THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
CHARITY NUMBER 1198466
NO. 15, 15, BALDERTON GATE, NEWARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
ACCOUNTS
33 WEEKS ENDED 31 MAY 2023
INDEX
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 1-2 |
| Independent Examiner’s report | 3 |
| Statement of financial activities | 4 |
| Balance sheet | 5 |
| Notes | 6-7 |
David Pattinson, Chartered Accountants, 233, London Road, Balderton, Newark, Nottinghamshire.
1
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES’ OF
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
The trustees of The Well Homeless Support, Newark present their annual report and summary of accounts for the year ended 31[st] May 2023.
Aims
The Well aims to support those who are homeless, in danger of homelessness and those who have recently been homeless. Support can be emotional, practical or involve referral to other agencies who are better placed to support (e.g. drug rehabilitation centres, Citizen’s Advice Bureau)
We are a Christian organisation run by churches and volunteers across Newark so we also seek to share our faith with people using our services, if they welcome it, in addition to providing a practical demonstration of Christianity for the wider community. However we would stress that the support we offer is available to all, regardless of beliefs.
Activities
Crisis emergency accommodation
In 2019, before receiving charitable status, we ran a winter night shelter. However post Covid, we don’t feel the model we were using for this is suitable to ensure the safety of our service users or volunteers. Hence we have been exploring alternative options to provide emergency short term accommodation. As many of our users are sofa surfing and the numbers of street homeless is relatively low in Newark, we feel that a 4 bedroom nappad facility would provide enough cover in the first instance. If this is effective we could purchase/run more units as necessary. A nappad is a mobile, shipping container sized unit with 4 bedrooms in it; each with a toilet and a sink. The units house life signs monitoring equipment and external cameras which can be remotely monitored. https://protectal.co.uk/nappads/
Some of the trustees visited a project in York currently running a nappad unit as part of their homeless outreach solution. We were impressed with the flexibility of the unit and its capacity to remotely monitor life signs in a noninvasive way. As a result we are approaching grant makers to raise funds towards purchasing a nappad. The unit will cost approximately £60000 to buy and we estimate £10000 a year to maintain. But it would provide year round basic housing for up to four people. We need to secure a suitable location before purchasing the unit. In consultation with other agencies we are formulating ideas/policies about the use of the nappads. In the first instance we feel they would be best used as emergency accommodation offered for a limited time frame.
Winter Drop in – day to day practical support through the winter months
This year we ran the winter drop in from the Christ Church community building four nights a week. We offered a hot meal, clean second hand clothes, the option to have chiropodist look after feet where necessary and friendly approachable volunteers to chat and see if there are other services we can signpost people into.
Although most evenings only saw a handful of people come in we had over thirty people use the service from November to February. Most people attended for three to five weeks some came for the duration of the project. Eight street homeless used the service, they were all supported until their situations were resolved. We supported at least twelve people to prevent them becoming street homeless, mostly through referral to housing services or mental health support. There were several people that had used the drop-in previous years and wanted to update us on their progress or needed help with on-going situations. Two people wanted help to return to their home regions, Newark and Sherwood District Council and the Salvation Army assisted with the costs of this. Five of the guests who acknowledged severe drug or alcohol addictions took up the offer of accessing residential rehabilitation services in other areas of the region. They were helped with filling application forms and transport. Three of these are still on course to becoming clean/dry at this time.
We also had a handful of guests who were referred to the drop in because they were struggling for other reasons. We were unhappy with the idea of turning people away if we could help, so to ensure that the Well funds were being used appropriately their costs were covered by a donation by Newark Baptist Church.
Newark and Sherwood District Council acknowledged the role the drop in plays in referring people to their housing services who might otherwise feel uncomfortable seeking assistance from them. They gave a donation towards the running costs of the Drop in. Although Christ Church offered their hall for free, we felt that they should be given a gift to cover the electricity and heating, especially given that they have been hit very hard by recent energy price increases.
