Bensham Grove Community Centre Registered Charity No. 1188101
Trustees' Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2024
Legal and Administrative Information
Bensham Grove Community Centre
Name: Bensham Grove Community Centre Charity no: 1188101 Structure: Unincorporated association governed by a constitution. Trustees: Chair Shirley Brown Vice Chair Vikas Kumar Treasurer Angela Knox Secretary Shirley Allen Others Susan Adamson Trustees are elected by the membership at each Annual General Meeting. Address: Sidney Grove Bensham Gateshead NE8 2XD Bankers: Lloyds 15 West Street Gateshead NE8 1DP Independent Mark Thompson MAAT Examiner: 42 Lesbury Road Newcastle NE6 5LB
Trustees' Annual Report
Background
The Community Centre was established to provide a community venue for the benefit of people living in Bensham, Gateshead and the wider area. The Centre works with volunteers, local voluntary organisations, the local authority and other groups to provide opportunities and facilities to help improve the social and personal education, (including social cohesion) health and welfare, and recreational opportunities of local people.
The Centre became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in February 2020 changing its charitable status and governance. Its aims however remain similar, although the concierge of the Grade 2 listed building has been added to its objectives. The Centre held its AGM in July 2024, but elections were not required following the details set out in the constitution; new appointments are due 2024 from those members still in post.
The centre employs a full-time caretaker and a part-time cleaner. The Board continue to support the part time Community Centre Manager who is now supported by a part time administrator. The Centre also employs part time pottery technical staff and consultants as the pottery studio has increased its programme significantly during the year.
The Centre have been funded once again by Lankelly Chase charitable funds to employ a full time and part time Community Development workers ( Bridgebuilders) to work across the diverse communities in the area. This continues to be working well and brings a new audience to the project. ESOL courses, diverse social groups and refugee support groups have been further developed to support people from a wide range of cultures arrived in the area. The Centre was particularly busy during Ramadan and several organisations held Iftar events.
Review of activities and performance
The Centre provides a wide range of activities, with a central focus remaining of adult education and learning. There are a wide variety of classes, groups, and activities available at the centre, ranging from Craft groups through to groups for older people, those that support the diverse community's and the adult education programmes. The Centre has good internet facilities which supports members and learners including on Basic Skills programmes. Job clubs, including some specific to neurodiversity, and voluntary sector/not for profit organisations hire rooms on an ad hoc basis, increasing the footfall and range of opportunities available. In 2024 the centre was able to support a great many people who had been affected and traumatised by the summer riots and some very specific social cohesion projects have been held with noteworthy results. There were more than 1000 participants every week using the Centre which is supported largely by volunteer input. The Centre has an arrangement with Gateshead Council learning Skills and the WEA in the provision of accommodation and support for adult learning courses.
The Main House of Centre which reopened in September 2013 following a highly successful Heritage Lottery Project is continuing to flourish and further develop. In 2022, the studio rooms which had opened in 2021, were fully occupied bringing sustainability to the centre. Plans to develop new stainedglass installations with funds from the Queens Jubilee Awards were developed. These works showed a splendid example of what community groups can achieve when they are determined and supported. All works within the centre are of exceptional standard and continue to be a highlight to visitors. During this year too, a book was written about the history of Bensham Grove and the families who lived here and those who donated the building to local people. This was a key step forward and a unique project for Bensham Grove and funds from the sale of the book continues to raise much appreciated funds for the Centre.
During this year we have been pleased to see the numbers of people involved with the centre increase. New staff and local projects have increased the number of organisations that are frequently using the project. The wonderful garden at the Centre remains to be well used and appreciated. The gardening group have continued to develop their Bee Garden and also have created a kitchen garden to show how they are developing their horticultural skills. The raised beds that were developed for local people to use are still used by a small number of local residents whose homes do not have gardens.
We have been delighted to develop an Urban Physic Garden to support well-being and appreciation of the impact of working in outdoor spaces to address anxiety and stress. These initiatives have brought new interest and volunteers to the project keeping it a very important community hub valued by those near and far.
The Community Centre is used seven days a week from early morning till 9pm. There are a wide range of groups, classes and courses using the facilities. The project, continues to be used by a diverse range of people reflective of both the multi-cultural nature of the local community, and also by people with learning disabilities who enjoy being part of an open and inclusive community.
Risks, reserves and investments
Staff carry out risk assessments on all our projects, and these are reviewed on a regular basis. This has been particularly important in terms of general safety. All funds not immediately required are held in interest-bearing accounts. The Centre has updated its financial procedures, safeguarding, Equality and Diversity and H&S documents over the last year and is working to update its current business plan.
