ROUTE2FREEDOM
Charity number 1190159
Report of the Trustees, the accounts and the independent examiner's report for the period
1st November 2022 to 31st October 2023 for Route2Freedom
Contents Page
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I Index
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2 Charity information
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3-6 Trustee report
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7-8 Statement of accounts (Receipts and payments)
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9 Independent examiners report
Page 1
ROUTE2FREEDOM
FOR THE PERIOD: 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
Charity name and number
Route2Freedom, 1190159
Trustees
Stephen Fenning (Appointed 29/06/2020) (Chair)
Christopher Bedford (Appointed 29/06/2020)
Christopher Hewson (Appointed 29/06/2020)
Janet Watson was appointed a Trustee 2[nd] May 2023
Employees
Nathan Denniston
Liam Rutter
Governing Document
CIO registered 29 June 2020
Principal Address
80 Seaton Road Felixstowe
IP11 9BP
Independent examiner
Mr Peter Matthews CPFA, MCMI; Chartered Public Finance Accountant (retired) Capel St. Mary
Suffolk
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ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF ROUTE2FREEDOM 1190159 FOR THE PERIOD 29 JUNE 2022 TO 1 NOVEMBER 2023
The objects of the CIO are:
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To advance the Christian faith for the public benefit in Suffolk and the rest of the UK in accordance with the statement of beliefs and practices appearing in the Schedule of the CIO.
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To relieve financial hardship and relieve the charitable needs of people in Suffolk and the rest of the UK, in particular those experiencing addiction, homelessness and financial hardship, in particular but not exclusively by:
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a) providing grants, items, services to individuals in financial hardship, and advice and information on housing and welfare benefits.
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b) providing advice and information directed to the preservation and protection of good physical and mental health.
Structure, Management and Governance Arrangements:
The structure of the trust and the trustees who held office in the year and up to the date of this report are listed in the charity information on page 2.
The powers of appointment or removal of a trustee rests with the existing trustees.
The Trustees met monthly to discuss the business of the CIO.
Nathan Denniston and Liam Rutter have been employed by the CIO since April 2022.
During this period there were 4 Trustees (a further Trustee has subsequently been appointed. The Trustees' main duty is to ensure that the income and property is applied for the purposes set out in the Scheme. At their meetings, they also consider employer responsibilities, health and safety matters, insurance, the current position of named clients, the overall position of the finances and organisations that partner with the CIO.
Relationships
Route2Freedom have strong ties with a number of local Churches, namely Hope Church, Ipswich (1137936), Burlington Baptist Church, Ipswich (1126207), Ipswich International Church, Ipswich, Greenfinch Church, Ipswich (1079252), The Forge Community Church, Debenham (1101080), Capel St Mary Community Church, Ashcroft Church.
The CIO also liaises on an ad hoc basis with a number of other charities in the Ipswich and Suffolk area, particularly regarding addiction help and emergency housing.
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REVIEW OF PERIOD 1 NOVEMBER 2022 TO 31 OCTOBER 2023
The Charity exists to help those who are caught in addiction and problems associated with addiction. Particularly it helps those with alcohol and drug abuse problems. It operates primarily in Ipswich, Suffolk and would look to walk alongside clients, to get to know them and point them in the right direction to help with the addiction. This may be towards recovery programmes, local churches, sometimes helping with housing issues, working with other agencies, all on a one-to-one basis.
Outreach
During this period the CIO has consistently had 2 outreach workers active on the streets of Ipswich, each working 10 hours a week. Both outreach workers interact with regular clients, getting to know them, their stories and their current circumstances.
In addition, the CIO has from time to time benefitted from other volunteers who were variously involved in outreach work, one-to-one and face to face sessions with specific clients. These sessions allow us to delve further into issues and offer better, more focused help and encouragement.
Typically, clients have drug related and / or alcohol issues. Often there are housing issues associated too. In getting to know the clients better the Outreach Workers will signpost them towards avenues of help and will endeavour to link each person with a local Church, who can come alongside and provide practical as well as spiritual support.
