## Gateway into Life _(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Charity number 1184557_ Annual Report Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022 ## CONTENTS ## Administrative Information Annual Report of the Trustees 2022 Financial Report and Accounts ## **Gateway into Life Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31[st] December 2022** The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 ## **Administrative Information** **Charity Name:** Gateway into Life **Charity registration number:** _1184557_ **Charity Registration:** 23[rd] July 2019 **Registered Office and operational address** : Ryehill Farmhouse Thropton Morpeth Northumberland NE65 7NG ## **Trustees** Mr Paul Allen Chair Initial appointment 23/0719 until 22/07/2023 Dr Joss Bray Management Team link trustee Initial appointment 01/03/2021 until 01/03/2024 Mr David Harbertson DBS recruiter and Safeguarding Officer Initial appointment 23/07/19 until 22/07/2021 Mr Steve Hardwick Initial appointment 24/04/22 until 23/04/2025 Mrs Susan Pearsons Treasurer Initial appointment 24/01/2022 until 23/01/2025 Resignations Mr Robert Burston Appointed 18/11/19 resigned 10/01/23 ## **Independent Examiner of Accounts** Mr J A Farndale, Treasurer of The District of Alwinton with Holystone in the Parish of Upper Coquetdale. **Bankers** - Lloyds Bank (TSB) ## **Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document** The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered as a charity on 23[rd] July 2019. The charity was established with a constitution with charity trustees as the only voting members. The constitution allows for between 3 and 12 trustees, a maximum of 7 of these may be appointed by Gateway Church Northumberland. ## **Recruitment and Appointment of the Trustees** Under the requirements of the Constitution, except for the initial Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the Trustees. There shall be a minimum of three and a maximum of twelve Trustees. Any person retiring as a Trustee is eligible for reappointment. All member of the Trustees give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity. Gateway into Life was set up as a result of a small working group that looked into how best to support prisoners upon their release. Gateway Church Northumberland was instrumental in setting up Gateway into Life as a CIO. The Church also agreed to underwrite the Charity as it was set up and until it received sufficient independent support. The commitment of the Church is reflected in the Constitution that allows for the Church to appoint up to 7 trustees thus ensuring that the ethos of the Church is maintained in the charity. ## **Responsibilities of the Trustees** The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity is true to its’ objectives, fulfils all legal requirements, account for all giving to the charity and ensures that funds are used appropriately. To this end the treasurer prepares financial statements for each Trustee’s meeting which give a true and accurate view of the state of the finances of the charitable company. The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose accurately at any time the financial position of the CIO and to enable the trustees to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In addition to the above responsibilities the trustees recognise their legal responsibility to safeguard all vulnerable people who are beneficiaries, volunteers or paid workers. As the CIO’s Trustees, we certify that so far as we know, there is no relevant financial information of which the charity’s reviewer of accounts is unaware. We have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charity’s reviewer also knows that information. ## **Treasurer** The Trustees are indebted to Revd. Robert Burston for his work as Treasurer of the charity over the past two years. We were pleased to welcome Mrs Susan Pearsons as a Trustee early in 2022 and for her willingness to take on the role of Treasurer. ## **Purposes and Objectives** Our charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the CIO’s constitution: The Objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit: - 1. The advancement of the Christian religion in the United Kingdom in accordance with the statement of faith produced by the Evangelical Alliance - 2. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including the provision of accommodation, in Northumberland and other such parts of the United Kingdom as the Trustees from time to time may think fit - 3. To advance the rehabilitation of vulnerable adults including ex-offenders, people with addiction problems and the homeless, in such ways that the trustees think fit, including through the provision of mentoring, advice and supervision to assist them to break the cycle of reoffending, relapse and homelessness by developing their capacity, skills and experience in such a way that they are better able to identify and meet their needs and to participate more fully in society. ## **Hope into Action UK** Since the registration of Gateway into Life (G2L) as a charity on 23rd July 2019, the Trustees have worked to fulfil the Charity Objectives by establishing a franchise with Hope into Action UK (HiA). HiA is a national housing charity with a similar Christian ethos to G2L. We are indebted to HiA for the excellent support they have given to us. Our franchise gave us access to a model that enabled us to quickly establish our first house and also policies, guidance and regular support both remotely and through face to face meetings. As part of the franchise agreement, HiA routinely assesses the quality of our work, every 6 months, using a Quality Assurance Matrix (QAM). One check is carried out remotely to ensure that our records and compliance are up to date. The other check is an in person visit when different partners and users are interviewed. The resulting QAM provides a clear picture of what we are doing well and if necessary action points to improve our operation. We have received positive feedback from our QAM’s . ## **Houses** The Alnwick house that opened in March 2020 has now housed and helped various tenants. There have been 3 long term tenants and various shorter term ones. Support has been given by our professional worker and by a church Friendship and Support Team. ## **Empowerment Worker (EW)** The Empowerment Worker provides professional support to tenants. During 2021 we appointed a new EW and she continued in post throughout 2022. The EW has a background as a Local Authority solicitor working with vulnerable families. In addition she is a