Charity Registration Number 508018
COPPERDALE TRUST TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR April 1[st] 2024 31[st] March 2025
Copperdale Trust
Contents
Trustees and professional advisors Trustees annual report
Independent examiners report Receipt and payment accounts Statement of assets and liabilities
COPPERDALE TRUST
TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS
Registered Charity Name Copperdale Trust Charity number 508018 Registered Office Copperdale Trust Solway Rd Wythenshawe Manchester M22 9XR
TRUSTEES Sharon Darbyshire Lenny Robinson Janet Pierson Eddie Wieczorek Amy Davis Cathy Forden Antony Coulton Andre Zykowski
OFFICERS Secretary Sharon Darbyshire Treasurer Janet Pierson Chair Cathy Forden (Deputy Chair) Full time staff 4 Part tine staff 2 Voluntary helpers 10 Accounts 1 to 1 accountancy agency
Bankers Lloyds Bank 76 Stamford New Rd Altrincham WA14 1BS
Hon Solicitors
Stuart Matthews
Treadstone Solicitors Civic Centre Wythenshawe M22 5RG
COPPERDALE TRUST
VALUE STATEMENT
We value all who use our service, as the unique people they are with the ability to make life better or worse. We feel privileged that we have the opportunity to help become socially individuals.
History, objectives and activities of the Copperdale Trust
In 1972, the redundant and derelict Benchill Police Station was purchased to provide a base for the first Detached Youth Work Project in Wythenshawe. The building was quickly re-named COPPERDALE and the work amongst our community began, under the original title Wythenshawe Community Trust.
Over the last 5 decades, the original objectives have widened to keep up with changing needs. Projects in the 1970/80s included Youth Exchange across the whole of Europe, including Eastern Bloc countries (International Social Educational Exchange). Many other innovative projects began here including the first FARESHARE Franchise and the large scale Christmas Food distributions in the North West. International Exchanges are still available today and our furniture recycling scheme still operates.
At this present time, Copperdale Trust now operates 2 projects – The Copperdale Trust Hostel which provides supportive accommodation for 10 young single homeless people, and the United Estates of Wythenshawe which provides a Gymnasium and many other community/leisure activities. We are also a part of the Mums Mart food bank for our area. As always, both projects are managed by local people who are aware of the real needs of our own community. We always aim to be at the forefront with support and care and innovation.
We are very glad to say, that despite the severe financial cut backs most of us have had to face, this year we have continued to provide the best possible support service-we are fortunate in that we have always relied on voluntary helpers and this year they have been more than ever our mainstay.
We are hoping for an upturn again in the future, but whatever, we will continue to go that ‘extra mile’.
Trustees Report
The Trustees present their annual report and the annual accounts for the year ended 2025.
Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document
Copperdale is registered under the Charities Act 1960 as Charity number 508018. Its principle office is at the address
Copperdale House, Solway Rd, Crossacres, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 9XR
Managing and Governance Arrangements
The Trust provides for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 Trustees. If there should be a requirement for new trustees, these would be identified and appointed by the remaining trustees. The Chair of Trustees is responsible for the induction of any new trustee – this would involve awareness of a Trustees responsibilities, the governing document, administrative procedures and the history and philosophical approach of the Charity. A new Trustee would receive copies of the previous year annual report and would, of course, be aware and support the Charity’s overall Mission Statement, Vision and Values.
Vision Statement.
We strive to provide relevant support and activities which can meet the needs of young people in our community, with particular regard for those who do not have family support and who may be attracted to alternative (sometimes criminal) lifestyles which can detract from the lifestyle of the wider community as well as their own detriment. Alongside this we strive to provide activities and facilities within our wider community which address real needs and help give a sense of empowerment and self worth.
Mission Statement
We work in partnership with families, LA agencies and voluntary agencies in order to gain optimum help for all who use our facilities and service. We are also of the firm belief that a well nourished person will flourish so are always active in promoting access to food through our close links with various Food Banks.
