| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| for |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| for |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 | to | 17 |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st 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 31st 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 |
| Founded by an Asperger adult, ASPIE was registered as a company limited by guarantee in June 2011 and achieved charity status in January 2012. ASPIE operates as a social, support and therapy group providing vital services and is a lifeline to adults who live with the complexities of Asperger's, now categorized as Level 1 autism. Despite no longer being a separate diagnosis, we continue to use the term Asperger's as it remains a more apt description of the traits and characteristics of the majority of individuals we support. |
| The purpose of the charity is to assist adults with Aspergers (known as aspies) in the City of Worcester and surrounding areas to lead lives less disabled by the condition by providing an environment in which they are given the opportunity to: |
| - | Gain confidence and improve communication skills. |
| - | Build a network of support in the skills required for independent living. |
| - | Access suitable education and training courses |
| - | Develop employment application skills |
| The aims are to reduce isolation self-harm, suicide, sectioning and hospitalisation to improve our growing membership's quality of life and prospects by increasing their confidence and self-worth through varied activities, workshops and mentoring overseen by a small, dedicated team. In-house autism specific counselling, pre- and post-diagnosis and for a range of other debilitating issues help avert depression and crisis. |
| Our centre in Worcester is a safe haven where Asperger adults can drop the mask they wear in the outside world and find acceptance, friendship and support to increase their self-esteem and motivation to achieve the social inclusion, education/employment and independent living opportunities they long for. |
| We continued to provide vital but un-commissioned services in the form of constant and stable support and therapy twice weekly, 52 weeks of the year at our centre. Adults think that when they receive a diagnosis it will lead to medication and access to services to lead the lives they choose but this is rarely the case. Worcestershire has an NHS adult autism assessment and diagnostic service but because of the huge backlog (January 2025 with 1,842 adults on an 18-20 month waiting list) it is diagnosis only, no pre- or post-diagnostic support. The commissioned support service directs adults to ASPIE for our autism specific counselling. |
| Long waiting lists exacerbate mental health and relationship issues, poor sleeping patterns, disordered eating, social isolation and suicidal ideation, increasing the burden on NHS costs. We work in close co-operation with both the above organisations by assisting individuals to access a diagnosis and providing psychological support and other services to those in limbo on that waiting list and then post- diagnosis to help accept the diagnosis and adjust. |
| Our focus during 2024 continued to be preserving the lives of Asperger adults, not able to make sense of the world in normal times, but still experiencing repercussions from the pandemic's lockdowns and service disruptions which disproportionately impacted on autistics leading to severe mental health issues, burgeoning numbers seeking diagnosis but reduced access to services and worsening health inequalities for the most vulnerable. |
| Immediate Support |
| We do not have a referral system or waiting list because when someone is highly distressed, they need urgent attention. The support we give, whether it's at ASPIE in person or online is immediate. With the number of pleas for help from members and families increasing, we worked harder than ever to ensure their survival from welfare cuts, concerns about knife crime and worries about global unrest. |
| Achievement of public benefit |
| Since 2011 ASPIE has provided vital services and is a lifeline to adults who live with the complexities of Asperger's. |
| They learn or improve social and communication skills, enabling them to move more comfortably through everyday life. Regular attendance preserves life, increases acceptance of their condition, and improves confidence and motivation towards remaining in or returning to education, training, employment and achieving individual and collective goals. The benefit to the individuals themselves, their families and society, from increased numbers in employment and reduced NHS costs because of the services we provided, is immeasurable. |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| The trustees confirm that the charity has complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance on public benefit when reviewing its aims and objectives and in planning future activities. |
| What is Asperger’s |
