The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Introduction
AFC Fylde Community Foundation was established as a charity in 2015 and now employs over 20 staff who deliver community-based activities and services across the Borough of Fylde. These services impact over 7,500 people each year.
The charity's objects are for the public benefit and are specifically restricted to the following:
To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Lancashire and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the life of said inhabitants. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing by the provision of the opportunity to participate in the sport of football in all ways and according to all abilities.
Such of other exclusively charitable purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion may determine from time to time.
There has been no change in these during the year.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Our Mission
To work with AFC Fylde and local organisations to use the brand of football and the power of sport to engage, empower, and enable the Fylde population to fulfill their potential and thrive.
Our Values
Collaborative in all we do
Inclusive and Diverse in our approach
Innovative in our actions
Supportive of our team
Ethical and Transparent
Environmentally Sustainable
Our Aim
To engage all members of the Fylde community, enabling them to make a positive difference to their lives and addressing the inequalities that exist across our communities.
As a charity AFC Fylde Community Foundation is committed to measuring the impact of the work it undertakes and for a full copy of the 2023 Impact Report please click here:
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Between June 2023 and May 2024 AFC Fylde Community Foundation was able to support over 7,500 people across the Borough.
The Foundation had another successful year in serving the local community and increased both the services provided and overall footprint across Fylde. These included new programmes for Armed Forces families, sports development opportunities, an apprenticeship programme, work readiness support and activities to combat localised anti-social behaviour.
The key projects delivered by the Foundation during 2023/24 include:
Employability, Education and Skills
Fylde Focus (19+)
The Foundation continued their highly successful locally recognised ‘Fylde Focus’ employability programme, to support people aged 19+ who are economically inactive.
Building on existing knowledge and previous experience of Foundation staff, in addition to the existing relationships in place with local partners across all sectors, the Foundation recruited economically inactive participants aged 19+, provided mentoring support and find them suitable exit routes into employment, education or training.
Fylde Focus (16-18)
The Foundation expanded on their existing ‘Fylde Focus’ programme to support NEET young people living in the Borough of Fylde to find positive outcomes. Support is given via one-to-one, online and group peer mentoring.
Training Ground
The Foundation delivered the work readiness programme to support unemployed and economically inactive people who are:
Between the ages of 18 and 24 years old who are furthest from the workplace.
Between the ages of 25 and 49 years old who are furthest from the workplace.
Over the age of 50 years.
Living with health conditions.
The programme will support those who are furthest from the workplace, who have not been in employment, education, or training for at least 6 months and face significant barriers. These include but are not limited to disability, mental health issues, low education attainment, homelessness, care leavers, carers, a criminal record, and low aspirations.
Multiply
The programme supports adults over the age of 19 who do not have a maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent), by providing access to free numeracy courses to build confidence with numbers and gain a Functional Skills Qualification.
The Foundation offer a flexible approach to learning through a range of activities including one to one support, group mentoring and distance learning allowing individuals to learn at their own pace.
Apprenticeship Programme
Apprenticeships are an ever-popular option for people to earn while they learn and are a vital entry route to gaining the skills and experience required in the workplace. Through the project, participants get hands-on, real-life experience, learning on the job while securing an affordable and effective route into a career.
The programme allows the Foundation to continue to their mission to empower residents, working with local businesses and building on existing relationships to support unemployed people into apprenticeships. Mentoring and one on one support will be provided for participants and information on apprenticeship routes will also be provided for Year 11 students. This will help ensure they have the information to make informed decisions on their future.
Schools Services and Developmental Pathways
School Based Activities
The Foundation works in partnership with local schools to deliver specialist sport provision. Staff deliver the PE curriculum to children in all age groups ensuring the provision is in line with Ofsted requirements. Staff also provide fun and enjoyable sessions for children at breakfast, lunch and after-school.
Our schools’ provision is not just an enjoyable experience for the children, but it provides them with capabilities, coping mechanisms and emotional skills that develop them as individuals. Our service delivery is a pre-cursor for improving both physical and mental health amongst children and young people.
Early Years Activities
Working alongside local nurseries/early years settings the Foundation delivers a range of sports sessions for children aged between 2-4 years to improve their physical literacy. All sessions are designed in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework enabling the children to learn and develop in a fun environment whilst preparing them for school.
Holiday Camps and Activity Clubs
The Foundation deliver both football and multi-sport camps at various locations within Fylde. Our Camps and Clubs support children and young people aged between 5 and 14. The camps are kept affordable for parents and carers, whilst ensuring excellent service delivery in a safe environment.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education, giving children in England who are eligible for free school meals the opportunity to take part in fun, enriching, school holiday activities. The HAF programme is delivered alongside the Foundation's existing holiday activities in partnership with Fylde Council to ensure that no child should go without during breaks from school.
Football Development Centres
The Development Centres are delivered by qualified coaches in the evenings and weekends, providing children aged 2-14 to learn key developmental skills and providing them with the physical skills to maintain physically active lifestyles.
Another aim of our Development Centres is to pathway as many children as possible into local grassroots sports teams, where they can further develop what they learn at the Foundation. The Centres aim to work in collaboration with local teams, and not in competition.
