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← In This Together

2025-06-30-annual-report

“In "In This This Together” Together" REPORT REPORT OF OF THE TRUSTEES THE TRUSTEES FOR FOR THE THE YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED 30 30 JUNE JUNE 2025 2025

Objectives Obiectives and and Activities Activities In In This This Together Together is is a a social social supermarket supermarket now now serving[serving] over over 1162[1162] clients[clients] across across East[East] and[and] South[South] Belfast. Belfast. Its Its aim aim is is to to combat combat food food poverty poverty by by providing providing essential essential groceries groceries at at highly highly reduced reduced prices prices while while also also supporting supporting clients clients to to transition transition out out of of food food poverty poverty through through signposting signposting to to wraparound wraparound services. services.[Social] Social supermarkets supermarkets are are not-for-profit not-for-profit entities entities which which can can help help bridge bridge the the gap gap between between emergency emergency[food] food banks[banks] and[and] mainstream[mainstream] grocery[grocery] shopping.[shopping.] By By distributing distributing surplus surplus food food in[in] a a retail retail setting setting and and maintaining maintaining a a universal universal access access model model in in terms terms of of income, income, dignity dignity of of clients clients is is upheld upheld and and also also provides provides the the empowerment empowerment of of choice. choice. The The only only restriction restriction to[to] access access is[is] that that a a client client must must live live within[within] an an East East or or South South Belfast Belfast postcode postcode area. area.

In In the the year year of of review, review, ITT ITT underwent underwent significant significant organisational organisational change. change. The The previous previous founder/Executive founder/Executive Director Director resigned resigned in in November November 2024 2024 with with a a new new ED ED being being employed employed from from March March 2025. 2025. Four Four board board members members resigned resigned with with a a new new board board of[of] four four people people (Gareth (Gareth Wright, Wright, Kerrie Kerrie Milford, Milford, Roslyn Roslyn Preen, Preen, Laura Laura McNaught) McNaught) being being finalised[finalised] at at AGM AGM in[in] May May 2025. 2025. This This new new board board was was established established with with the the aim aim of of carrying carrying out out a a comprehensive comprehensive governance governance review, review, future-proofing future-proofing the the organisational organisational structure structure and and driving[driving] ongoing ongoing improvement. improvement. The The needs needs of[of] the the community community in[in] tackling tackling food food insecurity insecurity are are front[front] and[and] centre[centre] with[with] clearly[clearly] defined[defined] roles[roles] within[within] the[the] business business to to fulfil fulfil this this principal principal objective. objective. To To this this end, end, a a part-time part-time Finance Finance Officer Officer has has been been employed employed since since June June 2025. 2025. Anew A new concise concise employee employee handbook handbook began began to[to] be be developed developed to to improve improve consistency consistency and and foster foster a a transparent transparent company company culture. culture.

Previous Previous Executive Executive Director: Director: Christina Christina Henderson Henderson (resigned (resigned November November 2024) 2024) Resigned Resigned Board Board Members: Members: Christine Christine Woodrow, Woodrow, Jaele Jaele Rollins, Rollins, Sara Sara McFarland, McFarland, Lauren Lauren Bland Bland

The The current current staff staff team team comprises comprises of[of] Executive Executive Director, Director, Community Community Liaison Liaison Director, Director, Finance Finance Officer Officer and and Social Social Supermarket Supermarket Managers. Managers. In In addition,[addition,] ITT ITT could could not not fulfil fulfil its its vision[vision] without without its its

dedicated dedicated team team[of] of volunteers. volunteers. In In the the year year 2024-2025, 2024-2025, there there was was a a core core team team of of eight eight volunteers, volunteers, contributing contributing an an average average of[of] twenty twenty hours hours per per week, week, most most of[of] whom whom were were current current or or former former service service users. users. This[This] demonstrates demonstrates the[the] supportive[supportive] environment[environment] that that has has been been fostered fostered in in ITT ITT and and how how the the

charity charity has has benefited benefited from from their their lived lived experience experience and and empathy. empathy. We We also also hosted hosted a a weekly weekly cohort cohort of[of]

five five volunteers volunteers from from Orchardville, Orchardville, providing providing an an inclusive[inclusive] environment environment for for people people with with learning learning

disabilities disabilities or or autism autism to[to] develop develop retail retail and and customer customer service service skills. skills.

