## **Annual Report of the Trustees of Baby Box Isle of Wight**
1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021
The Trustees present their Annual Report and independently reviewed accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2021 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Baby Box Isle of Wight registered formally as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registration number 1193830) on 16[th] March 2021. This report covers the work of the Charity for the period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021.
## **OUR AIMS:**
The Objects of the Charity are
- The prevention or relief of poverty amongst families and children on the Isle of Wight by providing items and services to individuals in need
- To prevent or relieve poverty through undertaking and supporting research into factors that contribute to poverty and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these.
The Constitution of Baby Box Isle of Wight gives Trustees the power to make decisions on behalf of the Charity and to determine the ethos, strategy and policies for achieving the objectives set. Baby Box Isle of Wight is managed by the Trustees who meet 4 times per year. Between Trustee meetings, a joint steering committee meets regularly with the voluntary coordinators of Baby Box and Ventnor Community Foodbank. The voluntary coordinators report to the steering committee on the management of the day-to-day delivery of frontline services delivered by volunteers.
## **OUR ETHOS**
Baby Box Isle of Wight is committed to working with everyone with dignity and respect.
Baby Box Isle of Wight takes inclusion seriously and strives to assist the Isle of Wight community in a way that both recognises and works to remove barriers that may, albeit unintentionally, lead to sections of the
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community being unaware or less aware of the support we offer because they might be considered ‘easily overlooked’.
Baby Box Isle of Wight takes a positive approach to environmental concerns and works with other organisations such as the Salvation Army and the Real Junk Food Project to avoid landfill of waste materials such as clothing and to help reduce food insecurity by avoiding food waste. We are always interested in, and open to, ways of improving our working practices that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
## **ACTIVITY DURING 2021**
Baby Box Isle of Wight Trustees are pleased to report the following activities have been undertaken for the public benefit. Support is available to the public from all over the Isle of Wight and Baby Box and Ventnor Community Foodbank operate from two separate, closely located, venues.
From 1[st] January 2021 to 31[s ] December 2021 Baby Box Isle of Wight provided help and support to households across the Isle of Wight and our data shows the actual number of adults and children who were fed or provided with other essential items such as nappies and baby food totals 4763.
During 2021 Baby Box worked with Barbados and other supporters to help families with babies and toddlers manage tight budgets by running a baby and toddler cookery course over several weeks. Our goal was to increase confidence in parents of young babies and toddlers that they could feed their children well whilst avoiding the need to purchase costly preprepared baby foods. We were incredibly fortunate to attract the support of a local nutritional expert willing to share their skills in this field of work. All of this was achieved against a background of a global pandemic and local lockdowns.
## **Who was helped?**
The range of households we supported expanded to include those ‘newly, possibly temporarily’ poor who found themselves facing a new found level of financial insecurity that exceeded the ‘buffer of savings, overdraft or resources of family members they could ask for help’. Food insecurity was a new, unwelcome, and hopefully temporary experience for working families new to the experience of being unable to make ends meet.
Yet once the decision to make contact was acted upon, for many of those collecting food and other items from our premises, it seemed it was a relief for people to talk about their financial concerns and our volunteers were then able to signpost to other agencies who could offer expert advice and support.
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These ‘newly poor’ households had pre-existing financial obligations matching their earlier income levels they now struggled to meet and were a bit lost because they had yet to acquire the skill set of other working families more accustomed to a fluctuating or precarious income.
The sustained nature of the adverse financial impact of Covid on households meant that coping with necessary but big events like moving to cheaper accommodation complicated matters too. Where our usual cohort of families and individuals sometimes needed ‘a helping hand’ from time to time when their outgoings exceeded income due to an unexpected bill or other emergency, it began to feel that we saw them more often as ‘one thing after another’ piled on the pressure. These people, more than most, have great resilience and are highly skilled and accustomed to stretching fluctuating or low incomes to meet the needs of growing children and other family members but benefit problems and appeals make life that bit harder.
Whilst rising prices and plummeting incomes brought many people to Ventnor Community Foodbank and Baby Box’s doors for the first time, it was notable that many of those reaching out to us were once that knew of our existence because they had been the people that used to donate to us through donation boxes in local stores.
Dignity matters to everyone us and as we listened it became clear that is hard to personally acknowledge the time has come to make contact. Hesitation can be due to emotional barriers including self-esteem particularly for those accustomed to self-reliance are not easily overcome. Pride and the need to ‘give something in return’ is important and led to an influx of donations of preloved clothing and other items for Baby Box as and when people were in a position to donate.
