## **The Benwell Christian Shop Project Trading as Cornerstone Benwell** **Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024** **Benwell Christian Shop Project** **Registered in England & Wales No. 02349218 Registered Charity No. 701263** ## **Serving the Community of Benwell since 1987** Trustees and Directors at 31st March 2024 David Kirkwood (Chair) Peter Michell (Secretary) Carol Davison Shirley Irving Tim Woolley Claire Lewis Rachel Turner 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. 1 Welcome to this Annual Report which summarises the achievements of Cornerstone during the financial year leading up to March 2024. Also included is a summary of the 2023/2024 Annual Accounts. 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 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 2 ## **Report from Operations Manager Amy Sturdy** The year 2023 into 2024 saw the community of Benwell and Scotswood adapting to, and getting used to, the new normal in this period of financial insecurity. With more people than ever now living below the poverty line we at Cornerstone have been there to ensure no one goes hungry, families live in dignity, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We continued to operate as a Warm Hub throughout the winter months and then made the decision to change into a Wellbeing Hub so we can offer a full wrap around wellbeing package including free hot meals on a Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon, The Benwell Bubble Laundry Service and the Benwell Bridge Food Pantry. We remain passionate about delivering dignity in poverty. A huge thank you to Lesley for another year of making amazing lunches. A huge thank you to Maureen for all her hard work this year supporting Lesley in the kitchen, running the Benwell Bubble and Benwell Bridge and providing teas and coffees to the Welcome Project. We are so grateful to have you ladies working with us! Our popular Welcome Project continued and grew this year and saw our friends enjoying many new activities including Lego building, Gardening and Cookery. We also had a Pirate Day, a Disney Day a Jurassic Park Day and a Harry Potter day! And of course, celebrated Halloween and Christmas in style. A massive thank you and of course WELCOME to Angela who joined us in January 2024. She supports all aspects of Cornerstone however has the special job of running the Welcome Project who just adore her. 3 Our Kindful Project, delivered across 5 schools, finished this year to make way for our new project Kindful Kitchen. We built a gorgeous new Edu-Kitchen in what used to be in the shop area. This has given us space to cook with up to 8 people at any one time. We run courses for Mindful Cookery, Budget Cookery and a support group for menopausal woman. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Christopher for using his super DIY skills to make our new kitchen area. Other projects that continued this year include our Memory Cafe. Our collaboration with SEARCH ensures that customers with memory problems have a safe space to meet, socialise and enjoy a lunch together. Inspire Youth ran the after-school youth club for approx. 30 local children each session who enjoyed learning cookery skills and crafting. We enjoyed collaborating with Get Online Newcastle this year and supported 12 people to get online through our free tablet course. With more visitors than ever this year I would like to take the opportunity to thank Michael for keeping the place in tip top shape and for his patience… he has to work with 4 women after all! We also could not do without our amazing trustees and volunteers! A special mention to Carol and Christopher for putting in so many hours and thanks as always to Chris and Richard completing our accounts. This year ended in style with a wedding at Cornerstone… mine! I would like to thank everyone for all the messages of support and best wishes. It meant a lot to us. I look forward to updating you next year with all the new projects we have added… I have a feeling it’s going to be a noisy one! With love and gratitude, **----- Start of picture text -----**
Amy
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4 ## **Major Contributors in the Last Year** Northumbria Police Westerhope Church Joicey Trust Ponteland Party in the Park Vegan Society Ponteland Methodist Church LGA Milbourne Church Lottery Community Fund All Saints Church Barchester St James at Riding Mill Badur Foundation Churches of Benwell and Scotswood Stewardship ASDA Barbour TESCO Community Foundation Morrisons Benefact Fareshare WG Edwards COOP Funeral Care L&L Manning Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter Newcastle Council Peoples Kitchen Inspire Youth Feeding Families Marsh Trust Inkind Direct Nathans Wastesavers SEARCH Newcastle 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 2024. 