REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04312967 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1091423

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE BEDFORDSHIRE

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

9

Independent Examiner's Report

10

Statement of Financial Activities

11

Balance Sheet

12

to

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14

to

21

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objectives of the organisation are:

"...to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the public in Bedfordshire by the provision of assistance and training to charities or for the furtherance of exclusively charitable purposes, in: the formulation of applications for funding or other assistance, the identification of potential funders or partners, information about sources of funding or collaborators and by such other means as the trustees shall decide."

The key activities for the year are set out in the strategic review, focusing on 6 areas of work:

- Funding and Financial Sustainability - ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

- People - supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

- Communities - enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

- Partnerships - the VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

- Environment - catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutrality.

- Impact - ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

Significant activities

The key activities carried out to achieve these objective included:

- funding and development support to local voluntary and community sector organisations, including charities and social enterprises;

- volunteering guidance and signposting for local people who are interested in volunteering, matching them with local volunteer-involving organisations;

- training courses and workshops aimed at trustees, staff and volunteers of voluntary and community sector organisations, providing them with the skills and knowledge required to become more effective and efficient;

- regular mailings, newsletters, social media posts and a website providing advice and information pertinent to the local voluntary and community sector;

- affordable meeting rooms, office space and equipment hire for the local voluntary and community sector.

The organisation is indebted to a number of volunteers who provide administrative and management support throughout the year. The cost of employing staff to undertake these duties would be in excess of £5,000.

Public benefit

In carrying out the activities, which are explained in more detail on the following pages of this annual report, the organisation provided public benefit by enabling the local voluntary sector to contribute to people and society through improved:

- governance and public trust; meeting high standards of conduct and behaviour

- participation in local communities and their ability to connect with, and establish links between local people

- expertise they provide in their area and in how to deliver for the public

- ability to speak out and provide a voice for the most vulnerable

- access to volunteers and funding which in turn improves the sustainability of the services they provide.

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance in setting the charity's objectives and planning its aims, objectives and future activities and when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of the Year

This report has been set out using the main themes of the new strategic plan, which was agreed by the trustees in the summer of 2023, following a series of meetings and discussions with beneficiaries, stakeholders and staff. Many of the actions are interdependent of each other.

Funding and Financial Sustainability

Ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

The Funding and Development Service responded to over 360 requests for advice and support from local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, on a range of issues including funding sources and strategies, charity and social enterprise registrations, legal structures, safeguarding, and volunteer management.

'Thank you very much indeed for suggesting that we apply to X for a grant and that we should increase from £5,000 the amount we were requesting. They have awarded us £20,000!! This will make such a big difference to us, our fundraising efforts and our need to dispel the feeling growing among members of the club that we would never raise enough funds for the project. ... we would not have even been applying to X without your advice so thank you again very much.'

'Thank you for your support and guidance as without your training and support we not have been so successful. We also would like to thank you for your amazing assistance in helping us to achieve our CIO charity status. It seemed like a mammoth task when we first started to compile our charity application but with your support and guidance we had only a minor adjustment requested from the Charity Commissioners'

'I just wanted to let you know we have been successful in our application to X, and they have awarded us a 3-year grant of £129,000. I am certain we would not have been successful without your help in finalising our outcomes and measures that they requested after our second stage interview.'

Staff organised numerous opportunities for organisations to meet potential funders. The Online Funding Fayre in March 2025 gave organisations access to 7 local funders. 10 'Meet the Funder' events were also organised or supported during the year, giving organisations the opportunity to discuss potential applications.

This year staff have also developed specific information on Full Cost recovery, including templates and examples, which are now available on the CVS website.

CVS operates 43 Bromham Road as a shared building, offering office space and meeting space for the local VCSE sector, thanks to the support of The Harpur Trust. 9 organisations have office space in the building, and the meeting rooms were used 538 times by 22 different organisations.

The building provides a practical solution to the issue of office and meeting space, but is also a facility that allows different VCSE organisations to network, share, develop better working partnerships, creating a sense of 'community' between organisations working for the benefit of local communities.

