2025-01-01-accounts - The Joybank

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2024 JOYBANK Trustees' Annual Report

For the period 1 January 2024 – 1 January 2025 Charity Number: 1997830 Charity Name: The JOYBANK 33 Edgehill Road, S7 1SP

joybank.enquiries@gmail.com

1. Reference and AdministraUve Details

Jessa’s JOYBANK is a volunteer-led Toy Bank based in Sheffield. We became a registered Charitable Incorporated OrganisaEon (CIO) in February 2022, following our beginnings as a home-based iniEaEve during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2. Structure, Governance and Management

The JOYBANK is governed by a board of trustees all of whom reflect the diversity of our city and give their Eme voluntarily, receiving no remuneraEon or benefits. They meet to review progress, assess risks, and oversee strategic development. All decisions are made in accordance with our consEtuEon. Day-to-day operaEons are supported by a small team of volunteers

In 2024, we further developed our operaEons by converEng our basement storage space at a local church into a fully funcEoning DonaEon and DistribuEon Centre. We were also able to employ a part-Eme project worker to manage it..

3. Charitable Aims and ObjecUves

Our charity’s purposes are:

To relieve the impact of poverty on children by providing toys and play resources to families experiencing social and economic hardship.
To promote the importance of play in children’s development, learning, and well-being.
To reduce waste by keeping unwanted toys out of landfill and educaEng families about sustainability and reuse.

4. AcUviUes

We deliver on our charitable aims through the recycling and redistribuEon of quality pre-loved toys to families facing hardship. In 2024:

We collected, cleaned, and re-packaged hundreds of donated toys into carefully curated JOYBAGS , which were distributed free of charge via referrals from teachers, social workers, midwives, food banks, children’s centres, community groups, and other chariEes.
We prioriEsed providing new toys for children on birthdays and holidays, preserving family dignity and creaEng joyful celebraEons.
We supported children in difficult situaEons, including:
Children in temporary accommodaEon
Families fleeing domesEc violence
Refugee and asylum-seeking families
Children with complex needs
Young and single parents
Those living in chronic poverty

Our ethos is simple: we only provide toys that would delight our own children. We aim not only to relieve financial pressure on families, but to promote dignity, well-being, and play-based learning.

We offered outreach support, ideas for creative play and choosing age/need appropriates toys
We collected and distributed culturally and neuro- diverse appropriate toys
For families with an abundance of unwanted toys we provided a sustainable alternaEve to landfill, contribuEng to the circular economy while directly addressing toy poverty in our city. This also encouraged even young children to learn about kindness and helping others.

5. Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in SecEon 17 of the ChariEes Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The JOYBANK alleviates play deprivaEon and poverty by ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to toys that support healthy development and learning. We regularly consult with our partners and referral agencies to assess need, improve delivery, and ensure that our work remains relevant and impac[ul.

6 . The Need

In Sheffield and across the North, over 1 in 3 children now live in poverty — significantly above the naEonal average. Many of these children have no books or toys at home. Meanwhile, 1 in 4 families throw away good quality toys that end up in landfill. Research shows:

1 in 4 children leave primary school without meeEng the expected reading standard
• These children are six Emes more likely to drop out of educaEon
• Play is not opEonal, it is essenEal for all aspects of development & learning

7 . Our Story

The JOYBANK began as a response from a group of local mothers concerned about increasing youth violence and the lack of safe, sEmulaEng play opportuniEes at home. During lockdown, we distributed art & craa packs city-wide — and soon realised the depth of unmet need.

We adverEsed for unwanted toys and were overwhelmed by the response. Requests came flooding in. It became clear that many families were living in 'toy poverty' — unable to afford basic play resources for their children.

In 2022, we became a registered charity. Since then, we have transiEoned from a hand-to-mouth iniEaEve to a growing, sustainable community service with a referral-based distribuEon model, a physical space, and a city-wide partnership network.

8. Legacy and InspiraUon

Jessa’s JOYBANK is dedicated to the memory of Jessica, the daughter of our founder, who died following a double lung transplant. Jessica lived with joy, dancing through life’s challenges even while using oxygen and a wheelchair. This project is her legacy — a tribute to joy, resilience, and love.