REPORT REPORT OF THE[OF] THE TRUSTEES[TRUSTEES] FOR[FOR] THE THE YEAR YEAR ENDED[ENDED] 30[30] JUNE JUNE 2025[2025] (cont.)[(cont.)]

Throughout Throughout the the year year 2024-2025, 2024-2025, ITT ITT grew grew to[to] be be one one of[of] the the largest largest social[social] supermarket supermarket services services in in Belfast. Belfast. As As of of June June 2025, 2025, there there were were 993 993 households households enrolled, enrolled, an an increase increase of of 90 90 from from 903 903 the the previous previous year. year. May May 2025 2025 was was the the highest highest month month ever ever Of of new new registrations[registrations] to to date. date. The The average average number number of of weekly weekly users users was was 107, 107, receiving receiving food food and and hygiene hygiene supplies supplies alongside alongside referrals referrals to[to] other other agencies agencies[to] to build build personalised, personalised, wraparound wraparound support support services. services. Supermarket Supermarket income income remained remained steady steady at[at] approximately approximately £450 E450 per per week. week. To To meet meet this this increased increased need, need, extended extended opening opening hours hours were were totaled totaled on on Monday Monday evenings evenings before[before] being being made made permanent. permanent. As As in-work in-work poverty poverty has has grown grown in in Northern Northern Ireland, Ireland, we we needed needed to to better better accommodate accommodate our our demographic[demographic] of of working working clients clients by by providing providing more more accessible accessible food food collection collection times. times. The The three-tiered three-tiered system system of[of][ fees] fees was was replaced[replaced] with with a a flat flat rate[rate] of[of] £4.50 24.50 for for 11[11] items,[items,] proving[proving] to to be be fairer fairer and and more more cost-effective. cost-effective. A A new new weekly weekly shopping shopping list list was was also also very very positively positively received received by by clients. clients. To To improve improve[accessibility] accessibility for clients for clients with with literacy literacy or or language language needs, needs, weekly weekly recipe recipe cards cards are are[given] given[with] with food[food] packs[packs] which[which] contain[contain] photo[photo] aids.[aids.] A[A] streamlined[streamlined] spreadsheet spreadsheet system[system] allowed[allowed] for for better better monitoring monitoring of[of] client client fee fee payments payments with with flexible flexible and and compassionate compassionate payment payment plans plans set set up up for for those those struggling. struggling. The The stock stock tracking tracking and and monitoring monitoring procedures procedures were were strengthened strengthened to to avoid avoid wastage wastage with with unpopular unpopular items[items] removed removed and and given given away away as as freebies.[freebies.] A A new new initiative initiative was was adopted adopted to to advertise advertise ITT ITT in-store instore and and online online as as ‘First First Stop Stop Before[Before] You You Shop’, Shop', based based on on savings savings on on grocery grocery essentials essentials compared compared to to supermarket supermarket prices. prices.

