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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1st Jan 2023 Period start date To 31$t Dec 2023 Period end date CharFty name: BLAENAU GWENT COMMUNITY AID Charity registration number: 1191264 Objectives and Activities SORP ref8r8nc& Para 1.17 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document The Charity purposes and objectives is the relief of financial hardship and poverty and the resulting issues people face in Blaenau Gwent and the surroundin area. We operate a Foodbank kla Blaenau Gwent Foodbank operating from 2 Food Dlstribution Centres in Beaufort and Brynmawr. Thls due lo prevlous Covid restrictlons has been a home dellvery servlce only and so our centres have been closed to the public for collectlon of food. We dellver to the whole of the County of Blaenau Gwont. We issue food. tolletries and household items. Also we have the faclllty to offer GaslEleclric vouchers for famllies in need through a partnership with the Fuelbank Foundation. For those clients that are struggling to top-up their Moblla phones we are able lo offer a SIM card free of charge for a 6mth perfod through our partnership via Trussell Trust with Tesco Moblle. Our clients are referred to us via Telalive agencies that work wlth them as they must have a Foodbank voucher presented. Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities. projects or seryices identified in the accounls. Para 1.17 and 1.19 Addltlonally we have seen people who are in financlal hardship who have become homeless and also Ihose who are struggling wlth alcoholldrug issues affecting their hardshlp and we are able to signpost for more help locally and nationally through rehab centres and other agencies support. This is arranged through our operation kla Foundatlons Support Service

statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Pala 1.18 The Trustees confinn they have had due regard to the commisslon's public benefit guidance when exerclslng any powers or dutles to which the guidance Is relevant. It is a clear case of the Foodbank and Foundatlons Support Service helplng the genernl public who are in Grisis. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to includa further statements where relevanl about- SORP reference Not applicable Pard 1.38 Policy on grant making Not applicable Policy on social investment including program related inveslment Para 1.38 Everyone worklng at the Blaenau Gwent Foodbank and Foundatlons Support Seniice are volunteers lo include the Foodbank Project Manager and 2 Foodbank Distribution Centre Managers and approximately 12 othèr volunteers. In the last month of this accounting period {De¢ 2023) we appolnted Foodbank Operations Manager which was the first paid posltion role. We apprèclate all volunteers very much In helping us to serve local families and individuals who aro In thelr crises. They are very commltted and wish to help and su ort eo le in our communl Not applicable Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance SORP ref8renc8 BLAENAU GWENT FOODBANK During 2023 we have achleved the followlng: Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 We have helped 1594 families wllh food This comprises 2410 Adults and 1382 children fed. Total 3792 people fed Thls Is an approximat8ly total of 34,038 meals placed on famllles tables Our Total stock of foodltolletrles and olher items collected as donations total approxlmately 25.5 tons of which 19.5 tons of food have come through the Supermarkets- Asda, Tesco {2 Stores) and Waitrose. The Monetary donatlons we recelve, help us to purchase food that we are short of and this year it amounted to purchase 4.5 tons of food The amount of food we dlstrlbuled to the various families in crisis in Blaenau Gwent amounted to 31.2 tons This has enabled families to have food on the table to eat whllst been short of money to pur¢hase or are waiting for benefits to be applled. FOUNDATIONS SUPPORT SERVICE {Followlng flgures are for just one month when the work began as part of the wider charity- Dec 2023) 10 referrals made to othor agencles for help such as Floating support, Housing, Women's Ald 3 Dignity packs Issued such as personal Items - deodorant, shower gel, soap, toothpaste underwear garmonts, socks, gloves etc 1 Clothing voucher Issuod 2 Starter Tenancy packs - kettle, toaster, sandwich maker, cutlery and crockery 2 Travel vouchers x £28 for prlsoners to get to apptments

g Meals prepared for homeless and 23 B'fasts in local Wetherspoonslpresso's Café & Base Drop in Hope Hub 9 Recovery Sessions attended {one to One and Group sessions) 9 attended We114)glng sesslons held 2 Prisoners holp in preparatlon for them to engage back in soclety 4 attended Follow up Help sesslons 17 attended Drop in Hope Hub sessions Safe Space 2 Referrals made to Rehab Cèntrè and Women's Facilities Addltional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: No set targets Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Objectives were met and extended for those needlng more help through the new operation of Foundations Support Service who needed specific help and su ort No Fundralslng sel objectlves Perfomance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives Para 1A1 No Investment set objectives Other Not applicable

