F1 Bank NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Registered Charity No.1188640 St Clare's Church Cabell Road Guildford GU2 WW Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31" March 2024
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK TRUSTEES Dr GeoEf Andrews Mts Joanna Woodhouse Cbair Erom June 2023 Chair & Secretary Resigned June 2023 Treasurer Resigned July 2023 Mrs Sarah Fothergdl Rev Stephen Pownall Mr5 Susan WillianLS Mrs Zoe Waus Mr Leslie Smith Mr Clive Couzens Mr5 Clare Porter Resigned Ortober 2023 Appointed Augusi 2023 Appointed June 2023 BANKERS Uoyds Bank pk Guildford Branth PO Box 1000 BXI ILT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Graham Norton FCA 2 Pattefdale Coldhwbour Road West Byfieet lwrey KT14 6JN www.northguildfordfoodbank.co.uk Reqlstered Chority No.1188640
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Annual Report and Accounts The Trustees present their Annual Report and Accounts. for the year ended 31" March 2024. The Charity was registered on 19, Morch 2020. Thi5 report and the independently examined accounts will be lodged with the Charity Commission. Copies will be made available to all donors. where name5 and addresses are known. Objert5 of the Charlty The object5 of the Charity are-. The relief of financial hardship amongst people in Guildford and the surrounding area in such ways as the trustees from time to time think fit. in particular. but not exclusively by.. al providing emergency food. essential toiletries. and household items to individua15 and families in need andlor for distribution by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty b} such other means, including (but not limited tol the provision of support or signp05ting to relevant information and other advisory services and to provide such services with a Christian ethos. supported by churches in Guildford. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each linancial year which give a true and fair view of the charitys financial activities during the vear and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing accounts giving a true and fair view the Trustees should follow best practice and- select suitable accounting policie5 and apply them consistently- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to anv material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements,. and • prepare the accounts on a going concern basi5 unless It 15 inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accountr.ng records which disclose with reasonable accurary at any time the financial position of the charity. and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with applicable law. They are a150 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and any other irregularity-
Trustee Strncture and Selection of Trustees The charity has six Trustees, two with portfolio- chair and treasurer. When recruiting Trustees a balance is sought between- Alignment with the charitable objectives of the charity Financial experience in managing accounts and cash flow Strategic and management Skill All prospective new trustees are interviewed by the Chair of Trustees and their appointment requires unanimous agreement of all Trustees. The Trustees. main concern is that all Trustees contribute to governing and leading the Charity. ensuring it remains true to its objectives and is sustainable.
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Trustees, Report History The North Guildford Food Bank was started in November 2012 based at St Clare's Church on the Park Barn estate. North Guildford. Food collertions were made at the local Tesco and individuals, churches and other organisations in the area made food collections and provided fi.nancial help. Fund5 were held in the St Francis/St Clare Parish accounts. A second outlet was opened at New Hope Church on the Bellfields estate in January 2014 and a third at Bushy Hill Cornmunity Centre. Merrow, in May 2014. A Lloyds Charity current account wa5 opened in April 2017 and funds transferred from the parish account. In 2017, collections for the food bank moved from the local Tesco to the Burpham branch of Sainsburfs. The Food Bank wa5 registered with the Charity Commission on 19 March 2020 and with HMRC soon after. Gift Aid has been claimed from the date of Charity Commission registration. The 8ellfields venue could not be operated in accordance with Covid-19 restrictions and ceased to be used from late 2020 onwards. The Merrow venue was of unsatisfadory quality and had limited use by local clients, so was closed from July 2022. AII clients have been served from the St Clare's church site since then. and this is also the primaryvenue for food storage. Cllent Numbers The number of clients helped has typically increased year on year. The pandemic resulted in a doubling of households referred to the food bank but reduced by 16% in 2021122. However. inflationary pressure on the cost of food and fuel has led to a 4% increase in demand comparing 2022123 and 2023124 but the number of food parcels prepared from December 2023 onwards ha5 increased significantly= in December 2023 we provided 306 food parcels. a 46% increase on December 2022. The first quarterof 2024 has seen a 20% increase in demand compared with the same period in 2023. Although the number of parcels h35 increased, the number of people fed has decreased because of a significant increase in the number of single people or households without children in need of food. North Guildford Food Bank 20231Z4 Overall Statisti¢s Summary 2023124 1.806" 104% 4.915 94% 2.829 2.086 2022123 Total number of Com arison with Total nwnber of Com arison with Adults Childten Value of gas and electricity top rovided revious le fed revious ear 5,249 ear 2,788 2,461 £4,532* Parcel Thumbefs are calculated as toial parce15 pro¥thd. excluding anycancellations • Change ol fuel pTo¥iderlrom tlerember 2021 see'Ga5 & Elethoty T¢)p Up5, section of repNt.
