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2024-03-31-accounts

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The Power House (Poole) Company Number 11625271 Registered Charity Number 1190962 170 Blandford Road, Hamworthy, Poole, BH15 4BH

Annual General Meeting 20[th] November 2024

Annual Report Written by Chair of Directors/Trustees Maureen La Frenais & Project Manager Alix DigbyWest

Period of this Report

This report covers the period since the December 2023 AGM.

Vision and Objectives and Vision

The purpose of The Power House (Poole) as set out in its revised Memorandum and Articles of Association is to:

“Further or benefit the residents of Poole without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or political or religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the condition of life for the residents.”

These words agreed with the Charity Commission allow The Power House to pursue its longstanding vision and ambition of creating a high quality and prominent Cultural, Community and Wellbeing centre to both provide facilities and run programmes for local community benefit.

Introduction

This is the fifth Chair’s report written and submitted by The Power House Board of Trustees and Project Manager Alix Digby-West.

Seven years after our conception in 2017, we have networked and gained support from organisations and individuals BCP Council and provided regular successful programmes of activities. Today, we are pleased to be recognised as a credible creative arts and wellbeing charity in Hamworthy and Poole, and within Dorset. All this has all been done without an office or building to operate from.

Over the years, we acquired numerous funding grants, and our projects reassured providers of our ability to deliver. Last year we progressed our longer-term aim to acquire premises, additional staff and resources and establish space to engage daily with the community. Our ‘Love Hamworthy’ application to the National Lottery Reaching Communities was successful and in December 2023 we were granted three years funding £273,623 and matched funding from Valentine Trust and Alice Cooper Dean.

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By May our Power House Hub in Hamworthy opened, and we are pleased to report the project team have expanded to 4 very skilled and enthusiastic staff, ably supported by our trustees, advisors, and increasing team of volunteers. Nearby at Cornerstone Academy, our thriving Cornerstone Patch is managed by Bel Babbington and funded through BCP Council Thriving Communities through Dorset Community Foundation.

Project Manager and co-founder, Alix Digby-West will follow next.

Progress over the last year

A week after last year’s AGM brought the news that The Power House’s application to National Lottery Reaching Communities for a three-year “Love Hamworthy” Community Development project was successful. Along with this news came the panel’s unexpected award of an additional £30,000 for Year 1 Match Funding. Through the application process, the panel had highlighted The Power House’s need for an office and requested for the set up and running costs alongside other costs needed for the project.

Within days of the news, premises in Hamworthy came on the rental market. After two viewings over the Christmas period, and confirmation from National Lottery when they opened a proposal their additional funding could be spent on premises,

After seven years, several premises explored, and four proposals, we’ve done it! The Power House finally has our first home. Perfectly located, and perfectly timed.

A very big thank you to National Lottery Community Fund and all the players who made this possible. Along with SNG (formerly Sovereign Housing) - who have listened and walked the last few years as we navigated the ever changing Meanwhile Hub horizon – and Seedbed Charitable Trust for enabling The Power House to finally find a home after seven years. Another thank you and well done to trustees Maureen, Marie, and Bernard with input from Advisor Michael Armstrong who have worked extensively with Alix to reach this point.

Receiving the keys for our first premises! L-R Maureen La Frenais, Alix Digby-West, Naomi Whayman Photo Credit: TPH

The Power House now continues to develop two community spaces, The Power House Hub and Cornerstone Patch.

Our “Love Hamworthy” project commenced 1[st] April 2024 starting our Community Team recruitment and delivery of projects.

The appointment of Bel as our Cornerstone Patch Gardening Lead enabled us to continue the Patch installation while growing food for a third season, improve biodiversity, and increase the volunteer base.

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Staff employment

The decision was taken to start the Reaching Communities “Love Hamworthy” project 1[st] April 2024 to be in line with our financial year. The existing Project Manager and Administrator roles maintained through match funding already sourced.

The change of Project Manager role to a full-time post thereby increasing the staff capacity, required an open recruitment process by the National Lottery Community Fund. The Power House opted to create a job share and in May 2024 we welcomed Avril Atkins as our additional Project Manager alongside Alix. Avril brings a wealth of charity sector experience as well as a passion for Hamworthy to be all it can be. With a different skillset to Alix, she increases The Power House’s capacity exponentially and together they make a powerful force to take us forward.