Copperdale Trust
Copperdale Hostel Review of Achievements and Performance for the year
Although at first sight it would seem that the restrictions placed on us by the lack of move on accommodation were negative it has also borne fruit in that many of our residents were able to acquire skills leading to employment. This year four residents were at last given their own social housing tenancies and each one of them has found employment. From our side we have had to face ever increasing amounts of bureaucracy and we have been told to prepare for even more in the next year. Luckily we have a young team of helpers who are competent in IT and we are confident we can deal with this.
In the meantime we are doing all we can to provide a cheerful and supportive environment for all our residents. This has entailed replumbing the second floor, and refurbishing the whole of the first and second floor. New carpeting on the stairways and painting and decorating in cheerful colours (the lads were a great help here).
As always we celebrate each birthday and other holidays.
All in all despite what seems to be a lack of present opportunities, we forge ahead. Our residents and staff have helped maintain a happy and supportive framework and as always we look forward to better times ahead.
Signed
Glenn Davis Manager Copperdale Hostel
The United Estates of Wythenshawe Annual Report 2024 - 2025
After weathering our unpleasent storm of 2023 – 2024 with upward spiralling food costs, gas and electricity price increases and the costs of running a car all increasing we finally have reached a new balance with the projects at United Estates.
The changes made last year were completely necessary and fortunately are still working.
For the time being, but with the exception of the Food Routes Project, we are still running at limited opening times with the Health and Fitness programmes, Dance Studio and Music Room all closing a little earlier than usual.
Food Routes is now by far the most ‘in demand’ part of the United Estates. Food Routes gives the users of the project the autonomy to collect their own food when it is available and the discretion and ‘inside’ information based on their expert local knowledge to make sure the food goes to where it is most needed. Mums Mart Crew are still involved in facilitating and coordinating the project and food is picked up on a daily basis, seven days a week. We average around 25 trays of food per day which is usually enough to feed around 10 families which gives a good indication of the current size and the demand/need for the project. It also shows how much this project has expanded since its inception in 2020. No questions are asked and no proof of benefits or any other paperwork is required. We simply provide quality, nutritious food for those in need of good quality food. No beaurocractical humiliation, just a friendly service.
We currently enjoy food donations form and thank them for their kindness and generosity Manchester Airport, Pret-a-Manger sandwich shops, Hills Bakery in Hale, Local Lidl Supermarkets, Local Aldi Supermarkets and the M&S Supermarket Chain.
We have recently been in the regrettable position of turning down two sizeable donations solely on lack of volunteers with transport. We are working to make sure this is a one off event and hopefully, doesn’t happen again.
We currently help to support around 75 families per week with food parcels. Each year this figure has increased.
Health and Fitness
The Gym and Health and Fitness projects have benefitted this year from the inclusion of two very capable volunteers.
Vaughn comes from a competitive fitness background and offers tips and advice on all aspects of health, fitness, training technique, diet and nutrition etc Danny brings a business mind and is helping with the daily running and management of the gym, from cleaning rotas to applying some fresh thinking into marketing techniques. All very much needed and appreciated.
Gym numbers have remained constant even with the early closing and despite the continued odd complaint from people who struggle to get into use the Gym before the 3.00pm closing time most people are now at least familiar with the new opening times.
The Gym attracts around 30 – 35 people per day and the atmosphere is lively and upbeat.
Tea, Coffee and biscuits are always available as well as the more healthier end of the snack market.
New Projects
New editions this year for the Gym has been heavily weighted (no pun intended) towards the ladies with the addition of a new therapist on the mezzanine. As well as providing a full range of holistic therapies, Lauren also offers a comprehensive range of beauty treatment and therapy. In addition to this the room next to the Therapies which used to house the CCTV System and Gy, Music System has been converted and transformed into a Nail Bar. Although this service has not yet been officially launched we are hoping it will provide a real and inexpensive service for local people who love their nails.
The Gym remains on a voluntary admission policy and this has probably helped to keep numbers up. We have already started work on the outdoor gym and we are hoping that on completion this might help to boost numbers in general. We are considering opening a little later than the official 3.00pm closing time as this shouldn’t increase the energy costs much in the summer months, however other overheads will need to be considered before any final decision is made. The problem with this idea will come in Winter months when we once again for financial reasons may need to close earlier once again. One final piece of news on the Gym front involves a plague of frogs? The gap in the floor left when we moved the original water feature to accommodate for the outdoor Gym had filled with water. Mid April someone noticed the water moving in a very peculiar way. This turned out to be hundreds of quite large frogs!
