2023-12-31-accounts - E5 Baby And Children Bank

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2023 Period start date To 31/12/2023 Period end date

Charity name: E5 Baby and Children Bank (Hackney Children and Baby Bank) Charity registration number: 1192509

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objects of the CIO are the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need because of financial hardship or other disadvantage in particular through the provision of clothing, food and other support and assistance to pregnant women, babies, children and their caregivers.
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	Since its establishment in June 2020, the Hackney Children and Baby Bank has grown from a small community initiative to a successful local charity, which to date supporting over 4140 families including over 7832 children. The Baby Bank provides families in Hackney and surrounding boroughs with essential items, all sourced from community donations. These donations can be in the form of physical pre-loved donations or donation of funds or purchase of new items from our wishlists, including clean clothes, toys, nappies, and other essentials.We offer a friendly, non- discriminatory service to all families in need of our assistance. The Baby bank receives donations of baby and children’s pre-loved clothes, toys, and other essential items from supporters in the surrounding area. The team of volunteers then sorts these donations and packs them into age-appropriate clothing and toy packs. This enables the baby bank to be able to provide families referred to the service items they need for their children. The team of volunteer drivers help ensure

		large bulky items such as cots reach families in need. The families accessing the baby bank face numerous hardships; women fleeing domestic violence who have to relocate at short notice leaving all their belonging behind, refugee families, single parent working families on low incomes simply unable to meet the cost of necessities for their children, mothers about to give birth who have no clothes or equipment for their baby and unemployed or homeless parents or those who are in debt or who are coping with substance misuse. The needs of some of the families are extensive and multi- faceted; our approach is to try and personalise the service as much as we can to meet the specific needs of our families. The following organisations are examples of those that refer families to the Baby Bank: The Children's Society, Bump Buddies; Hackney Playbus; Care for Calais; The Round Chapel Families Project; Hackney Children Centres; Hackney Migrant Centre; Hackney DWP; Barnados; Food Banks; Domestic Violence Prevention; Akwahbah Centre; Homerton Hospital Maternity Ward & Hackney Community Nurses, Hestia, Muslim Aid Group; Social Workers from Hackney; Refugee Centres; Family Action Support Group, Shoreditch Trust, Peabody Trust, Parental Substance Misuse,Social Action for Health, Chobham Academy, City & Hackney Perinatal Mental Health Team, Cornerstone Baby bank, Early Help Family Navigator Newham, Hackney Learning Trust, Lawrence House Surgery.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees, in making decisions concerning the Baby bank’s activities, have had due regard to the commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant

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

SORP reference n/a Para 1.38 Policy on grant making n/a Para 1.38

Policy on social investment including program related investment
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The Baby Bank continues to be a charity run by the local community, for the local community. The organisation has two paid members of staff and a significant art of their roles are liaising with volunteers. Volunteers remain at the very heart of our organisation and the service could not be delivered without them. The volunteer group alone has brought the community together across age (Duke of Edinburgh students right through to our knitters in a retirement home), ethnicity, socio-economic group, etc.
Other

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	Over the calendar year 2023, the baby bank has supported 1,452 families including 3,010 children. Demand increased over the year with families supported up 16% on 2022 and children supported up 40%. Monthly the baby bank has distributed an average of 233 clothing packs, 115 packs of nappies, 28 moses baskets and cots, 187 toy packs, 196 hygiene kits and 22 tins of infant formula. During the year we surveyed both our referral partners and service users to gauge the charity’s impact. Excerpts on the following page.

Service User Surve Res onses 8ased on the itetn5 you received frotn the Hackney Baby Bank doyou agree 0rdisage with the following statetnents". Dl¥tyw Neither4gree Str(9 JJJJJJ I lthèiiwns | wuested Th• IJer•ol 9wJqu?Iity ackney Baby Ba 5wer4ny 4ue&knn& I H%KnèyBaby Thtrtems l I ittommtsr h?vebpen welul Hw¢kney B¥tyB¥nkto -5dY1Y my How much diffeience has this support made to your household savings? 132 re$p¢n$e$ No saving IÈOI E11¢ £20 12.9% 19.7% £21 to £50 14.4% £51 10 £1(N) £101 to £2(j More than £2(M) 25.8% 1S.9% 11.4% Has the items you received from Hackney Baby Bank had a positive impact on the following: Imy confidence as a parent {or a parent lo bell Dn1 Mp pDsiiiyfr lrnpxt Asncn WSillV¢ Impxt

Has the items you received from HaGkney Baby Bank had a positive impact on the following.. Ilncreased money available for other essentials such as foodl Hel Sotne positive irnpacl nifitan Posltlve irn A hug8 help Has the items you received from Hackney Baby Bank had a positive impact on the following.. IReduced stress levels by knowing support is availablel Dldn'i help Some po$llive Impa¢i H¥ipsd a tyil 11.3% Hign po$ilive Imp*¢i A significanlly PD511ive Impact A hvge help Help8d a lot

Referral Partner Survey Response excerpts:

HCBB is without a doubt the best baby bank I’ve come across in my 4 years as a family support worker. They are swift, efficient, consistent and friendly. A lot of the mums we work with are vulnerable and we are anxious to refer them to services where they may not be looked after properly but every time they go to HCBB we get incredibly positive feedback. We aim to work in a trauma-informed way and so we try not to refer mums to services where they might be turned away and try to only refer to services where mums will have a dignified and respectful experience. This is HCBB! The Magpie Project.

