Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/03/2024 To 28/02/2025
Charity name: Knighton & Presteigne Foodbank
Charity registration number: 1200127
This is the annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 28 February 2025. The Trustees of Knighton & Presteigne Food Bank confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Context – A Foodbank has been operating in the Knighton and Presteigne area from October 2012 up to the present time. During these years, there have been many in the local communities who have struggled financially and have visited the Foodbank in need of a helping hand. The Foodbank continued operating under its umbrella organisation (Churches Together in Knighton & District - CTKD) until 2022 when CTKD decided it no longer wished to remain a charity. The Foodbank subsequently applied to the Charity Commission to become a charity in its own right and was granted charitable status on the 19[th] August 2022.
Purposes – The prevention and relief of poverty by the provision of food, funds, goods or services for the public benefit of residents of Knighton, Presteigne and the surrounding area.
Activities – Once the need has been confirmed, the Foodbank has provided to individuals and families a crisis food parcel consisting of a minimum of 3 days’ worth of tinned & dried food, plus fresh items such as milk, bread, cheese and eggs. Referrals this year were predominately from the local support services and agencies such as Midwives, Social Services, Housing, Women’s Aid, Mental Health Services, District Nurses, Health Visitors and Citizens Advice Bureau. In addition we saw an uptake of referrals from housing services’ homeless projects during the winter period. Many of these were for individuals and families being housed temporarily in local B&B or temporary social housing.
The Foodbank has continued to offer an outreach service to the community of Presteigne, albeit without a permanent base. However, the outreach service serving the Presteigne area continues to be a valuable resource for the community and, as a consequence, we continued this service by operating twice weekly from the primary Foodbank store based at Knighton Baptist Church. We are grateful for the dedicated donations from some generous individuals of food and cash specifically for this purpose. In addition, we have received wonderful support and fundraising from local community enterprises, churches, schools and businesses in both Knighton and Presteigne. The Harvest Festival and Christmas donations this year were particularly generous and enabled us to react during the colder months by enhancing the food parcels and providing gifts and extra meat and vegetable vouchers.
This has been a challenging twelve months at the Foodbank as we saw a significant increase in referrals and larger families needing our support, many more of whom were working but unable to cover their food and fuel bills. In addition, the direct food donations reduced considerably as many of our donors were finding the cost too great. Fortunately, we have been able to purchase food, laundry products, toiletries, pet food and vouchers for fresh food, from our cash donations and some grant funding.
We have also become aware of the need to tackle not only food poverty but increasingly also hygiene poverty. We have increased our support to schools, baby and tots groups and families for extra help with laundry and hygiene products. This has been in the form of direct provision via our “Tots2Teens” funding of toiletries for babies, tots, teens and young adults. It is so sad to think of children not attending school because their uniform is not clean or because they have been unable to shower or wash their hair.
During the summer we supported hard pressed families who were not able to access free school meals in the long holiday break, as part of our “Don’t Go Hungry” project. Then in the autumn and winter months we also provided essentials for our “Winter Warmth Project” by purchasing hot water bottles, blankets, hats, gloves, socks and leggings plus children’s bedding and warm nightwear. We also supplied slow cookers, air fryers and sandwich toasters, to help families and individuals prepare nutritious meals with minimum fuel costs.
Once again, special parcels of food and other essentials, together with small gifts and goodies, were handed out at Christmas, helping to make the Christmas period special for individuals and families unable to afford anything extra.
In addition, the Foodbank has been able to donate some limited funds to assist other organisations/charities in the area who are involved in the relief of poverty, in keeping with our own charitable purposes.
Volunteers – A number of volunteers have served the Foodbank throughout the year by supporting the Manager, particularly in helping users to make up parcels of food and toiletries. They continue to be an essential and much-appreciated part of our operations.
Public benefit - In their decision-making and management, the Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Through its various activities, the Foodbank has succeeded in providing support to individuals and families in financial crisis, i) in the short term by the provision of food and hygiene parcels, ii) for the longer term by providing items that should last several years to help in keeping warm and in preparing meals whilst minimising fuel costs.
Beneficiaries are always warmly welcomed and treated with dignity at the Foodbank. Allowing users to be involved in choosing the contents of their food and hygiene parcels and to be able to purchase from local retailers using vouchers they have been given has helped individuals in crisis to regain some self-respect. The feedback received shows that the services of the Foodbank are very much needed and appreciated.
A Table of Service Provision providing more detail on numbers supported is given below.
