I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Community House, Eton Road (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.
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, 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 that in any material respect:
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.
The Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006, present their report and the financial statements for the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 2015).”
From 1st January 2013 the Trustees of Community House (Eton Road) ('CHER' hereafter) signed a 30 year lease on the building and took responsibility for the activities, assets and liabilities of Community House. Before that time they had been held by the Presbyterian Church of Wales ('PCW' hereafter) and managed by the Maindee congregation. The transfer of responsibilities to Community House (Eton Road) was accompanied by a generous endowment of financial reserves, to cover the cost of managing and maintaining the building which from that time became the responsibility of the charity.
The Charity is an independent, not for profit organisation that exists to benefit the residents of Maindee and surrounding areas. It adheres to principles of equality whatever the gender, sexual orientation, race, political or religious opinion of its users.
Aims & activities
The Charity works to enable people in the local community to develop their capacity and skills, meet their needs, and participate more in local activity. It does this mainly by providing facilities for meetings, recreation, education and development. We work in partnership with a wide range of voluntary and statutory organisation whose support and contribution are essential to our success. We are appreciative of the financial and organisational support from a wide range of funders.
During the year the Trustees resolved to focus on:
Sustaining and strengthening community and youth projects and activities run by Community House;
Encouraging greater use of the building by organisations and the community to run provision, classes, advice sessions and meetings;
Continuing to maintain space for worship, reflection and interfaith dialogue;
Ensuring that the charity remains financially viable and meets the costs out of income;
Finding ways of ensuring that the charity and the building it occupies are sustainable through hosting projects.
Updates on the three Community House projects Community Youth Project (CYP), Bundles and Maindee Men
Our Community Youth Project (CYP) provides universal and targeted youth work, play work, detached (street) work and wellbeing support, offering a range of informal learning activities and personal development opportunities for young people from Maindee and beyond. In 2024 CYP achieved the Education Workforce Council accredited Bronze Youth Work Quality Mark. This accreditation supports and recognises improving standards in the provision, practice and performance of organisations, demonstrating and celebrating the excellence of our work with young people. Community House also became a registered Duke of Edinburgh licensed centre which increases the range of opportunities for young people in Maindee. Both achievements are a testament to the skills and commitment of the CYP team. Youth volunteering developed over the year through a partnership with Newport Youth Academy. We developed a new early intervention project aiming to support the emotional development of children and young people and reduce the risk of young people experiencing trauma and homelessness. One of the team, Louise Armstead, attended a European Youth Forum in Budapest with the Council of Europe.
Bundles is a support project providing clothes, equipment and consumables such as nappies and baby milk for new Mums who may be referred by professionals, or self refer. The project is grateful for all donations and the contributions made by the valued and committed volunteers who assist with sorting donations and getting them ready for distribution. We are grateful for the support of Sally Lewis who is the Founder of Bundles. We also express thanks to Jac Warren (Bundles Worker) whose post ended in March 2025.
Maindee Men is a project aiming to reduce the isolation of adult men in the Maindee community and beyond, and led by Community House volunteer, Imran Badat. They meet weekly for fun and support. We appreciate Imran’s work, keeping the group running over many years and helping in many other ways at Community House.
We recognise the hard work of our cleaner, Pauline Holmes, who maintained a clean and welcoming environment for all users at Community House.Community House is supported by volunteers who we would like to thank for their contribution to ‘Building a strong, caring community together’.
The Charity complies with the requirements of the Charities Act 2006 and the guidance of the Charity Commission by ensuring that its activities benefit the public.
We were fortunate to be funded by the National Lottery for a capital project during 2024. Our ‘Cosy Community House’ project enabled the installation of a new boiler and heating system.
We secured funding for a minibus to support the running of activities from Community House.
Community House Eton Road provides a safe space with a range of engagement, support and activities that contribute to the health and wellbeing of the residents of the Maindee area and beyond. It is a valued service which people tell us they want to access, and support. We continue to keep in regular contact with group leaders and the wider community, sustain momentum and find innovative ways to support the community.
