Charity Registrgtion Number 1200S03 FINCHLEY rooD FOR PEOPLE IN NEED FINCHLEY FOODBANK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 TO 31 DECEMBER 2023 Accura Accounlanls Ltd Langley House pa￿ Road East Finchley London N2 8EY FINCHLEY FOODBANK CONTENTS Paga Reference and adminislratNe inft)miation Trustees, report Independent examinerfs report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet 12 Note5 to the financial slalements 13-15 FINCHLEY FOODBANK REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Charity Name Finchley Foodbank Principal Address Sl Mary's Catholic Church, 279 High Road, London N2 8HG. Charity Registration 12000503. The tharity was registered wrf(h the Charty Commission on 29 Sept 2022. Governlng Document CIO Foundation Objects The relief of financial hardship amongst people in the London Borough of Barnet and the surrounding area in such ways as the trustees from ts'me to time think fil, in particular, bul not exclusivety by.. lal providing emergen￿ food, essential toiletries and household rtems to individuals and families in need andlorfordislribulion by charities orother organisationsworking lo prevent or relieve poverty and Ibl such other means, including Ibul not limited tol the provision of support or signposting to relevant infomialion and other advisory services Trustggs The Trustees who served during the period or who were serving al the dale of this report were.. Oladipo (Dipol Oyewole (Chairl Helena Pugh Fr Peter Scott Helen Doran ITre8surerl Vicky IVas5ilikil Kydoniefs Nathy's Mussolo Kevin Ramsey Paul Woodward lappointed 7 June 20221 lappoinled 7 June 20221 lappointed 7 June 20221 (appointed 7 June 20221 lappoinled 9 July 20241 (appointed 9 July 20241 (appointed 9 July 20241 lappoinled 9 July 20241 Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill Wesl Malling Kent, ME19 4JQ Independent Examlner Accura Accountants Langley House Park Rd London N2 8EY FINCHLEY FOODBANK TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The Iruslees present their annual report and financial statements of Finchley Foodbank I'lhe Charily'l for the period from inception on 29 September 2022 10 31 December 2023 The referen￿ and administrative infomialion sel out earlier in this document forms part of the report. History of the Charity and current status The foodbank was established in 2013 as part of an ecumenical inrtiatNe involving Sl Mary's RC Church.. other local churches., various organisations,. and the local community. At that time. it was under the auspices of the Vveslminsler Roman Catholic Diwese Trusl (WRCDT). On 29 September 2022. the for*Jbank registered with the Charty Ccxnmission as a Charitable In￿{pOrated Chartty. This report Covers ils first operational period as an independent charty. The Charity continues to operate from the hall behind St Mary's RC Church which remains supportive of ils operations. Activities The Trustees have complied wth the duty in section 4 of the 2006 Act lo have due regard to guidance on publ benefit published by the Charity Commission. During the period the Charity carried out the following actiwties to benefit the local ¢ommunity'. The Charity supports those experiencing f¢xMJ poverty in the London Borough of Barnel. Clients are interviewed when registering with the Charty In order lo ascertain their needs. They are required lo provide a letterlbilvstalemenl, dated not more than three months from registration d81e. Showing their name and addre55. Clients musl live in the London Borough of Bamel. The foodbank is open to clients on Tuesdays and Saturdays all year round. Clients are invited into the parish hall where they can choose approximately three days of emergency food, essential toiletries and household items from two stocked storerooms. Restrictions are in place on the number of ￿emS that can be selected according lo household size. Clients are also offered fresh fruit and vegetables as well as bread. In addition lo providing emergency food, the Charty has partnered wrth slalulory and other agencies and offers'signposting. lo direct clients to the appropriate agencies and resources lo assist with their longer- term needs. During the period lo 31 December 2023, the Charty had two part-time members of staff. (See also note 3 on page 14.1 Achievements and perfomiance Operational changes Over the past 15 months, the foodbank has undergone significant operational changes. Under the leadership of the Foodbank Manager, Anna Maughan, who has also volunteered with the Charty for over a decade, an operational plan lo help Ih05e experiencing food povety in the borough has been developed. Wrth strong support from the management team and dedicated volunteers. Anna has successfully transformed the food bank's operations. Starting in October 2022, after th￿e months of meticulous planning. the new system was implemented where clients no longer wail outside the parish hall for pre-prepared bags of emergency food. Instead. we now welcome clients into the foodbank hall and lo two adjoining 'shops'4onverted storerooms where they can choose the rtems they need from well-stocked shelves. While Ihere are restrictions in pla￿ on the type and number of items to choose from, based on household size, this more dignified approach has been very well received. Additionally, we no longer need to purchase plastic bags as clients bring their own reusable bags. FINCHLEY FOODBANK TRUSTEES, REPORT {CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Client support $eNlces Opening up the parish hall has allowed us to establish our client support servi￿. Through working with local sijpport agencies, clients are empower￿ lo find ways lo improve their economic circumstsnces, so they are not so dependent on the foodbank. We are delighted lo be in a position to offer clien15 advice on a range of issues on an individual, face-to-face basis, in addition lo supporting them with emergency food. In December 2023, we partnered with Citizens Advice Bamel ICABI. Funded by the Charity, an advisor attends the parish hall al the open sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The advisor provides specialist advice and support lo clients on a range of issues. including advice on debt, benefits, housing and employment. The service slopped in June 2024 but CAB hope lo be in a position to ￿SuMe the service later in the year. Local voluntsry organisalions such as BOOST, Wesl London Works. Age UK. Green Dcctors, elc., visit the foodbank regularfy lo provide advice on the cost-of-living support, employment, and training opportunities. Since De￿mber 2023 8 digital champion volunteer has been attending open sessions to help clients gel online so that they can apply for Servi￿5, sel up email aecounls, search for ernploymenl and slay conneded. We have distributed over 120 free Vodafone SIM cards, loaded with 20140GB of data plus free calls and texts for up lo six months. Our volunteers wrfte a monthly newsletter, which is distributed to clients during open sessions and is also available on our website, https'.It*Thrn.finchleyfoodbank.org.uk. The newsletter features a monthly topie and provides advice on where lo find help and support. 2024 Survey In February 2024, we conducted another survey of our clients. During the survey period from 6th to 19W February 2024, 337 elienls (representing approximatety 960 people) visvced the foodbank. Here are some highlights of the Survey. The full version is available on our website. h1tps'.lfv￿.finchleyrO0dbank.org.Uk. Hovsehold type by week visited 250 244 236 200 137 150 92 loo 06 08 41 58 50 Single adult only Sin91• wilh ehildlren m￿[11P1* tsdulls Qhly Adulls tsnd