FIRST STOP CENTRE ADMINISTRATNE DETAILS Charity detsll$ Charity no. 803170 29 Bocklng End. Braintree. EsseL CM7 9AE Tel: 01376 346535 Ewmall: firststo centre btconne¢Lcom vpNw.firststo centre.com Flrst Slop Cent 803170 29 Bo¢king End Bralntree Egsex CM7 9AE Registeml elk7rlty nUnor Principal addrèss Chairfs Introductlon Tn*ts•s Michelle Le8 Chilr Vl¢o Chalrf Treasurer Secretary Truste8 l am pleased to introduce our Annual Report for 2024125, a year in which the demand for our ServIS has grown significantly. From providing thousands of meals Ihrough our Communty Fridge and food projects. to supporting over 190 individuals wrth education and skills development, and strengthening partnerships across our communty. the First Stop Centre has conlinued lo deliver vital support where it is most needed. On behalf of myself and the Board of Truslees, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners whose commitment makes this work possible. At time of increasing hardship for many, our services remain essential in offering both practical help and hope for the future. Tracey Radley Emma Reld Moia Thorogc Structure and Governance The charity is a Trust and its goveming document is Constrtutr"on. Trustee$ are appointed by fellow truste8s who, tojether wth the Centre Manager, Mpse the Management Commrttee. All trustees are subject to re4iection at the Annual General Meets'ng. The day-t¢>day running of Firy&t Stop Centre 18 the responsibility of the Centre Manager who reports lo the Management Committee. Charfty'8 ObJe¢tlves First Stop Centre is estsblished for the public benefit the followng objects.. To relieve the condition of disadvantaged persons in mid-Essex éxpenancing diffi¢ulti88 th homelessne88 joblessness financial pr•s8urog substance misuse phy$i¢al and mental heath and relatsd problems leaming disabilitie8 by the provision of support services for #uch porsons to assist them in maintaining normal relationships bwth and within the communrty in which they re$e. Michelle Lee Chalr of Trustees Managerfg Report 2026 A huge welcome to our report in what has tumed Into an incredibly busy year, with numbers up for all interventions. My thanks and gratitude to all the staff, commrttee and volunteers who make up our amazing team and all the organisations vtho support us and Vrk alongside us to provide support and help to clients in the district. It's so important to make sure we are making the best choices c where the gaps in support are, as furKling becomes evennore competitive for a shrinking pot of money. The truslees have had regard to the Charity Commi88ion's guidance on public benefit in setts'ng out below the main actNth"es undertaken in furthorance of First Stop Centre'$ Objectsve8'. edutIOn seNi¢es, induding Ski118 for Life, numeracy, Ilteracy, IT counselliro, induding anger managemenl drop-in facility, including axess to a Community Fridge and food parcels, support on fom filling, housing support, 'care-of address, general support frorn staff. Treasurorfs Report Maln A¢hlevom•nts Details of First Sl¢Jp Centre's achievements and perfomian a set oth in the Annual Report. Annual Report 2025 We have worked hard this year to Conts'nue to deliver our well attended projects. We have continued to secure funding for future products to be delivered across the local community. As llth other years we abNays remain alert to the changing economic landscape. l am able to report we are on a favourable financial standing. I would like to say a massive thank you to our funders and also to the dedicated team, for all of thr hard work. Flnan¢l•l Review The Independent Examine¢s port is contsined in the main body ofthe Annual Report. A reserve fvnd of approx. £50,OCNJ is maintained as contingency in order to deal Nmth any unexpected major expenditure. Declaratlon The trustees dedare thatthey have approved the Annual Report as set out w) thss document. {Signedl September 2025 Chair of Trustees Michelle Lee
Some Centre Stats We had footfall equivalent to 7.691 people fed in the 6 months- March 2025. The number of overall visits was significantly up from last year showing a 64.370A increase In use of the Community Fridge. More Centre Stats Our education classes, through our work Landsec continues to provide leaming to the most isolated and vulnerable in Essex. In 24-25 we have provided leaming opportuniiies to over 190 individuals. Vle offer conffidence building through to employment courses. and mathslEnglish support. Leam my Way through the Good Things Foundation and the opportunty to engage on courses that really can change lives. Even more Centre Stats Since wrknng with Fareshare alone we have.. Collected 2,188 donations to date . 