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Caring for homeless people in Croydon since 1976Annual Report 2014

Nightwatch

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Caring for homeless people in Croydon since 1976

www.croydonnightwatch.org.uk

Contents

Nightwatch – Legal Information 2

Nightwatch Philosophy 3

Chair’s Annual Report 4

Donations 4

Police 5

Resettlements 2013 6

Vocational support 7

Committee members 7

Numbers we serve 8

External Liason Report 9

Volunteer Co-ordinator’s report 10

Premises Co-ordinator’s Report 11

Treasurer’s Report 12

Income 12

Expenditure 13

Funds and assets 13

Accounts 14

Information for Volunteers 17

Nightwatch Annual Report 2014

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This Annual Report of the Trustees of Nightwatch is compiled according to Charity Commission guidelines issued as the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2005.

The name of the charity is Nightwatch, it is sometimes known as Croydon Nightwatch after the site of its activities. The charity number is 274925 and the mailing address is PO Box 2576, London, SE23 3ZH. The trustees over the period for which this report was compiled, the calendar year of 2013, were Jad Adams, Roger Davies and Brigid Lovat. The secretary was Bob Sleight.

Nightwatch is governed by a constitution which was adopted in 1976 when the charity was founded and updated in 2003 and (for minor changes requested by a funder) 2005. Its objectives are the care and treatment of persons in need who are homeless, rootless or suffering from psychological or physical infirmity or who by reason of adverse circumstances or being a discharged offender, are in need of help in acquiring a settled way of life. We are further dedicated to the education of those persons so as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may develop full maturity as responsible individuals and members of society, that their conditions of life may be improved.

The main activities taken in relation to these objectives are the maintenance of a meeting point in the Queen’s Gardens in central Croydon every night of the year at which we meet homeless and other needy people. This reporting year we supplied food, clothing and other personal items and provided a constant, caring presence in what were often chaotic lifestyles. We gave advice and guidance. We also provided furniture and essential household items to resettle formerly homeless people into new accommodation; and assisted with household goods those who are accommodated but could not afford such items. We assisted with the provision of working clothes and other items to help people into work or education. A breakdown of these activities is in this report, as is an account of the charity’s deployment of its more than 150 volunteers.

Trustees are elected at an Annual General Meeting from volunteers from among the active membership. Nightwatch is run by a voluntary Executive Committee elected by the Annual General Meeting. The Committee meets four times a year to review the activities of the charity including fund raising, the approval of the annual report and accounts prior to their submission to the AGM. The Committee also oversees such issues as insurance, health and safety, assessment of risk, and compliance with legal requirements. It also reviews our contacts with Croydon Borough Council, with funding bodies and with outside agencies doing complementary work.

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each year. The financial position of Nightwatch is set out in the accompanying annual accounts. The trustees agree that an audit is not required for the financial year, but according to the provisions of the Charities Act 1993 an independent examination is required. Our accountant is Carol Thomson Bsc ACA (ICAEW) of Peartree Close, Sanderstead, CR2 9BR. The Nightwatch practice on reserves is to maintain in a COIF account a sum at least equivalent to three months’ unrestricted expenditure.

Nightwatch - Legal Information


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Nightwatch is a charity founded by members of the community in Croydon who were concerned about homelessness. We believe in local solutions for local problems.

Still entirely voluntary, we have been running for more than thirty-five years, adapting to new conditions and applying ourselves to the challenges of homelessness in today’s Britain. Our core activity is a meeting point that is staffed every evening where we give basic help with food and clothing and address more profound needs.

We help people who are street homeless, in squats and other inadequate accommodation, in hostels, in bed and breakfast accommodation, and those who are housed but still need support to help prevent them from again becoming homeless.

Our philosophy is that we treat homelessness as a fluid rather than a steady state – people in need are constantly moving through the system: getting out at the top (becoming housed and needing no further help) or falling off the bottom (becoming street homeless). Our objective is to try to keep people’s motion upwards, so our intervention is tailored to individual needs and aspirations. We assist some people out of street homelessness, others out of hostels and so on. We address people’s own wishes, working with them to encourage independent living and refurnish new accommodation.

For former homeless people who wish to keep in touch with us, we can help with expensive items such as cookers and fridges, which are beyond their means but without which life is squalid and unpleasant. By maintaining such contact, we help to prevent future homelessness.

Where appropriate, we supply materials to help in re-entering education such as books or travel cards; and we supply appropriate clothing (such as working boots) for people looking for work.

