Annual Review 2012

ANNUAL REVIEW 2012

ANNUAL REVIEW 2012

Our missionWatford New Hope Trust (WNHT) exists to serve homeless and vulnerably-housed people by providing accommodation and opportunities to rebuild damaged lives. Founded upon Christian values, which are at the core of our operation, we support people regardless of faith.

We house over 50 people every night and help over 600 homeless people every year through accommodation, support and development services.

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CHAIRMAN & CEO’s WELCOMEOverview 2011/12our servicesoutreachday centremental health supporttenancy sustainment teamcentral support teamclient storiescentral support team (Continued)

sanctuary night shelterCommunity HomeNEW HOPE HOUSEMOVE ON HOSTELSworkshopsfurniture SCHEMEmarket gardenfinances 2011/12thank you

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Mike Smith, CEO

CEO & CHAIRMAN’s welcomeWe begin this 2012 Annual Review by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved with the work of Watford New Hope Trust (WNHT) over the last year. You have enabled us to provide accommodation, support and development services to 617 homeless and vulnerably-housed individuals in Watford. We are extremely grateful to God for everyone who has made this possible.

In the past year homelessness has continued to increase across the UK and this is no different in Watford. Excluding periods of changeover between residents, our 50 beds were full throughout the year. In addition, we have witnessed a ‘bottleneck’ effect in the past year as the flow through our services has slowed down due to a lack of affordable accommodation beyond the Trust. However, towards the end of the year we were pleased to be awarded funding from the Homelessness Transition Fund, which will enable us to provide six additional emergency beds and more help to first-time homeless people over the next three years.

We celebrated our 22nd birthday in March with a themed event, entitled Love Never Fails. Love is imperative to the way we work and it is the reason

behind our existence. The biblical definition of love explains that, among other things, it is patient and kind, it never gives up, it always perseveres, it always hopes and it never fails. In these challenging times, love is the reason why we will not give up helping those in need. Also, love motivates us to continue to provide the most comprehensive homelessness support programme in the Watford area.

Finally, we would like to share with you some recent and encouraging words spoken by our Member of Parliament, Richard Harrington:

‘For me, the New Hope Trust typifies what’s the best in Watford. It offers so much. So much love and decency and hard work and effort is given by everyone – employees, trustees, volunteers, and everybody alike.’

In addition to Mr Harrington’s words, we recognise that so much is also given by our supporters. Once again, thank you! We do hope you will enjoy reading more about our recent work in the following pages.

MIKE SMITH (CEO) &the REVD MIKE JONES (CHAIRMAN)

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OVERVIEW 2011/12Of the 617 people supported by us this year 84% were male, 40% suffered from

mental health problems, 39% suffered alcohol addiction and 24% suffered from illegal

substance misuse. The overwhelming majority of homelessness was caused as a result

of emotional, physical and financial poverty. When asked for the triggering cause of

homelessness, our service users gave the following reasons:

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Life circumstances (22%)

Eviction by landlord (20%)

Asked to leave by friends or family (17%)

Relationship breakdown (15%)

Undisclosed (12%)

Discharged from prison (6%)

House repossession (3%)

Domestic violence (3%)

Property - unsuitable conditions (2%)

WHY?

35 - 43 (26%)

26 - 34 (22%)

44 - 52 (18%)

20 - 25 (13%)

53 - 59 (10%)

Undisclosed (5%)

18 - 19 (3%)

60 - 64 (2%)

65 + (1%)

AGE

The average age of our service users was 40 (94% were aged between 20 and 60). A

breakdown of service users by age can be seen in the following graph:

Throughout the year, our houses and hostels operated at capacity. In this sense, our

overall occupancy of 92% is somewhat misleading and requires explanation. This figure

takes into account periods of changeover, when rooms are empty for cleaning and

maintenance work. Very occasionally, our rooms are unoccupied when we are faced

with issues surrounding eviction and criminal investigations.

In terms of future developments, at the end of the year we were successful in a three-

year funding bid for £250,000 from the Homelessness Transition Fund. This will enable

us to improve our emergency accommodation and outreach services over the coming

years.

