RACHEL'S TABLE
TRUSTEES REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
31[ST] JULY 2024
Our Story
Rachel’s Table began at the start of the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.
As a family, the Morris’ had always tried to support homeless people on a one to one basis, buying them food and drink and having a friendly chat. However, they realised that lockdown would significantly affect homeless people due to the closure of homeless charities, which usually supply much of their daily food. With the Biblical story of Jesus multiplying the 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed the multitudes in mind; they prepared 6 bags of food and went into Leicester to find homeless people who needed support. Faith in God’s care and provision is central to the heart of Rachel’s Table.
The 6 bags rapidly grew into feeding 40 – 50 people, 7 days a week. A video was made to share on Facebook, and very soon, churches and individuals right across Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond joined the army of people wanting to help. God’s multiplication of those 6 bags of food was, and still is, amazing!
In January 2021 a charity was formed and Rachel’s Table was born. The charity was named by the Morris children who saw feeding the homeless and vulnerably housed as an extension of their family dinner table growing up. There was always room for friends, family, people needing help and support to come around the table and the room was always full of fun and laughter.
Rachel's Table has 9 trustees, 7 family members and 2 non-family trustees who provide appropriate/relevant independent oversight and co-responsibility alongside the family.
A whole family affair, the charity is run by the 6 Morris’; their spouses; extended family; friends from near and far and churches in the UK and beyond, working together to demonstrate God's love in action.
They currently serve food 3 days a week and continue to see their lovely homeless friends touched by God’s love, which is shown to them by the army that is Rachel’s Table!
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:35, 37-38, 40 NIV
RACHEL'S TABLE
CHARITY INFORMATION
| Charity Name and Number | Rachel's Table | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration No. 1193033 | ||
| Trustees | Carl Morris | Chair |
| Emma Woodward | Secretary | |
| Alison Briggs | ||
| Alex Morris | ||
| Benjamin Morris | ||
| Hannah Morris | ||
| Kevin Owen | ||
| Rachel Morris | ||
| Rebecca Peckett | ||
| Principal Address | The Manse, 22 De | Montfort Street |
| Leicester | ||
| LE1 7GB | ||
| Independent Examiner | Jonathan Hughes FCCA | |
| 39 Irvine Crescent | ||
| Lubbersthorpe | ||
| Leicester | ||
| LE19 4BT |
RACHEL'S TABLE
TRUSTEES REPORT
Structure, governance and management
The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorported Organisation (CIO) and is covered by a Deed of Incorporation that came into effect 4th January 2021
Trustees are each nominated for their respective experience and abilities, and appointed in Trustees meeting for an initial period of 3 years.
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established systems and procedures to effectively manage those risks
Objectives and activities
The objectives of the charity are the relief of people in need (those who are homeless, rough sleeping or vulnerably housed) in Leicester and the surrounding areas by the provision of food, clothing supplies and signposting them to relevant information and service providers.
Achievements and performance
Over the last year, Rachel’s Table has provided over 6,800 hot meals and over 10,000 picnic food bags, along with sleeping bags; blankets and warm clothes, to homeless and vulnerably housed people (our 'friends') in Leicester. The Hygiene Bank at Lutterworth has also helped us to distribute toiletries to 60 needy people every month.
In December 2023 the National Grid kindly donated a grant of £8,000 for us to purchase winter weight sleeping bags, warm blankets and waterproof gloves for our homeless and vulnerably housed friends. This made a huge difference to them as even if they are indoors they can't afford heating costs. When coming to collect his food, one of our gentlemen smiled and said “slept in my fleece blanket last night, with no heating on in my room, and was so warm”. For the rough sleepers, these warm winter items were literally life savers during the cold winter nights.
Financial review
Our full year income was £48,746 (2023: £33,490). As at 31st July 2024 the total bank balances were £20,325 (2023: £7,091).
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
BRMorris
Benjamin Morris
RACHEL'S TABLE
INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the 12mth Period ended 31st July 2024
| INCOME Donations - Individuals/Organisations Donations - Fundraising event Grants Received Gift Aid claimed (2022: incl PY £2,875) Bank Interest Received Total Income EXPENDITURE Direct Activity Expenses Foodstuffs Catering Disposables Toiletries Other non-food Total Direct Expenses Gross Surplus Administration Expenses Depreciation Net Surplus/(Deficit) Retained Funds b/fwd from 2023 Surplus Funds carried forward at 31st |
£ 29 869 6 558 0 4 219 100 40 746 22 550 2 857 0 1 184 26 591 14 155 2 801 2 303 9 051 July 2024 Unrestricted Funds |
£ 0 0 8 000 0 0 8 000 0 0 0 8 000 8 000 0 0 0 Restricted Funds |
2024 £ 29 869 6 558 8 000 4 219 100 48 746 22 550 2 857 0 9 184 34 591 14 155 2 801 2 303 9 051 20 369 29 420 Total Funds |
2023 £ 27 381 0 0 6 109 0 Total Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 490 25 350 3 010 155 1 222 |
||||
| 29 737 3 753 2 016 1 792 |
||||
| (55) | ||||
| 20 424 20 369 |
RACHEL'S TABLE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| Fixed Assets Motor Vehicle (Van) - cost Motor Vehicle (Van) - additions Depreciation Net Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors Bank & Cash Net Current Assets Net Assets Current Liabilities Net Funds |
2024 £ 8 962 2 554 (4 096) 7 420 1 675 20 325 22 000 29 420 0 29 420 |
2023 £ 8 962 0 (1 792) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 170 6 108 7 091 |
||
| 13 199 20 369 0 20 369 |
| Note re: Restricted Funds National Grid (sleeping bags/blankets) Total |
Bal b'fwd Income Expenditure Bal c'fwd 0 8 000 (8 000) 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 8000 (8 000) 0 |
RACHEL'S TABLE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31st July 2024.
As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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 respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed J.Hughes
Date 04.01.25
Name Jonathan Hughes FCCA
Address 39 Irvine Crescent, Lubbesthorpe, Leicester LE19 4BT