The clients we see have a variety of backgrounds but often have institutional life in common – they have been in children’s homes, psychiatric care or the armed forces, and a number are ex-offenders. Significant problems frequently seen are mental health, drugs, alcohol and marital break-up. It is an important part of our work that we treat all people as individuals and tailor our advice and assistance to their needs. People cannot receive advanced levels of help unless they are willing to address their problems, but everyone gets some help appropriate to their level, with the promise of more as they progress towards independent living.

This work is time consuming and labour intensive, we are the largest volunteer organisation in our borough and we are at work every day of the year.

Nightwatch Helping ex-offenders to stay ex-offenders

The Nightwatch Philosophy


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We reached a record we never wanted to see this year, for the first time the number of people in the gardens exceeded 100 on a Sunday night. This is in keeping with a generally upward trend in numbers. Committee member Roger Davies did an analysis of the numbers of people we recorded as seeing on Sundays from 1988, his report is on page 8. A hundred was a high point, normally we see fewer, the average over the year was 84. Fewer are seen on weekdays - more like half that. This is mainly because we give out food parcels on Sundays. We have sent our findings as a contribution to the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry on Food Poverty.

The large numbers we are seeing are due to two factors: eastern Europeans coming looking for work and an increasing impoverishment in society which means that we see people who otherwise would not have come on a soup run. Our range of clients is now homeless, near-homeless, former-homeless and otherwise generally vulnerable people. In these difficult times, quite a number of the people we see have somewhere to live and are working but don’t have enough money to live on, so come to us for food and household appliances if theirs break down.

In the report on resettlement on page 6-7 it is important to note that only one of the resettled clients were eastern European, indicating that this group is still living a precarious existence, usually in overcrowded accommodation, and picking up work in the ‘black economy.’ This cash-in-hand existence leaves them

prey to unscrupulous gang masters. One man told us he was working a 12 hour day washing cars for £30. Another man had worked for two weeks for an honest employer, but his lack of a bank account meant he could not receive payment. To have a bank account he needed utility bills with his name and address on them, and living in shared accommodation, he did not have these. Clients also need a national insurance number to enter the real economy, have payments made by a reputable employer and appropriate levels of taxation. We have discussed this problem at the Rough Sleeper’s Core Group, run by Croydon Council’s Housing Strategy division, and are co-operating with a scheme that helps these clients into the legitimate, tax-paying economy.

There was a great deal of attention paid to the increased rights of eastern European visitors that came into effect on 1 January 2014. We were asked to comment many times by national media but our response was not reported, as it was lacking in sensationalism: there is no crisis; most eastern Europeans who wanted to come to this country have already arrived; we see no evidence of ‘benefit tourism,’ people come here looking for work.

We are very well aware that our male clients looking for labouring work are prime targets for human trafficking/modern slavery, we keep a lookout for gang masters and have attended meetings along with other organisations dealing with this client group at the council’s offices.

Chair’s Report

We received generous support this year from Amicus Horizon, Croudace Homes Group and the Yorkshire Building Society. Liverpool Victoria nominated us to receive Pennies from Heaven: a round up of pennies from all staff salaries each month. Access Underwriting gave some money for equipment for our new kitchen and also asked their dedicated website designer to create a new website for us, which looks wonderful: www.croydonnightwatch.org.uk.

Sainsbury’s West Croydon donated a heater for our new premises and also regularly donate bakery items that would otherwise go to waste. We are also pleased to continue to receive food from Prêt à Manger and Simply Lunch.

Veolia Environmental Services have supplied manpower and equipment to help with our recent move to new premises and have been ever-helpful when we received sudden donations that have to be moved fast. Volunteer Jeff Gridley, a Veolia worker, undertook a sponsored sleep-out and raised thousands of pounds for us. It is interesting to note that the only disturbance he encountered in the Queen’s Gardens was at 3am when the clubs in Croydon turned out and with their rowdy clientele - much more trouble than our clients.

We received continuing help from Croydon Commitment, our interface with the business community. A wonderful mystery donor from South Croydon who

Donations


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Croydon Roller Derby supports Nightwatch

contacted us via the Charities Aid Foundation has donated £10,000 per year over three years.

LexisNexis produced this report to their usual high standard. Estate agent Streets Ahead has continued to support us, including with money raised from the Croydon Half Marathon held in association with the Croydon Striders, and in providing headed stationery which helps us to maintain our professional appearance.