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White British (71%)

White other (9%)

African (5%)

Caribbean (3%)

Undisclosed (3%)

White & Black Caribbean (2%)

White & Black African (2%)

Any other mixed background (1%)

Indian (1%)

Pakistani (1%)

Bangladeshi (1%)

Any other Asian background (1%)

Ethnicity

A marked change, when comparing this year’s statistics to last, is that the ethnic make-

up of our service users has been noticeably different. In 2010/11 approximately 82%

of our service users were white British; whereas this year that figure has reduced to

71%. This difference is explained by the rise in the number of people who came to the

UK from abroad to work and, having lost their jobs, they were ineligible for benefit

entitlement. Such people have been extremely vulnerable to homelessness. A more

detailed breakdown of service users by ethnicity is as follows:

OUR SERVICES‘Watford New Hope Trust is Watford Borough Council’s preferred provider of homelessness services because it offers real wrap-around care, from a street doorway to a stable home.’

Dorothy Thornhill MBE, Elected Mayor of Watford

We offer a very comprehensive service to homeless and vulnerably-housed people,

which can be explained in the following three categories:

Street Outreach (floating support)

Day Centre

Mental Health Worker (floating support)

Tenancy Sustainment Team (floating support)

Central Support Team

SUPPORT SERVICES

The Sanctuary Night Shelter (emergency accommodation)

The Community Home (a ‘damp’ house)

New Hope House (a ‘dry’ house)

The Sanctuary Cluster Flats (move-on accommodation)

The Manse (move-on accommodation)

Alpha Court (move-on accommodation)

ACCOMMODATION

Workshops

Market Gardening Scheme

Furniture Restoration Scheme

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

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Further information about each of these services can be found in the following pages.

STREET OUTREACHTHIS YEARThe average age of rough sleepers was 35

The most common reason for homelessness was due to financial poverty

More than 200 individuals were supported this year

Our Street Outreach Team works alongside rough sleepers and other homeless people by offering guidance on issues relating to accommodation and statutory benefits.

This year we saw a large rise in the number of

people who are facing homelessness purely

because of their economic circumstances.

Many had lost their jobs (in the UK and

abroad) while others had experienced a

decrease in their statutory benefit payments.

Disappointingly, many of these people were

former service users of the Trust, who were

in need of our support again. Although many

of these people had settled into their own

accommodation, they remained living on the

margins of society and, as a consequence,

they were the first to fall victim to changes in

benefit entitlements. We are always available

to people such as these.

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‘Outreach gave me advice about housing which meant I didn’t lose my flat and was able to resolve things with the council’

DAY CENTREThe Haven Day Centre provides a drop-in service to homeless and vulnerably-housed people in Watford. Clients receive housing advice, hot food, clean clothes and can also use the washing and laundry facilities.

God’s love has an enormous impact on the

way we run the Day Centre both practically

and spiritually. We feed people hot meals, we

can supply clean clothes and we have shower

and laundry facilities on site. We also provide

volunteer opportunities to service users in

the kitchen, which boosts their confidence.

But the support we offer our service users

is more than practical. For instance, when

clients are sharing their issues with us we

offer to pray for them and many appreciate

this.

We believe in a structured approach at

the Day Centre and insist that individuals

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‘The Day Centre supported me from the streets. It was the first step for me getting a place’

THIS YEARBetween 60 and 70 people visited every day

17 volunteers helped on a regular basis

250 individuals were supported

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attending the centre abide by our rules and

engage positively with our services. For

example, we have a zero tolerance policy for

drug and alcohol use or dealing, and we don’t

tolerate abuse, lying, swearing and violence.

Occasionally we have had to ban people, but

they know that the door is open to them again

once the ban is up. We’re always prepared to

give people a second chance and we are pleased

to forgive any misdemeanours that have been

committed.

Over the last year, we have seen a number of

clients who have come for help because they

have lost their jobs, used up all their savings and

have run out of friends to put them up.

There have been several deaths over the last 12

months, which is always extremely difficult for

all at the Day Centre. Sadly, this is part of the

consequences of some of our clients’ lifestyles.

The frequency of life’s ups and downs is intense

at the Day Centre, which means that every day

is full of surprises!

‘We’re always prepared to give people a second chance’

MENTAL HEALTHSUPPORTThe Mental Health Floating Support Worker provides specialist advice, one-to-one support and links with other health agencies.

Over this year, we have seen more and more people struggling with debt problems. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues that we see and these are often money-related – particularly where eligibility for sickness benefits has been cut.

A concern which has been highlighted over the past year is that, for many of our service users, statutory services are failing their needs. The full extent and impact of statutory benefit cuts will be felt over the coming year.

