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 purpose of the charity is to support the development and sustainability of the voluntary and community sector; to bring together voluntary and community organisations with statutory, public and private sector partners; and to deliver projects that support local residents and communities.
The trustees have referred to and paid due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on the public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activity.
Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Support
Sector Connect Hull
We are pleased to continue delivering voluntary sector infrastructure support in Hull in partnership with Forum CIO. Following an initial three year delivery period, the service has been refreshed to meet evolving strategic developments and need across the sector, with continuation funding attached. This service provides anyone who volunteers, governs or works for a local VCSE organisation with free impartial advice, guidance, information and safeguarding support, as well as sector specific training. Over the last year, the service has delivered over 700 hours of support to VCSE organisations and 563 governance related sessions.
As part of this service, we also co-host the Hull VCSE Assembly, which is a platform designed to provide a valuable networking space which supports the needs of both large organisations and smaller community-based groups. The Assembly also aims to bring VCSE organisations and statutory sector partners together at a local, place-based level, to work toward shared goals and priorities and to identify opportunities to improve outcomes for communities and residents. Over the course of the last year, 11 assemblies were held with 331 representatives in attendance and 428 organisations registered for updates.
Members Services
Alongside the external funding being granted for Sector Connect, the Board of trustees has continued to uphold their annual commitment from reserves to the delivery of VCSE Infrastructure support. This has meant we have been able to dedicate further capacity and offer a broader range of support through two funded positions. Our Funding and Grants Officer supports the sector in identifying new funding opportunities and supports groups in understanding funding requirements; and our Communications and Development Lead provides support in a range of digital and communications solutions that helps organisations streamline their operations and better demonstrate the impact of their work. This overall increased capacity has also enabled us to offer greater synergy and a more joined up service across our operations; build a greater presence with VCSE and public sector partners; as well as enabling us to be further involved in local partnerships and strategic developments.
Community Centres
The delivery of this UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funded programme continued into its second year of delivery, which provides support to the fifteen designated community centres either owned or supported by Hull City Council.
Hull CVS’s wraparound support continued this year and included governance advice, funding support, succession planning, volunteer management guidance, policy development, and help with organisational structure and compliance. Hull CVS also worked closely with Hull City Council to develop a dedicated community centre website to improve each centre’s visibility, as well as improved external signage for each of the centres that follows a uniform identity agreed by the centres. The Capital and décor funds also continued and saw applications approved to update kitchens, windows, CCTV and provide updated IT equipment. In total over the two years of the UKSPF fund, a total of £100,000 was invested in capital and digital upgrades for the centres, as well as further investment made in training and events for centres and their committees.
Training
A total of 26 training courses have been delivered to the VCSE sector during this financial year. Over the past twelve months 70 organisations accessed our training with 196 people attending. Of those attending, 92 were volunteers, and 104 were staff, demonstrating a balanced approach to professional development. Examples of training delivered included Basic & Advanced Bid Writing, Understanding Legal Structures & Governance, Fire Safety Principles - Level 2 and Emergency First Aid at Work - Level 3.
We also continued to offer the Training Bursary Fund to organisations in the Hull area with an annual income of under £100,000, providing funded places on any of our courses. This initiative helps ensure that smaller organisations have access to valuable training opportunities, supporting their growth and development.
Volunteering
Volunteer Centre
Hull CVS is proud to deliver the only accredited Volunteer Centre in Hull, where we assist people, organisations and businesses with their volunteering journey so they can make a real difference to local communities. Following our work last year to provide more in-depth and personalised support, in 2024-25 we delivered 104 appointments and identified 205 volunteering opportunities. The main areas of interest included volunteering roles in the community (40%), health (29.5%) and with older people (26.7%).
Time2Volunteer
Delivered in partnership with the HEY Smile Foundation, this year we continued to enhance the Time2Volunteer platform and partnership. Time2Volunteer is a bespoke volunteering platform launched in October 2022, created with support from public, private and voluntary sector partners who invest in, value and celebrate volunteers. The aim of this platform is to address local needs and to simplify the process of volunteering, for both volunteers and voluntary organisations.