Greggs again supported us with money to buy Christmas presents; girls from Coloma School donated money from the sale of craft items they had made, and helped to pack the Christmas presents. Another school, St Mary’s Catholic, won £3000 for us from the Youth Philanthropy Initiative scheme where pupils study a local charity and put on a presentation about it.

We have also had glamorous visitors: the athletic women from Croydon Roller Derby have adopted us as a charity, they make donations and often come to volunteer. Pro-footballer Marvin Sordell came with his partner Milly, gave considerable donations and helped us hand out 109 Christmas parcels. Women from the Hustler Club have made donations of coats,

leading to national newspaper coverage for us: ’Homeless are able to cover up, thanks to strip club.’

Roger Davies did a sponsored bike ride to Brighton in aid of Nightwatch, he also did sterling work in co-ordinating our move from our previous premises where the landlord wanted to let the whole site to a new tenant. We don’t advertise where we work form, as a condition of our lease, but we are most grateful to our friends for their hospitality.

We have always had a positive relationship with the police so we were surprised in the middle of this year to be told by a Chief Inspector at Croydon police station that they were concerned about anti-social behaviour connected to Nightwatch. In discussion it became clear that our soup run is not actually the place where there is said to be anti-social behaviour, it is our clients doing things which might be so called at other places. We were, in the current jargon ‘an anti-social behaviour generator’.

The police later made this sort of remark to the council leader in a report that suggested the use of ‘every available bylaw’ to stop our work in the gardens, though the chilling effect of this was somewhat undermined by the report itself carrying a commentary from legal experts to the effect that no bylaws would apply in our case. We are not causing any obstruction in the park, there is no disturbance to park users and are not selling anything.

Having been informed about this report, I attempted to get it withdrawn quietly by behind -the-scenes lobbying before its embarrassing deficiencies became public and the council and police were pushed into a face-saving manoeuvre.

The press obtained it, however, and reported very fairly on the row that ensued. It will be found on the websites of Inside Croydon, the Croydon Advertiser and the Croydon Guardian. We have copied these reports on our Facebook page, ‘Nightwatch - Homeless Charity.’ Without going over the ground again, we said the proposal was immoral, politically inept and open to legal challenge. The Advertiser made a valuable comment, that ‘the latest development appears to be part of a wider trend, to “cleanse” the town centre’ in preparation for the Westfield development. (CA 6/12/13)

We need to ask what model of policing is on offer here, if senior officers think they can put pressure on

Police


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us, when we are not suspected of any wrongdoing, in order to influence our clients because they may be committing anti-social behaviour somewhere else. We also have to ask, if we are such a serious anti-social behaviour generator, why the police should have noticed this only in 2013, our 37th year of operation in the gardens. This all seems more related to a changed police method of analysing statistics than any genuine change in the crime rate. We put in a Freedom of Information request to the council asking how many complaints there had been about our activities in the gardens from members of the public in 2012 and 2013. The answer was nil.

The police have had an alcohol exclusion zone in the gardens since 2003, we supported them in this, it is no part of our work to encourage public drinking. If the police now wish to ban the distribution of food in the park, the answer must be no. People could go to the council with reasonable arguments that smoking

should be banned in the park, or public displays of affection should be banned. Some people would certainly make arguments for such prohibitions. But at some time we have to say enough is enough, we will not hand over any more freedoms to the authorities.

These remarks are about police command. Our relations with working police officers remain unchanged and positive and we continue to help the police in matters of missing persons and destitute people that they refer to us.

Our work continues in the gardens, though if the housing development on the Taberner House site takes place, we will move of our own volition as the place will no longer fulfil our requirements of being quiet and non-residential.

Jad Adams

Though we are seeing more people, there have been fewer full resettlements this year, with 36 former homeless people set up with substantial amounts of furniture in new accommodation.

This compares with 42 in 2012; 49 in nine months of 2011; and 78 in 2010 so there is a downward trend. This is due to a general shortage of accommodation: fewer of our clients are being given new tenancies by the council, housing associations, other charities and private landlords. This is a London-wide problem though Croydon does have particular difficulties with a shortage of social accommodation.

Another problem that we face is that clients have to wait longer for furniture. This is a knock-on effect of the recession as furniture is not being donated to the two charities we use (Emmaus and Home Again, telephone numbers on back page). Householders who in the past had bought new furniture and donated their old things to charity have in recent years been holding on to their cookers, washing machines and so on, because there has been less money around for everyone, including quite well-off people. Hopefully this is changing now the national financial situation

is somewhat better, and our partners who receive and store furniture for us will be receiving donations of furniture as before.