Baby Box ‘cascades kindness’ by acting as a conduit where people who have items they no longer need can donate them to be shared free of charge to people they’ll never meet that need that item.
The tidal wave of donations of preloved items from newcomers led to extra work for our volunteers who made a huge effort to make sure that seasonal items like winter coats and bedding were available at the time they were needed.
On the basis of ‘what we have, we share’ Baby Box entered 2021 somewhat optimistically. Whereas Baby Box Isle of Wight had previously been wholly reliant upon public and private donations, at the close of 2020 we received a modest grant under the government ‘Help Through Crisis’ scheme that meant we could purchase essential items to help those in need of support. We had been an outlet for the Isle of Wight Toy
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Appeal Christmas project and through this had made contact with a lot of new families. Covid vaccinations were available to frontline workers, and new volunteers were stepping up to take on the workload of volunteers unable to continue due to being vulnerable in their own right, or as carers of vulnerable relatives. Risk assessments were carried out with volunteers and attendees being provided with face masks, hand gels, antibacterial wipes. and did what they could to keep going.
The essential flow of donations through supermarket donation points had stalled at the start of lockdown in 2020 when supermarkets and smaller local businesses experienced supply chain problems. Closer working relationships with suppliers were established, most notably with the tireless Community Champions of bigger stores like Morrisons, and ASDA Community Champion responded warmly to requests for help. Individual managers of local Coop supermarkets from across the Isle of Wight from Freshwater to Shanklin stepped up to help too. Ventnor’s local health food store helped us source vegetarian baby food when supplies were hard to find and also, acted as a donation point for collecting baby clothes, good quality bedding and other donations. This small local business owner played a big part in signposting those in need to the Foodbank and to Baby Box.
Our working relationship with the people we supported took on a new sometimes more involved dimension when, on top of the other support offered, we had access to government grants designed to help with heating, specifically to top up credit for prepaid electric meters. Visiting the home of the very first family we helped this way was brought home how important access to support can be. Where people live in rural areas, with little access to public transport or shops it can be a real problem. The top up key or card needs to be collected, taken to the nearest store that accepts that specific type of key or card, topped up with credit and then returned. The very first prepaid electric meter we topped up was during a very cold and dark February evening, where the household had two under school age children, electric only heating and insufficient credit on the prepayment meter to last through the night.
As well as signposting people to formal agencies like the Footprint Trust and Citizens Advice for expert advice, Baby Box stayed in touch with the households we had been supporting during 2020 mostly by social media, but also through links with Health Visiting teams, and other community projects. We did our best to be available to help those in need. We could not have done it without the support of countless small acts of kindness from unknown individuals, or bigger organisations such as Ventnor Town Council, the Isle of Wight Council and so many small businesses that made it clear to us that ‘we only needed to ask’ and they would do what they could to help keep us help others.
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
2021 total no. of individuals fed, clothed, helped with utilities
etc = 4763
Venue providing No. of Adults No. of Children
support Supported Supported
Baby Box, Victoria 1378 1707
Street, Ventnor
Ventnor Community 872 806
Foodbank, Pier
Street, Ventnor
Total individuals 2250 2513
helped
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Trustees goal is to encourage closer working between the two outlets and to train new and current volunteers to be able to work at both venues to maintain the service delivery during volunteer absences due to holiday leave, sickness leave etc. We support our volunteers by insisting upon a ‘Family First’ time management approach with no pressure being put upon volunteers unable to commit to a specific shift because they are needed by people they support.
Closer working plans were put on hold during 2021 in order to provide contingency plans to avoid the risk of both teams of volunteers simultaneously contracting Covid and then needing to self-isolate.
The Trustees are grateful for the support and work undertaken by coordinators and volunteers in such difficult times.
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## **ACCESS TO SUPPORT**
From the outset Baby Box Isle of Wight has always operated as a means of ‘Cascading Kindness’ whereby goods donated are shared freely with provided families and individuals from across the Isle of Wight and this same approach to accessibility was a cornerstone to practices when Ventnor Community Foodbank was set up in July 2020. Trustees saw no need for vouchers authorised by other agencies to be used as a means of ‘restricting access and managing demand’. For those who need to ask for help the first visit to a foodbank for ask for support is no small matter and getting beyond that self-imposed barrier takes courage. Monitoring of Ventnor Community Foodbank data shows that the average number of visits individuals make to the Ventnor Community Foodbank varies remarkably little when compared with the data available from the previous organisers of a foodbank in Ventnor that closed in June 2020. Fortunately for the local community, the premises and team of volunteers were still available and this, with the support of the team at Baby Box Isle of Wight and Ventnor Town Council’s commitment to community development brought together the key ingredients to establish Ventnor Community Foodbank. The Trustees extend their gratitude to everyone who supports our charity whether their contribution is in time, money or donations of much needed essential items.
