Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date
From 1[st] April 2023 To 31[st] March 2024 Period end date (12 months)
Charity name: Every Cloud Swindon (CIO)
Charity registration number: 1196161
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
To promote & protect the mental health of people living in and around Swindon providing facilities for engagement with the creative arts and in other such ways as the trustees see 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 |
A monthly Dementia Group (for people with dementia to engage in craft activities at the same time as facilitating a walk in the park for their carers). Running a therapeutic art/craft group for people with a long term health condition and/or socially isolated, referred on a social prescription or self- referral. A weekly therapeutic gardening group (with the reward in the summer of an receiving an outstanding community garden award from the RHS). Supporting Young adults with autism and /or learning difficulties gain work experience in our take-away kiosk in the courtyard. A fortnightly Connect to Nature walk within the park and Nature reserve and open to all. Family art and craft activities in school holidays throughout the year (free sessions through the summer) plus seasonal nature /story trails around the garden and park. Public workshops covering a range of art and crafts, in small, sociable groups for people of all ages with some or no experience, throughout the year. An Annual Arts, Nature & Nurture festival offering a wide-ranging programme of relevant activities. Art Exhibitions by local artists with free entry throughout the year. We accommodate use of our spaces when available in return for a small donation eg fostering |
| service, baby yoga, Re-think and other local mental health charities. We serve refreshments to the visiting public at week-ends and open the garden with seating to create arelaxing, sociable space. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
We were advised by the charity commission during the registration process in Sept 2021 and are continuing to deliver and grow the public benefit commitment we made to the CC in our registration documentation. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | no |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | no |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All of our activities are supported by over 40 dedicated volunteers with both formal and informal qualifications and experience that match our charitable activities and services. . |
| Other | Every Cloud is a volunteer led organisation but we incur some professional fees on a sessional basis for additional professional input and for our Annual Festival. |
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 | In 2023 the charity has delivered all of our programme of services and activities identified in our commitment to the Charity Commission, achieving the benefits associated with each activity, and we have introduced new and successful activities in response to meeting needs in the wider community, especially that of loneliness and depression with sociable Connect to Nature walks and Therapeutic Gardening sessions. One example from our benificiaries is that of M. M came to us in his late thirties, having been unemployed and under his GP for about 10 years and with a list of failed placements. He presented as intelligent, friendly and a mystery as to what his needs were. He attended our art and craft group without real interest in the activities but quickly found a role in a volunteer capacity by making the teas and chatting to even the least sociably confident members and helping with the washing up at the end of the session. We invited him to meet on a one to one basis for us to learn more about his circumstances, to discuss skill set and his work history. This led to a more structured role in Every Cloud as a volunteer and he accepted the informal support offered by those who were familiar with working with people with high functioning Aspergers. He followed this up with a diagnosis. We have since then helped him understand and learn how to modulate his voice, wait until his ‘foot is in door’ to make on suggestions how things could be done better, and be more thoughtful before expressing any anger when he is upset. He is now working happily and successfully for a local hospice, collecting and moving furniture, 4 days per week as a volunteer, with enhanced self- awareness and in the knowledge we will still offer our support, if and when needed, to cope with life and make a success of working as an adult with Aspergers. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Throughout 2023 we have had to rely on what has been carried over in our bank account to fully support our programme of activities and services. There have been many constraints described in Financial review Para.1. 23 and Para.1.47 |
Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review
| Financial Review | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | We had an in-year deficit and an expensive programme of work needed at the end of this period (March 31 2023) when a new lease was finally agreed. |
|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | n/a | |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | 0 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
As above | |
