2023-07-01-accounts - Axe Valley Men's Shed

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 2[nd] July 2022 To: 1[st] July 2023

Charity name: Axe Valley Men’s Shed

Charity registration number: 1191653

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The main purpose of the Axe Valley Men’s Shed is to promote social inclusion and improve mental health and wellbeing for the public benefit. By reducing the risk to men, within Axbridge, Cheddar, Wedmore and surrounding villages and communities within Somerset, from becoming socially excluded. Relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society through the provision of facilities in which they can meet jointly or individually to undertake creative, physical or recreational activities, learn or pass on skills and knowledge and support each other socially. This includes supporting people who have suffered trauma through physical & mental illness, bereavement, COVID shielding or any other issues which has led to a level of exclusion. Definition of Socially Excluded: For the purpose of this clause 'socially excluded' means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one of more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Our main activities our centred around two specific sites, a ‘Men’s shed’ and an outdoor activities site, where co-ordinated activities are provided that help us achieve our objectives. Our activities include, social meeting sessions, workshop-based activities making and building things, art classes, music and modelling clubs, gardening activities and health and wellbeing sessions provided by healthcare professionals or specialists. We get involved in local community projects as volunteers or to make

		things for use within our local area, working in partnership with local organisations.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All trustees have considered the guidance on public benefit and work to ensure that all we do meets these aims.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	There is currently no policy on grant making as we do not make grants to other organisations, groups or individuals. As we mature as an organisation we will consider and form a policy should we be in a position to be able to make grants to others. This was our position over the last two years and it has not changed during 2022/23
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	We do not have an investment policy as we are not currently in a position where we have capital that would benefit from investment. This has also not changed since our last report and continues to be our position during 2022/23
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	For this reporting period our main contribution from volunteers has been the organisation, planning and preparation for an impeding move to a new, long-term home for Axe Valley Men’s Shed. This is vital for sustainability of the charity and volunteer’s efforts both physically and financially in preparing for this have been crucial. The focus towards the latter half of this year has been less activity sessions for members but more work parties and activities run by volunteers working towards a simultaneous close of our current building and opening of our new site. New volunteers have also come forward, organised and run our new activities which could not have been achieved without their contribution. New activities this year have included Thi-Chi and Archery as examples. 100% of our services, community initiatives and activities have been delivered by volunteers. This year has also seen the establishment in our second site at Shortland’s field of our community gardens, orchard and growing areas. Although there is still much more work for volunteers to do, it has laid solid foundations for the site to be developed further next year to incorporate further growing activities, outdoor sessions and the expansion of our food produce for local food banks and other community charities. This enabled us to contribute significantly to many local projects and initiatives. Growing and enhancing what we do and delivering more within our community.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
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	Our main achievements during this reporting period: Identifying a permanent, affordable long-term building suitable for community based use, that is available with long term lease and at costs appropriate with a non for profit Charity. It was hoped that this would have been legally secured within this reporting year, but negotiations are at an advanced stage with likely completion and occupation during Oct/Nov 23. This will reduce the financial risk of our current commercially rented site, secure our future as a Charity and give us expansion opportunities, enabling us to deliver more within our local area and increase community-based services. Delivering our outdoor site objectives establishing a heritage orchard, community gardens and growing areas. Building a solid base and ground works ready for installation of further fruit and produce greenhouses in 23/24. This was limited in the latter half of the year due to changed priorities and focus on our new building project but this site will be able to deliver wider benefits to the community by expanded growing and food distribution next year. We again increased our membership and outreach within our target group over the previous year. Significantly increased our financial reserves, ready to self-fund our proposed accommodation move, securing the future of the charity and making us less reliant on external funding. Contributed to local initiatives like the Cheddar Individuality Project, a local arts trail attracting thousands of visitors locally, local schools, Axbridge Town Council and local church by volunteer help and services from our workshop. Giving shed members a real sense of contribution to local community projects and further building our visibility and outreach across the communities that these benefit. Our visibility was significantly boosted this year with further local media coverage and recognition of what we do within our local community. This in part has helped us secure our new site. Despite reducing activities and services towards the end of the reporting year, we still delivered 207 activities and sessions for our members. With over 2000 individual attendances that helped us meet our overall aims and objectives for men as a men’s shed.