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 1993. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Signed: .Chair, on behalf of the Trustees, date: 30th March 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
Report to the trustees of Bensham Grove Community Centre
On accounts for 31 December 2024 Charity no 1188101 the year ended
Respective The trustees of the organisation are responsible for the preparation of responsibilities of accounts; they consider that an audit is not required for this year under trustees and section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent examiner Examination is needed. It is my responsibility to
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act),
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the
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Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions independent given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review examiner’s of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the statement 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
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Independent In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: examiner's 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material statement respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
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proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of
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the Act); and
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accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and
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comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 29 April 2025
Name: Mark Thompson MAAT Address: 42 Lesbury Road Newcastle NE6 5LB
Bensham Grove Community Centre Receipts and payments account for the period 1 January to 31 December 2024
| Notes Income Grants 2 Rent and Room Hire Donations Classes Fees Subscriptions Sales Reimbursements Membership Bank Interest Studio Hire BG Womens Group Contribution to Pottery Tech Pottery Fundraising Pottery Resources Total Receipts Expenditure Activities and Events Events Payments from Grants Dawn Brown Fund Grants BG Womens Group HLF Project Pottery Project Pottery Expenditure Equipment, Materials and Maintenance Transport/Volunteers Expenses Performing Rights Licence Staff Wages 3 Refreshment Sales Management and Administration Gateshead Council (Running Costs) Insurance Accountancy 4 Printing, Post & Stationery Refuse Collection Utilities Reimbursements General Administration Total Payments Surplus for the period Transfers between Funds Balance at 1 January 2024 Balance at 31 December 2024 |
2024 2024 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 78921 78921 109681 83307 83307 68177 1098 1098 583 29465 29465 2080 23815 23815 12970 2808 2808 4193 256 256 860 1993 1993 1016 2079 2079 861 17240 17240 15900 1750 1750 2000 14496 14496 3034 1645 1645 1329 25783 25783 1289 |
|---|---|
| 205734 78921 284655 223973 |
|
| 1323 1323 4186 93636 93636 74239 1647 1647 986 1000 1000 703 7830 7830 1620 1620 1191 18537 18537 9584 11800 11800 16473 782 782 1348 240 240 231 91512 91512 51414 755 755 450 0 0 6816 6816 5582 810 810 765 634 634 125 572 572 286 47742 47742 44715 1894 1894 1218 111 111 168 |
|
| 193978 95283 289261 213664 |
|
| 11756 -16362 -4606 10309 17409 -17409 156569 68137 224706 214397 |
|
| 185734 34366 220100 224706 |
Bensham Grove Community Centre Balance Sheet at 31 December 2024
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets Assets | |||
| Business instant access | 277 | 274 | |
| Treasurer's account | 64855 | 71533 | |
| Virgin Deposit | 154968 | 152892 | |
| Cash in Hand | 7 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 220100 | 224706 | |
| Current Liablilites | |||
| Net Assets at 31 December 2024 | 220100 | 224706 | |
| Represented by: | 5 | ||
| Restricted Funds | 34366 | 68137 | |
| Designated Funds | 95072 | 94927 | |
| Unrestricted Funds | 90662 | 61642 | |
| Total | 220100 | 224706 | |
| The financial statements were approved by the following | members of the | ||
| Management Committee : | |||
| Signed …………….……………………… Position ………………………………….. Treasurer |
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| Signed …………….……………………… Position ………………………………….. Chair |
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| Date ………………………………………. 08 -05-2025 |
Bensham Grove Community Centre Notes to the accounts, 2024
1.[Accounting Policies]
- a The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006
Bensham Grove Community Centre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
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b Grants received are accounted for on a received basis and credited to income.
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c Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Receipts and Payments Account when received.
2.[Grants receivable]
| Grants receivable | |
|---|---|
| Community Foundation (Admin) | 10000 |
| Grant - Ballinger Trust LC Funding | 17668 |
| Software City Grant | 500 |
| Community Funding (Wages) | 22580 |
| Gateshead Council UP (Garden Grant) | 6000 |
| Social Change Grant - Grief Café | 3040 |
| Dawn Brown Fund | 1685 |
| Unique B Women | 1750 |
| Lankelly Chase (Staffing) | 15698 |
| Total Grants | 78921 |
3.[Trustees, staff and related party transactions]
The organisation employed 9 members of staff during the period of the accounts. No payments were made to trustees.
4.[Costs of financial services]
During the year £750 was paid for the independent examination of the 2023 accounts.
5.[Analysis of Funds:]
| Restricted Funds Dawn Brown Fund Ballinger Trust Lankelly Chase Community Foundation Grant (admin) Software City Grant Community Funding (Wages) Gateshead Council UP Garden Grant Social Change Grant - Grief Café Unique B Women Total |
Open Bal Income Expend Transfers End Bal 501 1685 1647 539 4612 17668 15817 6463 63025 15698 53052 -17409 8262 10000 6671 3329 500 500 0 22580 9568 13012 6000 5719 281 3040 560 2480 1750 1750 0 |
|---|---|
| 68138 78921 95284 -17409 34366 |
Designated Funds
| Designated Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. Legal Liability Fund | 35000 | |
| (Funds set aside should the organisation wind-up, to pay | ||
| for Redundancy & other contractual obligations). | ||
| 2. Buildings & Maintenance Fund | 58000 | |
| (Funds for replacement and upkeep of the building) | ||
| 3. Womens Group | ||
| Balance b/fwd | 1297 | |
| Income (from Ballinger Trust) | 1750 | |
| Expenditure | -999 | 2048 |
| 4. Pottery Fundraising | ||
| Income | 1645 | |
| Expenditure | -1620 | 25 |
| Total Designated Funds | 95073 | |
| Total Funds: | ||
| Restricted Funds | 34366 | |
| Designated Funds | 95073 | |
| General Funds | 90661 | |
| 220100 |
The Charity aims to keep six months running costs in General Funds, as recommended by The Charity Commission.