STABLES CHRISTIAN CENTRE
Old Rectory, Bolnhurst, Bedford MK44 2ES
Website: www.stableschristiancentre.co.uk Tel. (01234)376237 Charity No. 327398
Annual Report 2020
Overview
Despite the challenges that staff have faced during this year, the project has continued to provide training and support to clients both face to face and remotely.
The project has been well attended throughout the year with a high level of contact maintained during the national lockdown. Staff found creative ways to engage clients, such as video updates which included a “Herb Tutorial”, a faith-based thought for the day, and sharing of artwork and photographs.
Clients were keen to return to the programme when lockdown restrictions were lifted, and they expressed how much they had missed working on site. The guardian of one of our clients referred to the programme as a “life-line”.
Most clients were able to return to the project after the lockdown, however 2 continued to shield and were supported remotely.
Changes occurred within the staff team and the way in which they were able to work. New staff not only had to learn their new role, but also had to conduct their work within restrictive Covid safety measures.
Governance and management
The trustees met twice during the year and were available for ongoing support and advice. Trustees were unable to visit the project as often as they usually would but kept in touch with video messages and emails.
The health and safety committee met twice and reported to the Trustees. Staff meetings were held monthly and continued to form the basis for the day to day running of the project.
Trustees were actively involved in helping to ensure that the workplace was Covid Secure, and a new committee was formed for this purpose.
Staff
The Garden Manager left in July and was replaced by a new Garden and Outdoor Activities Coordinator in October. The Kitchen/Office Department Manager left in August and was replaced by a new Kitchen Coordinator in October. One client support worker resigned at the end of the year. An existing member of staff changed their role to Office Support.
1 volunteer worked on the Tuesday programme between January and March. One of the Trustees volunteered on the Thursday programme between July and December.
The Founder of the project stepped down as Deputy Manager but will continue to volunteer for the Trust.
Staff were dedicated to ensuring that the project ran effectively despite the challenges that they encountered. Increased cleaning, social distancing, and re-structuring of timetables increased staff workload, however this did not in any way diminish their enthusiasm and care for the clients.
Seed Sowers Project
Our Tuesday programme was fully attended by 12 clients. The Thursday group averaged 10 attendees who were all involved in varying ways in the practical tasks of the project. 2 Thursday clients moved away and were therefore unable to continue to attend.
Between March and June the running of the project was restricted due to the national lockdown. As lockdown restrictions were lifted, staff were able to return to the site to harvest and process soft fruit. Weather conditions were favourable for plant growth and we benefitted from a good yield of soft fruit, cat nip and lavender. This was followed by a successful apple harvest in the autumn, by which point clients had returned and were able to be involved in this process. Towards the end of the year clients were involved in the planning and preparation of a new strawberry growing project.
Sales and production
Customers were able to purchase preserves, plants, produce, handmade gifts and cards from the shop throughout the year. Although overall sales were down compared to previous years, the Autumn and Christmas sales were a success, and by making use of advertising on social media, we welcomed a significant number of new customers.
All external events were cancelled due to the pandemic. The Coffee Shop, which usually opens monthly between May and December, was closed.
We supplied 4 local retail outlets.
External liaison
External liaison with local councils, charities, churches and care professionals continued, however this was mainly by remote communication.
Building and grounds maintenance, and capital resources
No significant changes were made to the buildings or grounds. Wi-Fi was extended from the main house to the Stables building.
Summary
Throughout 2020 the project engaged 22 people in meaningful work. Approximately half of the year was spent in lockdown due to the Covid 19 pandemic. During lockdown clients were contacted regularly, which especially benefitted those who were socially isolated during that time.
Our clients were keen to return to the centre following the loosening of lockdown restrictions. Safety measures were put in place to ensure that the environment was as safe as possible and, although this presented many challenges, everyone adapted well to these changes.
This is the first year that the Stables has had to close its doors for a significant length of time. The enthusiasm of clients for the project to re-open has proved how much individuals value, not just the work, but the support that the Stables “community” provides.
The project has been well supported by local councils, parents, care workers and the local church community, for which we are extremely grateful.
Photograph on left: One our Tuesday clients participating in a “Covid safe” craft activity.