This activity and the benefit it brings is our main objective as a Charity. Our move to a new premises will be ensure that we can continue to deliver the benefits as set out in our statement of purpose.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	We did not set a specific target for fundraising again this year, having exceeded expectations in 21/22. Our financial needs for the year being relatively unknown (other than current rent and running costs) due to preparation and planning for our pending move to a long term, permanent home. As yet, we have no estimates of likely renovation costs, for our preferred building, therefore, objectives have been difficult to set other than securing our running costs at our current site and building a reserve to cover immediate acquisition costs for the new home. However, after achieving £8.4k last year and predicting challenges with the current cost of living crisis and the impact this will have on securing funds for charity’s, we set an objective to secure around £6k of funding to meet the needs of the year. The actual performance during this period exceeded that and helped further establish a financial base to prepare to fund our accommodation move. We achieved £11.7k in this period, in secured funding, enabling us to build a £10k reserve specifically ring fenced for securing the new site in 23/24 year.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Axe Valley Men’s Shed do not have any investments.
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 The Charity again improved our financial financial position at the end position, during 22/3. Financial activity of the period exceeding the previous year in most respects with end of year reserves up from £11.3k to 18.5k, despite the pressures of our high ongoing running costs being similar to the year before. Our accommodation costs running at just over £9k per annum due to a commercially rented site. Combined with overall utilities, maintenance and other running costs, this makes up the greatest proportion of our

		finances. In terms of our normal scheduled activities, it was similar financially to 21/22 although we have raised slightly less funds through regular activities and the number of sessions we have run but secured more funding. The growth mainly due to additional funds and donations. This is due to deliberate reduction of services and sessions run by the Charity during the summer of 2023 as the focus of our work shifted to preparation and planning for a move of site initially expected before the end of this reporting year. Our restructured financial operating model during 21/22 has enabled us to be financially stable at our current site and meet our financial demands fully for this year. However, our main financial target for future years will be to reduce these by at least 50% to achieve complete financial sustainability and reduce our reliance on funding. This will be achieved through securing a new long-term home with leasing arrangements similar to other charitable community based organisations. Our fundraising has again exceeded our expectations securing £11.7k of funding, an increase of £3k over last year, which ensured our financial sustainability during a challenging financial climate. This enables us to prepare for our planned move and finish the year with financial reserves adequate for our needs to fund this.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Reserves are held to ensure we can meet our commitments for ongoing premises costs and project/activity commitments. Certain grants/funds are ring fenced for the specific projects or activities that they were applied for and granted.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£18,451 held in bank account at end of reporting period. The majority ring fenced for specific activities. Our reserves policy sets a £2k reserve specifically to cover unforeseen running costs, or non-project/activity related costs.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	We had no deficit during this period.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There was no concern about the charity continuing as a going concern during this period apart from uncertainty arising from ever increasing costs post pandemic, the continuing cost of living crisis during 2022/23 and what this will mean in future.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

 Somerset Community Foundation,  Thatcher’s Foundation The charity’s principal  Co-op Community grant sources of funds (including Para 1.47

any fundraising)		These have been our principle funding contributors during this reporting year.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	We do not currently make investments and therefore so not have a policy.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Main risk is identified as lack of permanent, long-term site. Identifying and securing a new premises with long term lease or ownership has been the focus for the second half of this reporting year, with a building identified and negotiations at an advanced stage. This will secure the long term future and financial viability of the charity, mitigating this risk.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Our constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	From the 6thOctober 2020 Axe Valley Men’s Shed are a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (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	Para 1.25	Within the Axe Valley Men’s Shed constitution all committee members are elected at our AGM. Full Committee members are trustees, with a designated role, such as Secretary, Treasurer, etc, others may be elected or appointed by the committee to co-ordinate specific activities or projects but not as full committee members or trustees. This is reviewed annually. Committee membership can be reviewed for exceptional circumstances via an EGM.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Axe Valley Men’s Shed
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1191653
Charity’s principal address	Millstream Cottage, Crossmoor Road, Axbridge, BS26 2DY

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
John Douglas Ryves	Funding Officer		Committee/Members
Andrew Kenneth Laken	Chairman		Committee/Members
Dr Robin John Goodfellow			Committee/Members
Stuart Graeme Berwick	Treasurer		Committee/Members
Terrence White	Workshop Manager		Committee/Members
Thomas Clive Jenkins	Secretary		Committee/Members
George William Ware	Wellbeing officer	Till 1STJuly 23	Committee/Members
Stephen Staples	Membership Secretary	From 11thAugust 22	Committee/Members

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity

Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Andy Laken Signature(s) Stuart Berwick Andy Laken Full name(s) Stuart Berwick Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chairman Chair, etc) Date 25/04/24

Charity No. 1191653 (England and Wales)

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

CONTENTS	PAGE
Charity information	3
Trustees' report	4
Independent examiner's report	5
Income statement	6
Statement of financial position	7
Detailed income statement	8

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Trustees Andrew Laken Stuart Berwick John Ryves Robin Goodfellow Thomas Jenkins Stephen Staples Charity Number 1191653 (England and Wales) Registered Office Millstream Cottage Crossmoor Road Axbridge Somerset BS26 2DY United Kingdom Accountants Poolbridge Accountancy Limited Forge Enterprise Centre 3 Church Road, West Huntspill Highbridge Somerset TA9 3RN

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 1 July 2023.

