FELLING VOLUNTEER LIBRARY
58 High Street Gateshead NE10 9LT • 0191 433 6402
fellingvolunteerlibrary.org.uk
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
APRIL 2020 - MARCH 2021
Chairs Introduction
Felling Library, along with all other libraries in the country, closed due to Covid restrictions in March 2020.
Structure & Governance
Our planned Events for the Spring and Summer were no longer possible and it was with great regret that these could not go ahead.
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
Trustees and Volunteers continued to meet regularly via Zoom meetings and we saw this as important to maintain a sense of belonging to the Library and also reduce the remoteness which was now thrust upon us, as it was for the entire nation.
The vaccination roll out saw our building commandeered by the NHS in December 2020. This vital work also resulted in our being unable to take up residence again until October 2021 - far longer than any of us had anticipated, and also on a shared basis with the Library opening only 3 days per week.
Since reopening, we continue to work hard to re-establish our presence in the Community and reconnect with users new and old, and build new community links.
Charitable Objectives and Activities
To advance the education of the public in Felling and surrounding areas by the provision of a library facility and service and other educational community resources and activities.
To further or benefit the inhabitants of Felling and surrounding areas without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political religious or any other opinions by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
2020 ANNUAL REPORT FELLING VOLUNTEER LIBRARY
Chair Introduction to the Report
This last year has been exceptionally challenging due to Covid 19 and the disruption caused by lockdown. The library has been closed since March 2020, remaining closed during the summer easing of restrictions. Some of our sister volunteer libraries were able to reopen at various points under the ‘ring and read’ policy operated by Gateshead Library Services but as has been noted in previous years, book-lending, while important, is not the major factor in the provision of services at Felling. As a service provider in the most deprived ward in Gateshead, internet services and computer access, printing and social contact are the priorities of many of our service users.
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
In December 2020 the NHS commandeered the Felling Community Hub, including the library for use as a Covid vaccination Centre. As a result of this the library volunteer group were unable to gain access to the building until the beginning of October 2021.
During our enforced closure, we were able to maintain our core volunteer base using WhatsApp and Zoom. Most of our original volunteers are still with us.
In September we commenced negotiations with the two surgeries operating the vaccination centre and we were able to reach agreement involving shared use of the building. As a result, the library now opens on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday while the vaccination centre operates on Thursday and Friday. We hope to return to our usual five day week when possible.
One positive result of lockdown was the receipt of Covid Business Relief grants which has considerably boosted our funds (see annual financial report).
The Trustees have always recognised that we would have to start again from scratch once we were able to reopen. This will be a long-term process, but we have made a promising start. Extensive advertising is being undertaken through Facebook, Leafletting and Posters and users are beginning to return. We are also actively undertaking to recruit new volunteers and as they join us, we will be able to open for full days rather than the 4 hours a day we are currently restricted to. We will be able to judge progress better by the end of the year.
In conclusion I would like to record my thanks to the other trustees and the volunteers for their work during this difficult period, and for their continued commitment to Felling Volunteer Library. I would also like to thank Stephen Walters (Gateshead Library Services) for his support, advice, and commitment to Felling Volunteer Library over the last five years. We wish him all the best on his retirement.
Dave G Fawcett Chair. Felling Volunteer Library
STRUCTURE & GOVERNANCE
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
The Trustees of Felling Volunteer Library operate under a Constitution approved by The Charities Commission and a copy of which is available on our website to read and download.
The Library operates under a Service Agreement and Lease with Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council.
The NHS commissioned our building as a Covid Vaccination Centre in December, 2020.
We were allowed to reopen the Library on a part time basis, from Monday to Wednesday whilst the NHS continues it’s vital work for the remainder of the week.
TRUSTEES
The Trustees have continued to hold Trustee and Volunteer Meetings on a monthly basis via Zoom conferencing. Minutes of all Meetings are emailed to each Volunteer.
The Trustees held an Annual General Meeting via Zoom on 13th November 2019 for the relevant reporting period of this Report. Elections were held at the AGM.
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Sadly, our lovely new Library
sign - shown above - had to
be covered over by vaccina-
tion centre signage.
We have now obtained a dis-
play board for outside the
building so that visitors will
know we are open once
again to welcome all users,
new and old!
----- End of picture text -----
Chair: David G Fawcett Secretary: Timothy Wilson Treasurer: Angela Knox Vice Chair: Martin McKeever
Support
All Volunteers and Trustees were sent copies via email or received a hard copy.
The Trustees also continued to communicate via a WhatsApp Group for both Volunteers and Trustees. This allows all members to be updated quickly about news regarding the Library whilst also maintain social links with each other. Volunteers are also able to contact any Trustees easily and quickly.