Volunteer Managers and Coordinators Network
The Volunteer Managers and Coordinators Network continues to be an invaluable asset to the VCSE sector. In addition to sharing important updates to the network and encouraging conversation between organisations, the network has also been adapted to provide opportunity for organisations to collaborate and share information with members with a view for this to be promoted to the wider sector through each member's individual associations.
Know Your Neighbourhood Fund
This year saw the completion of the final two aspects of the project. One of these was Wonder’ull, an initiative designed to bring together individuals who would otherwise eat alone, by offering the opportunity to share a Sunday lunch in a welcoming, social setting. The second aspect, Silver Socials, aimed to help reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people in our community. Supported by volunteers, the project hosted a series of events including race afternoons, craft events and vocal sets performed by local artists.
Working4Good
This year saw the second year of our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funded programme to provide fundamental training and support to build stronger foundations for future volunteers and volunteering in Hull.
Working4Good has been designed to provide three strands of support:
1. A Volunteer Academy Training Programme which provides a fundamental understanding of what it means to volunteer, as well as transferable skills and knowledge.
2. A volunteering and employment pathway which provides dedicated support to help volunteers access further training, and work-related opportunities.
3. An offer to local organisations to assist them to take volunteers under 18 years old and the creation of a bespoke platform for young people which provides a range of opportunities to help them progress towards future career aspirations.
We launched Working4Good at an event with local businesses, organisations and education settings. Following the event, we worked with local education settings to offer young people one-to-one sessions so we could learn about their hobbies, interests and future aspirations, which helped us to find opportunities that were of relevance to them. In total 215 people have accessed the programme over the year.
Yorkshire Maritime City Project
As part of the Yorkshire Maritime City Project to reinvigorate Hull as a maritime heritage and cultural destination, a Front of House Volunteer Training programme was designed by and delivered through Hull CVS. This programme covers an introductory ‘Welcome to Hull Maritime Museum’ session; a two-part customer care session covering the essentials of effective customer service and how this impacts the customer experience; and a ‘Working with Volunteers’ session highlighting the importance of effective volunteer management and the rights and legislation which govern volunteering.
Grants Programmes
Bransholme Trust
Funded by the Sir James Reckitt Charity and the Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust, Hull CVS administers small grants to voluntary and community sector organisations delivering support to the local community of Bransholme by way of 'The Bransholme Trust'. Over the past year, funding was awarded to a diverse range of projects, including dance groups, local sports teams, knitting & craft groups, community stores and residents associations. A total of 16 grants were awarded, totaling over £15,000.
Starter Grant
Again, funded by the Sir James Reckitt Charity, Hull CVS administers the 'Starter Grants' programme for small organisations during their set up period. A key strength of the fund is its integration with Hull CVS’s broader services. Many new groups first engage with training, volunteering, or governance support, which naturally opens conversations about available financial support, including the Starter Grant. These interactions allow staff to offer tailored guidance and highlight the grant as an opportunity for early-stage support.
Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund
The Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund is a grant fund with £20,000 available for organisations who are based or deliver activities in the South West Holderness Ward.
Eligible applicants are invited to submit an application between £500 and £5,000 to support work which aims to help promote greener living and or create better environments; inspire local people to learn or undertake training; or support the local community.
This year’s applicants included schools, football clubs, community centres, pre-schools, support groups, and local councils, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the local community. The fund was oversubscribed with over £40,000 worth of applications made. A total of 12 applications received a share of the £20,000 funds available.
Hull Aid in Sickness Trust
Since 2017, Hull CVS has provided grant administration support to the Hull Aid in Sickness Trust (HAIST). HAIST fund items to eligible individuals who are sick or are recovering from illness and have no other means of accessing vital items. In addition to providing grants administration, Hull CVS also prepares all accounts and financial statements, as well as advising on charitable compliance.
