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2021-03-31-accounts

Some Centre stats We had footfall equivalent to 7,648 visits in the last 12 months. 3,686 male (49.2%) and 3,962 female (51.8%). This represents a big change of more females using the centre. The number of overall visits again increased significantly from the previous year, indicating that we are actually supporting far more people (from 3,850 last year up to 7,648 ) which we put down to our response to Covid and our response to the pandemic..

Part of this involved providing more than 9,862 food bags during the pandemic (to August 2021) This equates to approximately 39,448 meals.

Working with organisations & agencies

We continue to work with the Area Foodbank, Community 360 and Essex County Council. We have been working with all other local agencies to ensure that we sign-post clients to the most appropriate help- where we cannot offer that assistance. We are currently supporting 2 local Community Fridge projects (one of them being us!)

We belong to: Braintree Community Tree, the Horizon Project, the Community Safety Hub, other crime prevention strategies and other community mental health services. In the last year we offered clients advice on 2,063 separate occasions.

Even more Centre

More Centre stats

stats Since working with Fareshare we have:  Collected Collected 1,040

Our education, through Since working with the Essex Learning Fareshare we have: Partnership Fund,  Collected Collected 1,040 continues to provide donations to date learning to the most  28,558kg of food has isolated and vulnerable been received in Essex. In 2020/21 we  The equivalent of provided learning 67,996 meals have opportunities to over 270 been distributed individuals. Amazing as  91,270 kg of CO2 we only delivered for 7 savings have been months! We continue to made to the be only 1 of only 3 environment providers working in (data provided by partnership with Adult FareShare) and we now Community Learning work with Neighbourly, Essex. Greggs, Nandos and KFC

Our work with Braintree Village

Throughout the pandemic we have continued to work with Braintree Village, as part of their Community Partnership Programme. They have been phenomenal. They have supported our clients in so many ways:

And by just ‘being there’ for us. By being available at the end of a telephone and for Zoom calls. To boost us and lifting our spirits. Providing us with support to continue to provide help for the disadvantaged throughout our community.

Charity no. 803170

29 Bocking End, Braintree, Essex. CM7 9AE Tel: 01376 346535 E-mail: firststopcentre@btconnect.com www.firststopcentre.com

CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION

Welcome to First Stop Centre’s annual report for 2020/21.

It has been a demanding year, to say the least. The COVID19 pandemic obliged us to shut the Centre to visitors and clients and during the various lockdowns we were unable to provide the drop-in and hot meals facilities, training or counselling, i.e. the mainstays of our support to the people of Braintree. Thanks to the sterling efforts of our manager, Rachael Stone, and deputy manager, Jan Russell, however, we were open five days per week to provide food parcels at the door to those in need. We are very grateful to the many food stores that provided surplus and left over stocks to ensure that we were able to meet demands.

Apart from Rachael and Jan, all staff were furloughed or shielding and were kept in touch with developments, thus ensuring we would be able to resume normal activity as soon as circumstances permitted. We are now well beyond the year under review and have only recently been able to resume some of our “normal” activities but the drop-in and hot meals facilities remain in abeyance for the time being.

This report gives a flavour of the work achieved throughout the pandemic. It would not have happened without the dedication of Rachael and Jan.

Ian Wardrop Chair of Trustees

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Manager’s Report

Charity details

Name First Stop Centre Registered charity number 803170 Principal address 29 Bocking End Braintree Essex CM7 9AE

Trustees

Ian Wardrop Chair Moia Thorogood Vice Chair Tracey Radley Treasurer Emma Reid Secretary

In another unprecedented year I am so proud of all who are part of the First Stop team, for all they have done to support so many during a most difficult time. We were told by so many that we were the only people they spoke to or saw during the week, and that was our privilege.

We have been offered support by so many, a true community spirit has developed during what has been a most difficult time.

Structure and governance

The charity is a Trust and its governing document is a Constitution. Trustees are appointed by fellow trustees who, together with the Centre Manager, comprise the Management Committee. All trustees are subject to re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

The day-to-day running of First Stop Centre is the responsibility of the Centre Manager who reports to the Management Committee.

Charity’s Objects

First Stop Centre is established for the public benefit with the following object:

To relieve the condition of disadvantaged persons in mid-Essex experiencing difficulties with

Treasurer’s Report

We have had a stable financial year this year mainly due to the continued hard work put into secure funding to run projects that could directly benefit the local community and fully support the vulnerable through the pandemic.

We will continue in this vein to keep the extra support available, whilst upholding our usual funding streams and offering our full range of services where possible.

Thank you for the hard work put in by staff to secure continued funding and also looking ahead to what will be a challenging year we hope to be able to support many.

by the provision of support services for such persons to assist them in maintaining normal relationships with and within the community in which they reside.

The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in setting out below the main activities undertaken in furtherance of First Stop Centre’s Object:

How First Stop Responded to Covid -Not including the Community Fridge

Main achievements

Details of First Stop Centre’s achievements and performance are set out in the Annual Report.

Financial review

The Independent Examiner’s report is contained in the main body of the Annual Report. A reserve fund of approx. £50,000 is maintained as contingency in order to deal with any unexpected major expenditure.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the Annual Report as set out in this document.

March 2021

(Signed)

Ian Wardrop Chair of Trustees

Post Basic Skills Counselling Telephone Advice

The Impact that First Stop Centre has had……………….

Who can benefit from First Stop services?

First Stop Centre Pre lockdown

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usage
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Social Meal

Post

How can the individual make contact with the centre?

