2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees' Report and Accounts unaudited For the year ended 31 December 2021

Little Stars Baby Bank Registered Charity No. 1191130 www.littlestarsbabybank.co.uk

Little Stars Baby Bank Financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021 Reference and administration details

Charity registration number	1191130
Registered office address	Unit 11
	Tower Park Ennerdale Road
	Shrewsbury
	SY1 3TD
Accountants	TCA (Shrewsbury) LLP Third Floor
	21 St Mary's Street Shrewsbury
	Shropshire
	SY1 1ED
Bankers	CAF Bank
	25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling
	Kent
	ME19 4JQ
Trustees	L Simcoe
	K Mckinstry
	E Jones (Resigned 5th April 2022)
	B Jones

Contents

ontents
	Page
Trustees' report	1-6
Independent examiners report	7
Receipts and payments account	8
Statement of funds	9

Little Stars Baby Bank Trustees Report for the period ended 31 December 2021

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees of Little Stars Baby Bank are pleased to present their report and the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021.

Our Vision and Mission

Little Star’s vision is a world where all babies and children have access to the basic essentials that they need to feel safe and secure.

Our mission is to alleviate the emotional stress and financial pressure of families by providing quality essentials for babies, children and pregnant women. We believe that every family, no matter how complex their situation, should be shown kindness and support at the time they need it most.

Statement of Public Benefit

Our service benefits children of families who, for various reasons, do not have access to the basic essentials that every child deserves. We deliver bundles to various referral partners around the county of Shropshire. In delivering our services we further benefit the public, as follows:

• Families: Providing essentials has a significant impact on the family, the service helps keeps babies and young children clothed, clean and safe. This not only helps to remove financial pressure, but also alleviate the emotional stress by providing the basic provisions.

• Wider community: The local community are able to donate their pre-loved baby items which not only helps the family who are receiving those items but it also reduces landfill waste and helps the environmental impact.

• Referral partners: Professionals now have a service within the county they can use after a visit to a family they know need the basics.

Due to the kind support of fundraiser and donors, Little Stars is able to contribute and supplement the bundles with brand new equipment needed that cannot be donated as pre-loved. Voluntary income enables Little Stars to continue the work and develop the service. In defining our charitable programme, we have regard for the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit.

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Structure, governance and management

The charity is a Charitable Incorporation Organisation ("CIO") which was registered with the Charity Commission on 3rd September 2020 and is governed by a constitution as a Foundation CIO.

Methods used to recruit and appoint new trustees

New Trustees are recruited openly in line with Little Stars Baby Bank’s Trustee Recruitment Policy. Trustees receive a full induction to the charity and a set of key documents, to enable them to gain the required information to fulfil their role.

An annual skills analysis ensures the Trustees offer a suitable range of knowledge and skills to support the charity. Where a skills gap is identified we aim to seek Trustees to bridge this gap.

The Board will aim to adhere to the principles of the Charity Governance Code for Small Charities. This is an ongoing process, and we are working towards fulfilling all aspects of the code.

Objectives

The general aims and objectives of Little Stars are to support families living and working within Shropshire by:

• Working alongside various organisations to provide relief of financial hardship for families who cannot afford the essential baby/children items needed.

• Provide quality items which not only helps the family receiving them but also the environment impact.

• Giving help to pregnant women with essentials needed after giving birth.

Activities

Our Bundles

We provide items free of charge which include, although not limited to; clothing, prams and cots (with a new mattress included). As babies grow and explore, we are able to provide the right safety equipment in the home such as stairgates and socket covers. We are very proud to offer a hospital bag pack and maternity clothing, ensuring pregnant ladies are looked after with all the basics they need too.

Our partnerships

Little Stars are able to offer support to those fleeing domestic abuse and are in need of items urgently for their young child; those who may be on the brink of homelessness; or families where there has been a job loss and the household income has been impacted.

Little Stars have built relationships with many different organisations across Shropshire over their first year of operating and continue to build on existing relationships whilst developing new ones. This ensures Little Stars reaches as many families as we can.

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Our fundraising

Little Stars was launched during the pandemic so very little public fundraising has taken place to date. However, a Just Giving page was set-up which enabled the charity to raise funds at the beginning of their journey. The focus for raising funds since the charity formed have been through approaching trusts and foundations for grants and corporates who might like to partner with Little Stars.

