The trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements of Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service (hereinafter referred to as DDCVS) have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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 Objects of DDCVS, as stated in its governing document, are as follows.
3.1: To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community primarily, but not exclusively, in the local government district of Derbyshire Dales (hereinafter called the area of benefit) and, in particular the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.
3.2: To promote and organize co-operation and partnerships in the achievement of the above purposes and to that end, to bring together in council, representatives of the voluntary and other organisations and statutory authorities in the area of benefit.
In accordance with these objects, DDCVS has the following aims:
Work with local voluntary organisations, statutory agencies and communities to identify needs and facilitate improved service provision to meet those needs.
Work with local voluntary and community organisations to enable them to function effectively and deliver quality services.
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration amongst local voluntary and community groups.
Represent the views of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), and wider communities at a strategic level, ensuring their views are taken into account by policy makers.
Facilitate effective communication between the voluntary and statutory sectors and wider communities.
DDCVS engages in the following activities to meet these aims:
Information to the VCS through our website, social media and e-mail bulletins.
Training opportunities for the voluntary sector on a diverse range of topics all related to improving the effectiveness, sustainability and quality of their organisations.
Extensive support to VCS organisations that need advice, help and support in the running of their organisations. This can range from a one-off piece of advice about a particular concern, through to hundreds of hours of support in major organisational development projects.
Advice and support in identifying funding sources and making funding applications, and in income diversification / social enterprise.
The promotion and administration of a small grants programme and other grants programmes to benefit local voluntary organisations.
Running projects with a focus on supporting people in need, and a community development programme, such as Social Prescribing.
Providing a base for other voluntary organisations.
Providing practical services such as photocopying, equipment loans and providing meeting space. These services are used by a wide range of organisations large and small.
Developing joint projects with other organisations in both the voluntary and statutory sector.
Developing collaborative working between voluntary sector organisations in the area.
Representing the VCS at strategic level by attending Derbyshire Dales Place Alliance, and the Health and Wellbeing Partnership; by acting as a Board Member of the Peak District Partnership; by serving on the sub-committees of the PDP; and by being involved in various forums relating to themes such as youth, older people, health and the environment.
The Trustees of DDCVS have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
During the year, DDCVS has made achievements in the following areas of work.
Practical Support
DDCVS continues to support the local voluntary sector by providing low-cost practical services such as financial work, photocopying, loan of equipment and the provision of meeting space.
Information, advice, training and development support
We delivered advice, information, support and training to DDCV members this year. A wide variety of support was offered to clients ranging from simple one-off advice about constitutional issues or funding applications, through to the development of major projects and full organisational reviews. The provision of advice about sources of funding and making effective funding applications continues to be a very busy area of work, as does the governance of charities, charitable companies and community interest companies.
DDCVS ran several on-line networking events, members’ events and funding events for local groups and other agencies, and these were well attended. We host an on-line series of events called Spotlight which provides local organisations with an opportunity to highlight their service and projects.
During the year:
79 individuals were signposted.
638 enquiries from groups / organisations / statutory organisations.
13 of those groups ‘new’.
213 funding enquiries dealt with.
12 newsletters written and shared with 430+ subscribers.
11 Spotlight – online information sessions hosted.
92 Spotlight participants over the 12 months.
2 x Member Feedback groups hosted with regular attendance from 5/6 DDCVS Members.
Training sessions delivered:
Safeguarding Awareness
Dementia Awareness (Hathersage)
Safeguarding Policy Workshop
Volunteer Policy Workshop
Volunteer Passport (5 x 2 hours sessions) for 4 groups
Dementia Awareness (Ashbourne)
First Aid at Work
Budgeting
In June 2024 DDCVS hosted the Funding Fair.
We were joined by Foundation Derbyshire, The National Lottery Community Fund, Severn Trent Community Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, DDDC Local Projects Fund, Active Derbyshire and DDCVS representing the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund and the UKSPF Community Resilience Fund.