The referrals came from a variety of other local agencie5 such as the local authority, schools. churches. Citizens. Advi, medical professionals and support workers. Café We encourage all clients to come to St Clare's so that we can signpost them to other agencies that may help thern extt their financial stress and to offer to pray for them. Clients are welcomed to St Clare's and offered drinks and snacks and a chance to chat to a volunteer who asks them if they need help with fuel costs and who may be able to signpost them to other agencies. Some local residents. who are not food bank clients, come to the Food Bank for company and. in the winter, a warm place. Feedback from clients who use the café shows that this is a valuable service and enables them to feel as though someone cares about them. reducing i501ation. The café wns at all sessions and is open to the local community but because space is limited. preference is given to clients. Signposting Volunteers worked on an improved Signposting software which was launched in March 2024. All signposting information is now on a webstte https'./lngfbsignposting.co.uk/. Volunteers are now much more able to dirert clients to agencies that may be able to provide other types of help and advice. Food Deliveries to Clients Clients are informed that they will be given many kilos of food and non-food item5 and that they should endeavour to come by car unless they are very local. Guildford Borough Council provided a driver once a weekwho could deliverto 8 homes but this was reduced to 4 homes in March 2024. Several volunteers deliver food for those who come by public transport, on foot or are housebound. Clients are also able to have their food parcels colletted by referrers, friends or family members on their behalf. Volunteers who deliver are not allowed to enter homes betause of safeguarding concems but DBS checks will be sought for selerted drivers to enable them to enter homes where the client needs help bringing the food parcels indoors. Change in Trustees Jo Woodhouse resigned as Chair and Secretary of Trustees. Geoff Andrews was appointed as Chair and brings with him experience as a trustee and valuable connections arising from his work for the Diocese of Guildford. Clare Porter 0150 joined as Trustee, bringing good insight to the operation of the food bank from her tearn leader role. Les Smith, the former treasurer, resigned from the board having completed the handover to Sarah Fothefgill. Clive Couzens joined the board bringing professional expertise in insurance. Rev Steve Pownall resigned as he retired as vicar of St Clare's church and moved away from Guildford. A new lay associate minister will arrive in St Clare's in August 2024 who will be invited to join the Board of Trustees. Staff Jo Woodhouse contributed many hours as a volunteer to manage the food bank but thi5 Wa5 not Sustainable, so the Trustees agreed to extend the administratorfs hours to 35 hour5 per
week from August 2023 and to recruit a food bank manager. The recruitment was conducted by the trustees in August 2023 and a food bank manager was appointed on 22.5 hours per week from October 2023. A local company continues to provide office Space in Guildford town tentre and office services at no cost to the food bank for the administrator and the manager for which the Trustees are very grateful. Payroll While the Food Bank had one part time administrator. the LightHouse Woking was the employer and paid the salary which was invoiced to the Food Bank. With the appointment of a food bank manager, the payroll was transferred to Stewardship and the Food Bank became the employer. This was successfully implemented from the January 2024 payroll onwards. This is a much better arrangement for the staff and Trustees. Provlslon of Food and Household Supplies We have maintained the standard parcel size at 7 days, food which better meets the needs of clients. The Food Bank receives items donated at the Burpham branch of Sainsbury's and at the Guildford branch of Waitrose. A number of other retail