Table of Service Provision, March 2024 - February 2025
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New Repeat New Repeat Adults Children Adults Children Total Total Receiving
Month Referrals, Referrals, Referrals, Referrals, Supported, Supported, Supported, Supported, Referrals Foodbank
Knighton Knighton Presteigne Presteigne Knighton Knighton Presteigne Presteigne Support/Meals
Mar 2024 10 6 7 3 13 8 11 14 26 46 (414 meals)
April 7 3 5 1 12 10 7 6 16 35 (315 meals)
May 4 6 2 0 10 10 2 3 12 25 (225 meals)
June 5 12 0 0 22 24 0 0 17 46 (414 meals)
July 11 11 1 0 26 25 1 2 23 54 (486 meals)
Aug 12 9 3 0 28 33 3 5 24 69 (621 meals)
Sept 11 4 1 0 19 21 1 2 16 44 (396 meals)
Oct 4 14 1 0 26 12 1 2 19 41 (369 meals)
Nov 11 10 2 2 24 18 4 5 25 51 (459 meals)
Dec 11 7 5 1 16 31 7 7 24 61 (549 meals)
Jan 2025 11 10 1 1 24 18 2 4 23 48 (432 meals)
Feb 7 10 2 1 17 14 4 3 20 38 (342 meals)
TOTALS
(YEAR) 103 122 30 9 237 224 43 5 243 558 (5,022 meals)
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period – The Foodbank is par�cularly blessed to have around 40 very generous financial supporters who donate on a regular monthly basis, enabling the Foodbank to plan with confidence for the future. These regular dona�ons increased by nearly 20% compared with the 2023/24 financial year, thanks in large part to some donors increasing their standing orders significantly. On the other hand, one-off dona�ons and food dona�ons from individuals reduced considerably, possibly because of ongoing economic pressures and less media focus on foodbanks.
Powys County Council provided a grant of £3.1k during the year from their Household Support fund and there were dona�ons totalling £3.3k from local organisa�ons. These were also muchappreciated.
Total income for the year was adequate to cover the regular expenditure required to run the Foodbank and also to fund the “Tots2Teens”project, the “Don’t Go Hungry” project, and the “Winter Warmth Project”. Many vouchers from local retailers were distributed during the year and slow cookers, air fryers and sandwich toasters were purchased and given to those in need. In addi�on, some funds were allocated for dona�ng to other local chari�es/organisa�ons running projects in keeping with the Foodbank’s charitable objects.
increase of £4.5k compared with the previous financial year.
– Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted The policy of the foodbank is to hold all cash assets at minimum risk. All the cash assets have been held in a current account and a savings account with HSBC UK Bank plc. The total at the end of the period was below the Financial Services Compensa�on Scheme protec�on limit for chari�es of £85,000.
– A description of the principal financial risks facing the charity Throughout its existence, the Foodbank has benefi�ed from free or no�onal rent for use of a building for its opera�ons. If this situa�on changes (as is an�cipated), it will be necessary to locate suitable alterna�ve local premises, probably requiring significant extra expenditure on rent.
and the ability of individuals in our local communi�es to afford to donate. There could also poten�ally be an increase in demand for the Foodbank services depending on Government priori�es for alloca�ng its limited resources.
into the future even if these risks materialise, the Trustees will keep the situa�on under close review.
Statement supporting the policy and reasons for holding reserves – There is no indica�on at the present �me that the need for the Foodbank services is likely to reduce in the coming months and years. Even a significant number of individuals/families with income from employment are struggling to pay for essen�als, and the decline in one-off financial dona�ons and food dona�ons may reflect a general purse-�ghtening within the community. In addi�on, the current turbulence in the global economy and issues within the UK economy have added further uncertain�es. Should the local or na�onal climate deteriorate there would likely be a two-fold impact on the Foodbank: the level of dona�ons would reduce and, the demand for Foodbank services increase.
The Foodbank is also faced with the likelihood of having to pay commercial rent for a suitable space for its opera�ons because its current low-cost accommoda�on is expected to become unavailable in
The Foodbank Trustees therefore believe it is prudent to maintain a higher level of reserves than previously. A target level of £70k has therefore been agreed. This level of reserves should enable the Foodbank to con�nue opera�ng well into the future even if income from dona�ons and grants reduces significantly. Even at this increased level, there are currently sufficient funds available for the Trustees to con�nue to consider suppor�ng other local organisa�ons with suitable aims and look for more opportuni�es to benefit those in financial crisis. However, in light of the various concerns men�oned above, the financial posi�on will be kept under regular review.
STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Type ol governlng documenl- Constitution How conslltut•d-ClO Truslee selecHon method- Appointed the Committee ofTrustees REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRAnVE DETAILS Chorlty nam•- Knhton & Ptesteillne Foodbank Reglsl•rtd chorlty numbew- 121x1127 Chorlfy's prfnclpol ¢ddr•M- T¢)wer H¢1, 29 Hh Street, Kni8hton, Pms L07 IAT Name5 Ot th• charlly Trust••s who manage Ihe charfty ome• IW•rtyl 4clad If not lor N•m• of p•r•on lor •ntlll•d to nt trutst•• Madeleine McDona¥h Alison Thomas Chairperson Secretary 10109124- present Juli• Roberts Committee of Trustees Sally Man5ell Ann Curtls DECLARATIONS Th• tru•tM• d•elaM th•t th•y h•¥• ppro¥•d th• Tr•t•' r•port •bov•. Slgn•d on b•h•lf of th• ¢h•rlty'• Tru•t••• 81gn•iur•l•l K4 Full nM•) Po•lllon l•g S•cr•tary, Cholr, •l¢l ckn;; Dat•
CHARIIY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Knigh>n For•Jbafflk IY)J127 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01rOI'2024 2&032025 To Section A Receipts and payments Unre#rf¢ied Restrf¢ted lunds Ethdov#)nt funds Total Last year trlh• npw•stt A1 Recel Dona GroDts 23,7Y7 3,142 3.142 75¥ Sub knlal(¢)Dssincom8 1)r AR) 24.7 J.142 2727 S•.178 sset and Inv•strnt ¥•l•s. Sub tol•l 24786 3.142 27.927 59,17S nts 1ffj711 11,MO FDod 1gilotr1•5.w)u¢ty•lS.• 2J12 •.•16 2•J Joo T8l•phDne& Inl8in•l PLllClty POSthO+ & itstsoNry Bank¢haWeS i•a Oguippiw ofpr•ml¥• iurancf.ft• è 270 270 •2 74 74 Sub lolal 2033• 3,142 A4 Assgt Inve¥trrwnt roha6e6, see toble Sub totsl 3.142 2S081 21948 Nolofm¢•lpts/fpaym•nts) 16, 3 Transfers betr2n funds Cash funds last sar end Ca¥h fvndj thi• Yr4nd 78.017 78,017 8IM3 62.788 78.01
Section B Ststement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrtslrfcted R••trlci•d nd Endowm•At fund C4teg¢xI•• Diil• B1 C•8h funds TO ¢sh lunds 82.$83 Unr••trici•d fvr Erlowm•ni ffundl lund• D•tal B3 Inv••¢rrb•nt Curr•ntY• D•ialls B4 A•• r•t•ln•d for th• ¢h•rlty'• own us• Funtyi¢whi¢h •Jnount D•tsi BS Llablllll•A Date ol b•hAff 0141 trW•4 Nam .S. E. CCXX R2 tJAlS$>
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Iniigynd•nt ExamineV• Report Report to the trusteesl KNIT0 & PRESTEIGNE FWO &4NK CIO mmb¢r$ of | On accounts for the | 28 FEBRUARY 2025 •ndèd L Sot out on pa9¥8 AI&A2 Charity no {if any) 1200127 l report to the Iruse$ on my examination of the accounts ol th& atrxjv charity lfv TrLtsfi lor the penod ended 28 102 12025. R•$ponsibiliti•s and As the charity Irusiees ol the Twst, you are responsible for the preparailon il>i¥ vl cport ol Eho accounts in •Gwrdanco tho roguiromonts ol thts CharitiaB Act 2011 1lh• Aci'i. l pOrt in r•spect of my exarninatson ol the Trust'5 accounts carried ou¢ under sethn 145 01 tho 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examinatvjn, I have followed the applicable Oirections given by the Charity Commission under 1495Xbl of Ihe Ad. I have completed my exarnlnaOn. I confinn that no malerial mattgrs have come lo my atlgniv)n in nneCtion with the examinalion whieh glves me causg to bal¥6 that in, any marial resp1.. accountsng records were not kopt in ae4y)rdan¢e wth etion 130 01 Ihe Ati or th6 aCunts do 8Kcord with lh8 acLxwJnlin9 rordS Independènt examiner's Slat•m•nt I h8v• no conc4ms aTrJ hav• (¥Jme auos8 no other matt?r$ in connection with the 8xamin8lm lo which attention shoukl ba drawn In wdgr to en@b a proper undersianding of the acc(yJnts to be r¢ach8d. Signed.. Dat•: 0710612025 Name.. CHRISTOPHER THOMAS NATHANIEL DAVIS KIErva ACA Relevant prof•s8ional qualificationlsl oi body lif any): ICAEW Membership # 2956147 Addro$$'. Housego A¢utarry 8 Taxalion Ltd Offe JO. Prfoadax8 Business Park, PRESTEIGNE, Powys. L08 2UH UNITED KINGDOM Gtion Pisclnoure Only COTnplèie Il the exarniner needs lo highlight mallers ol ¢oncern Isee CC32, Indep8ndent examinalion of d)arity acwJnts'. direcwjns and guidance for èxaminersl. IER A1 October 2018
Give here brief d•tall8 of any Items that the examlner wlshes to disclose. Nolhry Further lo Repc. IER October 2018