During Mental Health Week in October 2011 we ran a series of workshops in conjunction with the workshop programme. Themes included ‘Eating Healthily’, ‘Keeping fit’ and ‘Noticing the world around us’.

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‘My support worker has helped me gain independence and see things in a different light. It has been excellent for my mental health.'

THIS YEAR46 individuals were supported by our Mental Health Floating Support Worker

The most common type of mental health problem was depression

40% of WNHT service users suffered mental health issues

12THE SANCTUARY

tenancy sustainment teamThe Tenancy Sustainment Team (TST) provides support to former homeless people who are now living in their own accommodation. Their aim is to prevent homelessness.

Over the past year TST have provided three

core areas of support to people who are

considered to be ‘vulnerably-housed’: (1)

pre-tenancy, (2) tenancy and (3) community

support.

Pre-tenancy involves helping service

users to understand a tenant’s rights

and responsibilities. We assist in

obtaining appropriate benefits and we

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‘TST are such a great source of knowledge and support.’

THIS YEAR88 individuals were supported

86 people maintained their tenancy

20 people successfully completed four pre-tenancy courses

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accompany service users to view prospective

accommodation. We ran four pre-tenancy

courses throughout the year, which

included sessions on budgeting, cookery and

relationship management. These courses

increased the likelihood of people sustaining a

tenancy.

Over the past year TST helped many people

to move into their own accommodation and

manage their tenancies. We assisted with

the renewal of housing applications, tenancy

agreements and benefit claims. Incredibly,

84 of the 86 people that TST worked with

throughout the year were prevented from

homelessness.

In terms of community support, in the

past year we provided our service users

with opportunities to interact with their

community through fortnightly coffee

mornings and day trips.

Over the year, we have persisted in reaching

out to our service users even when they seem

to be turning their backs on the help which

is offered. We never close the door on a

client, but we do require them to make steps

towards us in order to receive our help.

‘We never close the door on a client’

CENTRAL SUPPORTTeamThe Central Support Team is responsible for administration, facilities maintenance, finance (including the collection of housing benefits), communications, fundraising, HR, IT and retail.

We have seen a great deal of change within

the Central Support Team this year. In

particular we said farewell to Pip Leese, our

Human Resources Director, who retired after

13 years of faithful service to the Trust.

Our finance team have been grappling with

forthcoming changes to the housing benefit

system and our maintenance supervisor

has done a fantastic job in looking after our

various buildings across Watford, and helping

when anything or anyone needs moving!

Throughout the year the Central Support

Team has supported the 214 volunteers

(70 of whom regularly give their time) and

77 members of staff who are at work in 10

locations across Watford and Chorleywood.

Fundraising & COMMUNICATIONSWe are extremely grateful to everyone

who has supported the Trust, particularly

in this prevailing economic downturn.

Through various means, the Trust’s needs

were met through the generosity of the

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local community. We ran a number of successful

fundraising events during the year, all of which

generated a surplus and all of which involved our

service users. Events included an Abseil Challenge

from St Mary’s Church tower (which raised more

than £9,000) and three sleepouts (one in the

summer and two in the winter). We’re particularly

grateful to Dami Siyanbola, who ran the London

Marathon, to Jane Lacey, who took part in a half-

marathon, Chris Ellis, who cycled from Lands End

to John o’Groats and to Symphonia Academica

who organised a concert of classical music to raise

money for the Trust. We were also thankful to

the many schools, local church youth groups and

West Herts College, who all got involved with

Watford New Hope Trust this year.

We enjoyed our most overwhelming Harvest

since records began, which generated more than

£80,000 worth of food and toiletries for people in

need. We spoke about our work to 9,550 people

at 64 talks in 58 different places, had donations

from 151 schools, churches, community groups

and companies and were helped by a team of

fantastic volunteers who collected donations,

sorted items and then distributed to our different

services.

We celebrated a very successful year in terms of awareness-raising and generating

new supporters. We appeared in radio interviews on BBC Three Counties Radio and

Vibe FM three times during the year and articles about our work were featured in the

local press on more than 60 occasions. In addition, we enjoyed working with Watford

Football Club, whose players warmed-up wearing our T-shirts during their last game

of the season. Harry the Hornet took part in our abseil event and they organised a

Christmas Carol service for our benefit. Also, we launched our new website at

www.wnht.org and we became active in the world of social media.

