THE RIVER MANCHESTER
A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (CHARITY No. 1153700) Annual Report & Accounts For the year ending MARCH 2023
1
THE RIVER MANCHESTER SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION
Registered Name Charity Incorporated Organisation The River Manchester Registration no. 1153700
Trustees Terence Carthy, Chairman Sefadzi Kofi Amesu, Treasurer Deborah Fuller, Secretary
Registered Office 3 Pepperhill Road Moss Side Manchester M16 7PD
Independent Examiners Rana & Co P O Box 145 Manchester M19 IUY
Bankers The Co-operative Bank Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 6NY
2
The River Manchester Trustees Annual Report YEAR ENDED 31ST March 2023
Charity Incorporated Organisation registered with The Charity Commission on 6[th ] September 2013.
The Trustees, present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[St] March 2023.
The Trustees throughout the Year and to the date of this report and their advisors are set out on the accompanying Information Page.
Structure, Governance and Management
The management and administration is carried out by the Chief Executive, Mrs Lydia Chan who reports to the board of trustees on a quarterly basis. She is assisted in the day to day operation by 2 core staff members Project Coordinator, Donna Barber and Café & Charity Shop Manager, Carol Dalton and a core of 10 volunteers.
The board of Trustees meet quarterly, also regularly at other times to review progress, and to plan for the future development of the Charity. At present they are actively seeking to recruit additional trustees. The volunteers and trustees are incredible, we could not have achieved what we have done over the year without our volunteers.
Trustees Statement - Public benefit
Our objectives, as outlined below, have been designed with the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in mind. Throughout this year we have pursued these objectives as we have reviewed our activities both informally and in our official trustees meetings. At all times we have had regard to the Commissions guidance on the public benefit requirement.
Risk Management
The Trustees are responsible for the management of the risks faced by the charity as they provide controls that provide reasonable although not absolute assurance against material misstatement, loss or exposure to risk. Risk reviews are undertaken regularly to ensure internal risks are minimised through the implementation of policy and procedure.
3
Objectives and Activities
The Charity has the following objectives which are:
The relief and support of persons who have suffered or are in danger or suffering, from social and emotional difficulties, whether fleeing domestic violence from sex related violence or abuse, their children and dependants by the provision of food, clothing, furniture, friendship, training and other assistance.
Activities
Fundamental to the work of the charity is our faith in Jesus Christ; our Christian faith brings hope and change where we demonstrate our faith in practical ways in being able to offer a safe place for connections to be made, a place where practical provision of food, clothing, furniture and practical training is made available to help people move on in their lives and most importantly prayer is offered.
Activities in the year
Fundraising
We see a financial growth secured by voluntary donations and grants giving an increase in our revenue by 33% from £138,330 to £183,638. The new income levels are single grants and not repeat grants. The grants helped us provide emergency food parcels, helped move 53 families to safety and to grow our team to fund 8 short term temporary employees from our beneficiaries to build their confidence to become employable.
The income helped us developed further the charity’s intervention programme providing 1-2-1 emotional wrap around support when referrals for moves to safety were made and increased the provision in mental health workshops.
Retail and cafe:
The charity operates two enterprises i.e. the charity shop and a cafe. With the café opening, this offered opportunity for training and empowerment for our women to gain skills and employment. In May 2022, we received funding from SSE to employ a café and charity shop manager to improve the services in this area. We managed to source a supplier for new single mattresses and linked with the local recycler to obtain sources of furniture for our clients and widen our support for the local community.
Removal service
With a relatively dedicated team of volunteers via our volunteer/paid drivers and 2 assistants, we were able to provide an emergency moving service. We were able to secure funding to provide this as a low cost/free service to 53 direct referrals for women and children.
4
Training and skills
Our project co-ordinator who is also our specialist domestic abuser worker was able to deliver 1-2-1 emotional support and recruited 67 trainees to train in our retail areas. They were offered pre-employment course, help with their c.v.s and mentoring on a 1-2-1 to assist them back to work. We ran training in Living Life to the full, which is a cognitive behaviour therapy to help our clients who suffer with their mental health improve their mood and coping skills. We also delivered two five weeks courses on mindfulness and doodle art workshops with significant improvement in client’s mental health.
We ran the following events:
-
The International Women’s day with celebrating different cultures,
-
craft activities, painting, card making
-
On December 10, a 16 days of action against gender violence themed on “fleeing with shoes” with over 70 persons in attendance to commemorate those who were killed due to domestic abuse.