Operational Support
Office Accommodation
Over the last year, Hull CVS has welcomed new tenants to our office spaces as well as new and returning customers for our room hire service across both of our sites; The Strand on Beverley Road and Centre 88 on Anlaby Road.
Room Hire & Training Facilities
Across our two sites we continue to offer a choice of 6 training rooms and 5 interview rooms suitable to different audience levels, layouts and use. This year we had 562 bookings from 39 organisations into our hired room facilities.
VCSE Payroll Service
Hull CVS provides high quality payroll support to a number of small organisations and local charities. There are currently 34 groups who receive payroll support from Hull CVS, employing 170 employees between them. n the lead-up to the introduction of new payroll regulations in April 2025, the team played a key role in helping these groups prepare and ensure compliance with the updated requirements.
Community Provision
Direct Payments Payroll Service
Under a grant agreement from Hull City Council, a payroll service is provided to individuals in receipt of a Direct Payment and who employ a carer/personal assistant. During the financial year, over 600 individuals have been supported, providing payroll services to over 800 Personal Assistants.
Healthwatch Hull
During 2024/25 Healthwatch Kingston upon Hull has given advice to 12,947 people; 127 people have shared their experiences; 32 reports have been published; and volunteers have committed 224 hours to the service.
In 2024, we published our Voice of the Street report which followed a large project we delivered to understand access to, and experience of ambulance services for people experiencing homelessness.
Following the report, Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) have begun making improvements in response to our recommendations, for example, introducing new standard operating procedures (SOP) for Patient Transport Service and NHS 111 to improve accessibility for people experiencing homelessness as well as planning a homelessness awareness training programme for frontline staff. The project has been incredibly successful and led to us being shortlisted for a Healthwatch England National Impact Award.
Our Young Healthwatch Hubs have taken place over the year in schools, colleges, Hull University and youth groups across the city. The Hubs are supported by our Young Healthwatch volunteers to allow peer to peer conversations to take place, to share health and social care experiences and to provide signposting and information.
This year we spoke to over 500 young people. Their feedback was highlighted through our quarterly Young Healthwatch Reports which influence the improvement of services at Place level as well as at ICB level through the Children and Young People’s Transformation Programme.
We carried out a feedback project around the Care at Home pilot reviews as part of the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT) work, which involved contacting people who had given consent to provide their feedback on the review. The report was shared with the INT implementation group and carers information is now included in the review packs following the report.
We spoke to social workers and staff from residential care homes following feedback that an ineffective relationship was having a negative impact on residents in care homes.
Following our report, Hull City Council Adult Social Care have committed to working with the Principal Social Worker to develop an effective communication plan with social work teams on the role of residential care providers and a contact directory, including direct contacts at each care home for social workers to use.
Health Captains
The Health Captains programme is an initiative to identify ways that volunteering can help reduce pressures on NHS services and empower people in their health and care journey. A number of individual projects are delivered as part of this wider programme.
The Long Term Conditions Buddy Telephone Support Service aims to utilise lived experience of long-term conditions to provide peer support to others discharged from hospital with the same issue. Through this service, our mission is to help people to better self-manage their conditions and avoid hospital re admittance.
Since launching in March 2024, the service has gone from strength to strength receiving referrals not only from the VCSE Discharge Collaborative but from social prescribers, family support workers at local family hubs, Healthwatch teams and client self-referral.190 referrals were received during the year, with 352 hours of support provided and 71 concerns escalated to health and social care providers.
Health Captains also aims to reduce hospital admissions in the elderly population by having young volunteers supporting with tackling loneliness and social isolation in local care homes. This programme aims to support the adult social care workforce agenda by creating pathways to employment for those furthest from the labour market.
Advertised as a “try before you buy” into the adult social care market, we have allowed students aged 16+ to create activities with their own interests at the heart of all of this. Creating activities alongside care home staff such as reading, quizzes and light mobility exercises such as Quoites, the young volunteers keep residents mentally active and engaged, and also encourage hydration by offering regular drinks to residents.
