# **The Benwell Christian Shop Project Trading as Cornerstone Benwell** # **Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2021** **Benwell Christian Shop Project A company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England & Wales No. 02349218 Registered Charity No. 701263** **Serving the Community of Benwell since 1987** Trustees and Directors at 31st March 2021 Peter Michell (Acting Chair) Carol Davison (Acting Secretary) Edith Hutchinson David Kirkwood Shirley Irving Tim Woolley The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. Cornerstone has a long-term commitment to serve the people of Benwell by working to: · Include the excluded - Empower the disempowered · Encourage the discouraged - Celebrate all that is good “What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad.” Isaiah 58 Registered Office: 62 Armstrong Road Benwell Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 7TU T: 0191 226 0941 E: cornerstonebenwell@gmail.com www.cornerstonebenwell.com Www.facebook.com/cornerstonebenwell Bankers TSB PLC 104 West Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9QA **Report from the Acting-Chair of Trustees.** Welcome to this Annual Report which summarises the achievements of Cornerstone during the financial year leading up to March 2021. Also included is a summary of the 2020-21 Annual Accounts. The year began just as the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was introduced. We were about to welcome Amy Proud, our newly appointed Centre Coordinator, to take up her appointment with us. Because of the uncertainty, this was deferred in the wake of our premises having to close and our usual activities being put on hold. We also had to delay the opening of a planned new café service which Lesley Render was going to lead. However, Amy and Lesley kept faith with Cornerstone by helping as volunteers. They helped the existing Cornerstone team who were determined to continue serving the local community during the lockdown, but in new ways. Our staff and volunteers responded magnificently to the idea of setting up a service to deliver shopping and medical supplies to people who became isolated by the pandemic. A soup and sandwich delivery round was also made available. These services became popular and much appreciated. As the first lockdown eased, the Cornerstone shop re-opened and some activities were able to resume – albeit in new circumstances of distancing, disinfecting and face covering. Amy and Lesley took up their intended roles as part time employees. Some of the old activities restarted and the new café opened and began to gain momentum. The second lockdown intervened, and again we had to suspend all activities that met on our premises. Attention returned to our delivery services, now with a hot meal option added to the menu. Despite the constraints, we worked hard to find alternative ways to keep in touch with our regular users, and in addition to reach others who had not previously used Cornerstone. We have taken advantage of the quieter times during the lockdowns to reorganise and refresh our premises. By the end of our 2020-21 year, we were well placed to emerge from the third lockdown ready and able to offer a range of activities – some familiar and some brand new. We look forward to serving and helping local people and providing them effective support in various ways. My congratulations, admiration and thanks go to our staff, volunteers and trustees for their considerable determination and dedication, in the face of very unusual circumstances. Their work has ensured that Cornerstone has continued to be an oasis of support for many people in the Benwell area even during a year of so many restrictions and constraints. Grateful thanks also go to the many individuals and