Although we are incredibly grateful to Christ church for their generosity, their premises are not in the centre of town. The trustees feel that this accounts for the lower usage figure this year (roughly half what they were in 2021). Next year we are assured that we will be able to run the drop in through the community café which is in the process of being bought in the centre of town by Newark Baptist Church. Hopefully this will mean that we have a higher natural footfall.
2
Hope into Action house
This year we have also been working with the national charity Hope into Action to provide a house for people with medium to low levels of risk. In particular those coming out off the streets or out of rehabilitation or prison needing support to learn basic life skills and find employment.
We are partnered with an investor, who has kindly bought a house for our use for the next five years. An Empowerment worker has been appointed to help with the renovation of the building, setting up the site, then supporting the tenants.
We choose to partner with Hope into Action because they have a policy of keeping the rent affordable, then reducing it further once the tenant has employment to encourage people to work. Tenants are supported by the Empowerment worker and two Christian volunteers (befrienders) who are available to help with practical things as well as meeting peoples need for social interaction.
The trustees have agreed a substantial amount of the existing funds can be used to set up the house, this should then come back into the charity over the course of the next few years as the house reaches maximum tenancy levels.
Once it is up and running the house will provide a home and a way back into a more stable lifestyle for three people over an 18 month to 24 month period.
Christian witness
Two thirds of the volunteers at the drop in were of a strong Christian faith. Each session started with prayer. Volunteers who felt confident to do so were trained in sharing their faith gently and with respect for the people we were helping. Everyone coming into the drop in was shown practical Christian love; most people had conversations with volunteers about their own faith. Anyone who enquired further had Christianity explained to them. Of those one was a Christian already and four chose to become Christians after discussions.
Volunteers
This year we were an entirely voluntary run project. We trained a voluntary staff team of roughly 20 volunteers to work safely in a variety of roles within the drop in (preparing food, serving and chatting to guests, filling in forms/making referrals/helping with benefits). The Well would like to acknowledge the huge gift of time given by the volunteers over the course of the winter, they were such a blessing to those attending.
Financial summary
As a new charity we have been able to open a bank account in our own right. This meant that funds of £7309.67 were transferred across from Newark Baptist Church who held our funds for us initially. We received gifts totalling £1141. Newark and Sherwood District Council contributed £3500 towards the drop in. We had £312.50 reimbursed to us. We received a £54000 grant in response to a bid for funding towards the Nappads and Hope into Action house.
Spending throughout the year has been significantly lower this year than in previous years when we have employed people to run the shelter or the drop in. Just over £300 was spent of food; this was significantly less than we anticipated due to the generosity of the community in donating food. Most of the clothes and shoes provided were gifted by the community but we also spent £82.47 on urgently needed clothing that we didn’t have in the right size or that there was a shortage of. Just under a thousand pounds was spent on establishing the Hope into Action house and recruiting the Empowerment worker (£300 of which was reimbursed). Running costs for the drop in totalled £1725, including equipment, energy costs, training staff and costs for The Well mobile. Just over £150 was spent on a thank you party for the volunteers.
Charity Trustees
Chair: Sara Brumhead Secretary: Cheska Asman Trustees: Pamela Chard, Lesley Marshall, Matt Elsey
Approved by The Well Steering committee and signed on their behalf by Sara Brumhead (Chair of trustees) on 25 September 2024
3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
I report on the accounts of The Well Homeless Support, Newark for the 33 weeks ended 31 May 2023 which are set out on page 4 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the Charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) does not apply, and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act.
