2025-12-31-accounts - Tavistock Area Foodbank

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TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK

Annual Report 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025

Registered Charity Number 1198161

TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK

Report and Accounts 2025

3 Report from the Chair of the Trustees
4 Trustees’ Report
Status of Charity and Governing Document

Charity Informa�on

Charitable Purpose and Objec�ves

2025 Ac�vi�es and Financial review
10 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Tavistock Foodbank
11 Income and Expenditure Account
12 Balance Sheet
13 Notes to the Accounts

Report from the Chair of the Trustees

Robert Weston

Chair of Trustees

Over the past year our teams of volunteers have con�nued to work very effec�vely. We are grateful to everyone, as they ensure that we con�nue to serve those in need in our community. As usual, we have a turnover of volunteers, and our established team has con�nued to welcome new volunteers over the past twelve months. We are grateful for the services of our dedicated volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the running of the Foodbank, including our trustees who oversee the work of the Foodbank.

Many of the churches in our town are represented amongst our Board of Trustees, each of whom is a vital link to our local churches. I would like to thank Tavistock Area Chris�ans Together (TACT) who oversee our work and take an ac�ve interest in suppor�ng the Foodbank.

We are grateful for Tavistock United Reformed Church, as the church con�nues to provide the venue as a distribu�on point, a storage facility for some of the goods that we distribute and a provider of meals and refreshments via the Lower Deck Cafe. We are also grateful to West Devon Borough Council for their con�nued provision of our addi�onal warehouse space in Pi�s Cleave, which enables efficient storage and stock handling. We con�nue to arrange for a CAB adviser to be available every Friday for consulta�on and advice. This is available specifically for Foodbank clients and is in addi�on to the exis�ng Ci�zens’ Advice provision in the town.

Tavistock con�nues to be a town of generous people and local groups. I would like to record our thanks to all the donors from our community who regularly donate food and money to the Foodbank, many of whom are anonymous. I would also like to men�on our local supermarkets and other businesses for the provision of collec�on points. In addi�on, we are grateful to those local businesses who support our Tavistock Foodbank voucher schemes through the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, or fresh meat, or fuel vouchers.

With our amazing team of trustees and volunteers, I look forward to another year as we serve and support our local community.

Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Status of Charity and Governing Document

The Tavistock Foodbank was set up in 2012, its cons�tu�on was adopted on 16 July 2012 and amended during 2021 and 2022. It was established with the support of several local churches as a member of the Trussell Trust network of Foodbanks in the United Kingdom and it adheres to the governance and polices of the Trussell Trust.

The foodbank was registered as a Charity on the 8 March 2022 and is governed by a Cons�tu�on of Charitable Incorporated Organisa�on.

Charity informa�on Trustees

Rev Robert Weston Chair Rosemarie Collins Crook Vicky Dawson Joan Dennis Secretary Julie Jillians Anne Keogh Julie Lloyd Treasurer Deborah Palmer Sian Pope Anthony Welsh

Address

United Reformed Church Russell Street, Tavistock PL19 8BD

Independent Examiner

Andrew Wing LLB FCA Unit 1 Pearl Assurance House Elbow Lane, Tavistock PL19 0BG

Charitable Purposes and Objec�ves

The relief of poverty by supplying emergency food parcels and other essen�al supplies either directly or through agency partners approved by the trustees to those in need in Tavistock, the surrounding area and in other areas. The allevia�on of hunger caused by the lack of opportuni�es or resources to obtain sufficient food. The provision of support by such other means including but not limited to signpos�ng to relevant informa�on and other advisory services.

We supply food parcels containing 3 days supply of nutri�onally balanced food and basic household products to everyone referred to us who is in food crisis for whatever reason. We aim to collect this through food dona�ons from the local community and top up purchases funded by cash dona�ons. We work with the referring agents in the Tavistock area to ensure everyone who is in food crisis is referred to the Foodbank. We engage with the local community to provide enough volunteers to give our clients food, a warm welcome and a non-judgemental space to be listened to and signposted to further appropriate help.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Sec�on 17 of the Chari�es Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Chari�es Commission for England and Wales.

