CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From: To: 1st April 2023 31st March 2024 Period start date Period end date Charity name: The Witham Hub Charity registration number: 1188048 Objectives and Activities SORP refe¢n¢è Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its overnin document Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Pary1.17 To reduce food povety and food waste and offer social inclusion to all Para 1.17 and 1.19 Overview We are pleased to present our latest trustee report, highlighting the significant achievements and developments within our organisation over the past year. Our ommitment to serving the Community and reducing food waste has never been stronger, and we are excited to share our progress with our stakeholders. New Premises One of our most notable arxomplishments this year has been the successful transition to our new premises. This move has proven to be a tremendous success, resulting in an 800 % increase in footfall. The new location has not only enhanced our visibility but has also provided us with the Spa￿ and facilities needed to better serve our community. Community Initiatives We remain dedicated to our mission of providing affordable food options and supporting local residents. Our ongoing initiatives, including the offering of discounted food and the community fridge, continue to thrive. We have established partnerships Wlth new suppliers, ensuring a more consistent supply of fresh produce for our community members. We are proud to report that our community fridge is still being collected from six days and nights a week, thanks to the dedication of our remarkable team of volunteers. Their tireless efforts in collecting food have led to the successful savin of 190 tonnes of food from landfill. This not only benefits those in need but also contributes to our environmental sustainability goals. Impact on the Community Our impaGt on the community has been oulslanding, with over 190,000 interventions recorded this year-doubling the figures from last yearfs report. This growth is sad as shows there is still an increasing demand for our services but we are working hard to &nsure all those who need help always get what is needed. Funding and Support In May, we secured £100,00 over two years from Cadent Gas to assist community members with filling out necessary forms, enabling them lo access vital resources. This funding will allow us to employ staff members dedicated to this important work. Additionally, in September, we successfully secured £250,000 in ring-fenced funding from the National Lottery, which will be allocated over five years to support our staff. This funding is crucial in ensuring that we maintain a strong team capable of delivering high-quality services to our community. We continue to be supported by Essex County Council, who support us with £15,000 per year ringfenced to support our rent on the building. Other funding still continues to be a challenge, but our fundraising team work tirelessly and we are able to continue currently with the support of the wonderful community, charitable organisations and businesses who support us. Acknowledgments We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing team of volunteers. Their commitment and resourcefulness are the backbone of our organizalion, enabling us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those w8 serve. We also thank our donors and partners for their continued support, which is vital for our ongoing success. Conclusion As we move fo￿ard, we remain focused on expanding our initiatives and enhancing our services to meet the growing needs of our community. We are excited about the future and are committed to makin lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1,18 The trustee are committed to all direction given by the Charity Commission and will do all possible to comply with it. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP reference NIA Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Vvhile we have now got some paid staff our volunteers are still the heartbeat of the charity. We could not operate without them and cannot thank them enough for the contribution they make to the charity The volunteers have given over 6,520 man hours of time to support the charity during continued hard limes. They are a remarkable group af individuals who make ahu e difference to the local communi Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Achievements and Performance SORP reference Our community fridge has saved over 190 tonnes of food from landfill during this financial year, helping many families in the process. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identfying the difference the charity s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 Volunteers have Gompleted over 6250 hours. We have completed over 190,000 interventions since the charity fomied. We relocated the charity to a much larger premises after outgrowing our original prernises., this has allowed a large increase in services and enabled us to reach more individuals. Additional information (optionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Last year we set out to increase our funding levels and start to employ people from the community lo assist wilh the expansion of the Hub and the services we offer. We have developed a large range of extra services and employed 11 staff (part timel during the year, so believe we have met the oals set. While we have been successful in grants for staffing and ringfenced projects, however other funding continues to be challenge. We work hard to raise funds as organically as possible to avoid reliance on grants. Achievemenls againsl objectives set Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising a¢livilies against objectives sel Parg 1.41 Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 The Charity has reportéd income in the year amounting to £185,141 (2023.. £67,454). Grant income has incrèased in the year as we were awarded income from Cadent, National Lottery and Essex Community Foundation. These have enabled us to employ staff members, and look into offering different services in the hub. The Charity has been at the new premises for a two years now and therefore Ihe community fridge