Achievements and performance

Little Stars is providing a completely new service in the county of Shropshire. Since launching they have:

 Provided 161 bundles to vulnerable families with items including clothing and equipment along with nappies, wipes and toiletries.

 Provided 38 hospital bag essential packs to pregnant ladies which include maternity pads and breast pads that are essential after giving birth.

 Built relationships with 19 local professional organisations for example health visitors; social workers; midwives and domestic abuse services.

 Given out over 5500 donated items, which has lifted a financial burden for families. This has an estimated monetary value of £8750.70.

Christmas 2021

The charity’s inaugural Santa’s Little Stars campaign provided a Christmas gift to 288 children via the network of professionals the charity has worked with over the financial year. The launch was hugely successful with the support of volunteers and their facilities from the company Aico.

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Our Impact

We work closely with our referral partners to gather feedback and case studies so that we can understand the impact our work. It also helps us to identify areas where we can make changes and improve the services we offer.

Case Study

A was just 17 years old when enrolled onto a programme with one of our referral partners. She had a history of difficulties with attendance and engagement at school and college. This was following conflicts with peers and at home. A's mum has a history of mental health problems and alcohol abuse. Her childhood was unhappy. Her parents divorced when she was ten and she lived with her dad for a while. She then returned to her mum’s house but was very unhappy with the situation there.

In 2021 A found out she was pregnant. Her baby’s dad, whom she was in a relationship with for a few months was charged with murder. He is now serving a life sentence in prison after his conviction. A removed herself from her family and her hometown and came to live in Shropshire where her boyfriend’s Mum lives. She lived with her for short period of time but was unable to stay there as it was unsafe to do so, due to domestic abuse and drug use. A was moved into social care, to a safe place where she now remains, and she is hoping to find her own home soon. A has cut her self-off completely from her own family and from her boyfriend's family. She has no friends and the only support she receives is from professionals.

A has received support from Little Stars so that she has the items she needs for both herself and her baby. This includes hospital bags, which are thoughtfully put together, a car seat; a pram; a baby chair; moses basket; sheets; clothes; nappies and many more items. This support has been invaluable to A as she prepares to welcome her little one into the world.

Testimonials

‘The Little Stars Baby Bank team have worked with our often-vulnerable clients to provide essentials and much needed baby goods, without which they may not have been able to afford. Referrals are dealt with in a speedy, flexible, and professional manner with feedback provided. Leanne and the team have helped a variety of clients from young families to those affected by domestic violence, and those on low income without family support.

It is so fantastic that we have this great facility to draw on and we are proud to be referral partners for such a vital service.’

‘The service that I am employed by supports many local families. The focus of my role within the service is to assist in the provision of quality care for women experiencing emotional difficulties.

Families are facing increased adversity with day to day life. Emotional circumstances are evident however it is also becoming apparent that the day to day living costs for families are rapidly increasing. Therefore having the access to Little Star’s Baby Bank is essential. Little Stars Baby Bank have provided one mum with a variety of baby essentials. The baby bundle requested, provided essential items for an 8 month old baby that included nappies, wipes, toiletries and even a few items for mum. Also included in the bundle were some interactive age appropriate toys. These surprise items were such a lovely treat for the family. Using these toys in play supported mum and baby’s communication skills and encouraged her baby’s fine motor skills.

The family were extremely grateful and thankful for the bundle from Little Stars Baby Bank. It meant for this family the financial pressures and stress of every day were significantly eased.

This case study demonstrates how a collaborative approach between charities and resources provided necessary support for a local family.’

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Acknowledgments

Little Stars have been delighted with the support of so many wonderful families, individuals, and organisations.

Thank you to the families and individuals who donate their pre-loved baby and children clothing for Little Stars to pass onto other families in need of a helping hand.

Thank you to all the individuals who have donated money to Little Stars.

Thank you Aico, who have helped push Little Stars further in the first year than what was ever thought possible. Through their Corporate Social Responsibility programme Aico have helped with creating marketing materials, a video for Little Stars website and monetary donations throughout the year. This has enabled Little Stars to continue their work and purchase a vehicle to help with deliveries and collections.

Thank you Morrisons for setting up ‘Pick up Pack’ donation stations in their stores. This has enabled Little Stars to be well stocked with nappies, wipes and toiletries to provide to families.

Thank you The Charles Lewis Foundation who matched our funding, to allow Little Stars to bring on a charity consultant to help Little Stars look to the future and put plans in place for sustainability.

