SUSTENANCE
Registered Charity Number: 1209111
Annual Accounts
for the For the period 14th July 2024 to 30th September 2025
Contents:
Organisation information Trustees' Annual Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets and Liabilites Independent Examiner's report
Doc ID: 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c
SUSTENANCE Organisational Structure For the period 14th July 2024 to 30th September 2025
| Registered charity number: | 1209111 |
|---|---|
| Legal form: | |
| Governing document: | CIO Registration - 12th July 2024 |
| Address: | C/O Jackson Hall |
| Portland Place | |
| Hastings | |
| TN34 1QN | |
| Trustees: | James Bennett (Chair) |
| Madeleine Mason | |
| Celia Wilson | |
| Independent Examiner: | Louise Cavill, Independent Examiner |
| Cavill & Cruikshank Accountants and Tax Advisors | |
| Objects and Activities: | |
| 1. The relief of poverty and the preservation | |
| and promotion of good nutrition, good health | |
| and social improvement among people who | |
| are suffering from social or economic distress | |
| in Hastings and surrounding area; | |
| 2. The advancement of the education of the | |
| public in reclamation of waste food, preparing | |
| and preserving health food; | |
| 3. The promotion and enhancement of human | |
| health through providing information and | |
| advice in relation to health eating and | |
| nutrition; | |
| 4. The conservation, protection and | |
| improvement of the environment for the | |
| public benefit by the promotion of reduction of | |
| food waste, use of recycled food products and | |
| the use of surplus food. |
Doc ID: 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c
SUSTENANCE Trustees, Annual Report July 2024 to September 2025 1. About Sustenance Charity name: Sustenance Charity structure.. Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity number: 1209111 Registered address: Sustenance, Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Haslings. TN34 1QN Trustees in 2025.. James Bennett {Chair} Madeleine Mason Celia Wilson Sustenance is a community-led food charity based in St Leonards and Hastings. We exist to improve food security, nutrilion and connection for people experiencing hardship, while reducing food waste locally. 2. How we are run Sustenance is govemed by a board of Iruslees who are also the CIO'S members, as set out in our constitution. The trustees oversee the charity's strategy. finances and risk. Day-lo-day delivery is carried out by volunteers, supported by systems and processes developed during 2024-2025. We had no salaried staff in this period. However, to support the setvice during a period of growth, we engaged a freelance project coordinator on a short-term basis to manage specific parts of the work. This was an interim measure while we continued to build a stable financial base. We plan to appoint our first part-time staff member in 2026 to strengthen consistency and sustainability as the Servi grows. 3. What we did in 2024 and 2025 Doc ID.. 6a5db1841c2894635a8ce54c063a290c2c8F829c
Our core setvice runs weekly and is built around repurposing surplus food and tuming it into nutritious meals and fresh produce bags for people facing food scarcity in our community. In summary, this year we.. Collected 32.209 kg surplus food from local retailers and growers Served 1,956 three-course meals Distributed 2,648 shopping bags of fresh produce to take home Created a safe and welcoming social space Connected our members with local support seIS such as Citizen's Advice, Sussex Energise, and Hastings Advice and Representation Centre Coordinated a 60+ volunteer team who deliver the service with care and consistency These activities are shaped by Sustenance's five core values.. Purpose. Sustainability & Place-Based Growth. Innovation. Contribution. and Empathy & Respect. 4. Public benefit and the difference we made The Charity Commission asks all charities to explain how their work delivers public benefit. In 2024 and 2025, Sustenance's work contributed to.. Reduced food waste. by repurposing surplus from supermarkets and growers Reduced loneliness and increased social connection, especially for refugees and residents experiencing hardship Improved nutrition and wellbeing, by offering fresh, healthy meals and produce Stronger links with local support services, improving access lo advice and practical help Community consultation carried out in 2025 showed that people value Sustenance not only for food, but also for company, safety, dignity and a sense of belonging. 5. Highlights and achievements In our first year operating as a charity we.. strengthened partnerships with local organisalions offering advice and support Gathered community feedback that directly shaped improvements lo our setvice Continued to refine Sustenance's long-term seNice model and business plan Developed and strengthened our relationship with local food producers and suppliers Secured storage and cooking facilities to support our SeiCe These achievements demonstrate strong alignment with our outcomes around health, environment. community cohesion and early access to support Doc ID.. 6a5db1841c2894635a8ce54c063a290c2c8F829c
- Financial review In¢oma.' £88,042 Expenditure- £39,347 Funds Carried forward: £48,694 Our income came from small grants, donations and community-based fundraising. Expenditure covered food, essential supplies, volunteer costs, hall hire, kitchen use and basic operational costs. Reserves We aim to hold a small reserve to ensure we can continue weekly delivery even when funding is Ljncertain. If reseNes are low. this reflects the reality of meeting immediate community needs. Debts The charity held no debts at year-end. Custodian funds We did not hold any funds as a custodian trustee.