Nobody knows exactly how they got there, more importantly, less than a week later – they were all gone! Exactly where they came from and where went to is still a complete mystery!?
WoW, Womens Hub.
In other new news the building work on the base for Women of Wythenshawe (WoW) has finally concluded. The place looks and feels absolutely fantastic. It is equipped with toilets, kitchenette, comfortable seating space, business area and possibly space for counselling and other therapy style services.
The base is open to all women’s group in the Manchester area who can hire the room for their groups needs at vastly reduces rates. There are clear networks developing as the women’s groups get to know each other. I am confident in saying that big things can be expected.
Mums Mart have already moved in and will be organising the ‘house’ warming party!
Mo’s Cabin
Mo’s New Cabin continues to provide a base for the Cabin Crew. The shop opens to the public on Tuesday and Friday mornings and sells a wide range of second hand goods including clothes, furniture and household items. The Cabin has a comfortable and at times ‘lively’ cafe area with Tea and Toast an ongoing public service that never seems to end. There are around 20 regular customers but new people arrive often and are always impressed by the warmth and welcoming atmosphere the shop and its staff offer.
There is a great and practical relationship involving the cabin and Mums Mart, with many a local person being signposted between the two for a wide variety of wants and needs. On many an occasion over the last year clients have been passed over to Mums Mart in need of fresh food parcels and Mums Mart have in turn referred their furniture needing clients over to Mo for a chair, a bed or plates etc.
Manchester Urban Collective Sound Recording Studio.
Our Recording Studio is still very much alive and kicking all be it with a much reduced audience. The Plug and Play facility that saw youngsters from the estate create music to then download on to their phones has all but dried up. This was once a hugely popular part of the Music Room and often more serious music producers using our studio would have to fight to find the time to produce amongst the chaos of the army of young aspiring ‘record’ producers. This type of activity has not really recovered since the lock down era of 2020. There is only one established band now using the studio regularly who recently managed to get some of their music on i-tunes. This band has a good following and has played to large audiences across Manchester and beyond. While the band are using us for reversals and recording we will plug on. I am quite convinced that our Urban Collective will, at some point bounce back and once again be the vibrant musical force it used to be.
Dance Studio
Our Dance room has followed a similar path and same journey as the Music Room, never really bouncing back since the times of lock downs. There is now only one regular client using the studio.
On the plus side, keeping the place clean and tidy is not the immense job it used to be.
The same philosophy applies to the Studio as to the Music Room. It will bounce back, hopefully sooner rather than later...
Orchard
The Orchard is now in its second season of apple producing and on advice from the ‘Professional’ Orchard from where the trees came, the apples are good for eating, but next season their produce can go to be processed to make our own apple juice.
Keeping the Orchard area tidy and weed free is a bit of an issue as the sneaky weeds return the minute your back is turned.
We are looking at extending the Orchard area into allotment space for the Community to grow their own produce. A spot of fundraising will be necessary in order for us to realise this ambition and it is hoped that providing allotments will attract interested local volunteers who will act as grounds men and workmen who will help with the upkeep of the trees as well as growing their own fruit and vegetables.
The Idea to create a Peace Garden is also very much on the table and this area would lend itself perfectly for such a development.
With the addition of a paved area, some tables and chairs and possibly even a water feature this would be the perfect addition for future development at the United Estates.
The only piece of other news is a sad reflection on the desperate need for good social housing on estates like Wythenshawe.
Clients of UEW began to notice a van parked up in the grounds on a regular basis.
On further inspection it was discovered that the van was actually ‘home’ to a man and his dog that had recently become homeless. The man, in his 40’s was offered the hospitality and sympathetic reception you would absolutely expect from United Estates management and clients alike and before we knew it a mountain of dog food had appeared in the Gym Reception as concerned people dropped clothes, blankets and food items off for both our refugees.
This obviously didn’t solve the wider problem of where the man and his dog could go and despite best efforts from a large number of our staff and the inclusion of local council officers and homeless charities – we still drew a blank. There was simply nowhere for this man to go to find accommodation other than an old clapped out van on a Gym car park. A simply awful state of affairs.