Access to the services was maintained through collaborative working with Ventnor Town Council, Health Visitors, Children’s Services, Adult Services and others with direct contact being maintained with those in need of support as well as arrangements for collection from the venues by arrangements made by phone, email or social media. Publicity was provided locally via newspaper articles, social media,
Baby Box Isle of Wight strives to support those in need in a way that overcomes potential barriers that might otherwise cause our visitors to hesitate before making contact.
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## **RISK MANAGEMENT:**
The Trustees recognise that systems can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed and are responsible for overseeing risks faced by the organisation. Internal financial controls are in place. Financial commitments are closely monitored and opportunities for further grants are actively explored to meet future needs.
We take seriously the Risk Management process and Trustees are satisfied major risks have been identified and adequately mitigated. Detailed consideration is carried out in consultation with key postholders and we have a Safeguarding lead officer who has undertaken detailed risk assessments, produced written policies and delivered training to volunteers carrying out the work of the charity.
The social part of face to face work with members of the public had to be abandoned at the start of the pandemic, and the work of supporting our community continued with different working practices put in place which led to a greater emphasis upon carrying out risk assessments, with a view to putting in place safeguarding steps particularly for volunteers undertaking home deliveries.
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## **FINANCIAL MATTERS**
All Trustees give their time freely and no Trustees received remuneration or Trustee expenses were paid during the financial period covered by this Annual Report. The accompanying financial report shows income and expenditure for the year.
Whereas in previous years donations came mostly from private individuals, local organisations and in the case of the foodbank from Ventnor Town Council, a lot of support came from other sources. At the close of 2020, Baby Box received a grant via the Isle of Wight Council through DEFRA 'Help Through Crisis' funding, There then followed a number of Connect4Communities government grants as set out in the financial report.
These grants meant we were well placed to continue our work to support the local community.
Special mention should be made of the support provided by Wight Aid. In 2020 had been invaluable to Baby Box at the start of the pandemic when all of Baby Box’s donation points were removed from supermarkets as a necessary step to prevent the spread of Covid. At the close of 2021 Wight Aid stepped up with a ‘Christmas gift’ to help us help those in need.
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## **OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:**
Whilst the attached, signed, examined and approved financial accounts lists amounts of cash, but somehow fails to encompass the positive emotional impact upon a team of volunteers socially isolating, yet working together against the odds, turning up to do another shift after nine months of 2020 spent becoming accustomed to massive changes as the result of a global pandemic.
- Baby Box IOW and Ventnor Community Foodbank are both members of IFAN, the Independent Food Aid Network.
- Each organisation carries out its activity in premises provided, free of charge, by local landlords (Ventnor Town Council and the local Baptist Church).
- Local supermarkets, such as the COOP in Ventnor, Shanklin and Freshwater provided food collection donation points for the public to donate to the Charity.
- Community Champions in both of Morrison’s Isle of Wight stores (as well as a visit from Morrison’s National Community Champion) took Baby Box Isle of Wight ‘under their wing’ in Autumn 2020 and lifted up and sustained both outlets into and throughout 2021. This incredible level of support has made a world of difference.
- The Community Champion at ASDA in Newport Isle of Wight supported Baby Box Isle of Wight with practical help and support.
- Local businesses which had held quizzes to raise funds for Baby Box Isle of Wight pre- Covid lockdown were closed and therefore unable to fundraise in the usual manner until late in 2021 when, for example, The Tea House in Ventnor hosted a Christmas fundraising event supported by local entertainers. Lesley’s Nutshells deserves a special mention for linking us up with so many people who could help our charity or needed help themselves.
- Members of the public donate food directly to Ventnor Community Foodbank’s venue and other essential items for babies and children direct to Baby Box’s venue
- The Toy Appeal project working with Isle of Wight Radio uses Baby Box Isle of Wight as an outlet for toys collected for children who might otherwise face a very frugal Christmas time.
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- Baby Box and Ventnor Community Foodbank have both been recipients of various government grants allocated through the Isle of Wight Council, Ventnor Town Council.
- Other funding has been raised and/or donated via Wight Aid, the office of the High Sherriff, Unison, Making a Difference Locally (via Norris stores), Arnold Clark and individuals donating via direct debit into our bank account.