committed Christian who is equipped to help fulfil the objectives of the charity. ## **Volunteers** In addition to the work that the Trustees are undertaking, in 2022 a Hope into Action Northumberland (HiAN) Management Team comprising a trustee, our Empowerment Worker and Church Friendship and Support Group representatives was operating. This Team took responsibility for the day to day running of the Alnwick house and supporting both the tenants and the EW. ## **Safeguarding** The charity takes safeguarding seriously although technically the adults that we work with are not classed as vulnerable. Nevertheless, all trustees, workers and volunteers are recruited using recognised safer recruitment procedures. All are formally vetted and DBS checked. Safeguarding training is undertaken on a regular basis. ## **Finances** The charity has a number of individuals who generously give to G2L each month with much of this being gift aided. We receive housing benefit payments direct from Northumberland County Council. Tenants also pay a personal charge. This helps to pay for TV licence, internet connection and water charges. ## **Reserves** In keeping with Charity Commission recommendations, the trustees have agreed to aim for a 6 month running cost reserve. At the end of 2022 we held £7000 in a Kingdom Bank deposit account. ## **Plans for the future** Now that the first Alnwick based house is running smoothly, the Trustees are looking to expand the provision by finding other Northumberland churches that want to support new houses. It can take up to 12 months from finding a church to getting a house ready for occupancy. It is therefore likely to be 2024 for this plan to become a reality. Meanwhile, trustees will also look into other ways to support homeless people into training and employment. ## **Independent Examiner of Accounts** Mr J A Farndale who is the treasurer of The District of Alwinton with Holystone in the Parish of Upper Coquetdale has examined our accounts. These are attached as an appendix. This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small entities. Approved by the Trustees on 16th October 2023 and signed on its behalf by Mr Paul Allen (Chair) ## **APPENDIX 1: G2L Annual Accounts 2022 & Examiners Report** Glebe House. Holystone, Morpeih. Northumberland. NE65 7AJ 23rd June 2023 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GATEWAY I￿0 UFE I report on the accounts for the year erKknJ 31 Dacernb￿ 2022. As members (trustees) with responsibilty for the preparat70n of the accounts. you consider that an audit is not required this year under section 144121 of the Chaiities Act 2011 {the 2011 Act) and that an independenl examination is rwled. It is my reswnsibilty to.. . examine the accounts under S￿lI0n 145 of the 2011 Act: . follow the procedures laKI down in the DIr￿t￿)nS given by th8 commissbn under section 145{5llb) of the 2011 Act., and . state whether pathular matter5 have Lxxne to my attention. My examination was carried out in ac￿)rd8￿ with the gwwal Diractions given by the Charlty Commissioners. An examination i￿ludeS a revi8w of the accounting reLonls kept and a comparison of the account5 with those records. It also inclLMdes considering arty unusual items or disclosu￿S in the accounts and seeking explanations frc￿n you as members ItNst8esl concerning any such matter5. The prr)wJures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is giv￿ as to whether the accx)unts present a nje and tair view" and the report is limital to those matters sel txrt in the next statement. Independ￿t Examinerfs Statement In connection wlth my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. l. which gives me rnasonable cause to believe that in any rnater1￿ resw th8 wuirements: . to keep accounting r￿rdS in accordan(* with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and . to prepare.accounts which accord wtth the acujunting r￿NdS and (x)mply with th8 accounting regulations contained within the 2011 Act. have not met; or 2. to which, in my opinion att&rtion should be drawn in order to enab￿ a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. John Farndale, Tr8asurer The District of AlW1nt(￿ and Holsston8 in the Parish of Upper Coqu8tdale Treasurer's Report on the accounts of Gateway into Lrfe 2022 The finances of the trust reflect the following.. Wè opened a saving account with The Kingdom Bank in November 2022. £7000 was initially deposited and this has gained £16.01 interest to the year end. Our plan is to hav8 a reserv8 of £12000 which will be 6 months running costs for our current house in Alnwick. We set up a monthly standing order for £60 to Hope into Action mid-year 2022. Due to a bank arror Lloyds Bank overpaid the first 2 months. HIA kindly agreed lo rafund the overpaymerrt to correct this. Gateway into Lrfe was overpaid £1504.40 by Northumberland County Council for housing benefit. This occurs when either a tenant leaves or secures employment but does nol notify the Council immediately. £771.43 related to 2021 but the cheque was not pr8s8nted to the bank until January 2022 £732.97 r8lat8s to 2022 Our empowerment worker was awarded a pay increas8 of 5% from 1 July 2022 to help with the rise in the cost of living. The EW was reimbursed for a birth certificate and AQA exam results that she applied for a current tenant to help him gain employment. We have now registered with HMRC regarding Gift Aid. Repayments for 2019 - 2022 inclusive were daimed and paid during 2023. Sue Pearsons Treasurer 22 May 2022 GATEWAY INTO LIFE Accounts 1 Janua 2022 to 31 December 2022 Income 4490.00 3530.00 1200.00 enditure 690.42 143.88 179.25 35.00 143.95 1467.63 388.76 365.81 2618.40 840.00 100.00 Gift Aid Donations Donations e into Action mini A¢￿sS Insurance Zoom subscri tion Thi oneei ht ICO ZA 844647 Website & leaflets Council Tax BT Grou Northumbrban Water Investorfs Retum Ho e into Action monthl fee T1 refund rant HIA Ove ment T1 Rent & Personal Cha T2 Personal Char es NCC Housin Benefit 120.00 2400.00 270.00 8300.64 es NCC Housin Benefit OV8 TV Annual licen¢e EW hone EW travel EW household items EW Ink & stationa EW as l electric EW AQA certificate T1 EW birth cert T1 airs & Maintenance Ewwa es & PAYE roll Annual Fee dom Bank reser4e aid 1504.40 159.00 60.00 541.90 196.75 35.46 50.00 43.00 11.00 93.69 7000.84 115.00 7000.0 23784.14 Kin 20310.64 Opening balance per bank statement 01101122 lus income less ex enditure Closing balance per bank statemt 31112122 14831.80 20310.64 23784.14 11358.30 Kingdom Bank opened Nov 2022 De osit interest to 31.12.21 Closing balance per bank statemt 7000.00 16.01 7016.01