72,514kg of food has been received • The equivalent of 173,670 meals have been distributed 214,389kg of C02 savings have been made to the environment (data provided by Fareshare) We continue to work with Neighboudy (M&S. Sainsburys, 2 Lidl stores, Greggs and Pret and The Cornish Bakep4 as well! Vle work with Fareshare and Neighbouty and collect from Tesco. M&S, Sainsburys, Greggs, Nandos, KFC, Lidl, Pret and Comish Bakery.Making over 32 pick ups per week. Recently we have partnered with Bon Culina who make ready meals and we collect from there. So far VR have distributed over 2,000 meals, which were surplus, and would have ended up being thrown away. What our cllents say about Flrst Stop Worklng wlth a range of organlsations & agencies We Conlinue lo wort with the Foodbank, BDC and ECC. We have been OrkIng with all other local agencies to ensure that we SnOSt clnts to the most appropriate help- vthere we cannot offer that assistance. We belong to. Braintree Communty Tre8, Ihe Community Safety Hub, other crime prevention stralegies, homelessness prevenbon a1 support and community mental heath servirm. Our work wlth Bralntree Vlllage We have continued to Wofk with Braintree Village, as part of their Community Partnership Programmè. They have been remarf(able in their ongoing SUFVOrt. They have Supported our clients in 80 many ways. Impact Th1# yèar hav• trf a dIrent approach to gotto thè core of our Impact on our communlty. We complled a $urv•y and asked for ¢ornments. Herè are a •electlon of our flndlng•. By allowing us to provide b&spoke leaming & Support opportunitles for our clTrents and enabling progression for them HdIdUleIl b•lOr•YK¢Qsothe ln 4J By linking us with their Christsmas 'Giving Tree'lwhere in 2024 we were again their chosen ¢hantyl We $upport8d clients, care homes and vulnerable people who are housel)ound throughout the district By collaboratively sponsorlng, with Tesco. Lidl and Iceland we supplied full Christmas dinner hampers- from sprouts to crackers and Christmas puddings tor 90 familiesl By funding much needed wo ofour chanty And by lust'belng theve, for us. By belng avallable at the end of an e- mall aTrd telephone. Provldlng us with support to contlnue to provide help for the disadvantaged throughout our community.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of FIRST STOP CENTRE MltkESSEX BRANCH On accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 Charity no (If any) 803170 Set out on pages 1-14 "ge riiJ• Iber% gi adOilifJna', 8lie&lsi I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3110312024. R03ponslbllitles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (°the Act") I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters havo come to my attention (other than that disclosed below "} in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records wero not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attenb'on should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please de18te the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Lisa Brown Dats: 1810812025 Name: Lisa Brown Relevant professlonal qualification{sl or body (if any): ICB Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping ICB Level 2 Manual Bookkeeping ICB Level 3 Computerised Bookkeeping ICB Level 2 Certfficate in Bookkeeping ICB Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounts Address: 5 Chamock Close Frinton on Sea Essex C013 ORT IER
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner need8 to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER
FSrst Sto Centre Mld Essex Branch ri12024- 31 March 2025 2024 2025 2023 2024 2022 Incom Fundh Fundh Fundh Fundlng ECC l Essèx Leaming P8rtner¥hip Fund Communty 360 Bralntree Dtslri¢t Coun¢il Landsec Phoenix Futures Newhboudy Interacl WEA Br8inlree Lions Talk Listen Care other Donations Essex Association Fundralsing Events Coun¥elling Incom8 M1$c8llany¥ Inrn Essgx CC- MULTIPLY Suppller Refund of DA$ymont 88nk Inter¢8t 41,680 10.C 4.100 10.0 720 25.000 510 6.055 175 1,820 1.050 7,280 1.000 1,126 2,792 2,372 31 7,000 674 5,437 2,749 3,391 337 24,0 1.731 767 728 8,043 111 13,21X) 70.910 li 94JSS 68,974 To*•1 Income 81764 lo298 82,175 Ex nd Payroll M8lnlenanc8 New Equipment Travel Suporv181on & Tralnlng In8ur8nca utlllllgs IT Costs Office expen8¢• Claanlng Food collectlon8 & delOrIeS Communty fridge •xpen8es Sundry Expenses Shcpping Vouchers Xmas Hampers Hospital Bags Cooking Equipment Accounts Audit PPE l Antibaclwlal I Covwj preventknn Craft materlals Client Refunds Prinlinglstatlonery 94.210 88.318 1,660 6,349 1,759 589 73,992 948 434 672 1.127 308 3,760 2,114 926 4.160 448 105 281 8.450 555 1,362 339 302 153 1.469 3,722 512 3.210 8.102 429 14 1,339 80 3,308 441 5,188 60 305 70 55 104 10 558 102,683 Totsl Expffidlture 116m3 120,308 -33309 -17,710 -20.509 Fund BIF 175.499 193.210 213,719 Fund CIF 1411 175.499 193.210
