2025-03-31-accounts - Taff-Ely Foodbank

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Charity Name: Taff Ely Foodbank Charity No: 1195468 Period start date: 1/04/2024 Period end date: 31/03/2025

1. Charity Information

Charity’s principal address; Unit 3 Ely Valley Business Park Tylagarw Pontyclun CF729DZ Email info@taffely.foodbank.org.uk Tel 01443 520730

2. Trustees and Governance

The trustees who have served during this period are;

Name	Position	Dates position held
Michelle Thomas	Chair	July 2023 - present
Hannah Furnish	Secretary	March 2024 - present
Dominic Morgan	Treasurer	February 2024 - March 2025
Elizabeth Price	Safeguarding Officer	June 2021 - present
Steve Tompkins		September 2023 - present

We were very grateful to Dominic Morgan who was already volunteering at the warehouse and offered to step in as Treasurer at a transitional period for the Trustee Board. Hannah Furnish joined the board bringing with her a wealth of experience in the third sector.

Our trustees meet every quarter to discuss governance and propose necessary changes and advancements for the improvement of the charity. Currently, we do not have any additional committees.

The foodbank became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021 and, at that time, also became an affiliated member of the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network, which includes over 1,300 members across the UK. The Trussell Trust operates under a "social franchise" model, providing individual members with operational procedures, data services, and managerial advice and support. Importantly, our charity retains the authority to exercise its powers as outlined in our Constitution.

3. Charities Objectives and Activities

The object of Taff Ely Foodbank as set out in the Constitution is;

The prevention and relief of poverty amongst people in Rhondda Cynon Taff and surrounding areas by providing food, Clothing, essential items, information, practical assistance programmes and other appropriate support.

The primary activity of Taff Ely Foodbank is to provide three-day crisis food parcels to individuals and families in need within Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT). This vital service is made possible through generous donations from supermarkets, schools, churches, local businesses, and individuals. All collected food is long-life and stored in our warehouse, where we implement a strict stock rotation system to minimise waste.

Food donations coming via Tesco have decreased by almost 5,000kg in the last 12 months. This is equivalent to food parcels for 448 adults. We have funded this deficit using our unrestricted funds and emergency food grants from Trussell and RCTBC.

We have established strong relationships with local agencies, such as social services, probation officers, and health visitors, who act as referrers. These referrers are registered in our database and are authorized to issue E-vouchers for food parcels from our foodbank.

Individuals referred to us can present these vouchers in exchange for food parcels tailored to the size of their household and the ages of the residents. Each parcel provides enough food for approximately 10 meals or up to three days per person. Vouchers can be redeemed at one of our seven distribution centres, all of which are operated in churches. Over the last 12 months we have trialled 3 other distribution centres including the warehouse but have found for now that the current seven centres allow us to be most efficient.

During this report period we provided food for 2224 adults and 1416 children.

In addition to food parcels, we also offer personal hygiene packs with each delivery. These packs include essential items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, feminine hygiene products, and shaving cream.

Beyond food support, we employ a Citizens Advice Officer to provide financial advice and a Support Manager to assist with various challenges faced by our clients. This support may include signposting to additional resources, offering advice, and, in some cases, providing essential household items such as towels, bedding, and microwaves.

4. Achievements

4.1 Funding

The past 12 months have presented financial challenges for us. Securing grant funding has become increasingly competitive, and we spent six months applying for numerous grants, only to face many declines. This situation forced us to utilise some of our unrestricted funds to cover salaries.

In the summer, we received invaluable budgeting guidance from an accountant, who warned us that we would deplete our reserves by December. The prospect of closing was alarming but thanks to the unwavering support of our regular monthly donors, generous local businesses, and various fundraising initiatives, we have managed to keep our operations running. Fortunately, in December we received a grant from Trussell that secured 12 months of salaries for two employees. This funding was a tremendous relief and a moment of excitement that allows us to move forward with our plans.

4.2 Fundraising

Our fundraising efforts have experienced a mix of ups and downs. We attended the Pontyclun Summer Fayre and started a secondhand book sale initiative both of which brought in funds but we organised a Choir Concert which was cancelled due to low ticket sales and the Pontyclun Christmas Fayre was cancelled due to inclement weather.

In December we set up a Crowdfunding Christmas Appeal. This was our most successful fundraiser to date. We raised £4535 plus £393.75 in gift aid. Over half of this amount came from AVIVA who announced they were match funding for all Food Banks on Crowdfunder.

4.3 Recruitment

In June we employed Matthew Stevens as Campaign Coordinator. Matthew has been a great addition to the team and he will tell you more about his role in a moment.

4.4 Governance

Over the past year, the Trustees have been actively engaged in a comprehensive overhaul of our policies. We recognise that these policies are fundamental to running a safe, compliant and efficient foodbank. They compel us to critically assess various scenarios and ensure that we provide an inclusive and safe workplace.

Despite financial concerns, we have made significant progress in organising the Foodbank more efficiently, using the skills and dedication of our staff and volunteers more effectively.

5. Financial Information

Total income for this period was £232,754. This comprises £16,149 from individual donations, £11,215 organisation donations, £204,961 awarded from grants and £430 miscellaneous. In addition to our funds at year end we held £6460 of food. All food received

at the warehouse is weighed on receipt and distribution. When calculating the value of stock we use Trussell Trust guidance of £2.77 per kg.