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 2024 I agree that this is a true and fair reflection of the Cornerstone accounts Richard McAllister December 2024 Reserves Policy The policy is to have between 6 and 12 months running costs in reserve. 5 Year ending 31_laar-24 Year ending 31￿ar-23 INCOME INCOME-GENERAL Cafe sales Intefest Othei income Rent rooms Friends of Comerstone Donations- unrestricted 589.23 9.516_00 745.62 5.110.00 1.901.31 436.85 3.476.02 2.332.00 1.809.86 17,350.00 36.680.00 2.376.00 2.187_00 2.931_13 21.140.21 GRANTS Grants groups INCOME - RESTRICTED Total Income 24.838.08 64.323.27 69.0%.04 STAFF COSTS Salanes Totsl Staff costs 52.006.28 52,fMJ6.28 51,920.85 51,920.85 PAANAGEMENT & RUNNING COSTS Cleaning & decorating Heat and light Securrty and losses MANAGEMENT COSTS Cafe supFlies Sundry expenses. Postage Contents insurance Office teletthones Stationery&office sundri Total Managefflent & Tunning costs 6.105.63 4.443.96 2.319_85 93.60 997.23 529.94 30.00 1.567.15 1.106_36 138_36 17,332.08 878.19 3.474.00 2,324.61 305.00 1,406.52 879.22 86.61 2,309_51 1.080.00 650.70 13,394.36 GROSS SURPLUS (DEFICIT) -242.32 91.94 IISER COSTS Group Actmiies Total User costs 2.150_53 2.150.53 2,150_39 2,150.39 DEPRECIATION Furniture. fittings. equipment Total Depreciation 117_86 157_14 117.86 157.14 TOTAL OPERATING COSTS NET SURPLUS (DEFICIT) -2.510.71 J,299.47 I&E Account Bt Fwd 69.312.07 66 801.36 72.611.54 69 312.07 I&E ACCOUNT Benwell Christian Shop Project (A cornpany Limited By Guarantee and not having share capital) Annual Accounts For the Year Ending 31 March 2024 Company Number 2349218 Registered Charity Number 701263 Benwell Christian Shop Project Management Council David Kirkwood (Chairman) Peter Michell {seCret(￿Y) Carol Davison Tim Woolley Shirley Irving Claire Lewis Rachel Turner Treasurer MrCMCarr Secretary Peter Michell Registered Office Cornerstone Amstrong Road Benwell Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 7TU Bankers TSB 104 West Road Milvain Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 9QA Independent Examiners Report: TO THE TRUSTEES OF BENWELL CHRISTIAN SHOP PROJECT I report on the accounts for the year ended 31" March 2024. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requiremeiit of section 43(2) of the Charities act 1993 (the act) does not apply. It is my responsibilily to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43{7)(b) of the act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. BASIS OF THE EXAMINERS REPORT My examination was carried out in accordance with the General DireLtion8 given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and any comparison of the accounts presentcd with those records. It also include% con%iderdtion of any unusual items or di%clo%ures in the account%, iind seeking explanations from you as irustees concerning any such niatters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS STATEMENT In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cau.se to believe that in any material respect the requirements:. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting record.8 and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. These are also in line with standards set by FRS102. 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. Name.. Mr Richard McAllister Relevant Professional body: Chdrtered Institute Accountants England & Wales Address: 40 Moycraig Road Bushmills Benwell Christian Shop Project STATEMETrrr BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 The company was entitled to exemption under the Companies Act 2006 from the requirement to have its accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 audited. No notice has been depositcd under that Act requiring an audit in relation to the company's accounts for that financial year. The members of the council (Icknowledge their responsibilities for: ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with the Companies Act 2006, and preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financicil year and of its surylus or deficit for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of that Act, and which otherwi.se comply with the requirements of thai Act relating to the accounts, as far as appliLable to the company. th These account8 were approved by the Management Council on Friday 13 December 2024 and signed on its behalf by: David Kirkwood (Chairman) M Carr (Treasurer) Peter Michel (Secretary) Benwell Christian Shop Project Notes to the Accounts for year ended 31 March 2024. l. Accounting Policies: The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the company's annual accounts:_ Accounting convention These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. We have applied the new principals set out in FRS102. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation Fixed Assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation Depreciation is provided at 25./0 annually Revenue Grants Income by way of charitable grants is accounted for on a cash receipts basis. Capital Grants Material Capital Grants received are shown as income in advance and taken to income and expenditure over the expected life of the asset, Gifts & Donations Gifts & donations are included in the income & expenditure account in the year which they are received. 2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS (see Asset Depreciation page) 3. DEBTORS & CREDITORS Debtors: We expect to receive £2000 from Inland Revenue relating to Gift Aid donation for 2022123 & 2023124 4. NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR Primarily relates to timing in receipt of grant funding versus the continued controlled approach to managing centre and group running costs. 5. CASH FLOW STATEMENT See attached cash flow document. 6. EMPLOYEES The average number of persons employed during the year: 202312024 202312022 The members of the management council received no remuneration in the year (2022123- nil) 7. BALANCE SHEET The accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small/medium companies. Audit Exemption Statement For the year ending 3110312024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibilities.. the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476, the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies Subject to the small companies, regime. 8. RESERVES POLICY The policy is to have between 6 and 12 months running costs in reserve. Yoar 8ndlng 31 Mar-24 Yeai ending 31_Mor-23 INCOME INCOME-GENER4L Caf9 sal8S IntB Test Crther income R8nl rooms Friends of Com6fStone Donations. unrestficted GRA￿s Grants groups INCOME - RESTRICTED Total Income 589 23 9.516 00 745 62 5.110 00 1.90131 436 85 3.476.02 2.332 00 180986 17 350 00 36.680.00 2,376 00 2.187 00 2.931 13 21.140 21 24.838.08 64.323.27 69.096.04 STAFF COSTS Sa13ri8S Totol Stoff costs 52.006 28 52,006.28 51.920 85 51,920.85 MANAGEMENT & RUNNING COSTS Cleaning & d8coraling Heat 8nd light Sgcurity and losses MANAGEME￿ COSTS Cafe supplies Sundry expenses Postage Contents insurance Office telephones Slationery&office sundri Total Management & runnlng coslj 6.105 S3 4,443.96 2.319 85 93.60 997 23 529 94 3000 1.567 15 1.106 36 138.36 17,332.08 878 19 3.474 00 2.324 61 305.00 140652 879 22 8661 2.309 $1 108000 650 70 13.394.36 GROSS SURPLUS IDEFICIT) -242.32 91.94 USER COSTS Group Actiwtie9 Total Usfrr cogts 2.150 53 2.150.53 2.150 39 2.150.39 DEPRECIATION Furniture ffttings èquipment Total Depreclallon 117 86 157 14 117.86 157.14 TOTAL OPERATING COSTS NET SURPLUS (DEFICITI -2.510.71 J.299.47 I&E Account Bl Fwd I&E ACCOUNT 69 312 07 72 61154 69 312.OT BALANCE SHEET As At End of Mar-24 As Ai End of Mar-23 ASSETS Fixed Assets 353.57 471.43 Current Assets Stock Debtors 88nklCash Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS 2.000 00 FA.447 81 66.417 81 66.801.38 200000 6G 840 66 68.840 65 69,312.09 LIABILITIES Funds Reserves I&E ACCOUNT clfwd 66,80136 69.312 07 FUNDS EMPLOYED 66,B01.38 69.312.09 CL5ryent Liabilrties TOTAL LIABILITIES 66.801.38 69.312.09 Audit Exemption Statement For the year ending 31.3.2024 ThL' coinpany was enlitlcd to exemption from the audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibililies: the members have not rcquircd th¢ company to obain an audit ofits accounts t'or the year in question in accordance with section 476. the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements ofihe Act with respect to accouniing record.s and the preparation of accounts. these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions appl icable to companies subject to the small companies, regime. t). MicI4E LL C.rf)x TrLKs& IL C(￿-￿S CASH FLOW STATKMEiYr Yèar ending 31-Mar-24 Year ending 31-Mar-23 -2.510 71 -3.299 47 Sur1￿U5 from P&L Adjust for the following non-cash rtems-. Fixed Asset Depreciation Net cash from operations 117 86 -2,392.85 157 14 J,142.33 Reductlon In cash -2,392.85 ,142.33 ASSF.T DEPRICIATION Furnltufe, Ilttings. TOTAL Cost: Balan¢e Brought Forw8fd 37.346.70 37.346.70 B8lanc8 at End of Period 37 346.70 37.346 70 preclatlon: Bal31?ce 8rought Fotward Balance 8rought Fo￿ard 36 875 27 36 875.27 36 875 27 36.875.27 Amount to DgpfaCi3te R8te of Depreciation IOAI Charge for Period 47143 25 117 86 47143 11786 B8lance al End of Pèriod 36.993.13 36.993 13 ei Book Values: At Start of Period At End of P81iod 47143 47143 00 lllllll lllll O C4Oa oooooo E> ooo¢oo oco oooo QQ8lQO oooooo Independent Examiners Report: TO THE TRUSTEES OF BENWELL CHRISTIAN SHOP PROJECT I report on the accounts for the year ended 31" March 2024. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you considei- that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities act 1993 (the act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the general directions given by the Charity commis.sioners under section 43(7)(b) of the act, whether particular matter.s have come to my attention. BASIS OF THE EXAMINERS REPORT My ex