2022-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1st April 2021 To 31 March 2022 Charity name: The Big Community Sew

Charity registration number: 1193196

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	THE RELIEF OF THOSE IN NEED, BY REASON OF YOUTH, AGE, ILL-HEALTH, DISABILITY OR SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE BY PROMOTING, FACILITATING AND ENABLING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY SEWING AND CRAFT PROJECTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF CHARITIES, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE NHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF ITEMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SUCH PEOPLE.
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.	The Big Community Sew has been supporting local sewing group Sew Marvellous Charity Makes Brum, in making items for charities during 2021 and 2022 including: 8 Baby Blankets for Baby Aid Birmingham 77 Period Pouches for Girls in High School 15 Small Animal Carriers for RSPCA 45 Animal Mats for Animal Carriers for RSPCA 273 Face Coverings 353 Gift Bags for Christmas presents for children helped by RSVP, Womens Aid, Bournville Community Trust, Refuge 519 Mors Bags for Baby Aid Birmingham
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	I can confirm that we have acknowledged and followed the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit.

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

This is not applicable to The Big Community Sew

Policy on grant making

Policy on social investment including program related investment	This is not applicable to The Big Community Sew
Contribution made by volunteers	During the period of 2021/2022, the sewing groups have been hard at work crafting items made from wool, fabric and textiles to benefit multiple charities, as outlined above. We are incredibly grateful for their time and expertise in making the items, and the charities that have received the items are grateful for their contributions.
Other	This is not applicable to The Big Community Sew

Achievements and Performance

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.

The Big Community Sew has been supporting local sewing group Sew Marvellous Charity Makes Brum, in making items for charities during 2021 and 2022 including: 8 Baby Blankets for Baby Aid Birmingham Donated to families on low incomes as part of the bundles given to new families by Baby Aid Birmingham 77 Period Pouches for Girls in High School To provide an unbranded and discrete way to provide period products to girls in high school 15 Small Animal Carriers for RSPCA To provide a calming environment for animals travelling to vets appointments in vehicles 45 Animal Mats for Animal Carriers for RSPCA To provide washable and comfy mats for animals to sit on in transit, 273 Face Coverings Provided to local charities to give to folks who wanted them in Birmingham and surrounding areas. 353 Gift Bags for Christmas presents for children helped by RSVP, Womens Aid, Bournville Community Trust, Refuge Fabric gift bags with ribbon fastenings provided to charities to fill with gifts for vulnerable children in Birmingham. 519 Mors Bags for Baby Aid Birmingham

Given to Baby Aid Birmingham to hold items given to new families in the city. Previously the items were given in carrier bags which would rip due to the weight of the items.

Hundreds of hand sewn, knitted and crocheted flowers and hearts to decorate the Remembrance Trees Trail in Birmingham parks to remember those who died from Covid in 2020/2021

Each item was made from upcycled and salvaged clothing, bedding and donated fabric and made by volunteers who donated their time for free.

The Big Community Sew provided the sewing group with labels, storage of fabrics and provided wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks to the volunteers. We also helped to spread the word by writing and sharing social media posts, displaying the projects on the Big Community Sew website, and contacting charities directly to verify project status, credibility and quantity of items needed. We also arrange delivery of the items made through a network of volunteers.

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	The Big Community Sew has not been actively fundraising during this period but has retained a small amount of money in the bank (<£1000) to pay for items such as branded labels for the volunteers to attach to larger items.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	See above
Amount of reserves held	See above
Reasons for holding zero reserves	See above
Details of fund materially in deficit	See above
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	See above

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

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The Big Community Sew does not actively fundraise at this time, we are reliant on the donations of fabrics and materials to provide resources for our volunteers to make items for charity. As such, we do not have any major sources of funds with the exception of a few donations made by individuals wanting to support our cause which we use for purchasing labels and materials where needed, the majority of the items owned by the charity are fabrics donated by other organisations or by individuals.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	We do not invest money at present
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Since lockdown ended, there has been a decline in the number of people actively volunteering to make items for charity, however we are looking at ways to engage the crafting community, including repair workshops, crafternoons, evening sewing groups and more in the coming year.
Other

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 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any)

– 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

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:	N/A
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	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	There are three trustees at present and we are looking at ways to encourage others to become trustees in future. For the period 2021/2022 the three trustees have been in contact, and will look to formalise an election process for the year 2022/2023 in due course.

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

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Not Applicable
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	The Big Community Sew has a close relationship with local charities including Baby Aid Birmingham, Womens Aid Birmingham, Refuge, SAIF Homes, Acorns Childrens Hospice and Birmingham RSPCA. The primary sewing group who make items for these charities is called Sew Marvellous Charity Makes and we will be looking to formalise this relationship in the coming year to enable us to spread the word and replicate the relationship we have with Sew Marvellous to other regions of the UK.
Relationship with any related parties	Not Applicable
Other	Not Applicable

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	The Big Community Sew
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1193196
Charity’s principal address	39 Peacock Road Kings Heath B13 0NZ

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

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

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date

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