Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/01/2024 Period start date To 31/12/ 2024 Period end date Charity name: Hidden Help
Charity registration number: 1193305
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. To relieve those in need, especially (but not exclusively) those rehoused after seeking refuge from domestic violence, asylum seekers, the long term unemployed, the homeless, those with chronic illness or disability, ex-offenders & veterans from the armed forces by providing such practical assistance or support as the trustees deem fit. 2. To advance education by proving training and training resources to increase the employment opportunities and potential of (but not limited to) those reintegrating into society, re-locating or in long term unemployment. 3. To relieve financial hardship by such means as the trustees deem fit. |
| 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 |
Helping those in urgent need in Cornwall to make a new home and a fresh start with recycled household items from the local community. We help those referred to us by Social Services and other statutory bodies. We run two warehouses to store donated items, as well as a van to collect and distribute items. We also have a shop to sell vintage items to raise funds. We engage the community through our contacts, our website and social media. |
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| We employ a part time admin person to help us with these activities and processes. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We are aware of the guidance and run the charity for the sole purpose of benefiting our clients (those in need) and to do it in a sustainable manner which repurposes items from the local community and avoids waste to landfill. No trustee or volunteer benefits financially from the charity operations other than recompense for expenses. We are not aware of any harms resulting from our charity. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference We have not offered any grants. Para 1.38 Policy on grant making We have no social investments. Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment In order for the charity to function at low cost, and to provide household items to clients for free, the charity relies on Para 1.38 volunteers to support its work. For example, Contribution made by someone to do stock checks, to drive the volunteers van, to carry furniture and household items into client homes, (and of course, the trustees are all unpaid volunteers). Other
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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 | 2024 was a significantly positive year for the charity. 571 client referrals were received which we delivered furniture, helping on average about 2.4 people per delivery made. Having taken on two additional warehouses, to make four in total, and needing a bigger taller van, we did a Crowdfunder which raised over £50,000 towards the financial security of the charity, its expansion and to purchase a second charity van. We also received sponsorship for one of our vans, named "Hey Jude", and for one of our warehouses, named "Hayley". At the same time, we had a new team running the vintage shop, who have been doing exceptionally well to help raise funds for the charity, raising over £29K including the plant sale, and building our shop new Instagram account to over 1,100 followers. Our social media following on Facebook increased 19% to 6.9K. We have had to let our container at Truro HWRC go for furniture donations and from March we no longer have a source of end of line carpet tiles (from Amtico), so we are no longer supplying carpets to clients. In September we had to stop providing cookers, washing machines and tumble dryers. We signpost elsewhere for get those. |
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Towards the end of 2024 we started a process to improve how we collect and process data from referrers and improve what information we get, such as the number of adults and children we support versus just deliveries made. Year to date 2025 indicates that we are helping about 2.4 times more people than the number of deliveries. These families have been given items, a home, dignity and hope for the future. Given the greater workload from our expansion, and our Founder increasingly needing support, we received direct sponsorship from an individual towards employing an additional part-time person to support the founder and help with charity continuity long term, who now has the title “Office Manager”. Our volunteers report the difference it makes to their own lives to know they are doing their bit to help people make a fresh start. In addition, almost 100% of the furnishings are donated second hand rather than going to landfill, thus having a positive impact on the environment. Our clients themselves are very thankful for the support they receive which helps them with basic necessities to live a more decent life and to then focus on other things.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| We do not set targets for the number of | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievements | against | Para | 1.41 | clients we support other than to meet the needs of those clients referred to us, (which |
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| objectives set | generally speaking is increasing). Financially, our main objective is to remain financially sustainable, ideally with greater income than expenditure or with enough funds in the bank for the near future (6-9 months). |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We raised over £50,000 through our Crowdfunder. This exceeded our objectives significantly, which were closer to £10,000. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We make no investments other than savings account interest in order to try to preserve our funds against inflation. |
| Other |
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Financial Review
Please find below form CC16a which details the accounts for 2024. Also attached are the treasurer’s report and financial statements, followed by the independent examiner’s report on the accounts.
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Section B siatement of assets and liabilities at Ihe end of the period xus Detsl Det15 Del15
HH Treasurer’s report – 2024
Current account balances as at 31.12.2024 (year end 2023)
Metro £5,827 (£4,957) Metro deposit £26,358 (£15,139) United Trust Bank £61,080 (£20,000) SumUp £4,531 (£5,981) Paypal £5 (£5) Cash £7 (£7) Total £97,810 (£46,089) Unrestricted funds £93,125 Restricted funds £4,685
This report is for the financial year 2024 by the trustees following independent examination. The cash basis of accounting has been used in the preparation of these accounts.