The outreach workers, whilst interacting with many are typically working with 4 or 5 people consistently. This allows us to better help individuals, rather than go for a “scatter gun” approach. During this time, we estimate that we have had a significant effect on at least 20 individuals, both male and female.
Through this process we have been able to find rehabilitation places for 3 clients, have been able to help others with learning skills, finding accommodation, help with alcohol and drug problems and seen several undertake an Alpha Course (an exploration of the Christian faith). Sadly, we have even had to take a funeral service for one individual.
Policies
The Trustees worked diligently during this time to ensure all relevant policies were written, in place and reviewed.
Trustees
Three of the four Trustees in place during this year were appointed at the inception of the CIO. A further Trustee (Janet Watson), the CIO’s first female Trustee was appointed on 2[nd] May 2023.
(A further female Trustee has been added in the following financial year).
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Interaction with donors
The CIO has strong personal ties with many of the individual and Church donors (each Trustee and Outreach Worker is strongly involved with a supporting Churches).
As well as this the CIO produce a monthly news and prayer sheet, updating supporters with information about individuals that are being helped, as well as ongoing future plans.
Finances
The cost involved in running Route2Freedom is largely met by a number of Churches who give a regular monthly donation, as well as a number of individual, regular donors. Originally 5 local churches contributed to the CIO and we have now seen this grow to 9 supporting churches. We are constantly working to increase the number of supporting churches, hoping to add several more in the next financial year.
THE CIO has also received one off donations from various individuals, which have made a significant difference to the finances of the CIO.
The Trustees consider the financial position of the CIO is stronger this year than the previous year, particularly given that a number of new partners have joined since the end of this financial period, making a significant positive difference to income and reserves.
Reserves policy
The minimum level of reserves set by the Trustees is £3000 (the equivalent of 2 months of essential running and employment costs) and was reviewed during this period.
Plans for 2023/24
It is our ambition and intention to be in a position to utilise more female outreach workers. We also will look to engage a General Line Manager to take care of the day to day outreach activities of the charity.
In 2023/24 the CIO will produce a new website to help promote the CIO and to encourage further financial giving from the Ipswich community.
2023/24 will see us continue to engage with specific individuals, struggling with addiction. We fully intend to place as many as possible in a rehabilitation facility, as well as helping with education, counselling, housing etc.
Public Benefit Statement
When planning the CIO’s activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefits. The Trustees consider that the work undertaken is of direct benefit not only to clients, but also to the wider Ipswich community.
The Trustees are therefore happy that the CIO demonstrates a good delivery of public benefit.
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Independent Examiner
The Trustees re- appointed Peter Matthews to independently examine the financial books of the CIO.
This report signed on behalf of the trustees
C. Bedford
31[st] July 2024
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- ROUTE2FREEDOM CHARITABLE
INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NO: 1190159
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR the year ended 31 OCTOBER 2023
| RECEIPTS: Church giving Individual giving Rehab Donations Gift Worker's Transport Total Receipts PAYMENTS Wages National Insuranc/Payee Costs - Refund 2021/22 Rehab Costs Expenses - Clients and Meetings Travelling and Parking Expenses Car Provision - Worker Insurance Gratuities Professional Fees Website Fees Inspire Counselling Stationery Total Payments |
£.p 9,180.90 4,860.00 3,729.64 1,000.00 £18,770. |
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| 54 12,311.3 0 - 866.00 3,709.95 1,513.69 367.55 1,000.00 220.57 108.32 272.00 483.00 50.00 14.40 £19,184. |
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| 78 |
Excess of Payments over Receipts for year -£414.24 Page 7
- ROUTE2FREEDOM CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NO: 1190159
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2023 £ Current Assets - Cash at Bank 4,422.43 Represented by: General Reserve 3,000.00 General Fund - 1,422.43 £4,422.4 3
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- ROUTE2FREEDOM CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NO: 1190159
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006: or 2. The financial statements do not accord with those records: or
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The financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination: or
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The financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Peter G Matthews CPFA, MCIM, Chartered Public Finance Accountant (retired)
16-Aug-24
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