2025 Ac�vi�es and Financial review

£30.2k. 2025 has seen a downturn, income for the year not covering all outgoings, the loss for the year is £5.1K. Cash reserves fell across the year from £30.2k to £26.5k. In summary:

The Income and Expenditure Report (Page 11) shows a loss of £5,081 for the year, this compares to a loss of £9,448 in 2024.
Income dropped year on year from £73.1k in 2024 to £63.3k in 2025, mainly due to a fall in dona�ons of cash and goods.
The value of donated and purchased goods distributed or wri�en off in 2025 was £44.0k, compared to £49.3k in 2024.
The value of discre�onary vouchers issued, for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, and for energy cost support, was £13.6k in 2025, and £21.8k in 2024. The reduc�on due to the cessa�on of the energy vouchers in May 2025.
A prior year adjustment was made to revise the 2024 closing stock holding from 5,544kg to 2,814kg. See pages 13/14.

The table below shows the numbers of individuals supported by the Foodbank, 1,513 adults and children in 2025, compared to 1,824 in 2024.

	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
Foodbank Vouchers Issued	595	703	780	681	286
People Helped:
Adults	913	1098	1141	957	420
Children	600	726	669	667	293
Total	1513	1824	1810	1624	713

will review the status at regular intervals during 2026. In line with the Reserves Policy (page 13), the Foodbank’s Reserves should be sufficient to allow it to operate for a minimum 6-month period. At current client levels this represents a Reserves value of approx. £15k. As deemed necessary by the Trustees, ac�on may be taken to boost funds: addi�onal fund-raising measures and grant applica�ons, or, to cut costs: vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and CAB provision.

Warehouse Ac�vi�es

Stock handling within both the URC warehouse, and the storage unit provided by West Devon Borough Council, con�nue to be both �mely and efficient

Although the need for food help has decreased slightly, it shows no sign of returning to pre-covid levels, and as we are helping more large families, the propor�on of children has increased. The weight donated con�nues to decrease, though not necessarily the cost of the items to the donors. We have been blessed by generous Harvest and Christmas dona�ons from local Churches, Schools and businesses, though these too, are less than previous years. Most weeks we must buy necessary items that haven’t been donated.

The stock-take in March revealed an over recording of 2730 kg, only found once the disrup�on in volunteers and stock recording over the intervening years, which included the covid lock-down, had se�led. See Prior Year Adjustment note on pages 13 / 14. The table below reflects the adjusted stock holding figure. A second stock-take was conducted in August 2025, the stock discrepancy of 5% is within Trussell’s acceptable range. Future stock-takes will monitor the accuracy of recording.

Our food dona�ons over the last 5 years were:

	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
Food Donations KG	13,686	16,497	19,434	21,824	14,080

Volunteers

This year at Tavistock Foodbank has been one of steady commitment, kindness and growing connec�ons. Every week, volunteers have shown up with warmth and pa�ence, crea�ng a welcoming space where people are treated with dignity, respect and understanding. We have maintained a full Front of House team and con�nued to offer a calm, friendly environment, even during busy or challenging periods.

Good communica�on has played an important part in this. A shared WhatsApp group has helped volunteers stay connected, arrange cover and feel part of one team.

While food remains at the heart of what we do, this year has also been about listening and signpos�ng, helping our clients find longer-term support wherever possible. Every visit is now an opportunity to share clear informa�on about benefits, energy help, housing, debt advice and family support. New leaflet wallets were created so that clients can take informa�on away with them, including details of what support they are en�tled to and where to get further help. Signpos�ng to financial support for clients in fuel poverty has been par�cularly important since we stopped issuing our own fuel vouchers. Clients are now rou�nely referred to Ci�zens Advice (CAB) and Be�er Homes Be�er Health, where eligible clients can receive energy vouchers and further support.

volunteers took part in a range of training opportuni�es, including:

mental health awareness

· housing issues

One informal training session alone brought together 18 volunteers, and feedback showed how valuable it was to learn from one another and from professionals in our wider community. Volunteers have told us they feel be�er equipped to support clients calmly and sensi�vely.

Strong partnerships have been a real highlight this year. We have worked closely with Ci�zens Advice (CAB), Tavistock Children’s Centre, DATA (Debt Advice Tavistock Area), Tamar Grow Local, Tamar Energy Community, West Devon District Council, and LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership). We look forward to DATA and the Children’s Centre having a monthly presence in the Foodbank star�ng in March 2026.