Another change we have seen is of people who have accommodation, in which they have often lived for a while, coming to us for individual items or a small number of things. There were 91 people this year who came for such things as a fridge, a washing machine or a cooker, because theirs had broken down and they could not afford to replace it. This compares with 56 in 2012 and 47 in 2011. In helping people this way, who are often former clients who do not come out otherwise, we help to keep people in accommodation at an acceptable standard of living, and help to prevent future homelessness.

Trends include many more requests for washing machines, reflecting the disappearance of the public laundrette from the high street; and a larger number of people asking for extra beds or sofa beds. On one night in September three people asked for sofa beds. It is obvious that people who have accommodation are ‘doubling up’ and letting other people stay to reduce individual living costs. We have already noted

Resettlements 2013


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the tendency towards overcrowding among eastern European clients; many more people in the general population now seem to be in overcrowded conditions.

Of the 36 people we helped with full resettlements, 11 were female (30.5%) which is in accordance with our previous figures. Women are less likely to be homeless (only 10 per cent of our general clientele are female) but more likely to settle into new accommodation and go about making a home for themselves. Twelve of the 36 were Somali or other north African, often with families. This may indicate the slow speed of settlement of Somalis, who came to the UK in large numbers in the first five years of this century, fleeing from civil war. They seem to have been living in temporary accommodation and are only now settling in more permanent places.

Four of the other resettlements (not Somalis) were families comprising a couple with an eight-year-old

son; a couple with a new baby; a woman with two children under five and a woman with one three-year-old child. Three of these identified themselves as having been advised by Croydon social services to come to us for furniture and we suspect all four were in that category - the man who has an eight-year-old child did not specifically identify that he was sent by social services, it was the only time we saw him. We can’t object to people being referred to us by social services, they are clearly people in need, but we must keep an eye on this, as if every social services case wanting furniture came to Nightwatch, our resources would quickly be exhausted.

We have also supplied sundries such as large pans for communal cooking and two sets of vouchers for Homebase or B&Q so people could obtain paint and other decorating materials to decorate newly allocated property.

Also under the resettlement banner go items of vocational support such as steel toe-capped boots and hi-vis jackets which will help people get work in the construction industry and in other fields where our mainly eastern European clients work: gardening, warehousing and car washing. We distributed 75 pairs this year, double the number that were distributed last year.

We also supplied specific items to help people work: payment for a CSCS test (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) for a man to work as a tradesman on building sites; a set of specialised clothes (blue helmet, gloves etc) for a man going into training as a Railtrack employee; and two sets of chef’s whites and non-slip shoes for two men to work in catering.

Vocational support

Committee Members

Chair Jad Adams 020 8699 6718

Secretary Bob Sleight 020 8668 6593

Treasurer Brigid Lovat [email protected]

Volunteer Co-ordinator Amanda Shortland (due to step down in 2014, then position vacant)

Premises Liaison Roger Davies 01883 342986

External Liaison Tony Sewell 020 8654 0214

Committee member Nana Acquah 020 8405 8712

Administrator Sandra Devine [email protected]


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Nightwatch has been keeping records of the number of people we serve since 1988. The records have been analysed and the attached graph shows the growth in the average number seen on Sunday night throughout the years. The Sunday levels are larger because of the provision of clothing, basic essentials, food parcels and resettlement. The weekday figures vary between 50 to 75% of the Sunday figures.

Today’s volunteers will hardly credit that the average number seen on Sundays in 1988 was only 7 when we were dealing with 84 average in 2013. The other graph shows the growth in the last 4 years when the numbers have grown from about 45 to over 100 in the later months of 2013.

The first entry in 1988 is quite simple:-

Gardens: Graham, Brendan, Terry, Stan, Mick (not been for a while –says he is ok!).

All the early entries are similar where new people were recognised and we had more time deal with individuals and their problems. This continued until 1995, though there were more volunteers and visits were made each night.

The numbers increased through the 1990’s to about 25 and continued to about 40 in the 2000’s. In 2004 and 2005 there were references to as many as 20 Somalis, Sudanese or other asylum seekers. The fact that the Immigration Centre was in Croydon added to our numbers needing help.

The most significant change is in the last two years. Approximately 30% of the number we now see are Eastern European, but that still leaves a considerable increase in the “core” of people, in need in Croydon. The numbers are now almost overwhelming.

