HIDDEN HELP
Helping those in urgent need in Cornwall to make a new home and a fresh start with recycled household items from the local community. We help those referred to us by Social Services and other statutory bodies: the homeless, refugees, ex-prisoners, the elderly, long-term sick and those being re-housed or fleeing domestic violence. We also support clients and volunteers with work experience.
Objects
THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS ARE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF PEOPLE IN CORNWALL:- 1. TO RELIEVE THOSE IN NEED, ESPECIALLY (BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY) THOSE REHOUSED AFTER SEEKING REFUGE FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASYLUM SEEKERS, THE LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED, THE HOMELESS, THOSE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, EX-OFFENDERS & VETERANS FROM THE ARMED FORCES BY PROVIDING SUCH PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE OR SUPPORT AS THE TRUSTEES DEEM FIT.2. TO ADVANCE EDUCATION BY PROVING TRAINING AND TRAINING RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND POTENTIAL OF (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) THOSE REINTEGRATING INTO SOCIETY, RE-LOCATING OR IN LONG TERM UNEMPLOYMENT. 3. TO RELIEVE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BY SUCH MEANS AS THE TRUSTEES DEEM FIT.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £93,125, exceeding the trustees' policy target of 9-12 months of running costs. The charity reported a net income surplus of £51,720 for the year, driven by a successful crowdfunding campaign and increased shop sales. The trustees confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“a crowdfunding event in the summer raised £51,866”
“The trustees believe that it is necessary to hold reserves of about 9-12 months of running costs in order to support the continuity of the charity and cover crucial key costs such as the warehouses, salaries, admin, van and insurance etc.”
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- Jake James Robert Backuschair
- COUNCILLOR Sinead Laura Hanks
- Dominic Paul Benedict Hallgate
- Judith Rachel Backus
- Kate Louise Martyn
- Merisa Caroline Macinnes
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £90k | £92k |
| 31/12/2024 | £125k | £73k |
| 31/12/2023 | £47k | £45k |
| 31/12/2022 | £33k | £29k |
| 31/12/2021 | £53k | £26k |
Common questions
Is HIDDEN HELP financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £93,125, exceeding the trustees' policy target of 9-12 months of running costs. The charity reported a net income surplus of £51,720 for the year, driven by a successful crowdfunding campaign and increased shop sales. The trustees confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| The Marks Family Charitable Trust | 1 | — |
| THE THALES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | — |
| THE CRUCIBLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £210k |
| THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £92k |
| THE EMMANUEL KAYE FOUNDATION | 1 | £65k |
| THE SENECA TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| ALICE ROUGHTON FOUNDATION | 1 | £35k |
Charities like this
- OUR HIDDEN TREASURE
- HELP BRISTOL'S HOMELESS CHARITY
- Caring for Communities and People
- CORNWALL CARE LIMITED
- REFUGEES AT HOME
- The Hidden
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIDDEN HELP | £90k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| OUR HIDDEN TREASURE | £111k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HELP BRISTOL'S HOMELESS CHARITY | £551k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Caring for Communities and People | £13.0m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| CORNWALL CARE LIMITED | £34.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | not going concern |
| REFUGEES AT HOME | £924k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |