2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 29 August 2023 Period start date To 31 March 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Alton and District Community Relief Foundation

Charity registration number: 1204493

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	1. The relief of poverty in Alton and surrounding Alton Rural catchment including the villages of Bentley, Beech, Bentworth, Binsted, Blacknest, East Worldham, Holybourne, Kingsley, Chawton, Selborne, Farringdon, Newton Valence, Blackmoor, Oakhanger, Froyle, Four Marks, Medstead, Ropley, Lasham and Shalden. 2. Where possible, collaborate with other local charities, service organisations and funding sources, to avoid duplication, and to promote joined-up response to maximise impact and good practice to support those in need. 3. Provide aid and assistance to individuals and households primarily, as well as to groups and organisations whose beneficiaries meet these charitable objects.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The charity’s main activities include:  Awarding grants up to £600 for people in need, via a referrer (usually a social prescriber, school leader, youth worker, etc.) awarded in the form of goods and services with payment directly to the provider of the goods/services.  Fundraising: grant writing and applying for grants, seeking donations.  Community engagement and signposting to share information about the charity to make people—especially referrers—aware of the charity’s purpose and objectives.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Yes, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Awarding grants to support people in need is our core activity. Our grant-making policy enables us to achieve this objective.  £600/year per applicant. This includes all costs and expenses,includingVAT.

		 To increase each year on 31stMarch to match cost-of-living increases.  Referral required. No self-referrals.  Referrer to remain in charge of the referral, including liaising directly with the beneficiary, through to the conclusion of the application process and coordination/receipt of any and all goods/services  Request must be specific with estimated itemised costs.  Financial information required for each person in the household.  Grants in excess of the maximum amount may be awarded up to the maximum amount. If possible, supplemental funding may come through other/outside sources, but this is not guaranteed.  In the event of any conflict of interest—or the appearance of a conflict—a conflicted trustee shall abstain from voting on the grant application.  Payment for approved goods/services are always made directly to the provider of the goods/services. No funds are given directly to the beneficiary. The only exception to this is in the form of gift cards in an approved amount; for example, Sainsbury’s.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	Not applicable. Social investment does not form a material part of our charitable activities.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Minimal contribution; the work of the charity is completed by the trustees. Contributions by two nontrustee volunteers during this reporting period involved admin support by one person who subsequently became a trustee and by another person who assisted in the delivery of items purchased for a grant beneficiary.
Other: Context of CIO Formation		The Alton and District Community Relief Foundation (ADCRF) CIO was established to continue the work of “The Alton and District Community Resilience Fund” created during Covid. The Resilience Fund operated under the umbrella of the Alton Town Council (ATC). Between June 2020 and December 2022, the Resilience Fund received 132 applications for 202 items/services, and funded 172 of these requests for a total of £39,326.75. This included £13,200 awarded in Sainsbury’s vouchers to arriving Ukrainians in 45 households arriving after the invasion on 24th February 2022. Refugees from other countries have also received ADCRF support. The admin and reporting demands on ATC staff to support the work of the Resilience Fund prompted the decision to conclude operation under the ATC’s umbrella. A needs analysis in the community, coupled with the high demand for financial assistance through the Resilience Fund, supported our decision to form a CIO and continue this important work.