-
We also created 6 part-time jobs in our café and shop to enable our client to progress further to work and empower them.
-
Winter hub for people struggling by creating a warm hub and meals for 30 clients
Impact and achievements
The pandemic from March 2020-2021 highlighted the need for our frontline key services and gave a validation for our services. Our objectives to tackle food, furniture and financial poverty and supporting those who have fled domestic abuse had the following impact:
-
provision of emergency food parcels. In 2022, we had 1700 referrals, in 2023 there was 1435 referrals.
-
furniture and collections and deliveries of furniture and starter packs for electrical items i.e. washing machines, beds, clothing. We were able to tackle furniture poverty by gifting over £8380 worth of furniture from our charity shop.
-
work experience and training and a safe place to connect –We took on 10 young people from 14-18 years old doing work experience who had been through domestic abuse to give them a safe place to be empowered. In addition, we took on 67 trainees and 18 moved on into jobs!
-
Move to safety –supporting 53 moves for single mothers and their children to move on to a safe place of tenancy.
-
There were also 490 referrals for other services which include domestic abuse workshops, 121 support, emotional counselling, advice and signposting.
5
We continue to have an impact supporting people to recover from their wounds into people who are safe, connected and confident to become independent people who can realise their dreams, move into jobs, feel secure and improved well-being. Beneficiaries felt connected, found 1-2-1 support, were confident, happier and found their own voice and improved outcomes in mental health and job aspirations. Our referrals are mainly from high risk beneficiaries referred from Women’s Aid, Independent Domestic Advisors, Early Help, Children’s Services, Social Services and WAST.
Testimony S: “I left school after my GCSEs and got married. My husband didn’t let me have a job. After many years of abuse, I escaped with my children. Being at The River, gave me hope. They helped me move into my new place, provided food parcels as I was struggling without benefits and later on, they took me on as a volunteer and then created a temporary job for me. It helped me mentally to believe that I am capable and not the lies my ex-husband said that no one would want me. I believe that my children and I am in a much better place because of the River. Thank you so much for having faith in me.”
Plans for the future and challenges
The charity’s plan is to continue empowering people through its services and build stronger relationships with other referral agencies and recruit more trainees to participate in our training programme. The charity continues to operate from a limited space and would like to refurbish the shop floor in the following year. The plan for the next year will be to improve our level of services and to engage with agencies, churches, the corporate sector and local communities.
Financial review
We are as with many charities, derive our income from voluntary donations and our charity shop, so we remain greatly dependent on the generosity of our donors and grant givers to continue in operation. Any reduction in donation income will impact on our ability to maintain operations and in the worst case scenario, could result in us ceasing to be a going concern. The charity currently has been able to build a 6 months reserve (£60,000) to cover 6 months operating costs, objectives and risks that it might face as well as plans for growth and expansion. The charity has also set aside £20,000 for plans to get a van with the carbon emission strategy implementation in the city of Manchester. Our current fundraising strategies and reserves policy provide adequate protection against this eventuality.
Independent Examiner
Rana & Co has been appointed as independent examiner for the year.
Terry Carthy Chair of Trustees
6
THE RIVER MANCHESTER A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CHARITY No. 1153700)
ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS
for the year ending 31/03/2023
Independent Examiner's Report on the Trustees of The River Manchester
I wish to report of the accounts of the River Manchester for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 1 to 6
Respective responsibilities of trustees and 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 statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 accounts 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 2011 Charities Act;
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Charities 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.
Rana & Co
Independent Examiner PO Box 145, Manchester M19 1UY.
THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Statement of financial activities
for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes Incoming Resources Incoming resources from generated fun 3 Voluntary Income 3.1 Activities in generating Incom 3.2 Investment Income 3.3 Incoming Resources from charitable activities Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Cost of generating Funds 4 Charitable Activities 4.1 Other Resources expended Gains/Losses Asset-Loss on Disposal Total Resource Expended Net Movements in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward from previous year Total Funds carried forward |
2023 2023 2022 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Fund Fund Total Fund Fund Total £ £ £ £ £ £ 12943 108618 121561 25228 63609 88837 62076 62076 49493 49493 - - - - - - 75020 108618 183638 74721 63609 138330 55675 114452 170127 57763 45589 103353 814 - 814 1018 - 1018 - - 56489 114452 170941 58781 45589 104371 18531 -5834 12697 15940 18020 33959 80522 34778 115299 64582 16758 81340 99052 28944 127996 80522 34778 115299 |
|---|---|
THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2023
| Fixed Assets Currents Assets Debtors Bank Current Account Cash in hand Current Liabilities Accrual Net Current Asset Total Net Asset less current liabilities Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Fund Restricted Fund Total Funds |
2023 2023 2022 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Total 3,256 - 3,256 4,070 - 4,070 2,600 - 2,600 2,600 - 2,600 98,033 27,949 125,981 79,336 34,447 113,783 140 - 140 23 - 23 100,773 27,949 128,722 81,959 34,447 116,406 3,982 3,982 5,097 80 5,177 96,791 27,949 124,740 76,862 34,367 111,229 100,047 27,949 127,996 80,932 34,367 115,299 100,047 - 100,047 80,522 - 80,522 27,949 27,949 34,778 34,778 100,047 27,949 127,996 80,522 34,778 115,299 |
|---|---|
THE RIVER MANCHESTER
Notes to financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2023
-
Basis of preparation
-
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with:
-
Accounting and reporting by Charities - statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015);
-
and with* accounting standards; or Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Enterprises (FRSSE);
-
and with the Charities Act.
-
1.2 Change in basis of accounting
This set of accounts represent The River Manchester second year financial reporting.
2. Accounting policies
This standard list of accounting policies has been applied by the charity except for those deleted. Where a difference or additional policy has been adopted then this is detailed in the box below.
INCOMING RESOURCES
| Recognition of Incoming | These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (Sofa) When: |
|---|---|
| resources | * the charity becomes entitled to the resources; |
| * the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and | |
| * the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliably. | |
| Incoming resources with | Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract |
| related expenditure | income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. |
| Grants and donations | Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which |
| they relate. | |
| Gifts in kind | Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or |
| the amount actually realised. | |
| Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold | |
| or distributed by the charity. | |
| Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when | |
| receivable. | |
| Donated services and | These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources |
| facilities | expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and |
| material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the | |
| service or facility received. | |
| Volunteer help | The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described |
| in the trustees' annual report. | |
| Investment Income | This is included in the accounts when receivable. |
| Expenditure and Liabilities | Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing |
| Liability recognition | the charity to pay out resources. |
| Governance costs | Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee |
| meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. | |
| Support Costs | Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories |
| on a basis consistent with the use of resources. | |
| Assets | |
| Tangible fixed assets | Van YH63FML Depreciated £814 for 12 months to 31 March 2023. |
| for use by charity |
| 3. Analysis of Incoming resources 3.1 Voluntary Income Donation from Sponsors/ individuals Gift Aid Tax Claimed Grants 3.2 Activities for generating funds Sponsorship -HMRC 80% Job Retention Grant Sales of Donated Goods 3.3 Investment Income Bank Interest Received 3.4 Charitable Activities Income Van Donation Received |
2023 2022 Total Total £ £ 6313 22690 - 3828 115248 62319 121561 88837 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ - 770 62076 48723 62076 49493 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ - - 0 0 - - 0 0 |
|---|---|
4. Analysis of resources expended
4.1 Cost of Charitable activities