Financial Roview Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the eriod Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Par8 1.21 See Financial Accounts Para 1.22 Still in the process of working on a policy on reserves which we are still unsure of and calculating taking into consideration the after effects of Covid and the continuing effocls of the Cost of Living and the need to purchase items to kee our stocks on a ood level. Worklng on a Reserve of approx.. £15K Just to ensure w8 keep going through this Cost of Living period where donations have di ed conslderab Not applicable Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going )nrn Para 1.22 Para 114 Not appllcable P8r8 1.23 No uncertaintles at this stage Additional Inforniation (optlonal) You ma choose to include further statements.where relevant aboLrt: Main sources of funding come from individual donations both regular and one-off. We do get funds via Tesco stores that top up In hard cash any food collected through them by 20Yo and also we have funding via Asda on a similar way, however this is restrlcted funding for operational costs only. We do also have some Corporate funding too The charity's prinapal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Not applicable Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 At this slage the continued Cost of Llvlng perlod wlll affect Donations both in food and monetary terms and affects both operatlons that we run. This is subject to regular revlew by the Board of Trustees as we continue forward. Not appllcable A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Other

Structure. Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts: Type of governing document trust deed, ro al charter How is the charity ¢onstituted? le.g unincorporated association, CIO) Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Pa 1.25 Trust Deed Pa 1.25 Trust - cio PaTa 1.25 Appolntad by oxisting Trustees Additional inforniation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Completlon of skllls Audit to determlne contribution of Trustee and follow guidance on training of trustees by Truss811 Trust Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The work of the Foodbank is set up under a partnership with Trussell Trust and we follow thelr guldellnes under their Partnership agreement. The charity's organisational structure and any wider neOrk with which the charity works Para 1.51 Partnership agreement wlth Trussell Trust Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Supported by churches in Blaenau Gwent Not appllcable other Reference and Administrative details Chari name other name the charity uses BLAENAU GWENT COMMUNITY AID BLAENAU GWENT FOODBANK I FOUNDATIONS SUPPORT SERVICE 1191264 CHURCH ON THE RISE 54 BEAUFORT RISE, BEAUFORT EBBW VALE, BLAENAU GWENT NP23 5JQ islered chari number Charity's principal address

Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Dates act•d rf not forwhole ar Trusteg name Offlce Ilf any} Name of persr)n lor body) entltled int trusteè if 8 LYNDON HOLDING R. WAYNE EVANS CHAIRPERSON CHARITY TRUSTEES TREASURER CHARITY TRUSTEES CHASRITY TRUSTEE JENNIFER MORGAN TRUSTEE TOMMY SMITH TRUSTEE 8" NOV 2023 CHARITY TRUSTEE 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Cor orate trustees- names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved NOT APPLICABLE Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dat9$ a¢tgd If not for wholo NOT APPLICABLE

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets NOT APPLICABLE held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects NOT APPLICABLE Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the ¢harity'S own assets NOT APPLICABLE Additional infonnation (optional) Names and addresses of advlsers {Optlonal information) Type of Nam8 Address adviser ACCtyJNTAIIt STEVE DFIAKE 24 JAMES STREET EBBW VALE B. GWENT NP23 6JG Name of chief executive or names of senlor staff members {Optlonal infomiation) R. WAYNE EVANS Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke NOT APPLICABLE ersonnel detsils Other o tional information NOT APPLICABLE

Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charlty's trustees Signaturo{s) Full name{s) Position (eg Secretary* Chair, etc) LYNDON TREFOR HOLDING RO CK WAYNE EVANS CHAIRPERSON TREASURER Date

BLAENAU GWENT COMMUNITY AID CHARITY NUMBER 1191264

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Blaenau Gwent Community Aid

I report to the trustees of Blaenau Gwent Community Aid on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material aspect:-

(1) the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or (2) the accounts did not accord with the accounting records or

(3) the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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 accounts to be reached.

Steve Drake Chartered Certified Accountant (F.C.C.A.) 24 James Street, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, NP23 6JG

22nd October 2024