Roger Davies

Numbers we Serve

NightwatchAverage Numbers in Gardens

Sunday Evenings

NightwatchNumbers in Gardens

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External Liaison Report

Nightwatch as part of the Croydon Food Network is currently working together with other local food providers in Croydon to provide food in the borough to those who are in crisis. There have been a significant number of people who are taking up food provision services as a result of food poverty. Esther Communities report on feeding 2000 families/individuals per week in Croydon. Nightwatch is also a main player providing services to 350-400 people per week. A data collection survey was done between January 2013 to September 2013, of the Network members that were able to give statistics, the main reasons for food poverty were as follows:-

1) Unemployment

2) Benefit sanctions

3) Homelessness

4) Low income

5) No food in the home

6) Debt

7) Benefits delay

8) Unforeseen financial circumstances

We had data from some of the food network providers of food provision for 15922 people using their services between January 2013 and September 2013, but these figures did not include Esther Communities. If they had it would have shown numbers rise to 65922 cases of people who have been given food in a crisis. There have been significant impacts of food poverty on individuals and families who have been subject to the under occupancy charge (bedroom tax) and the total benefit cap as a result of the Welfare Reform Act 2012. Benefit sanctions to those on Jobseekers Allowance are also a major contribution to food poverty, as well as reduced Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) payments for those who are appealing a negative ESA decision from a medical assessment. Homelessness and low income have also been significant factors in contributing to food poverty.

Tony Sewell


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Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Report

We have witnessed another busy year for our volunteers. Numbers attending the soup run in the Queens Gardens remain high but fortunately we have been able to increase the size of our teams to meet demand. In addition we have moved our base this year. The timing wasn’t perfect, falling as it did just before Christmas but our hardworking and committed volunteers turned out as usual in good numbers to help with the massive task of emptying our kitchen and cellar and moving everything a few metres around the corner to our new base. at the Croydon Friends’ Meeting House!

In early January, Jeff Gridley, a Tuesday night volunteer decided he’d raise money for our charity by sleeping rough on the streets of Croydon for five nights. His team thought he was mad. ‘It’s JANUARY!’ we chorused but Jeff was undeterred, pointing out that others had no choice of weather conditions in which to sleep out so why should he? Jeff’s experience was well documented in the media and resulted in a massive £3,200 being raised. We were all incredibly proud of him and in due course his diary charting the lows of sleeping rough will be added to our website.

We currently have around 160 people actively volunteering with us. More are interested in joining and are awaiting spaces in teams. We need some sandwich makers and also more store collectors. Sainsbury’s in West Croydon have excess food available for us but we do not have people available to collect. Let me know if you’d be able to help.

Last October, Sandra Devine joined the Committee as Nightwatch Administrator and has thoroughly organised our volunteer database and email systems. I am so grateful to Sandra for her support which has helped to make the role of Volunteer Coordinator much more manageable.

And finally…. I’d like to add my final thank you to all our wonderful volunteers as I have decided to step down from my Committee role from this July after ten years but am still keen to continue volunteering with Nightwatch as a soup run volunteer with my Tuesday team. It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve our charity and I shall miss my Committee colleagues very much.

Amanda Shortland

Jeff on his sponsored sleep-out


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Premises Co-ordinator’s Report

The Move and Harvest Collections

We made it to our new base!!! Or should I say our old base since this is where we used to operate until 2004!

The move went surprisingly easily and I should like to thank all the helping hands that made transferring all our accumulated goods without any disruption to the service we give to the needy of Croydon. I have to give special mention to our volunteer Jeff Gridley and his employer Violia who provided the transport and Jeff as the driver for the move.

It was fortunate that the move happened in October since that’s the time when our stock of tins was at its lowest and it was kind of our new landlords that they allowed us to do the collections and sorting before we had actually signed the agreements.

The collections and sorting proceeded as in previous years with a very good support from both our volunteers and others that came especially to help. The actual numbers of donations was unfortunately lower than normal. Usually we receive about 11,000 tins (I count them all!!) but this year we had only about 9,000. I think we been affected by the large publicity that has been given to Food Banks. Each Sunday in October we say that next week would be better for the numbers of donations but this year it didn’t really happen and unfortunately we had such bad weather on the last day.

The Hall has provided more useable space for us, but we must all be aware that the kitchen might be used by other hirers so must be kept as clear as possible.