| 4.1 Cost of Charitable activities Fundraising cost Salaries and wages PAYE/Empoyer & Employee NI Pension Contribution Staff Training Cost Volunteers Training Cost Vehicle Repair/Hire Cost Vehicle Petrol Expenses Volunteer Travel Expenses Volunteer Expenses Project Cost Heat & Light Rent Business/Water Rates Insurances Caretaking Repairs & Maintenance Postage & Stationery/printing Phone & Internet Publicity Cost IT Cost Equipment Purchase Materials Cost Cafeteria Purchase Cafeteria Equipment 4.2 Governance Cost Audit & Accountancy Cost Trustee Meeting Expenses Bank Charges Fees Paid Other Resources Cost Depreciation Motor Vehicle Gains and Losses Asset Write off Van |
2023 2022 Total Total £ £ - - 90486 47587 21046 11493 5358 2509 663 27 1369 805 834 973 1309 1314 2000 1787 1657 2303 4571 4056 8991 3945 12840 15908 970 471 1999 1031 654 533 1250 881 849 510 799 772 - 162 678 - 845 734 - - 1666 192 1022 296 161858 98289 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ 6150 3750 112 997 600 1010 714 8269 5064 814 1018 - - |
|---|---|
Ind•p•ndent Examlnptrs Report on the Trusle•s olThe IUv8r Manthestr I wlsh to report of the attoufits of the River Marttherter lor the yeqr eniled 31 Mlrch 2023, whkh ire setouton pages I to 6 IlesptcM¥ rÈsp)nbllltle$of trustees and tmrnlner. The chaffty'stnJstees are resF<>n5fole forthe preparatlon of the •ccounts. Th• ¢h•riWstrust••s COnderthtan audlt Is nor requlred forthis year unrjer s0 144 of the CharIt¥ Att 2011 lthe chartts Acil •nd ih•i afi IN¢Jependent examlnat Is needed. is my K0)nSibIlIty to: examlne the attourfs under 5ecth)n 145 ofihe Chartlles P4 to follow ihe prwedure5 lald dDwn In the lera1 Dlrectlons8fven ty thecharlty commlssknn lundEr setilon 14515llbl of the Charltle5 Attl. and to State whwher partkuL8r matters have come io my atrentTh. Yasls ol Indepèndont eyArnlnees statèmèrrt My examlnatbn wa$urr5ed out In atrdance with 6enera10irtrtlonsehen by the Charity comffllsslon. An examlnètbfi dydes a revw of the accounting recofd$ kept by the charity •nd a mpariSOn of the attounts PSentell wilh thos• retord5. Ita150 Include5 considerntion of Any unusual itèms or dlsclosures in the a¢c¢)unts. and seert& explanattons from the trustee5 CO¢)CÈfnln8 any such matters. The pro¢edtsres undertaken do not prcNHde all the evidence lbatwou reoulred ln an audlt, and constouently no op5nion 1$ 8Nén as to whetherthe accounts prwt a true and falr. ¥lewand the reportls Nmfted to those rnotters setour In the ststement below. Indeptndent•umlDtV5 Aaternerrt In eumlnatkni, no hascome ID rry attentlon.. 111 whlch 8INw rne reoswable lo belleve that In. any materlal respect, the requirernents.. to keepa(roun r*LNds in xtord•nce th sect¥M 130ofthe 2011 Charrties ACL" to pa accoums whlch accord wlth ihe accouniinB recofdsand the Jccounung requlremenrs of the 2011 thJrltk5 Act have not been met,, 121 to which, in my opinlon, attpniion slhjuld be drawn Irh 0rdert0enab a woper underst4ndln8 of the I(Jt5 to reached. Rana & Co IndopenderrtEx¥rnin•r PO Box 14S, Manche51er M19 IVY.
TRUSTEES OF CROSS STREET CHAPEL, MANCHESTER
A Registered Charity - No 236201
| Balance Sheet 31st December 2022 Note FIXED ASSETS Investments 1 & 7 LIABILITIES Loan provided by MDA CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 2 Cash at bank CURRENT LIABILITIES Amount falling due within a year 3 NET ASSETS UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
2022 6,190 29,064 35,254 -20,574 P G Shaw N Stanley |
2022 1,245,854 -9,000 14,680 1,251,534 1,251,533 - Chairman - Treasurer |
2021 1,910 52,337 54,247 -11,332 |
2021 1,343,443 -21,000 42,915 1,365,358 1,365,358 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS OF THE TRUSTEES OF CROSS STREET CHAPEL MANCHESTER FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2022 report on the financial accounts of the Trustees of Cross Street Chapel for the year endlng 31st December 2022. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMIrrEE AND THE EXAMINER The Treasurer of the Trustees of Cross Street Chapel Manchester is responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not qUId for this year and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts in accordance wlth standard accounting prattices and to stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT My examination was carried out in accordance wlth standard accountlng prattlces and included.. a revlew of the accountlng records kept by the Trustees; a comparison of the accounts presented with those accounts. and conslderation of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Treasurer conceming any such items. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be requlred In an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts psent "true and falrf vlew and the report is limited to those matters set out In the statement below. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT In connection wlth my examlnation, no matter has come to my attention: (i) which glves me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respett, the requirements,. to keep accounting records in accordan with standard accountancy practice; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met. to which in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: Len Elias, MA, IPFA, 19, Lancaster Close, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 5LJ.