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 nUn￿or
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 ServI￿S
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, ￿Mp￿se 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 V￿rk 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'.
edu￿tIOn 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 th￿r 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 w￿rknng 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 S￿n￿OSt cl￿nts
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 a￿1 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 dI￿rent 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
H￿dId￿UleIl b•lOr•Y￿K¢Qs￿othe
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$c8llan￿y¥ In￿rn
Essgx CC- MULTIPLY
Suppller Refund of DA￿$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
lo2￿98
82,175
Ex
nd
Payroll
M8lnlenanc8
New Equipment
Travel
Suporv181on & Tralnlng
In8ur8nca
utlllllgs
IT Costs
Office expen8¢•
Claanlng
Food collectlon8 & del￿OrIeS
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