Key Key third-sector third-sector partnerships partnerships throughout throughout this this year year have have included included EBCDA, EBCDA, who who provided[provided] support support and and guidance guidance during during the the period period of of organisational organisational transition. transition. Through Through EBCDA, EBCDA, our our ongoing ongoing participation participation in in the the Community Community Development Development Cafe Cafe has has granted granted excellent excellent networking networking and and peerpeerlearning learning opportunities. opportunities. We We have have been been an an[active] active member member of[of] the the East East Belfast Belfast Anti-Poverty Anti-Poverty Network, Network, whose whose strategy strategy was was launched launched[in] in October October 2024. 2024. Since Since January January 2025, 2025, we we have have collaborated collaborated with with the the East East Belfast Belfast Race Race Relations Relations Network Network to distribute[to] distribute Welcome Welcome Packs Packs for for newcomers newcomers to[to] the the area. area. One One in in four four households households are are referred referred to to other other services services with with Belfast Belfast Works Works Connect Connect and and EBIAC EBIAC in in particular particular having having been been regular regular touchstones touchstones of of cross-referrals. cross-referrals. A A Belfast Belfast Works Works Connect Connect employee employee currently currently hot hot desks desks once once a a week week in[in] ITT ITT to[to] promote promote employability employability and and training[training] services services to[to] clients. clients. Arising Arising from from[this,] this, plans plans to[to] deliver deliver Level Level[1] 1 OCN OCN qualifications[qualifications] in in Managing Managing Personal Personal Finance Finance to to willing willing clients[clients] commenced. commenced. It[It] is[is] anticipated anticipated that[that] this this hotdesking hotdesking can can be be offered offered to[to] other[other] community community organisations organisations to to promote promote their their services. services. Alternatives Alternatives Restorative Restorative Justice, Justice, local local councilors councilors and and MLAS, MLAS, and and community community mental mental health[health] services. services. Through Through The The Community Community Fund, Fund, Nourish[Nourish] the the Nation[Nation] funding funding covered covered summer summer 2025, 2025, providing providing picnic[picnic] lunch lunch packs packs for[for] children children who who usually usually receive receive free[free] school school meals. meals. To To advertise advertise the the service, service, ITT ITT hosted hosted stalls stalls at[at] Eastside Eastside Fayres Fayres and and attended attended local local community community groups, groups, parents parents and and tots' tots' groups groups and and libraries. libraries,

For For food food stock stock replenishment, replenishment, ITT ITT have have good good working working relationships relationships with with FareShare, FareShare, Lynas, Lynas, Musgrave, Musgrave, Tesco, Tesco, Lid1, Lidl, Brian Brian Hurst Hurst Butchers, Butchers, Allied Allied Bakeries, Bakeries, French French Village, Village, Go Go Pig Pig and and Farmview Farmview Dairies. Dairies. Regular Regular[stock] stock donations[donations] are are also[also][gratefully] gratefully received[received] from from Breda Breda Co-op, Co-op, St.[St.] Finnian's Finnian's Church,[Church,] St.[St.] Andrew's Andrew's Church,[ Church,] Willowfield[Willowfield] Church,[Church,] Bridge[Bridge] NI[Nl] and[and] local[local] primary[primary] schools.[schools.]

Financial Review

Balance Balance[in] in June June 2025 2025 stood stood at[at] £81,348.52[ E81][ ,348.52] - - breakdown breakdown below below Asda Asda Part-time Full-timePart-time Full-timefor[for] Halal[Halal] salaries salariessalaries salaries food[food] x xx x[2] 23[3] months months months months @ @ @ @ £5,249.99 E5,249.99 £1,375.74 El ,375.74 = == == = £4,127.22[E4,] £10,499.98 E £800.00 E800.OO 10,499.98 127.22 (Awards (Awards (National (National for[for] Lottery Lottery All) All) Fund) Fund) Community Community foundation foundation[for] for Nourish Nourish the the Nation[Nation] = = £10,000.00 EIO 000.00 £25,427.20 25,427.20

This This leaves leaves a a balance balance of of £55,921.32 E55,921.32 in[in] unrestricted unrestricted funds funds

REPORT REPORT OF OF THE THE TRUSTEES TRUSTEES FOR FOR THE THE YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED 30 30 JUNE JUNE 2025 2025 (cont.) (cont.) In In This This Together Together total total revenue revenue for for the the year year to to 30 30 June June 25 was25 was. £208,692.60 2208,692.60 Successful Successful grant[grant] applications applications in[in][the] the year year totaled[totaled-] £184,481.44[El][ 84,481.44] Total Total revenue revenue from[from] fundraising fundraising effortsefforts£20,704.93 220,704.93

