for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
Balance sheet | |
Additional notes | |
Balance sheet notes | |
Community Interest Report |
As at
Notes | 2022 | 2021 | |
---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
Fixed assets | |||
Tangible assets: | 3 | | |
Total fixed assets: | | | |
Current assets | |||
Debtors: | 4 | | |
Cash at bank and in hand: | | | |
Total current assets: | | | |
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: | 5 | ( | |
Net current assets (liabilities): | | | |
Total assets less current liabilities: | | | |
Total net assets (liabilities): | | | |
Members' funds | |||
Profit and loss account: | | | |
Total members' funds: | | |
The notes form part of these financial statements
The directors have chosen not to file a copy of the company's profit and loss account.
This report was approved by the board of directors on
and signed on behalf of the board by:
Name:
Status: Director
The notes form part of these financial statements
for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
Basis of measurement and preparation
for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
2022 | 2021 | |
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Average number of employees during the period | | |
for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
Land & buildings | Plant & machinery | Fixtures & fittings | Office equipment | Motor vehicles | Total | |
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Cost | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
At 1 December 2021 | | | | |||
Additions | ||||||
Disposals | ||||||
Revaluations | ||||||
Transfers | ||||||
At 30 November 2022 | | | | |||
Depreciation | ||||||
At 1 December 2021 | | | | |||
Charge for year | | | | |||
On disposals | ||||||
Other adjustments | ||||||
At 30 November 2022 | | | | |||
Net book value | ||||||
At 30 November 2022 | | | | |||
At 30 November 2021 | | | |
for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
2022 | 2021 | |
---|---|---|
£ | £ | |
Other debtors | | |
Total | | |
for the Period Ended 30 November 2022
2022 | ||
---|---|---|
£ | ||
Accruals and deferred income | | |
Other creditors | | |
Total | |
We stock items that are aligned with the CIC’s ethical, eco and healthy values. By stocking zero-waste, low plastic, local, seasonal, organic, plant-based, vegan, Fairtrade, handmade and non-toxic products, we hope we have also benefited the wider community and generations to come and had a small positive impact on the planet as a whole.Building on this commitment, we've increased our product variety by expanding our herbs and apothecary, our ethical crystal collection and introduced an exciting array of hand made jewellery, and natural wicker products, our handmade eco games, and enchanting macrame wall and plant hangings, our ethical bamboo product line has grown, offering more eco-friendly options, further supporting our local economy and providing our community with healthier, sustainable choices. In our continuous efforts to improve, we have streamlined our inventory to focus on items our community values most, reducing waste and minimizing unsold dried goods.Volunteer and staff shop workers continue to offer informal, light-touch education about the ethical sourcing of stock items to the public.The community support the CIC in ways too, due to kind donations of things like empty jars, these jars (are sterilised), placed in our large packaging barrel, and become a free packaging option for the customers when they buy from our zero waste area of dried foods, herbs and apothecary goods – enabling us to charge less for the overall product because we haven't had to pay for packaging. Other donations from the community include pre loved books, clothes, plants, vegan wool, and packaging we can repurpose, even kitchenware and crockery etc to support our kitchen.We had a great start to the financial year. Comparing year on year, the first quarter income of 21/22 was nearly triple to that of the year before, but has consistently and worryingly decreased since with most of the later months income of 2022 being less than the year before.Why sales have since decreased: Since the local rise of some (less ethical) competition in the city increasing in popularity, sales on some of our best selling ethical products have naturally declined, so we have started to broaden on other ethical products.During this year the shop has provided an outlet for over 20 local artisans and small businesses. We welcomed several new suppliers over the year. We regularly receive feedback from our community on what the need their needs are and we adapt what we offer based on what we hear is wanted or needed. Our non-profit CIC status allows us to take only a small commission to cover costs, providing a truly fair price for the makers.Last year we had a focus on dried wholefoods but due to the limited shelf life of the products many items didn't sell in time for their sell-by date. So this year we focused less on dried wholefoods and more on handmade and other eco and ethical items.Soul Happy Shop has continued to offer accessible and ethical buying options to the local community, awareness on such products, as well as continue an affordable and inclusive events space and popular programme of wellbeing sessions and workshops. Supporting good mental wellbeing is still a priority for volunteers, room -hirers and the public in response to the mental health crisis following the pandemic. Room hire and eventsWe have created many opportunities for individuals, groups and community groups throughout the region to meet, discuss, create, co-create and collaborate. From wellbeing gatherings to creative events and workshops. From one of our team needing a safe and quiet space to study when their home life was