PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT Year ended 31 March 2023 TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING TRUSTEES, REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT) The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI Accounting and Reporting by Charities, IFRS102 Section IA) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charitv. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policie5 set out in notes to the financial statements and applicable accounting standards, 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102 Section IA), the charity's governing document, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and UK Generally Accepted Practice. TRUSTEES OF THE CHARITY The trustees who have served during the year were as follows: Mr P Mccusker Chairperson Mrs L Duffy Secretary Mr T McQuillan Treasurer Mr D McNairney REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The registered name of the charity is People's Kitchen Belfast, charity registration number: NIC 108172 Trustees Mr P Mccusker Chairperson Mrs C Megahey (Resigned September 20221 Mrs L Duffy Secretary Mr T McQuillan Treasurer Mr D McNairney Manager Mr P Mccusker Registered Office l Antrim Road Belfast BT15 2BE
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (convd) Year ended 31 March 2023 Independent Examiner Hopper & Co Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 6 Doagh Road Ballyclare Co Antrim BT39 98G Bankers Ulster Bank City Centre (B) Branch PO Box 232 11-16 Donegall Sq. East Belfast BTI SUB STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT The People's Kitchen Belfast began life as St Patrick's Soup Kitchen, in April 2017. The project started with volunteers who wanted to support those experiencing homelessness and poverty, serving warm drinks and sandwiches from a tea trolley in a doorway. The 50up kitchen grew as the need in the City was increasing and we had to enhance our services to respond to the need and now operate 7 days a week. People's Kitchen, Belfast has received approval by the Charity Commission Nl in July 2021 as a charity, reference number NIC 108172. People's Kitchen, Belfast conduct is governed by its Constitution. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the policy and strategy of the charity along with the financial and legal probity of the organisation and the appointment of members. The Board meets on at least a bi-monthly basis and receives regular management and financial reports. Members are recruited to ensure that representative skills and experiences are in place to deliver the charity's Vision and that the mission and objectives are achieved. There are two classes of membership,. individual and; affiliate. Any person can apply for individual membership of the Company, providing they are not an employee. Application to become an individual member is open to anyone and is subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. Any organisation active within the area of benefit, whether voluntary or statutory, which subscribes to the Objects of the Charity can become an affiliate member. Potential
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 Trustees are considered by the membership and elected at a general meeting or Annual General Meeting of the charity. The Trustees have the power to co-opt additional Trustees with particular skills, who need not be members of the Charity. The project is managed by a Volunteer Co-ordinator, supported by a series of Team Leaders who coordinate and organise a team of trained and experienced Volunteers. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES Providing a safety net for people at vulnerable times our objectives include.. Engaging with people who are in need because of; loneliness or isolation; food or fuel poverty,. homelessness or the risk of homelessness; people who are excluded from services or who are destitute or who have other similar needs Offering professional support and guidance provided by a team of trained and dedicated volunteers Creating a safe, warm, and welcoming place, available to all Delivering food, clothing, sleeping bags and other essential services both within the premise5 and through outreach Committed to building a positive and life affirming environment, promoting confidence, resilience and self esteem Working together with professional partners to signpost people in need towards essential accommodation and healthcare provider services Supporting people onto paths out of poverty and homelessness towards independent living Providing an open door to all people in need and treating everyone with equal respect and di8nity How we achieve our objectives: Homeless outreach- Our team responds to the needs of those who would be rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping in Belfast, attending to their basic needs and working with all agencies including Extern, NIHE, Belfast Trust and the PSNI to ensure those who require help are able to access it Food Bank- Our team responds to the needs of those who are in crisis and require support for food and we operate two days a week for asylum seekers , for those who are living at home, or those who are experiencing homelessness. Drop in service- Every Friday and Saturday, people experiencing poverty/homelessness can get access to a hot meal and emotional support and provided the opportunity to be referred to additional services if required
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE We had a period where we provided our services from Farset International and supported those moving into temporary accommodation through food, toiletries and emotional support, this was during Covid and the wrap around support was crucial to those during this difficult time. Ourfood bank 3150 operated from there at this time and we continued to see increasing number present requiring support. At times we struggled to secure funding and worried about the financial stability of the project and without the generosity of the general public we would not be able to continue to provide all of our services. A number of well known personalities supported our work over the years such as Christy Moore, Frances Black, Mary Black and Eamon Holmes. We were very thankful for their support which enabled us to continue to provide a vital service to those in need. We have taken the lead in org3nising a number of marches and events to highlight the increasing deaths relating to drug addiction and mental health, we particularly were concerned about the amount of deaths on the streets and the public joined us in calling for more joint up services and an increase in access to services for those experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. Peoples Kitchen took the lead also in organising a round table discussion with all political parties in Stormont along with families who were impacted asking for their support to call for change. This work continues with the "Empty Shoes" Lost Lives" campaign. The project moved to l Antrim Road in March 2022 for our own base which also enabled us to enhance our services and continue to help more individuals struggling with mental health, homelessness and addiction problems. This involved a lot of work to bring it up to standard as we had to install a new kitchen, walk in fridge/freezer and make some changes to ensure it suited our needs. We opened our own bank account which enabled us then to manage ourfinances Our volunteers were provided with a lot of training which included first aid, naloxone and vulnerable adults, our focus was always for the development of our volunteer team and we plan to offer more training in the new year. We have our own account with Access Nl which allows all the team to be vetted which is part of the induction process. Over the past number of years we have been able to support a number of individuals to access rehabilitation in Liverpool and parts of England. It was fantastic to see the change with them as they started recovery and some are now back volunteering at the project.