Total expenditure for this period was £165,341. Our largest expenses are payroll costs at £113,258 and rent for the warehouse which has increased from £10,500 to £12,200 per annum. A van is an essential part of our activities and the general vehicle running costs were £3558.

6. Volunteers and Staff

Our operations are supported by a dedicated team of 50 volunteers, whose skills and experience are vital to the services we provide. The trustees greatly appreciate their commitment and hard work.

We also employ three staff members. Our Project Manager works 37 hours per week, and during this reporting period, his contract transitioned from temporary to permanent. He has been with us since 2018 and is a reliable and driven individual with a strong vision for our future.

Since October 2021, we have employed a Support Worker for 24 hours a week. This role is crucial for signposting clients and addressing the underlying reasons that lead individuals to seek support from a foodbank. During this period we employed a new Support Manager who had been a regular volunteer at St Davids, one of our distribution centres, for over 3 years so had lots of experience working with the Foodbank clients.

Additionally, we have a Warehouse Operative who works 12 hours a week. This role is essential for managing deliveries and collections, ensuring smooth operations alongside our volunteers.

7. Public Benefit Statement for Taff Ely Foodbank

The trustees of Taff Ely Foodbank are committed to ensuring that our activities and services provide clear public benefit to the communities we serve in RCT. Our primary purpose is to alleviate poverty among individuals and families in need.

Key Benefits:

Food Assistance: We provide three-day crisis food parcels to individuals and families who are facing financial hardship. This support is essential for ensuring that people have access to nutritious food, which contributes to their overall well-being and health.
Hygiene Support: In addition to food parcels, we distribute personal hygiene packs that include essential toiletries. This initiative addresses hygiene poverty, helping to restore dignity and improve mental health for our beneficiaries.
Community Engagement: We actively engage with local agencies, including social services and health visitors, to identify those in need and facilitate access to our services. This collaborative approach enhances community support networks and promotes social inclusion.
Empowerment and Support: We employ a Support Worker and a Citizens Advice Officer who provide guidance and signposting for our clients, addressing the root causes of their challenges. This holistic support empowers individuals to improve their circumstances and fosters long-term resilience.
Volunteer Opportunities: Our organisation relies on the dedication of volunteers, providing them with meaningful opportunities to contribute to their community. This not only enriches the lives of our volunteers but also strengthens community bonds.
Impact Measurement: We regularly gather feedback from our beneficiaries to assess the impact of our services. This data informs our practices and ensures we remain responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

Through these initiatives, Taff Ely Foodbank strives to make a significant positive impact on the lives of those we serve, promoting dignity, well-being, and community cohesion. The trustees are dedicated to upholding our values and ensuring that our operations align with the principles of public benefit as outlined by the Charities Act.

8. Compliance Statement

Taff Ely Foodbank is committed to operating in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing charitable organisations in the United Kingdom. The trustees ensure that our activities align with the principles set forth by the Charities Act 2011 and other applicable legislation.

9. Declarations

The trustees declare they have approved this report.

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Signature

Full name

Michelle Thomas

Position

Chair

Date

Taff Ely Foodbank

SECTION A - RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS

For the Year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted Funds £ £16,149 £11,215 £17,498 £178 £243 £9 £45,292 £45,292 Unrestricted Funds £ £8,640 £3,558 £5,768 £1,117 £336 £3,125 £3,029 £12,200 £463 £2,054 £2,216 £21 £1,122 £363 £655 £981 £187 £1,669 £32 £315 £296 £232 £586 £425 £49,390	Restricted Funds £ £187,462	Total Funds £ £16,149 £11,215 £204,961 £178 £243 £9	Last Year £ £18,590 £29,276 £99,580
	£187,462	£232,754	£147,446

	£187,462	£232,754	£147,446
	Restricted Funds £ £104,618 £5,990 £26 £310 £632 £1,809 £1,409 -£11 £202 £967	Total Funds £ £113,258 £3,558 £11,758 £1,143 £336 £3,125 £3,029 £12,200 £463 £2,364 £2,216 £632 £21 £2,931 £1,772 £644 £981 £0 £187 £202 £1,669 £32 £967 £315 £296 £232 £586 £425	Last Year £ £72,998 £4,347 £13,612 £945 £396 £2,464 £2,096 £10,500 £351 £2,825 £1,724 £4 £351 £805 £353 £693 £397 £97
	£115,951	£165,341	£114,958
		£0	£10,799
	£0	£0	£10,799
£49,390	£115,951	£165,341	£125,757
-£4,098	£71,511	£67,413	£21,689

A6 Cash Funds last year end Cash funds this year end	£57,649 £53,551	£29,445	£87,094	£65,405
		£100,956	£154,507	£87,094

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Charity Name TAFF ELY FOODBANK	Charity Name TAFF ELY FOODBANK	Charity Name TAFF ELY FOODBANK

31 MARCH 2025	Charity no (if any)	1195468

1 to 8 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025 . Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached .


Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:	B.Evans	29/01/2026

	BENJAMIN EVANS

	ACCA

	3 HEOL ELAI
	TONYREFAIL
	CF39 8QE

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

Oct 2018

IER