Community Development
Armed Forces Community Support
In partnership with the Veterans' Foundation and BAE Systems, the Foundation are proud to support any current or ex-service personnel, including families and support networks. Many are struggling to adapt to civilian life once they leave the forces and the Foundation’s bespoke mentoring service supports individuals with a range of challenges they may be facing. The Foundation team work closely with the key stakeholders to ensure a greater community cohesion, access to opportunities, and providing high levels of personal development to beneficiaries.
Fylde Loneliness Prevention Programme
In response to the increased numbers of older people across Fylde experiencing social isolation and loneliness, the Foundation delivers a one-to-one support programme to help them reintegrate back into their community and support their personal development. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.
Champions
The Foundation works in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary to deliver an intervention-based programme aimed at reducing re-offending. It aims to divert young people and young adults aged 10 - 25 years away from crime. Working as part of the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) specialist coaches from community clubs engage young adults during their detention in police custody and young people from the local community identified as being or at risk of being involved in crime.
Just Join In
In partnership with BBC Children in Need, ‘Just Join In’ provides the opportunity to young people with disabilities aged between 6 - 18 years, to take part in free weekly sports activities to improve their physical and emotional health as well as create and maintain positive relationships with their peers and other adults.
Football Welcomes
The Foundation's Football Welcomes project offers weekly sports activities free of charge at Fylde Sports and Education Centre for refugees and asylum seekers residing in Fylde. The project helps participants to settle into the local community and culture, make new friends, learn the language, and feel a part of the local area.
Rehab Football
Foundation staff have been supporting those using local NHS Rehabilitation Units by way of delivering football sessions at Mill Farm. These sessions are designed to develop beneficiaries’ confidence, health and wellbeing.
Detached
In partnership with Lancashire County Council, Foundation staff take to their feet to patrol St. Annes and Kirkham town centres, identifying actual or potential anti-social behaviour. Staff use their mentoring skills to engage with the young people and in many cases signpost them to more positive activities and services within the Foundation or our connected stakeholders.
Fans of the Future
In direct partnership with AFC Fylde, the Foundation proudly deliver exceptional match day experiences for children aged 6-11. These one-off experiences are delivered free of charge to the families and look to develop long lasting relationships and pathways of support to them. Each home fixture sees up to 25 children join for a training session on the 4G pitches, meet and greet with First Team players and receive a special goody bag, conduct a stadium tour including a rare look into the players’ changing rooms, and then watch the AFC Fylde team in action alongside their friends and guardian.
The 2023/24 financial year was a positive period, allowing us to produce a small surplus.
Income for the full year was £698,986 (2022/23: £742,908) while expenditure for the period was £678,986 (2022/23: £667,882) which resulted in a surplus of £20,000 (2022/23: surplus of £75,026).
Based on the figures to 31st May 2024, the Foundation’s cash reserves amounts to £211,736 which does not yet meet the target of a minimum of six months operating costs, however Trustees are committed to working towards this
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have considered the Charity’s policy in respect of reserves. The Trustees have set a target of retaining at least six months of total expenditure (excluding depreciation) in cash reserves to provide financial security to the Charity in the event of unforeseen reductions in available funding which may arise from time-to-time. Based on the figures to 31st May 2024, this amounts to approximately £339,493 (2023: £333,941). The balance held at the end of the year of £211,736 (2023: £191,736) does not yet meet this target, however, the Trustees are committed to continue to work towards this.
The surplus for the year of £20,000 (2023: £75,026) was transferred to reserves and added to the brought forward surplus of £191,736 (2023: £116,710). The total funds carried forward of £211,736 (2023: £191,736) will be used in future years to meet the objectives of the charity, whilst having due consideration to meeting the stated reserves target above at the discretion of the Trustees.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees as required. They are selected for their respective knowledge, abilities and interests in the objects of the Foundation. Due to the nature of the work undertaken by the Foundation it is relevant and appropriate to appoint trustees from a range of backgrounds.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
There shall be a minimum of 3 trustees but there shall be no maximum number. The trustees must hold at least 2 meetings per year at which the quorum is at least 2 or one third of the trustees in office, whichever is greater.
New trustees will be introduced to the aims and objectives of the charity by existing trustees and will be guided in the rights and duties of a trustee by reference to such training material and information is available from, in particular, The Charity Commission.
The day to day management of the Charity is undertaken by the Foundation Director and the Assistant Foundation Director who are supported by the senior management team. This is overseen by the Board of Trustees, which is Chaired by Dave Edmundson.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of AFC Fylde Community Foundation (the charity) for the year ended 31 May 2024.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of 2, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
AFC Fylde Community Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Fylde Sports and Education Centre, Coronation Way, Wesham, Preston, England, PR4 3JZ, Lancashire.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Charitable Income
Charitable Income
Sports Camps
Grants & Funding
Charitable Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
Insurance
Telephone
Postage and Stationery
Advertising
Sundries
Motor Expenses
Holiday Activity Fund Costs
Kit & Equipment
Facility Hire
Accountancy and legal fees
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2023 nor for the year ended 31 May 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2023 nor the year ended 31 May 2022.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
The charity had no material debt during the year.