Chair’s Report - 2023-2024
This report covers the period April 2023 through to March 2024, for which I was Chair from October 2023. We have now got back into a full roster of events and supporting our clients. Some of the many highlights and headlines over this period have included:
-
The post-pandemic return of the wonderful May Fair in May 2023, which is not only a brilliant fundraising opportunity for us, over £2000, but also a chance for us to raise the profile of our work amongst the wider Richmond community. Thank you for all the donations we received from across the community, clients, family members, volunteers and local businesses for our ‘Gin-Tastic’ tombola stall.
-
On the fundraising front, we’d also like to say a big thank you to RPLC for ongoing, core funding, and to the National Lottery community fund for their continued support. This year we also benefitted from the incredible generosity of the members of Richmond Park Golf Club having been chosen as one of their charities of year by the men’s Captain, John Cahill.
-
Over the period, we have also received wonderful support from so many other places too from local individuals, Julia Stead, John Cornish and those who very kindly made RGN the beneficiary of collections after the loss of a relative; as well as Richmond Team Ministries, Cantell &Co, and also being nominated for donations from our local councillors based on filming revenue We are so appreciative for each and every one of the donations we receive!!
-
August 2023 saw a Kew Gardens summer picnic to say thank you to our wonderful volunteers who, over the 12 months, completed almost 3,500 tasks to support clients across befriending, shopping, transport both medical and social, equating to some 7000 hours of volunteer time – thank you!! We also hosted volunteer drinks at The Hope as a small token of our thanks, and to help build more of a volunteer community as well.
-
We welcomed a new Trustee, Richard Seabourne, who joined us in November 2023 and was keen to get involved in his new local community after moving to the area. We have already benefitted hugely from his background in both previous work and voluntary positions, so thank you Richard! We were lucky enough to
recruit him after Janet and I attended the RCVS Trustee Recruitment event, at which I also gave a talk about what being a trustee involves.
-
I would also like extend a heartfelt thanks to Anne Ardis, who stepped down as a Trustee in February 2024; we are delighted she has stayed on as a volunteer. Also a huge thank you to Hannah Joyce who stepped down as a Trustee in October 2023 having also been our Chair. Thank you both for the huge contributions you made during your time as Trustees!
-
A big thank you of course to all our other Trustees too - Russell, our diligent Treasurer; Janet, a keen networker and recruiter; Jennie – who has been our fundraising maestro; and Matt for all of his safeguarding insight.
-
A big thank you also to Clare Judge, our independent auditor, and to Jennie Giangrande for looking after the RGN website, her work on our newsletters and maintaining RGN’s social media presence too.
-
Finally, a big thank you to Anne, and to Fay who also joined us over the year. Without their hard work and dedication, RGN would not be in a position to support as many clients as we are able to, through initiatives such as the introduction of our Kew shopping trips, which have been a great success; Easter and Christmas goody bags; Cambrian teas; visits to Isabella plantation, and Christmas lunches. We are hugely grateful for all the work they do to keep RGN running smoothly, e�iciently and, the extra miles they both go to support the charity.
Thank you to everyone involved for the impact you have on the lives of all our clients. We greatly appreciate every one of you – volunteers, donors, fundraisers, supporters and trustees.
Louise Taggart Chair, Richmond Good Neighbours
October 2024
ACTUALACCOUNTS TO 31 MARCH 2024 Mar-24 Petty Cash Paypal Total Grant Income Donations May fair Petrol Contributions- CILS Via AGE UK Spon50r5hip- CANTELLS Fundraising 36,625 19,093 2.112 2.866 8,376 1,732 Gift Aid Shopping Income Net shopping other linterest earned on depositl other (christmas lunch dep051ts+may fèir printing) Petty Cash and Paypal TOTAL INCOME Total Income excludin8 shopping Total yoy change in intome in GBP Total yoy change in income in % -85 411 103 87 190 79,533 71,888 22,823 47% 25.240 1,201 1.2CA) 2,903 Pension Phone/PostagelStationery Rent Office supplies Insurance Fundraising expenses Atct TaxlPayroll General Expenses Professional service5 Incorporation legal fees Petrol/Taxis 5uperhi8hways 633 3,625 1,416 185 907 Course5 (such 35 rnoving and handling) Client outing5 Other Shopping Expenses TOTAL EXPENSES Total Expenses excluding shopping Total yoy change in costs in GBP Total ygy change In c05t5 In % 360 7.729 46.562 38.833 5.672 17% INCOME LESS EXPENSES CLOSING BAiANCES AND RESERVES Opening bank balance at l April 2023 linc petty £ash and paypal) Income le55 Expen5e5 On deposit with United Trust Bank14.9% 16th Jan+5th February 20241 Differential between grant iricome received and deposlt money paid11650 Bal?nce per cash book at 31 March 2024 linc petty cash and paypall Cash book plus money on deposit Reserve5 35 3 % of annual opex (excluding shoppinBI 44.035 32.970 30,410 1.489 45,106 75,516 194%
INDEPENDEMf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RICHMOND GOOD NEIGHBOURS l am reporting on the accounts of the Charity Richmond GTr)d Neighbours, Charity No: 1187997, for the year ending 31 March 2024. The Trustees and Or8aniser as directors of the charity are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. It is my responsibility to state, based on the procedu$ specified In the General Directions given by the Charity Commlssioners under section 145 of the Act, whether matters have come to my attention and to: Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Chaiities Act, To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission lunder section 14515)Ibl of the Charities Acl. and to state whether any matters have come to my attention. Report back any matters that have come to my attention. My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charlty Commissioners. The examination included a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity and a comparlson of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures In the accounts and seeking explanations from your Or8aniser and you as Trustees concerning any such matters. In connection with my examination. no material matters have come to my attention that give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respert there is any cause for concern to: 11- Keep accounting records in accordance with section 145151 Ibl of the Act- and 21- Prepare accounts that accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requiremeDt5 of the Act. 31- A very good spreadsheet showin8 all information required regarding both expenditure and income has been set up however there is no evidence showing that bank statements are being regularly checked to solve any anomalies as they may arise. Minor details have already been satisFactorify discussed with the Charitvs Organlser who also has an a55iStant whose hours have recently been increased to eight per week. Clare Judge Independent Examiner Date.. 26 September 2024