We have a very good relationship with our new landlords who have been very supportive. They have welcomed the opportunity of providing their facility to us, as a major local charity that supports the needy in Croydon.. I had promised Gillian (my contact) that my aim would be that we would be “invisible” and be the perfect tenants. It’s ironic that in our first 6 months there were three problems which occurred- bins, drains and now mice! The last will shortly be solved! However, we have responded quickly and with Gillian’s support my objective might soon be achieved!

Roger Davies

Girls from Coloma School helping Nightwatch volunteers pack Christmas presents. Photo courtesy Niall O’Mara, Croydon Guardian


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Nightwatch’s income increased from £45,486 in 2012 to £59,234 in 2013, an increase of 30.2%. There has been a continuing upward trend in public donations from £25,263 in 2012 to £37,128 in 2013, an increase of 46.9%. The easing of the economy, combined with growing local awareness of the work of Nightwatch has resulted in generous donations from both individuals and companies.

There was little change in our own interest earned, a reflection of stable and high bank balances and continuing low interest rates.

We are especially indebted to an anonymous donor for the sum of £10,000 in 2013, and for his commitment to further donations of the same amount in 2014 and 2015. Restricted funds represented only 1.7% of total

income in 2013. Significant donations were received from Greggs, Liverpool Victoria, Croudace, Striders of Croydon and Intrareason. The ‘Pennies from Heaven’ scheme generously supported by employees of Liverpool Victoria, added £903 to Nightwatch funds in 2013. Nightwatch thanks all of its donors (large and small) for their support. Of particular value are the donations from local individuals, schools, churches and societies. They enable us to feel confident about the future of Nightwatch and the services provided for the homeless and needy in the Croydon area.

Nightwatch also wishes to acknowledge the specific support provided in 2013 by the Croydon Unitarian Church and the Croydon Branch of the Society of Friends.

Treasurer’s Report Accounts 1st Jan to 31st December 2013

Income


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Overall expenditure increased in 2013 from £31,685 to £42,557 (34.3%), partly in response to our increase in income. Expenditure on food increased by 41% and clothing expenditure increased by 30%. This was because of the greater number of clients attending in the gardens and the subsequent need to supplement the usual Harvest Festival donations. The increase in resettlement expenditure from £13,796 in 2012 to £17,771 in 2013 (28.9%) indicates that Nightwatch has been able to offer greater assistance to clients who need help with the basics required for setting up home. £2,092 was spent on the provision of Christmas gift bags to over a hundred clients.

It is pleasing to report that administration costs fell by 1.8% and now represent just 16% of total expenditure. Insurance costs have remained constant. The committee ensures that good value for money is sought in all areas of expenditure. We are especially grateful for the provision of rent-free accommodation from which to operate each night.

During the year funds rose from £44,101 to £60,778, an increase of £16,677, all of which is unrestricted funds.

Other assets remained at nil. All assets below a cost of £500 will be recorded as nil.

Brigid Lovat

Expenditure

Funds and Assets at beginning and end of 2013


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Accounts

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

31.12.13 31.12.12 Cash Funds Unrestricted Restricted Total TotalCash at bank 48,920 11,858 60,778 44,101

Total Cash Funds 48,920 11,858 60,778 44,101

Assets for Charity’s own use Computer Equipment at cost 2,637 345 2,982 2,982Less: Accumulated depreciation -2,637 -345 -2,982 -2,982

0 0 0 0Office Equipment at cost 700 0 700 700Less: Accumulated depreciation -700 0 -700 -700

0 0 0 0Fixtures & Fittings 129 43,893 44,022 44,022Less: Accumulated depreciation -129 -43,893 -44,022 -44,022

0 0 0 0

Total Assets for Charity’s use 48,920 11,858 60,778 44,101Liabilities (PAYE) 0 0 0 0

Note: It is Nightwatch’s policy to capitalise assets with an historic cost of over £500


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Report to the Trustees of Nightwatch on accounts for the year ended 31st December 2013

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examinerAs the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s reportMy examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statementIn connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respects the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act: and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting

requirements of the Act have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Carol Thomson BSc (Hons) ACA Chartered Accountant ICAEW 2 Peartree Close,Sanderstead, CR2 9BR


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Accounts

Accounting Statement (Receipts and Payments Basis) 31.12.13 31.12.12 Unrestricted Restricted Total TotalReceipts Donations and Grants 37,128 37,128 25,263 Grants Received Croydon Relief in Need 0 9,000J Paul Getty 0 5,000Intrareason 10,000 10,000 Croudace 5,000 Striders of Croydon 5,000 5,000 Croydon Voluntary Action 0 5,000Greggs Trust 975 975 975Liverpool Victoria - Pennies from Heaven 903 Interest Received 228 228 248

Total Receipts 58,259 975 59,234 45,486

Expenditure

Benefits and Welfare Riot Help 0 0 1,000Food, distribution and preparation 8,480 975 9,455 5,512Clothing 4,315 4,315 3,320Client Training 1,854 1,854 1,094Special Needs i.e Toiletries 254 254 19Gifts 2,092 2,092 0Resettlement 17,771 17,771 13,796

34,766 975 35,741 24,741

Management Costs General Administration 4,661 4,661 4,890Insurance 1,320 1,320 1,339Audit 835 835 715 6,816 0 6,816 6,944

Total Expenditure 41,582 975 42,557 31,685 Net Income 16,677 0 16,677 13,801Cash Funds brought forward 32,243 11,858 44,101 30,300

Cash funds carried forward 48,920 11,858 60,778 44,101


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Volunteers go out in teams every evening. You should have a list of all volunteers. If you don’t have a list, contact the volunteer co-ordinator. Volunteers decide themselves how they handle the work. Some go out and also make sandwiches to take; others collect sandwiches from volunteer sandwich makers; others collect from shops that give us unsold food. Some teams take out more elaborate food than soup and sandwiches. Whatever you wish to do, claim the cost from our treasurer unless we have supplies in the hall (e.g. sandwich fillings).

If anything prevents your usual routine (very bad weather, for example, stranding some volunteers in the south of the borough) buy ready made-up food from whatever shop is available: a garage, supermarket or fast-food outlet. Get a receipt and claim the cost. Maintenance of supply is more important than cost.

There should always be at least one man in a group. There should be a person designated as group leader (normally the most experienced person) to whom members should speak if they are unable to go out on a night. The group leader should try to find a replacement if necessary.

A volunteer should also talk to the group leader if they wish to stop volunteering for Nightwatch. The group leader will tell the volunteer co-ordiantor. It is important that the volunteer co-ordinator always has a picture of the way each night is working. We do not want to be in the situation where a couple of people leave from one night and the first the volunteer co-ordinator hears about it is when there is a crisis and the night is completely uncovered.

Our volunteers have to be over 18, confident and level-headed. The age limit is to prevent teenagers from being exposed to experiences for which they are not yet emotionally equipped.

It is advised that all who come into contact with people who fit our client group profile should have Hepatitis B inoculation. You can get this from your GP who should not charge as you are ‘at risk’ but if you are charged, claim from Nightwatch. The injection is not one of the most unpleasant ones but it does have to be boosted twice in the first year to give full protection.

We have public liability insurance.

Remember we are running a catering operation and the highest standards of food hygiene must be maintained. Please keep the kitchen clean and respect the needs of other users. Drain unused soup in a strainer and throw it in a bin (solids block the sink or toilet). When rubbish bags are full, throw them out in the big green rubbish bin outside. Recycle tins in the separate bin.

For any problems, call Roger Davies who looks after premises liaison. If we need things such as dishcloths or bags, just buy them, keep a receipt and claim the cost. In general, you can always buy things you need for our work such as torches. If you are in any doubt as to the appropriateness of anything you want to get, speak to the treasurer.

Anything placed in the fridges must be labelled with the date. Treat unlabelled food as out of date and throw it away. Remember that our clients sometimes take away food to eat for breakfast so the food you give them must have sufficient shelf-life to stay unrefrigerated until the next day.

Information for Volunteers

Nightly Teams

In the Kitchen


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Note on the daily log which volunteers were out and which clients we have seen (where you know the names). Note anything unusual which will help following evening: tension, arguments between clients, unexpected behaviour. Note the total number of people and where possible gender and race.

You may take clothing requests but do not under any circumstances assure people that the things they ask for will be provided by the team on the following Sunday. Any requests you make will not be seen by Sally and the clothing team until Sunday, then won’t be bought till the following week and won’t be supplied until, at the soonest, the next Sunday.

Where people are sleeping out and obviously in dire need, by all means supply them with sleeping bags or blankets from the store but note that you have done so.

We have three parking permits which allow us to park in Fell Road (and nowhere else). If you want to take one, please return it to the log book when you return to the hall. We have had difficulties with people taking permits away and not returning them, to the considerable inconvenience of other volunteers.

Always stay within sight of other volunteers. You may need to speak confidentially to a client but do not go far from the main body of volunteers.