Avril Atkins joins The Power House as our second Project Manager Photo Credit: TPH

Ben Butement needed to step away from Cornerstone Patch and Therapeutic Woodwork for personal reasons. With funding secured for

Therapeutic Woodwork Sessions thanks to Dorset Community Foundation’s Neighbourhood Fund, we approached a Hamworthy resident who has engaged in Youth Mentoring projects in the community and with The Power House, and he agreed to be contracted to work with us to rework the project. After School sessions started in October 2024 with Cornerstone Academy’s Design Technology department and using their woodwork room. These sessions run until March 2025.

Thanks to BCP Council Thriving Communities funding through Dorset Community Foundation, we appointed Bel Babbington in May 2024 as our Cornerstone Patch Gardening Lead. This role is funded until March 2025, with further funding to extend the role being explored.

Naomi Whayman needed to step down at the end of August 2024 as our Administrator due to family illnesses. We are truly thankful for how Naomi enabled the completion of the Youth Project and Cornerstone Patch Sessions and supported Alix through the National Lottery application, securing the hub, and recruitment of Avril. As we say, never underestimate the worth of a good Administrator as they enable the smooth running of an organisation. We will miss Naomi and wish her and her family all the very best.

This coincided with the interviews for our newest Community Team role, the Community Projects Coordinator, with the Administrator hours being included in this role. We are delighted to welcome Penny Denyer to the team. Penny’s previous role was at Hamworthy Library, so she comes with a wealth community knowledge and a passion for Hamworthy, as well as an incredible administration and creative skillset. To say Thriver Elizabeth was happy to see Penny again after they worked together when Elizabeth volunteered for the library for 10 years, is an understatement.

Penny Denyer with Thrive attendee Elizabeth Photo Credit: TPH

Giving The Power House a strong core team to build on.

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We took the decision to delay the appointment of a Youth Project Lead, also funded by the Reaching Communities funding, to ensure we look after each new recruit as they start. Which is happening alongside our ongoing hub set up and reworking our administration processes.

The hub has also changed significantly how we can deliver our community projects, therefore the Youth Project is being reworked slightly and recruitment for this final significant role starts early 2025. 2024 Activities

The Power House’s activities can be divided into operational and strategic.

1. Operational Activities – Community Projects

The Power House Hub

Since obtaining the keys to 170 Blandford Road, focus has been turned to setting up the hub and creating a delivering a programme of creative, wellbeing, and community activities.

The lease signed perfectly timed so we could deliver the third and final “HamWORTHY – Uniquely You, Beautifully Together” session in our first premises. A joyous occasion that was!

A couple of weeks into Avril starting, we held an “Open House” to consult with the community while offering a taster of activities. We also asked them for suggestions for a name for the hub. Requests for a café and a list of activities and name suggestions obtained. A recommendation from National Lottery to keep the name as The Power House Hub due to our name being recognised was aligned with community members.

HamWORTHY Workshop #3 in our Hub. Photo Credit: TPH

Having the hub has enabled us to increase the number of volunteers already. There has been a total of 33 volunteers working in The Power House Hub since May 2024, with a total of 289.25 volunteering hours. There have been 132 events, workshops, groups, or free services where volunteers have engaged.

There have been 645 visits to the hub by approximately 396 individuals since May 2024, for sessions, activities, and drop-ins. See Appendix 1 for Hub Attendance Breakdown.

The Community Team is now opening the hub one day a week with requests to open Saturday mornings. We have had two paid bookings with CoCreate running art wellbeing sessions until March 2025. CAP Money have just held their first course and are happy to have found the perfect space for them and are booking in 2025’s courses with us. We also have regular free use of the hub. FAB Dorset hold a weekly breastfeeding support group and SMILE Connect have held sessions in May’s Open House and through the summer holidays.

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Bournemouth Repair Café held a successful session in September, and they have now booked two sessions with us in the first half of 2025. They are happy for The Power House Hub to be their Poole offering.

We also now host the Hamworthy Children’s Community Choir who recently had to leave Hamworthy Library due to their closure and change of use for the community room.

A volunteer referred to the hub for his own wellbeing is holding Photography Workshops to share his skills and experience with others. These start 19[th] November.

We hold a Christmas Fayre on 7[th] December which our Thrivers are being busy bees at making items for the fayre and Penny coordinates the hiring of tables for Hamworthy creatives.

