Chair Report
Lisa Maidment
For year ending April 2023
Introduction
I have been in the role of leading this from conception. The last 2 years as Chair of Trustees and CEO operationally.
This has been another year of huge change for the charity. Our second year as a charity. But the third year as a charitable concern. Producing hand-made items for our community.
Our Aims / Objectives
First and foremost, our aims are to carry on supporting the community. And to ensure that we were as efficient as possible. But that we all have fun whilst we are all doing it.
And to continue to ensure we run the charity ethically and in alignment with our charitable objectives.
Our Achievements
We have truly settled into our HQ. We have refurbished it, added additional rooms, moved rooms around.
All the while supporting those who value and appreciate our makes.
We have increased the numbers in our facebook group to over 2,600 makers and supporters, a growth of 400 since the last AGM in September 2022.
The quantity of items the charity produces continues to be on average 3-5,000 items a month. Less than 2 years ago we averaged 500 items a week. This number has dipped slightly recently, because of the changes at HQ.
We have continued to develop a whole suite of processes and procedures. Plus additional support tools to those that work as volunteers. To ensure we could run as efficiently and smoothly as possible. And to safeguard the volunteers.
We have made moves to give more responsibilities to other volunteers, to enable us to create more manageable volunteer roles operationally. Which I can only thank those who have leadership roles. And I am sure they will testify that its fun and rewarding.
Leaders:
Carolyn Cieslik – Fundraising Sadie Hardman – Made Items Distribution excluding schools / care homes Sue Edwards – Schools and Driver management Trish Bradley – Sewn items, Cutting, Financial Controller Carol Bennett – Wool Queen Tina Kelly – Hub & Workshop Management Edna Pingree – Care Homes
Trustees
I would like to say a huge thanks to all of our Trustees. Who are passionate about the charity, and fulfilling its charitable objectives:
Myself Trish Bradley Colleen Cator – who was a trustee until 1[st] March 2023 Carolyn Cieslik Alison Hill Vicky Thomas
We believe that this is working really well. We have a great balance of skills, who all have the best interests of the charity at its heart.
Governance
The Charity is governed and managed by a constitution, which has been agreed and is subject to review by the Trustees.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are the backbone of this charity. And without all of the makers, drivers, hub managers, operational leads and supporters, we couldn’t help all those we help.
Our volunteers are so very passionate about helping our community.
Not only do what we make, make a difference to our community. But we have created a community. Which has made a huge positive impact for everyone involved and their mental health.
Financing
Our Charity Bank details:
Metro Bank – Business Community Account Account Number: 44100681 Sort Code: 23-05-80
We have worked very hard to get the charity to a solid and stable position financially. To ensure we have an adequate safety net, with 12 months service charge in the pot at all times.
We are getting more and more places who are proactively supporting us financially. Without us having to work as hard.
As we get more known, people are becoming more willing to support us. Or understand what we do. And that we are a stable and credible charity to support.
More about the income and expenditure, its reserves and assets, will be shared by the Treasurer
The next 12 months
The biggest thing is to finalise is the lease. And as of yesterday, we have full access to HQ. Which really is something to be celebrated. It’s been a long hard slog of over 18 months trying to get this resolved.
We will be looking to add a couple of leaders into the group, and more support for fundraising.
At the moment we are all unpaid volunteers, I want to ensure that this charity remains fun and manageable for all involved. And if necessary, we may change our constitution to allow for paid roles if we need to. That is starting with me. We are actively applying for funding to pay for some of the hours I work on the charity.
We will continue to encourage members to get more involved. To enable the sharing of the load. Its always so rewarding to be involved. HQ is a really inclusive and fun place to be.
I envisage that we will continue to produce and donate around the same amount monthly going forwards.
With the help of the leaders, we will continue to forge relationships with agencies that support others. To really be able to help. Develop selective new makes, for some settings.
We will also be organising more workshops to encourage more members of the community to learn more crafting skills.
And something really exciting is that we now have enough money to commission our own fabric with a more suitable multidirectional design, the correct fabric composition and width. Its so very exciting.
But essentially to keep doing the good work that we do.
It’s been a rollercoaster with my wonderful monster. But I couldn’t be any more proud of what we have achieved. Something truly wonderful has come out of a very difficult time. And once again, this couldn’t have happened, or continue to happen without each and every one of those who support us. The volunteers, leaders, Trustees and those who fund us.
Financial Report for 1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023
We started the year with £ 9,611.28 in the bank.
Our income comes mainly from donations, auctions and raffles which you all so kindly participate in . Auctions raised over this period £ 6,455.50 and the raffles raised £ 3,011.00.
Other donations came from craft fayres, fabric sales, giving talks to various groups etc. raised £4,619.04
We have also successfully applied for grants and have obtained £ 19,050.25 over the year.
This gives us a total income of £33,135.79
Expenditure has gone on fabric, haberdashery, wool, equipment, stationery, plastic packing bags and marketing. We are all volunteers and no salaries or wages have been paid.
Included in the bank account balance are ring fenced amounts (we call them pots) for special purposes and the Service Charge (£12,584.69) for the premises (This covers what we owe the Council and an extra 12 months).
We are going to commission our own fabric and we have ring fenced money for this.
The 5 bank accounts are named as follows:
| Service Charge (pot) | £ 12,584.69 | £ 12,584.69 |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Net (pot) | £ | 3,007.11 |
| Accountant Services (pot) | £ | 300.79 |
| Own Fabric | £ | 3,879.70 |
| Fire & Safety | £ | 227.13 |
| Current Account | £___ | 4,403.28 |
| Total in the bank | £ 24,402.70 | |
This gives us a strong position for the next year 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024.
WWW.CFORC.CO.UK
| Income and Expenditure Account | Income and Expenditure Account |
|---|---|
| b/f bank balances | £ 9,611.28 |
| Interest on Bank pots | £ 50.81 |
| Total income | £ 33,135.79 |
| Less Total expenditure | £ 18,395.18 |
| Total balances at Bank | £ 24,402.70 |
| Patricia Bradley | |
| Treasurer Trustee | |
| 13thApril 2023 | |
WWW.CFORC.CO.UK
To Patricia Bradley
I, Clare Richardson, can confirm that I have checked and verified the accounts for the year ending 31.03.23.
I can confirm that I am independent from the Charity.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Clare Richardson
9 Eglantine Close
Muxton
Telford
TF2 8RR