- Barnados allowed use of their Ventnor premises for our cookery course, which was supported by a local expert in cookery and childhood nutrition.
- The Real Junk Food Project in Freshwater and Aspire in Ryde shared surplus toiletries and nappies donated to them, and wisdom and collaborative support in terms of reaching helping people in need on the Isle of Wight could always be relied upon from Pan Together in Newport.
- The Salvation Army assists us with redistributing surplus donations of clothing. Assurances havebeen provided that their approach to sustainability is excellent.
- We are grateful for the support provided by Community Action, The Footprint Trust, Isle Help and the local CAB,
- Wight Aid had been invaluable to Baby Box at the start of the pandemic when all of Baby Box’s donation points were removed from supermarkets as a necessary step to prevent the spread of Covid. They stepped up again in 2021 with a ‘Christmas gift’ to help us keep going.
## **FUTURE PLANS**
Baby Box Isle of Wight Trustees are committed to continuing the work of the charity and to recruiting new suitably skilled Trustees.
Trustee Recruitment and Training – the Charity requires Trustees with the breadth and depth of experience to carry out its duties effectively and efficiently. When recruiting new Trustees we consider the important attribute is a passion for the work undertaken by our Charity as well as the business and professional experience to ensure that applicants for Trustees are considered on the basis of the essential skills and experience they offer as well as any skill gaps that may exist in the existing makeup
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of the board of Trustees. We seek applicants with knowledge and skills drawn from a background in the following fields of expertise: legal, financial and accountancy, social inclusion, business and management experience.
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## **Trustees:** Joyce Milford
Stephen Milford FCPFA Tony McCarthy Marzena Turner
## **Ventnor Community Foodbank operating venue address:**
Baptist Church, Pier Street, Ventnor PO38 1SX
## **Baby Box Isle of Wight operating venue address:**
Victoria Street, Ventnor PO38 1ET
## **Baby Box Isle of Wight Office address:**
Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor, PO38 1 EJ
## **Bankers**
NatWest Newport Isle of Wight 107 St James Square Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1XH
## **Independent Examiner**
Warren Fresle ACMA (Professional Body CIMA)
## **Insurance Brokers:**
Norris & Fisher Insurance Brokers Ltd Threefield House Threefield Lane Southampton SO14 3 LP
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**Baby Box Isle of Wight 1193830**
**Receipts and payments accounts For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 1/1/2021 12/31/2021
## **Section A Receipts and payments**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Baby Box 7,837 49,500 - 57,337
Ventnor Community Foodbank 7,051 3,500 - 10,551
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
14,888 53,000 - 67,888
Sub total (Gross income for AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total receipts 14,888 53,000 - 67,888
A3 Payments
Baby Box 6,134 32,006 - 38,140
Ventnor Community Foodbank 739 3,500 - 4,239
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ 6,873 ] 35,506 - 42,379
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - -
Total payments 6,873 35,506 - 42,379
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,015 17,494 - 25,509
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end - - - -
Cash funds this year end 8,015 17,494 - 25,509
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Section B Statement**|**of assets and liabilities**|**at the end of the period**|**at the end of the period**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|**Categories**|**Details**|**funds**|**funds**|
|**B1 Cash funds**|Cash in bank
Grant due to spend by 31/03/2022
**_Total cash funds_**|**to nearest £**
**8,015**
**-**
**-**
**8,015**|**to nearest £**
**-**
**17,494**
**-**
**17,494**|
||(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|OK
|OK|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|
|||**funds**|**funds**|
|**B2 Other monetary assets**|**Details**|**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
|**B3 Investment assets**|**Details**|**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
|**B4 Assets retained for the**|**Details**|**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**|**Cost (optional)**
**-**|
|**charity’s own use**|||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
|||**Fund to which**|**Amount due**|
|**B5 Liabilities**|**Details**
Grant to spend in 2022|Baby Box
**liability relates**|**17,494**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**(optional)**|
|Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|Signature|Print|Name|
|||Stephen Milford||
**----- Start of picture text -----**
CC16a
**----- End of picture text -----**
**Last year**
## **to the nearest £**
**2,893 - - - - - - - 2,893**
**2,893**
**-**
**2,893 - - 2,893**
## **Endowment funds**
**to nearest £ - - - -**
OK
**Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - -**
**Current value (optional)**
**-**
**Current value (optional)**
**When due (optional) 31 March 2022**
Date of approval 12-May-22
##
##
##
##