TwentiethVHC
Annual Report
1st
April 2006 - 31st March 2007
Registered
Charity No. 298046
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
Looking
back over the previous 19 years of AGM reports and notes, it is
very reassuring to see the steady evolution of the organisation.
Starting out with donations of just £4,000 and 41 volunteers
who responded to 140 requests for help in the first year, to the
present time with 70 volunteers responding to 4,000 annual requests.
The
finances of running such an operation are obviously vital and
at times have been precarious, however careful management has
kept the organisation in good health over the years and a recent
bequest from the estate of the late Ivy Curnock has been a major
boost. The foresight of the original committee has to be admired;
their aims of providing help to those in need and setting up a
car service has proved invaluable to the local community over
the last 20 years. Most of the requests received are straightforward
- they range from befriending, walking dogs, light gardening,
shopping and of course transport; however, requests for re-homing
of two budgerigars or coping with a profuse nose bleed all over
the upholstery of one’s car have required more challenging
solutions.
The
success of the VHC has been built upon many volunteers who have
responded magnificently to an estimated 40,000 requests for help
over the years, for which we all owe a debt of gratitude; also
the dedication of our Co-ordinators and Car Administrators have
been much appreciated; Tricia Scott and Pat Samkin have fulfilled
these roles with great distinction for many years.
To
help mark this our 20th anniversary we are organising several
special events; we begin with a demonstration by HMP Hollesley
Bay drug dog handler and “sniffer” dogs at the AGM,
the publication of a booklet entitled “Involuntary Giggles”,
plus a cream tea, various stalls and a quiz night during the forthcoming
year.
Please
attend this celebratory AGM, it is guaranteed to put a smile on
your face.
Mike Medland
CO-ORDINATOR’S
REPORT
This
year sees the Voluntary Help Centre celebrate 20 years of service.
During that time, there has always been a dedicated team of volunteers
who have given up their time to respond to the needs of those
in our community. It is worth noting that one of the first volunteers
to Register in 1987 was Brenda Miller – she is still an
active driver for us today.
As
usual, we have been kept busy during this year – nearly
3,000 journeys made. This is slightly lower than last year, but
we have travelled 3,000 miles more.(59,000 this year). I know
from the appreciation expressed by those who use the service how
much our volunteers and organisation are valued.
Pat
Samkin, our Car Service Administrator since 1992, decided to retire
in January due to increasing ill health. His dedication and commitment
to the VHC over the years was total. He was a much valued member
of the team and is missed by us all. His wife Pauline was the
office stand-in for several years, so between them, they contributed
a huge amount to the successful running of the Centre.
Since
Pat left, Rita Kennedy has stepped in and helped out with keeping
the car service running smoothly. She has put in a huge amount
of her own time – I am deeply appreciative of the support
and help I have had from her. It has lightened my load enormously.
As
always, the Management Committee are unfailing in their support.
This year, Donald Sewell and Sarah Britten have to step down,
having completed their terms of office. For Donald, this has been
his second term. He was Secretary for several years, and Chairman
1998-1999. His contribution to the VHC has been immense, and he
will be very much missed. Whilst Sarah has to stand down from
the Committee, she will stay very active for us, both as a driver
and organising various fund-raising events. Mike Medland is, as
always, a very supportive Chairman – always there to seek
advice from, but great at just letting me get on with it.
I am
very grateful for the support and help we have at the various
fetes and fairs attended during the year. Peter Lupton is a great
support and turns out at all events we go to with his ever popular
Nail Game. Thanks also to those who come and help on the day or
donate goods for us to use on the various tombolas we run..
Our
move from the Splash Hut to 21 Church Street early this year went
very smoothly. We are enjoying our central location very much
and are indebted to Adnams for their generosity in lending us
their office. Work on the new Hall is frustratingly slow. I wonder
if I’ll be able to say anything about another move in next
year’s Report?!
We
couldn’t continue our work without the support of all volunteers,
our funding bodies and the generosity of all those in our community.
Thank you to you all and we look forward to serving you for another
20 years.
Tricia Scott
STATISTICS
1st
April 2006 - 31st March 2007
| TRANSPORT
REQUESTS |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
| Appts.