New and existing groups have been welcomed to the building, running specific community services. Community House is extremely grateful for their room hire, without which core support the building would not be able to function:
Adult Learning Wales ran much needed classes for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL);
NCC European Support Project and Travelling Ahead Wales (part of TGP Cymru) provided settlement and other advice for EU nationals in their own languages where possible;
The Outreach Psychological Health Practitioner, Afshan Morgan, provided the only regular community service outside of GP surgeries, both in our counselling room and through attending several group activities and events;
Coffee ’n Laughs is a well-established women’s group for all ages, nationalities and faiths, met for well-being, education and socialisation;
Afrizon provided community meals and a space to meet;
First Class Learning provided tutoring for children;
FoodCycle provided weekly hot community 3-course meals to about 40 attendees using donated food – their teams of volunteers collect pre-arranged food from supermarkets, others cook the meals and yet others come to serve them;
Newport Sene-Gambian Association continued their Islamic classes for children three evenings a week;
Bulgarian Saturday School continued to provide fortnightly classes to infant, junior and high school pupils;
Wye Gymnastics hosted their weekly children’s sessions;
Operasonic hosted mentoring sessions for young people;
Historia Normannis run medieval combat practice for their events.
We held a ‘Human Rights, Together’ Day in November 2024 funded by Newport City Council. This brought together children, young people, families, voluntary and statutory sector organisations in celebration of our shared and universal Human Rights. Community House provided refreshments and CYP ran the youth stage at Maindee Festival. We also hosted events run by the following organisations:
Active Lives
Romani Arts Cultural Company
Heart Research UK (health tests)
EYST delivered baby items and also ran a weekly girl’s club
NCC and Settled EU Citizens' Summit for Change Regional Watch-Party
Polling Station for local government elections;
Warm Hubs sessions supported by Bundles Baby Bank, Operasonic, Romani Arts and Kamila Jarczak Photography
Community meetings on specific issues.
Our CHER Annual General Meeting was held on Zoom in November 2024 reporting on the work of Community House and so many groups connected with us. The continuing demand for space and support for all these activities demonstrates the benefit that Community House brings to people as a safe and accessible space. We appreciate the flexibility all user groups show to others as we co-exist and work together, sometimes even juggling groups’ use of rooms to accommodate others when needed.
In 2024/25 Community House was funded by BBC Children in Need, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), National Community Lottery, Newport City Council, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO),Participatory Budget Fund, UK Youth, Regional Integration fund (RIF) Cost of Living, Community Foundation Wales, The Royal Foundation (HomeLife), The Archbishop of Wales Children’s Fund, The Postcode Community Trust, Moondance, Sported and The Masonic Charitable Foundation.
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 which is £67,299 (2024 - £58,960). 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. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted reserves of £100,137 (2024 - £111,642); this includes £30,000 which has been designated for an emergency fund, three month's expenditure of £67,299; this leaves £32,838 of discretionary cash.
The Charity monitors the financial status of the charity through regular meetings. We appreciate the efforts of our finance officer, Aneta Baran, for the accurate financial information that she brings to this task. During the year, the charity has been able to show net ingoing resources of £33,644 (2024 - net outgoing resourses £8,169).
The policy has been established following consideration of guidance issued by the Charity Commission. Reserves are retained to cover all costs and liabilities in the event of the closure of the charity and the balance to be retained is reviewed annually.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and have ensured that there are effective controls in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud, loss and error.
The Trustees have ensured that the charity has sufficient financial reserves to cover at least 3 months' operating costs, in line with Charity Commission guidelines.
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
CHER (also referred to as ''the Trust'' and ''the Charity'' in these financial statements) is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 9 June 2009, company number 06928624. It registered as a charity on 2 February 2011, charity number 1140184. The charity did not become active until 1 January 2013 when it signed the 30-year lease on the building.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
The trustees met frequently in line with our governance and leadership responsibilities. Trustees received reports from the Development Manager and others, monitored projects, received funder and finance reports, shared information about developments, partnerships, relationships with the community, as well as took care to operate within our means.
The trustees undertook a piece of reflective development work, supported by a USW funded external consultant, Andrew Price. Working together over several months trustees clarified the purpose, core aims and activities and values underpinning Community House and produced agreed statements on these, as well as making decisions on organisational priorities for the next year.
The trustees pay tribute to the project funders and aim to keep them well informed as to progress through reporting and the sharing of monitoring and evaluation data.
We continue to foster good relationships with all who use the building and their organisations as we aim to “build stronger caring community together”.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The officers who have served during the year are set out in the accounts. Marilyn Priday is our valued Company Secretary.
The charity is a membership organisation which welcomes members and advisors. Trustees can be appointed from members or advisors.
The Trustees are very grateful for additional advisors and volunteers who give their support.
Robust systems are in place for recruiting, inducting and training Trustees.
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.
