| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| for |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| for |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 14 |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| The company's objectives are that people in Aberdeen and elsewhere experience the love of Jesus Christ and ultimately get to know Him, the living Son of God, as their Saviour. As our volunteers meet them, we aim to leave people in a safer place and physically, emotionally or spiritually stronger depending on their needs. We work for the relief of poverty in its many forms and the promotion, protection and preservation of the good health and welfare of persons in Aberdeen and elsewhere, for the public benefit. |
| Significant activities |
| In its 18th year of service to the community, Aberdeen Street Pastors (ASP) continued to offer God's love and followed the ethos of "listening, caring and helping" in Aberdeen city centre. This remains the core concern of the charity. |
| ASP's main area of activity continued to be its street work. We maintained high rates of accessibility in and around the city centre (Friday and Saturday nights, 10pm - 4am) as well as in the harbour area (Thursday evenings, 7-10pm). For the majority of these operations, our "Safe Space" vehicle was deployed. The vehicle continued to provide a regular landmark, known by our service users, which they could visit for some support, refuge or respite. |
| Our second activity was the continuation of our School Pastor scheme. Our team of volunteers partnered with St. Machar Academy and one of its feeder schools, Riverbank Primary, to deliver a series of lunchtime activities and playground support; plus one-to-one pupil support and a well-being programme, "Flourish", to pupils that are referred to us by teachers. "Flourish" was also run in Woodside Primary for one term, at their request. |
| The work of ASP cannot be achieved in isolation and in 2024 excellent relationships continued with Aberdeen City Council, Police Scotland's Aberdeen Division, the NHS and SFRS, the city's business community (through Aberdeen Inspired) and the city and shire churches. We could not operate, and would not want to, without their fantastic support. |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
| Charitable activities |
| From team logs recorded during shifts, in 2024 (c.f. 2023), ASP volunteers were out in the Aberdeen WNTE on 141 occasions (134), gave c 5,100 volunteer-hours (4,800) to the community, assisted 256 (199) vulnerable people (mainly women) and 141 (232) homeless people, intervened in and defused 19 (17) assaults, were involved in 75 (81) First Aid cases, and handed out 835 pairs of flip-flops (697). |
| A key enabler to our activities on the streets has been our "Safe Space" vehicle from which the volunteers were able to offer: |
| o Safety and respite for the vulnerable and isolated |
| o Hot drinks to the chilled, |
| o First aid for cuts and bruises to the injured, |
| o Flip flops for sore feet and |
| o Some extra clothing and blankets to the homeless etc. |
| In 2023, the decision was taken to replace our second ever vehicle, a 7.5 tonne diesel truck, with a large electric van. This decision was based on compliance with Aberdeen's Low Emission Zone, projected lower maintenance costs and the need to increase our pool of drivers. We were fortunate to attract significant help with funding for the new vehicle and a van was purchased in January 2024 and customised over the next few months before becoming operational in the early autumn. As hoped, our pool of drivers expanded by about 30% within a few months due to the new van's ease of use. ASP deployed its 7.5 tonne "Safe Space" truck 87 times (113 in 2023) and the new e-van on the high street 28 times through 2024. To date, ASP has had over 12,500 visitors to "Safe Space". |
| A real focus for ASP in 2024 was the recruitment of additional volunteers. The pandemic lockdowns of 2020/21 resulted in a net loss of volunteers - some stopping for personal health reasons, others through a change in their circumstances or priorities. In 2023 we balanced new recruits against those stepping down but in 2024 we achieved a net increase of five volunteers and increased the number of those interested in starting our Spring 2025 training. |
| The Thursday Evening Initiative (TEI) was integrated into ASP in 2020. Although relatively new to ASP, its work has been ongoing for 12 years as of Sep 2024. Many of the women met in the harbour area are sex workers; driven into this trade through issues such as the cost-of-living increase, abusive partners, lack of jobs, stress, drug/alcohol issues etc. The TEI team signpost them to various relevant support agencies when they can. |
| The need for the TEI work has not changed. This is ongoing work in difficult circumstances. It is not glamorous or exciting, but the volunteers do feel it is important work, bringing a little dignity and help to folk who operate in a dangerous and chaotic environment. |
| The School Pastor work was, again, very successful in 2024. School Pastors have been serving at St Machar Academy since 2012. A lunch club is available on a Wednesday in the school Hub where games and snacks are provided. 20-28 young people come each week to this safe place to socialise and chat. |
| A nurture group is run on a Thursday with young people who have been referred by their guidance teachers. Some of the School Pastor team have been trained in and run well-being courses called "Flourish" for girls, and "Rooted" for boys. |
| School Pastors are also present in Riverbank Primary school and the team spend time interacting with the children in the playground before going to support them in class or in 1-1 sessions. |
| ASP is also a part of a national initiative operating as Response Pastors. This is made up of some of our volunteers who have been further trained in post trauma support. The emphasis is to be able to respond to national emergencies and support the local emergency and community teams wherever the situation has occurred around the UK. Fortunately, through 2024, ASP volunteers were not called to support Response Pastors. |
| Aberdeen is amongst a small number of Scottish cities with Purple Flag status; the first city in Scotland to be awarded it and, with 11 consecutive years, the longest continuous holder of the award in Scotland. This accreditation (similar to the Blue Flag award for beaches) is awarded to city centres that meet or surpass standards of excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy. (Areas with a Purple Flag are recognised for providing a diverse and vibrant mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and well-being of visitors and local residents). |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| ASP is recognised for the active role it continues to play in making Aberdeen a safer place to enjoy and, as a charity, hopes to support the City and its partners again in 2025. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| The accounts show income for the year of £97,958 (2023 - £126,095) and expenditure of £77,796 (2023 - £62,129) giving a surplus for the year of £20,162 (2023 - surplus £63,966). The reserves of the Charity at 31 December 2024 were £140,225 (2023 - £120,063). £103,700 of this amount is the carried value of the new vehicle and so the free reserves of the charity at 31 December 2024 were £36,525 (2023 - £120,034). |
| The trustees would note that the project to replace the "Safe Space" vehicle spanned 2023 (planning and fundraising) and 2024 (purchase and conversion). By the end of 2023 £59,750 had been raised, specifically for the "Safe Space" replacement, more than enough to purchase the new vehicle in January 2024. The customised conversion of the vehicle was executed in the following months and funded through an additional restricted donation of £10,000 and from the charity's reserves. As a result, at year end the charity had Tangible Assets of £103,700 (2023 - £29). |
