Annual Review 202I
Redbourn Community Group Connecting and supporting the village
Redbourn Community Group (RCG) is the new name for Redbourn Care Group. We are a volunteer-led registered charity, which has been serving the village of Redbourn since 1980.
Our purpose is to provide support to all residents regardless of age or background, to connect the community together and to support community projects.
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A really good feeling
The Annual Review is a celebration of all our incredible volunteers, new and old across Redbourn and beyond. It’s the time for Redbourn Community Group (RCG) to reflect upon its impact in our village and evaluate ‘what we did and the difference we made’ . We are proud of our contribution, so are celebrating truly great volunteers, who in Redbourn are not so hard to find but are certainly difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.
I believe volunteering for our Redbourn community is very, very important. There are lots of people who need help and for many, the services we provide are a lifeline. It’s mind-blowing to see all the amazing work that volunteers do to support our community day in day out. On a personal note, I know that I get a really good feeling and huge amount of enjoyment from helping another person. It’s lovely to support people and put something back into the community. I can see the impact of this support and that is hugely rewarding knowing the effect you’ve had on someone’s life. In March we said ‘au revoir’ to three longstanding and extraordinarily committed Trustees who stepped down from their role: Barry Welch, Steve Lillywhite and Peter Robey who between them had volunteered for an astonishing 63 years. We are fortunate that they continue in their roles as drivers and street contacts and we thank them for everything they’ve done and continue to do.
We have been very fortunate in recruiting new trustees from the many generous hearted residents who applied. From 1st April after a set programme of induction, which included enrolling on the NCVO trustee training course, having a DBS certificate and participating in Safeguarding Training, three new Trustees came onboard: Ben Miller, James Regan and Catharine Pusey. These volunteers have already given their time and expertise in ensuring RCG continues its evolution as a Community Group and making a contribution to forward looking and sustainable governance. So, a huge thanks from me to all the Trustees, past and present, who are such a brilliant supportive team, and who, along with Claire-Louise, ensure smooth and efficient running of the charity.
In recent months we have been welcoming the return of our volunteers. Since we are still dealing with uncertainty and change and there is no doubt that RCG has changed (and had to change because of the pandemic), and there is no going back. We continue to transition to new systems and ways of working as efficiently, effectively and painlessly as possible. We are delighted that so many volunteers have returned, and thank you for being so active in your roles and supporting the necessary adaptions we have made.
It is indeed an honour to be involved and I want to pass on my personal thanks to all for giving me a really good feeling.
Sally Bartlett Chair
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Board of Trustees…
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Dennis Poole Jan Fenton
Treasurer
Ben Miller
Will Gibbs
Pastoral Adviser
Catharine Pusey James Regan Peta Gunsen
Vice Chair & Safeguarding Lead
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Shopping
What we did:
As the Covid 19 Pandemic continued to make normal life very difficult for residents across Redbourn, we coordinated shopping services to any resident who was shielding, unable to get to the shops or who could not organise deliveries online.
The difference we made:
Many Redbourn residents were able to obtain important supplies when they had no means of shopping for themselves. We alleviated their fears of being left without food and so removed one anxiety from their lives.
What we did:
The difference we made:
Prescription Deliveries
What we did:
Redbourn Community Group volunteers delivered prescription medication to Redbourn residents who could not visit the pharmacy.
The difference we made:
We alleviated the anxiety that vulnerable residents would run short of their regular medication. We helped the hard-working Crown Pharmacy to maintain business continuity for the community of Redbourn during the pandemic. From April 2020 to August 2021 – volunteers delivered approximately 5,000 prescriptions .
“At the beginning of lockdown, we were grateful for assistance with shopping and continue to
Redbourn Community Group Annual Review 2021 03
Food parcels
Vaccinations
What we did:
What we did:
We collected and delivered food parcels from local food banks on a regular weekly basis for several families in need.