| Asperger's is a high anxiety, lifelong condition. It is a neurological difference. People with Asperger's process information differently, think differently and learn differently frequently leading to being misunderstood, isolated and disadvantaged, missing out in education and employment opportunities because they are different. Additional difficulties are the co-occurring conditions, such as depression, dyspraxia, dyslexia, OCD etc., and the sensory issues which impede their daily functioning and quality of life. |
| Because Aspies are different (unable to communicate easily, sometimes seeming awkward, difficult and clumsy) they often encounter numerous problems and are usually bullied throughout childhood, teens and beyond. Many have never been able to 'fit in' - not always realising why they are different. The result is they become withdrawn and isolated - unable to cope with everyday living even though they are intelligent and long for acceptance, employment and independent living. |
| The Need - The Autism Act was the first ever disability-specific law recognising the needs of adults on the autistic spectrum and their families. The implementation of the act however by local authorities and health bodies in providing adequate and appropriate services is still slow, with little understanding of the complexities of Asperger's/autism, the co-occurring conditions that accompany it and the sensory issues which make life extremely difficult for those with the condition. |
| There is still a disappointing lack of understanding of the effort and immense courage it takes adults with Asperger's to cope in what is, to them, an alien world, but who can, with appropriate support, make a valuable contribution to society. |
| Professor Simon Baron-Cohen Director of Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre |
| "Adults with Asperger Syndrome often suffer secondary depression due to social isolation, loneliness, social exclusion, lack of community services, under-achievement and unemployment. Their depression and risk of suicide are preventable with the appropriate support. This study should be a wakeup call for the urgent need for high quality services to prevent the tragic waste of even a single life." |
| www cam.ac.uk/.../adults-with-asperger-syndrome-at-greater-risk-of-suicide |
| ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
| Membership |
| Facing an increased demand for our services from members and from individuals and families directed to us by the diagnostic service, the NHS Mental Health Teams, Crisis teams, Hospitals, Talking Therapies, GPs, social workers etc., we continued our two strands of operation - opening face-to-face twice weekly with an average of 80 members (not all the same ones) aged 18 to 80 from all over Worcestershire and the West Midlands attending. |
| Our second strand, Online ASPIE had 162 members in touch daily. Counselling and mentoring support continued online for those too vulnerable to leave their homes, not able to access other services because they are thin on the ground. Or unable to get to ASPIE for face-to-face consultations because of work or study commitments. |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
| How have we supported our members this year? |
| By continuing to provide a welcoming environment at our centre, a light and airy building with a variety of rooms for various activities including 3 counselling rooms and importantly, a quiet room. |
| These activities include: |
- | Weekly social, support and therapy group where 65 members aged 18+ from all walks of life can meet with other adults with the condition, share experiences and find friendship and acceptance, twice weekly, 52 weeks of the year for socialising, peer support, playing board games, card games, poker, pool, computer/ internet access, etc., eating together, all designed to encourage engagement. It is the reassurance that we will be here, same time, same place, same people and the laidback environment which banishes debilitating anxiety so allowing members to breathe and do things together with like-minded others. |
- | improving social and communication skills of Asperger adults by increasing their understanding of the neurotypical world. What comes naturally to neurotypicals and not aspies, what it's OK to say and do, realizing the consequences of their actions, learning to allocate priorities and managing time, personal care and, because of their vulnerability, avoiding exploitation etc., - all designed to help them cope better with relationships and everyday living. |
- | Autism specific psychological/counselling sessions pre and post diagnosis and for a range of background traumas to help avert depression and crisis. |
- | Group Art Therapy -for those members who find it difficult to describe feelings and emotions (alexithymia) and struggle with interpreting tone of voice and facial expressions. Through art, they can express themselves visually in a way which is comfortable and meaningful to them. |
- | Drama Group allows the quietest of members to come out of their shells giving them a chance to use their imagination allowing them to open their minds to new characters and adventures |
