Open Hands Reigate Registered Charity No. 1193298 Third Annual Report 1[st] September 2022 to 31[st] August 2023
Objectives and Activities
The founding constitution, dated 23[rd] November 2020, sets out the principal objects as follows:
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a) To advance the Christian religion in East Surrey for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebrations of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature on Christianity to enlighten others about the Christian religion.
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b) To relieve the charitable needs of those by reason of youth, age, ill health, financial hardship, food insecurity or other disadvantage in East Surrey, in particular, but not exclusively by the provision of grants, items and services.
Our principal activity since formation has been to run a foodbank for those in our area who have found themselves in need of help. Potential clients make application online or in person or via a referring agency, setting out their circumstances, giving the reasons that they require help together with an estimate of how many weeks they believe that our assistance may be needed. Regular reviews with clients establish whether our help needs to continue or not. Most clients collect their food parcels from our distribution point, but those who by reason of circumstances, such as illhealth, or distance can receive home delivery.
With regard to advancing the Christian religion, our only notable activity is the inclusion of literature in food parcels in the form of tracts, magazines and the advertising of various church events.
We strongly believe that our activities have contributed to the public good, particularly benefitting those individuals impacted by the cost of living crisis, the sick or disabled or those simply unable to cope or feed themselves or loved ones notably when benefits such as Universal Credit have been delayed.
The Trustees have had due regard for public benefit in all of our activities. In the period under review no costs were incurred with regard to advancing the Christian religion, all literature used has been provided free to us. Other than relatively minor expenditure on insurance, IT and telecoms, the greatest proportion has been spent on the purchase of food. There are no paid staff.
Achievements and performance
In the period under review, our expectation that client numbers would show significant decline in the summer months proved to be incorrect. Despite a high of over 70 households receiving help at Christmas, the number helped weekly did not fall below 50. Figures have altered week by week as new clients were added and existing clients decline further help as their circumstances have improved. Over the year, we have seen around 50 new clients, some of these single persons, some families with children and others in their twilight years.
On the volunteer front, we require around 25 volunteers each week to maintain our service and this need has been met by people of good will from our community.
Financial Review
The charity’s total receipts for the year were £41,528. This consisted entirely of donations from a local trust, tax reclaim, the general public and some other local organisations and churches. We neither applied for nor were offered any grants or assistance from public funds. Expenditure for the period amounted to £33424. This figure was kept down through various donations in kind from Supermarkets and shops, other charitable
groups and significant amounts of fresh food from allotments. Cash funds at the end of the year were £19,061.
The charity has adopted a reserves policy which is reviewed regularly by the trustees.
Structure, governance and management
The charity’s constitution is taken from the Charity Commission model for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are the trustees. There are five trustees. There are no external bodies or persons with any rights tio appoint new trustees. The process for adding trustees is handled internally in the manner reported in earlier annual reports.
Day to day management of the charity is undertaken by a volunteer coordinator and the trustees meet regularly to review and oversee the work. The bank account is managed by the trustees. All outgoings are approved by two signatories.
Reference and Administrative details
The charity name is Open Hands Reigate. No other name is used. The Charity Registration number is 1193298.
The postal address is c/o Reigate Baptist Church, Sycamore Walk, Reigate, RH27LR
Trustees serving during the period of this report are as follows:
John Bartlett (Appointed 23.11.20)
Hilary Mak (Appointed 23.11.20)
Scott Carr (Appointed 10.3.21)
Graham Rouse (Appointed 16.11.21) John Clarke (Appointed 14.11.22)
The charity does not hold any property
Report approved by the Trustees on 7 August 2024
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Graham Rouse (Chairman)
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