We facilitated the vaccination effort from December 2020 onwards as volunteers drove their own cars and the minibus to ensure all residents could reach local vaccination centres.
The difference we made:
We reduced anxiety for some of our most vulnerable families by ensuring they had food.
The difference we made:
We helped maximise the number of people to be jabbed as soon as they were eligible and so contributed to returning life in Redbourn to normal.
Medical Appointments
“I volunteer once a week as one of the office administrators. The role involves registering new clients on our computer system, taking phone calls from those who need transport to their medical appointments and finding volunteer drivers to take them there and back. We log the details of all requests, journeys and drivers on our system and ensure that clients and drivers have all the correct information they require. We also take general enquiries to arrange shopping, mobility equipment loans and minibus trips, for example. People are always incredibly grateful for the service the Community Group provides and it’s immensely satisfying being part of the coordinating team that assists RCG in carrying out its valued services for the people of Redbourn.” Kathie
What we did:
Until our volunteer drivers were able to resume the provision of lifts to medical appointments, we used funds granted by HVCCG (Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group) RPC (Redbourn Parish Council), HCF (Hertfordshire Community Group) to arrange for trips to be made by taxi.
The difference we made:
Residents were able to arrive on time and stress free and did not have to navigate complicated journeys by the scant public transport system in our area.
Volunteer Driving
What we did:
As lockdown eased, our volunteer drivers picked up where they left off.
The difference we made:
Volunteers and taxis have travelled well over 6,500 miles taking Redbourn residents to their appointments since September last year. This is almost as far as driving from the UK to Singapore!
04 Redbourn Community Group Annual Review 2021
Friendly Calls
What we did:
We called many hundreds of residents on a regular basis to ensure they were ok
The difference we made:
Residents, especially those who live alone and had no local family were reassured to know that someone cared and had found the time to have a chat. Some had not spoken to anyone else for days. We were also able to check for any safeguarding issues that might have arisen.
“I volunteer to walk with people who for diferent reasons struggle to get out and walk but we walk together for a time and distance they are comfortable with and it makes so much diference to their lives.” Dot
Community Newsletters
What we did:
We produced Newsletters on a regular basis throughout the difficult periods which were circulated electronically and in print to those who had no access to the internet.
“The newsletter just gets better and better. The latest is just superb. Well done to the team Olive and keep it up!’”
The difference we made:
We kept people in touch and informed with events and activities both local and national updates.
Mobility Equipment
What we did:
We continued to loan wheelchairs and rollators during the lockdown periods with special attention to Covid safety and precautions
The difference we made:
“My sincere thanks for all the assistance that RCG have given me personally with transport to two hospital operations and appointments. If there was a ‘national care league’ then Redbourn Community Group would be “top of the league’! Eric
Residents were relieved and delighted to know that essential services remained available when they were in need.
Welcome packs
We delivered 68 welcome packs to households who moved into the village. The information pack provides an introduction to the Redbourn community and includes local services, organisations, churches, schools, and medical contacts which are helpful in the early stage of settling in to the village.
Redbourn Community Group Annual Review 2021 05
Finance Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2021
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Expenditure:
£3,5762.17
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Overview
The financial results for 2020-21 inevitably reflect the impact of the pandemic. Our fundraising, services and costs were all affected by lockdowns, shielding and social distancing. It is therefore with some surprise and relief that I can report that RCG has emerged in a sound financial position.
Income
In addition to the grants for transport mentioned on page 4, we received £5000 from Redbourn Parish Council as in previous years. The Coop Local Community Fund donated £6,617, which is being held to fund outings and social activities in the coming year.
The generous support of the people of Redbourn saw annual donations more than double to nearly £28,00, the highest level ever, from a like-for-like figure of £12,300 last year. We were also humbled to receive a total of £72,647 in legacies from four past clients and volunteers. Therefore, although there were few receipts from collection boxes or minibus fares, we were confidently able to fund all our costs in the year and add a surplus to our reserves.
