Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 Dec 2023 To 30 November 2024
Charity name: Comfort C.A.F.E.
Charity registration number: 1188833
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1) For the public benefit, the prevention or relief of poverty in the Blackpool Borough Council area by the provision of food, items, advice, information and support to people aged 18 and over who are living in poverty as a result of homelessness, being at risk of homelessness (by virtue of being vulnerably housed) and financial hardship. 2) To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people who are aged 18 in the Blackpool Borough Council area from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society. For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or part of society, as a result of being a member of a socially and economically deprived community. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Comfort C.A.F.E. runs a weekly public drop-in session at St.Thomas’s Church Hall in Caunce Street, Blackpool. Those attending are befriended and served with a hot meal, a drink and takeaway sandwiches and snacks. We have known for a long time that many of our community struggle to feed themselves properly between payment of wages or benefits. In particular there are no soup kitchens available mid-week, and this is a particularly lean time. The situation has got worse with the current economic situation and shows no signs of improving. To address this, we set up the ‘Food Tomorrow’ project, supported by grants from Blackpool Council, the Cheshire Community Foundation and the D.J. Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme. The project provides parcels of non-perishable foodstuffs over the Winter period. |
| The weekly attendance is around 78-95 people of various ages, gender, family situation and employment status. During the year we saw a steady rise in the number of people attending our sessions who had no permanent residence. This includes rough sleepers, people ‘sofa- surfing’, and those in B&B and hostel accommodation. Where funds allow, we provide sleeping bags, warm clothing, personal hygiene supplies and clean underclothes. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The charity has complied with its duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when exercising powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity does not make grants but provides items of food and clothing etc. in kind. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All activities of the charity are performed by unpaid volunteers. |
| Other | Comfort C.A.F.E. has facilitated the attendance of NHS teams to provide Covid and Influenza vaccinations to people who might otherwise not have received it. Comfort C.A.F.E. has facilitated the attendance of a Wellbeing Councillor at weekly sessions funded by the charity ASHAR (Bringing Hope). We have facilitated the attendance of members of the Hep C trust who have tested clients and referred them for treatment when appropriate. We have also welcomed representatives of the Horizon service which is funded by Blackpool Council to provide support to people with alcohol and drug dependency problems. We also have monthly visits by representatives of the Empowerment Charity who support clients in various ways. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying 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 | Comfort C.A.F.E. has run the weekly sessions described above, helped people on low incomes to feed themselves and provided friendship and, via our Wellbeing counsellor, wellbeing advice. We also refer people to other organisations for help and advice as appropriate. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We have met all objectives for the year. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We have raised more than sufficient funds to meet our objectives during the year from a mixture of regular donations, one-off donations from local churches and organisations, and grants. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The charity has made no specific investments and operates with a basic bank account to handle donations and pay for operational expenses. |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the start of the year Comfort C.A.F.E. had funds of £19,522. The bank balance of the charity at the end of the year was £15,801 which was carried forward to the 2024/2025 financial year. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity trustees review the accounts at each meeting and aim to retain reserves sufficient to pay for our rent and core services for a period of at least 6 months. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £5,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity has a number of supporters who make regular monthly donations with many others making one-off donations. Fund-raising events have been held by a number of local churches and we have received grants from the D.J. Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme and St. Thomas’s Church. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | All funds are kept in a Cooperative Bank charity account. There are no other investments and no plans to make any. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | No specific risks but we are dependent on our supporters and volunteers. |
| Other | As a provider of food, Comfort C.A.F.E. is inspected by the Local Authority and was awarded a Five Star food hygiene rating in November 2024. Food is prepared and labelled in accordance with Food Allergy and Intolerance guidance issued by the Food Standards Agency, including labelling pre-prepared items like sandwiches for the presence of allergens. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution approved by the Charity Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | (1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. (2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. (3)Eligibility for trusteeship (a) Every charity trustee must be a natural person. (b) No individual may be appointed as a charity trustee of the CIO: if he or she is under the age of 16 years; or if he or she would automatically cease to hold office under the provisions of clause [12(1)(e)] of the Constitution. (c) No one is entitled to act as a charity trustee whether on appointment or on any re-appointment until he or she has expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the charity trustees decide, his or her acceptance of the office of charity trustee. (d) At least one of the trustees of the CIO must be 18 years of age or over. If there is no trustee aged at least 18 years, the remaining trustees may only act to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New volunteers are provided with copies of all policies and procedures and their duties are explained to them. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is managed by the Board of Trustees. A Kitchen Manager, who has a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering certificate, is appointed to supervise all matters relating to food preparation and storage. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Comfort C.A.F.E. works closely with the Blackpool Food Bank, St. Thomas’s Church and attends forums organised by Blackpool Council |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Comfort C.A.F.E. |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | New Comfort Zone (being phased out) |
| Registered charity number | 1188833 |
| Charity’s principal address | C/O Brian Watson 19 Ulverston Crescent Lytham St. Annes FY8 3RZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwen Cross | Secretary | |||
| Brian Watson | Treasurer | |||
| Sian Livesey | ||||
| Justin DeRizzio- George |
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Date 22 April 2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGI AND ANO WAILS Comfort C.A.F.E. 118B833 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For tht poriod from 01.Dec.23 To 3011112024 Section A Receipts and payments Unr05tTiCted funds to Iho n•ar•st Restricted fund$ Endowment funds Total fund5 Last year ¢0 th• narst£ t(Ilhv nrtE A1 Reeeipt$ 9.653 9,6$3 2.921 396 7.$03 RegularDonBlions 396 265 Sub tot•llGross incorne lor ARI 12,970 12.970 11,997 2 As$et and investment sales, (see table). Sub tot81 Tot•1 receipt5 12,970 12.970 11,997 A3P8 ont8 Food Pufchaye Cluihing purch&se 0[re Exppn5P3 p031ag Sleepiry bags, bl4Dkelsolc 9,2 278 674 14.799 27B 674 285 355 t24 3.264 30 2.580 1.408 1.620 30 2,880 Renl InSranc0 Fooo Prep and stor Misc EAPgnsg$ Sub total 16.690 16.690 21.469 A4 Asset Invo$iment pur¢ha8ts, see table Sub total 16.690 16.690 21,469 Nel of r6ceipts/fpayments) AS Transfers beTr4een tun#$ A6 Cash fund5 last year ond Cash lunds this year end 3,721 3.721 9.472 19,522 15,801 19,522 15.801 9.472 CCXX Rl aceounts Issi 2910612025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Urtrèstric¢sd tund$ RgslriGt9d Efidowmgnt fuTrd5 to nMi•Bt£ Cateyori•s 081811$ Bl Ca$h fund$ barth Accounl 15.801 Tot81 cash lunds 15,801 wX0(gI UnrBstrlctod lund8 R•stvlctod fundB to n••rNtE Endowmqnt funds to n•af•Ét£ Fund towhl¢h CuTh•ntwl B3 Inve5trnent assets Fund lowhlch a•••t b•lon cu•t¥Iu B4 Asstts retainod for the ¢h•rity'$ own us• knounl d •nth• B5 LFabilitle8 sign by oneor trust& on behalf ol all t trU5tee5 SvJn8lure Print Nama Date of roval 3& 24. CCYX RZ acaxnts ISSI 2910612025