The council’s security camera operators know we are there and observe activity at the top of the gardens. Tree cover means they do not see what is happening further down. If you have any doubts about safety, meet clients at the top of the path by Fell Road.

Ideally, one person at least should have a mobile phone with them and a Nightwatch panic alarm should always be carried by the team. Threats against volunteers are very rare, but if made should result in withdrawal to the top of the path and then evacuation of the site if you feel unsafe. Such incidents should be reported to the police immediately. The council security can contact the police for immediate response if they are phoned on 0208 686 4433. Volunteers should not carry any cash with them when in the Gardens and if clients ask, they should be made aware of this policy.

More common is argument between clients in which volunteers are not involved, but the same principle

applies: neither we nor the clients should have to be in a violent situation. Other clients will often try to calm a situation down if there is an argument. Stand aside and let them do it, they are probably more experienced at this than you. Do not get involved and try to settle a dispute rationally – it probably isn’t about anything accessible to reason.

If there is trouble down in the gardens, make it clear you cannot work in these conditions and you will have to withdraw. If trouble persists, go to the top of the path at Fell Road. If there is no improvement, leave.

In general: always leave the gardens together. Never leave one person talking with a client while the body of volunteers goes back to the hall. Do not be alone with clients unless in a controlled environment. This is partly because of the fear of unpredictable behaviour, but also because many of our clients could reasonably be described as ‘vulnerable adults’ and public authorities insist that we should take steps to ensure the clients cannot come into danger from volunteers.


Reports

In the Gardens

Parking Permits


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Resettlement volunteers organise furniture deliveries from the Appliance Re-use Centre, second hand and new shops; and organise more complex things such as carpet and curtain installation.

Home visits sometimes do take place but you must be careful: whenever you are visiting a client at home make sure you write down the address and leave it with someone you know. Visits should be brief. Women volunteers should not be alone with male clients in their flats, and everyone should act with caution.

Volunteers must not deal with children directly. There are public policies of screening volunteers and protecting the safety of children with which we do not comply. As we almost never see children alone, it has not proved necessary for us to adopt the cumbersome procedures necessary for organisations which do. The needs of our clients’ children should be addressed via their parents.

Obviously this rule must be interpreted in terms of common sense and charitable behaviour: occasionally we see child runaways in the gardens who should be spoken to with appropriate concern.

Nightwatch is committed to serving the homeless community of Croydon. Our services are available to all regardless of gender, racial origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or mental state. The sole qualification to be in receipt of help from Nightwatch is to be present at the Queen’s Gardens at 9.30pm expressing need.

Our volunteers are drawn from the community of Croydon and are accepted on the basis of their willingness and ability to make a long term commitment to the needs of the homeless. No other consideration is taken into account.

The committee oversees resources and the interpretation of policy which is set by the Annual General Meeting that takes place in summer. It consists of a chair, secretary, treasurer, volunteer co-ordinator, and external liaison officer (who attends meetings with other bodies and reports back). Committee members are happy to help, so feel free to contact them but everyone is a volunteer so time is limited. If you have problems which you can sort out yourself, please do so. For example, if volunteers expect to be short on a particular night, try to sort the problem out before asking the volunteer co-ordinator’s help.

Current voluntary organisation practice urges us to have a grievance procedure. Anyone with a complaint should take it up with their team leader. If resolution is not easily possible (or the team leader is the person complained of) we have designated the secretary as the committee members responsible for investigating and resolving grievances.


Resettlement

Equality Statement

Children

The Committee

Nightwatch The community caring for homeless people


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Registered Charity No 274925. Trustees: Jad Adams MA FRHistS; Roger Davies MSc; Brigid Lovat Bsc (Econ) PGCE. Secretary: Bob Sleight Bsc PhD

Useful NumbersEmmaus (for furniture donations) 8761 4276 9 Knight’s Hill SE27 0HY

Home Again (for furniture donations) 8667 0067 44 St George’s Walk CRO 1YJ

Street Rescue (street homeless people) 0300 500 0914

Palmer House (Hostel) 020 7870 8850 105-107 Lansdowne Road CR0 2BN

Croydon Council SNAP team 8760 5498

London Reconnection Project (East Europeans) 0870 383 3322

Mainliners Helpline 0870 2422467

Croydon Turnaround (14-21 year olds) 8760 5530 51/55 South End CRO 1BF

MIND 8668 2210

Thornton Heath CAB 8684 2236

Addington CAB 01689 846890

PO Box 9576, London, SE23 3ZH 0208 699 6718


www.croydonnightwatch.org.uk

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