Expenditure
The cost of running RCG increased this year as a direct result of the additional services that were provided through the office, in particular photocopying of newsletters and telephone support for some of Redbourn’s most vulnerable residents. These costs were offset in part by significant savings on minibus costs, as it was used much less frequently than usual.
Redbourn Coronavirus Volunteers
Over the course of the past two years, a number of grants were received for pandemic- specific support services, some of which were delivered by additional volunteers in the Redbourn community. In order to delineate this specific set of costs, and to account for the restricted grants that were received for this work, they are accounted for through our linked charity, Redbourn Care Trust. Sums to cover specific running costs, such as newsletters, have been paid as transfers from the Care Trust to RCG during the year.
Outcome
In summary, a second year of unprecedented and unforeseeable calls on the services of Redbourn Community Group has ended with a net surplus of funds, putting RCG in a strong position for developing more services to the community in the coming year.
Dennis Poole Treasurer
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Income and Expenditure Statement
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
NET FINANCIAL BALANCE
| Standing order donations Donations Boxes Bequests / in memoriam Herts CC mileage Gift Aid tax refunds Bank Interest Redbourn PC Grant Minibus operations Other grants Bus servicing and repairs Fuel costs Minibus insurance Garage costs Extra bus hire Other bus costs Phone General offce expenses Subscriptions and Fees Public Liability Insurance Offce Manager Fees Miscellaneous costs Scooter servicing Other scooter costs Training expenses Marketing expenses IT expenses Driver Mileage claims Grants Village Hall SADC Grant expenditure |
2020-21 704.00 27825.24 173.77 75879.53 0.00 3762.63 3.34 5000.00 0.00 4615.00 117963.51 236.54 643.61 656.19 195.86 0.00 399.70 506.63 4354.70 1247.80 844.28 17565.84 553.55 1437.02 700.00 671.00 814.76 1020.99 12.50 570.00 1246.20 2085.00 35762.17 82201.34 |
2019-20 660.00 19586.86 457.15 4638.77 481.50 2256.14 10.59 5000.00 2649.66 3196.12 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38936.79 643.15 1008.92 684.94 86.00 26.40 360.90 506.63 829.54 957.80 1109.42 17045.86 2209.79 1253.32 0.00 0.00 909.20 906.98 7.70 314.85 2223.00 |
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| 31084.40 | ||||
| 7852.39 |
SAFEGUARDING REPORT
Presented by Peta Gunso n – Vice Chair and Safeguarding lead
This financial year Redbourn Community Group has not referred any safeguarding concerns to Hertfordshire Adult Social Services. We have had potential concerns raised with us throughout the year, and we continue to monitor some of these and seek support when required.
We were fortunate to receive a training grant from Hertfordshire Community Foundation for Safeguarding training. Almost 60 volunteers were able to complete these online sessions in April 2021 and we thank everyone for their active participation. Our Safeguarding Policy and Guidance has been significantly updated and expanded because of our training (May 2021). It now includes more detailed information about the types of abuse, the roles & responsibilities for those involved and useful Do’s and Don’ts for volunteers. Click here for the updated policy. Please continue to be vigilant about safeguarding issues and if you have any concerns please contact Peta at Peta@redbourncg.org .
The Safeguarding Policy and its application have been discussed and shared with all new volunteers during their induction, whether that was in person or virtually. All Office staff and those who support our remote working and call line have been kept up to date with policy changes and other information as required.
We are have applied to receive further funding for Safeguarding Training for those who are new or who weren’t able to join us earlier this year. We will share details of this nearer the time.
Donations and Supporters
We are extremely grateful to every individual who has made a donation this year, your support is very much appreciated. Four sizeable legacies from the estates of Harry Hobbs, John Bower, Sylvia Turner and Esther Duras have amounted to £72,647 have also made a huge difference.