Hull Food Partnership
Since Hull CVS began hosting Hull Food Partnership (HFP) in October 2023, HFP has made significant progress bringing Hull's food future to local and national attention. HFP is now reaching deeper into Hull's communities to support sustainable food choices, health and wellbeing.
The Hull Food Strategy was finalised and endorsed by the Hull Integrated Health and Care Partnership Joint Committee in December 2024. Five Task and Finish Groups are now developing the Hull Food Action Plan, ensuring collective action takes place to develop Hull’s food future.
The Hull Food Charter was also launched at HFP’s annual Seed Celebration to 226 people and 20 organisations in February 2025, enabling the public to have a stake and contribute to creating a healthier, more equitable food system in the city.
Facilitated by HFP, the Hull Food Inequality Alliance meets bi-monthly to tackle food inequality across Hull. Key achievements include:
Partnership work with Feeding Britain, leading to funding of a Citizens Advice worker to be co-located across 3 community organisations,
Developing a motion on the Right to Grow (presented at the Labour Party Conference in October 2024),
Launching the Tackling Destitution Together project in February 2025 with Trussell, Hull Food Bank, and Hull City Council.
Following successful delivery of a bulk food purchasing project (2023/2024), funding from the Integrated Care Board was awarded to develop a bulk food purchasing co-operative for community food providers. Additionally, funding from the Household Support Fund was provided to support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-led groups with access to culturally appropriate food.
Working with local company CK Foods, HFP sourced a range of suitable foods, supporting 17 organisations to feed 3,000 households in Hull between January and March 2025. Partnership with CK Foods also led to Hull's first Halal food bank and earned them the High Sheriff Award.
Hull's ground-breaking Right to Grow motion gained national and international attention after unanimous approval. HFP represented the voice of community groups in Hull, supporting development of policy and process. Following extensive development work, Hull City Council Cabinet endorsed the final policy in March 2025. This initiative attracted funding from Friends of the Earth and the Cooperative Bank, supporting two-year Postcode Gardener programmes in Orchard Park and Bransholme.
Subsidiary Arms
In 2010 the trustees decided to diversify into alternative markets and geographical areas, to support the longer term sustainability of the charity. These primary areas of diversification have reached a level of maturity whereby they have repaid the initial financial investment made by Hull CVS and are consistently generating a surplus which is donated to Hull CVS to support the charity's core objectives.
Meeting New Horizons CIC
In 2010 the trustees decided to diversify into alternative markets and geographical areas, to support the longer term sustainability of the charity. The primary areas of diversification have reached a level of maturity whereby they have repaid the initial financial investment made by Hull CVS and are consistently generating a surplus which is donated to Hull CVS to support the charity's core objectives.
Meeting New Horizons CIC is a wholly owned subsidiary, set up to deliver community based activity in the wider Yorkshire & Humber region.
In the year to 31 March 2025 the company achieved turnover of £752,023 and generated a surplus of £24,612.
Programmes delivered under Meeting New Horizons include:
Doncaster Macmillan Benefit Advice and Advocacy Service
Delivered by a team of advisors and volunteers, the service acts as a one-stop-shop for people affected by cancer to access independent and confidential advice and information. The service supports people from the point of diagnosis through treatment and onwards, and provides advice on welfare benefits and entitlements, offers advocacy and support at benefit Tribunals, and provides access to Macmillan and other charity grants. This programme has been running since January 2014 and is currently funded until May 2026. During the last 12 months the service has supported 931 families affected by cancer, helping them to access the state benefits and grants they are entitled to. This has included securing £239,848 in backdated benefits and other charity grants; £36,120 in reduced liability such as written off debt; £31,200 in Macmillan grants, and have obtained 440 blue bade parking permits for patients.
Healthwatch East Riding
During 2024/25 Healthwatch East Riding gave advice to 11,760 individuals; 6786 people shared their experiences; 23 reports have been published; and volunteers have committed 355 hours to the service.
2024 showcased a year of ongoing community engagement, strong collaborative partnerships, and a range of volunteer interaction that continues to place residents’ voices at the heart of health and social care in East Riding of Yorkshire. With a focus on rural, coastal, and isolated populations, the team delivered a broad programme of work reflecting local needs and achieving tangible results.