Staff & Volunteers
Trustees undertook an annual review of policies and continue to reflect on the staffing and organisational needs of Community House. We continued to manage data using the Lamplight CRM system and commissioned Citation to support us with HR and Health and Safety policy and procedures. The Chair acted as Project Manager overseeing the capital project, Cosy Community House, and the Vice Chair managed the Development Manager, Sarah Miller, and acted as one of the Community House Designated safeguarding people. Sarah managed Community House staff and volunteers and the Bundles Founder, Sally Evans, line managed Jac Warren, the Bundles worker.
Aneta Baran continues to provide book-keeping services as our Finance and Administration Officer, and these are extended as more projects and funders are taken on board. We have been very grateful to her for her dedication as her role has grown in complexity and volume.
Pauline Holmes retired in 2025. Our occasional relief cleaner is Luthfa Begum, who is willingly prepared to step in at a moment’s notice when required.
Community House employs five part-time JNC qualified youth and community workers for the Community Youth Project: Louise Armstead, Mark Bolsom, Mollie Cross, Ellyse Davies and Louise Patrick and student on placement, Talisin Davies. The young people of Newport and their families are indebted to all the CYP team, their dedication and professionalism, as they guide and support them through their many challenges and provide many meaningful activities and experiences.
We greatly value and appreciate the accountancy and payroll support from UHY Hacker Young.
The charity could not operate without the input of time, effort and goodwill of very many volunteers and advisors and this report warmly welcomes all their contributions in addition to all our valued staff listed above.
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Community House, Eton Road is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Community House, Eton Road, Newport, NP19 0BL, United Kingdom.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 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 accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. 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.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees 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.
Donated goods and services are recognised at the estimated value of the services and is recognised within incoming resources as a donation and en equivalent charge included within promotional costs.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.
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 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.
Gifts in kind is included in incoming resources in the SOFA at its market value at the time of receipt and is capitalised on the balance sheet.
Tangible fixed assets are 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 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.
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the profit and loss account in other administrative expenses.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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.
The Charity is grateful to the Presbyterian Church of Wales donating the use of the building. The market value of the rent is estimated to be £11,072 (2024 - £11,072). The estimated value of these services is recognised within incoming resources as a donation and an equivalent charge included within promotional costs.
Grants
Investments
Other operating leases - rent
Rates & water
Insurance
Light & heat
Telephone
Postage & stationary
Sundries
Repairs & renewals
Cleaning & waste disposal
Safety & security
Project costs
IT support
Staff time
Recruitment costs
Support costs
Subscriptions
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
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.
Children In Need
Wages and expenses of youth workers at Community House.
Newport City Council Youth Service
Contribution to Maindee youth group to deliver youth service and to help cover youth worker costs.
Newport City Council Summer Programme
Contribution towards the summer programme for family engagement.
Police & Crime Commissioner for Gwent
Wages and expenses for a community youth project.
People's Health Trust
Support for Community House, Community Connections project.
GAVO
This is to support with the core funding costs to assist with winter pressures and to raise visibility of the project to the community.
Participatory Budgeting Newport City Council/ABUHB - Baby Bundles
Expenses to provide support for women and families in need during pregnancy and up to when the baby is 3 years of age. The project aims to pass on maternity, baby clothes, essential sundries (nappies, wet wipes and food) and equipment to women and families in need. Through referrals, they provide support to families in difficult situations and in crisis.
Garfield Weston Foundation
This is to support with the core funding costs.
UK Youth
Support for Community House, Community Youth project.
Newport City Council Food Poverty
To purchase and install a new cooker.
Mothers Together
A partnership with Maindee Primary School, also with support from a NCC & ABUHB Participatory Budgeting Fund award, piloted bringing parents and their babies together in a safe space to explore doing various craft, cooking, art and well-being activities and meet with
professionals from child-care organisations.
National Lottery Community Fund
Support costs and for the provision of a warm space for people in need.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Support for the Duke of Edinburhg programme at Community House.
The Clockwork Foundation
To purchase a minibus.
Community Foundation in Wales
Support for core funding costs and Youth Worker staff.
Moondance Foundation
Support for the Community Youth Project.
Postcode Community Trust
Fund to enable participation in physical activity at Community House.
Other small grants
Other small grants includes Sported Grant, ASDA Foundation, Archbishop of Wales Fund for Children and Pobl Trust grants.
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the Charity's activities.
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
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.
The Charity had no material debt during the year.
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows: