The Hazel Project (THP) Trustees 2024 Yearly Report
Financially, THP has had a successful year. Despite increased spending of around 30%, our end of year balance has increased by 22%. God has been so generous and gracious to us through you, our supporters, who support us both in financially and in prayer. Our enormous thanks go out to you all.
A healthy reserve of funds is especially precious as we now need to partially fund rehab places at previously funded rehab institutions. This may require a few thousand pounds in each instance and individuals in receipt of these THP-funded places will be extremely carefully chosen by all trustees. We have currently ringfenced £10K as our “Rehab fund” for this purpose. The whole rehab landscape is constantly changing and accessing it becomes harder and harder so this money may be lifesaving for some.
Spending on our “bread & butter” items this year has been at or around expected levels. Food and drink is always our number one way of initially connecting with the street community and spending reflects this. Interestingly there continues to be a strong appetite for crucifix or other Christian jewellery within this community and spending on this has increased to 12% of our annual spend. It is another simple way to make connections with this community, and at times can also be a low pressure way to initiate conversations about faith.
Spending on training was slightly less than last year, although is still at healthy levels and is invaluable for developing all our volunteers. This year saw training in mentorship skills, conflict management, addiction and mental health.
The “Sunday morning breakfasts” started in 2023 have, unfortunately, had to finish due to conflict and arguments within the client group attending, which was unacceptable for a Coffee Shop setting. This is an unfortunate risk when larger groups from the street community are gathered together. Linda now uses this prechurch sunday morning time for individual meetings and support.
A new joint THP/Southampton Lighthouse Church initiative has been a weekly bible study/street collective group entitled “Foundations”. This provides bible study & basic discipleship for those in the Street Community who have progressed to this point in their walk with faith. Now into its second “term” it is going well.
During the year THP has also developed closer ties with CGL, the main government-funded drug and alcohol support service within the city. Most of our clientele also attend CGL and THP has successfully developed links to communicate directly with CGL key workers for clients when necessary. When attempting to organise rehab placements for people this can be particularly useful.
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Total spending in 2024 - £5804.51
Year end THP bank balance - £15,678.19
Total income in 2024 £ 8675.89
38.6 % Itemised spending
Overheads/bank charges - £205.60
Clothing - £416.20
Food/Drinks/Cups - £2,237.93
Printing, books & stationery - £417.05
30-
Miscellaneous - £756.76
Communication & postage - £311.40
Transport & parking - £104.80
20- Training - £444.20
Jewellery - £696.58
13.0%
12.0% Accomodation - £213.99
10- 7.6% 7.2% 7.2%
5.4%
3.7%
3.5%
1.8%
0
Jewellery Food/drink Misc. Training & Stationery Printing, Books Clothes Transport bank charges Overheads + postage Comms & Accomodation
% of total yearly spending
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