Annual Report & Financial Statement 2022 – 2023
Birchgrove Community Foodbank is a registered charity, reg. no.1188963
Charity’s Principal Address:
Birchgrove Community Centre Lon Gwesyn Birchgrove SA7 9LD
Charitable Aims & Objectives
The relief of financial hardship amongst people in Birchgrove and the surrounding area in such ways as the trustees from time to time think fit, in particular but not exclusively by;
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Providing emergency food, essential toiletries and household items to individuals and families in need and/or for distributions by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
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Such other means, including (though not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services.
We, the trustees consider that these activities have been and continue to be conducted with regard to the guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Trustees:
Chair Jordan Rees Secretary Juliet Rees Trustee Leanne Dymond Trustee Tania Arthur
Chair’s Report
Our third year has been our busiest yet, again focusing on the immediate issues and concerns of our clients, we were able to provide support, advice and of course food parcels to families and people living within the local community and surrounding area.
Working with the local Councillors we were able to develop the service and provide additional support during the ‘cost of living crisis’. Most of this financial support has been allocated to the reserves to provide support when the food donations are low or reduced.
Jordan Rees Chair
Again, we the Trustees recognise we could not provide this service without the continued support of our volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year regardless of the
weather ensuring all clients received their food parcels, and the local businesses that have provided support by either financial or food basket donations.
Birchgrove Community Garden
The Community Garden has gone from strength to strength providing fresh home grown produce to the foodbank users. Juliet Rees (Foodbank Manager) working alongside a team of local community volunteers, including volunteers from the local Comprehensive and Primary Schools as well as a team from Lloyds Bank based in Swansea and Vera Mead Llansamlet .
Liaising with the local schools, Juliet has been able to arrange group visits from the children, who have enjoyed learning how to grow vegetables, including Kale, Tomatoes, Cabbages, Carrots, Onions, Beetroot, French Beans, Runner Beans, Broccoli, Spring Onions, Cucumbers,
a variety of herbs and even some flowers.
Easter & Christmas at the Foodbank
Once again, our Local Community Councillors provided much needed funding and practical support enabling over 200 special food parcels to be delivered to the local community and surrounding areas. These food parcels included easter eggs, selection boxes and all the trimmings that we all enjoy on these special holidays.
Christmas at the Foodbank
Sponsors & Donors
Special thanks to the local churches, schools, businesses, charities and supermarkets for their continued support enabling the foodbank to provide much needed help and assistance to people and their families living within Birchgrove and the surrounding area.
Our Supporters included:
City & County of Swansea, Sullivans Estate Agents, Arbourne’s Winchwen, Glantawe Lions, Rivalslot Llansamlet, Samlet Church, Tesco Llansamlet, Tesco Marina, Farm Foods, CK Supermarket Birchgrove, JCP Solicitors, Sensitive Water Solutions, Elsbe, Birchgrove Primary, Birchgrove Comprehensive, Ysgol Gynradd Lonlas, Talycoppa Primary School, Trallwn Primary School and the local Birchgrove WI.
Future Developments
Working in partnership with the City & County of Swansea local councillors, we are in the process of setting up cookery classes free to people living within the community.
We are also looking at providing other courses (free) which may be beneficial to the local community e.g. First Aid.
Special Thanks
Birchgrove Community Foodbank Trustees would like to give special thanks to the local Councillors for their continued support to the Foodbank and local community of Birchgrove.
Cllr Alyson Anthony Cllr Ryland Doyle Cllr Joe Hale Cllr Matthew Jones Cllr Penny Matthews
Financial Statement
Birchgrove Community Foodbank Trustees have agreed that a proportion of the monies currently available will be placed into a separate savings account as reserves to ensure the steady supply of food stock is available should the amount of donations lessen.
Income
Bank b/f £25,765 Petty cash £0 Donations £4,010 Grants/Funding £4,500 Total £34,275
Expenditure
| Expenditure | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock replenishment | £6,813 | ||
| Christmas Stock | £4,617 | ||
| Community Garden | £20 | ||
| Volunteer Expenses | £136 | ||
| Insurance | £210 | ||
| Ofce Supplies (inc Phone) | £186 | ||
| Total | £11,981 | ||
| Less Cash in hand | £0 | ||
| Less Reserves/Savings | £8,000 | ||
| Balance C/f | £14,294 |
Notes to the accounts:
The Trustees discussed and agreed the sum of £8,000 to be placed as a reserve/savings for the bank account.
This will ensure the foodbank will have sufficient funds to continue to operate in the event of a reduction in donations.
I confirm the above accounts provide an accurate record of Birchgrove Community Foodbank's financial transactions for the year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023
Signed
Name Juliet Rees Position Secretary Date: 23.02.2024