| Details of fund materially indeficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | In December 2023 the Trustees acknowledged we would be financally unsustainable in continuing to operate into 2024 and made a decision to close with effect from January 2024. This was because we were unable to negotiate a new 5 year lease with Swindon Borough Council whose terms and conditions were wholly unreasonable and who would not discuss the matter throughout 2023 (despite being under a 12 month Tenancy at Will that we had requested for more time to try and find a compromise and with a ‘fait a comple’ to to pay the electricity bill of £5,700 during this 12 month period including the whole site and other tenants. In Feb 2024 Swindon Councillors challenged the officers and negotiated on our behalf a new 5 year lease on acceptable terms and conditions and which was signed off by both parties on April 24th2024. |
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 | Our fundraising was very constrained throughout 2023 because of the following circumstances: 1) severe deterioration in the condition of the Farmhouse as our base, due to lack of any regular maintenance by SBC. This was confirmed by SBC’s own surveyors |
|---|---|---|
| who recommended we vacate building but which left us without fund-raising via our week-end tea room. 2) Without any security of tenure it was impossible to apply for grants support. 3) Donations from other organisations for the use of our spaces in the Farmhouse was also a loss. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We invest in making our services accessible to all by not charging our direct beneficiaries any fees to attend our own groups nor the family summer activities. There is also a covenant on the Park that access should be free to all ie no parking fees |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | We had produced a document in October 2023 to evidence the enormous amount of public benefit we had offered throughout our tenure. This prompted SBC Councillors to respond early in 2024, after our closure in mid-December 2023, and we were persuaded to start up again. As the Farmhouse had been condemned, we needed to embark on further works to upgrade our earlier renovation of the Barn in 2020 in order to create a more comfortable experience for all users – all Every Cloud groups, events and the public – using what money we still had in the bank and hoping to be awarded some grant support going forward. _Foot note_we completed the work, including work for a café in the Barn and managed to re-open May 25th2024 hoping to re-build our very depleted finances via renewed fund-raising and grants. |
| Other | A very satisfying year in what we achieved for public benefit but a very stressful year for the Trustees. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation model of CIO Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees |
| 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 | The trustees as a body can select individuals for appointment as charity trustees with their prior consent and with regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | 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 induction and training of new trustees starts with the provision of the following information – current version of Constitution and latest annual report and statement of accounts; and an introduction to all personnel ie those on the activities programme sub-committee, other volunteers and self- employed sessional workers; followed by opportunities to attend all our activities to see for themselves how we operate: and offer an understanding how the charity fulfils its purpose and delivers public benefit in order to make a contribution to strategic planning, oversight and the development of policies and procedures at trustee meetings. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Trustees and a sub-committee to consult both ways ref any agenda items and with at least 1 trustee present at all sub- committeemeetings. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Weedon | RotatingChair | Trustees as a body | ||
| Martin Hambidge | ditto | ditto | ||
| Anne Billingham | Treasurer | ditto | ||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved N/A
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity N/A Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others N/A 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)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| N/A | ||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
| N/A |
Exemptions from disclosure N/A
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) ABillingham Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc) Date 5th January 2025
REGIERED COMPANYNtIMBEIL" CE026Y)3 IEngl*Dd •nd W•ks) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1196J61 Unauditrd FiDaDC1 S ao ayis Vall#An 195 Emiiti Srteet Swin¢kn Wiltshi SN3 4NA
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the finallcial staiema)ts of the charity for the yeaT ended 31 Marth 2024. The frte¢S bavc the ptDViSiODS of Accountsng and Reporting by Chariti&&' Ststernent of ReCmeT1 Pwadice applicable lo charities prep8ring their aCCOUDts accordance with the Fi0ala1 Rcpwtsll8 Sta0d Y¥plioblc in thc UK attd RepuNic of IrelaDd (FRS 102) {cffeLaivc l January 20191 ObJetdv¢s Atrd bllclRTrefft for thc public IllefiL GoYernJDg do¢umtD¢ The th8rity is governed by its c(wtititiw whith w&S OD 15th Octobrr 2021.Thc dlty is a T[qdaD. modd ao. Rtyrtered Cornpny Dtymbtr CE026903 (EDgthl attd Waks) 1196161 Swinth)n Wil¢thir¢ SNI INR Trnstees A Billitigbam M L Hambidge Company Setretsry Ivdep¢ndent EAqThin Cbris Vaughan Accc4mtants 195 Fmiio 5tre<t WiILthire SN3 4NA Adthrs Approved by ordcrof the bLMnl of Ite¢S 14 Au8u# 2024 8Th1 si8tdoD ils irb[.