The involvement of representatives of key community
groups and charities, along with a referral-based
application process, enhances ADCRF’s efficiency
and effectiveness with helpful signposting and joined-
up thinking and action.
ADCRF Trustees are people of influence in the
community, involved with or connected to:
 Alton Lions
 Harvest Church
 The Parish of the Resurrection
 East Hants Citizen’s Advice Bureau
 Alton Food Bank
 Alton Community Cupboard
 Alton Community Exchange (community network)
 Bushy Leaze Children’s and Families’ Centre
 The King’s Arms Youth Project
 Resurrection Trading (dba Resurrection Furniture)
 Primary/Secondary School Governance
 ABF Charitable Trust
 The Thomas Geales Almshouses (Alton United
Charities)
 The East Hampshire Local Children’s Partnership
 Alton Rotary
 Andy’s Man Club
 Alton Men’s Shed
 A31 Social Prescribers Network
 Alton Santa
Transparency and trustworthiness are inherent in our
grant awards because all payments for goods and
services are made directly to the provider, not to the
beneficiary/recipient.
For example, when an applicant needs items of
furniture, we contact the manager of Resurrection
Furniture (a parish-based charity) to see if they can
quality used items that are suitable; the items are
then discounted or free.
Between 1stJanuary 2023 and 29thAugust 2023, the
Resilience Fund volunteers carried on awarding
grants under the umbrella of the Alton Lions whilst
we formed ADCRF as a CIO and put in place
resources (website and email accounts), processes,
policies, procedures, and opened a CAF bank
account. As President of the Alton Lions, ADCRF
Trustee Moira Baker obtained a grant of £10000 from
Hampshire County’s Connect4Communities Fund.
Those funds were held by the Alton Lions whilst we
were applying for an account with CAF, at which
point the funds remaining after funding ADCRF grant
awards during that time were transferred £1000 at a
time, pursuant to financial safeguards set by the
Lions’ bank.
Similarly, The Grain House Trust (GHT), the parent
charity of Harvest Church in Alton, held a donation of
£7500 and funded some of the ADCRF grant awards,
until our CAF account opened.
We have not included in this report information about
ADCRF grant awards made before 29thAugust 2023,
but wanted to explain the history and context of
ADCRF formation and actions.
Grant awards made by Alton Lions and GHT on
behalf of ADCRF, using ADCRF ring-fenced funds
during this reporting period, have been reported
already and separately by those charities. We
include those grants, however, in the list below
because the decision to award the grants were made
after 29thAugust 2023.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	During this reporting period, we awarded 18 grants, 17 to individuals and 1 to another local charity. The funds for first 12 grants (totalling £4757) were disbursed on our behalf by The Grain House Trust and the Alton Lions, using funds allocated for ADCRF use, whilst our CAF banking access was established. The other 6 grants (£2886.09) were disbursed by ADCRF through our CAF account. The total of all grants awarded during the reporting period was £7643.09._See_Summary of Grant Awards below. All of the charity’s beneficiaries requested our help because they had no other source of help. As set forth in the summary immediately below, we help people obtain crucial goods and services. We are able to respond quickly to requests. We work closely with social prescribers; school leaders; agencies/charities that support children, young people and vulnerable families; area churches; and the local food bank. The work of the charity has helped to strengthen community bonds and demonstrate kindness, caring and support for others. In February-March 2024, we began planning a large community-wide launch event in June 2024 to increase our profile and inform prospective referrers about us. We shall report on the Launch Event next year’s Trustees’ Report.

Summary of Grant Awards

Date	Payor	For Benefit Of	Items	Amount
07-Oct-23	Lions	LE	Washer/Microwave	373.99
11-Oct-23	Lions	ZL(Part A)	Small items	35.99
11-Oct-23	Lions	ZL(Part B)	Wardrobe	210.95
11-Oct-23	Lions	ZL(Part C)	Doorbell w/camera	59.99
06-Nov-23	GHT	KZ(Part A)	Furniture Collection/Delivery	165
13-Nov-23	GHT	KZ(Part B)	Furniture	144
30-Nov-23	Lions	KZ	Fridge/freezer	414
01-Dec-23	Lions	LM	Wheelchair	600
18-Dec-23	GHT	EE	Curtains	120
18-Dec-23	GHT	CH	Cooker	454
20-Dec-23	Lions	SD	Transport/Furniture	305.08
02-Jan-24	Lions	BushyLeaze*	FamilySupport Programme	600
12-Jan-24	Lions	HT	Tumble Dryer/Hoover	528.99
02-Jan-24	Lions	CH	Cooker	471.01
06-Feb-24	GHT	RM	Bed	274
		GHR = Grain House Trust	Lions = Alton LionsSubtotal	4757
			Payments by GHT/Lions were made with funds ring fenced for ADCRF
20-Mar-24	ADCRF	DR**	Cooker + Fridge Freezer	818
21-Mar-24 21-Mar-24	ADCRF	KG(Part A)	Portable Heater and Lead	41.99
	ADCRF	JD**	Carpet Cleaner,Bed,Tablet	615.1

21-Mar-24	ADCRF	LG	Tumble Dryer	334
22-Mar-24	ADCRF	KG(Part B)	Baby Gates and Dehumidifier Tumble Dryer	359
25-Mar-24	ADCRF	M Family		364
27-Mar-24	ADCRF	LM	Washer	354
			Subtotal	2886.09
*Bushy Leaze is	a registered charity; all other grant recipients are individuals			7643.09

