Trustees Annual Report to 31[th] March 2025
The Four Villages Day Centre AKA The Villages Wednesday Club Charity Number: 800127
Trustees:
Dr Dominique P H Daulton (Chairman),
Annery Cottage, Wonersh Common, Wonersh Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0PL
Mrs Margaret A Campbell, Summerpool House, Snowdenham Lane, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0AT
Mr Maurice Byham,
6, Linersh Wood, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0EE
Ms Luxmi W K Selvarajah (Treasurer), The Cherries, Barton Road, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0EB
The trustees are elected by the committee at the AGM and there have been no changes in this financial year.
1. Chairman’s Report
1.1 The Villages Wednesday Club continues for its 38th year as a club to support the elderly, infirm, and lonely people from the Villages around Bramley covered by the Wonersh Surgery. It meets every week on a Wednesday (except for 2 weeks of the year over the Christmas - New Year period) at Blunden Court which we hire from Waverley Borough Council. It also provides respite for some of the Members’ carers. Members either come by their own steam or are brought to the Centre by a team of voluntary drivers and taken home at the end of the day. During the day they are supplied with tea and biscuits, a wholesome meal, given general advice on keeping well and safe, exercises, and entertainment. Of course, all this needs an army of support in the way of organisers, cooks, cleaners, washer-uppers, helpers, fundraisers, committee members, and the support of the residents and management of Blunden Court. We thank them all for their selfless giving of their time, skills and energy, without which the Club could not run. Our cooks achieved a Food Hygiene rating of 5 which is the best! Since covid the membership numbers are back to a fairly full complement and I am informed that the Members are very appreciative and enjoy coming.
1.2 After 3 years as assistant Manager Nicola Mendelssohn has been managing and organising the running of the Club for the last 7 years with the help of Sue Searle. Tragically, Nicola has handed in her resignation in January this year to work with communication of hearing-impaired children in a Primary School. I am sure she will find this very rewarding. Her shoes however will be very hard to fill, as Nicola did a fantastic job and was much loved by the Members. Thank you Nicola and we all wish you well in your new role. In the meantime, whilst looking for a replacement Sue Searle has very kindly stepped into the role with Ann Batchelor acting as a temporary Assistant Manager until Nicola’s replacement is found and given time to settle into the role. May I use this
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opportunity to thank them both, for without them we would not have been able to continue running the Club!
1.3 The Wednesday Club is very active in many ways, producing a quarterly Newsletter for Volunteers reporting on all sorts of matters relating to the Wednesday Club, from Members important birthdays and celebrations, outings and entertainment and advice on various keeping safe matters, and any changes to staff. There has been the usual annual outing, on this occasion to Squires Frensham Garden Centre, followed by lunch at the Frensham Pond Hotel, but I will leave the Organiser to report on that. We also had a lovely Christmas with Rev Patsy Kettle and Chris Goldsmith on the piano for the Christmas Service, followed by a 5 star Christmas lunch and celebrations.
1.4 Financially, the Wednesday Club is stable, but we continue to need to raise funds to maintain the status quo. I am sure Luxmi our treasurer will be reporting in more detail shortly and I thank her for all the work she has put in, not only to ensure our financial stability but also to ensure we meet the necessary regulations as a Charity with all the necessary insurances etc. in place, and I thank all who have made regular and one off donations. I am also grateful to fundraisers and the behind the scenes work they do. I was particularly impressed with the unexpected message that Stuart White who organises concerts at the Holy Trinity Church had engaged pianist Patrick Hemmerle to give a Concert in September in aid of the Villages Wednesday Club from which we were given the profits after expenses.
1.5 And finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank John Allen who is the Independent Examiner of our Accounts.
2.0 Financial Report
2.1 There have been some exceptional donations received this year, including from the family of a local member who sadly passed away, as well as a music event at the Holy Trinity Church and a local business, which donated £10,000 due to disruption caused to the local community due an oil leak.
2.2 Food revenue is significantly increased this year due to the higher number of members attending each week and the increase in food charges from £5 to £6.
2.3 The food costs are down overall on last year due to cost saving measures such as using oven cooked Fish & Chips and having increased contributions for the summer outings.
2.4 The final position of £11,725 cumulative income over expenditure has been driven by the exceptional donations income. If we had not received these, we are still in a healthier position than last year thanks to the food cost saving and increased food revenue.
2.5 The overall investment fund valuation is stable on last year, despite the large fluctuations recently, as a result of the US decisions affecting global stock markets.
2.6 The insurance cost will go up in the coming financial year to £154 from the current £96. This is due to the current offer being withdrawn and general costs increasing. The special charity rate is still significantly less than was paid in 2022-23 (£440). The cover will be comparable to the current policy. It is important to note that the insurance is valid only if the necessary 'risk assessments' have been carried out and the volunteers are made aware of these. It specifies refresher training for those
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responsible for assisting vulnerable adults. The committee will review this to ensure that we are suitably prepared.
2.7 The Blunden Court rent is under review with Waverley Borough Council, for the coming year and is not yet confirmed. The amount in the accounts for the 12 months to 31[st] March, includes the payment to June 2025 and is therefore overstated by £588. This is not shown as a prepayment this year in order to simplify the year end adjustments. As it is always due for payment in advance it will normalise in the next financial year. Therefore, this reflects the cash accounting method.
2.8 The accounts have been reviewed and signed off by our independent examiner with no additional comment.
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