I am very happy with the services provided by HCBB, they are making a huge difference in the women and children’s life’s, giving them independence and hope. Being able to use these services mean women and children don’t have to worry about clothing their children or the expenses it can cost to purchase new items like cots or prams. This gives women so much financial freedom meaning they don’t have to rely on perpetrators of abuse for their babies/children’s basic needs. Hestia

All clients are very happy when they here they can get clothes for their baby/child at no cost. It takes away a concern from pregnant women who are worrying about how they will buy things for the baby. Mums of toddlers are also very happy to know they can get clothes especially when the season changes Shoreditch Trust

You will support families no matter what borough as long as they can get to you . Thank you for that as our families get moved to temporary accommodation all over the place and other boroughs do not offer this so it has been a lifeline for families

A parent who does not take her children out much because of her mental health said that the arts equipment and felt tips you gave her were what her daughter spends hours doing she loves drawing and creating so much and the donations you had given her gave her more opportunities for that at home .

I know lots of parents last year were grateful for toys around Christmas and birthdays as they were struggling to provide presents for their children

Thank you Baby Bank for all that you do . You always respond quickly and answer emails and support our families .We don't know what we would do without you . Early Years Community Worker (Hackney Play bus)

Hackney Baby Bank is an invaluable service. They provide essential items for the most vulnerable clients using our service. The difference that it makes to lives of families is incredible. Every client that I have referred to Hackney Baby Bank has been so grateful for the items received. Hackney Baby Bank are reliable and efficient, always fast to contact families for support. We are very lucky to work with Hackney Baby Bank and I am especially thankful that they continue to support families outside of Hackney as other boroughs do not have services like yours. Little Village often close their referrals early in the week and as I do not work on Mondays, this can be quite difficult for me to refer to them. Interim Safeguarding Specialist Midwife

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	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
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	As at the year end the E5 Baby Bank’s financial position consisted of cash of £89,525.36 The baby bank’s income has consisted solely of donations and grants to date. The funds are part ringfenced for covering the salary of the baby bank’s two grant funded employees and the project to create the baby bank’s own dedicated premises. Unrestricted funds will be utilised for purchasing items where donations fall short of demand, such as nappies, wipes, formula, lightweight strollers. Please refer to the accounts for further detail.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charitable reserve was created in 2020 given this was the first financial year of the charity’s operation. This amount was deemed suitable by the trustees based on average monthly cost of essential items (nappies, wipes, soap, toothpaste etc) if the charity was to be unable to meet demand through donations. The reserve was increased during 2023 in reflection of the charities obligations with regards to employee salaries and rent. The reserve amount is reviewed by the trustees for suitability and will be increased if deemed necessary.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£10,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

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

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
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, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	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	Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

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

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

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	E5 Baby and Children Bank
Other name the charity uses	Hackney Children and Baby Bank
Registered charity number	1192509
Charity’s principal address	174 Homerton High Street London E9 6AG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19	Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Beautine Wester
	Esther Bolter
	Lisa Giffen
	Sarah Mitchell
	Elissa Gerrand	until 24/11/2023
	Samantha Campbell	From 20/10/2023













20

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

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	None
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	n/a
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	n/a

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

	Type of adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address




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

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

of the charity’s trustees


Dayanthy Beautine Wester	Lisa Giffen

Trustee	Trustee
30/03/2024
30/03/2024

Charity Name E5 Baby and Children Bank

No (if any) 1192509

Receipts and payments accounts

Period start date Period end date To 1/1/2023 12/31/2023

For the period from

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

	to the nearest £ - 25,000 1,000 - - 26,000 - - - 26,000 4,185 981 500 6,204 - - - - - 26,879 - - - - - - - 38,749 - - - 38,749 - 12,749 Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £ 46,941 25,000 1,000 166 - - 73,107 - - - 73,107 4,185 981 500 6,204 725 12,135 491 274 60 32,392 280 503 953 746 - - - 60,429 - - - 60,429 12,678 -	Last year to the nearest £
		- - - - - - -	46,941	-
			25,000	-
			1,000	-
			166	-
			-	-
			-	-
			73,107	-
		- - -
			-
			-	-
			-	-

		-	73,107	-

		- - - - - - -	4,185
			981
			500
			6,204
			725
			12,135
			491	-
			274	-
			60	-
			32,392
			280
			503
			953
			746
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			60,429	-
		- - -
			-
			-
			-	-

		-	60,429	-

25,427	- 12,749	-	12,678	-
-	-	-	-	-

A6 Cash funds last year end **Cash funds this year end **	57,281		19,567		-		76,848		-
	82,708		6,818		-		89,526		-

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	Details Details Details Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ 82,708 - 82,708 OK to nearest £ - - - - - - Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates	to nearest £ 6,818 - - 6,818 OK to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds Restricted funds Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
				-
				-
				-
				-
				OK
				to nearest £ Endowment funds
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				Current value (optional)
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
				-
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				When due (optional)
			-
			-
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			-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Signature

Print Name

Date of approval

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of E5 Baby and Children Bank (Hackney Children and Baby Bank) On accounts for the 31 December 2022 Charity no 1192509 period ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended 31/12/2022 . Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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.

Signed: Name: Robert Couser Relevant professional ACA – ICAEW qualification(s) or body (if any):

Date: 15/03/2023

Address: Couser Accountants Limited, 162 Kingsquarter, Maidenhead, SL6 1AW

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

Oct 2018

IER