## Gateway into Life _(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Charity number 1184557_ Annual Report Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023 ## CONTENTS ## Administrative Information Annual Report of the Trustees 2023 Financial Report and Accounts ## **Gateway into Life Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31[st] December 2023** The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 ## **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 Friendship and Support Group link trustee Initial appointment 01/03/2021until 01/03/2024 Mr David Harbertson DBS recruiter and Safeguarding Officer Initial appointment 23/07/19 renewed until 22/07/2024 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 Resigned 10/01/23 ## **Independent Examiner of Accounts** Mr J Archer ACA, Chartered Accountant, 4 Willoughby Park, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1ET **Bankers** – Current Account: Lloyds Bank (TSB) Deposit Account: Kingdom Bank ## **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. There have been no changes in 2023 to the constitution. ## **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. ## **Responsibilities of the Trustees** The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity is true to the 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** Our treasurer, Mrs Susan Pearsons, was appointed as a Trustee early in 2022 and took over full responsibility for the charity accounts at the start of 2023. ## **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 continues to provide supported accommodation for ex-offenders. During 2023 there have been 2 long term tenants in the house. Support has been given by our professional worker and by the Gateway Northumberland Church’s Friendship and Support Group. ## **Empowerment Worker (EW)** The Empowerment Worker provides professional support to tenants. In July 2023 we appointed a new EW following the resignation of the existing EW. ## **Volunteers** In addition to the work that the Trustees are undertaking, in 2023 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. A new Chair of this group was appointed by the church who has been instrumental in giving the group a clear focus on roles and responsibilities. ## **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. Some additional support has come from HiA UK as a result of their national appeals. ## **Reserves** In keeping with Charity Commission recommendations, the trustees have agreed to aim for a 6 month running cost reserve. At the end of 2023 we held £11,273 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. During 2023 2 new churches have agreed to support a HiAN house. Alnwick Baptist Church wish to support a refugee family house. Armstrong Hall Christian Fellowship wish to support a family house and are open to where a family referral comes from. Both churches have signed an agreement with G2L. An investor has been identified for a family house in Rothbury and a suitable property is in the process of being purchased. Work continues to find an investor to purchase a house that Alnwick Baptist Church can support. ## **Independent Examiner of Accounts** Mr J Archer ACA, Chartered Accountant,has examined our accounts and 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 06/09/24 and signed on its behalf by Mr Paul Allen (Chair) ## **APPENDIX 1: G2L Annual Accounts 2023 & Examiners Report** 02 March 2024 INDEPENDÉKf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GATEWAY IPffl) UFE I report on the accounts for the year eFKled 31 December 2023 Res ective res onsibilities of members and examiner As members Itrusteesl with ￿SponsIbl11ty for the preparation of the a¢¢ounts, you consider that an audit in not required this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 20111.the 2011 Art") and that an independent examinatt'on is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Examine the accounts under seth.on 145 of the 2011 Act; Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511bl of the 2011 Act.. and State whether parts"cular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Inde ndent Examiner's Re ort My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commi55ion. An examination includes a review of the accotlnting records kept and a comparison of the a¢counts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual item5 or disclosures in the accounts and 5eekin8 explanakn.ons from you as members Itrusteesl concerning any such matters. The pr¢¢edures 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 ￿rue and fair view. and the port 15 limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Inde endent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which give5 me reasonable cause to belieN* that in any material respect the requirements.. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act: and To prepare accounts which accord with the accountlng records and comply with the accounts.ng regulations contained wthin the 2011 Act. have been met.. or 2. to which, in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. Jon ArcherACA Chartered Accountant 4 Willoughby Park Alnwick Northurnberland NE66 IET GATEWAY INTO LIFE Accounts 1 Janua 2023 to 31 Decernber 2023 Income 3310.00 4376.00 2210.32 1131.50 Ex nditure 702.30 143.88 195.25 35.00 93.60 15.00 400.0 1105.23 450.88 297.02 2618.40 720.00 75.00 90.00 116.65 399.94 159.00 30.00 100.00 18.39 308.70 15.79 13.00 262.60 2886.9 8843.93 120.0 Gift Aid Donations Donations Gift Aid refund 2019-2021 Gift Aid refund 2022 ccess Insurance oom subscri tion oneei ht ICO ZA 844647 xweb rd Press Domain Milk Media ouncil Tax BT Group Northumbrian INater Investorfs Relum e into Action month PAT Pipe & Wre House ke EDF & Gas lo Annual li￿nCe EW1 hone EW househokl items ID bad Ewf2 milea Ewf2 osta e & mouse Eiif2 DBS u ate serii airs & Maintenan EW1 Iva es & PAYE EW2 Wa es & oncosts Pa roll Annual Fee Hall Hire Interview day fuel Cl HIAQAM lunch NCC Housin Benefft l Rent & Personal Cha 2 Personal Cha es T3 Personal char 10360.04 105.00 240.00 40.00 es es 40.00 33.10 20343.6 21772.86 Opening balance per bank tatement 01101123 lus income less e nditure less Adjustrnent for deposit to dom Bank Closing balance per bank tatemt 31112123 11358.3 21772.86 20343.65 4000. 8787.51 Kingdom Bank opened Nov 2022 enin de osit interest Closing balance per bank statemt Kin dom Bank End of Year Balan 11273.5 20061.08 balance 7016.01 4000.00 257.56 11273.57