FIRST STOP RESPONSE TO

COVID 19

Post

Basic Skills Counselling

Telephone

Advice

Community Fridge

Mission Statement

To work with people who are disadvantaged, in a non-judgemental way, in order to improve their lives

The Impact that First Stop Centre has had………………. The Impact that First Stop Centre has had………………. The Impact that First Stop Centre has had……………….
A Case Study
We have been working with
Brian for about a year.
Previously he had always
worked but he has become
diabetic and this has had a
bad impact on not only his
health but general
wellbeing.
Last year we were able to
support him and his family
with food and this has been
ongoing throughout the
year. During lockdowns we
delivered food to him via
our wonderful volunteers
and staff. This has made
such a difference to him.
At Christmas we were able
to provide some gifts and
these were a reminder that
nice things happen too.
Unfortunately when things
seemed to be improving
there were problems with
his accommodation- where
cladding and subsidence
have become a major
problem resulting in the risk
of him becoming homeless.
We are currently supporting
Brian through this too.		 Case Study
Two……..
We have been helping
Sally for nearly a year.
She is dyslexic (which
was never talked about
when she was at
school) and this has
impacted on her
wellbeing all her life.
Her self-confidence
was so low and she
really believed that she
was ‘unteachable’.
We started by working
on her confidence and
looking at everything
she had achieved.
We have provided her
with tuition for her
English skills- taking
things slowly but
positively- then a tablet
to help her practise her
new skills (including IT)
This will be an on-
going process but we
have seen such a
difference in her
already- Down to her
hard work.
Oher good
news…
We have been able to
support so many people
in the last 12 months.
We have been lucky to
be successful with
funding to provide help
to: hard working parents,
single people, older
people, those furloughed
and anyone who has
needed a helping hand
over these difficult times.
We have been struck by
the generosity of those-
not always able to afford
things themselves.
People have been
supportive with their time
and their energy- which is
just what we have
needed from time to time.
From those providing
bread pudding to those
bringing turkey!
So from all of us we
would like to ‘Thank’
everyone who has been
there.		 Oher good
news…
We have been able to
support so many people
in the last 12 months.
We have been lucky to
be successful with
funding to provide help
to: hard working parents,
single people, older
people, those furloughed
and anyone who has
needed a helping hand
over these difficult times.
We have been struck by
the generosity of those-
not always able to afford
things themselves.
People have been
supportive with their time
and their energy- which is
just what we have
needed from time to time.
From those providing
bread pudding to those
bringing turkey!
So from all of us we
would like to ‘Thank’
everyone who has been
there.

Christmas 2020 was very different – Proving It’s not always just about the learning…….

Christmas 2020 saw Braintree Village (Landsec) support us again with their Giving Tree. Even though things had been so difficult and we were in a state of lockdown for much of the year we were able to give each and every person who needed it a much needed boost of a gift. We selected a care home in Braintree and another local to us with a very personal connection with an array of gifts, most had a package of presents! We made sure that the hard working care home staff were not forgotten either, with a selection of biscuits, chocolates and other goodies. Landsec were able to lend a hand to give these out, making it even more special.

Sadly our Learners’ Celebration could not go ahead and this was a difficult time for staff and so many of our clients- we really missed this special event. Through people’s generosity though we supported old and new clients through difficult times- people are still talking about food hampers and gifts nearly a year on. We are hoping to do more magical things this year- although our celebration will still not go ahead as we are mindful of what Covid -19 can do, and we do not want to spoil any possible get togethers this Christmas time.

First Stop Centre Mid Essex Branch 1st April 2020 - 31 March 2021

Income
ECC/NIDC
Essex Community
Community 360
Other Funding
WEA
Landsec
Phoenix Futures
Interact
FSJ Charities
Xmas Club
Other Donations
Canteen Income
Fundraising Events
Gift Aid
Counselling Income
Miscellaneous Income
Pool Table Takings
Census
HMRC JRS GRANT
Covid-19 Response Grant
Essex Association
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF
Supplier Refund of Overpayment
Bank Interest
Expenditure
Payroll
Maintenance
Copier
New Equipment
Travel
Supervision & Training
Insurance
Utilities
IT Costs
Office expenses
Fundraising expenses
Sundry Expenses
Xmas Club
Xmas Hampers
Accounts Audit
Covid19 expenses
Printing/Stationery
DfiiSl		 2020/2021
25,410
7,500
4,200
0
2,800
15,000
0
280
0
0
24,063
0
0
0
1,850
0
0
5,568
6,665
21,906
5,000
2,200
490
14
122,946
51,720
482
144
1,686
311
228
950
2,584
1,371
266
0
44
0
0
60
13,300
79
102,995
152,714
73,227
49,719		 2019/2020
26,922
0
1,458
5,000
11,265
10,777
600
560
1,000
0
12,914
1,494
2,015
1,281
3,415
48
193
0
0
0
62
30
79,033
46,449
926
288
0
476
507
950
2,015
768
435
0
445
0
500
50
0
77,908
102,995
136
53,947
25,087
(ect)/urpus
Fund B/F
Fund C/F

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ FIRST STOP CENTRE MID-ESSEX BRANCH members of

On accounts for the year

ended

31[st] March 2021

Charity no (if any)

Set out on pages

1-10

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

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 or 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 to those matters set out in the statement below.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention other than Independent examiner's that disclosed below statement

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

  4. have not been met; or

  5. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Lisa Brown Date: 05/10/2021 Lisa Brown MICB Name:

Member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. ICB Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping Relevant professional ICB Level 2 Manual Bookkeeping qualification(s) or body ICB Level 3 Computerised Bookkeeping (if any): ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping ICB Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts IER 1 March 2012 Address: 5 Charnock Close Kirby Cross Frinton on Sea CO13 0RT Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

IER

March 2012

2