Major projects included a high-impact investigation into GP access in Bridlington, revealing significant communication barriers and service challenges. The findings influenced parliamentary discussions and contributed to regional planning through the Bridlington Health Strategy 2025. Similarly, work on SEND services led to the reinstatement of vital drop-in sessions after community concerns were raised.
Projects focused on Endometriosis and Adenomyosis gathered rich insight from over 250 people, shaping future service discussions and reducing stigma.
The Young Carers and Young Healthwatch initiatives expanded significantly, enabling young people to speak directly to system leaders and gain real-world skills. These initiatives led to practical outcomes such as reduced travel times for services and better engagement in youth forums, including co-designed health campaigns and targeted NHS feedback tools.
Additionally, HWERY’s collaboration with the Research Engagement Network (REN) created “research-ready” community champions to ensure marginalised groups were included in health research and service planning.
Healthwatch North Lincolnshire
During 2024/25 Healthwatch North Lincolnshire gave advice to 2413 individuals; 2012 people shared their experiences; 33 reports have been published; and volunteers have committed 120 hours to the service.
Throughout 2024, local residents shared concerns about the lack of support services for neurodiverse people, both before and after diagnosis. In response, we conducted face-to-face engagement, ensuring we heard directly from those affected. Our work highlighted critical gaps in services that impact neurodiverse people’s mental health, whether they are awaiting diagnosis or already diagnosed. The lack of commissioned services in North Lincolnshire significantly affects daily life, making it harder for individuals to access the help they need. Our findings kickstarted discussions with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDASH), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and Cloverleaf Advocacy, ensuring that key stakeholders understand these challenges. Importantly, the report is now shaping North Lincolnshire’s 2026 Autism Strategy, helping to build a more supportive and accessible system for neurodiverse individuals.
In 2024 we completed an Oral Health in Care homes project, which was a revisit of a previous piece of work that was completed in 2019. The aim of the project was to assess whether there had been any progress made in access to dentistry, staff training and oral health provision over the last 5 years. The project involved our team of staff and volunteers carrying out Enter and View visits to the same 11 care homes visited in 2019 and asking the same questions to measure progress. Our follow up report highlighted that the recommendations that had been made in 2019 had made a positive impact on the oral health of residents living in care homes in North Lincolnshire. The 2024 visits highlighted an improvement in staff training, Oral Health policies and that most residents were now registered with either a community or domiciliary dental service.
Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire
During 2024/25 Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire gave advice to 1330 individuals; 3494 people shared their experiences; 16 reports have been published; and volunteers have committed 162 hours to the service.
During 2024 Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire was approached by North East Lincolnshire Council to review the care at home service ahead of its re-tendering in April 2025. As part of this, we worked closely with local residents, care providers, and the council to ensure that services reflect the needs of the community. In total, 404 people shared their experiences, including service users, families, and care agency staff. A focus on consistent carers was highlighted as a priority, ensuring that individuals receive care from familiar professionals to build trust and improve communication. Many residents expressed concerns about communication with care agencies, particularly when carers were late or did not arrive when expected. The findings will help shape the new contract, ensuring that services are more responsive and tailored to individual needs.
Every three years, Healthwatch North East Lincolnshire helps review how well pharmacy services are meeting the needs of local residents. This helps decision-makers improve services and plan for the future. In early 2025 we worked with the local public health team to gather feedback from 704 people, to understand their thoughts on using local pharmacies. The findings will help NHS and local authorities improve services provided and help people manage their health more effectively.
North Lincolnshire Children's Direct Payments Advice and Payroll Service
Meeting New Horizons have delivered this service since 2018, In addition to payroll provision, the service provides full end to end recruitment and HR support and guidance for the users of the Direct Payment system for children in North Lincolnshire. There are currently 35 families in North Lincolnshire receiving support from MNH, employing 60 Personal Assistants between them. In addition to the 35 sole trader employers, 13 families have been in the early stages of service use, recruiting workers or awaiting outcomes of DBS checks. As these families onboard new personal assistants, the payroll team offer guidance on recruitment, contracts, and payment processes.