The fair was designed to connect local Derbyshire Dales organisations with key funding bodies, and the response exceeded all expectations. Due to overwhelming interest, we reached full capacity and opened a waiting list for additional attendees. 34 local organisations participated, engaging in one-to-one conversations with funders throughout the morning. 7 organisations were supported after the event by the development team with follow-up discussions to explore specific funding opportunities.
The session was open to any local Dales organisations and as a result we recruited 8 new member organisations.
Social Prescribing
Our Social Prescribing service, New Connections, had a very successful year. A fourth member of the team joined during the year enabling us to work with more clients and achieve more outcomes for people using the service.
During 2024/25, the team received referrals for 381 patients of surgeries in the South Dales Primary Care Network (PCN) and 369 from surgeries in the North Derbyshire Dales PCN.
The top reasons for the patient referral were loneliness / isolation, mental ill health, long term health conditions and caring responsibilities.
The team delivered monthly online Live Well With Pain sessions for the North PCN. 2 Dementia Groups were supported on a monthly basis, as was Baslow Carer’s group. A monthly walking group to support those living with Dementia was hosted, in conjunction with Peak Park.
Social Prescribing has been working hard to support those living with chronic pain with monthly Live Well with Pain sessions in Wirksworth and Ashbourne. These sessions are free to attend for anyone who is living with a condition that causes them long term pain and who are registered with a South Dales GP Surgery,
The Social Prescribing team hosted drop-in sessions at Ashbourne Elim Church and delivered a monthly Carers’ Café in Wirksworth.
Social Connectedness
The Social Connectedness project has made significant strides in reducing isolation and fostering community engagement across the Derbyshire Dales. Over the course of the year, the project supported 48 new and existing community groups, offering tailored assistance ranging from funding applications and publicity support to governance information and volunteer recruitment support.
Support was provided to a wide range of groups for adults including dementia-friendly initiatives, LGBTQ+ parent groups, lunch clubs, book club, informal coffee and social groups, village halls, singing and music groups, a Pilates group which grew from 6 to 15 participants thanks to targeted support and discretionary funding.
The Social Connectedness Development Worker (SC DW) offered hands-on help with setting up new groups, developing constitutions and policies, and accessing training and funding.
Throughout the year, the SC DW maintained regular contact with groups to ensure ongoing support.
The SC DW’s flexible and responsive approach has ensured that support is available when needed, even for groups that may not require immediate assistance but benefit from knowing help is available.
The project has a Social Connectedness Local Action Group, which brings together six key organisations: Derbyshire County Council Public Health, Connex Community Support, The Farming Life Centre, Careline Calling, Hurst Farm Regeneration and DDCVS.
The SC DW played a pivotal role in strengthening the Derbyshire Dales Community Hubs Network. They supported a fellow voluntary service organisation in identifying and connecting with a suitable partner and fostering collaboration. Additionally, the SC DW actively promoted the network to targeted groups and ensured consistent, wide-reaching publicity across the Derbyshire Dales and within the DDCVS membership.
The SC DW also collaborated with partners like Connex to identify gaps in provision, particularly in rural areas like Bradwell.
The SC Discretionary Fund has granted 6 applications during this year.
Social Connectedness Events
In June 2024, the SC DW organised a Great Get Together Social Connectedness event as part of the national initiative aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation and fostering stronger, united communities. The SC DW invited representatives from the Jo Cox Foundation to attend and present, enriching the event with their insights and expertise.
To ensure accessibility across the geographically dispersed Derbyshire Dales, the event was hosted online, allowing broad participation and enabling Richard and James from the Jo Cox Foundation to join. They shared insights from the Seven Keys to Unlocking Social Connection research, explained the purpose and impact of the Great Get Together campaign, and introduced the More in Common network - highlighting ways individuals and organisations can get involved.
The event opened with a moving performance by the District Musicians, a local organisation, who sang and played music that beautifully showcased their project.