Photograph on right: A tent on loan to us from a local scout group enabled us to work at a safe distance from each other.
S=e¢sowerg CDffeEShop2né ir4jnillg Dgvelopment Project Surnmaryof Income3nd Expendkuieforthe yearended 31st Dember220 2020 Tot?1 Restrfcted. 2019 Toial RoSTrkted 21118 Income 5a105 Uonalions Stew3rdship Grants Room Hire Cour5p_ FeeJ Tax ReccN&rv X.44q 10329 1,596 11,128 13.33G 624 4.037 481 31.666 2,044 14 45 1.037 -a6 33.748 2,029 260 28.093 2.059 RS Claim 4,732 624 61.IMO xpenditure wages 45,942 1.987 1,689 452 581 394 1,72S 3P19 2,330 44.495 2.4GA 2,197 S53 528 369 2.250 2.È39 2.157 714 30Q 41.041 620 1235 403 272 328 L240 1237 1018 941 226 Con5umibles to aidsales Office Suppl5 Health & S-fety WBlerR31es 6Y Insurnnce L037 Courk Equipnieni Trainifflg cos 392 72 911 i5aneouS 129 624 59.084 SuFplusldefiCitforthe yea Restritted amountincluoed In'surUS/e10tf0ftheYe8
Seed50wers. Coffee Shop aiid Training Development Proje£t Balan Sheet 31st December 2020 Notes 2020 2019 2018 FSxed Assets.. l Office E41P1et l Fixtures and Fittings l Garden Tools and Equipmefit Current Asset& I Stock 2 Debtor5 HMRC 3 Cash in hand and at bank 2.146 754 iii 10,228 2300 18.723 9.570 2Q,869 11,871 Ctjrrent tsabllitiÈs= 4 Creditors MRC Payments in advance 270 43 1.850 2.179 291 135 2,605 313 1.850 Total $Sets 20,556 9.243 9.265 Represented bv.. General Resetve brought forward Restricted Funds brought forward 9,243 9.265 13,780 Surplus/defiot on general funds S Surplusldeficit on restrlrted funds 11,161 1,976 4,515 General reserve carried fonvèrd 5 Restrirted funds carried forward 20,404 11.242 9,265 20,404 11,242 9.265 Signed Chairmar* of the Tlustees NameinFull wotsttJ i)IUi q Date 10(6 12C)Z
Seedsowers, CotFeo Shop and Tr31nSnE Development Project Notes to the Accounts Ftxed Assets All fixed ass*LS &iid stock have been written off inthe year of purchase Debtors Carol Fuller Lomack Bedford Borough Council P3ypal Giving Fund Karers Houck T1574 T1576 TI579- T1588 20.IK> Fees Invoice 95.00 Fees Invoiced 1,640.00 Fees Invoiced 367.70 Oonation from NickAmis 23.20 Sales invoiied 2.145.90 Cash in hand and * bank Bank balance Cash in hand Cash waitineto cleared at bank 18.433.00 274_10 16.25 18,723.35 editors Bedford Bourough Councll Unpresented cheoLSes HMRC Payments in advance 270.00 Fees overpald 43.44 Q3 paymeni dtse on 22101121 313A4 Restrirted Funds Grants received for Infection Control from Bf0rd Borough Countil 2nd Central 8eds Council S24.C 624.00
CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the truste051 members of Bolnhurst Stables Trust On accounts for the year ond•d 31 Decemt*r 2020 Charity no (If any) 327398 Set out on pagos 3.4and5 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust°} for the year ended 3111212020 Responslbllities and basis of report As the chariws Irustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (°the Act.). I report in respecl of my examinalion of the Trust's accounts carried out under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commtssion under se10n 14515){b} of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection with the examinalion which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect". the accounting records were not kept in accordanc8 With section 130 of the Charrf(ies Act., or the accounts did not accord with Ihe accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply wth Ihe applicable requirements Conrning the fom and conlenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in wnnection th the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date.. 8° February 2021 Name: David Dwyer Relevant professional qualification(s) or l)ody (if any): Addre8S: The Forge Keysoe Rd Riseley, Beds. MK44 1 DE IER Oct 2018