Trustees

The following Trustees held office during the whole of the period:

Andrew Laken Stuart Berwick John Ryves Robin Goodfellow Terry White Thomas Jenkins

Stephen Staples was appointed on 11 August

George Ware resigned on 1 July 2023.
4 -

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Independant Financial Report

For the year ending 1 July 2023

I report on the accounts of Axe Valley Men’s Shed for the year ended 1 July 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures 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 statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Caroline Mobley FMAAT MBA Poolbridge Accountancy Ltd

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Turnover Other income Cost of raw materials and consumables Staff cost Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Other charges Profit	2023 £ 14,331 11,769 (1,469) (1,215) (877) (14,592) 7,947	2022 £ 19,452 - (1,198) (35) (601) (13,491)
		4,127

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 1 JULY 2023

Fixed assets Current assets Prepayments and accrued income Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Capital and reserves	18,451 54	2023 £ 2,633 18,505 21,138 21,138 21,138	11,387 -	2022 £ 1,804 11,387
				13,191
				13,191

				13,191

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 Statutory information

Axe Valley Men's Shed is a Charity registered in England and Wales, registration number 1191653. The registered office is Millstream Cottage, Crossmoor Road, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2DY, United Kingdom.

2 Average number of employees

During the year the average number of employees was 0 (2022: 0).

Approved by the board on 19 October 2023

Stuart Berwick Trustee

Charity No. 1191653

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED DETAILED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Turnover This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts. Sales Other income Government grants Cost of raw materials and consumables Purchases Staff costs Staff training and welfare Travel and subsistence Entertaining Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Depreciation Other Rent Rates Light and heat Stationery and printing Bank charges Insurance Software Repairs and maintenance Sundry expenses Advertising and PR Other legal and professional Other direct costs Profit on ordinary activities before taxation	2023 £ 14,331 11,769 1,469 641 416 158 1,215 877 9,252 100 1,657 - 1 591 114 330 6 107 - 2,434 14,592 7,947	2022 £ 19,452
		-
		1,198
		- 35 -
		35
		601
		9,550 - 1,178 64 - 538 114 556 92 - 128 1,271
		13,491
		4,127

Charity No. 1191653 (England and Wales)

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

CONTENTS	PAGE
Charity information	3
Trustees' report	4
Independent examiner's report	5
Income statement	6
Statement of financial position	7
Detailed income statement	8

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 1 July 2023.

Trustees

The following Trustees held office during the whole of the period:

Andrew Laken Stuart Berwick John Ryves Robin Goodfellow Terry White Thomas Jenkins

Stephen Staples was appointed on 11 August

George Ware resigned on 1 July 2023.
4 -

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Independant Financial Report

For the year ending 1 July 2023

I report on the accounts of Axe Valley Men’s Shed for the year ended 1 July 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Caroline Mobley FMAAT MBA Poolbridge Accountancy Ltd

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Turnover Other income Cost of raw materials and consumables Staff cost Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Other charges Profit	2023 £ 14,331 11,769 (1,469) (1,215) (877) (14,592) 7,947	2022 £ 19,452 - (1,198) (35) (601) (13,491)
		4,127

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 1 JULY 2023

Fixed assets Current assets Prepayments and accrued income Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets Capital and reserves	18,451 54	2023 £ 2,633 18,505 21,138 21,138 21,138	11,387 -	2022 £ 1,804 11,387
				13,191
				13,191

				13,191

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 Statutory information

2 Average number of employees

During the year the average number of employees was 0 (2022: 0).

Approved by the board on 19 October 2023

Stuart Berwick Trustee

Charity No. 1191653

AXE VALLEY MEN'S SHED DETAILED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 JULY 2023

Turnover This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts. Sales Other income Government grants Cost of raw materials and consumables Purchases Staff costs Staff training and welfare Travel and subsistence Entertaining Depreciation and other amounts written off assets Depreciation Other Rent Rates Light and heat Stationery and printing Bank charges Insurance Software Repairs and maintenance Sundry expenses Advertising and PR Other legal and professional Other direct costs Profit on ordinary activities before taxation	2023 £ 14,331 11,769 1,469 641 416 158 1,215 877 9,252 100 1,657 - 1 591 114 330 6 107 - 2,434 14,592 7,947	2022 £ 19,452
		-
		1,198
		- 35 -
		35
		601
		9,550 - 1,178 64 - 538 114 556 92 - 128 1,271
		13,491
		4,127