Bournemouth Repair Café at The Power House Hub Photo Credit: TPH

In January we launch Open House Saturdays once a month, with the Community Blanket being continued and put together from February.

Youth Project

Other than inviting existing Youth Space members to The Power House Hub for a session in April 2024 to tell us what they want from the hub and young people volunteering at Cornerstone Patch, the Youth Project is currently on hold until we recruit a Youth Project Lead.

Arts Wellbeing Sessions

Rachel Huggett who delivers our Arts Wellbeing Sessions was in her final year of her Counselling qualification so unable to deliver sessions. Now this is complete and we have been awarded £10,000 Community Wellbeing and Mental Health funding from NHS Dorset through Dorset Community Foundation, we are in process of setting up weekly Creative Wellbeing sessions starting 28[th] November 2024 until September 2025.

Hamworthy Growing Together & Cornerstone Patch

Melinda McCheyne installing the irrigation system Photo Credit: TPH

St Michael’s Church has been planning to set up a Sensory Garden on their premises for a number of years. With funding transferred from Oceans To Earth for salaries for Hamworthy Growing Together, we funded a short-term contract for this to come forward. Set up continues and we are thankful to have been able to kickstart this growing space as a thank you for all the support St Michael’s has given to The Power House and Youth Space over the years.

The Cornerstone Patch Irrigation System was set up despite delays caused by difficulties with finding tradespeople to install and bad weather. Through the recruitment of the Project Manager a connection was made with a Community Gardener Coordinator Melinda McCheyne who accepted our invitation to take on a short-term contract to deliver this project. A very big thank you to Melinda and her husband, along with Marti Atkins of Jigsaw Electrical for enabling the completion of this system. Poole Men’s Shed Volunteers gave their time to

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design and construct a perfect pump house. We are so thankful for their input once again. Just in time for the hot summer months. And thank you again to Wessex Water through Dorset Community Foundation and Bupa Green Communities for funding this system.

Bel’s perfectly timed relocation to Hamworthy has been such a gift to Cornerstone Patch. With her Forest Schools and community gardening experience she is absolutely perfect for the role and started just in time to make this year’s batch of Cornerstone Cordial: Elderflower.

Poole Men’s Shed Mike worked with Ray to construct the pump house. Photo Credit: TPH

In June, we welcomed one of our main funders Dorset Community Bel Babbington making Elderflower Cordial in the hub Photo Credit: TPH Foundation with the High Sheriff of Dorset for a

Patch tour as part of their visit to the hub. Bel gave a presentation on our long-term vision for the space.

Dorset Community Foundation with the High Sheriff of Dorset, The Power House team and volunteers with Cornerstone Academy students. Photo Credit: TPH

BCP Thriving Communities funding has enabled us from May to October 2024 to deliver:

13 Friday sessions including lunch and afterschool .

Between sessions we also have children who come out for horticultural therapy as needed and directed by school.

35 Cornerstone Academy students accessing these sessions, being from different ethnic groups including and not exclusively Polish, Black African, and Asian.

4 Muddy Boots 1 hr Sessions

17 Saturday Socials 27 attendees + 3 regular drop ins

End of Summer Community Meal 31/08/24 : 16 attendees

Harvest Feast Community meal 19/10/24: 25 attendees, 4 of these as drop ins

1 Thanksgiving Community Meal booked for 23rd November 2024

2 GoodGym 1.5-2hrs Sessions with 9 volunteers: 1 of these a local community member child age 8

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2 x 3 hrs Liverpool Victoria Volunteering Sessions with 6 volunteers

3 Beavers 1.5 hr Sessions

As importantly as the increase in volunteers and hours voluntary hours given, we are so thankful that Bel has listened to the vision Alix had for the Patch and created a presentation. This was shared with Cornerstone Academy’s Principal, Mr Phillips, and he has backed the plans for our long-term vision and given The Power House a five-year agreement for this space. Such a great step forward.

Bel has been diligently coordinating tasks for the volunteers and the Patch is slowly transforming into a quiet, beautiful, green haven. Securing funding for accessibility and safety features has been unsuccessful with one application, and with focus on the hub set up taking a priority, this funding strategy will commence, early 2025.

