## 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: 1. provision of emergency food parcels. In 2022, we had 1700 referrals, in 2023 there was 1435 referrals. 2. 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. 3. 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! 4. Move to safety –supporting 53 moves for single mothers and their children to move on to a safe place of tenancy. 5. 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 1. 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 Manthest*r 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)n￿bllltle$of trustees and tmrnlner. The chaffty'stnJstees are resF<>n5fole forthe preparatlon of the •ccounts. Th• ¢h•riWstrust••s COn￿derth￿tan audlt Is nor requlred forthis year unrjer s￿￿0￿ 144 of the CharIt￿¥ Att 2011 lthe chartt*s Acil •nd ih•i afi IN¢Jependent examlnat Is needed. is my ￿K0)nSibIlIty to: examlne the attourfs under 5ecth)n 145 ofihe Chartlles P4 to follow ihe prwedure5 lald dDwn In the le￿ra1 Dlrectlons8fven ty thecharlty commlssknn lundEr setilon 14515llbl of the Charltle5 Attl. and to State whwher partkuL8r matters have come io my atrent￿Th. Yasls ol Indepèndont eyArnlnees statèmèrrt My examlnatbn wa$urr5ed out In at￿rdance with 6enera10irtrtlonsehen by the Charity comffllsslon. An examlnètbfi dydes a rev*w of the accounting recofd$ kept by the charity •nd a ￿mpariSOn of the attounts P￿Sentell wilh thos• retord5. Ita150 Include5 considerntion of Any unusual itèms or dlsclosures in the a¢c¢)unts. and see￿rt& 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(￿J￿t5 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 ￿qUI￿d 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 p￿sent "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.