CLIENT STORies

I grew up locally, living with my mum

and sister, but not my dad. At school, I

wasn’t great – I was good at the learning,

I just got into trouble a bit, so I didn’t get

many GCSEs. I then went to college and

got my level 2 in plastering.

I became homeless after my mum and

I lost the house we were renting, so

I stayed on the sofa at my sisters for

about six months and then heard about

Watford New Hope Trust.

I applied to get into New Hope House

and was accepted. So I moved in, and

lived there for five weeks. I then moved

into the Manse as I needed to get work

and the rent at New Hope House is

too expensive when you stop claiming

benefits.

The Trust really encouraged me to get

work and helped me get back on my

feet again. I’ve stayed in the Manse

for nine months, and for the last three

I’ve been working in catering in a local

department store.

Life is better now. I enjoy working and

I’m just about to move into my own

place. I feel less worried about the

future. I hope to one day have a lovely

flat, to progress in my work, and to

continue to get qualifications.

My perception of homelessness has

totally changed in that I now know how

easy it is to become homeless. I’m never

going to become homeless again.

BOBBY’s STORY (AGE 20)

‘The Trust really encouraged me to get work and helped me get back on my feet again.’

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JILL’s STORY (AGE 49)

I met my partner almost twenty years

ago, and we lived together in Watford

until last year. Throughout that time

we had various houses together. We

both worked, but we also liked to drink.

Ten years ago, when my mother died, I

started to drink more heavily, and when

I drank we’d get into a lot of arguments.

Our relationship broke down in the

March of 2011, when my partner

applied to court for a single tenancy.

After a bit of trouble, I ended up getting

arrested and sentenced and was sent

to prison in Peterborough. I served my

sentence and when I got out of prison, I

had a black bag for my possessions and

was released on to the streets.

I made my way back to Watford and

stayed for two nights in a hotel and then

my money ran out. Then I was told that I

could be helped if I attended the Haven

Day Centre.

After going to the Day Centre, I was

referred to the Sanctuary Night Shelter

and got a bed and a room. The staff

were amazingly helpful and it was

reassuring to know that I would have up

to 28 nights with a roof over my head.

Throughout this time I got a place and

moved into New Hope House.

It’s been good to have a place to sleep,

a place where I can stay clean and a

place where I can be helped to find

somewhere more permanent to live. I’m

able to speak to staff whenever I need

support – they’ve helped me so much. I

thank God that I’m here.

I’m desperate to have my own place

though and I look forward to getting

settled in a flat one day.

‘I’m able to speak to staff whenever I need support. – They’ve helped me so much.’

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RETAILThis year saw us open a new charity shop in

Chorleywood – the home town of Janet Hosier,

one of our co-founders. The little shop on Lower

Parade opened in November 2011 and was filled

to the rafters with stock, reflecting the amazing

generosity of the people of Chorleywood. We’re

thankful too for the support of local companies,

such as Costco, who donated samples for us to

sell and to our volunteers who have given so

freely of their time and energy.

Mike Jones, Chair of Trustees, officially opened

the shop by cutting a ribbon of parcel tape

surrounded by cardboard boxes – symbolic of

the shelters many of our service users have used

THIS YEAR6,000 people visited our website

£433,385 was raised through fundraising

£221,987 was raised through retail

CENTRAL SUPPORTTeam (CoNTinueD)

‘We seek to give away as well as receive’

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when sleeping rough. Shoppers were entertained by a string quartet of talented pupils

from Watford Grammar School for Girls and we took £2,300 in sales!

Our charity shop in Watford continues to thrive, despite the struggles which other

charity shops have experienced. We have been blessed by an abundance of donations

of clothes, bric-a-brac, books and furniture from local people, and we have sought to

give as well as receive. We offer starter packs to service users who are about to start

again in their own accommodation, and pray for those in need.

The Watford shop is run entirely by volunteers including the shop manager, Polly

Odbert. Polly was short-listed this year for the Institute of Fundraising’s national

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year award, in recognition of her many years of hard work

and joyful service. Well done Polly!

‘There’s a huge variety of interesting items at the shop. The staff are friendly, the service is efficient, and prices are reasonable. It’s nice to help people through a local charity’.

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SANCTUARY NIGHT SHELTERThis hostel is Watford’s only emergency accommodation. It provides individuals with short-stay accommodation, meals and laundry facilities. Staff work with other services to provide a tailored package for each person, as well as help towards moving into more stable accommodation.