At this time we do want to thank those who gave us grants to assist with essential services: Redbourn Parish Council, Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans District Council, Hertfordshire Community Foundation and Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group.
Thanks to Redbourn based Whiteing Design Partnership for keeping prices to a minimum. The costs of both the design and printing of this 2021 Annual Review have been met by a donation given to cover this particular expenditure.
Redbourn Community Group Village Hall, High Street, Redbourn. AL3 7LW 01582 794550 www.redbourncg.org info@redbourncg.org
Redbourn Community Group
Charity Number: 297955
Redbourn Community Group Registered Charity No. 297955 Balan Sheet as at 31 August 2021 o red Assets 20 O Garage O.Ixi Elertric scooter5 (4} O.LKI Wheel ch3irs17} 0. Walking Aids O.LKI Office fumiture & Equip. o. 350.LKI 350.lxi so. I.(KKI.(KI i.OLKJ.LK) Current Assets 20.642.08 HSBC 711213 Current alc 9.424.08 Santander 57698300 Minibus a/c 0. Santander..............Emergerry alc 2.IJ)7.85 COIF Deposrt alc 32.074.01 42.280.10 9,583.83 62,011.19 113,875.12 Credltors 3,155.23 Coronavirus Grants RemainingAvailable 35.229.24 Total Assets Represented by. Capital account 24,212.29 Balance b/fwd I September 2019 11,016.95 Suwus ofyears 113.875.12 35.229.24 78.645.88 35,229.24 Balan 31 August 2021 113.875.12 Notsi In accordance with current accounting prattio it has been decrded to include Fixed Assets on the Balan Sheet either at cost where known or at nominal value, with these assets being depreciated over their estimated useful lrfe.
Accountart's report. We have reviewed the accompanying Balan Sheet ofThe Redlxlurn Community Group at 31st August 2021. and the Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date. These financial ststements are the reswnsibility of the Trust's Management Commtttee. Our responsibility is to issue a rem on these financial statements based on our review. We conducted our review in accordance with the International Stsndard of Review Engagements 24LXI. This Standard requires that we plan and perform the review to obtsin moderate assurance as to whether the finanual statements are free of material misststement A revtew is limited primarify to inquiries of Trust officers and analytical procedures applied to the financial data and thus provide less assuran than an audit. We have not perfomied an audit and, accordingly, we do not expre55 an audit opinion. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to bel*ve other than that the accompanying financial statements do give a true and fair view of the financial affairs of the Group as at 31 jgUSt 2021. IQS..22 CMT+ll R. Harding- Accountant 5. Bartlett - Chairman S.D. Poole- Treasurer Date
Redbourn Community Group Registered Charity No. 297955 Income & Expenditure summary for the year ended 31 August 2021 Income Donations Collection Boxes Bequestsl In Memorium Herts County Council Mileage Gift Aid tsx refunds Bank Interest recerved Redboum PCC Grant Other Grdnts Minibu5 Operatfrons Income Coronavirus Grants: _ Redbourn Parish Council NHS Herts Community F(yJndation 28.52924 193.62 75.879.53 3.762.63 5.CM)O.I)O 4.615.00 1.LXXI.IXI 5.IM).LM) Total Income 128.983.36 Expenditure Minibus 5er¥icelRepairs Fuel Insurance 236.54 643.61 656.19 5.86 399.70 506.63 6.059.19 17.565.84 814.76 1.247.80 Garage Other Telephone General Office Manager Marketlng Expenses Subscriptions & Fees Public Liability Insurance mislIaneouS Expenses Scooter Purchase & Servicing Redboum Village Hall - Capital Cost Contribution SADC Grant RCT Coronavirus Expenses Gfants 2.131.* Offi 24.131.66 553.55 2.137.02 1.246.20 2.085.IX) 14.575.31 570.rxi 24.073.92 Total Expendtture 50.337.48 Net Surplus for year 78.645.88