The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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 governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The Centre's objective
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the charity commission relating to public benefit. The Charity‘s objectives are as follows: To
Gather information into the causes and ways of preventing or relieving the suffering caused by grave or persistent maltreatment and publish the facts found by such means as may be proper in order to educate the public. This has been achieved by strengthening partnerships with Local authorities, other providers, sharing best practice and continuous development of staff. Up to date information is also shared on our website and social channels.
Seek the widest possible publicity for the problems of maltreated families. This was achieved via activities we had undertaken to raise public awareness of Domestic Abuse, including our 'Run the Railways' campaign, which gained nationwide and regional TV, radio and press exposure.
Assist with continuous care and support in close cooperation with Statutory Authorities, Social Agencies,
Housing Associations and Professional Services. This was achieved by consistent and regular collaboration with the Local Authority services, housing associations, YMCA’s and local charities. The team often advocate on behalf of the families to access services for themselves and their children.
Ensure legal and other professional advice is provided when required. This is achieved via ongoing referrals
to other statutory agencies and charitable provision.
Arrange educational and play facilities for the children including remedial help when needed. This was achieved by delivering and/or facilitating various additional activities for children and families (detailed later in this report), funded from reserves, local authority funding and charitable donations. This has also been recognised in the latest Ofsted 23-24 report.
Assist wherever possible in obtaining the reconciliation of relationships and the restoration of normal family life. This is achieved via our intervention activities and education on healthy relationships. Where it is safe to do so the charity supports children to have positive relationships with both parents and offer whole family trips.
Provide meeting places to which families and individuals can come for aid and advice. This is achieved via our advocacy support, providing meeting spaces for our families and support agencies (taking a multi- agency approach).
Work within and support the Local Authorities' Domestic Abuse reduction strategy. This is achieved via our
ongoing involvement with the development of the Domestic Abuse strategy, and engagement in the implementation of this strategy.
Delivery of our objectives are measured by the number of children and families we actively support. This
year, Centre 56 provided intensive and ongoing support to 59 adults and 74 children.
The charity directly employs a fundraiser (as a member of staff) to manage all of our fundraising activity. We do not engage external organisations to do this on our behalf. Individuals, and organisations are able to raise funds for the charity (in their own right) and then donate the funds to the charity as an individual (e.g. run a marathon, climb a mountain).
We utilise the donation platform ‘Enthuse’ to manage the process of receiving and processing donations from individuals, alongside event collections (which include cash, card payments and cheques). We do not conduct door to door campaigns.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Strategies and activities for achieving objectives
Centre 56 operates from its setting within the ward of Kirkdale in Liverpool, which remains one of the most deprived areas in the city area. The services provided by Centre 56 include:
Nursery education and childcare providing up to 20 toddler places for children aged 2yrs (within a staff: child ratio of 1:5); and 32 pre-school places for children aged 3-4yrs (within a minimum staff: child ratio of 1:8). These places are funded via Liverpool City Council and government allowances relating to additional needs. Each child will also access an additional 180 hours of childcare per year, covered by fundraising which equates to 7,560 extra hours, based on 80% occupancy – 42 children at any one time.
Holiday club childcare, including day trips, providing up to 20 places for children aged 4-12yrs (within a maximum staff: child ratio of 1:10). These places are funded through fundraising (donations and grants).
Family support for around 70 families surviving domestic abuse by providing access to food and household items, white goods, training, advice and advocacy. We may also provide whole family experiential activities. These activities are funded through fundraising (i.e., donations, grants from trusts and foundations).
The Trustees plan to build services to reflect local priorities based on the following:
Continue to connect with purpose-built refuge provision in the city to provide the necessary support to help children through the difficult transition from leaving home to establishing a new safe life.
Connect with the Children's Centre in the city to support single parents and families who have very chaotic lives but need support to enable them to improve their skills - our provision will provide a safe environment for children and families to grow their skills and improve their employment prospects.
Provide good quality, and safe, educational nursery provision and holiday club provision.
Involve the children and families in planning trips to experience "what it means to be a child" i.e., going to working farms, days out at the zoo, museum visits and visits to places of interest in the North West, for example, Liverpool Football Club, the seaside and residential trips, whilst learning to rebuild their lives.
Work with Housing Associations and neighbourhood services to support their work around complex families in terms of helping provide guidance on parenting skills and using play as a way of improving the parents' roles, building self-confidence and self-esteem to enable them to deal with difficult and chaotic situations.
Work with organisations to educate on Domestic Abuse and the effect it can have on the workforce. The Trustees of Centre 56 Limited are committed to updating policies and procedures in line with the changing needs of the children, parents and families.