9. Partnerships and Referrals

We worked in partnership with:

Other chariEes & community organisaEons
Schools and nurseries
Health visitors and midwives
Food banks
Women’s refuges
- Asylum and refugee support groups
Social services

Referrals were triaged and tailored to ensure every family receives toys suitable to their child’s age, interests, and needs.

10. Empowering Frontline Work

Health visitors, family support workers, schools and early years pracEEoners frequently told us that JOYBANK made their work easier and more meaningful. Our ability to provide high-quality, relevant resources – with dignity and care – made a tangible difference in family homes.

“ Toys really helped to support interac2on with family members and the li7le one, who immediately encouraged parents to play with him. On subsequent visits, toys were seen again and were obviously well used and enjoyed.”

11. Tackling Toy Poverty Sustainably

While many households throw away high-quality toys, others have none. Our model addresses both sides of this injusEce, ensuring that no child goes without

Over 90% of our toys are preloved — high-quality donaEons saved from landfill and re-homed with purpose. JOYBANK promotes a circular economy of play: reducing waste, increasing joy, and inspiring community involvement in sustainability and generosity.

12. Inclusive and Dignity-Based

We treat toys not as charity, but as a right — essenEal tools for development, bonding, confidence and creaEvity. Every child deserves the right of play. Every parent deserves the dignity of providing play resources for their children.

13. Financial Review

This year we managed our funding carefully, with most of our budget going directly into core acEviEes. We are grateful for grant support and local fundraising, and conEnue to explore sustainable income strategies.

In the financial year 2024 JOYBANK raised £24,500 from donaEons, grants, and small-scale sales. Our core expenditure included operaEonal costs including storage, cleaning supplies, and outreach. All financial acEvity complies with our obligaEons as a registered CIO.

14. Looking Ahead

In 2025 we aim to:

Develop a city-wide awareness campaign about toy poverty and play deprivaEon
• Expand our DonaEon & DistribuEon Centre space and hours
• Train new volunteers and collaborate with more referral partners
• Establish further satellite toy libraries and toy banks in other parts of Sheffield and region
• Build our core funding base to ensure long-term stability
Secure larger premises for sorEng, storage and outreach.
• Expand our targeted support for children with addiEonal needs.
• Deepen our partnerships with schools and healthcare providers.
• Develop our volunteer base and community fundraising efforts.

We also want to share our iniEaEve more widely as a replicable approach to tackling toy poverty, play deprivaEon and sustainability challenges elsewhere in the UK.

Highlights 2024 :Bringing Joy through Toys: Tackling Toy Poverty: Playing for a Change

This year, Jessa’s JoyBank conEnued to deliver a tangible impact across Sheffield, and region, providing free, high-quality toys to children and families in need, promoEng creaEve play, reducing toy poverty, and advancing environmental sustainability by rescuing and redistribuEng hundreds of donated toys.

We supported over 500 families, strengthened Ees with local schools, hosted inclusive play days, and welcomed dozens of new volunteers. JOYBANK’s reach grew through social media and word-of-mouth, and the quality of our donaEons remained strong throughout.

In 2024, JOYBANK’s impact stretched far beyond simply handing out toys. We empowered families, supported frontline workers, liaed the burden on parents facing crisis, and sparked joy, curiosity and connecEon for children of all backgrounds. Our vibrant toy bank is more than just a room filled with toys – it’s a welcoming and inclusive community space Every item is carefully chosen for its creaEve & educaEonal value and ability to bring joy.

“ My kids have complex needs. Un2l I found the Joybank, I didn ’ t know what toys to get them. They love going there and always find something they enjoy.”

ParEcipaEon in community events, school fairs & fesEvals expanded our ability to meet our neighbours and p romote inclusive, quality play.

We established toy libraries and toy staEons for other community organisaEons which enabled us to reach more children and families S upport from generous business donors meant we could give new toys for birthdays and special events. Regular Big Book Giveaways

supported school literacy programmes by providing free books to many children who’d never owned one

As always, Christmas was busy, packing and distribuEng JOYBAGS . This year we also sent toys to a rural school in Nigeria via our new friends at Utopia Theatre.