Church Action on Poverty has now taken his case up and will hopefully have a happy ending?
Greg Davis United Estates of Wythenshawe 2024 - 2025
COPPERDALE TRUST
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT.
Trustees Responsibilities
Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare annual financial statements which show a true
and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of its financial activities for each
year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to :
a) Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
b) Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
c) State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice
have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the
financial statement and,
9
d) Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charity will continue in operational existence.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with
reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity, and enable them to
ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable
Accounting Standards and Statement of Recommended Practice and the regulations made
under section 130 of the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the
assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of
fraud or other irregularities.
By Order of the Trustees.
Kath Forden
Interim Chair
Copperdale Trust
Receipts and Payments for Copperdale Trust for the year ended 31/3/2025
| OVERALL INCOME Donations Received Grants Supporting people Contractural Payments Fund Generation - Charity Shop Charitable Activities TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Provisions Garden / Maintenance Residents/events Donations Miscellaneous Purchases |
COPPERD ALE COPPERD ALE UEW TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS TRUST 2025.00 2024 0 199.36 0.00 199.36 4530 0 12650 2159.0 0 14809.0 0 98296. 25 28862.14 0 0.00 28862.1 4 27708 51225.41 0 0.00 51225.4 1 68801. 25 0.00 0.00 391.88 80087 12849.36 2159.0 0 95095.9 1 19972 7.4 19825 15.12 635.00 20475.1 2 24430. 27 497.00 497.00 23.35 1067 2354.0 0 3421.00 5094.6 4 167 0.00 167.00 476.9 18 18.00 6184 |
|---|---|
| Rent Rates Water Rates Electricity Gas Travelling Car Hire Postage and Carriage Ofce Stationery Telephone and Fax Internet Cleaning Premises Expenses Vehicle Fuel Vehicle repairs and servicing Vehicle licences Insurance Sundry Expenses Wages - Regular Wages - Casual Pension Accountancy Fees Consultancy Fees Total Expenditure SURPLUS/DEFICIT cash funds at 31.3.24 cash funds at 31.3.25 |
0 5700.0 0 5700.00 5225 3182 0.00 3182.00 2338.8 6 1932 1932.00 1736.3 9 8222 2147.0 0 10369.0 0 18187. 85 0 1290.0 0 1290.00 83.48 61 0.00 61.00 488.16 0 599.00 599.00 894.18 301 0.00 301.00 158 123 0.00 123.00 50.27 2232 437.00 2669.00 2815.6 354 0.00 354.00 126 10134. 00 10134.0 0 412 8104 1982.0 0 10086.0 0 21834. 66 2524 78 1000.0 0 3602.00 5426.1 5 1602 25 0.00 1627.00 5990 1063 1063.00 1562 5032 175.00 5207.00 5676 0 16.00 16.00 25 25180 18168. 00 43348.0 0 36954. 92 0.00 0.00 1027.4 5 1229.64 0.00 1229.64 1167.4 4 2702 0.00 2702.00 2020 53 53.00 2535 0.00 |
|---|---|
| 79941.64 5150.12 45134. 00 130225. 76 15294 2 |
|
| 145.36 7699.24 -42975 - 35129.8 5 46785. 43 |
|
| 85917.4 3 39132 46203.3 4 85917. 43 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| AS AT 31/3/23 CASH FUNDS Cash at Bank and In Hand ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARITY'S OWN USE Furniture and Equipment Vehicles Less Liabilities |
46203.3 4 87124. 21 6725.00 8966.2 5 6296.00 8395.3 13 |
|---|---|
| 13021.0 0 17361. 56 3259.00 5167 |
|
| 55965.3 4 10027 2.6 |
REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COPPERDALE TRUST YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 set out on pages above.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed
It is my responsibility to
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the act Follow the procedure laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity.
Commission (under section 145 of the act) and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiners Opinion.
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 of 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 I those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiners Statement
No matters have come to my attention:
- 1 Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
To keep accounting records I accordance with section 130 of the Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and 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 reached.
Julie Birrane CIMA Dip MA 1 to 1 Accountancy and Bookkeeping Services 44 Newcroft Crescent Urmston Manchester M41 9NW