| Reserves policy |
| The Directors aim to hold unrestricted free reserves at a level which equates to at least three months of the resources expended. Current free reserves equate to just under six months of resources expended in the past year. As in the previous decade, it is the intention of the trustees to accumulate reserves annually to enable the eventual purchase of the next replacement "Safe Space" vehicle. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 15th December 2010 and registered as a charity on 20th December 2010. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. |
| Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
| The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Appointment and removal is in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
| The Directors meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity and to ensure the relevant financial and legal requirements of the Company are met. |
| The directors are all familiar with the work of the Charity and provide expertise from their various professional fields. |
| Organisational structure |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors is an initiative set up and licenced by Ascension Trust Scotland which is responsible for all Street Pastor initiatives established in Scotland. |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| Trustees |
| Independent Examiner |
| J M Taylor |
| 5 Rubislaw Terrace |
| ABERDEEN |
| AB10 1XE |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Aberdeen Street Pastors ('the Company') |
| I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| Responsibilities and basis of report |
| As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
| Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| 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: |
| 1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
| 2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
| 3. | the accounts 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 |
| 4. | the accounts 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 accounts to be reached. |
| Ruth Howie |
| J M Taylor |
| 5 Rubislaw Terrace |
| ABERDEEN |
| AB10 1XE |
| Date: ............................................. |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | 2 |
| Charitable activities |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Other income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| NET INCOME |
| Transfers between funds | 11 | 69,750 | (69,750 | ) | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 120,063 |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 31 December 2024 |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 8 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 9 |
| Cash at bank |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 11 |
| Unrestricted funds | 59,313 |
| Restricted funds | 60,750 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 120,063 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors (Registered number: SC390373) |
| Balance Sheet - continued |
| 31 December 2024 |
| These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| Income |
| 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. |
| Expenditure |
| 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 |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Motor vehicles | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| 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. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| 2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Donations and legacies |
| Gift aid |
| Training fees |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Deposit account interest |
| Other interest received | 2 | - |
| 4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| 5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| Trustees' expenses |
| During the year expenses incurred in the course of acting for the Charity were reimbursed to trustee A Rowett totalling £400 (2023 - £421). These related to travel costs. |
| 6. | STAFF COSTS |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| Office manager | 1 | 1 |
| Co-ordinator - School Pastor project | 1 | 1 |
| The above staff are employed on a part time basis, 16 hours per week. |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities |
| Investment income |
| Other income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| NET INCOME |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 56,097 | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 59,313 | 60,750 | 120,063 |
| 8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Motor | Computer |
| vehicles | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1 January 2024 |
| Additions |
| Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2024 |
| Charge for year |
| Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| At 31 December 2023 |
| 9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Other debtors |
| Tax |
| Prepayments and accrued income |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 10. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.24 | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ |
| Accrued expenses |
| 11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | funds | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 59,313 | 11,162 | 69,750 | 140,225 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | 59,750 | 10,000 | (69,750 | ) | - |
| School Pastor fund | 1,000 | (1,000 | ) | - | - |
| 9,000 | ( |
) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 20,162 | 140,225 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 87,958 | (76,796 | ) | 11,162 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | 10,000 | - | 10,000 |
| School Pastor fund | - | (1,000 | ) | (1,000 | ) |
| ( |
) | 9,000 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 20,162 |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net |
| movement | At |
| At 1.1.23 | in funds | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 56,097 | 3,216 | 59,313 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | - | 59,750 | 59,750 |
| School Pastor fund | - | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| - | 60,750 | 60,750 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 56,097 | 63,966 | 120,063 |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 11. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 65,245 | (62,029 | ) | 3,216 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | 59,750 | - | 59,750 |
| School Pastor fund | 1,100 | (100 | ) | 1,000 |
| 60,850 | (100 | ) | 60,750 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 126,095 | (62,129 | ) | 63,966 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.23 | in funds | funds | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 56,097 | 14,378 | 69,750 | 140,225 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | - | 69,750 | (69,750 | ) | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 56,097 | 84,128 | - | 140,225 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 153,203 | (138,825 | ) | 14,378 |
| Restricted funds |
| Vehicle fund | 69,750 | - | 69,750 |
| School Pastor fund | 1,100 | (1,100 | ) | - |
| 70,850 | (1,100 | ) | 69,750 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 224,053 | (139,925 | ) | 84,128 |
| Aberdeen Street Pastors |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
| 12. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| 13. | PURPOSE OF RESTRICTED FUNDS |
| Vehicle fund - this fund is solely for the purchase and running costs of a Safe Space vehicle. |
| School Pastor fund - this fund is solely for a School Pastor initiative which is carried out in St Machar Academy and Riverbank Primary School in Aberdeen using trained life coaches, a website and a part time co-ordinator. The scheme may possibly be introduced to other schools where life coaching by independent adults is seen as beneficial, depending on adequate funding and the availability of qualified volunteers. |