The charity helps those in urgent need in Cornwall to make a new home and a fresh start with recycled household items from the local community. The charity derives most of its income from monetary donations by individuals and corporate bodies, grants from local government and other trusts, the sale of donated items at its weekly shop and targeted fundraising events.
The charity has seen an increased demand for its services, helping 571 families in 2024.
Income
The total income for the charity was £124,958 compared with £47,039 in 2023, an increase of 166%. The increased income was seen across a number of streams: a crowdfunding event in the summer raised £51,866; a switch from twice-yearly vintage sales to a yearround weekly vintage shop sale yielded £28,621, interest earned £1,300; new sponsorship of one of our warehouses by regular giving has seen a new income of £7,605 before gift aid; some sizeable grants were also received.
Expenditure
Total expenditure by the charity in 2024 was £73,238 compared with £45,433 in 2023. This was mostly due to the purchase of a second newer van at £16,920 to assist in the greater number of deliveries the charity is performing due to higher demand. The charity has also increased warehouse space by taking on new leases to cope with the additional storage needs. Much of the increased warehouse costs were met by individual benefactors sponsoring a warehouse by regular donations. The charity no longer purchases floor tiles for clients as this became unaffordable, but the charity still spent £5,893 on household essentials like microwaves, clothes rails and curtain poles that are necessary for new movers but not usually donated. Many of these purchases were made from restricted grants received from Cornwall councillors. The charity also has to pay for increased costs of fuel for deliveries and vehicle repairs and higher wage costs due to increased workloads. A new staff member was engaged to assist the founder for which a restricted grant was received to cover the cost.
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Net income / deficit for the charity
The charity has had an increase of income over expenditure of £51,720.
Restricted funds
The charity holds £4,685 in restricted funds compared to £1,738 in 2023, mostly a donation from the Tanner Phoenix trust to cover new employee costs.
Financial outlook
The charity has reached the end of its fourth year post-transition to a charitable incorporated organisation and its income and expenditure are both increasing but with a good reserve, made possible by a highly successful crowdfunder drive and increased shop sales. The purchase of a newer van has reduced the charity’s exposure to a single point of failure in its missional activities. The increased demand on the charity’s services in 2024 is likely to continue into 2025 and the charity has positioned itself well by taking on additional storage facilities and by engaging additional part time help to assist in logistics. Unless there are any unforeseen material changes, the charity is in a well funded position for 2025.
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| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Please see above. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trustees believe that it is necessary to hold reserves of about 9-12 months of running costs in order to support the continuity of the charity and cover crucial key costs such as the warehouses, salaries, admin, van and insurance etc. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At 31.12.2024 the charity held £93,125 in unrestricted funds. This was more than the reserves policy due to an overly successful crowdfund campaign in 2024. |
| 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 | None |
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 | Crowdfunding Shop sales Donations Grants Gift aid |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and | The charity does not make investments. Reserves are held on bank deposit of up to 40 days. The charity aims to spend all that it earns or receives on its charitable activities, notwithstanding the expenses in so providing |
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| objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | such activities. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The founder retiring / continuity plan Safeguarding issue / reputational risk Fire Lack of volunteers |
| Other |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
N/A | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Written 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 | Appointment of charity trustees (1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. (2) 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 and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Day to day the charity is run by: Admin (part time employee) The Founder Volunteers Office Manager (part time employee) |
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Operations Manager (part time volunteer) The charity currently has four trustees, including a Chair, as well as treasurer (volunteer) and the above-mentioned people. We received referrals from 93 different organisations in Cornwall, including housing associations and Cornwall Council. Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Hidden Help |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Hidden Help Cornwall |
| Registered charity number | 1193305 |
| Charity’s principal address | Primrose workshop Bissoe TR4 8RJ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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| 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 |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judith Backus | Founder | |||
| Sinead Hanks | Trustee | |||
| Merissa Macinnes | Trustee | |||
| Jake Backus | Chair | |||
| Luke Cuthbert | Trustee | |||
– 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
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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)
Type of Name Address adviser 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
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Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
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Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) JAKE JAMES ROBERT
BACKUS
Position (eg CHAIR TREASURER
Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date
28/08/2025
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