This year, like many others, has been

challenging. We have struggled with a

shortage of staff and have spent a lot of

time and energy on recruitment. It has

been encouraging to see the highest ever

number of residents move-on positively

to more stable, secure and long-term

accommodation. Sadly, we have seen more

repeat stayers this year but we don’t give

up on our service users. We seek to offer

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No. OF BEDS:12

LEVEL OF SUPPORTStaff in residence 24/7

MAXIMUM STAY28 nights

THIS YEAR62% of people moved on positively

The average length of stay was 31 days

112 individuals benefitted from this service

The occupancy rate was 98%

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‘From day one I’ve had help and support from the key-workers. They have been very helpful, understanding, patient and tolerant.’

unconditional acceptance and support to people

regardless of what has happened in the past.

The Night Shelter has operated at capacity

throughout the year so, unfortunately, we often

have to turn people away. This situation led us to

apply for a grant from the Homelessness Transition

Fund to provide short-term basic accommodation

for those who are first-time homeless. We were

successful, and the new Transition Service will

launch in 2012/13. This funding will enable us to

provide six additional beds at the Night Shelter

and we will also launch Watford’s first 24/7 advice

line for people facing homelessness.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

operated during the winter period (when the

temperature fell to below zero degrees centigrade

for three consecutive nights). During this period,

15 people were supported at the Sanctuary.

‘We seek to offer unconditional acceptance’

COMMUNITY HOMEThe Community Home is a house offering long-term accommodation for people with alcohol addiction issues. Residents are allowed to drink a controlled amount of alcohol on the premises, with the aim of stopping drinking altogether. For this reason it is called a ‘damp’ house and it is the only hostel of this type in the Watford area.

During the past year the Community Home has been a safe place for men who have lost everything to begin to rebuild their lives. We don’t give up on the residents but give them every opportunity to engage with us and the help we offer.

Once again, a group of staff and residents went to Cornwall for a week’s holiday. The highlights included fishing, a trip to the Eden Project and plenty of games of pool!

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‘I’m really happy at the Community Home. I know they’re not my real family, but it feels like it. The staff are really good to me, they are brilliant at looking after me and taking me back, when I mess up.’

No. OF BEDS:5


MAXIMUM STAY2 years

THIS YEARThe average length of stay was 125 days

11 residents were supported


67% of people moved on positively

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NEW HOPE HOUSENew Hope House (NHH) is a hostel offering short-term accommodation to people who are not drinking (‘dry’) and stable. On arrival, each resident is assigned a key worker to provide support in preparing to move on to more independent accommodation and to encourage the development of skills needed to live away from hostel accommodation.

This year there were more female residents than in previous years. We also saw a greater number of service users who had become homeless because of redundancy or job loss.

We celebrated the house’s 18th birthday in October with 26 former and current residents, staff, volunteers, trustees and Friends of the Trust. We reminisced over gammon boiled in Coca-Cola!

No. OF BEDS:10


MAXIMUM STAY1 year

‘NHH is a great place the help is definitely there and available, but you have got to be willing to take it. There is always someone on duty you can talk to if things are tough.‘




50% of people moved on positively

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MOVE-ON HOSTELSWe run three move-on hostels. All three exist to give residents a stepping stone from our services to independent living.

In the past year, more than 85% of the people supported through our move-on services were moved into more appropriate and stable accommodation. We were particularly encouraged by this figure, because an on-going problem that we face is a lack of access to accommodation beyond the Trust. For example, many private landlords are unwilling to rent to people coming from homelessness services. In addition, financial access to the private rented sector is often unattainable for most of our service users. For this reason, we hope to launch a rent deposit scheme for homeless individuals in the coming year.

Our three move-on services are summarised as follows:

‘The help and support I have received personally and witnessed for others has been both excellent and admirable at all levels.’




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SANCTUARY CLUSTER FLATS The Cluster Flats are self-contained flats which provide space for residents to have independence whilst receiving support as and when it is required. This year we were able to enjoy an encouraging number of positive move-ons, given the lack of accessible accommodation beyond the Trust. We were particularly pleased to be able to help some relatively long-term residents to find their accommodation and pass them onto the capable hands of the TST. Towards the end of the year, we took one two-bed flat out of action, to bolster our emergency accommodation, which operates from the same building.