Invest in resources and people to fundraise directly with local communities and stakeholders; investing in data systems and processes to improve stewardship; and promotional events to improve community fundraising.
An increasing national and local need for services.
Over the past 12 months the levels of reported incidences of domestic abuse have increased nationally. It was reported in November 2024 by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that:
The number of police recorded domestic abuse-related crimes increased to 851,062 in the year ending March 2024; this is a similar level to the previous year.
An estimated that 2.3 million people aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024. This is nearly 1 in 20 (4.8%) people.
Closer to home in Liverpool, the city council updated their Partnership Domestic Abuse in August 2024. It highlights similar increases in instances of abuse in the city:
In the year ending March 2023 11,960 domestic crimes were recorded in Liverpool by Merseyside Police. This level is still 24% higher than pre-pandemic.
Just over one quarter of children’s social care assessments undertaken in Liverpool during the year ending March 2023 identify domestic abuse as a factor.
In the year to March 2022, children’s social care received 3,551 contacts coded Domestic Abuse. In the year ending March 2023, this had risen to 3,969.
One third of victims/survivors of domestic abuse related crimes in Liverpool were aged 25-34 in 2020/21 and a further quarter were aged 35-44. Together making up over half of victims/survivors.
Two thirds of domestic abuse took place in Wards in the north of the city. These are the most deprived Wards, many of which are in the top 10% deprived areas in the country.
Adapting to a changing regulatory, legislative and charity sector.
Alongside this high level of need for services, there have also been several changes to the legislative and regulatory environment with implications for domestic abuse charities, child-care providers and family support providers.
A pilot of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in four areas started in November 2024. These were intended to provide stronger protection to victims than previous Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Non-Molestation Orders. They were introduced in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and are planned to be available nationwide following the one year long pilot.
Following Ofsted’s “Big Listen” consultation last year, they have launched a new consultation on their proposed changes to education inspections. These include replacing a single overall effectiveness grade with individual grades for each area inspected (e.g. leadership, curriculum) and a new grade for inclusion. The proposed grading scale includes a wider range of five grades from Exemplary to Causing concern. Following this consultation, Ofsted will introduce the new inspection framework in Autumn 2025.
Other changes to regulations and legislation have included minor changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework (2024), which will impact the way in which Ofsted regulates early years settings will be inspected, and an introduction of an experienced based route for staff to count as Level 3 qualified in ratios.
Centre 56 continues to work strategically and operationally to align itself with the key ambitions within the Liverpool VAWG & Domestic Abuse Strategies and Liverpool City Council when:
Responding to victims and survivors needs.
Making the case for sustainable funding (in a sector notorious for short-term funding).
Helping to change the expectations and outcomes for families surviving domestic abuse.
Our significant activities to meet need.
The services both for nursery and holiday provision remain popular, with waiting lists in place for each. The Centre also undertook seasonal and wellbeing activities which included:
Music therapy workshops to improve mental wellbeing available from April 2024.
Pumpkin Picking outdoor activity in October 2024.
Beach and Crocky Trail outdoor learning in August 2024.
Coffee mornings delivered from April 2024.
Citizens UK engagement to promote community empowerment April 24.
Summer activities for learning and fun with sports, yoga and games in July 2024.
Dance sessions from April 2024.
Family funday in July 2024.
Graduation ceremony for 4-year-old children moving into Primary School in August 2024.
Easter Eggs
Christmas hampers, presents and a supermarket voucher delivered to every family receiving support in December 2024.
Family residential trip to Trafford Hall in March 2025
Centre 56 was also awarded Charity of the Year in March 2025
The nursery was last inspected by Ofsted in April 2023, receiving a ‘Good’ rating, and improvement plans have been completed relating to minor recommendations.
Management continues to contribute to the strategic direction of services relating to domestic abuse as active members of Liverpool Domestic Abuse Providers Group.
To work effectively, the Centre is in close contact with several organisations, which they would like to thank, including:
Liverpool City Council
Merseyside Play Action Council
Eric Wright Charitable Trust
John Lewis Partnership
Cash for Kids
Steve Morgan Foundation
Azure Collection
Merseyrail
Asda
Rise Construction Framework
LCVS
The Reader, Calderstones Park
Merseyside Junior Law Division
BBC Radio Merseyside
The Regenda Group
Regenda Homes
M&Y Construction and Maintenance
The Learning Foundry
Redwing Living
Ecogee
Fundraising at Centre 56
Following the appointment of a new Fundraising Officer, fundraising activity has grown significantly in 2023/24. Regular fundraising activity took place throughout the year with a significant event ‘Running the Railways 2’ being held in February 2025, raising more than £56,000 and showcasing the charity nationally. This involved a significant number of local businesses and residents. Relationships will continue to be developed with this supportive community and to build on the great publicity for 2025/26.
