 - 1,000 1,582 - 1,582 24,856 - 24,856 5,701 - 5,701 463 - 463 - - - 244 - 244 216 - 216 24 - 24 344 - 344 300 - 300 4,268 - 4,268 1,096 - 1,096 461 - 461 9 - 9 13,126 - 13,126 11,730 - 11,730 |
|---|---|
12