Voices from Frontline Workers & DistribuUon

Partners

“ Pure joy from child and parent when I gave them the toys to keep. As a worker, the JOYBANK is such an important service. You select toys with the family in mind and ensure they are great quality and age appropriate. There is no other service like this.”

“ The family now have quality toys to enjoy and spend 2me together. It was vital to be able to giN these toys to support learning and development at home and encourage bonding and a7achment between father and son.”

“ The costumes for World Book Day had a big impact. No child had to come to school without an ouQit. Parents were grateful their children could feel included, not ashamed.”

“ Many of our children have never owned a book. We ’ re trying to promote a love of reading—so we were thrilled.”

“ The children were over the moon... An increase in quality toys will certainly help the family environment.”

The Numbers Behind the Joy

1000 + children supported across the year
3 ,000 + toys rehomed , diverted from landfill and given new life
35 schools, local organisaUons & statutory services supported
12 events in neighbourhoods across Sheffield

THANK YOU! The JOYBANK not exist without the kindness and generosity of all the supporters, volunteers, donors and partners who share our vision and values. Together we make a difference.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved this report. Signed on behalf of the trustees by: Daryl Agnew , Chair of Trustees Date: 16.07.2025

	Charity Name	Charity Name	Charity Name	No(if any)	No(if any)
	The Joybank			1197830
	Receipts andpayments accounts
	For the period from	Period start date	To		Period end date
		1.1.2024			1.1.2025

Section A Receipts and payments
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Endowment funds		Total funds
	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £		to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
shop sales	17,427	-	-		17,427
TKMaxx Donation	500	-	-		500
Nether Edge Community Fund	600	-	-		600
Stripe	963		-		963
Gripple	500		-		500
Gripple	126	-	-		126
Gripple	39	-	-		39
Gripple	19	-	-		19
*Sub total*_(Gross income for AR) _	20,174	-	-		20,174

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	- 0	- 0	- 0		-
	- 0	- 0	- 0		-
*Sub total*	- 0	- 0	- 0		-

**Total receipts **	20,174	- 0	- 0		20,174

A3 Payments
Shop rental	7,425	-	-		7,425
Storage costs - Highfield Church	4,480	-	-		4,480
Insurance & Utilities	77	-	-		77
Wages	7,923	-	-		7,923
Toy purchase InKind	1,522	-	-		1,522
Stationery/packaging	36	-	-		36
Printing/marketing	327	-	-		327
Premises maintenance & fittings		-	-		-
Miscellaneous		-	-		-
**Sub total **	21,790	-	-		21,790

A4 Asset and investment purchases,(see table)
	- 0	- 0	- 0		-
	- 0	- 0	- 0		-
**Sub total **	- 0	- 0	- 0		-

**Totalpayments **	21,790	- 0	- 0		21,790

**Net of receipts/(payments) **	- 1,617	-	-		- 1,617
A5 Transfers between funds	- 0	-	-		-
A6 Cash funds lastyear end	- 0	-	-		-
**Cash funds thisyear end **	- 1,617	-	-		- 1,617


Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories	Details		Unrestricted funds		Restricted funds
			to nearest £		to nearest £
B1 Cash funds			7,278		-
			-		-

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

21/07/2025

		-	-
	*Total cash funds*	7,278	-
	(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	Agreement Error
		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds
	Details	to nearest £	to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-
		-	-

	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)
B3 Investment assets			-
			-
			-
			-
			-

	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-

	Details	Fund to which liability relates	Amount due (optional)
B5 Liabilities			-
			-
			-
			-
			-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Signature	Print Name
		Fiona Cooper
		Daryl Agnew

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

21/07/2025

CC16a Last year to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - 0 - 0 - 0 - - - - - - - - - - - 0 - 0 - - - - Endowment funds to nearest £ - -

CCXX R3 accounts (SS)

21/07/2025

- OK Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional)

Date of approval 5.11.2024 5.11.2024

CCXX R4 accounts (SS)

21/07/2025