As we move into the coming year, we want to:

con�nue suppor�ng people beyond food wherever possible
strengthen partnerships that address the root causes of hardship
invest in volunteer wellbeing and training

Above all, we remain commi�ed to being a kind, welcoming place for anyone who walks through our doors. Tavistock Foodbank exists because of

TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Income Donations - Cash Donations - Food Donations - Vouchers Gift Aid Recovery Interest TTL Income Expenditure Distributed Goods Food donations - distributed Food donations - written off Food Purchased Fruit and Veg Vouchers Meat Vouchers Energy Vouchers TTL Distributed Goods Other Charitable Activities Citizens Advice Bureau Donations Administration Costs Professional Fees Postage and Stationery Logo Goods Equipment Insurance and Data Protection Mobile Phone Travel Claims Sundries TTL Administration Costs Total Expenditure Net Income / Expenditure Net Movement in Funds Funds B/F Opening Stock Revaluation Prior Year Stock Adj Funds C/F	Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 22,386 37,911 100 2,664 288	Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 22,386 37,911 100 2,664 288	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 23,669 45,695 10 3,213 466
	63,349		73,053
	38,582 718 4,744 5,080 4,660 3,871		42,609 909 5,817 5,880 5,700 10,250
	57,655		71,165
	4,700 4,244 360 304 137 0 282 120 116 512 1,831		4,390 5,410 300 263 73 173 270 120 146 191
			1,536

	68,430		82,502

	-5,081		-9,448
	-5,081 37,952 0 0		-9,448 53,059 1,903 -7,562
	32,871		37,952

Notes to the Accounts:

Basis of Prepara�on of the Accounts

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Chari�es Act 2011.

Policy on reserves

Reserves Policy

Our reserves policy is aimed to ensure our work is protected from disrup�on at short no�ce due to lack of funds. The reserves held are to allow the con�nuance of our objec�ves whilst ensuring we do not retain income for longer than required. These unrestricted reserves are not intended to cover a permanent loss of funds. They are intended to provide an internal source of funds for situa�ons such as:

A temporary fall in income or increase in expenditure
One-�me unbudgeted expenditure
Allowing the foodbank to respond to a permanent fall in income, or increase in expenditure

The trustees regularly review the reserves, the aim is to ensure they are adequate to fulfil the Foodbank’s non-discre�onary services for a minimum 6- month period.

Fund accoun�ng

All funds are unrestricted and can be used in accordance with the charitable objec�ves at the discre�on of the Trustees.

Accoun�ng Es�mates and Judgements

made in the valua�on of food stocks and household items when applying the accoun�ng policies for a fair value. These are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience.

Recogni�on of Income and Expenditure

The accounts are prepared on a cash basis.

Prior Year Adjustment

balance of 2,730kg (£7,562). A detailed review of the historic stock records, and the warehouse and administra�on procedures in rela�on to stock, took

place. This revealed several areas for improvement including volunteer training and review; check and valida�on of stock informa�on; frequency of stock counts. The trustees reviewed the detailed analysis provided and are confident the misstatement is due to an administra�on error during a period of disrup�on and is not a result of malprac�ce. New procedures were adopted in 2025 to improve the accuracy of stock recording; the stock records are reviewed regularly looking for unusual or high value entries requiring �mely inves�ga�on. The results of the annual stock takes will be reported to the trustees for review.

Stocks

Stocks comprise food, toiletries and other household products held for distribu�on by the Foodbank. Stocks are valued at fair value a�er allowance for obsolete or slow-moving items. Rates used to value stock are £2.77 / kg in the 2025 and in the 2024 accounts (Trussell Trust guidance).

Food in Stock B/F kg Food Donations kg Food Distributed kg Food written Off kg Prior Year Adj kg Food in Stock C/F kg Movement in Food Stock kg Rate per KG £ Food in Stock B/F £ B/F Stock Revaluation £ Food Donations £ Food Distributed £ Food written Off £ Prior Year Adj £ Food in Stock C/F £ Movement in Food Stock £	2025 2,814 13,686 -13,928 -259 0 2,312 -502 2.77 7,795 0 37,911 -38,582 -718 0	2025 2,814 13,686 -13,928 -259 0 2,312 -502 2.77 7,795 0 37,911 -38,582 -718 0	2024 4,758 16,497 -15,382 -328 -2,730
			2,814
			-1,944 2.77 11,276 1,903 45,695 -42,609 -909 -7,562
	6,406		7,795
	-1,389		-5,385