and business outlets also run collection points on our behalf and make cash donations. The Guildford Lions continue to contribute a significant sum each week towards the provision of fresh produce. This is supplemented by gifts from variou5 local churches, schoo15, businesses and individuals partr"cularly at Har¥e5t Festival and Christmas. The Food Bank also purchases food from a local wholesaler and Sainsburfs to top up donations of non-perishable food, plus fresh and refrigerated items which cannot be safely donated. Approximately £1,750 per week is spent on these item5. At Christmas. seasonal items and supennarket vouchers were included in food parcels. In February 2024. we applied to the Winter Poverty Fund ofthe Surrey Community Fund and received a grant of £5,000 to replenish ourfood stocks. In the light of growing demand, we will seek donations from other trust funds. Gas & Electri¢ity Top Ups for Clients From December 2022 we have distributed energy vouchers provided to the Fuel Bank Foundation to clients in fuel poverty and who have a pre-paid meter. The vouchers are provided free of charge to the food bank. The Fuel Bank Foundation flexed the value of vouchers overthe winter. to account for changes in fuel costs and expected consumption. The vouchers are capped at £49 as this is the maximum amount that can be topped up on any day. We are investigating ways to help clients who pay for utilities by direct debit but have yet to find a robust solutron.
Electricity Contributions to Churcheslcommunity Centre. The Food Bank has an agreement with St Clare's for use of the hall and church which gives a 3 rnonth notice period but the church is very committed to supporting the Food Bank. During the reporting period the Food Bank has paid a monthly amount to St Clare's Church for hire of the church hall. electricity and cleaning. Trustee Meet6ngs The Trustees held regular meetings during the period. Items included in a typical agenda were.. l. Appointment of Trustee5 2. Risk 3. Finance 4. Capacity 5. How best to serve the clients 6. Premises 7. Future Strategy 8. Conflicts of Interest Partnership with parish of St Francis We51borough and St aare's Park Bam The parish and especially St Clare's church has been very supportive of the Food Bank as has been the Archdeacon of Surrey. Both churches have been in vacancy since September 2023 and neither church was able to finance their own minister. The parish agreed to work with the neighbouring parish of Emmanuel Stoughton and an associate minister is due to start in St Clare's in August 2024. He sees the Food Bank as a key part of the church's ministry to Park Barn. The Trustees wish to thank the PCC of St Francis & St Clare's and Rev Thom Jee and the PCC of Emmanuel Stoughton for the use of the St Clare's church and their partnership in serving the food and fuel-poor. Totsl Charity Value The total value of the Charty as at 31 March 2024 is £119.477 comprising net movement in the period of1-£8.1361 and funds brought forward from the previous year of £127.613. Income and Expenditure Detsils The total income for the period was E138.824 and comprised individuol donations, business donations, reclaimed gift aid. and a 5ma15 amount of interest on the Savings account. Costs were £146,960 This report wa5 approved by the Trustees on 3 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Or Geoff Andrews Chair of Trustees
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Recelpts and Payments Account For the year to 31° March 2024 Toial Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Recei sandPa ments Note Donations General donations Inierest income Gift Aid Total Receipts 132,137 1.643 157.121 191 11,688 169 000 824 Pa ants ents Ener Salaries Runnin Costs Food urchases 46,664 14.625 10,988 78.228 33.242 17,230 Total Pa ents Net Recei ents Total Funds Brought Forward ToLIl Funds Carried Forw 127.613 109,118 119477 All of the charis acknvities derive from continuing operatr"on5 during the period. The notes on pages 11 and 12 form part of these accounts.