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT Iconvd) Year ended 31 March 2023 We have fifty volunteers that provide support across all of our services and give time to support those in need, we couldn't do the work without the commitment and dedication of them all and we aim to focus on more development in the new year with the team. Throughout the year we have had 3 number of agencies/businesses that help Support our work with volunteering that include department for communities, Extern, Ulster Bank etc.. they have been a life line at times when the project was under extreme pressure. The Peoples Kitchen supports a number of people who experience issues across Belfast and this is a breakdown of some of the groups that access our services. Addictions Idrug/solvent/alcohol abuse) Adult training Asylum seekers/refugees Children (5-13 year olds) Ethnic minorities Ex-offenders and prisoners General public Hivlaids Homelessness Interface communities Learn ing disabilities Men Mental health Older people Parents Physical disabilities Sensory disa bil ities Sexual orientation Specific areas of deprivation Tenants Travellers Unemployed/low income Victim support Voluntary and community sector Volunteers Women Youth {14-25 year olds)
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 How the charity works Accommodation/housing Advice/advocacy/information Counselling/support Education/training General charitable purposes Relief of poverty Research/evaluation Welfare/benevolent The Peoples Kitchen Belfast has been able to run a number of initiatives looking at education and working alongside local youth providers and have worked with over 2000 young people across the Citv looking at prevention, empowerment and some of these young people have been 3ble to secure employment in the homeless sector. In 2022 we worked with visit 8elfast to deliver the ' Changing The Menu. For Good which is a pioneering project by Visit Belfast to raise funds and supplies for those experiencing food poverty in the city and this also allowed us to educate the hospitality industry on the issues of poverty. During lockdown and Covid our team helped deliver thousands of hot meals to those who were lonely and hungry across the City, As well as a two course meal, the elderly and lonely are also being provided with vouchers for gas and electricity to make sure they stayed warm. This was a really important service to reach out to those people to say that 'we are here to support you, and meet their basic need around food but also to ensure that they are not going cold. Particularly around winter months there can be an increase in deaths of people who are living in homes that aren't warm, so it's important people are aware of what support is available for them through council and the Housing Executive and through all those agencies. One of the things we wanted to do was to get into the community and share that information but also bring a bit of joy to them as well because they get a dinner, they get a dessert and this week they also got their own handmade mask5. It was about reaching out to the people in the community who are isolated and feel detached from services. Breakdown of numbers of those who have used the service since 2021, Outreach contacts on the streets - 36,426 Food parcels- 186.425 Drop in meals- 26.545
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT {conVd) Year ended 31 March 2023 Those who used our services benefited from the Peoples Kitchen a number of ways including, Securing suitable accommodation for those at risk of street sleeping through an outreach programme who also have the training to administer life saving medical treatment to those on the street. Provision of a drop in service for those at risk of homelessness and poverty to access advice and support that they require. Elevating poverty through the provision of food, clothing and welfare advice with a view of assisting the individual out of poverty and ensuring they have access to the appropriate services. Liaising with the Belfast Trust a nd addiction services to sign post and refer those at risk of substance misU5e and self harm into support Improve the lives of those who use our service to assist to a live a more independent and healthier life. Helping individuals sustain their tenancy and providing a multi agency approach to ensure those who use our service receive tailored support to meet their needs. Identify those at risk of homelessness and poverty to prevent them from reaching a crisis situation and reducing the stress of those individuals. Benefits from the above purposes are measured over time by the census, other regional housing and economic statistics, research, studies and surveys along with regular and long term measures of health and wellbeing measuring health equity and inequalities and government publications showing government targets. All volunteers have the professional training Peoples Kitchen Benefits are provided to those who are homeless, Families in need, Asylum Seekers/Refugees, Those experiencing poor health and addiction issues, Ex-offenders and prisoners, Ethnic Minorities, Unemployed/low income, Young People, Older People, Victim Support, Isolated and lonely, People with physical and learning disabilities and experiencing mental health problems. Our team of volunteers have been working extremely hard over the past number of years to support those in need and we couldn't do this without support from the public and businesses such as Hendersons, PRM and those who continue to donate financially or give their time to support the project. 10 I Page