- | Sport - our football club ASPIE Avengers to promote healthy lifestyle and inclusion, giving Asperger adults the opportunity to play with others like them. We now have two teams. They play in the Sandwell Inclusion League and the Three Counties Ability Counts League and have won many accolades. Judo improves co-ordination and teaches self-defence techniques. Cricket - members competed in Worcestershire Cricket Foundation's match at New Road on 4 September, winning all matches much to the delight of the players and supporters. |
- | CAB advisor with us on Wednesday afternoons because we are aware of the hardship many members experience and the difficulties in accessing benefits they are eligible for. |
- | Advocacy because our members think and communicate rather stiltedly, they often have difficulty when dealing with outside services whose frontline staff have had no specific autism awareness training. To help members towards the independence they long for, we, by acting as a go-between or interpreter, provide one-to-one autism specific mentoring in accessing a diagnosis, training and employment opportunities, ironing out employment difficulties, and other problems so preventing depression and averting crisis. |
- | Emotional support and practical solutions at the end of a 'phone to Asperger adults, distressed parents/family members/carers giving much needed relief enabling them to carry on coping. |
| Our activities and autism specific counselling help distract from catastrophising and we kept afloat: |
- | Members in limbo on an 18-20 month waiting list for an autism diagnosis including a higher percentage of young women and increasing numbers of adults in their 40s, 50, 60s. |
- | Others received post-diagnostic support to help them make sense of the diagnosis, deal with the shock and the sense of loss of how their lives might have been, learn coping mechanisms to adjust and move on with their lives. |
| - | Students so as to avoid the trauma of dropping out of higher education. |
- | Young teenagers, home schooled (because of lack of support in mainstream schools) not able to cope with college but needing to learn to re-engage. |
- | Members experiencing problems in the workplace and burnout because of lack of understanding of autism by line managers. |
- | Partners where one is on the spectrum and one isn't. The one who is, unable to show or demonstrate affection spontaneously and the neurotypical one feeling rebuffed and rejected. When they have children on the spectrum and problems in schooling, the burden of coping for the whole family can become intolerable resulting in family breakdown. |
- | Others, through bereavement and when a relative has taken their own life with the added heartache of not being able to say goodbye. |
| - | Dealing with the grief of the untimely deaths of members. |
| - | Members in need of specialised treatments but refused by providers who do not understand autism. |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
| Our Results |
| The results of ASPIE's existence are heart-warming and adults who throughout life have never been able to 'fit in' continue, even in these difficult times to: |
| - | Report acceptance of themselves and their condition, reduced meltdowns, reduced depression, anxiety and self-harm. |
| - | Have a sense of belonging, something they have never experienced before. |
| - | Take part in ASPIE's varied activities, form friendships and meet up together inside and outside the group. |
| - | Have improved confidence and self-esteem resulting in increased motivation into volunteering, apprenticeships and employment, independent living and enjoying cultural pursuits in the community the rest of us take for granted. |
| - | Learn strategies to overcome resorting to drugs and alcohol and/or becoming victims of crime. |
| In addition to the above: |
| - | Approximately 60 members were helped to remain or enter into education, volunteering, apprenticeships and employment, some through the DWP's Pioneer Project |
| - | Aspie Avengers Blue and Red teams were successful in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Three Counties Ability Counts League celebrated at ASPIE with a presentation of medals and trophies for the players, families and members. |
| - | Members enjoyed their third annual holiday to Cornwall, others to Majorca and Greece, continuing steps towards independence for those who have not previously had friends to holiday with and/or not been outside the UK. |
| - | We celebrated our 13th Birthday and then Halloween with decorations for both organised by members with spooky decorations for the latter plus buffets, fancy dress and raffles |
| - | The Christmas period is difficult for many on the spectrum with the hype, pressure to attend family gatherings with loud and excitable relatives, food they don't fancy and a dislike of hugging by grannies and aunts, so our Christmas party arranged by members was well attended and a great success - again with buffets, quizzes, pool tournaments etc. |
| - | We opened Christmas Day (and New Year's Day, both being Wednesdays) |
| Campaigning and Raising Awareness |
| It is important to us to raise awareness and understanding of Asperger's and the profile of ASPIE to enable us to reach out to the many more adults and parents in need of support: |
| - | We attended Worcestershire County Council's Autism Partnership meetings to give Asperger specific input into implementation of statutory guidance under The Autism Act |
