Trustees Annual Report
2023 to 2024
A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation
Brachdy House 50 Brachdy Road
Rumney Cardiff CF3 3BG
Charity Number 1200842
A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 01 January 2024
OBJECTS
The objects of the CIO are to:
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(1) promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the statutory authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of health, social and mental welfare, with the object of improving the conditions of life and job prospects for the said inhabitants;
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(2) establish, or secure the establishment of, a school uniform and clothing donation, collection and distribution network and to maintain and manage the same (whether alone or in cooperation with any statutory authority or other person or body) in furtherance of the Objects. In furtherance of this object, to involve individuals from the locality in all aspects of the running of the network and to build capacity whilst doing so;
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(3) promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined.
The Charity shall be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion. The area of benefit shall be Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and the neighbourhood together defined by the districts set out by these council bodies.
THE YEAR: ITS OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
During the year ending 1[st] January 2024 A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation helped families with children of school age, between 2 and 18 years of age, clothe their children in order to help them integrate into school life with out the stigmatism of being left out. We have provided pre loved school uniform free of charge for people in financial difficulty, saving them hardship. We are now able to provide uniform for every school in the Cardiff area, including sought after items such as PE kit. We are now able to offer a full and inclusive range of uniform to all that are in need.
We have linked with every Council Hub within Cardiff, placing donation bins for members of public to drop off their unwanted uniform, and arranging collection of these items to be taken back and be sorted for redistribution. We have organised pop-up sessions at various Hub’s throughout Cardiff, where we set up stock in the form of a shop, to enable people that can’t make it to our building to have access to free school uniform and our services. These events usually take place in half term and end of term times.
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We have communicated to all schools in Cardiff about the services we offer and have built very good working relationships with many. This enables the school to refer families and pupils to us directly, or work with the school to send uniform items direct to them for the school to distribute discreetly. We have organised similar pop-up sessions at various schools throughout Cardiff to offer the service at a more convenient location for the end user.
We are receiving referrals from various organisations such as social services, Cardiff Council, the job centre and support workers. We are also on the list of Cardiff Council recommended facilities for support. This has seen high demand and we continue to expand our service volume to keep up.
Our volunteers are exceptional and continue to work tirelessly to further benefit the community and help A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation grow. Our volunteer base has grown and we have seen an increase in people coming into the building offering their services as a volunteer to help further a good cause.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The finances for the year are run on an Excel spreadsheet with a separate accounts sheet to manage spends against any grants or funding that may be received.
The year resulted in a small gain for A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation. This year we have focused on increasing uniform donations for the charity as we continually need to increase the volume of stock and services, we offer due to growing demand. We are also trying to raise money to provide storage and sorting facilities for the ever growing stock and demand for school uniform.
RISK MANAGEMENT
We have public liability insurance; employers’ liability insurance and buildings and contents cover.
All trustees have undergone an enhanced DBS check to offer security and safety in the services provided.
We create Risk assessments of our activities.
We have undergone data protection training and now hold all the relevant ICO certification. We now require CRB checks for volunteers working with children and vulnerable people.
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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the Charity and of the profit and loss of the Charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to: -
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
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Adjust and estimate information that is reasonable and prudent.
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Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Acts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees confirm that the accounts comply with current statutory requirements and those of the Charity’s trust deed.
This report was prepared on 30[th] October 2024 for the Trustees of A Better Fit – School Uniform Donation and signed on their behalf by:
Kathryn Wakeham Treasurer
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