Another standout moment of the year was the September 2024 Socialympics Social Connectedness event, a vibrant celebration of community spirit and connection. Supported by other DDCVS staff and timed to follow their AGM, the event brought together a diverse mix of community groups, volunteers, and members of the public. Attendees enjoyed interactive “have-a-go” sessions led by local organisations such as Stronger for Longer, Age UK Derby & Derbyshire, DFMH, Winster Pickleball and Bakewell Open Doors, showcasing activities like curling and boccia.
The Socialympics served multiple purposes: it reduced isolation by offering a welcoming social space, promoted local services and organisations, encouraged volunteering, and inspired new ideas. Groups such as a village hall were directly influenced by the event, later applying for discretionary funding to purchase their own curling kit after seeing its impact and potential to appeal a wide audience from age 2 - 102. The event also facilitated networking among groups, including refugee support organisations, Parkinson’s support groups, and community transport providers, all of whom gained visibility and new connections.
Children and Young people
A Children and Young People’s Development Worker was appointed during the year. This is a new post funded by Public Health. The role was to focus on supporting people running voluntary-led groups for children and young people and developing new groups.
Children and Young People’s Network
After a period of staff absence, the Development Team restarted the Children and Young People’s Network and relaunched the Network in January 2025, with a small grant scheme for organisations working with Children and Young People, also with a strand around training needs. Thanks to the Derbyshire County Council Public Health Team for their ongoing funding and support for this project.
Grants Programmes
DDCVS has continued to manage Derbyshire Dales District Council’s small grants programme very successfully. This, combined with additional funding from Derbyshire ICB and Derbyshire County Council Public Health, is administered as the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund. We received 49 applications and made 42 awards. Awards totalling £48,542 for projects that supported a local history group with display items, a bench for the skatepark, a new Boules Pitch (see case study), a new heating system for a village hall and running costs for befriending clubs and lunch clubs to name a few.
DDCVS also managed the Public Health Locality Fund and was able to fund several excellent projects with this money.
DDCVS has continued to manage funding for the ‘Growing Golden Opportunities’ programme focusing on the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People.
DDCVS won a tender to manage the Community Resilience Grants programme, part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council. This is an exciting opportunity to fund local organisations and we have already funded a number of excellent projects. The funding was available until March 2025. The Community Resilience Grant Fund was managed on behalf of the District Council by DDCVS. The original contract was extended to include feasibility studies and additional grants; the original budget of £210,000 was increased by £105,000 to £315,000 to meet demand. The final open grants round closed in September 2024. Over the course of four grant rounds, the total allocation was paid to CVS to support community development. There were 67 registrations for this scheme and of those, 29 projects were awarded grant, support and signposting to develop the outstanding registrations has taken place. Engagement has been excellent with local communities and Derbyshire Dales CVS has exceeded the contract targets. Final monitoring has been completed and data has produced some notable outputs, including 21 community venues enhanced, 90 new volunteers recruited, and 2600 additional people using services and venues. 2 new social enterprise activities have started, and 2 feasibility studies have been completed.
Grants Awarded: 25 Grants were awarded totalling £241,997 2 Feasibility studies, totalling £34,610, 2 Energy Audits £6,929. Total grants awarded were 29
Staff and Trustee Development
Staff training and development is an important part of the ethos of DDCVS. Again, staff members have engaged in a wide range of training and learning opportunities that will support their work for DDCVS and their own personal development.
Governance, Management and Administration
Once again, DDCVS worked hard to make best use of its resources. DDCVS maintains a healthy level of free reserves relative to its turnover. Our turnover increased during the year. Our Policy Review Sub-Group continued to meet, reviewing all policies on a cyclical basis, and making recommendations to the Board about changes to policy and the development of new policies.
Evelyn Partners again managed our investments during the year. A review of the investments was undertaken and the return on them continued to be satisfactory. Work has been done to gain more income from our cash deposits.
The new accounts package adopted, Xero, has generated improvements in our financial management and reporting. The DDCVS Trustee who acts as Treasurer has access to the system, as does the Chair, adding a layer of transparency to processes.
Membership
Once again, a significant number of new members were recruited, and this reflected our increased emphasis on ensuring we have a good level of membership within the organisation.
Partnerships
The development of effective partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies, and the representation of the voluntary sector at a strategic level formed an important part of DDCVS’s work. During the year, DDCVS was engaged in many partnership groups including the following:
Derbyshire Dales ‘Place’ group
Dales Health and Wellbeing Partnership
Dales Local Integration Group
Derbyshire Community Foundation grants panels
Derby & Derbyshire Infrastructure Alliance (DDIA)
Peak District Partnership
Financial Inclusion sub-group
Mental Health sub-group
The UKSPF Board for the Dales
Thanks to our funders.
Thanks for the continued support from all our funders, without which we couldn’t carry on with the amazing work we deliver for the Derbyshire Dales community.
Thanks to Derbyshire Dales District Council for their continuing support, the Council have been a lifeline of financial and operational support to the DDCVS team. Through Derbyshire Dales District Council, with support from Public Health, we can deliver the Better Derbyshire Dales Fund. Public Health at Derbyshire County Council also support fund DDCVS for Social Connectedness and the Children and Young People.
Thanks too, to Foundation Derbyshire for their grant to support core development work awarded over 2 years.
DDCVS has a contract with the South Primary Care Network, through which we deliver social prescribing services, thanks to our key contacts and supporters at the PCN to ensure that this service delivers vital support to those in our communities who need it most.
Our work with the Integrated Care Board means that DDCVS is at the heart of decision making around how the NHS 10-year plan supports neighbourhoods in the Derbyshire Dales, we value our relationships with the ICB and the work they are carrying out, as well as the financial support we receive.
DDCVS would not be able to do what we do without our funders and supporters.
Trading results are encouraging, reporting a deficit of £6,862 on unrestricted funds compared to the deficit of £22,111 for year ending March 2024.
As outlined in note 7 to the accounts, the reason for the net expenditure on restricted funds for the year is mainly due to the carry forward of unspent restricted funds from the year ended 31 March 2024 which were spent during the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial position total fund balances were £200,704 of which £57,935 were restricted. The unrestricted funds were £142,769.
The DDCVS acknowledges the difference between cash reserves and funds defined under Charities SORP 2015. The charitable company attempts to break even each year, however unrestricted funds will be allowed to reduce if it can be shown that such a course of action is in the best interests of the organisation.
The Reserves Policy states that restricted reserves are managed rigorously and are not allowed to become negative. Derbyshire Dales CVS will maintain minimum free reserves to meet its statutory obligations to staff and creditors.
Derbyshire Dales CVS will aim to keep a minimum of six months’ core running costs in reserves, in addition to the reserves held to meet its statutory obligations. As at 31st March 2025 the reserves met all the criteria in the Reserves Policy.
The principal contract for project funding, was from the Derby and Derbyshire PCN North and Derby and Derbyshire PCN South, for social prescribing. The principal funder for core services was Derbyshire County Council, who funded Policy and Research and Adult Care.
A significant funder for projects was Public Health who funded Social Connectedness, Community Voice and Children Young People. Funding for Community Voice would not continue into 2025/26.
During this period DDCVS were informed that Derbyshire County Council funding would cease at the end of the financial year 2024/25. Efforts were made to replace this funding and Derbyshire Dales District Council committed to augment their existing funding support and agreed to additional funding for 2025/26.
There are no funds or subsidiaries in deficit.
Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service as a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity, is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on 30th April 2002 and amended by special resolution dated 29th September 2005 and further amended by special resolution on 21st October 2021.
DDCVS has a Board of Trustees / Directors that is responsible for the governance of DDCVS. A third of trustees must seek re-election at every AGM. The Trustees may appoint additional members to the Board of Trustees to fill vacancies or to bring additional skills and experience to the governance of the organisation. Trustees appointed by the Board of Trustees must seek re-election at the next AGM.