We need:

We are very thankful to BH Coastal Lottery who agreed to carry over our 2023 grant for the raised beds and Patch installation underspend to allocate towards a portion of Phase 2 Patch installation. In September, after designing the sides and sourcing free windows, Poole Men’s Shed dedicated an afternoon to install the sides and windows. Giving Bel an opportunity to fit a window. A very big thank you to Rob Kingman, Martin Bartlett, Brian Mitchell, and John for giving hours to make this happen. This perfectly timed with another project completion the next day, as volunteer Dave Rusling completed the upcycling of St. Michael’s Church pew into a bench.

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Shelter sides constructed by Poole Men’s Shed and upcycled St Michael’s Church pew by Dave Rusling
Photo Credit: TPH
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Poole Men’s Shed and the completed shelter, September 2024. Brian Mitchell, Rob Kingman, John, and Martin Bartlett Photo Credit: TPH

2. Strategic Activities

Our focus this year has been on our biggest strategic step. Setting up a community hub in the heart of lower Hamworthy’s community. With a fabulous position it gives a large footfall and passing traffic with lots of interest looking in.

As we build our hub programme and develop our community partnerships, we will engage proactively with the community to build the groundswell and their voice for the power station site.

Holes Bay site & FuturePlaces

BCP FuturePlaces is now wound up, with only a couple of appointments within the BCP Regeneration Team taken up by the former team. Four development sites were identified by BCP to focus on, including the Holes Bay Site (former power station site). A stakeholders’ meeting was held in July 2024 with more consultation required as outline masterplans are reworked.

Secured Funding Synopsis

A very big thank you to our funders who have made all our work possible.

Funding and Income since the last AGM:

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Conclusion

The Power House trustees and team are delighted to finally have a home, and extremely thankful to National Lottery for making this possible. We are scaling up in an incredible way. Building a team while setting up the premises has been an exciting and challenging adventure.

We look forward to holding more sessions in the hub and at Cornerstone Patch that offer more support to as many people as possible through community and creative activities. Opportunities to improve personal wellbeing and skills through connection, creating, and giving back to their community.

Maureen La Frenais Acting Trustee & Co-Founder

Alix Digby-West

Project Manager & Co-Founder

Bernard Uzzell

Trustee & Treasurer

The Power House (Poole) AGM Dec 2024 – Project Manager’s Report

Annual Report and Accounts The Power House (Poole) For the period ended 31 March 2024 THE POWER HOUSE p•oit Prepafed by Bernard Uzzell P'epdred on 27 November 2024

Table of contents Finan(xal Y8ar202&24.Ba1ar￿ Sh8et- FY 2023-24..................................................................................... Finanaal Year 202&24:Financial A￿1VItIes- FY 2023-24................................................... . Finanoa Year 202&24.FlnancA￿ Aclivrtw. Restri(#&J ¥s UnrestriLtid. FY 2$Y2￿4 .................................. W5

Financial Year 2023-24:Balanc8 Sh88t - FY 2023-24 A80fM8r31. A6 d Mar 31, 2023 FIXED ASSET T8￿J￿e 8888ts Equipment and Machinery TotA Tarwe asi•ts 470 470 470 470 470 CASH AT 8ANK AND IN HAND Current Account at Lloyds Bank Total Ca8h at barl( and In harKI 29,193 29,193 32,276 -3.083 32,276 4083 DEBTOFIS D&btors CURRENT ASSETS Loan lo Employee 150 160 32.426 4,2X4 -150 NET CURRENT ASSETS CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR a193 Creditors 3.987 5.100 -1,113 5,100 .1.113 Current U8blllU03 Accrual lor Hartx)ur Amb￿0￿ Shar95 Accruals for Holiday Pay Payroll Liabilitiès PrfrPaid Incotne Accrual Tax Provision T(al Cuffont Uabllldo8 3,878 179 21.369 2.986 56 21,723 891 123 54 29,413 NET CUARENI ASS.-TS I, ,AEJIL,:T,'- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,561 4780 3,031 4.250 TOTAL N=T ASS;-TS 11 ABILITIF_S! £3.031 1250 CHARITY FUNDS Retained Eamings SurplusllDeficf(I 3,031 -3,250 1,355 1.676 1,676 4.926 Total Charftyfurth £3,IX81