People

Supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

Staff delivered a Volunteering Brokerage and Outreach Service during the year. A public list of volunteering opportunities is maintained, to provide potential volunteers with a broad range of volunteering opportunities (approximately 300).

Staff attended numerous events across the county, promoting volunteering and raising awareness of volunteering. Almost 700 people formally registered to volunteer, with many more being inspired to contact an organisation directly.

Staff also find some volunteers need more intensive support, often because of their lack of confidence. This support can often last a number of months, with staff working closely with organisations with the opportunities to ensure the volunteer is properly supported. 15 potential volunteers have been supported since April 2024 on a more intensive level.

'X is a young Autistic chap who came in with his mum - wanted to do admin volunteering - he has tried but hasn't had any luck with getting a volunteering position. I asked if he would like to come and volunteer with me at CVS - he is now with us and is proof reading newsletters and the website plus other office duties.'

'Y was a student with Youth Inspired, which is a community organisation enabling people with learning difficulties, disabilities, autism or mental health conditions to learn, grow and achieve through training and support. He comes in for a couple of hours each week and helps in reception. He undertakes a number of tasks including sorting the recycling, shredding, making posters, showing visitors to meeting rooms and sorting the post along with other administration tasks as they arise. He undertakes tasks both independently and with support from reception staff. The initial 6-week placement has now continued into a second year.'

A monthly volunteering newsletter is also produced, keeping potential volunteers in contact with the service, and highlighting other volunteering opportunities. Opportunities are also promoted online, and via other newsletters where possible.

A Volunteer Co-ordinators Network is now well established, with meetings across the county, providing a forum to discuss volunteering issues, including recruitment and ongoing management.

Volunteers Week (1-7 June) remains a key promotional opportunity, with a number of events and activities held during the week to promote volunteering opportunities and to thank existing volunteers. Staff launched a 'how to video' for potential volunteers to help with accessing the CVS online volunteering platform.

Staff also delivered 22 workshops to 157 delegates on Safeguarding Awareness, Fit for Funding Starting Right and Outcomes and Impact, and Board Development and Leadership. These courses provide an opportunity for trustees / directors, staff and volunteers to learn new skills, network with each other, and develop an effective working relationship with CVS staff. CVS has also partnered with a local company to offer affordable first aid at work courses.

Communities

Enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

Ensuring that local communities are more aware of the support that CVS can offer, should they wish to volunteer or start a local group, is a priority. Social media is playing a major part in promoting the work of CVS, and the work of the wider sector. Local newspapers and online sites have been used to promote the work of CVS, especially volunteering opportunities. Meeting with organisations face-to-face continues to be a very effective method of promoting our service, and enhancing our reputation.

The weekly Email Update is a major part of our plan to reach as many organisations and communities as possible. We continue to gradually increase the circulation list, with over 1,500 local organisations and contacts now receiving useful information on funding opportunities, local vacancies, networking opportunities, and other relevant news and updates. Work will continue to extend the reach of the newsletter, which receives great feedback from readers. A monthly volunteering newsletter also ensures that new and existing volunteers are aware of our services and the various opportunities available to them.

Steps have been undertaken during the year to refresh the data we hold on local VCSE organisations, in preparation for a significant upgrade to the online directory during 2025. One of the most frequent requests received by staff is for a list of VCSE organisations.

CVS also continued to host the Big Local initiative for the Cauldwell and Kingsbrook area of Bedford, supporting a partnership of local people to invest over £1 million in the local area over a 10-year period.

Partnerships

The VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

A key of role of CVS is to facilitate partnership working within the sector, and with other sectors.

A Comms Network brings together those organisations with a communications lead to share information and co-ordinate publicity about the work of the local VCS sector. A Volunteer Co-ordinators Network is now meeting regularly to share good practice on recruiting and managing volunteers.

A Food Providers Network in Bedford continues to meet, to improve partnership working and reduce duplication across the Foodbanks, community larders, social supermarkets and other agencies involved in food provision. Over 17 organisations are now working closer together to improve the impact they have.

A directory of partnerships is in place, to assist organisations to link up with relevant networks and meetings.