Rainbow Nursery
Following 11 years of owning the division of Rainbow Nursery Hull Ltd, the trustees took the decision to rehome Rainbow Nursery and Pre School with another provider, so that Hull CVS as the parent charity could focus its resources on the growing demand of our core purpose in supporting the development and sustainability of the wider voluntary sector. In April 2024, Child Dynamix acquired Rainbow Nursery Hull Ltd. Hull CVS has ceased any involvement in the running or management of the nursery during the 2024/25 financial year; however the subsidiary is still featured in this year’s accounts due to a year’s wind down being required for accounting closure purposes.
The trustees' decision to diversify into alternative markets and geographic areas has proved to be a major factor in the continued growth of Hull CVS. Both Meeting New Horizons and Rainbow Nursery have now repaid their financial commitments to Hull CVS and are now in a position to donate to Hull CVS, supporting the charity's core objectives.
The group is in a position of stability and is in a position to commit annual consecutive resources to delivering the core objectives of the charity.
The estates portfolio of the Strand and Centre 88 has created a significant asset base, providing Hull CVS with two freehold properties with a combined book value in excess of £815k according to new valuations conducted during 2023.
The trustees continue to be confident that both the charity, operating in its own right and its trading subsidiaries will achieve their forecasts for the next twelve months. The trustees are also aware of their continued dependence on the grants and contracts issued from the Public Sector and continue to seek other forms of income by maximising their resources and infrastructure.
General funds are to be retained and re-invested in accordance with the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association and the charity's objectives. As part of this year’s review of the organisation’s reserves policy, the policy has now been refreshed in response to our current and forecasted position over the next three financial years. The trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation. The policy agreed is to maintain a general reserve of unrestricted funds sufficient to meet four to six months running costs. A separate reserve fund of £200,000 has been allocated to our estates portfolio, in recognition of the size and age of our two buildings. Whilst grants are always sought for major works, there is always a level of reactive maintenance and repair that is required that is beyond the scope of grants or insurance cover. Further reserves are held to mitigate against the ongoing risk that a historical pensions deficit presents. The trustees have agreed to make ongoing annual commitments above and beyond external funding to enhance delivery of the charity’s core objectives, with further commitments planned to be made over the next three years to increase this investment further and reduce our reserves down to our target position.
Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place. The charity has formalised the process of risk management through the use of a risk register adopted by the trustees and is reviewed on a regular basis. A performance monitoring process, based on an exception reporting system, highlights areas of risk in service delivery.
The future plans for the organisation during 2025/26 include:
-Refreshing our strategy for Hull CVS and our subsidiaries.
-Re-securing contracts for current services that are due for re-tender in the coming year.
-Concluding the delivery of a number of short term grants programmes.
-Increasing the office rental and training provision occupancy across our estates.
-To continue delivery of intensive embryonic and incubatory support to voluntary sector organisations.
-Increasing our investment in developing the wider sector.
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.
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5 June 1981 and registered as a charity on 10 October 1983. The company was established under a Memorandum and Articles of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the Company being wound up its members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The governing document for the organisation was refreshed in 2022, to bring it up to date with current legislation and Charity Commission guidelines.
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 directors of the company are also Charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company's' articles are known as the Executive Committee. A third of members of the Executive Committee retire by rotation at each Annual General Meeting. If the vacancy arising from retiring rotation is not filled, the Board member can stand for re-appointment. New members of the Executive Committee are generally elected from within the membership of the charity. Trustees can also be co-opted to supply additional expertise not found within the membership, following a recruitment process in which we reach out to our network of relationships and through formal advertisements.
The membership of the Board of trustees seeks to reflect the diversity of the membership from the voluntary sector and statutory partners. It also seeks to maintain a relevant skill mix within the Board of Trustees in order to be able to fulfil its duties as a trustee body.