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Statement of A55ets and Liabilitie5 As at 31" March 2023 2024 2023 Note Currenl Assets Lloyds Bank- Current Accounl Access Lloyds Bank- Saving5 Account Acce5S Lloyds Bank - Savings Accouni Nouce Energy Grants Fund Tesco vouchers Cash li . Instant 6,892 4.351 - Instani 60,880 122.607 -32Day 50.870 735 100 77 420 235 £127 613 19 Curren¢ Liabilities io ets Reiained For The Charities 0 li £127 613 ed B Ststement of Recei tsand li 119A77 £127 The notes on pages 11 and 12 fomi part of these accounts. Approved by the Trustees on Monday 3° July 2024, and 518ned on their behalf by= . G Andrew5 Chair of Trustees Sarah Fothergill Trustee & Treasurer io
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Notes to the Accounts l. Statement of Trustee< Responsibilities. The Charity was formally established and registered with The Charity Commission as Charity Number 1188640 on 19 March 2020. The Trustees are required to prepare an annual report and accounts which are lodged with the Charity Commission. The financial year*nd is 31" March,. these accounts cover the year to 31° March 2024. 2. S¢ope and Basls of Annual Accounts. These accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments ba515 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice. 3. A¢¢ountlng Polides. These are: Donations, tsx recoveries. interest income and other income have been accounted for on an 'a5 received, ba515. b. Annual income of the Charity is allocated across the funds based on donor preferences. c. Year-end stock values of food are not considered to be material. 4. RecelptslPayments. These are attributed to the appropriate sub-fundlsl based on the actual nature of the transactions. S. Reserve5 Policy. The Charty needs to maintain free reserves to fund its regular work. Currently those free reserves amount to £119.477 12023.. £127,613) which are maintained to support the expenditure needs of the Charity. The Trustees aim to retain such free reserves as are necessary to enable expected works to be completed within a 12 month period. 6. Energy Grants. Small credit top ups on gas and elertricity meter cards are provided for clients who had gone into their 'fuel emergency allowance.. In addition we use a third party to administer the issuing of energy vouchers that can be used with any energy company and any unissued amount held by the third party is treated as a current asset. 7. Donations. These are allocated based on the donor preference, if no preference is given then donations are allocated to the general fund. 8. Running Costs. These are operational costs incurred in the provision of food to the clients. 9. Food Purchases. These are the costs incurred in purchasing food that is distributed to clients. In addition. we have purchased Tesco vouchers and these are distributed to those in need in December and any unissued vouchers are treated as a current asset. 10. Current Liabilities. There are no current liabilithes. li
- Current Assets. Deposlt accounts are interest bearing at market rates. The current account is non-interest bearing and is maintained with the minimum amount estimated as ne$sary for near term expenditure.
- Going Concern. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the chariWs ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
- Related Party Transaclion5. No fees or remuneration were paid to any Trustee during the period. Trustees (xcasionally payfor some sundry items for which they do not make a claim for expense5. Trustees may also buy client food from the supermarkets and then reclaim the costs incurred, a5 well a5 Other expense5 throughout the year. There were no transactions llth any persons or entitie5 connected in any way to the Charity or its Trustees.
- Assessment of Risb. The Charity ha5 two employees and no premises. 12
NORTH GUILDFORD FOOD BANK Independent Examlnerfs Report to the TNstees of North Guildford Food Bank I report on the accounts of The North Guildford Food Bank. for the twelve months ended 31 March 2023, Charity No= 1188640, set out on pages 9 to 12. Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner The Charitys Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity5 Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under 5ertion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charities Actl) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Art. follow the procedures laid down in the General Dirertions given by the Charity Commissioners {under section 145{5}Ib) of the Charities Act- and State whether particular matter5 have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examinerfs Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Dirertlons 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 record5. It also include5 consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning 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 Vie and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlnerfs Statement In connection with my examination. no matter ha5 corne to my attention: {1} which gives me reasonable tause to believe that in. any material respect, the requirements= to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Art; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.. or {2} to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Graham Norton FCA 2 Patterdale 13
Coldharbour Road West Byfieet Surrey KT14 6N 3° July 2024 14