| - | ASPIE was listed as a contributor to the Buckland Autism Employment Survey https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-buckland-review-of-autism-employment-report-and--employment-report-and-recommendations |
| - | We invited and received visits from Public Health Worcester, the ICB, The High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Mrs Louise Hewett and The Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Mel Allcott |
| - | In July, our Art Therapy Group participated in Lights, Camera, Paint Art Charity Trail |
| - | In December they decorated and entered an ASPIE tree at Worcester Cathedral's Christmas Festival |
| Summary |
| ASPIE, independent and maintained without statutory funding, has become a community. Our success is because we are different in that we were founded by the late Sarah Micklewright, diagnosed when adult with Asperger's, who recognised along with the complexities of the condition, the need to promote the intelligence, focus and decency and the longing for acceptance, inclusion and employment of adults on the autistic spectrum, the necessity of a permanent base because of their need for constancy and routine and in-house psychological support to repair their shattered lives. Despite her own vulnerability, Sarah was fiercely protective of members and encouraged them to aspire to whatever it is they wish to achieve in life and not be inhibited by those who do not understand. The sense of belonging this engenders, which many of them have never experienced before, enables them, at their own pace, to get their lives back on track. As an organisation, ASPIE is 'virtually if not entirely unique as may be observed from the heartfelt enquiries and pleas for assistance received not only from individuals and families in the Midlands but throughout the UK'. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| Unrestricted incoming resources for the year increased to £53,976 from £50,735. Unrestricted resources expended increased, to £78,808 from £48,781. The net unrestricted outgoing resources for the year after transfers between funds amounted to £24,393 (2023 - net unrestricted incoming resources of £3,662). The total unrestricted funds carried forward at the year end amounted to £11,590, compared to £135,983 in 2023. |
| Restricted incoming resources for the year decreased to £29,449 from £40,366, and resources expended decreased to £27,277 from £32,283. Net restricted incoming resources for the year after transfers between funds amounted to £1,646 (2023 - net incoming resources of £5,763). The total restricted fund balances to decreased to £24,036 from £22,390. |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Reserves policy |
| It is the policy of the trustees to maintain unrestricted free reserves excluding fixed assets at a level sufficient to ensure the operation of the service for a minimum of 4 months. |
| Unrestricted free reserves (unrestricted funds less tangible fixed assets) at 31 December 2024 amounted to £107,864 (2023 - £130,631). |
| The trustees were cautious with regards to spending reserves during the Covid-19 pandemic, hence the increased level of reserves from previous years. However, the trustees have reviewed the policy in the year and: |
| - | recognise the importance of the counselling service in particular to members, the trustees also aim to hold sufficient reserves to be able to offer counselling services to members for a period of 12 months. This in the unfortunate event of closure, would allow members to still have some access to support whilst transitioning to a life without ASPIE. Therefore, the Counselling designated fund recognises this cost of approximately £30,000 a year. |
| - | recognise that a large level of administration and fundraising applications are completed on a voluntary basis by trustees and other helpers, the need for a fixed member of staff to take on this role in the future has been highlighted. This may open up further opportunities for ASPIE's members, such as increased fundraising opportunities allowing more activities to take place and full-time staffing may allow increased opening hours of ASPIE. |
| With this in mind, free reserves of the charity, excluding funds for a designated purpose, are considered to be £47,864. |
| PLANS FOR THE FUTURE |
| Future Development |
| 1 | Recruitment of management and admin staff to help us keep pace with increased demand for our services |
| 2 | Opening up an extra day to help meet the demand from increasing numbers of adults being diagnosed and individuals and families directed to us by the NHS diagnostic service, Autism West Midlands, crisis teams, mental health teams, GPs, social prescribers, Talking Therapies etc |
| 3 | Expansion of our autism specific psychological/counselling/mentoring services to autistic adults to get them through cocktails of isolation, delays in diagnosis, job losses, benefits hold-ups, medication mix-ups, family breakdowns, legal skirmishes, bereavement, suicide attempts and other traumas. |
| 4 | Increased partnership working with other Worcestershire charities and voluntary organisations, often at a loss to understand those on the spectrum. |