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (convd) Year ended 31 March 2023 PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The Board of the People's Kitchen Belfast confirm that they have had due regard for the guidance produced on public benefit bythe Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, and are pleased to report that during the year the charity has continued to provide public benefits through the programmes and services we offer. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set out. Public Benefits: Benefits from the Peoples Kitchen Belfast include, Securing suitable accommodation for those at risk of street sleeping through an outreach programme who also have the training to administer life saving medical treatment to those on the street. Provision of a drop in 5eNice for those at risk of homelessness and poverty to access advice and support that they require. Elevating poverty through the provision of food, clothing and welfare advice with a view of assisting the individual out of poverty and ensuring they have access to the appropriate services. Liaising with the Belfast Trust and add iction services to sign post and refer those at risk of substance misuse and Self harm into support. Improve the lives of those who use our service to assist to 3 live a more independent and healthier life. Helping individuals sustain their tenancy and providing a multi agency approach to ensure those who use our service receive tailored sUPPOrt to meet their needs. Identify those at risk of homelessness and poverty to prevent them from reaching a crisis situation and reducing the stress of those individ uals. Benefits from the above purposes are measured over time by the census, other regional housing and economic statistics, research, studies and surveys along with regular and long term measures of health and wellbeing measuring health equity and inequalities and government publications showing government targets. In providing medical treatment for those using our services there is unattended risk for the administration of Naloxone however thi5 is rare and the benefits outweigh the harm. All volunteers have the professional training Peoples Kitchen Benefits are provided to those who are homeless, Families in need, Asylum Seekers/Refugees, Those experiencing poor health and addiction issues, Ex-offenders and prisoners, Ethnic Minorities, Unemployed/low income, Young People, Older People, Victim Support, Isolated and lonely, People with physica l and learning d isabilities, Mental health There 15 no private benef it from this is more than incidental.
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW The charity, s incoming recourse for the year amounted to £241,11612022.. £175,201). Principal sources of funding are from grants and donations. The outgoing expenditure for the year amounted to £170,106 12022 £105,653) The net incomings for the year amounted to £71,01012022', incoming £69,549). The Charity is extremely grateful to all its donors, without whose support People's Kitchen Belfast would not be able to run a number of its activities. GOING CONCERN The activities of the trustees are dependent on ongoing contributions from its members. The Trustees are of the opinion that the trustees has sufficient resources at the date of approval of these financial statements to meet commitments which will arise in the year from the date of signing this report and subject to the continuing support from members to fund on an ongoing basis the trustee's current activities and other financial commitments. RESERVES POLICY The Trustees have considered the level of unrestricted reserves that it is appropriate to hold taking account of current and ongoing commitments. It is the policy of the Trustees to hold between two and six month's normal expenditure this equate to between £28,351 and £85,053. At the year-end unrestricted reserves were £103,946 which represents a higher level of reserves. The Trustees, however, consider it prudent to hold reserves at this level as the fu nd ing of its present activities is dependent of the ongoing financial support of its funders. RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees ' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 IFRS102); make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2008 and Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 and Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities, The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in otherjurisdictions. RISK REVIEW A review of major risks has been undertaken by the Trustees and systems and procedures implemented to manage identified risks. The principa I risks are in relation to the likelihood of reputational damage and financial risks associated with the expectation of ongoing financial support from funders. These risks are mitigated by the Trustees regularly monitoring the various activities of the charity at stated meetings and by reviewing available funding streams. FURTURE PLANS As we move into 2024 we hope to continue to develop the project and work on a 10 year strategic plan looking at the long term future to ensure the sustainability and to ensure we are meeting the needs of those who need our support. We are very thankful to all those who have support their support as we couldn't do it without your help and support.
PEOPLE'S KITCHEN BELFAST TRUSTEES REPORT (cont'd) Year ended 31 March 2023 Disclosure of Information to Independent Examiner So far as each of the trustees in office at the date of approval of these financial statements is aware: there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiner is unaware,. and they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information for the independent examination and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware of that information. Independent Examiner Hopper & Co., have indicated their willingness to remain in office and a resolution for their re-election will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Approved by the trustees at a meeting on and signed on its behalf by: Mr P Mccusker Chairperson & Trustee Mrs L Duffv Secretary & Trustee 141 Page