Health & Safety
David Oxberry
Safeguarding Lead
Stephen Millen
ACHIEVEMENTS & EVENTS
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
We were fortunate to hold World Book Day just prior to the Library being forced to close due to Covid restrictions, but we also had to cancel Events we had planned for the year ahead.
Our Spring Fair Event was well in hand. We donated our bought treats to Felling Food Bank so that local children would not lose out on the free Easter snacks we had bought them.
Cllr Sonia Dickie sent us a card of thanks for our contribution.
Other Events we had scheduled were VE Day with Felling Heritage Group, Volunteer Week and a host of Summer Crafts for our younger visitors.
We had also planned to take part,for the first time, in World Book Night and our Patron Elaine Cusack had kindly helped us by inviting local writers and musicians to take part.
We had also been successful in applying for books from The Reading Agency to hand out on the Night. The books we received have been offered to local reading groups and given out as gifts to our visitors.
We were also fortunate to receive books and treats as part of the Costa Gift-a-Book campaign. Each pack contained a child and grown up book as well as sweet treats.
As we could not hand these out at the Library, we delivered the packs to three local schools and donated the treats from spare packs to Felling Food Bank.
RHYMETIME
VOLUNTEERS & VOLUNTEERING
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
Felling Volunteer Library currently has 12 Volunteers with a wide range of talents and experience which they bring to the Library.
It is with their dedication and hard work the Library has continued to thrive and grow in Felling.
The Trustees hold monthly meetings with all Volunteers to discuss both Policy and Procedures as well as encouraging new ideas for the improvement and development of the Library. All Volunteers have a vote on decisions taken at Meetings.
During the financial year 20/21, Meetings were held via Zoom during Government Covid Restrictions, aware of the vital need to keep communication during periods of social isolation.
RECRUITMENT Felling Library encourages and welcomes applications from people interested in volunteering.
We continue to seek new Volunteers by advertising on our website, Facebook Page and via GMBC Volunteer Gateway.
We have a Recruitment Policy Document which includes a Code of Conduct Undertaking and an Induction Process.
All potential Volunteers are invited into the Library for an informal chat before application for an overview of what is involved in being a Volunteer.
Volunteers must provide two Character references on application, which are always verified. A final interview with a Trustee and Volunteer then follows.
All new Volunteers have a 6 week Induction during which they are given training on the Library systems and equipment.
New Volunteers are also given a copy of the Code of Conduct Undertaking which to agree and Sign and undergo training in Health &
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Volunteer Roles
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Craft & Activities: Clare Handleigh, Anne Bradley
Facebook: Clare Handleigh
RhymeTime: Anne Bradley
Rota: Megan Elliott Martin McKeever (previously)
Website: Angela Knox
Safety, Safeguarding, Data Protection and ICT usage rules. They are also given a copy of our Problem Solving Procedure.
Our Volunteers are also provided with an annual refresher of our operational Policies and we hold separate Health & Safety and Safeguarding assessments for each Event we hold in the Library.
When we reopened in October 2021 we welcomed three new Volunteers, but more are needed to ensure the Library operates without interruption of Service.
Some of our existing Volunteers still need to shield due to health issues or are supporting those who need to shield. We wish all of them well and we maintain regular contact with them via email and WhatApp.
We look forward to seeing them again when circumstances allow.
DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING
Table of Contents
Objectives and Activities
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
Volunteers & Volunteering
Donations & Funding
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
We raise funds for Felling Library through funding applications, donations, Amazon Smile programme, book sales and Events.
We were unable to fundraise or hold activities this financial year, but were fortunate to receive a donation from The Foresters Friendly Society.
We also received monies from the Amazon Smile programme and our share of the disposal of funds from Ryton Library.
We currently have a Lease with Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council for our part of The Felling Hub building, which we occupy with other Services.
These running costs are the Library’s largest expense, at around £10,000 per year.
Covid Restrictions made Fundraising via our usual channels not possible and added difficulty in seeking funding, whilst we remained unable to occupy the building and provide Library Services.
Our Fundraising Team was unable to apply for Grants and funding during this time for future running costs as we had no indication of when - if ever - we would be given access to our building once more.
The NHS agreed to allow us occupy the building on a part time basis of three days per week, whilst the vaccination centre operates the latter half of the week.
Since re-opening in October 2021, we have held our Christmas Fair and resume our efforts to seek funding for running costs and future events.
WHAT FVL OFFERS...