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Hull CVS, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and legal and regulatory guidelines; and for reviewing the activity of the charity.
The Executive Committee meet at least quarterly and are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity. The Chief Executive is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day to day operations and finance of the charity. A representative from the management executive acts as a Company Secretary and sits on the Executive Committee but has no voting rights.
A trustee induction pack has been prepared for new trustees. This includes information on the roles and responsibilities of charity trustees, drawn from Charity Commission publications and a specific trustees role description drawn up by Hull CVS. New trustees are invited to undertake a short training session with the Chief Executive in order to understand the work of the charity and their role within it. Trustees are encouraged to undertake further training and also receive regular updates from the Charity Commission about issues relating to their role as trustees.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Rackhams Accountants Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Hull Community and Voluntary Services Group 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; 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.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Hull Community and Voluntary Services Group (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
As part of our planning process:
We enquired of management the systems and controls the company has in place, in the areas of the financial statements that are mostly susceptible to the risk of irregularities and fraud, and whether there was any known, suspected, or alleged fraud.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the company and we determined that the following were most relevant: FRS 102, Companies Act 2006, Health and Safety at Work Act and Employment Law.
We considered the incentives and opportunities that exist in the company, including the extent of management bias, which present a potential for irregularities and fraud to be perpetrated, and tailored our risk assessment accordingly.
Using our knowledge of the company, together with the discussions held with the company at the planning stage, we formed a conclusion on the risk of misstatement due to irregularities, including fraud, and tailored our procedures according to this risk assessment.
The key procedures we undertook to detect irregularities including fraud during the course of the audit included:
Identifying and testing journal entries and the overall accounting records. In particular, we tested items that were significant and unusual.
Reviewing the financial statement disclosures and determining whether accounting policies have been appropriately applied.
Reviewing and challenging the assumptions and judgements used by management in their significant accounting estimates. In particular, we considered going concern and impairment of trade debtors.
Assessing the extent of compliance, or lack of, with the relevant laws and regulations.
Testing key revenue lines.
Performing physical verification of key assets.
Obtaining third party confirmation of material balances.
Documenting and verifying all significant related party balances and transactions.
Reviewing documentation such as the company board minutes, correspondence with solicitors, for discussions of irregularities including fraud.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities and fraud rests with the directors.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Rackhams Accountants Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Hull Community and Voluntary Services Group is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Strand, 75 Beverley Road, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU3 1XL, England.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)". 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 or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fair value at the reporting end date. The surplus or deficit on revaluation is recognised in profit or loss.
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.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The 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.
The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, and is based on actuarial advice.
The change in the net defined benefit liability arising from employee service during the year is recognised as an employee cost. The cost of plan introductions, benefit changes, settlements and curtailments are recognised as incurred.
The net interest element is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit liability by the discount rate, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The net interest is recognised in income/(expenditure) for the year.
Remeasurement changes comprise actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on the net defined benefit liability excluding amounts included in net interest. These are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income/(expenditure) in subsequent periods.
The net defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information, and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension benefit asset is limited to the amount that may be recovered either through reduced contributions or agreed refunds from the scheme.
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.
Apportionment of costs
Finance and administrative staff salaries which are not covered by services charges to beneficiaries are apportioned to individual projects based on the number of full time equivalent staff.
Management staff salaries which are not covered by services charged to beneficiaries are apportioned to individual projects based on the number of full time equivalent staff.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
In response to the trading position the trustees have streamlined the management structure and have fine-tuned delivery methods to increase efficiency and performance whilst maintaining cost effectiveness.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Land and buildings with a carrying amount of £490,000 were revalued on 10 May 2023 by PPH Commercial, independent valuers not connected with the charity on the basis of market value. The valuation conforms to International Valuation Standards and was based on recent market transactions on arm's length terms for similar properties.
If freehold land and buildings had not been revalued they would have been included at the following historical cost 2024: £531,370 (2023: £531,370).
The fair value of the investment property has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out 10 May 2023 by PPH Commercial, who are not connected with the charity. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties.