has continued to thrive with an increase in income in the current year. Rent and utility costs aro still an incr6asing problem for the Charity however we are fortunate lo have been granted money to partially cover the rent by Essex County Council and Cadent. We hope these artnershi s will continue into future ears. The Charity aims lo hold £10,000 in available reserves in order to continue for the next financial year. Although the Charity does not like to hold money in reserves, this year the reserves have increased to hopefully expand the services of the hub in the comin eriod. The total reserves of the Charity is £85,212. The total unrestricted available reserves are £39,377 and the total restricted reserves are £45,835. No uncertainties exist about the Charity continuing as a going cOn￿rn. statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22 Amount of reseNes held Para 1.22 Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Parg 1.23 Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. We have received funding from a number of sources including local govemment, businesses, other groups and societies and individuals (stated above) The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Like all charities we are looking for funding all the time, our biggest concern is these funding streams being harder to a¢￿$S but we are optimistic we can find a way to support those who need us,. we are having to think more 'outside the box, to raise funds A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts-. Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 cio Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to past or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of two years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the charit uses istered charit number Charity's principal address The Witham Hub Locall known as 'The Hub, or'witham Communit Hub, 1188048 Unit 17, The Grove Cent￿, Wrtham, Essex, CM8 2YT Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole ear Trustee name Offieè lif any) Name of person lor body) entltlad toa oint trustee Ifan Tina Townsend Karen Bailey lan Boorman lan Cass Stuart Gulleford Sara Doulch Chair Resigned 2711012024 Facility Management Indepèndent Trustee Resigned 0910812023 Appointed 2010912023 Appointed 1011012024 Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee namo Tina Townsend Dates acted If not for whol• ear Tenancy at Will on Property unit 31st March 2022 Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Stgnature{g) Full name{sl Position {eg Secretary, Chair, otc) Tina Patricia Townsend Chair of Trustees Date CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES The Witharn Hub 1188048 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 0110412023 To 3110312024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to thè meare5t Restricted fund$ Endowment funds Totsl funds La¥t year tothe nearest £ to the rMr8St É to thè nèarest £ to the n8ar8St£ A1 Receipts Appeals and donation$ (ind￿jA9 Community Fridge) Grants Fundraising Interest ino)me Meeting roorn rental Other revenue Con5ullin Gift Aid 61,711 61.711 51.445 5.000 899 446 6.327 814 3,000 1.019 106,125 111.125 699 11.325 210 28 4.020 42 6.327 814 3.000 1.019 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 79.016 106,125 184141 67.454 A2 Asset and inveslment sales. (see tablel- Sub total Total receipts 79,016 106,125 185,141 67.454 A3Pa monts FDod 5UPPOrt Rent Rates & Water Light. Heal & Power Repairs and Mainienanr relephone & Fox C¢rnpuler costs Pnniing. postsge 8nd stationery Subscripiions Sundry expenses COVID-19 costs L￿al and professional fees Shop Equipment. Consumables. arts & ¢rafts Waste Collection Accoun18ncy Insurance Bank fees EniÈrt3intnent Staff training Direct expenses Èmal Counsellors Fundraising expenses Advertlsing and marketing Salaries and Pension cos18 Travel expenses $949 21,184 5.949 33,555 3,716 20,134 7.077 1,482 1,293 289 S,998 238 2,479 28,050 3,669 1,904 13,879 825 12 475 2,294 571 12.371 3.716 20,134 7,077 1.482 1.293 289 S.998 238 35 35 35 4,539 1,155 360 2.319 441 575 526 5.652 869 55 42 67 4.606 1.155 360 2.319 3,207 1.145 1,170 2,448 183 440 943 1,815 575 526 5.673 869 55 42 39,842 174 21 39.842 174 69.346 67,063 136A09 65,524 A4 As$gt and Invèstment purchases, Is90 table) Fixtures and fillin 5,190 6,190 11,638 Sub total 5,190 5,190 11.838 Total payments 74,536 67,063 141,599 77,162 Not of receipt￿(paYments) AS Transfers bo￿9•n funds A6 Cash funds last yaar gnd Cash funds this year end 4,480 12 34,909 39,377 39,062 12 6,761 45,835 43,542 9,708 41,670 85,212 51,378 41,670 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr&stri¢tsd funds Restrictod fund$ Endowment fund5 to noar•$t £ CatesJori&s Detalls to noar88t £ to noaro8t£ B1 Cash funds Bank accounts 38,ElS 45,836 Petty C85h S59 Total cash funds 39,377 4S,83S lasree bBlAn￿¥ wllh re¢81pts 8nd payments It￿nI(sI) Unrèstricted funds to noaM8t£ Rostrfctsd fund$ tr* nearest £ 4,600 Endowment funds to nearest£ Details Rent Deposit B2 Other monotary assets Fund to whlch •$$ot bglon urr8Tht valuo tlon41 Details Cost loptlonall Fund to whlch as¥frt belon Unreslrided C08t loptlonall 4B,878 Curront valuo Dotails FI￿UreS and flitlngs B4 Assets retalned for the ¢harity's own use Fund to whlch relatES Unrestricted Amount due tional 2.613 When due tional Details Ac¢ountancy fees 2023 & 2024 B5 Liabilities Signed by one ortwo trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of roval rina Townsend 39.i.ZcS CHARITY COMM15510N FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trustees The Witham Hub On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1188048 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination ofthe accounts ofthe above charity {"the Trust.) for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Gharity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(bl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect-. the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concernin9 the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with thé examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reacheEJ. Signed: Date: Name: •IC k #&)RSyT4 Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Ev4 ¥Ac•o t) . Address: . S i L4