Flnanclal Year 2023-24:Financial Activitles - FY 2023-24 Apr 2tr1J . Mar 2024 W 2022. Mar 2023 (PY) Charva INCOME Donattons. Restrt Donations- Unr8striot8d 1.575 1.091 1,496 2.832 79 -1.741 Grft Aid Tax Relund Grants- R8strict8d 125 30,468 -125 21132 -8,336 -500 65 294 -10264 Grants- Unr8Stricted Memb8rship Fees Sales Totsi Iro) 100 618 25,518 35 324 COST OF SALES Card Processi￿ Fees ConsL5mabl&s Di18Ct Employment Costs Dilgct Expgnsgs Equipmgrrt or Room Hire Event Promotion Subcontractors T(ai Cit of Sth8 TOTAL 2.817 5,333 1.114 1,713 -2,803 -4.803 3.593 -1.352 530 4.707 362 480 480 18.329 -14.252 29,787 s￿84 9.789 4,078 1&783 EXPENDITURES AdvertisingPromolional Computer Costs General Administratm & OIIic8 Expw)s8S Indirect Employmant Costs Insurances 912 -912 179 2,082 9.235 454 179 1,162 8,380 920 855 399 IT. Phone and Internet Serv￿$ ¢￿erheadS 401 6,165 401 5.547 618 Room or Fa¢iltbes Hire TrAal EXpwKIl￿ro8 NET OPI.RATINii INCOME 144 -144 1&516 8048 14688 2.146 4.879 OTHEFI EXPENDITuf4ES D&preciation Governance Costs 470 470 48 618 418 £ 4,250 470 470 £1,678 £ 4,928 NET OTHER INCOME NET'NCOI.I- ,,rxp.-NDITU?E;,

Financial Year 2023-24:Flnancial Activities - Restricted vs Unrestrlcted - FY 2023-24 TOTAL INCOME Donations - RestTiCted 1,575 1.575 1,091 22.132 Donations- Unrestricted 1,091 Grants- Raslrict￿J 22,132 M&mbgrship Fees Sales 100 618 618 25516 23.707 COST OF SALES Card Processing F88S Consumabl8s 42 14 Direct Employm8nt Costs Direct Expenses Equipm8nt or Room Hire Subcontractors Tctst Cost ol S8188 TOTAL 530 4,608 99 194 18 4.707 362 4.078 4,060 9.422 14285 311 15.783 EXPENDITURES Computer Costs General Administration & Office Expenses Indirect Employmerrt Costs Insurances 119 1,412 8,937 454 60 670 179 2,082 9.235 454 IT. Phone and Internel Servrces erheads 401 6,132 17AS5 -3.170 401 6.165 18516 1.th31 NET OPERAIING INCOME OTHER EXPENDITURES Depreciatlon Gov8rnance Costs 470 470 13 34 518 -518 £-3250 NET OTHER INCOME MFT INCOME ,EXPF.NDITUREI £ 4,653

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25" November 2024 The Power House {Poolel INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS Report to the trustees of The Power House (Poole). on accounts for the year ended 31" March 2024 Respectlve responslbllfties of Trumees and examlner The trustees consider that an audit Is not required for this year (under section 144{21 of the Charities Art 2011 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Ey3mine the accounts (under section 145 of theArt); To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission lunder section 14515llbl of the Act), and To stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or di5c105ure5 in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any 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 view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Independent examlner's ststement In the course of my e¥arnination. no matter has come to my attention". l. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: Proper accounting records are kept lin accordance with section 41 of the Act): and b. Accounts are prepared which agree with the accounts'ng records and comply with the accounth"n8 requirements of the Art: or 2. To which. in rny opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the attounts to be reached. Signed...S4A......... Date... 2511V2024..... Sue Wintle ACIE 27 Bascott Road Bournemouth Dorset BHII 8RJ

25[th] November 2024

The Power House (Poole)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS

Report to the trustees of The Power House (Poole), on accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2024

Respecve responsibilies of Trustees and examiner

The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under sec on 144(2) of the Chari es Act 2011 (the Act)) and that an independent examina on is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examina on was carried out in accordance with General Direc ons given by the Charity Commission. An examina on includes a review of the accoun ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considera on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explana ons from you as trustees concerning any such ma/ers. 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 view’ and the report is limited to those ma/ers set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examina on, no ma/er has come to my a/en on:

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:

  2. a. Proper accoun ng records are kept (in accordance with sec on 41 of the Act); and

  3. b. Accounts are prepared which agree with the accoun ng records and comply with the accoun ng requirements of the Act; or

  4. To which, in my opinion, a/en on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed… SueW ………

Date… 25/11/2024…..

Sue Wintle ACIE 27 Basco/ Road Bournemouth Dorset BH11 8RJ