| 5 | Supporting members to rejoin or stay in education, volunteering and employment plus participating in Getting People Back to work programmes |
| 6 | Our football teams ASPIE AVENGERS Red and ASPIE AVENGERS Blue will continue to train 51 weeks of the year, taking part in the 3 Counties Ability Counts League and the Sandwell Inclusion League matches. |
| 7 | Expansion of Group Art Therapy, Art Exhibitions and continuation of our Drama Group |
| 8 | Members are planning fundraising activities in the community to promote ASPIE and raise awareness and understanding of Asperger's in line with our ethos. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The charity is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
| Organisational structure |
| The charity is managed by its board of trustees, who are individuals with a direct interest in the provision of services for adults with Asperger's Syndrome, or who have the skills to assist them. They meet every three months. |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Risk management |
| The trustees regularly undertake risk assessments and have identified the major risk areas for the charity within finances, staffing, premises, health and safety, legal issues, publicity, systems and standards. Procedures have been established to manage these risks and these are periodically reviewed to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the charity. |
| The charity carried public liability insurance. |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| Company Secretary |
| Independent Examiner |
| The Richards Sandy Partnership |
| Thorneloe House |
| 25 Barbourne Road |
| Worcester |
| Worcestershire |
| WR1 1RU |
| This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees of ASPIE LIMITED ('the Company') |
| I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st 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. |
| Melissa Jean Godwin ACCA |
| The Richards Sandy Partnership |
| Thorneloe House |
| 25 Barbourne Road |
| Worcester |
| Worcestershire |
| WR1 1RU |
| 8th July 2025 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities | 4 |
| Charitable Activities |
| Other trading activities | 2 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Raising funds |
| Charitable activities | 5 |
| Charitable Activities |
| Total |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Transfers between funds | 16 | 526 | (526 | ) | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 158,373 |
| ASPIE LIMITED (Registered number: 07666773) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 31st December 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 10 |
| Investments | 11 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 12 |
| Cash at bank and in hand |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 13 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES | 15 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 16 |
| Unrestricted funds | 135,983 |
| Restricted funds | 22,390 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 158,373 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st December 2024. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st 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. |
| 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 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31st 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. |
| The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. |
| 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. |
| Rental income is recognised in line with the periods to which such income relates, up to the extent that is probable that such income is recoverable. Where recoverability of rental income is in doubt, such income is instead recognised on a cash basis. |
| The Charities SORP states that where the conditions attached to a grant are within the charity's control and there is sufficient evidence those conditions may be met, then the incoming resources should be recognised as incoming resource. Where uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet conditions within its control, the grant should be deferred as a liability until certainty exists that the conditions imposed can be met. |
| 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. |
| RAISING FUNDS |
| Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. |
| CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| Charitable activities costs include all the costs of running the charity on a day to day basis including premises costs. |
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Assets costing less than £100 are not capitalised. |
| 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. |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| DONATED SERVICES |
| Donated facilities and services when received, provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably, on the basis of the value that the charity would pay in the open market for an alternative item that would provide a benefit to the charity equivalent to the donated service. Where the value of the gift cannot be measured reliably, no provision is included within the accounts. |
| FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
| The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11' Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. |