organisations who have generously given their support financially and in other ways. This contribution towards the work of Cornerstone is essential and always very ## much appreciated. ## Peter Michell (Acting Chair of Trustees) ## **Report from Centre Co-ordinator Amy Proud** Where to start to describe a rollercoaster of 12months. This year started in April 2020 just 2 weeks after a national lockdown due to the pandemic was declared. Cornerstone had to close it’s doors to the public but inside some wonderful work was taking place. Volunteers rushed to start a telephone service to reach out to those most in need of support, encouragement, and friendship. Lesley Render supported by other volunteers made hot meals, soups, and sandwiches to be delivered twice a week to people in the community who were the most vulnerable and isolating. This was a super successful project and was well received by the community. It became a lifeline to many and I am so proud of all the team who were involved. A special thank you to Michael and Ruth who also completed shopping and prescription runs for those who could not get out and about. This project needed to be picked up again in the winter months due to the second national lockdown. In the summer of 2020, Lesley Render joined us as a permanent member of staff and opened her beautiful community café. This project has become the new centre of Cornerstone and we are so lucky to have a base where we can welcome the community to enjoy healthy and hearty food (plus some nice treats!) at an extremely low price. Using Fareshare and Neighbourly we ensure that no food is wasted. This project is largely thanks to St Hildas Charitable Trust. Special Thanks also to Warburtons who helped us to create an outdoor seating area for the warmer months. During October Half Term we held a special Halloween Afternoon Tea event which was immensely popular, it was wonderful to have the children back at Cornerstone. We also provided free packed lunches for children as part of the “End Holiday Hunger” campaign. We received a special mention in local press and from Marcus Rashford. Over Christmas we delivered special Christmas Afternoon Teas to the Children which included a small gift and a letter from Santa himself! Two more events in early 2021 included a delivered Mothers’ Day Afternoon Tea and a delivered Children’s Easter Afternoon Tea. We were surprised that the Easter Bunny even popped in to help out! When lock downs have allowed our preloved shop has been open and has been enormously popular. It generates a substantial income for Cornerstone. The shop now fills the courtyard to maximise space and safety. Our COOP membership funding closed and we received more than anticipated for the community. We were selected to be the face of the national campaign and had the opportunity to work alongside Vick Hope to discuss our charity and projects across the COOP social Media platforms. The money raised has gone towards decoration of the centre and our wonderful new eye-catching signage. We have made many fantastic new relationships including with all the major supermarkets and lots of new grant making charitable trusts. Large donations have enabled us to pay staff wages, purchase new laptops and equipment and Michael’s new man cave (garden shed!) A wonderful year despite difficult challenges. Although she joined us in summer of 2021, I would like to give a warm welcome to Katy Folan our new Enrichment Coordinator for Learning Disabilities and Schools. I would also like to take this opportunity to bid a heartfelt goodbye and thank you to Denise Scott who dedicated many years to working with the Welcome Project and Millenium Club. I would like to give a huge Thank You to our wonderful volunteers. Without you Cornerstone could