1.REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees have the pleasure in presenting their annual report and the financial statements for this financial year 202312024. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.,the Companies Act 2006. the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). Trustees (see page 2 annual report) The directors of the charity are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are collectiv81y referred to as the Trustees. 2.OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES see page 2 (Charities Objects) To promot8 Sustainable development for the benefit of Disadvantaged in th8 Community. For the safety of all staff and servlce users all current covid-19 public healthlgovernment guidelines will continue to be gUlarlY reviewed. 3. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE See pages 2 & 3 of Annual Report - Graphs 4.FINANCIAL REVIEW Outcome for the year The transactions of the charity are summarlsed on page 4 of the financial statements. The charity had total incoming resources for the year 20241245 of £82,764. Of this amount £70,910 was restricted and £11,854 Unrestricted. Total expenditure in the year amounted to £116,073. This resulted in an overall defidt for the year of -£33,309 (2023124 deficit -£17,710) deflclt Is reflective of changes to funding streams and a continued increase of our food collectionldistribution project. The charity has total reserv8s at end of 2025 of £52,500 (see reserves policy). Reserves Pollcy The level of free reserves held seeks to strike a balance between managing risk and providing ongoing running costs of between 3 to 9 months this is in the case of a possible folding event and maintaining the level of resources necessary to safeguard the continuity of the charity (including vulnerable serrfice users) for the immediate period following. Following on It is also calculated that £21,000 of the total sum would cover redundancy (at current staffing level and calculated around service duration, age and rate of pay) the remainder would cover any costs incurred in closing down existing contracts in full. Finally we may access this reserve in the event of action needed if income falls below expectations or if there are unexpected or unforeseen operational costs. The Trustees consider that a tsrget level of free reserves in the order of £52.500 is currently appropriate for the charity. The amount of free reserves remain at financial accounting 2025
S. FUTURE PLANS We will continue to deliver our varied educational and support projects, counselling services, advocacy. (See - charities Objects) to service users while continuing to look towards any diversifications within these areas so that we can further develop our working model. This continues to offer best value and wider access at the same time. We are confident in our ability to continue offering our well-established service to the most diverse demographic possible across the local population. We continue to incorporate as many routes as possible into our projects whilst working with local partners to support progression for service users. 6. RESPONSIBILITES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES For the purposes of charity law, are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the charity and of the surplus or deficit for the year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: (a) select appropriate accounting policies and then appty them consistently (b) observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (c) make judgements and estimat8S that are reasonable and prudent, (d) stste whether applicable UK accounting stsndards have been followed, and explaln where they have not been followed, and (8) prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unl8&8 It Is Inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEESAND DIRECTORS The Trustees are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financlal position of the Gharity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charitles Act 2011 and the Companias Act 2006. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity maintains an adequate system of internal control dasigned to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded against mat8rial loss or unauthorisad use and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. This report has been prepar8d in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice- Accounting and reporting by Charities and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small entities. Approved by the Board of Trustees 2025 Signed on their behalf by Tracey Radley