| Financial instruments are recognised when the charity becomes party to contractual provisions of the instrument. |
| Financial assets are offset, with the net amounts presented in the accounts where there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. |
| Basic Financial Assets |
| Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. |
| Basic Financial Liabilities |
| Basic Financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of future receipts, discounted at a market rate of interest. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. |
| Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of the operations from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at transaction cost. |
| UNLISTED INVESTMENTS |
| Unlisted investments are recorded at cost less provisions for impairment. |
| OPERATING LEASES |
| Operating lease expenditure is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. |
| 2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Fundraising and sponsorship |
| Rent |
| Sale of goods | 1,203 | 574 |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Interest on investment | 2,678 | 1,163 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 4. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Charitable | Total |
| Activities | activities |
| £ | £ |
| Membership fees | 17,298 | 15,297 |
| ASPIE AVENGERS football team | 3,554 | 5,457 |
| Counselling fees | 5,501 | 5,260 |
| 26,353 | 26,014 |
| 5. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
| Direct |
| Costs |
| £ |
| Charitable Activities |
| 105,085 |
| 6. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| Independent examiner's fees | 2,604 | 2,502 |
| Other accountancy fees not in relation to independent examination | 168 | 61 |
| 7. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| No remuneration or benefits have been paid to any trustee during the current or prior year. |
| TRUSTEES' EXPENSES |
| One trustee has been reimbursed expenses of £13 during the year for stationery purchased (2023: £60). |
| 8. | STAFF COSTS |
| The charity had no employees in the year (2023 - Nil) and as a result there were no staff costs. |
| 9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| funds | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities |
| Charitable Activities |
| Other trading activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Raising funds |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| funds | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Charitable activities |
| Charitable Activities |
| Total |
| NET INCOME |
| Transfers between funds | 2,320 | (2,320 | ) | - |
| Net movement in funds |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 132,321 | 16,627 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 135,983 | 22,390 | 158,373 |
| 10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Fixtures |
| and | Computer |
| fittings | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1st January 2024 |
| Additions |
| Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31st December 2024 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1st January 2024 |
| Charge for year |
| Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31st December 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31st December 2024 |
| At 31st December 2023 |
| 11. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS |
| Unlisted |
| investment |
| bonds |
| £ |
| COST LESS IMPAIRMENT |
| At 1st January 2024 |
| Additions |
| At 31st December 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31st December 2024 | 45,523 |
| At 31st December 2023 | 43,334 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 11. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued |
| 12. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Prepayments |
| Accrued income | 870 | 10,756 |
| 13. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Accrued expenses |
| 14. | LEASING AGREEMENTS |
| Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Within one year |
| 15. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Provisions |
| As at 31 December 2024 the charity had a legal dispute outstanding regarding an employment matter, this was fully settled on 21 January 2025 for the sum of £4,000. |
| 16. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | funds | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 62,233 | (24,919 | ) | 14,276 | 51,590 |
| Counselling Fund | 28,750 | - | 1,250 | 30,000 |
| Future Plans Fund | 45,000 | - | (15,000 | ) | 30,000 |
| (24,919 | ) |
| Restricted funds |
| Computer & Equipment | 526 | - | (526 | ) | - |
| ASPIE AVENGERS | 11,814 | (1,602 | ) | - | 10,212 |
| Awards For All | 1,680 | 8,320 | - | 10,000 |
| Worcester City Council | 325 | (65 | ) | - | 260 |
| Counselling Fund | 6,792 | (6,792 | ) | - | - |
| Sports Equipment Fund | 1,253 | 2,000 | - | 3,253 |
| Art Therapy Fund | - | 311 | - | 311 |
| 2,172 | ( |
) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | (22,747 | ) | 135,626 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 16. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 53,976 | (78,895 | ) | (24,919 | ) |
| Restricted funds |