ALPHA COURTAlpha Court contains self-contained flats with Assured Short-hold Tenancies. Tenants are supported in finding permanent employment and planning a successful move to independent living. Each resident receives a low level of support from the Trust and are encouraged to develop the skills they will need to live independently. For example, cooking, cleaning, budgeting and grocery shopping.

THE MANSEThe Manse provides individual bedrooms, with a shared kitchen and living area. Previously part of New Hope House, in January 2010 the Manse became a residential project for people preparing to leave the support of hostel accommodation for good.

To prepare residents for living independently, the Manse is not staffed 24 hours a day, but support is provided through individual key-working sessions. Service users cook and clean for themselves and are offered support to move-on.

No. OF BEDS:13

LEVEL OF SUPPORTStaff on call 24/7

MAXIMUM STAY1 year

No. OF BEDS:6


MAXIMUM STAY2 years

No. OF BEDS:4


MAXIMUM STAY2 years

workshopsWe offer a wide variety of informal training and development workshops covering a range of activities.

This year saw an increase in the number and variety of workshops offered. Workshops included IT support, book club, cookery and Advice 4 U (individual advice sessions with an experienced volunteer). Three service users set up and ran their own workshops.

Through our Look Ahead sessions (in partnership with ASCEND), we have seen 15 clients make significant steps forward. Two went on to paid employment, one took and passed the Construction Scheme Certification Scheme, three took up courses at West Herts College and nine people took up places on other courses.

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‘The workshops helped me

meet new people in my

situation and made me

realise that I was not alone.

I’ve met some amazing

people, built on my current

skills and learnt and tried

new things!’


41 subjects were offered

FURNITURE schemeThis scheme offers service users the opportunity to learn skills in woodwork and furniture restoration. The service users restore donated gifts of furniture in our workshop. The furniture is then sold in a shop on Queens Road, Watford.

We are grateful for the many donations of furniture from members of the public that we have received throughout the year. We have also found that sales have increased as people are on the look-out for cheaper alternatives.

Throughout last year one of our main struggles was a lack of available storage and sales space. This constant problem has meant that we have been forced to turn away more furniture than we can accept. We managed to add a small amount of space to the shop during the year by opening up a disused basement below the shop floor, however space shortage remains a problem and we are on the lookout for additional premises in the coming year.

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‘Thanks to the help I’ve had, I’m now back on my feet and have stopped drinking.’


8 service users were ex-offenders

14 people suffered mental health issues

£12,079 was generated through furniture sales

MARKET GARDENThe garden is set in one acre of land in west Watford and it serves both homeless people and the community. Service users are offered ‘ecotherapy’ through teaching on horticulture, environmental awareness and healthy living.

In the past year, the garden has been a bridge

between WNHT and the local community

and this has enabled some really exciting

developments to take place. It has provided

a fantastic opportunity for us to host local

companies and groups of individuals who

are interested in knowing more about

homelessness, as well as gardening.

The substantial investment that we made

in the garden this year was the result of a

major change to our lease. Watford Borough

Council have granted us a 10 year lease,

which has given us much more certainty than

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THIS YEAR23 service users were committed to volunteering at this project

4 service users were ex-offenders

6 people were suffering from mental health issues

‘We nurture an environment where our service users feel free to share laughter, smiles as well as worries and concerns’

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‘I like coming to the Garden Project for the social interaction.

I have learnt many new skills since attending the project and

look forward to my days at the garden each week.’

we had with our previous three-year rolling

lease. With this new lease, WBC also threw in

an extra tranche of land for us to use! There will

be more exciting changes to report in the year

ahead and we hope to open up this service to

many more of our service users as a result.

We have been blessed throughout the year by

the help and support of a number of companies

who have served us by giving us their time.

such support has brought a new lease of life

to the garden. Thank you Tesco for the new

pond, Kraft for painting fences, Medtronic for

developing the woodland area, Skanksa for

putting in new paths and Barclays Bank for

buying and putting in paving slabs!

Towards the end of the year the ASDA

Foundation gave us a grant of £22,000 to buy

polytunnels, tools, a workshop, a toilet, fences

as well as funding for a new entrance way. These

important additions will enable us develop

the garden for our service users and the local

community in the years to come.

There is a real community spirit to our Market

Garden. We nurture an environment where our

service users feel free to share laughter, smiles

as well as worries and concerns. They believe

in what they are doing, they are committed and

they work as a team to get jobs done.