CVS has also continued to be involved in the relatively new health and social care structures that cover Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, working to connect local VCSE organisations, with the Integrated Care Board and other parts of a complex health system.

Bedfordshire Advice Forum and the VOCypf network (for those working with children, young people and families), continue to be facilitated by CVS staff. CVS also continues to support Bedford Homeless Partnership and Luton Homeless Partnership.

Staff are involved in a number of other networks and partnerships, including the Luton Fairness Taskforce, Central Bedfordshire's Cost of Living Network, the Bedford Borough Community Network, the local ESOL providers network, the Bedford Borough Ukrainian Partnership, and a number of other opportunities where it is important for the VCSE voice and experience to be heard.

Environment

Catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutral.

The past year has been spent understanding how CVS should best respond to the climate change agenda, developing better links with other agencies working in this field, and establishing how to best support the wider VCSE sector.

It is clear that that all VCSE organisations will not be able to achieve their objectives if they do not also act to respond to the climate crisis.

Details of 'green resources' for the sector have been compiled and promoted on the CVS website. Further environmental improvements to 43 Bromham Road were undertaken, following an external Energy Efficiency Assessment, and a grant from the VCSE Energy Efficiency fund to improve the heating system.

CVS staff have also been developing better links with other organisations offering support relating to climate change, so we better understand what is available, and what gaps might exist, with a view to developing a funding bid for additional capacity.

Impact

Ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

The trustees are determined to demonstrate the impact that the charity has, and support other VCSE organisations to do the same. The development of a new strategic plan, the progress of which is reported on at every board meeting, has provided a greater focus, and has assisted with the conversation on how best to evidence our impact.

Staff have improved the evidence collecting methods during the year, with an emphasis on capturing feedback from organisations and volunteers that have been supported. This has allowed for better quality reports to funders, improved case studies for promotion via social media, and greater reassurance to trustees.

In Luton, drop in sessions were held at the LETSHUB - three pilot sessions were hosted, and by the third session a range of organisations were attending, discussing issues with staff. It is hoped that a longer pilot can be delivered in 2025 to give organisations an opportunity to 'drop-in', rather than making an appointment.

A 'Stats of the Sector' document was produced in 2024, for the 2nd year running, which sets out the approximate size of the local VCSE sector in Bedfordshire, (almost 3,000 organisations), providing a starting point for any conversation about what the local VCSE sector looks like, and how diverse the sector is. The document will be updated every year.

Plans for Future Periods

The key activities for the future are set out in the strategic review, focusing on 6 areas of work:

- Funding and Financial Sustainability - ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

- People - supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

- Communities - enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

- Partnerships - the VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

- Environment - catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutrality.

- Impact - ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The organisation remains in a healthy financial position. Total incoming resources for the year were £418,194 (2024 - £493,046) and total resources expended were £444,749 (2024 - £509,919).

The organisation made a deficit for the year of £26,555 (2024 - £16,873).

The cost of staffing and utilities remain high due to the cost of living crisis affecting the country. Whilst income from meeting room and office space usage remained high, other sources of funding have not increased in line with the increase in costs, and this remains a concern for the trustees. The cost of repairs to 43 Bromham Road remains a challenge, with funds being released from reserves as required.

The organisation has a number of principal sources of funding, as outlined in the accounts. The trustees are keen to hold a portfolio of funders, rather than build dependency on one or two, in order to reduce the risk to the organisation's existence should a funder withdraw or fail to renew its support. The vast majority of the funding that the organisation receives is of a short-term nature, sometimes for projects lasting less than six months, providing little long-term security for the staff team.

Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council continued to provide essential support to allow the

organisation to offer funding advice, development support and provide some representation for the sector at key

meetings.

The Harpur Trust's on-going support in providing a full-repairing peppercorn lease for 43 Bromham Road is crucial to the organisation's financial position, and during the past year the Trust once again agreed to match-fund the award from Bedford Borough Council, providing significant additional resources for CVS.

Luton Rising (London Luton Airport Ltd) provide funding relating to CVS's work in Luton (via Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation).

CVS acts as the accountable body for a BIG Local partnership in the Kingsbrook and Cauldwell area of Bedford.

