Open Door Friendship Group Chair: Paula Wilson Hometime Ringwould Road Treasurer : Jayne Chandler Kingsdown CT148DJ Secretary : Julie Goodall Reg Charity 1201918 01304368425 opendoorfriendship@gmail.com Charity Number 1201918
Chair’s Report Year end 31st December 2025
It has been a busy year, we have seen our membership increase There a far more men than women. We organised a holiday to Folkestone, offered a day to Hatfield House and various new speakers, We also continue to provide a healthy snack each week. The major change this year was the change of venue.
We ended the year with our popular Christmas dinner which was attended by more than thirty members. This event is enjoyed by our members for some of them this will be their only Christmas meal. We follow this afternoon with a disco. In the new hall we do not think that we will be able to provide a Christmas meal as the kitchen is smaller and has a small oven. However we are keen to provide a substantial buffet at Christmas.
Quite a few members are now volunteering in the kitchen with a volunteer to help with the snack preparation. This has turned out to be beneficial for the members. They really enjoy working in the kitchen and providing food for their fellow members.
We have also been collecting food each week from St Mary’s Church in Loughton. We distribute bread, vegetables, rolls and many other items that Waitrose and Marks and Spencer donate.
In May a few members met up to celebrate one of the member’s birthday in a local cafe. This member had said to someone at the club last year he spent it on his own. The members organised a surprise meet up with him, they also clubbed together to buy him a new rucksack.
One of our volunteers Alison F organises regular walks in the forest which are well attended by members, they conclude their walk having a well earned drink together.
In July thirty five member, volunteer’s and family members went to Battle of the Proms held at Hatfield House. This was organised by one of our members. It was a wonderful day, we were collected by coach from the church car park. Food was provided, we were also given flags to wave, a programme and we had our own seating area. It was a spectacular day and evening despite the heavy rain showers. We are going to organise an event like this one yearly to celebrate the anniversary of our club.
In early September we had our annual BBQ which was well attended. Thank you to the trustees that attended and lent a helping hand. The rain fell and fell however we still managed to cook food on the BBQ. The new hall doesn't have facilities for a BBQ but we are trying to think of a place we could hold this event.
In September we organised a three night stay in a hotel in Folkestone for members. Fourteen members went. The sun shone which was a bonus at the end of September. All those that went want to go back next year but perhaps a bit earlier in the year and for four nights.
In December fourteen members went to the E15 theatre in Loughton. We watched an ‘alternative’ version of Sleeping Beauty which was entertaining.
Here is a list of some of the speakers that we had a visit from in 2025, Mark the vicar talked about how we became a vicar in Loughton after being brought up in Zimbabwe, Choir, Fitness Well-being coach, dance teacher, tai chi teacher, Fraud officer, guitarist, hand bell ringers.
During the year we have gained grants from Qualis £500, Loughton's Mens Club £2500, Donation £130, Charities £408.91,Hasleers Foundation £2000, Charities £62.50, £187.50
The new hall rental should be £40 per hour but as Stephen Murray is a regular visitor to our club and the Methodist is his church they have reduced the fee to £28 per hour, which is about the same as the other hall. However St Michaels charged us extra for the kitchen use which was between £800/£1000 extra per year . There are no extras at the new hall.
Finally I would like to thank the trustees for their time and support. Also our volunteers who are a dedicated team providing continued support for our members and each other.
Paula Wilson Chair
Accounts Open Door Year End 31st December 2025 Balance at 31st December 2024
| Date | Income | Expenditure | Salary | Balance | BS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.25 | B/f balance | 9525.74 | ||||
| 10.1.25 | Essex Lottery | 8.00 | 9533.74 | |||
| 07.1.25 | Essex Lottery | 10.00 | 9543.74 | |||
| 13.1.25 | Donation Loughton Methodist | 233.00 | 9776.74 | |||
| 20.1.25 | Dance Teacher | 30.00 | 9746.74 | |||
| 20.1.25 | Hire of Hall | 2204.00 | 7542.72 | |||
| 04.2.25 | Essex Lottery | 8.00 | 7550.74 | |||
| 25.2.25 | Donation Loughton Mens Club | 2500.00 | 10.050.74 | |||
| 25.2.25 | Hatfeld House Tickets | 1149.00 | 8901.74 | |||
| 26.2.25 | 000195. Paper Plates | 18.68 | 8883.06 | |||
| 28.2.25 | Donation Hatfeld House | 1000.00 | 9883.06 | |||
| 10.3.25 | Donation | 130.00 | 10013.06 | |||
| 11.3.25 | Essex Lottery | 8.00 | 10021.06 | |||
| 25.3.25 | Taxi Fare | 96.00 | 9925..06 | |||
| 08.4.25 | Essex Lottery | 10.00 | 9935.06 | |||
| 29.4.25 | HMRC Charity | 408.91 | 10343.97 | |||
| 04.6.25 | Haslers Donation | 2000.00 | 12353.97 | |||
| 06.6.25 | Taxi Fare | 96.00 | 12257.97 |
Auditor
Treasurer
Date
| Date | Income | Expenditure | Salary | Balance | BS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.6.25 | Hatfeld House Furniture Hire | 259.50 | 12002.47 | |||
| 15.7.25 | Essex Lottery | 6.00 | 12008.47 | |||
| 15.7.25 | Hall Hie | 1825.00 | 10183.47 | |||
| 15.7.25 | Kitchen Use | 360.00 | 9823.47 | |||
| 01.8.25 | Flags Boxes | 59.97 | 9763.50 | |||
| 01.8.25 | Taxi Fare | 96.00 | 9667.50 | |||
| 08.8.25 | Essex Lottery | 4.00 | 9671.50 | |||
| 27.8.25 | Electric Hob | 34.99 | 9636.51 | |||
| 04.9.25 | Donation. | 1000.00 | 10636.51 | |||
| 09.9.25 | Essex Lottery | 5.00 | 10641.51 | |||
| 29.9.25 | HMRC | 62.50 | 10704.01 | |||
| 29.9.25 | Minibus Face Paints Prizes | 624.11 | 10079.90 | |||
| 01.10.2 5 |
Insurance | 225.86 | 9854.04 | |||
| 03.10.2 5 |
Taxi Fares | 108.00 | 9746.04 | |||
| 06.10.2 5 |
Refund | 28.31 | 9774.35 | |||
| 7.10.25 | HMRC | 187.50 | 9961.85 | |||
| 14.10.2 5 |
Essex Lottery | 6.00 | 9967.85 | |||
| 23.10.2 5 |
Monies Rec for Folkestone | 2225.00 | 12192.85 |
Auditor
Treasurer
Date
| Date | Income | Expenditure | Salary | Balance | BS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.10.2 5 |
Payment Folkestone Photo book | 2316.75 | 9876.10 | |||
| 30.10.2 5 |
Grant Qualis | 500.00 | 10376.10 | |||
| 07.11.2 5 |
Taxi Fare | 84.00 | 10292.10 | |||
| 12.11.2 5 |
Essex Lottery | 4.00 | 10296.10 | |||
Auditor
Treasurer
Date