**Whilst theses payments exceeded our stated maximum, we wanted to ensure help was possible. Since this time, we have firmed up our policy to find other organisations/donors who can make up the difference when a grant exceeds our stated limit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	_See_above. We are achieving our charitable objectives, but know that many people are in need of assistance. Our efforts are ongoing to make people aware of the charity and its objectives.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	So far, our fundraising activities have succeeded in securing funding sufficient to meet our charitable objectives. We have received a Connect4Communities (Hampshire County Council) grant and donations from community groups, churches and individuals.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Not applicable.
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity is in a strong financial position at the end of the reporting period, with funding sources sufficient to meet the expected demand into the next reporting period.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We do not hold reserves and therefore do not have a reserves policy. Unspent/unallocated funds await distribution to future beneficiaries.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	None. Balance at the end of the reporting period is not held as reserves; these funds will be awarded in the form of goods and services to future beneficiaries.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	We have no expenses that require a reserve.
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	Not applicable.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	The charity will continue as a going concern as long as we are able to secure funding in the form of grants and donations. We have been successful with all of our grant requests so far, we are the local designated charity into 2027 from the Church of England parish, and we receive donations from local service organisations, charities, and community groups.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	As noted above, our sources of funds include a grant from Hampshire County Council (for which we applied successfully), and donations from local groups, service organisations, churches and individuals.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	Not applicable.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The greatest risk facing the charity is a lack of funding. For this reason, we have secured grants and donations sufficient to carry us through the next few years.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g., unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Foundation CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Per our Constitution: 10. Appointment of charity trustees (1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. (2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Still informal; no new trustees during this reporting period (all trustees are founding trustees)
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	As a Foundation CIO with five founding trustees, organisational structure is flat, with decisions made by simple majority with active participation of all trustees. No wider network other than informal engagement with key figures in the community.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	Not applicable.
Other

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name	AltonandDistrict CommunityRelief Foundation
Other name the charity uses	ADCRF or“The Relief Foundation”
Registered charity number	1204493
Charity’s principal address	Harvest Church, Alton Maltings Maltings Close Alton GU34 1DT

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Moira Baker		Fullyear	N/A
	Lisa Hillan	Secretary/CC Contact	Fullyear
	Andrew Lawrence	Chair	Fullyear
	David Millard		Fullyear
	Paul Susans	Treasurer	Fullyear

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved: not applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity: not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity N/A Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this N/A falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets N/A from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
N/A
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information):N/A
Exemptions from disclosure:N/A

Other optional information: N/A

Declarations The trustses d￿larn that they have approved the INstees' report above. Slgned on behalf of the charfty's truste•s Signature(sl Full narne(sl Andrew Lawrence Lisa Hillan Posltlon Chair Seereta Date: 28" January 2025

Date	Source	Description
29-Aug-23		Charitable Status Conferred; CAF bank account not yet open
14-Dec-23	Grain House Trust	Donation to ADCRF
15-Dec-23	CAF	Monthly Account Fee
20-Dec-23	Alton Lions	Donation_(Cooker purchase)_
21-Dec-23	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
27-Dec-23	CAF	Interest
27-Dec-23	Alton Lions	Donations to ADCRF (2 x £1000)
28-Dec-23	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
02-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
03-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
08-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donations to ADCRF (2 x £1000)
09-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
11-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
15-Jan-24	CAF	Monthly Account Fee
17-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
18-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF
19-Jan-24	Alton Lions	Donation to ADCRF_(Cooker purchase)_
15-Feb-24	CAF	Monthly Account Fee
15-Mar-24	CAF	Monthly Account Fee
20-Mar-24	Currys	Cooker and Fridge-Freezer for DR
21-Mar-24	Argos	Carpet, Cleaner, Bed, Tablet for JD
21-Mar-24	Argos	Portable Heater and Lead for KG (Part A)
21-Mar-24	Currys	Tumble Dryer for Laura Gadd
22-Mar-24	Amazon	Baby Gates and Dehumidifier for KG (Part B)
25-Mar-24	Currys	Tumble Dryer for Masiiwa family
26-Mar-24	CAF	Interest
27-Mar-24	Currys	Washer for LM

Bold = payment for a specific applicant, rather than transfer of seed/grant money from GHT/Lions

Reference	Debit 0.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 818.00 615.10 41.99 334.00 359.76 364.00 354.00	Debit 0.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 818.00 615.10 41.99 334.00 359.76 364.00 354.00	Credit 0.00 7500.00 305.08 1000.00 0.53 2000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 2000.00 400.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 471.01 9.08 0.00
	2906.85		19685.70

19685.7 Credits 2906.85 Debits 16778.85 Balance as of 31 March 2024