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Pattinson, Chartered Accountant 233, London Road, Balderton, Newark, Nottinghamshire. NG24 3HA
- 8 October 2024
4
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
33 WEEKS ENDED 31 MAY 2023
| 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Note | ||||
| Income and endowments | ||||
| from: | 3 | |||
| Donations and legacies | 71,033 | 3,500 | 74,533 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Expenditure on: | 4 | |||
| Charitable activities | - | 2,658 | 2,658 | |
| Other | 206 | - | 206 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Total | 206 | 2,658 | 2,864 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) | 70,827 | 842 | 71,669 | |
| Transfer between funds | - | - | - | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------ | ||
| Net movement in funds | 70,827 | 842 | 71,669 | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | 8 | |||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 70,827 | 842 | 71,669 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
The notes on pages 6 to 7 form part of these accounts
5
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
BALANCE SHEET
33 WEEKS ENDED 31 MAY 2023
| 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets: | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 5 | 214 | |
| Current assets: | 6 | ||
| Cash at bank | 63,019 | ||
| Debtors | 8,628 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| 71,647 | |||
| Liabilities: | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 | 192 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| Net current assets | 71,455 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| Total net assets | 71,669 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| The funds of the charity: | 8 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 70,827 | ||
| Restricted funds – NSDC, Drop in | 842 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| Total charity funds | 71,669 | ||
| ------------ | |||
| P.R. CHARD | |||
| S. BRUMHEAD |
Approved by the trustees on 1 October 2024
The notes on pages 6 to 7 form part of these accounts
6
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
NOTES
33 WEEKS ENDED 31 MAY 2023
1. CONSTITUTION
The Well Homeless Support, Newark is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is Registered Charity member 1198466.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS102)(effective January 2015).
b) Funds
Unrestricted funds are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for general purposes. Within these funds, however, the charity may designate funds for a particular purpose. Restricted funds may be spent only on the projects for which they were given.
c) Grant income and donations
Grants are treated as income in the year to which they relate; donations are accounted for as received.
d) Resources used
Expenditure is recognised when incurred.
e) Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are depreciated in equal annual instalments over their expected useful life of ten years.
3. INCOMING RESOURCES
| 3. | INCOMING RESOURCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| (a) | Donations and legacies | |||
| Grants | 54,000 | 3,500 | 57,500 | |
| Donations | 17,033 | - | 17,033 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Total incoming resources | 71,033 | 3,500 | 74,533 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------- | ||
| 4. | EXPENDITURE | |||
| (a) | Charitable activities | |||
| Running expenses | - | 165 | 165 | |
| Food | - | 277 | 277 | |
| Practical guest provision | - | 83 | 83 | |
| Contribution to Christ Church overhead costs | - | 1,500 | 1,500 | |
| Staff expenses | - | 156 | 156 | |
| Hope into Action | - | 210 | 210 | |
| HIA Volunteer training | - | 192 | 192 | |
| HIA staffing | - | 75 | 75 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| - | 2,658 | 2,658 | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| (b) | Other | |||
| Independent Examiner’s fee | 192 | - | 192 | |
| Depreciation | 14 | - | 14 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| 206 | - | 206 | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ||
| Total expenditure | 206 | 2,658 | 2,864 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
7
THE WELL HOMELESS SUPPORT, NEWARK
NOTES
33 WEEKS ENDED 31 MAY 2023
5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| 6. 7. |
Cost Additions Depreciation Charged Net book value 31 May 2023 CURRENT ASSETS: DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS Debtors LIABILITIES:AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Creditors |
Equipment £ 228 ------------ 14 ------------ 214 ------------ £ 8,628 ------------ £ 192 ------------ |
|---|---|---|
8. RESERVES
Outline summary of fund movements
| Fund | balances | Gains and | Fund balance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought forward | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Losses Carried forward | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
|
| Unrestricted funds | - | 71,033 | (206) | - | - | 70,827 |
| Restricted – NSDC, Drop in | - | 3,500 | (2,658) | - | - | 842 |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
|
| - | 74,533 | (2,864) | - | - | 71,669 | |
| ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
Unrestricted funds are those available for the general purposes of the charity. The restricted funds are a grant from NSDC for the Drop in fund and may be spent only on the project for which it was given.
9. TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustee expenses have been incurred.
No trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefit from an employment with The Well Homeless Support, Newark.