- Plans for 2026 Our priorities for next year include.. Recruiting our first part-time staff member Improving kitchen space and equipment Enhancing volunteer training (including inclusion, anti-racism and trauma-informed practice) Developing impact measurement tools Exploring satellite or outreach services in neighbourhoods with the highest need Preparing to follow SORP 2026, which applies to charities for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2026
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Trustees, responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity Commission's reporting requirements for small charities. They must ensure financial records are kept properly and that the charity's resources are used only lo further ils purposes. Doc ID.. 6a5db1841c2894635a8ce54c063a290c2c8F829c
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Approval of the report Approved by the trustees on: Date: Signed- James Bennett, Trustee Doc ID.. 6a5db1841c2894635a8ce54c063a290c2c8F829c
SUSTENANCE
Receipts and Payments Accounts For the period 14th July 2024 to 30th September 2025
| Previous | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Year | Year | |||||
| Receipts | Restricted | Designated | Not Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Donations | 20,000.00 | 22,343.12 | 42,343.12 | - | ||
| Grant income | 35,892.00 | 35,892.00 | - | |||
| Grant income - Chalk Hill | 5,000.00 | - | 5,000.00 | - | ||
| Transfer from Karmabank | 4,902.54 | 4,902.54 | - | |||
| Interest income | 4.03 | 4.03 | - | |||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 5,000.00 | 20,000.00 | 63,141.69 | 88,141.69 | - | |
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Food costs | 11,420.73 | 11,420.73 | - | |||
| Direct costs | 587.89 | 587.89 | - | |||
| Advertising & Marketing | 749.35 | 749.35 | - | |||
| Accountancy fee | 192.00 | 192.00 | - | |||
| Bank Fees | 0.61 | 0.61 | - | |||
| Cleaning | 45.43 | 45.43 | - | |||
| Computer Equipment | 22.80 | 22.80 | - | |||
| Consultancy | 1,500.00 | 13,690.00 | 15,190.00 | - | ||
| Entertainment | 266.89 | 266.89 | - | |||
| General Expenses | 770.73 | 770.73 | - | |||
| Insurance | 246.40 | 246.40 | - | |||
| IT Software and Consumables | 213.34 | 213.34 | - | |||
| Motor Costs | 807.27 | 807.27 | - | |||
| Postage | 77.74 | 77.74 | - | |||
| Printing and Stationery | 743.13 | 743.13 | - | |||
| Rent | 7,236.50 | 7,236.50 | - | |||
| Repairs and maintenance | 347.15 | 347.15 | - | |||
| Staff Training | 101.14 | 101.14 | - | |||
| Subscriptions | 2.07 | 2.07 | - | |||
| Website costs | 244.80 | 244.80 | - | |||
| Travel | 81.42 | 81.42 | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 1,500.00 | - | 37,847.39 | 39,347.39 | - | |
| Net Surplus/(Deficit) | 3,500.00 | 20,000.00 | 25,294.30 | 48,794.30 | - | |
| Fund Balances B/F | 01/10/2024 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fund Balances C/F | 30/09/2025 | 3,500.00 | 20,000.00 | 25,294.30 | 48,794.30 | - |
Doc ID: 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c
SUSTENANCE Statements of Assets and Liabilities For the period 14th July 2024 to 30th September 2025
| 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets | |||
| Current Account | @ | 30/09/2025 | 39,004 |
| Deposit Accounts | @ | 30/09/2025 | 10,001 |
| Cash in hand | @ | 30/09/2025 | 2 |
| 49,007 | |||
| Less Current Liabilities | |||
| Accruals | 213 | ||
| 48,794 | |||
| Represented by: | |||
| Accumulated Fund B/F | - | ||
| Restricted Grant - Chalk Hill | 3,500 | ||
| Designated Fund - Van | 20,000 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the | year | 25,294 | |
| 48,794 |
Other Assets
An inventory of assets is held by the Treasurer and is available on request.
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 1993. The trustess have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Approved by the Trustees on and signed on behalf by
01 / 05 / 2026
Doc ID: 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c
SUSTENANCE
For the period 14th July 2024 to 30th September 2025
Independent Examiner's Report to the Committee of Sustenance
I report on the accounts of Sustenance for the fourteen month period ended 30th September 2025
Respective responsibilities of committee & examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act), and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility:
to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities
Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the supporting documentation presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
- 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Louise Cavill FCCA ACA Chartered Accountant Cavill & Cruikshank Accountants and Tax Advisors 7 Henderson Close Hastings TN34 2DU
Dated: 3rd March 2026
Doc ID: 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c
Audit trail
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30.09.2025 Sustenance Final Title 30.09.2025 Sustenance Final .pdf File name Document ID 6a5db1e41c2e94635aece54c063a290c2c8f829c Audit trail date format DD / MM / YYYY Status Signed
01 / 05 / 2026 Sent for signature to James Bennett 16:18:17 UTC+1 (james@sustenance.org.uk) by integrations@hellosign.com acting on behalf of info@candcaccountants.co.uk IP: 212.221.167.2 01 / 05 / 2026 Viewed by James Bennett (james@sustenance.org.uk) 16:18:33 UTC+1 IP: 213.31.13.0 01 / 05 / 2026 Signed by James Bennett (james@sustenance.org.uk) 16:19:07 UTC+1 IP: 213.31.13.0 01 / 05 / 2026 The document has been completed. 16:19:07 UTC+1
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