Misc. Misc. income income (VAT (VAT refunds) refunds) - - £3,506.23 E3,506.23 Total Total[expenditure] expenditure for[for] the[the] year year waswas£182,414.51[El 82,414.51] Details Details of[of] any any fund fund held held by by the the charity[charity] that that was was ‘materially['materially] in in deficit’ deficit' at at the the end end of of the the year year and and steps steps taken taken by by the the charity charity trustees trustees to to eliminate eliminate the the deficit deficit Funds Funds that that are are ‘materially 'materially in in deficit". deficit". NO NO OVERSPEND OVERSPEND

We We[do] do not not have have an an investment investment policy. policy.

One One of[of] our our financial financial aims aims for[for] the the coming coming year year was was to to ratify ratify a a reserves reserves policy policy of of holding holding six six months months of of operating operating

expenditure. expenditure. This This will will provide provide a a vital vital buffer[buffer] that[that] is is sufficient sufficient to to cover cover ongoing ongoing operating operating costs costs in[in] the the event event of[of] a a short-term short-term[financial] financial shortfall. shortfall. Following Following an an assessment assessment of[of] how how the the charity charity would would cope cope with with changes changes to to its its main main income, income, this this target target was was chosen chosen

based based on on the the following following factors:[factors:] * The The need need for for financial financial stability Stability in[in] the the event event of of unexpected unexpected income income loss loss or or additional additional expenditure. expenditure. * The The potential[potential] length length of of time time required required to to secure secure new new funding funding or or generate generate alternative alternative income income streams. streams. * The The overall[overall] size, size, complexity complexity and and essential essential nature nature of of the the charity's charity's core core purpose purpose operations. operations. This This reserves reserves policy policy will will also inform also inform the the subsequent subsequent adoption adoption of of a a fundraising fundraising calendar calendar with with 6 6 varied varied events events throughout throughout the the year. year.

The The charity[charity] continues continues to[to] face face a a number number of of significant significant risks risks and and uncertainties. uncertainties. Chief Chief among among these these is is the the precarious precarious and and short-term short-term nature nature of[of] much much of[of] its its funding, funding, which which limits limits long-term long-term planning planning and and sustainability. sustainability. In In addition, addition, rising rising food food prices prices present present an an ongoing ongoing challenge; challenge; while while the the charity charity seeks seeks to to absorb absorb costs costs where where possible, possible, there there is is an an

increasing increasing likelihood likelihood that that some some of of these these pressures pressures will will need need to to be be passed passed on on to[to] service service users. users. The The broader broader sustainability sustainability of of food food systems systems also also poses poses a a structural structural risk, risk, affecting affecting both both availability availability and and cost cost of of supplies. supplies. At At the the same same time,[time,] demand[demand] for[for] the[the] charity's[charity's] services services continues[continues] to[to] grow. grow. We We must must always always remain remain alert alert to[to] the the possibility possibility of[of]

this this outstripping outstripping available available resources, resources, placing placing further further strain strain on on operations operations and and highlighting highlighting the the need need for for stable stable funding funding and and resilient resilient supply supply chains. chains.

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Signatitres
Jill Jill Lamont (Executive [Director)] ae |. LA of)
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Gareth Gareth Wright Wright (Chair (Chair of of the the Boardgc4 Boar i Cae . ; =
Kerrie Kerrie Milford Milford (Secretary (Secretary of of the the Board) Board) KERR k<éazte e VL
Laura Laura McNaught McNaught (Board (Board Member) Member) Wwe m [c] a
Linda McCraeken (Board Member)
Linda McCraeken (Board Member) As de, Waswae?
Date:
Date: si/:
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