Funding relating to the BIG Local initiative has been received from the BIG Lottery Fund and subsequently BIG Local Trust and held under restricted funds.

CVS is also the accountable body for the Bedford Homeless Partnership. Funding raised by the Partnership and Soupfest is given to the Partnership to distribute in small grants. Both funds are treated as restricted funds.

CVS also acts as the accountable body for the Voluntary Organisations Consortium for Children, Young People and Families (VOCypf). Funds from the two local authorities are held on behalf of VOC under restricted funds.

Funding for Bedfordshire Advice Forum and Luton Homeless Partnership are also held as restricted funds.

Reserves policy

The CVS reserves policy includes provision for holding a long-term, full-repairing lease for 43 Bromham Road, and is kept under review on an annual basis.

At the year end, unrestricted reserves amounted to £288,984 (2024 - £312,720). These reserves are designated as detailed below and in note 10 of the accounts.

General Purpose Reserves

The trustees have set a level equivalent to two months of full operating costs for the organisation as a desired level of reserve. This fund is a contingency in the event of a sudden reduction in income, in order to protect the future operation of the organisation from the effects of any unforeseen variation in its income and expenditure. It also provides a cash flow for grants and contracts that are paid in arrears.

Designated Reserves

The trustees have designated reserves where there are planned commitments that cannot be met by anticipated future income alone. These reserves are broken down into a number of funds that mainly relate to:

- The organisation's responsibilities as an employer to hold sufficient funds to provide proper notice and redundancy costs in the event of closure

- The organisation's responsibilities as a tenant. Whilst CVS pays a peppercorn rent for use of 43 Bromham Road until 2032, CVS also has full-repairing responsibilities until 2032, during which period the building will require major refurbishment and repair. It is the trustees' intention to build a capital improvement fund over the next few years to meet future repair and refurbishment commitments

- The organisation's responsibilities as a head landlord, leasing offices to other charities and voluntary organisations at 43 Bromham Road. In the event of closure or near closure, funds are held to keep the building running for twelve months until other arrangements can be made and the lease surrendered

The reserves policy and the levels of reserves required are reviewed yearly as part of the annual budgetary process.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire was established under Memorandum and Articles of Association on 30th October 2001. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended on 15th June 2006 and 25th June 2016 due to name changes. The organisation is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (registered charity number 1091423) and as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Companies House (registered company number 04312967).

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The trustees of the organisation are either connected with local voluntary organisations in a paid, voluntary or trustee capacity, and/or they provide the organisation with specialist knowledge and skills relating to accounting, legal issues, human resources, local government or similar.

The organisation actively seeks local people with an interest in and connection with the local voluntary and community sector to become a trustee throughout the year. The trustees have the power to co-opt new trustees throughout the year.

Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council are each entitled to nominate a non-voting representative to attend and participate in trustees' meetings.

Induction and training of new trustees

There is no formal trustee induction programme but each new trustee undergoes a half-day induction session to brief them on the structure and operation of the organisation, to provide them with and explain key documents and policies, to meet key staff and to discuss any training requirements.

Wider network

The organisation works closely with a number of other charities in Bedfordshire. We continue to work closely with Community Action Milton Keynes, supporting the sector to engage with the Integrated Care System (ICS) that covers both our respective areas of benefit. Community Action Milton Keynes hosts a Partnership Officer on behalf of both organisations to improve the voluntary sector's voice within the ICS.

Risk management

The financial risks to the organisation are considered by the trustees and the Chief Officer on a regular basis through strenuous budgeting and regular management accounts. The trustees have considered the risks faced by the charity and have taken steps to mitigate those risks. A key component of this is the reserves policy which was extensively reviewed last year, and continues to provide a sensible platform for all financial planning for the organisation.

The Finance and Premises sub-committee, meeting at least quarterly, provides additional oversight and scrutiny to the finances of the organisation, especially regarding the lease of 43 Bromham Road and the associated costs of running a building.

