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 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 are to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances, or for the public at large, with the object of improving their conditions of life.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Active Bradford
Active Bradford is a charity committed to making Bradford a healthier and more prosperous place to live and work and driven by a vision of a culture across the district where physical activity is an everyday part of everyone's lives. JU:MP (Join Us: Move Play) is Active Bradford’s flagship programme inspiring children and families in Bradford to move and play more.
Partners come together through Active Bradford to collectively deliver Every Move Counts! our physical activity strategy for the district. We promote physical activity across the system, through campaigns and communications and influence decision makers on the role sport and physical activity can play in broader strategic plans.
JU:MP - Join Us: Move Play
JU:MP (Join Us: Move Play) is Active Bradford’s flagship programme funded by Sport England to test and learn more about what helps children aged 5 – 14 years and their families to be active. JU:MP takes a place-based whole systems approach to tackling inequalities in physical activity. This means working with families, communities and organisations and making improvements to the environment. Equally important to systems working was embedding physical activity in relevant policies and plans, from health and education to transport and planning.
Between 2019 – 2024 the JU:MP programme took place in a defined area of North Bradford which has a multi-ethnic population with some of the highest levels of poverty in the UK and aimed to improve the lives of 30,000 children as well as build evidence on children’s physical activity with a world-leading research programme. Funding was held and the programme delivered by Born in Bradford (Bradford Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust) on behalf of Active Bradford.
Our robust world leading research, which included a control trial revealed the JU:MP programme:
• Improved children’s total physical activity by 8.3 minutes a day and over 70 minutes a week
• Improved moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by nearly 6 minutes on weekdays
• Reduced inactivity by more than 21 minutes a day on weekends
The effects of the JU:MP programme were bigger than any other long-term population level physical activity intervention for children reported in comparable scientific research studies so far.
JU:MP developed 16 workstreams, built on robust evidence alongside in-depth insight with children and families. We took a neighbourhood approach bringing partners from schools, community and faith organisations and the local authority together to co-design and deliver local action plans. Developing active environments such as parks and greenspace was a key focus at the heart of these plans.
JU:MP Workstreams - Headlines
Eight local JU:MP Action Groups engaging over 120 partners including schools, council partners, and community and faith organisations were established and delivered a co-designed local action plan that was successfully driven forward over two years. Two of these were led by JU:MP Coordinators in the Bradford West Area Neighbourhood team and six by the JU:MP core team.
Creating Active Schools (CAS) was a key workstream and 56 schools implemented the CAS framework that helped them embed physical activity throughout the school system. This meant working at a policy level, engaging all stakeholders and every aspect of the school day e.g. active breaks, active travel to school and active learning.
11 greenspace developments were completed as access to local parks or greenspace is vital in getting children outdoors and active. All developments were led by in depth community engagement and codesign, so communities felt fully involved and valued their greenspaces. Traditional play areas suffering from repeated vandalism were replaced by nature play areas built of stone, metal and earth mounds. These play areas have proven popular with children and families. Robust and low maintenance, research also shows children are more active in nature play areas than traditional play areas.
JU:MP invested in an Active Faith Settings workstream with five Community Engagement Managers engaged to facilitate physical activity in Islamic religious settings. We worked with partners to develop the ‘Healthy Madrasas’ toolkit which supports Islamic faith settings to build physical activity into Islamic study attended by Muslim children after school.
There were over 22,000 family members in Bradford, who are choosing to move and play more by joining the JU:MP movement through the five annual campaigns.
Building active communities was a key priority for JU:MP and the 14 JU:MP Connectors created strong links with families, connecting them to their local greenspaces and community centres. JU:MP’s Community Awards allowed local providers to access small-scale funding to deliver engaging activities to children and families. The Sustainable Sports programme developed a wide range of physical activity provision much of which has sustained longer term, beyond our funding.
We are proud to have reached over 30,000 children and their families to give them positive movement experiences.
Next Steps
From May 2025, following the success of JU:MP’s pilot phase, Sport England has renewed it’s commitment to tackling inactivity in Bradford through a £4 million investment direct to Active Bradford. This funds a three-year partnership with Active Bradford, in collaboration with Born in Bradford and the University of Bradford. We aim to work intensively in three new neighbourhoods in this phase and focus on reducing inequalities for girls, children with learning difficulties and ethnically diverse communities across the district as well as developing a district wide universal offer.
Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "By giving children an extra 70 minutes of weekly activity, this programme improves physical fitness and mental wellbeing while initiatives like 'Healthy Madrasas' show the power of working with organisations who truly understand their communities. "Sport England's £4 million further investment will help build life-long healthy habits, supporting children's wellbeing and reducing future pressure on our NHS. "
Sharing Learning
JU:MP works closely with Sport England’s national team ensuring children are central to Sport England’s place-based approach to tackling inactivity which is currently being rolled out to 90 new places nationally. We are committed to sharing learning and our Knowledge Mobilisation Lead is funded by Sport England and hosted by Born in Bradford, to share learning nationally. We have an online Resource Hub that we are continuing to develop and refine to share as much of our learning and assets as possible.
Visit: www.jump.borninbradford.nhs.uk
Bradford Sports Awards
The annual Bradford Sports Awards celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements across the Bradford District, recognising individuals, clubs, and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to sport and physical activity. Each year the depth and breadth of sporting talent and dedication across Bradford is showcased, from promising young athletes to dedicated volunteers and inclusive community initiatives. This event brings together over 300 attendees and continues to play a crucial role in recognising and promoting the value of sport and physical activity within our communities. By celebrating these achievements, Active Bradford aims to inspire more people to get involved in sport and physical activity, creating a healthier and more connected Bradford.
Active Bradfords’ Partnership delivery of the Every Move Counts! Strategy
The Every Move Counts! strategy was codesigned in 2023 with over 120 partners including senior leaders across health, transport, planning, education and leisure. Significant progress has been made by the Active Bradford partnership to deliver the strategy across the nine thematic areas for action, and these include:
Active Travel
Development of several large-scale infrastructure projects across the district to promote active travel, particularly focussed on walking, running and cycling.
The development of an active travel social prescribing programme targeting Keighley central, Manningham including Girlington & Bradford Moor including Barkerend.
The development of Well Together Walks in conjunction with the BDCFT have seen 50 instructors trained and walks delivered across the district.
Built Environment
City centre pedestrianisation and cycle infrastructure scheme plus green schemes are now open, providing opportunities for physical activity within the city centre.
Greenspaces
Liaison with Friends of and other community led groups supporting volunteering activities, events and other initiatives, including the commissioning of GoodGym.
Neighbourhoods
Through Community Chest and other funding, Area Coordinators Offices across the District support local sports clubs/volunteer groups in delivering PA and grassroots level sport.
Children & Young People
Alongside the JU:MP schools work outlined above, Living Well Schools has developed a district-wide offer for all primary schools working with 40-50 schools to implement whole school approaches to health and wellbeing, including physical activity. Pupil voice to be emphasised through Living Well Schools in collaboration with Child Friendly Bradford.
Public Health have commissioned Bradford Girl Power, IMAS and Outdoor Play and Learn (OPAL) as physical activity interventions that enable schools to encourage children to be more physically active via LW Schools.
Health
Exploration of opportunities to embed physical activity within health and social care pathways are underway, including supporting the training of staff within health and social care to recognise the benefits of physical activity in prevention, such as the Physical Activity Clinical Champions training.
Sport & Active Recreation
Ongoing development of applications for new Football Foundation funding via the PlayZones initiative to provide more access to high quality facilities across the district.
Park tennis courts refurbished. Preliminary discussions with LTA to launch Free Tennis in Parks from spring 2025.
Workplaces
The development of a Living Well Workplace offer, providing health and wellbeing support to Bradford based employers, which includes physical activity.
Communications & Campaigns
Alongside the JU:MP campaign above, the delivery of the 20 Minute Movement physical activity campaign, which provides support to adults to be physically active in a variety of settings. This was shared via the Living Well comms outlets, with over 21,000 newsletter signups and over 4,000 page views to the Living Well website during the campaign.
The income for the year amounted to £112,936 (2024 £992,252) with expenditure being £119,906 (2024 £999,537) resulting in a net expenditure of £6,970 (2024 £7,285 net expenditure).
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 between three and six month’s expenditure, equivalent to £30,000 to £60,000. 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 level of reserves does not currently reach this level.
We recognise the low reserves are a risk. However this is mitigated partially due to the Trust (BTHFT) accepting liability of TUPE-ed staff redundancy costs up to March 2028. Sport England has also committed substantial funding for Active Bradford over the next two to three years, allowing time and capacity for reserves to be built up over this period.
The funds held at 31.3.25 were £3,181 (2024 £10,151) which did not reach the required level.
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:
The Board of Directors meet every two months to ensure proper governance of Active Bradford as well as seeking to develop and progress our strategy, ensuring Active Bradford is fulfilling its role to influence, connect, communicate and deliver.
Recruitment of Trustees is done through a standard application/covering letter. These are reviewed and shortlisted candidates are interviewed. Following this process, a decision is made by the interviewing panel on the best candidate and the position is offered to the successful candidate.
A half day induction is provided is delivered by the Co-Chair and one of the long-standing directors that outlines#9) your role, the role of AB and future ambitions.
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 charity structure
Active Bradford is a charity committed to making Bradford a healthier and more prosperous place to live and work, and driven by a vision of a culture across the district where physical activity is an everyday part of everyone's lives. JU:MP (Join Us: Move Play) is an Active Bradford programme inspiring children and families in Bradford to move and play more.
We are driven by our vision of a culture across the district where physical activity is an everyday part of everyone's lives. We work with partners to develop and deliver a wide range of opportunities to be active; these partners come together through Active Bradford to collectively support those planning and delivering opportunities, develop new opportunities through strategic plans and programmes, promote opportunities through campaigns and other communications and influence decision makers on the role sport and physical activity can play in broader strategic plans.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Active Bradford Limited (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 2006 Act 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 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
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 2006 Act; or
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 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
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 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 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.
Active Bradford Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, registration number 11178024 and governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The registered office is Born in Bradford, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Temple Bank House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) 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)" (effective 1 January 2019). 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, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. 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 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.
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 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.
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.
Grants listed below
Charitable Expenditure
Charitable Expenditure
Commissions
Research
Activities
Freelance
Creative Active Schools
Workshops
Website and Apps
Photography
Travel
Projects
Printing and Stationery
Subscriptions
Advertising
Sundry
Training
Legal and professional
Independent Examination
Accountancy
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiners of £3,600 (2024- £nil) for Independent examination fees and £nil (2024 - £1,887) for accountancy.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
The JU:MP project is to provide sports physical activities for children aged 5-14 and their families.
BME Organisations Support, this is a pilot project on how BMD organisations can support each other non-financially to enable sports for families and communitites.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).