## **ROUTE2FREEDOM** Charity number 1190159 Report of the Trustees, the accounts and the independent examiner's report for the period 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024 for Route2Freedom ## **Contents Page** - 1 Index - 2 Charity information - 3-6 Trustee report - 7-8 Statement of accounts (Receipts and Payments) - 8-9 Independent examiners report 1 ## **ROUTE2FREEDOM** FOR THE PERIOD: 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024 ## **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 / Stepped down 05/12/2023) Janet Watson (Appointed 02/05/2023) Abigail Falola was appointed as trustee on 5[th] December 2023 ## **Employees** Nathan Denniston Liam Rutter Esme Kennedy (employed in October 2024) Helen Clarke (employed in October 2024) ## **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 2 **ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF ROUTE2FREEDOM 1190159 FOR THE PERIOD** 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024 ## **The objects of the CIO are:** 1. 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. 2. 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: - a. providing grants, items, services to individuals in financial hardship, and advice and information on housing and welfare benefits. - 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. Emse Kennedy and Helen Clarke have been employed since October 2024 During the period there were 4 Trustees, with Abigail Falola being appointed in December 2023 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, Nansen Road Baptist Church, Ipswich, St. Augustine’s and MIE, Ipswich. 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. 3 ## **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 8-10 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 help some clients enter into rehab, 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 two individuals. We all appointed a volunteer General Line Manager, Andrew Croft, in March 2024 to oversee the day to day outreach activities of the charity. Andrew has a background in both Social Care and church leadership. ## **Policies** The Trustees worked diligently during this time to ensure all relevant policies were written, in place and reviewed. 4 A volunteer at the charity raised a grievance against an outreach worker, in December 2023, upon initial investigation the trustees felt to aide in impartiality and resolution of concerns raised it would be prudent to undergo an external investigation. There was no evidence of harm to individuals involved in the grievance or clients. During the time of the external investigation the charity paused outreach work and focussed on building relationships with churches. The outcome of the investigation was made available to all volunteers, trustees and outreach workers. The charity followed recommendations from the external investigator to improve working practices and reduce the risk of further discord within the charity. The complainant was pleased with the outcome and still has a good relationship with the CIO. ## **Trustees** Three of the five Trustees in place during this year were appointed at the inception of the CIO. One of those trustees, Christopher Hewson, stepped down in December 2023 and Abigail Falola was appointed in December 2023. ## **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 Church). 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. In 2023/24 the CIO produced a new website to help promote the CIO and to encourage further financial giving from the Ipswich community. ## **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 individuals giving regularly. Originally 5 local churches contributed to the CIO and we now have 10 supporting churches. We are constantly working to increase the number of supporting churches, hoping to add several more in the next financial year. The charity also received funds from Lightwave Community, and a number of individuals wanting to support the work. Additionally, we received £1500.00 on the winding up of Faraday Road Hall Trust Fund after the congregation merged with Ashcroft Church. The Trustees consider the financial position of the CIO is strong ## **Reserves policy** The minimum level of reserves set by the Trustees is £3000 (the equivalent of 2 months of essential running and employment costs), this has been further reviewed prior to this report being published, to £6000. 5 ## **Plans for 2024/25** It is our ambition and intention to be able to increase the working hours of our female outreach staff team. We will 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. ## **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 Stephen Fenning – chair of trustees 5[th] August 2025 6 ## **ROUTE2FREEDOM - CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION NO: 1190159** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR the year ended 31 OCTOBER 2024** |**RECEIPTS:**

Church giving
Individual giving

Rehab/Funeral donations
Gift Aid claims

**Total Receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Wages

Rehab Costs

Expenses - Clients and Meetings

Travelling and Parking Expenses

Insurance

Professional Fees

Conferences & Training

Equipment

**Total Payments**
**Excess of Receipts over**
**Payments for the year**|£
15,863.00
8,040.00
223.71
1,891.97
**£26,018.68**|£
15,863.00
8,040.00
223.71
1,891.97
**£26,018.68**| |---|---|---| ||13,924.20
360.00
1,384.95
320.20
249.52
450.00
196.00
383.70
**£17,268.57**|| |||**8,750.11**| 7 |**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2024**
**Current Assets - Cash at Bank**
**Cash Floats**
**Total Assets**

**Represented by:**
**General Reserve**
**Balance b/f**
**Surplus for the year**
**Balance c/f**|
|**£**
**12,972.54**
**200.00**| |---|---|---| ||___
|____________
**13,172.54**
**£**
**3,000.00**
**1,422.43**
**8,750.11**| ||
|| |||____________
**13,172.54**| 7 IN TEDA RECE￿￿. Church giving In(Jlvldualglving Gift Aid Reclaimed Other 15.863.00 8.040.00 1.891.97 223.71 Total Recelpts PAYMENTS Wages includlng Employe¢s Conts Rehab Costs Expenses- Cllents and Meetings Team Meetlng Expenses Travelling and Parking Expenses Insurance Professlonal Fees Equlpment Conferences & Tralnlng 13.924.20 671.(NJ 1,275.94 109.01 9.20 249.52 450.00 383.70 i%.00 Tolal PaymeM$ Exce55 of Recelpls over Paymenlsforyear Currenl Msots- Cash at Bank - Cash Floats 12,972.54 IotaLAsJ*ts Represented by: 3.000.00 General Fun(L Balance brt Surplus for Year 1.422.43 8,750.11 Balance clf £13.17Z54 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have cometo my attention In connection with the examlnatlon gwing me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. Accounting records were not kept in respect ofthe charity as required by Sction 396 of the Companies Act 2006: or 2. The financlal ststements do nol accord wfth those records.- or 3. The Ilnancial statements do not comptywith the accounting requirements of Section 396 ol the 2006 Act otherthan any requirementthat the accounts give a true and taIr￿ewwtt1¢h is not a matte¥ considered as part of an Independent examination- or 4. The flnanclal statements have not been Prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Ststement of Recommended Practlceforaccountlng and reportlng bycharltles applicable to charities preparingthell accounts Sn accordance wlth the Financlal Reportlng Stsndards appllcable in the UK and Republlc ol Ireland IFRS 1021 I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatlon to whlch attentlon should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a pToper underslandlng otthe Ilnanclal statements to be reached. Peter G Matthews CPFA MCIM. Chartered Public Flnance Accountant Iretlredl 23-Aug-25