| ASPIE AVENGERS | 3,555 | (5,157 | ) | (1,602 | ) |
| Awards For All | 20,000 | (11,680 | ) | 8,320 |
| Worcester City Council | - | (65 | ) | (65 | ) |
| Counselling Fund | 1,250 | (8,042 | ) | (6,792 | ) |
| Sports Equipment Fund | 2,000 | - | 2,000 |
| Admin Support Fund | 2,000 | (2,000 | ) | - |
| Art Therapy Fund | 644 | (333 | ) | 311 |
| ( |
) | 2,172 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (22,747 | ) |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.23 | in funds | funds | 31.12.23 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 74,821 | 1,342 | (13,930 | ) | 62,233 |
| Counselling Fund | 27,500 | - | 1,250 | 28,750 |
| Future Plans Fund | 30,000 | - | 15,000 | 45,000 |
| 132,321 | 1,342 | 2,320 | 135,983 |
| Restricted funds |
| Computer & Equipment | 501 | 2,345 | (2,320 | ) | 526 |
| ASPIE AVENGERS | 7,614 | 4,200 | - | 11,814 |
| Refurbishment Fund | 500 | (500 | ) | - | - |
| Awards For All | - | 1,680 | - | 1,680 |
| Worcester City Council | 390 | (65 | ) | - | 325 |
| Counselling Fund | 5,740 | 1,052 | - | 6,792 |
| Community Event Fund | 45 | (45 | ) | - | - |
| Sports Equipment Fund | 1,253 | - | - | 1,253 |
| Community Support Fund | 584 | (584 | ) | - | - |
| 16,627 | 8,083 | (2,320 | ) | 22,390 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 148,948 | 9,425 | - | 158,373 |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 16. | 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 | 50,735 | (49,393 | ) | 1,342 |
| Restricted funds |
| Computer & Equipment | 2,400 | (55 | ) | 2,345 |
| ASPIE AVENGERS | 13,206 | (9,006 | ) | 4,200 |
| Refurbishment Fund | - | (500 | ) | (500 | ) |
| Awards For All | 10,000 | (8,320 | ) | 1,680 |
| Worcester City Council | - | (65 | ) | (65 | ) |
| Counselling Fund | 14,760 | (13,708 | ) | 1,052 |
| Community Event Fund | - | (45 | ) | (45 | ) |
| Community Support Fund | - | (584 | ) | (584 | ) |
| 40,366 | (32,283 | ) | 8,083 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 91,101 | (81,676 | ) | 9,425 |
| Designated Funds |
| The Counselling Fund was created to recognise the need for counselling services to be available for ASPIE members for a minimum period of 12 months in the unfortunate situation that ASPIE should ever close. |
| The Future Plans Fund represents the estimated cost of a future employed administration role. It is the aim of the trustees to secure the longevity of ASPIE by creating an employed role to deal with some of the day-to-day management of ASPIE. |
| Restricted Funds |
| The Computer and Equipment fund represents grants and donations specifically made for the purchase of computers equipment. |
| The ASPIE AVENGERS' fund represents grants & sponsorship received to help fund the cost of attending matches and the hiring of training facilities. |
| The Refurbishment Fund represents a grant received towards internal redecoration and the replacement of older computer equipment. |
| The Awards for All Fund represents a grant received from The National Lottery Community Fund towards the provision of counselling and running of the premises to provide these services. |
| The Worcester City Council Fund represents a grant received for new seating in the reception area. |
| The Counselling Fund represents grants received for the provision of counselling and increased support required following the impacts of the COVID pandemic, and grants received to operate a premises for the provision of these services. |
| The Community Event Fund represents a grant received from Worcester Lottery to provide a community event. |
| The Sports Equipment Fund represents grants received for purchase of recreational sports equipment. |
| The Community Support Fund represents a grant received from the National Grid to continue provision of services over the festive period. |
| The Admin Support Fund represents a grant received from the Saintbury Trust to fund the additional costs of additional administration assistance. |
| The Art Therapy Fund represents a grant received to support the Art Therapy Group ran by ASPIE, to support purchase of supplies and equipment. |
| TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS |
| During the year the charity purchased new computer equipment funded from the Computer Equipment Fund. On purchase, £526 of the equipment cost was transferred from restricted funds to unrestricted funds. |
| ASPIE LIMITED |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31st December 2024 |
| 16. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS - continued |
| During the year £15,000 was transferred from the Future Plans Fund to the General Fund to recognise a movement on the designated fund. The balance in the Future Plans Fund at the year end was £30,000 (2023: £45,000). |
| During the year £1,250 was transferred from the General Fund to the Counselling Fund to recognise a movement on the designated fund, due to uplift in counselling costs and needs. The balance in the Counselling Fund at the year end was £30,000 (2023: £28,750). |
| 17. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| During the year, income received from trustees totalled £1,770 (2023: £1,815). This included donations of £825 (2023: £750), Membership Fees of £825 (2023: £1,075) and Rent of £120 (2023: £20). |