difficult, to more formal Cacao CeremoniesDespite launching a new lunchtime yoga classes and some small wellbeing events and meetings, there has been a slight decline in room hire, online events and general events this year. The community allotment started well, but due to a lock of consistent volunteers, we had to give the plot up. Some great new events have emerged like the Womb Blessing Ceremonies and mini retreats, and some existing events have continued but less frequently (example with women's circles running quarterly in stead of monthly). This is also partly due to the small size of the workshop room, and its only useful for small groups.We continue to provided a cosy safe space for breastfeeding mothers within the busy shopping centre, allowed free use of the workshop room for charities and community events, and have creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere for all with our diversity and inclusion ethos.VolunteersOur volunteers are what helps to keep the shop open and connecting to the local community. All volunteers are part time, some with different mental health and emotional needs, all volunteering on average 1 day per week. We promote a good standard of work-life balance and wellbeing standards and encourage staff to do less but more consistently, than do too much and burn out.Out of the total volunteers, we have had an increase in young people wanting to support and learn more about the ethical, eco, health, and spiritual sides to what we do, or they seem to enjoy the feeling of belonging in a friendly and ethical mini team.Our volunteers have still fluctuated, and the turnover of many of our volunteers was still high, so as well as improving our induction process and staff meetings, we increased our team socials for them - to try and build on the inner community.To try and create some consistency and resilience for the organisation, we invested in some admin and part time contracted support on an ad-hoc basis to get get the shop up to a more organised and better standard. We then started consistently opening 4 days a week Thursday to Saturday 11-4pm and towards the end of the year have had enough volunteers to now open more consistently on a Sunday 1-4pm.The shop has also provided support and development opportunities for volunteers. Retail responsibility, wellbeing education, support around healthy boundaries and effective and assertive communication.Many volunteers often share that they don’t see volunteering at the shop as work, they see is as their safe space, a wholesome place of belonging for them where they know that at the same time – they feel empowered and proud to be helping the community, the people and our part of the planet. They are part of the change to a better world.One young volunteer started when she was 14 years old as a work experience 2 week post with us, and due to her enjoyment, she continued to volunteer in the shop with us and building confidence and creative ideas, until she recently went to university in Wales. She gratefully thanks us because she has been able to get a great paid role working in a local refil/ethical shop in Wales near her Uni, and has said that Soul Happy and the team have helped her feel welcome, accepted and has helped her grow and develop.With the engagement and connection, we have had with the community, Soul Happy and the team continue to receive overwhelmingly positive engagement and support from the local community, we have had many comments, messages and also thank you cards from the community, from how our support or advice or time has helped on a difficult day, supported through difficult phase, to how its helped transform lives.
The company’s stakeholders are the local community of Peterborough, residents, community groups, local (and sometimes regional) suppliers and producers and the public.The director has lived in Peterborough and surrounding areas for their whole life, and they've seen, felt and experienced the local need for more ethical, environmental, sustainable, low impact, health conscious lifestyles, products and support to others. The need for 'interdependent', conscious and healthy, inclusive community that surrounds these standards and lifestyles too. There was a real gap of this being offered in the city and we were proud to step in and help try and fill some of this gap. We have a suggestions box (mainly around ideas for products) in store, and we print mini surveys and share online surveys to ask people about preferences and needs linked to events and gatherings too, what their thoughts are and how we can help more. The online surveys offer anonymous feedback too so that people feel that can feedback honestly without judgement.Despite people often requesting more selections of dried food and herbs, many of the dried foods were not purchased by the community enough before its expiry date, so we have had to cut back on our range of food options and focus on suggestions of non food related items.We pride ourselves on being friendly and having genuine conversations. We enjoy serving our community as a whole and it shows. Some people are struggling in life and share how they find relief in coming to the shop in their weekly rituals, some share how the shop has supported them with their wellbeing or spiritual development. Some people say they support us simply because they want to support good things in the city.
Kim Coley, as the director of Soul Happy Shop, receives a modest remuneration of £200 per month for her considerable contribution that spans between 4 and up to 9 days of work there each month.
No transfer of assets other than for full consideration
This report was approved by the board of directors on
21 October 2023
And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Kim Anna Coley
Status: Director