Food for Fort
Report and Financial Statements
21 December 2022 to 31 March 2024
Contents
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Board Members, Officers, Advisors and Bankers
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Vice Chairman’s Introduction
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Operating and Financial Review
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Report of the Board
Board Members, Officers, Advisors and Bankers
Trustees appointed on 21/12/24
Unless otherwise specified
L Morsley J Iheakor E Beaumont M Mcloughlin (Chair) E Spearman Juliana Markowycz (Appointed 28/01/24)
Registered office
Peace House Manchester Road Linthwaite Huddersfield HD7 5RD
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1201422
Registered charity number
Auditor
Not required
Bankers
Natwest Bank 8 Market Place Huddersfield HD1 2AL
Chairman’s Introduction
I am delighted to introduce this ninth annual report that reflects another successful year of the Charity. Food for Fort became a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 21st December 2022 and is governed by a constitution
We were originally set up in response to a growing need of food, shelter and other support services from destitute people within the Huddersfield area and beyond. We provide food and consumables for people in need staying in two main houses “Hope and Peace House”
There have been other houses that Food for Fort has been able to sign post people to for temporary and more permanent stay. Food parcels are distributed from donations via the Neighbourly scheme to various community outreaches and direct to individuals
We have been able to provide free family away days, established a community garden in Milnsbridge and have run a community café over the period from December 22 to March 24
The charity has partnered a number of local charities within the Huddersfield area
We have continued to supply fresh meals to the Salvation Army that provide meals for asylum seekers and responded to emergency calls from the public for meals and food parcels.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the Board Members and volunteers who have worked on behalf of Food for Fort, creating a vibrant and successful charity that I am sure will provide services and support for the people in Kirklees for many generations to come
Matthew Mcloughlin Chairman
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Operating and Financial Review
Objects
(a) The prevention or relief of poverty in the Huddersfield area by providing emergency food and services to individuals in need and to charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty;
(b) The relief of those in need in Kirklees, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other social or economic disadvantage, by providing services and support and by sign posting and referring to free advice services and assistance to access counselling, housing or other specialised support.
Business and financial review
The charity has been able to continue its objectives with unrestricted reserves and grant funding. Reserves are deemed adequate to meet the foreseeable demands on the charity.
Mission strategy
Our mission is to help many vulnerable people move away from destitution and destructive lifestyles to a life with hope from support of fellowship within our local Churches and charities
The achievement of this mission is underpinned by four key strategic objectives:
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People focused being non judgemental
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Organised to meet the challenge
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Continue to pass on food donations from shops and other donors
Achievements made during the period end March 24:
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Supported homeless people with food, clothing and other consumables
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Provided over 11,000 meals to date to many vulnerable families in hotels, hospitals and other places.
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Partnered with food banks, Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership, Grace Community Church, The Salvation Army and others to provide support including meals and donations passed on via Aldi and Lidl
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Donated to a charity shop in Huddersfield
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Maintained a community garden with volunteer opportunities for growing veg
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Set up a community café and then gained funding from Assura Cheshire Community fund to expand the reach
Mat 25:35-40 – The verses that have been with us from the beginning
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?
The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
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Thank you to our funders over the years:
Future Developments
The Board would like to pursue the following areas of development of services over the next five years:
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Increase close partnership working with other charities providing similar help in same and different areas
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Increase involvement in a Charity shop to provide low price / free donations to the public at a minimal cost and have space for people who need to chat to a buddy or a counsellor
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Increase our involvement to people settling into this country from unsafe areas
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Recruit and train volunteers in to provide services in different areas
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Continue to adapt delivery of all services providing essentials to people in need
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Introduce a monthly themed group for women where they can try different activities
Public benefit statement
The charity provides a much-needed free service of providing essential food and consumables and signposting homeless people to accommodation, we help with social connection.
Going Concern
The charity has no material liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and adequate cash in the bank therefore, there is no concern about the charity not continuing.
Reserves Policy
The charity has adequate reserves to maintain its current services for the next 6 months as venues are provided free of charge, costs are kept to a minimum and the only contingent liability is insurance costs. Houses that we sign post to are now self-sufficient. The level of reserves should not be lower than £500 which is quite low but the committed costs are low.
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Related Party Transactions There were no related party transactions made in the year
Report of the Board
The Board presents the following report for the period ended 31 March 2024
Income and Expenditure for 21st Dec 22 to 31st March 24
| Income generated from: Grants and Donations Charitable activities Total Income Expenditure spent on: Charitable activities Net surplus / (deficit) Reconciliation of funds: Reserves at 21/12/22 Net movement in funds to Mar 24 Total Reserves |
Unrestricted Restricted Mar-24 £ £ £ 750 1,978 2,728 - - - |
|---|---|
| 750 1,978 2,728 645 10,158 10,803 |
|
| 105 (8,180) (8,075) |
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| 2,214 8,180 10,394 105 (8,180) (8,075) |
|
| 2,320 - 2,320 |
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Statement of Financial Activities
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| Balance sheet Note Fixed Assets Fixtures and Fittings Debtors Other debtors Stock Donated stock, and other items 2 Bank and Cash Bank Creditors Suppliers (due in 1 year) 3 Net current assets Creditors due after 1 year Total net assets Reserves Reserves b/fwd 1 Current year surplus Total funds |
Unrestricted Restricted Mar-24 Funds Funds £ - - - - - - 398 - 398 1,923 1,778 3,701 1 1,778 1,779 |
|---|---|
| 2,320 - 2,320 - - - |
|
| 2,320 - 2,320 |
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| 2,214 8,180 10,394 105 (8,180) (8,075) |
|
| 2,320 - 2,320 |
Signed: Matthew Mcloughlin (Electronic)
On: 3[rd] November 24
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Notes to the accounts
Note 1: Reserves analysis
| Funds and Reserves Reconciliation Stock Value Total Restricted Funds RESTRICTED FUNDS UNRESTRICTED FUNDS Grants Donations Total Unrestricted Funds Total Funds Assura Cheshire CF Local giving Community lottery fund Ward Funding |
Balance Balance B/fwd Income Expenditure C/fwd £ £ £ £ - - - - 1,419 750 247 1,922 795 - 398 398 |
|---|---|
| 2,415 750 645 2,320 |
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| - 1,978 1,978 - - - - - 8,180 - 8,180 - - - - - |
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| 4,194 1,978 10,158 - |
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| 6,609 2,728 10,803 2,320 |
Note 2 No additions have been received to donated stock and the reduction represents wear and tear as being used in the properties or donated to over essentials.
Note 3 Creditors of £1,778 were accrued costs that have all been paid with regards to the Community Cafe.
Note 4 Volunteer hours averaged 5 volunteers in a 12-month period, 551 hours at a value of £8,268. There were no employees paid in the year
Note 5 There are no operating leases or other contingent liabilities.
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years. The previous years comparative figures are preregistration with the Charity Commission.
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Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the doner.
Income recognition
Income is recognised when received as available for expenditure. No income is needed to be deferred.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was held on 3[rd] November 24. The accounts were approved by the trustees on 3[rd] November 24 at a pre-AGM board meeting then subsequently approved at the AGM.
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