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IndependMt agmlner's rem to the tr¥rte¢s of Evffy Ch•d (SwlDda•) CIO Cthe Compgn I rewt ty the ctwity ryustees (ffj my of th¢ X¢OUDts of the C(or¢w f(rth¢ year¢lld 31 March 2024. Re4l1b1l1es basl¥rfrqmwt As the charitys trL8tees of the Con4Mny (athl its dIredL ts the of law) you are respollsiknle f th¢prepara¢1( of the ac¢ounts in acoydwwith the re4wiMwts of the Cunpanies Act2{ Ohe 20C6 +4cV). H#viD8 satisficd tnysclf that th¢ of th¢ arc to b¢ aThlitrd tsrKicr Part 16 of thc 2006 A¢t out wid¢r Secttot) 145 of the (larities Acr 2011 2011 A). In orryiDg ory exami0 I have follow th¢ Tedi0Ths wven by the Chrity C£rfDrri&1 145(5) (b) ofthe2011 ACL examination giving rnc cause to kii the ac¢ounts do not conwy with the accounling of Stion 396 of (he 2(#)6 Act other than wly re44Uiremt that the accoutts give a 8Jkd toir viw T4knich is not * n(¢[ ¢1dered as part ofao Illdq)dffl1 I have wn¢erns and have c4Jme across no (thr matta5 in c(meclI with the examiTri(ffj to whith attention should 195 Stted Swinthn Iwiltshi SN3 4NA 14 August 2024
15.1021 Year F•d to 31.3.24 31.3.23 UttrestriC Tol01 1.683 5,645 7.617 750 21693 9.131 10.050 37.469 Raising fiwds (898 5.959 Cteative provision 6585 16.325 Total 13.483 22284 {3.433) 15.185 15.185 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 11.752 15.185
31.324 31.3.23 Unftstrl Total Cash at bank 12,040 15,491 Arnounts failing dllewithiD oneyear (288) (306) 11.752 15.185 TOTAL ASSETS LLSS CURR 11.752 15.185 NET ASSET3 11,752 15,185 11.752 15.185 11.752 15,185 The thorithble ujnwtty is eotiued to from wdit 471 of Compfiwes Act 2LMJ6 lor the yeor ended 31 Marcb 21)24. 31 Ma1 2024 in acccrfdalltt with SeLti0tt476 of thc C(wJtiies Ad2Lb5. The trusteu acknowled8¢ th¢irr¢swLSibilili¢s for (a) c[1[18 that the cbltable krys th (¥oyty vrith Wions 386 and 387 of the Conyanics Act 2CI)6 mI at the end of each financiaj year and of its sS or fi¢ll for eh financi year in acconkn¢e vjith the rquirrnts of Se¢tioos 394 aod 395 8Th1 whicb otFwwi5e axnply with th¢ of the Companie4 Art 2(K)6 relating to financi stare0K so faras apylicable to the dwitabk coDwaty. subj( to the small EOD¥)8tiies regin Si8ts&I0tt its irhalf by: H Weedon. Tn
ACCOUNTING POUCIFS
ofprwkng the fi•athd thtemets
The finala] of the Chri]¢ MlY. lch is a publi¢ tnefiL entity under FRS 101 havE becn
pr¢par•4 ID acc(Kd with the (IwKties SORP IFRS l(r2) 'AccouTrtin8 ReFrt8 by lTharitses: St•tetnettE
Repottng Stalldard applKable in the UK atyl RyblK of Ireland (FRS 102) (cfftrtivc l J8EWSry 2019),.
Financial Retxjrhng Stwthd 102 Tr Fina18] RC[1 St8Trlard a]]k ID UK Reb]le of
All inoThe 18 rewi8ed in the Statem
24 31 2023. Dwlioo6 and lega¢i¢s 5ffj45 Othertiaditig activities Other iD¢ott)e 21693 9.13l Tot•1 37.469 5959 Ch%ritable *ctsvitr5 1&325 Totsl COmE 15.185 15,185 31J.24 31J23 288 3( At 31J24 A¢ 1.423 infvr U•reJtrtctedfllD 15,185 (3.433) 11.752 15,185 (3.433) 11,752
in fimds IQ050 (13,483) (3.433) 10.050 (13.483) (3.433) Ntt xts)vernaJt At 31.3.23 GeDeTal fiujd 15.185 15.185 15.185 15.185 UDrutrk¢ed 37.409 {22284) 15.185 TOTAL FUNDS 37,469 (22284) 15,185
Period 15.102 31J.24 31.3.23 Gif Donations (3) 1.683 4.043 1.683 5.645 Tea 8bop rxeip¢s Art sai&s 335 6.150 15,989 554 7ffi17 21693 Other IDvJm¢ 7SO Evay ad Arts aDd CTrfts Limityj 9,045 750 9.131 iQ050 37,469 Other trldlnt acllvl Tea sknp Tefreshments Artis& ftts 529 6J69 4J77 lJ82 Q898 5959 315 630 656 522 Sunthi¢s Matcriat5 No dttwiption VolutKeerrxpettscs 535 6J14 1297 169 41 1.811 8.677 Support MngemeDt lJ36 769 1105 4.451 1.330 5.7BI
Ptti 15.102 31.324 31.323 Brougbt forward 1105 5.781 1.867 4.T14 7.648 13.483 22.284 (¢welldlknyIKome (3.433) 15,185 10