The Board currently meets at least five times a year and makes the use of sub-groups to address particular topics, such as policy review.
DDCVS has Full members and Associate members. Full members have the right to vote at AGMs and EGMs and can nominate people for election to the Board of Trustees. Documents are circulated prior to every AGM informing the membership of the procedures for electing new members to the Board of Trustees and inviting nominations.
New trustees are appointed on the basis that they have appropriate skills and knowledge commensurate with the governance of a Charitable Company, and have knowledge and experience relating to the voluntary and community sector, the area of benefit or communities of interest, or have other specific areas of knowledge or experience that have been identified by the Trustees as valuable to the governance and development of DDCVS.
Trustees are inducted into the organisation by having an initial meeting with the Chair of the Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); attending a Board meeting as an observer; being provided with relevant information from DDCVS, the Charity Commission and Companies House about the roles and responsibilities of Charity Trustees and Company Directors; information relating directly to DDCVS (e.g. copies of recent annual reports); and information from the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) relating to the role of Councils for Voluntary Service in a national context. Trustees are encouraged to attend training courses and conferences that will support their role as a Trustee. The Board of Trustees is periodically subject to a skills audit exercise to identify training needs, and gaps on the Board that can be filled through recruitment. The Charity has a Trustee Management Policy that lays out guidelines for recruitment, induction and ongoing management and support of trustees.
The Trustees delegate a large amount of the day-to-day decisions involved in the running of DDCVS to the paid staff, and in particular to the CEO. The CEO reports directly to the Board meetings. However, some decisions are made at Board level, having taken appropriate advice both from the CEO and Finance Manager and other relevant individuals and organisations. Decisions that require Board level agreement might be those that will have a significant financial or operational impact, or that will make significant changes to the way DDCVS is governed and administered.
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:
Risk Management
Major risks to which DDCVS might be exposed have been identified by the Board based on information provided by the CEO and Finance Manager. A financial risk monitor document is presented at Board meetings, and a risk register is held and maintained by DDCVS. Where significant risks are identified, a strategy for mitigating those risks will be developed by senior staff and presented to the Board of Trustees for approval. A ‘three levels of assurance’ approach is taken for each identified risk. The main areas of risk identified by DDCVS, and measures taken to mitigate those risks are as follows.
Funding coming to an end:
Much of the funding received by DDCVS is time-limited and restricted, and a high proportion of the funding comes via local authorities and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The Board is kept appraised of the current situation regarding funding through the reports received from the Finance Manager, including the provision of cash-flow forecasts to identify potential funding gaps. Where a particular funding stream is known to be coming to an end, or considered to be at risk, a full assessment of the impact of the withdrawal of that funding will be made, and plans put in place to identify and bring in new funding, if this is considered necessary and appropriate.
Inability to secure new funding.
Due to changes in funding priorities, DDCVS can no longer rely on historic funding sources, so needs to identify and apply for new funding.
Major increases in running costs:
By careful budgeting, based on extrapolations from actual expenditure in previous periods and assessment of likely changes to the operating environment of DDCVS, it is expected that DDCVS is unlikely to find itself placed in difficulty by significant unpredicted expenditure. The development of a healthy unrestricted reserve, in line with DDCVS’s reserves policy, provides a buffer against unpredictable expenditure. The application of the principles of ‘Full Cost Recovery’ when making funding applications and bidding for contracts also helps to ensure that DDCVS does not find itself short of basic running costs.
Financial loss due to fraud or human error:
DDCVS has systems and financial procedures in place that minimize the risk of fraud or human error. These systems are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they are still fit for purpose. Any errors in financial reporting and recording are investigated and actions taken to ensure that they are not repeated.
Costs related to employment:
Direct employment costs are carefully budgeted. Indirect costs that might arise from employment (e.g. redundancy payments) are covered by having a level of unrestricted reserves that would enable the organisation to meet its statutory obligations to staff, and by having appropriate insurances in place to cover costs incurred as a result of legal action, employment tribunals etc.
Breach of contract:
DDCVS holds several contracts (or similar agreements) with funding bodies and other agencies. DDCVS aims to ensure that the terms of these contracts are adhered to through the effective management and administration of those contracts. DDCVS also has insurances in place to cover the costs incurred as a result of any legal action. DDCVS risk assesses new contracts to ensure that it is not committing itself to a contract that could be damaging to the organisation.
Leasing of property:
DDCVS currently leases office space. DDCVS mitigates risks relating to this by ensuring that the terms of the lease are appropriate to the needs of DDCVS; that a contingency is in place in the Annual Budget to cover the costs of moving premises; and that insurances are in place to ensure the continuation of business in the event of a move.
Failure of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems:
Like many organisations, a significant amount of DDCVS’s business is conducted through electronic communication. A long-term failure of these systems would have a serious impact on DDCVS’s ability to conduct its day-to-day work. An IT strategy is in place to ensure that data is stored and backed-up securely; that hardware and software are maintained to a fit-for-purpose standard. DDCVS has now moved to a cloud-based system which enables very effective remote working. DDCVS regularly reviews its policies and procedures relating to cyber security and puts new measures in place to protect its data.
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- 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 Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service (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.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 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 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.
Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Agricultural Business Centre, Agricultural Way, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AH.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles, 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 apart from fixed asset investments which are carried at market 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 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.
No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
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.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
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 falling with 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 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.
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.
During the year the charity administered funds on behalf of other entities as their agent. The total funds received and paid by the charity as agent during the year totalled £230,770.
At the year end date of 31 March 2025 the charity held balances on behalf of other entities as their agent totalling £19,506.
The net expenditure for the year totalling £264,818 is mainly due to the carry forward of unspent restricted funds from the financial year ended 31 March 2024 which were spent during the financial year ended 31 March 2025.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
During the year trustees did not receive remuneration.
The key management personnel of the charity consist of the trustees and the Chief Executive Officer.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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.
CYPN (Localities)
Funding to support work related to the Children and Young People Network.
DCC – GGO fund
The Growing Golden Opportunities grants project is to promote an asset-based community approach to positively impact upon the emotional wellbeing of children and young people in the Derbyshire Dales.
DCC – GGO for CYP
The Growing Golden Opportunities project for Children and Young People funding to improve the emotional health and well being of children and young people in the Derbyshire Dales.
DCC – Public Health (Small Grants)
Funding for grants to support the work of new or existing community/voluntary groups or organisation working within the Derbyshire Dales for health and wellbeing activities.
DCC – Social Connectedness
Funding from Derbyshire Dales Health & Wellbeing Partnership to develop a district wide Action Group, develop an action plan to raise the profile of social connectedness and fund projects which improve social connectedness for people who are lonely or isolated, or at risk of being lonely or isolated and monitor the progress.
DDDC – Better Derbyshire Dales Fund
Funding to support the work of new or existing community/voluntary groups or organisations that are working within the Derbyshire Dales, administered on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council.
DDDC – Hurst Farm
Funding to work strategically with the community and partner organisations to meet the needs of the community of Hurst Farm and develop and deliver the Estate Regeneration Plan.
Engagement Fund
Funds to provide individual funding payments to participants of Social Prescribing.
Live Well with Pain (South)
Funding for the establishment of two chronic pain peer support groups in Ashbourne and Wirksworth.
Living Well (Small Grants)
Funding to focus on adult mental health in the Derbyshire Dales.
Localities and Place
Fund to provide support for families and communities to address vulnerability.
Peak Partners
Grant to develop and explore ways in which local organisations could work together more effectively to tackle local issues.
Social Connectedness Enablement Fund
A discretionary fund to support voluntary and community groups working to improve social connectedness.
Supporting Dementia
A project to help fund supportive activities for those living with dementia and for their carers.
UKSPF
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is to enable the awarding of Community Resilience grants as part of the UK Government’s levelling up agenda.
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.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
The charity had no material debt during the year.