not exist. An extra special Thank You to Colin, Wendy, Veronica and Carol. Finally, a massive Thank You to Michael Taylor for his hard work and commitment this year. Major contributors in the last year have been: St James, Benwell St John’s, Benwell All Saints, Gosforth Denton Burn Methodist Church Heddon-on-the-Wall Methodist Church Lemington Methodist Church Milbourne Methodist Church Newburn Parish Church Ponteland Methodist Church Ponteland United Reformed Church Westerhope Methodist Church Riding Mill Church The Wesley Orphan House Trust Coop Waitrose Ponteland Tesco Kingston Park Asda Gosforth Morrisons West Denton Newcastle City Council The National Lottery FareShare NE Greggs Warburtons Leslie and Lilian Manning Trust Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust In addition, we have received a number of significant individual donations. To all of these we send our huge thanks. The following page shows a summary financial report for year ending 31st March 2021. A full version of the accounts is available by request. The accounts were prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice (Revised 2000) with reference to the exemptions provided for small charities in paragraphs 344-358, paragraphs 353 & 354. Chris Carr Cornerstone Treasurer December 2021 I agree that this is a true and fair reflection of the Cornerstone accounts Richard McAllister December 2021 Reserves Policy The policy is to have between 6 and 12 months running costs in reserve. Benwell Christian Shop Project (A conipany Limited By Guaraiitee aiid not havinby sliare capilal I Annual Accounts For the Yeiir Ending .1 l Marcli ?0? I Compc1n)' Niimber 9349918 Re¥isiered Cliaril), Nuiiiber 701 ?63 Benwell Christian Shop Project Management Coiincil Peter N4ichell {Aclin¥ Chairl Carol Davison IAcliiigF Secretary) Tiin Woolley D11 l'id Kirkii.'ood Ediili HiitLIIiiisoii Sliirlej. Irvinb Claire Lewis I're¥yurer MrCMCarr Secretary Carol Davisoii Rcgislered orrice C'ornersloiic Arinslrong Road Beniiell NeKILci%ile Upoi) Tyne NE4 7TU Baiikers TSEI 104 West Road Milvciin Neii'castle Upon Tyne NE4 C)QA Independenl Exaininers Report- TO THE TRUSTEES OF BENWELL CHRISTIAN SHOP PRO.IECT i'cporl on the accoun1% for ihe year ended 31 . Marcli ?0? l. RESPEC.TIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As Ilie charily. % Iriistees YOLI Ic re responsible tor tl)e preparalioii of the accoiints; yoii Collsider Ihat Ilie aiidil reqLiireines11 ot section 4.3{?) of Ilie C'h' and ¢lll>' COIMP¢irison of IhL 2¢ LC()Iiiils pre%L'iiled ¥￿Illi tliose rccoi'ds. It ¢?Iso iiicliides con8iderciliDn ol- iin), lin119111c l ii¢liiS or disLlosurL's iii Ilic ncd oi) lis belialt. by.. Peter Micliell ICliairpers0111 Mr C M Carr {Treasiirerl Etw6Lk CLW i, Carol Davison (Secretary) Benwell Christian Shop Project Notes to tlie Accounts for year ended 31 MarLh 2021. l. Accoiinting Policies: Tlie followingy accounting, policies have beeli used con5iSteiitlv in dealinbj With ilLins which are consid¢red material in relation to zhe coinpany's annual dCCOLinls'.- AccoiintiDg eonvention Tlie.%L accollllts l)aNi bcei) prepared iiiider the lii.%torical cost Lonvention. We liave &qppliLd the iicw priii¢ipals sel oiit iii fRS I O? Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation Fixed A8seis .Ire sl4lled al cost lesq ' are received. 2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSF.TS (.see Asset Depreciation pagc) 3. DEBTORS & CREDITORS Debtors: We expect lo receive £?000 froin Inland Revenue relalinby to Gift Aid doiiation for 2019& 2020 4. NET GAIN FOR THE YEAR Pi'iillarily relates to Grants associated ivith keeping the centre riinniiib diiriiibF the Ctsvid-19 Paiideinic. Trersus liniited riiniiinbF costs. 5. CASH FLOW STATEMENT See attlc ched Ciqsh flow docuineiil. 