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THANKS GO TO…
FOR HELP AND ADVICE
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Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
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Gateshead Library Services
Table of Contents
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Garry Stamp, Community Engagement
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Stephen Walters BEM
Objectives and Activities
- Happy Pig Web Hosting
Chairs Introduction
Structure & Governance
Achievements & Events
FOR FUNDING
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Akzo Nobel at Community Foundation Serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
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Gateshead Council Local Community Fund
Volunteers & Volunteering
- Foresters Society
Donations & Funding
- Amazon Smile Programme
Acknowledgements
Accounts 2020-2021
FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN
Special Thanks of course to all of our Volunteers who continue to devote their time and efforts in maintaining Library Services for the Felling Community.
Felling Volunteer Library
Registered Charity No. 1185205
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
Contents:
| Legal and Administrative Information | Page 3 |
|---|---|
| Examiners Report | Page 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | Page 5 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | Page 6 |
| Notes to the Accounts | Page 7 |
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
Charity Name: Felling Volunteer Library Charity No: 1185205 Registered Office: 58 High Street Felling Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE10 9LT Trustees: David Gilson Fawcett (Chair) Timothy Patrick Olliffe Wilson (Secretary) Angela Knox (Treasurer) Elsie Chamberlain Martin Joseph McKeever David Oxberry Independent Examiner: Darren Thompson FutureSkills North East CIC 44 Witton Drive Spennymoor Co. Durham DL16 6LU Bankers: Lloyds Bank PO Box 1000 BX1 1LT
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
| Report to the Trustees | Felling Volunteer Library |
|---|---|
| Charity No | 1185205 |
| On the accounts for period ended | 31 March 2021 |
| Set out on pages | 5-7 |
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner:
The Trustees of the charity are responsible for the preparation of accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent Examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2001 Act.
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follow the procedure laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner’s statement:
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 examiners statement:
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounts do not accord with such records; or
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the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Darren Thompson FutureSkills North East CIC 44 Witton Drive Spennymoor Co. Durham DL16 6LU
Date: 23[rd] January 2022
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
Felling Volunteer Library
Receipts and Payments Account
1[st] April 2020 - 31 March 2021
| Notes | Restricted | Unrestricted | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||||
| Library Takings | 3 | - | 28.00 | 28.00 | 1,566.00 |
| Event income | - | - | - | 2,465.00 | |
| Donations | 4 | - | 2,523.00 | 2,523.00 | - |
| Grants | 5 | - | 21,051.00 | 21,051.00 | - |
| Total Receipts | - | 23,602.00 | 23,602.00 | 4,031.00 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Library & Community Events | - | - | - | 1,114.00 | |
| GMBC Service Charges | - | 9,931.00 | 9,931.00 | - | |
| Marketing & Promotion | 198.00 | - | 198.00 | - | |
| Administration costs | - | 13.00 | 13.00 | - | |
| Accountancy fee | - | 150.00 | 150.00 | - | |
| Total payments | 198.00 | 10,094.00 | 10,292.00 | 1,114.00 | |
| Surplus/Deficit for the period | (198.00) | 13,508.00 | 13,310.00 | 2,917.00 | |
| Funds brought forward | 836.00 | 3,200.00 | 4,036.00 | 1,119.00 | |
| Funds carried forward 31st March 2021 |
638.00 | 16,708.00 | 17,346.00 | 4,036.00 |
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as at 31 March 2021
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Current assets: | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 17,346.00 | 4,036.00 | |
| Total current assets: | 17,346.00 | 4,036.00 | |
| Current liabilities: | |||
| GMBC | - | 40.00 | |
| Total current liabilities: | |||
| Net assets: | 17,346.00 | 3,996.00 | |
| Represented by: | |||
| Restricted reserves | 6 | 638.00 | 796.00 |
| Unrestricted reserves | 7 | 16,708.00 | 3,200.00 |
| Total funds: | 17,346.00 | 3,996.00 |
The financial statements were approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
Signed:
Position: Chair
Signed:
Position: Treasurer
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205
Felling Volunteer Library
Notes to the accounts as at 31 March 2021
| 1 | Felling Volunteer Library is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity No.1185205 registered on 6thSeptember 2019. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees. The organisation has no paid staff. |
|---|---|
| 2 | The accounts are prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities. |
| 3 | Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the library has been closed for the period and therefore income from library takings and events have been affected this year. This balance includes monies used as a cash float set up out of library takings when the volunteer library was originally set up. |
| 4 | This includes: �£400.00 – Forester’s donation. �£21.00 – Amazon Smile. �£2,102.00 – Ryton Library (disposal of funds). |
| 5 | This includes: �£11,051.00 - GMBC COVID-19 support grants. �£10,000.00 – Community Foundation Tyne and Wear (Thrive). |
| 6 | Restricted reserves are funds that have been given to the charity for a specific purpose and therefore can only be spent on designated activity. |
| 7 | Unrestricted reserves are money available to the charity. |
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Felling Volunteer Library Charity No. 1185205