This year, our income and expenditure increased by 3% and 4% respectively in

comparison with the previous year. We enjoyed a very small surplus of £6,107. A more

detailed breakdown of income and expenditure is as follows:

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Statutory contract income (33%)

Housing Benefit (27%)

Retail (11%)

Fees, service-user contributions and other (9%)

Individuals (6%)

Local authority (6%)

Trusts & Foundations (4%)

Community Groups (3%)

Schools (0.5%)

Companies (0.4%)

Legacies (0.2%)

INCOME£1,904,535

EXPENDITURE £1,898,428

Sanctuary (Night Shelter & Cluster Flats) (29%)

New Hope House (15%)

Community Home (11%)

Haven Day Centre (10%)

Fundraising & Publicity (8%)

Tenancy Sustainment Team (6%)

Retail (5%)

Furniture Restoration (4%)

Street Outreach (3%)

The Manse (2%)

Market Garden (2%)

Alpha Court (2%)

Workshops (2%)

Governance (1%)

FINANCES 2011/12

Please note, the information above is a summary of our financial activities in the year

ending March 2012, approved by our trustees. Our full audited accounts are available

on the Charity Commission website. They can also be requested from our Head Office.

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THANK YOUThis year, 617 homeless and vulnerably-housed people have been offered a ‘new

hope’ through our services. This has only been possible because of the supporters of

Watford New Hope Trust. If you have contributed to our work then, from the bottom

of our hearts, THANK YOU!

Of particular note, we would like to thank our 10 trustees, all of whom volunteer their

time to govern our work and pray for us. We would also like to thank every one of our

volunteers, particularly our committed shop workers and Day Centre helpers.

Throughout the year, our income was generated by 402 individuals (including 200

committed supporters – the Friends of WNHT – 12 of whom donated more than

£1,000 each), 87 churches, 83 schools, 35 other community groups (including 8

synagogues), 30 companies, 15 charitable trusts and 2 local authorities.

Particular thanks must be given to those who have supported us with gifts of c.£900

or more. These are as follows:

CHARitaBLE TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS

29th May 1961 Charitable Trust

ASDA Foundation

Donald Forrester Trust

Dorema Charitable Trust

J and S Ford Charitable Trust

J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust

Leavesden Lodge Benevolent Fund

Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable

Trust

SMB Charitable Trust

The Souter Charitable Trust

faith & community groups

Bushey Baptist Church

Bushey Hall Lodge 2323

Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban

Christ Church Chorleywood

Christ Church Radlett

Christians Across Watford

Church of Our Lady and St Michael

Derby Road Baptist Church

Emmanuel Church Northwood

Rotary Club of Watford

Soul Survivor Watford Church

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St Andrew’s Church Chorleywood

St Edmund the King Northwood Hills

St George’s Day Charity Club

St James Road Baptist

St Lawrence’s Church Abbots Langley

St Lawrence’s Church Eastcote

St Luke’s Church Bricket Wood

St Luke’s Church Watford

St Mary’s Parish Church Watford

St Michael & All Angels Church Sunnyside

St Paul’s Church Chipperfield

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue

Watford Community Church

Watford Catenians

Watford Football Club

Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy

West Watford Free Baptist Church

COMPANIES

ACI Ltd

Avica

BRE

Costco Wholesale UK Ltd

Elstree Film Studios

Kraft Foods

Medtronic

Ocado

Pret a Manger

Skanska

The Entertainer

Trynity Solutions (www.trynity.co.uk)

SCHOOLS

Aldenham School

Bushey & Oxhey Infant School

Christ Church C of E School

(Chorleywood)

Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

Heathfield Girls’ School

Merchant Taylors’ School

Merry Hill Infant School

Northwood College

Northwood Preparatory School

Rickmansworth School

St Margaret’s School for Girls

St Martin’s School, Northwood

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Watford Grammar School for Girls

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Hertfordshire County Council

Watford Borough Council

ADDRESS Watford New Hope Trust 67 Queens Road Watford WD17 2QN

phone 01923 210 680

email [email protected]

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Watford New Hope Trust is a registered charity (1080784) and a company limited by guarantee (03969063)Registered office: Cansdales, Bourbon Court, Nightingales Corner, Little Chalfont, Bucks, HP7 9QS.

facebook.com/watfordnewhopetrust

WEB www.wnht.org

Documents

Annual Review 2012