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.
(a) Hull Community and Voluntary Services Limited (Hull CVS) participates in the Pensions Trust's Growth Plan (the Plan). The plan is funded and is not contracted out of the State Scheme. The plan is a multi-employer pension plan.
(b) Contributions paid into the Plan up to and including September 2001 were converted to defined amounts of pension payable from normal retirement from October 2001 contributions were invested in personal funds which have a capital guarantee and which are converted to pension on retirement, either within the Plan or by the purchase of an annuity.
(c) The rules of the Plan allow for the declaration of bonuses and/or investment credits if this is within the financial capacity of the Plan assessed on a prudent basis. Bonus/Investment credits are not guaranteed and are declared at the discretion of the Plan's Trustee.
(d) The Trustee commissions an actuarial valuation of the Plan every three years. The purpose of the actuarial valuation is to determine the funding position of the plan by comparing the assets with the past liabilities as at the valuation date. Asset values are calculated by reference to market levels. Accrued past service liabilities are valued by discounting expected future benefit payments using a discounted rate calculated by reference to the expected future investment returns.
(e) The rules of the Plan give the Trustee the power to require employers to pay additional contributions in order to ensure that the statutory funding objective under the Pension Act 2004 is met. The statutory funding objective is that a pension scheme should have sufficient assets to meet its past service liabilities, known as Technical Provisions.
(f) If the actuarial valuation reveals a deficit, The Trustee will agree a recovery plan to eliminate the deficit over a specified period of time either by way of additional contributions from employers, investment Returns or a combination of these.
(g) The rules of the Plan state that the proportion of obligatory contributions to be borne by the member and the members employer shall be determined by agreement between them. Such agreement shall require the employer to pay part of such contributions.
(h) Hull CVS paid contributions at the rate of 10% during the accounting period. Members contributions are voluntary, and members paid contributions at the rate of 1.85% during the accounting period. Contribution rates are calculated with reference to the total gross wages.
(i) At the balance sheet date there were 23 active members of the Plan employed by Hull CVS. The existing Growth Plan 3 scheme is now closed to new entrants. Hull CVS offers a Money Purchase Pension Scheme to eligible employees.
(j) It is not possible in the normal course of events to identify a reasonable and consistent basis the share of underlying assets and liabilities belonging to individual participating employers. The Plan is a multi-employer scheme, where the assets are co-mingled for investment purposes, and benefits are paid out of the Plan's total assets. Accordingly, due to the nature of the Plan, the accounting charge for the period under FRS17 represents the employer contribution payable.
The pension cost charged represents contributions payable by the company to the fund amounting to £23,271 (2024 £23,812). The outstanding contributions at the year end were £56,234 (2022 £79,506).
The amounts included in the balance sheet arising from the charity's obligations in respect of defined benefit plans are as follows:
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.
Starter and Bransholme Trust grants
The purpose of these funds is to enable new groups to apply for small start-up grants and groups in Bransholme to apply for grants to help with start up and running costs. They are funded by annual donations from the Sir James Reckitt Charitable Trust and East Riding Charitable Trust.
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.
Designated funds
In accordance with best practice, designated funds are specific funds set aside by the trustees were there is a reasonable certainty of expenditure being incurred in the forthcoming year. The trustees believe that there is no longer a requirement for a specific provision for separate training and building maintenance funds. Redundancy provision is made in respect of pending redundancy liabilities.
General funds
General funds represent the balance of funds which are available for the objects of the charity and were no specific purpose has been attributed to such funds.
During the year the Charity had the following related party transactions with its Trustees and the organisations they represent on the Board of Hull Community and Voluntary Services Limited or alternatively organisations in which they hold an officer position which is not individually represented on the board of Hull Community and Voluntary Services Limited.
No disclosure is made in respect of transactions which are made on an arms length basis and on normal commercial terms.
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
These financial statements are group charity financial statements for Hull Community and Voluntary Services Ltd.
Details of the ultimate parent charity's subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
The charity had no material debt during the year.