Future plans

Little Stars have developed a strong foundation since launching the charity and have a good reputation for quality pre-loved bundles given in a timely manner with support growing from the local community. As the charity look towards the new financial year the strategic focus will be:

• Completing the charities strategic plan to give greater direction and focus.

• Developing and strengthening the board to ensure good governance.

• Recruiting volunteers to support projects and giving them the opportunity to develop new skills or build on their existing experience and knowledge.

• Diversifying income streams and growing our fundraising to provide sustainability and enabling us to grow our impact.

• Expanding the service from 0-5 years to 0-teens so that more families can be reached who need support.

• Providing school uniforms, working alongside schools within Shropshire, to help children and young people to fully participate in school.

• Developing our monitoring and evaluation so that we can feed this back into our work and provide the best possible service for our beneficiaries.

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Financial review and reserves policy

The charity has had a successful first year, generating income of over £38k. Expenditure was £15k leaving £23k in monetary funds carried forward. £19k of this is restricted funding as set out on page 9.

The Board have no concerns about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

The trustees agree to hold free reserves in the region of £5,000.

This is to ensure that there is sufficient funds to cover the running costs of the charity for 6 months. Trustees have taken possible risks into account and considered the loss of gifted storage space.

The Trustees agree to continuously monitor this as the charity grows and develops to ensure the amount held in reserves mirrors the level of activity.

The free reserves of the charity at the year end, calculated as unrestricted funds less fixed assets, were £5,012.

Basis of Accounting

The accounts of the charity have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with charity regulations.

This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Mrs Leanne Simcoe Trustee 5th April 2022

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Little Star5 Baby Bank Independent Examiners Report forthe period ended 31 December 2021 I reportto the charlty trustees on my examination of the accouAts of the tharity for the period ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 8 to 9. Thi5 report is made solelytothe charlty's trustees, as'a bodyp in accordance with section 145 of the Charlrles kt 2011 and regulation5 made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charit¢s trustees those rnatters l am required to state to them in an Independent Examiners Report 3rFd for no other purpose. fo the fullest extent permftted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charlty and the charivs trustees as a body. for rny work or for thSs report Responsibilities and bas15 of report As the ¢harity'5 trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l I report in respect ol my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under settion 145 of theA¢t and in carrying oui mv examination I have followed all the applicable Directions giverb by the Charity Commission under section 145ISllbl of the ACL Independent EMarniner'5 Statement I have completed rny exarninat¢on. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wi(h the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as rquired by seLtion 130 of the Act- or the account5 do not accord with those records. I havÈ no cOn￿rn5 and have come across no other matters in conne¢Uon with the examination to whlch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable è proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs C L Moelvtyn-vfilliams Bsc FCA TCA IShTewsburyl LLP Third Floor 215t Mary'5 Street Shrewsbury Shrop5hire SYL IED Dote-

Little Stars Baby Bank Financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021 Reciepts and payments account

Receipts Grants Donations and fundraising income Total Receipts Payments Charitable activities Purchases for service users Costs of fundraising Fundraising events and promotion Support costs Insurance Marketing Office admin (inc'g telephone) Bank charges Rent and storage costs IT costs Vehicle costs Purchase of a van Sundry Total Payments Net (Payments)/Receipts ‐ unrestricted funds Cash and bank balances brought forward Cash and bank balances carried forward	Unrestricted Restricted Total 2021 2021 2021 £ £ £ 14,200 20,512 34,712 3,568 ‐ 3,568
	17,768 20,512 38,280
	1,421 1,250 2,671 478 ‐ 478 469 ‐ 469 866 500 1,366 47 ‐ 47 101 ‐ 101 2,196 ‐ 2,196 563 ‐ 563 576 ‐ 576 5,995 5,995 45 ‐ 45
	12,756 1,750 14,506
	5,012 18,762 23,774
	‐ ‐ ‐
	5,012 18,762 23,774

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Little Stars Baby Bank Financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021 Statement of funds

Monetary assets Current account Paypal account Other assets Van Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Project Co‐ordinator fund Other restricted fund	13,781 4,981	2021 £ 23,698 76
		23,774 5,995
		29,769
		11,007 18,762
		29,769

The Project Co‐ordinator fund relates to restricted funding received for the appointment of a Project Co‐ordinator next year, funded by The National Lottery and The Charles Lewis Foundation.

The Other restricted fund relates to restricted funding provided by The National Lottery to be used for office storage costs and professional fees.

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