6. EMPLOYEES Tlie averabFe niiillber of persons eiiiployed diirinbT Il)e year., 202012021 2019120 Tlie Ineiiibers ot. tlie In1c nageinenl coiiiicil received no reiniiiicralioi) li) Ilie year (?0191?O- iiill 7. IIALANCE SHEFT Tlie aLLOLiiII.s LlfL pi'ep;Ired iii c1CCOI'dc111CC Iviih the speci2 1? 910 00 Irj 1Tr0 02 32 102 00 JRHI ITS IIICQI.IE RESTRICTEO 1 R9> 00 Donations reslriciod 11011-group Toial Income 1 500 00 49.132.01 44.161.96 STAFF COSTS Salaries Staff & ..olunlegrs 8KpeilSeS Total Siall cos15 22 239 ?0 199 J2 1GJ JO 30.363.82 22.239.18 MAIIAC?FMF14T & RUIININC. COSTS Clganiiig & dgcor31in9 1 fJ62 rJ 4 31C ?0 47> J* 2iO 00 388900 10sf) JO 418 00 I..IAIIAP)El,IEIIT COSTS upplies SLindr,' oxppiises Postage 2219*8 1 j614P 2 093 41 3 JJ IO 104¢> ¢)J 9Ji 43 717 03 i?J nffico 1gl•Ahones la11011PD,'i%nffic.e siindri Toial Maiiageiiiviii & riiiiiiing cnsls 12.526.42 1?.487.67 GROSS SURPLUS 9.401.16 6.280.52 USER fosTS er03dKJi)d cliaiges 1131ning loom 148 00 4i619J 1 922 12 2000 6.879.58 Glou￿ SLIP*, I,.liscf Ilaiioous usei costs l Tolal User cosis 386.90 DEPRECIA TION 279 36 372 48 193 i2 Tolal Dpi)rvcitlt40Ji 279.36 566.00 ASSET DISPOSAL DEFICIT ISURPLUSI .?¢CJ 4 .769.45 TOT AL OPERA TIIIG COSTS .103.19 7.445.58 NET SURPLUS IDEFICITI 9.504.95 -1.165.06 I&E AccoLlI)18t F￿,.d 18E ACCOUNT 60 62J 39 70.129.34 617094 60,674.39 Balance Sheel As Ai End ol fknlar-21 As At Eiid ol Nlar-20 ASSETS Fixed A55elS 1.698.00 Cliireiii Asset5 Oeblors B31)k..Casli CLiiiei)i Assets 200000 J72Jf127 Jg 2fJ127 70.129.36 200000 jfj 926 41 8 92¢341 60.624.41 TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIE S Funils Resepies I&E ACCOUIIT c.,fri￿d 70 12fJ 14 60 624 39 FU14DS FhlPLOYED 70.129.36 60.624.41 TOTAL LIABILITIE S 70.129.36 60,624.41 Aiidit Lxeiiiptioii Sllllcnienl For Ilie year eiidiiiby .1 I1011?011 tlie coinpc?l)y W'ii)gi iviil) Ilie reqLiireii)eiils of ihe Act ivitli respect 101 (ccoiinliTlbP I'ecord5 aiid Ilie prepar1( tion ot t]ccoiiiils tliesc accoiiiits li&ive bL'eii prLpared in ilccordlL nee ￿'Ith tl)e provisions applicablL lo coiiipaiiies SLibject to tlic sin -1 16) ofj SuiplLlS frowr P&L Adjust foi Ihp follotsving noii-c35h I10n.}s Fi>:ed Assel Deorec131I01) Loss oli Sslp of Fixed 4s5els Net cash frorn operatioiis >66 00 9,014.86 -599.06 S?Ip of Fiked A.ssels Inciea5e ifi cash 12iOOO 10.364.86 -599.06 Assct Deprcciation Furniluie. fittings. Vehicles Cost: Balance Brought For¥￿ard 37 3J6 70 2J 79146 62 138 16 Dispos315 duriiig Pericd Balance al Eiid of Period -2J 791 JG -24 7Q1 J6 Depreciaiioii: 531311co Brought FoM"ard Dispos31s diiriiig P•riod Balaiic8 BIou9I?i For?¥ard | AmoLlI)I lo D#piecialg Rale of Dopièc5alioii j Jryl | Cl)argo for Period 36 229 2¥, 2J 210 91 GOJJO 1r) -2J 210 ¢J1 .2J 21fJ CJ1 36 229 2) 36 229 2) 1 117 4) 279 36 279 3r) i Balaiice at Eiid of Period 36 *08 61 3fJ i08 r)1 Nei Book Value5'. 41 glart of P￿riod Ai End of Per10d ?80 >) 169800 838 Ic C> OOM￿0￿ llllll 00 o c>a ooooc>a oe4000 tsoeoo UL Independent Examiiiers Report., TO THE TRUSTEES OF BENWELL CHRISTIAN S140P PROJECT I report on the accounls for ihe year elided 31. Marcli ?0? l . RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As the charity's triislees you are responsible for tlie preparation of the accounts. you coiisider th1¢ t the aiidit reqiiireineni of section 4.3(?) of tli¢ Chcirities acl 199.3 {Ihe act) does not apply. It is iny responsibiliiy 10 Stiile, on ilie basis of proLedures specified in ilie general direclioiis bFiven by the Cliarity Coininissionei's linder seciion 41(7)Ibl of the act, whether particiilar Inatters have coine lo Iny attention. BASIS OF THE EXAMINERS REPORT My examination was carried oiit in accordance willi the General Direclioiis ￿1ve17 by tl)e Charity Comniissioners. An exainination includes a review ot Ilie