The charity has received commitment for the financial year 2024/25, from intra-group financial support, to enable the delivery of the business plan. The Charity has also undergone a full review of the business model for 2025/26 to ensure reduced reliance in intra-group support.
There are targets set for external fundraising, supported by a strong delivery plan. The charity is not aware of any significant events that will affect the financial position for the period 2024/25.
The Centre income totalled £546,428 (2024:£551,423) for the year. Of this £83,598 (2024:£102,858) was received from Liverpool City Council. Income also included £250,000 (2024:£348,484) gift aid receipt from members of the Regenda group.
Expenditure totalled £543,313 (2024: £541,054) which resulted in an overall income for the year of £3,115 (2024:£10,369).
At 31 March 2025, the Charity had restricted funds of £49,859 (2024:£27,678) and unrestricted funds of £383,541 (2024:£402,607). Unrestricted funds included designated funds of £153,118 (2024:£189,672).
The Charity's latest Business Plan including sensitivity analysis and stress testing was approved May 2025.
After a thorough review considering the impact of inflation and the challenging economic environment on all assets, liabilities and commitments, management has identified that the main risk comes from a reduction in fundraising activity.
The management team monitor this risk through the production of monthly management accounts, and updates on subsidiary performance are also provided to the parent Board at each Board meeting.
To mitigate this risk, Trustees have designed existing reserves to develop a growth strategy over the next 18 months which looks at increasing corporate donations and legacy giving.
In terms of working capital support, the business has an agreement in place with Ecogee Limited, which will ensure funding for the next 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
Based on the above, the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least twelve months after the date on which report and financial statements are signed.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to three month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed to and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The Trustees regularly review the Charity's funds are invested and new accounts including fixed term deposit are opened periodically in order to ensure a competitive return is received. Investments held in the year are in line with the Regenda Group's Investments Policy, which considers the Charity Commission's publication "Charities and Investment Matters - a Guide for Trustees".
Centre 56 has adopted the Regenda Group risk management framework. This includes the role and responsibilities of those involved in risk management and how risks are identified, assessed and managed.
The principal risks for the charity are managed in line with the framework and include:
Failure to fundraise - mitigated for 2024/25 by commitment to financial support from within the group (Ecogee), the direct employment of a fundraiser and a strong delivery plan with Key Performance Indicators that are regularly monitored by management team and trustees.
Failure to collect core income - mitigated via robust contracting, policy framework and regular monitoring of KPI's by management team and trustees;
Failure to comply with Ofsted regulatory requirements - mitigated via staff training and self assessment reports to management team and trustees;
Failure to actively manage safeguarding at C56 - mitigated via the adoption of the Group safeguarding policies and practices (including regular staff training and utilisation of the group "SHE" reporting monitoring system) and peer review. KPI's are reported to management team, trustees and Group Risk and Audit Committee.
Future Developments
Centre 56 will continue to provide services for the beneficiaries previously outlined. However, there are emerging areas of development that will be actively sought over the coming years. This includes seeking out partnership with companies within the Regenda Group in order to maximise the potential strength of the offer to vulnerable families through Centre 56.
This is in addition to working more closely with colleagues in Liverpool City Council, to continually support and engage in the successful delivery of the authority's domestic abuse and children's strategies.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission. The affairs of the Charity are governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The organisation was registered as a charity on 14 January 1973 and was incorporated as a charitable company limited by guarantee on 12 April 1977.
The Charity complies with the principal recommendations of the National Housing Federation's Code of Governance 2020 and Code of Conduct 2022.
Trustees are responsible for the finances and general forward planning of the Centre and managers deliver the day to day decision making. Trustees discuss monthly outcomes and practices relating to the overall running of the service, including actual against budget at regular Board meetings. Ideas and opportunities consultation is completed with the staff, parents and children. This information is collated to support the Trustees in making strategic decisions.
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:
A matrix system is used to assess skills of potential new trustees as it is essential that the Board has trustees with a range of skills and backgrounds. Prospective trustees complete an application form, interview and induction process before confirming appointment. This involves attending trustee meetings on an observational, non voting basis and spending time at the Centre familiarising themselves with the workings of the organisation, its staff and families.
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.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Centre 56 Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Centre 56 Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance;
the charity's own assessment of the risks that irregularities may occur either as a result of fraud or error;
the results of our enquiries of management and members of the Board of Trustees of their own identification of and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the charity’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:
(i) The presentation of the charity's Statement of Financial Activities, (ii) revenue recognition (iii) the overstatement of salary and other costs. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice - 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued by the joint SORP making body.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the charity’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. These included Safeguarding and Data Protection Regulations.
Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified the presentation of the charity's Statement of Financial Activities, revenue recognition and overstatement of wages and other costs as the key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matters in more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in response to those key audit matters.
In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations described above as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
enquiring of management and members of the Board of Trustees concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence with relevant authorities where matters identified were significant;
in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Centre 56 Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Foundry, 42 Henry Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 5AY.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". 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, unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The Charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
The requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
The requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragrahs 11.41(b), 11.41(c), 11.41(e), 11.41(f), 11.42, 11.44 to 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);
The requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7
This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of Regenda Group as at 31 March 2025 and these financial statements may be obtained from its registered office: The Foundry, 42 Henry Street, Liverpool, L1 5AY.
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.
The Company's latest Business Plan including sensitivity analysis and stress testing was approved May 2025.
After a thorough review considering the impact of inflation and the challenging economic environment on all assets, liabilities and commitments, management has identified that the main risk comes from a reduction in fundraising activity.
The management team monitor this risk through the production of monthly management accounts and updates on subsidiary performance are also provided to the parent Board at each Board meeting.
To mitigate this risk, Trustees have designated reserves to develop a growth strategy over the next 18 months which looks at increasing corporate donations and legacy giving.
In terms of working capital support, the business has an agreement in place with Ecogee which will ensure funding for the next 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
Based on this position the Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least twelve months after the date on which the report and financial statements are signed.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Grants are recognised in the period for which they are awarded. This grant money is receivable as compensation for expenses already incurred, and where this is not in respect of future related costs, is recognised in income in the period in which it becomes receivable and the related expense is incurred.
Specific grants and allowances are recognised in the period that the specific activity or project is completed and matched to corresponding expenditure. Excess income is carried forward to fund the activity in subsequent periods. Grants relating to expenditure on tangible fixed assets are credited to the statement of financial activities at the same rate as depreciation on the assets to which the grants relate. The deferred element of grants is included as deferred income.
Income from investments represent interest from bank deposits. Interest on funds held on deposit is recognised when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity, this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
The value of services provided by volunteers is not included.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives. The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Depreciation is provided 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).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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 in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when 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, which include debtors 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. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts 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 creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
As a registered charity the Charity is generally exempt from Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax on its charitable activities, but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
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.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Creditors
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable the transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually.
Support costs have been allocated as incurred against the provision of nursery care which is the charity's primary activity.
Governance costs are centralised across the Group.
Regenda Limited charges the charity for a range of services including Governance as part of the recharge for Corporate Services. This is included in expenditure on charitable activities.
None of the trustees or any persons connected with them received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year or prior year.
No trustees received expenses in the year (2024: £Nil)
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
Key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees, Nursery and Deputy Nursery Managers and Fundraising Manager.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Amounts owed by group undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand.
Amounts owed by group undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
DASSA grant deferred £25k (2024:£33k) in line with the delivery terms set out in the contract running from 1st December 2023.
LCVS grant deferred £1k (2024: £3k) in line with the delivery period of the project, which runs from March to June 2025.
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 restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Liverpool City Council - early years funding depending on age and circumstances of children.
Liverpool City Council - DASSA - to provide childcare for women in refuges and some therapy. The programme ran until autumn 2024.
HAF - Holidays Activities & Food. This is a grant to provide school holiday clubs and healthy meals for children who normally get free school meals.
Cash for Kids - one off grant to provide supermarket vouchers to families who are struggling with the cost of living.
Steve Morgan Foundation - emergency fund so that services could continue during the pandemic.
Screwfix Foundation - support projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need within the UK.
Medicash - emergency fund so that services could continue during the pandemic.
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.
Designated funds - growth funds are reserves to support the growth of the charity through the development of a fundraising strategy.
General funds - are unrestricted funds available for use or retention at the discretion of the directors, in accordance with the trust's objects.
Redwing Living Limited, a company under common control, incurred costs of £Nil (2024:£293) from Centre 56. The creditor at year end was £Nil (2024:£Nil).
M&Y (Regenda Partnership) Limited, a company under common control, charged income of £2,202 (2024:£87) to Centre 56. The debtor at year end was £1,326 (2024:creditor £876).
Regenda Limited, the parent company, charged income of £5,097 (2024:incurred costs of £5,473) from Centre 56. The creditor at year end was £19,954 (2024:£25,051).
The Charity's immediate and ultimate parent company is Regenda Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales with the registered office of The Foundry, 42 Henry Street, Liverpool, L1 5AY.
As at 31 March 2025, the largest and smallest group in which the results are consolidated is that headed by Regenda Limited. The consolidated accounts of the company are available to the public and may be obtained from its registered office: The Foundry, 42 Henry Street, Liverpool, L1 5AY. No other group accounts include the results of the Charity.