What we did last year, and what it cost.
Figures are taken from our independently examined annual accounts, which are published in full.
Four facts, not achievements
The facts behind each service, not a tally of outcomes.
3
Days a week the pantry opens, choice-based, no referral needed
0
Cost of a debt or benefits appointment, ever
4
Evenings a week the youth space is open, free
90
Volunteers on the roster, with induction and expenses covered
Four principles
Agreed by the trustees and reviewed every year.
Open access
No referrals, no means tests, no proving you deserve it. It is the principle we defend hardest.
Dignity over efficiency
Choice-based pantry, appointments that are not rushed, and no queue visible from the street.
Published accounts
Full accounts every year, with the cost split shown plainly. Including the years the numbers are less flattering.
We stay in our lane
We do three things properly rather than nine things thinly, and we refer on for everything else.
Three examples, costed honestly
These are average unit costs from last year’s accounts, not illustrative figures. Regular gifts are worth considerably more to us than one-off ones because they let us plan.
A week at the pantry
Covers stock, storage and the share of running costs for one household for one week.
A full advice case
The average cost of taking one debt or benefits case from first appointment through to resolution.
A youth session
One evening open: staff, food, activities and the building. Around thirty young people attend a typical session.
Six corners of it
Photographed on ordinary days with everyone’s permission.
The pantry
Three days a week.
Advice rooms
Two, both private.
The youth room
Four evenings.
The kitchen
Wednesdays, mainly.
The warm room
October to March.
The garden
Run by volunteers.
Give monthly, volunteer a fortnight, or just come and look.
Regular giving is worth more to us than the same amount given once, because it is the only thing that lets us plan a year ahead.