At Southwold Hospital |
140 |
145 |
| Appts.
At Other hospitals |
386 |
457 |
| Hospital
admissions/Discharges |
8 |
11 |
| Hospital/Nursing
Home Visits |
491 |
532 |
Appts. – Doctors |
192 |
230 |
| -------------Dentists
|
126 |
118 |
| -------------Chiropody/Opticians |
38 |
46 |
| Shopping/social/library/vet |
926 |
779 |
| Visits
to churches/cemeteries |
9 |
5 |
| Links
to trains/coaches |
102 |
64 |
| *Regular
journeys re: “44” Kirkley Cliff |
329 |
193 |
| *Regular
journeys re: Age Concern |
156 |
185 |
| *Regular
journeys re: DAYCARE |
110 |
35 |
| *Regular
journeys re: CARERS GROUP |
22 |
10 |
| |
3035 |
2810 |
*These journeys include transport to a venue and a return trip
later in the day.
| NON-DRIVING
REQUESTS |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
| Befriending/Shopping |
19 |
12 |
| Respite/Hospital
escort |
6 |
7 |
| Dog
Walking/Gardening |
2 |
10 |
| Odd
jobs |
7 |
16 |
| General
Advice/Information |
26 |
16 |
| Financial
Advice/Correspondence |
3 |
4 |
| Ref.
to other agencies |
6 |
2 |
Our
drivers have, between them, driven over 59,000 miles (3,000 more
than last year) covering nearly 3,000 journeys from Reydon, Southwold,
Wrentham, Covehithe, Walberswlck, Wangford, Henham, Uggeshall,
Wenhaston, Blythburgh and Frostenden.
We have
550-600 people on our register of service users. 45 people have
used the VHC for the first time this year.
Our befrienders
have made up to 1500 visits to private homes this year for help
with shopping, befriending, dog-walking, odd jobs and to help
with correspondence.
RECEIPT
AND PAYMENT ACCOUNTS
1st April 2006– 31st March 2007
| RECEIPTS |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
| Donations |
£7,839.36
|
£4,978.41 |
| Memorial
donations |
- |
£25416 |
| Regular
Gift Aid (incl. Tax Rebate) |
£5,980.43
|
£6,107.26 |
| Grants |
£7,264.96
|
£5,035.62 |
| Car
Receipts |
£9,732.70
|
£9,322.79
|
| Interest
COIF |
£1,944.13 |
£2,037.50 |
| IR employer
Funding |
£3,751.76
|
- |
| Fund
Raising |
£4,780.67 |
£2,448.59 |
| Samkin |
- |
£547.50 |
| Total
|
£41,294.01
|
£55,894.24
|
| PAYMENTS |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
| Co-ordinator
|
£7,575.20 |
£7,610.41 |
| Car
Administrator |
£10,059.48 |
£2,958.41 |
| Car
Service |
£7,543.55 |
£7,391.25 |
| Office
Equipment |
£1,545.82
|
£1,285.25 |
| Electricity
|
£592.06 |
£693.95 |
| Insurance |
£631.50
|
£442.58 |
| Telephone |
£971.24 |
£1,178.95 |
| Rent
|
£200.00
|
£200 |
| Sundry |
£874.33 |
£2,764.32 |
| Advertising
|
£557.90 |
£463.77 |
| Samkin |
- |
£550.00 |
| Total
|
£30,551.08 |
£25,538.89 |
| Balance
Summary |
|
|
|
| Cash
in hand |
£93.54 |
Receipts |
£55894.24 |
| Lloyds
Current a/c |
£2,723.04 |
Payments |
£25,538.89 |
| Less
unpresented cheques |
£-44.24 |
|
£30,355.35 |
| Balance |
£
2,772.34 |
|
£10,742.93 |
| Plus
COIF Dep a/c |
£72,840.40 |
+bal.at
01/04/06 |
£45212.33 |
| Totals |
£75,612.74 |
+
P/cash@01/04/06 |
£45.06
£75,612.74 |
Treasurer:
Rita Kennedy
Examined
and approved by David Godfrey ACIB JP
April 2007