With regards to the non-financial risks, a detailed health and safety policy is in place with a nominated lead, and a strong business continuity plan exists should it be necessary. Key staff also undertake relevant training relating to first aid and fire safety as required.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04312967 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1091423

Registered office

43 Bromham Road

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK40 2AA

Trustees

Mrs P Olney

Ms A Nevinson

B Shah

A Spurrell

M Young

Mrs H Hendrickx

Company Secretary

Ms A Nevinson

Independent Examiner

Gerald Bygraves

GB Accounting Solutions Limited

Building 115

Bedford Technology Park

Thurleigh

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK44 2YA

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

M Young - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

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

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

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.

Gerald Bygraves

GB Accounting Solutions Limited

Building 115

Bedford Technology Park

Thurleigh

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK44 2YA

24 September 2025

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and other income

3,587

4,021

7,608

31,577

Charitable activities

VOC

-

20,000

20,000

20,000

Central Bedfordshire Council

-

48,348

48,348

43,665

Big Local

-

89,843

89,843

148,210

Bedford Charity

33,750

-

33,750

44,750

LLAL

-

79,880

79,880

56,650

Bedford Borough Council

45,000

-

45,000

45,000

Other activities

2

83,579

-

83,579

92,494

Investment income

3

10,186

-

10,186

10,700

Total

176,102

242,092

418,194

493,046

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,285

-

5,285

5,285

Charitable activities

Support costs

194,553

244,911

439,464

504,634

Total

199,838

244,911

444,749

509,919

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(23,736

)

(2,819

)

(26,555

)

(16,873

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

312,720

55,684

368,404

385,277

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

288,984

52,865

341,849

368,404

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

1

-

1

1

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

9,448

-

9,448

14,142

Cash at bank and in hand

289,013

52,865

341,878

399,836

298,461

52,865

351,326

413,978

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(9,478

)

-

(9,478

)

(45,575

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

288,983

52,865

341,848

368,403

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

288,984

52,865

341,849

368,404

NET ASSETS

288,984

52,865

341,849

368,404

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

288,984

312,720

Restricted funds

52,865

55,684

TOTAL FUNDS

341,849

368,404

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 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 24 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Young - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings

-

20% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2.	OTHER ACTIVITIES

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

£

Office and meeting room hire

83,579

-

83,579

92,494

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

£

Deposit account interest

10,186

-

10,186

10,700

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.3.25

31.3.24

Administration

2

2

Support

7

7

9

9

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and other income

23,266

8,311

31,577

Charitable activities

VOC

-

20,000

20,000

Central Bedfordshire Council

-

43,665

43,665

Big Local

-

148,210

148,210

Bedford Charity

44,750

-

44,750

LLAL

-

56,650

56,650

Bedford Borough Council

45,000

-

45,000

Other activities

92,494

-

92,494

Investment income

10,700

-

10,700

Total

216,210

276,836

493,046

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,285

-

5,285

Charitable activities

Support costs

229,632

275,002

504,634

Total

234,917

275,002

509,919

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(18,707

)

1,834

(16,873

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

331,427

53,850

385,277

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

312,720

55,684

368,404

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

and

fittings

£

COST

At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025

7,485

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025

7,484

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2025

1

At 31 March 2024

1

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Trade debtors

8,482

13,176

Prepayments

966

966

9,448

14,142

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Trade creditors

6,538

42,735

Accrued expenses

2,940

2,840

9,478

45,575

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1/4/24

in funds

funds

31/3/25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

69,690

(20,658

)

4,221

53,253

Designated Funds

220,172

-

(4,221

)

215,951

Big Change Luton

22,151

(3,078

)

-

19,073

Coffee Pot

707

-

-

707

312,720

(23,736

)

-

288,984

Restricted funds

Big Local

34,332

(9,992

)

-

24,340

VOC

19,254

(2,359

)

-

16,895

Bedfordshire Advice Forum

1,819

(906

)

-

913

Central Bedfordshire Council

11

-

-

11

LLAL

(8,628

)

10,382

-

1,754

Bedford Homeless

6,497

266

-

6,763

BBO Storage

2,399

(210

)

-

2,189

55,684

(2,819

)

-

52,865

TOTAL FUNDS

368,404

(26,555

)

-

341,849