Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1st April 2022 To 31 March 2023 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 2022 and 2023 including: Baby Blankets for Baby Aid Birmingham Period Pouches for Girls in High School Small Animal Carriers for RSPCA Animal Mats for Animal Carriers for RSPCA Mors Bags for Baby Aid Birmingham Banners for the Birmingham Aids and HIV Memorial Heart Shaped Cushions for Mastectomy patient recovery |
| 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 2022/2023, 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 2022 and 2023. including: 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 Small Animal Carriers and mats for RSPCA To provide a calming environment for animals travelling to vets appointments in vehicles To provide washable and comfy mats for animals to sit on in transit, 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. 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 | |
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 is now only one trustee at present and we are looking at ways to encourage others to become trustees in future. For the period 2022/2023 we will look to change the charity type to small charity, as it runs happily without the need for any administrative overhead. |
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, Rubery Swop Shop, The Birmingham Aids and HIV Memorial, 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 | |||
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 body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcelle Porteous | |||
– 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 | Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others |
|---|---|
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable |
| 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 charity’s own assets |
Not applicable |
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) Marcelle Porteous Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 13 April 2024
| Charity Name | No (if any) | No (if any) | No (if any) | No (if any) | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Big Community | Sew | 1193196 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Receipts and payments accounts | CC16a | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the period from |
Period start date 01/04/2021 |
To | Period end date 31/03/2022 |
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| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||||||||||||||
| to the nearest | £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||||||||||||||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A2 Asset and | investment sales, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (see table). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| N/A | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| Sub total | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| **Total receipts ** | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Hosting Fees for Website - 5.99 pcm | - | 72- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 72- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| Fees for thank you gifts to volunteers for BAHM | - | 130- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 130- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | 202- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 202- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| A4 Asset and | investment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| purchases, (see table) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| **Total payments ** | - | 202- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 202- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| **Net of receipts/(payments) ** | - | 202- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 202- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| **Cash funds this year end ** | - | 202- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 202- | - | -- | |||||||||||
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Restricted funds | Endowment | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | ||||||||||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||||||||
| B1 | Cash funds | Bank Balance | - | 1,098- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Total cash funds | - | 1,098- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) |
Agreement Error | OK | OK | ||||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | |||||||||||||
| funds | funds | ||||||||||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
4/13/2024
1
| B2 Other monetary assets | N/A | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
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| B3 Investment assets | N/A | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
||||||||
| B4 Assets retained for the | N/A | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||
| charity’s own use | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||
| Fund to which | Amount due | When due | |||||||||
| Details | liability relates | (optional) | (optional) | ||||||||
| B5 Liabilities | N/A | - | -- | ||||||||
| - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | ||||||||||
| - | -- | ||||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Name | Date of approval | ||||||||
| Marcelle Porteous | 13 Apr 2024 | ||||||||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
4/13/2024
2
Transaction Date Transaction Type Sort Code Account Number Transaction Description 16/01/2023 FPO 30-98-97 36007762 MARCELLE PORTEOUS 100000001062116062 BAHM MEMORIAL 202717 10 16JAN23 17:53
Debit Amount Credit Amount Balance 130
1097.82
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
4/13/2024
3