I am pleased to present my report, on behalf of the directors, for this year’s AGM in this our 31st year of service in the community for the year ended 31st 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 articles of association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
The charity's objects, which there has been no change in these during the year, are:
Provide support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse through one to one counselling and group support network;
Advance knowledge and understanding in Scotland of the effects of childhood sexual abuse through education and awareness programmes;
Address issues of isolation for survivors through provision of a comprehensive group work programme for survivors, their friends and family members;
Provide training for those who support survivors either within Safe Space or through other professional or relational structures.
The charity supports survivors of sexual abuse and their family members through the process of recovery. The aim of the charity is to support as many of Fife’s survivors of childhood sexual abuse as it can. No one survivor’s journey is the same as another, so the approach taken by the charity is bespoke and adapts to the need of the individual. The principal work of the charity is the provision of counselling (in one-to-one sessions and in a group therapeutic setting), however the contribution of the charity extends far beyond this. Its work includes contributing to national policy, raising awareness and helping Fife’s communities to play their part in protecting and supporting this vulnerable group of young people and adults.
To maximise the impact it can achieve, the charity works in partnership with other local organisations and agencies including counselling professionals, government, police and community groups including:
Fife Council and NHS Fife through the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership;
Families in Trauma;
Edinburgh University School of Health Research;
Scottish Parliament Cross Party Working Group;
Fife Violence Against Women Partnership.
The directors have paid due regard to guidance issued by OSCR in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Funding and financial contributions
The charity has continued to secure grants to cover volunteer expenses and to fund specific projects. Monitoring has been undertaken consistently and methodically over the period to ensure best value is obtained for the funds available. The directors have given significant time and attention to the charity’s funding position and strategy for maintenance of financial stability and will continue to ensure that all opportunities to strengthen its position are examined and acted upon.
The charity is always grateful for the generosity of funders and to individuals who make donations to Safe Space. This year the charity has received funding towards aspects of work, including:
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership £161,764 towards running costs.
The Robertson Trust £27,000 funding towards running costs.
Bank of Scotland Empower fund £50,000 helping to expand the outreach service and re-establish the children and young people service.
Scottish Government £9,097 funding towards the running of the Emotional Resources Group.
The charity had a deficit for the year ended 31st March 2025 of £640 (2024: surplus of £54,096). At 31st March 2025, the charity had unrestricted free reserves of £210,855 (2024: £206,159) and restricted reserves of £3,059 (2024: £8,395).
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 six month’s expenditure. The directors 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 directors have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. A risk register is maintained and updated when necessary (not less than annually). Systems and procedures are in place to mitigate the risk the charity faces and are appropriate to the charity’s operations and size. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for the authorisation of all transactions and project procedures are in place for supervision of employees and volunteers. Health and safety and employment policies and procedures are in place commensurate with the company’s operations.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.
The directors who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Throughout the accounting period all of the members listed above were appointed as directors of Safe Space Ltd and in this report they are collectively referred to as the directors.
Day to day management is delegated by the directors to the Safe Space General Manager, Ann Donnan.
Organisational structure
The directors meet as a board on a regular basis every six to eight weeks, generally as a full board, but with the option of meeting as sub-committees of the full board that then report to the full board. At present the board has five members. Safe Space Ltd. works with Fife Council and NHS Fife through the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership; the Fife Domestic and Sexual Abuse Partnership; Police Scotland Family Protection Unit; Dunfermline and West Fife NHS Community Health Partnership; Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project; Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre; Dunfermline Home Start; and Frontline Fife Homelessness Services. A representative from Fife Health and Social Care Partnership is invited to and regularly attends meetings of the board of directors.
Director induction and training
New directors are briefed by the manager and existing directors on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Safe Space Ltd. (hereinafter “the charity”), the functions of the Board and decision-making processes, the business, plans and recent financial performance of the charity. New directors are introduced to other directors and employees. Directors are encouraged to attend training events suitable to their role within the activities of the charity.
Strategic and Operational Matters
We are now embarking on our 31st year of continuous operations. The Board remains committed to maintaining the long-term success of Safe Space and the invaluable service it provides.
We began the year with one year’s funding from Fife Council to cover core operational costs. We are grateful to the council for their ongoing support in a very challenging financial climate.
We continue to secure grants to cover volunteer expenses and also for specific projects and our monitoring of these ensure that we can obtain best value for the funds available.
Our General Manager, Ann Donnan and her team have continued to provide an excellent service to a wide range of individuals who seek the unique support that Safe Space provides.
The outstanding outcomes achieved in our work with clients ensured that Safe Space continued to deliver on its SLA requirements with Fife Council and also satisfy the stringent monitoring standards of the COSCA Recognition Scheme as a counselling and counselling skills organisation.
The Board would like to place on record our gratitude and appreciation to all the staff who operate in such a challenging environment and deliver such important and widely respected work year on year.
Safe Space continues its focus and commitment to volunteers and their contribution is absolutely central to the service Safe Space provides. The Board thanks all volunteers for their skill, commitment, enthusiasm and their contribution to the continuing success of Safe Space.
During the reporting period the Board and staff actively engaged in the execution of our strategic plan. The strategic plan was actioned by the General Manager and monitored by the Board.
Finally, I would like to thank all our funders for their support, and on behalf of the Board and staff thanks also to Darryl Mitchell our Link Officer from Fife Council for his support and wise counsel both between and at board meetings.
The directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable activities of Safe Space Ltd., are responsible for preparing the Directors' 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 directors 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 directors 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The directors 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 Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and 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.
Company law requires the directors 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 directors 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The directors 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 Thomson Cooper be reappointed as Independent Examiner of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report to the directors on my examination of the financial statements of Safe Space Ltd (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Safe Space Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is The Gatehouse, Dunfermline Business Centre, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 3BZ.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum of Association dated 2nd February 2005 and Articles of Association dated 25th August 2016, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees consider that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for a period of not less than twelve months. Having reviewed the current level of unrestricted reserves and future cash requirements, the trustees are satisfied that the charity has sufficient cash reserves therefore the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are 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.
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.
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income. Charitable activities include those costs incurred in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature required to support them. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost , net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
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.
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains fully within Section 505 of the Tax Act 1988 or Section 252 of the Taxation and Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to charitable objectives.
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.
Transfer policy
Funds received for a specific purpose are treated as restricted funds until such times as the restriction is lifted. When this occurs, the relevant funds are transferred from restricted funds to unrestricted funds.
Operating Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to income on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.
Investments
Counselling Advice and support
Counselling Advice and support
Supervision
Training
Sessional fees
Volunteer expenses
Staff expenses
Subscriptions
Rent
Computer costs
Telephone
Sundry
Legal & professional
Property insurance and repairs
Heat, light & power
Insurance
None of the directors (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or expenses from the charity during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
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.
Inspiring Scotland is the fund from the Scottish Government paid for a part time groupworker post to deliver an Emotional Resources group, alongside NHS Psychology. This 16-week group is an interactive and educational course designed to improve emotional wellbeing. The course is split into 3 components: Trauma Awareness, Emotional Resources Group and Implementing Your Emotional Toolbox. Looking at key concepts behind emotional and behavioral patterns, it identifies resources to help manage emotional reactions.
The Fife Voluntary Action fund was used for the volunteer counsellor and groupworker expenses which includes travel expenses, external supervision costs for volunteer counsellors as well as specialist training costs for both counsellors and groupworkers.
The income from The Roberston Trust is unrestricted enabling Safe Space to use it in a variety of ways such as accountancy fees, repair and maintenance, legal and professional, computer and a contribution to volunteer supervision costs.
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.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital.