REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC315652 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC037778

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

for

Wiston Lodge

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

Notes to the Financial Statements

7

to

15

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

Wiston Lodge provides a beautiful residential centre catering for many different groups but with the main emphasis on working with young people to encourage their physical, mental and spiritual development, especially those with additional support needs. It helps all who visit and enjoy and respect the environment as well as lead them into positive pathways regarding emotional development, employability options and preparing to take up their role in society..

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The company was established in 2007 initially to provide a residential experience in a safe rural environment offering people, especially the young and those who are vulnerable or at risk, the time and space to learn and grow, be challenged, and have fun, make friends, as well as memories.

Our mission is to empower individuals through transformative outdoor experiences. We believe in the inherent value of outdoor education in fostering personal growth, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

To do this we:

> Deliver tailored learning programmes to children and young people, vulnerable adults, and to the staff of the organisations' that support them.

> Work with our surrounding community to support, sustain and build a brighter future for our local area.

> Offer our hospitality, recreational facilities and training to groups who support our charitable purpose.

The core programmes we run to support our mission are:

> Adventure activities

> Nature connections (Bushcraft, forest skills)

> Music and Art

> Renewable Energy Education

Our qualified and experienced team provide tailored programmes that promote Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) for participants. Individuals develop core skills, like problem solving, communication, teamwork and adaptability, as well as promoting physical activity, improved wellbeing, confidence and resilience.

Public benefit

The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by the Charities SORP FRS 102.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of the Year

The year to March 2025 has been one of consolidation and exploration. Wiston Lodge has continued to deliver educational and nature-based development programmes, through residential visits, day sessions, core partnerships and community events.

Partners and referrer agencies included primary and secondary schools as well as youth groups, increasing our youth engagement. Sometimes this included specialist and targeted agencies that support those most disengaged from mainstream learning, life and employment. As always, strong partnerships and strategic links are fundamental to the joined-up approach Wiston Lodge continues to take.

In addition, Wiston Lodge provides direct services to individuals, local groups and communities, including school holiday programmes, after school clubs, volunteer skills training, supported employment and workplace wellness. We evaluate our services and measure impact through case studies, feedback and surveys.

Wiston Lodge continues to work on building its capacity, investing in its infrastructure and placing people and communities at the centre of its activity. Studies have shown that being in nature has a positive effect on all of us, our physical and mental health. We place relationships and quality youth work approaches at the heart of our delivery, with experienced practitioners being able to engage everyone, regardless of their needs, ensuring our work is not only fun and challenging, but also inclusive and accessible.

Wiston Lodge generates income from our social enterprise, with a diverse client base ranging from schools and uniform groups to singers and music groups as well as foragers and those with environmental interests. We also rely on grants from trusts and foundations, private donations and public sector grant opportunities. Wiston Lodge thanks all our external funders including individual donors and grant funders such as National Lottery Young Start and its support for the Path of the Little People.

Looking forward after a year of consolidation, the Board is delighted by the appointment of our new Chief Executive, David Murdoch, to lead the organisation to further success. The Scottish Parliament passed the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill in December 2025 which will see all pupils benefit from our core work in outdoor education.

We are grateful for the award of a sustainability grant of £150,000 from South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund. Taken with a further grant from Lanarkshire CLLD of £40,000 for broad feasibility studies, a new Strategic Plan will seek to diversify revenue streams and ensure sustainability going forward and create new opportunities for Wiston Lodge.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

There are currently unrestricted funds of £1,889,118 (2024 - £1,950,832) and restricted funds of £107,371 (2024 - £127,401) available at the year end. Total funds at the year end equate to £1,996,489 (2024 - £2,078,233). Of the total funds, £50,241 (2024 - £42,477) is held in cash.

Net expenditure for the year amounted to £81,744 (2024 - £2,644), comprising unrestricted funds of £61,714 (2024 - £149,505) and restricted funds of £20,030 (2024 - (£146,841)).

Reserves policy

The general fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from the past operating results. The Board has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be equal to two months of resources expended. At this level the Board feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. The charity continues to assess the need for this level of reserves in the current financial year.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The company is limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. In the event of the company being wound up the members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 each.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Board of Directors. Directors are appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

The directors who served during the year are set out on the beginning of the trustees' report.

Induction and training of new trustees

The directors keep the necessary skill requirements of Board Members under review. If there are vacancies for board members, individuals are approached to offer themselves for appointment to the Board at the Annual General Meeting, when nominations are solicited.

The overall duty of each director is to ensure that the company operates in a manner which enables it to fulfil its objectives as efficiently as possible. They should:

> ensure that the company complies with its founding Articles, charity law and other relevant legislation

> contribute actively to the board's role in giving clear strategic advice to the company

> setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluation performance

> safeguard the good name and values of the company

> ensure the company's financial stability

> appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance

Risk policy

The directors have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirms that systems have been established to mitigate those risks, including: the establishment of a system of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects, an annual review of the risks which the charity may face and the implementation of action designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should any risks materialise.

We thank our dedicated board, staff team, freelancers and volunteers for all their fantastic efforts and commitment far beyond what we can afford to reward them for; the Board for trying to navigate the difficult balance between our finances and the need for our front line work; our funders for making it all possible; and everyone who got involved and made Wiston Lodge, a magical and memorable "Place to Grow".

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC315652 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

SC037778

Registered office

Wiston Lodge

Millrigg Road

Wiston

ML12 6HT

Trustees

M Beresford (resigned 30.1.25)

A K Burgauer Chairperson

J R Moffat

J C O Russell (resigned 18.6.25)

G Sutherland

J Robison

I Edwards

P Allan (appointed 1.2.25) (resigned 2.7.25)

Independent Examiner

Farries, Kirk & McVean

Chartered Accountants

Dumfries Enterprise Park

Heathhall

Dumfries

DUMFRIESSHIRE

DG1 3SJ

Chairperson

A K Burgauer until August 2024

J C O Russell from October 2024 until June 2025

A K Burgauer since June 2025

Chief Executive

David Murdoch from April 2025

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18th December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

A K Burgauer - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages five to fifteen.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention :

(1)	which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements

-	to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and

-	to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met; or

(2)	to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

David R Mitchell, MA, CA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Farries, Kirk & McVean

Chartered Accountants

Dumfries Enterprise Park

Heathhall

Dumfries

DUMFRIESSHIRE

DG1 3SJ

18th December 2025

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

3,580

96,398

99,978

252,912

Charitable activities

Residential activities

339,275

-

339,275

389,599

Investment income

2

932

-

932

733

Other income

3

27,904

-

27,904

28,073

Total

371,691

96,398

468,089

671,317

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Residential activities

429,405

116,428

545,833

665,981

Governance costs

4,000

-

4,000

8,000

Total

433,405

116,428

549,833

673,981

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(61,714

)

(20,030

)

(81,744

)

(2,664

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,950,832

127,401

2,078,233

2,080,897

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

1,889,118

107,371

1,996,489

2,078,233

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

8

2,254,995

-

2,254,995

2,284,993

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

9

12,750

41,589

54,339

172,824

Cash at bank and in hand

200

65,782

65,982

57,428

12,950

107,371

120,321

230,252

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(215,576

)

-

(215,576

)

(240,762

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

(202,626

)

107,371

(95,255

)

(10,510

)

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

2,052,369

107,371

2,159,740

2,274,483

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due after more than one year

11

(163,251

)

-

(163,251

)

(196,250

)

NET ASSETS

1,889,118

107,371

1,996,489

2,078,233

FUNDS

14

Unrestricted funds

1,889,118

1,950,832

Restricted funds

107,371

127,401

TOTAL FUNDS

1,996,489

2,078,233

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

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18th December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

A K Burgauer - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

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

Income

- All incoming resources are included in the SoFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

- Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

- Donated services and facilities are included at the the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of the services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

- Investment income is included when receivable.

- Incoming resources from charitable trading activities are accounted for when earned

- Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverable, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance

Expenditure

- All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category

- Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income

- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them

- Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirement of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity

- All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g floor area, staff time.

- Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objectives of the trust. The grants are accounts for where either the trustees have agreed to pay the grant without condition and the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant, or any condition attaching to the grant is outside the control of the trust.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

The company's operating expenses are financed from general unrestricted funds. Costs relating to restricted funding activities are allocated to those activities when incurred.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Buildings

-

1% on cost

Improvements to property

-

10% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

20% on cost and 5% on cost

Activity construction

-

10% on cost

The assets' residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

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

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the directors for particular purposes.

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

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

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for the sale of goods and services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price and represent the full value of the goods and services charged to customers, including any amounts charged on for third parties.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers.

Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date they are presented as non current liabilities.

Borrowings

Interest bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transactions costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Provisions and contingencies

Provisions are recognised when the company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Deposit account interest

932

733

3.	OTHER INCOME

2025

2024

£

£

Rents received

4,400

4,200

RHI income

23,504

23,873

27,904

28,073

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

£

Auditors' remuneration

-

4,000

Auditors' remuneration for non audit work

-

4,000

Depreciation - owned assets

29,998

31,162

Other operating leases

-

1,200

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

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

Trustees' expenses

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

6.	STAFF COSTS

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

2025

2024

Employees

11

17

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

7.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

58,285

194,627

252,912

Charitable activities

Residential activities

389,599

-

389,599

Investment income

733

-

733

Other income

28,073

-

28,073

Total

476,690

194,627

671,317

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Residential activities

618,195

47,786

665,981

Governance costs

8,000

-

8,000

Total

626,195

47,786

673,981

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(149,505

)

146,841

(2,664

)

Transfers between funds

132,760

(132,760

)

-

Net movement in funds

(16,745

)

14,081

(2,664

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

1,967,577

113,320

2,080,897

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

1,950,832

127,401

2,078,233

8.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

to

Land

Buildings

property

£

£

£

COST OR VALUATION

At 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025

988,310

916,979

264,006

DEPRECIATION

At 1st April 2024

-

-

13,681

Charge for year

-

-

12,725

At 31st March 2025

-

-

26,406

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31st March 2025

988,310

916,979

237,600

At 31st March 2024

988,310

916,979

250,325

Plant and

Activity

Office

machinery

construction

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

£

COST OR VALUATION

At 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025

272,084

22,416

17,083

2,480,878

DEPRECIATION

At 1st April 2024

157,421

15,696

9,087

195,885

Charge for year

13,333

2,240

1,700

29,998

At 31st March 2025

170,754

17,936

10,787

225,883

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31st March 2025

101,330

4,480

6,296

2,254,995

At 31st March 2024

114,663

6,720

7,996

2,284,993

Cost or valuation at 31st March 2025 is represented by:

Improvements

to

Land

Buildings

property

£

£

£

Valuation in 2020

-

(75,028

)

-

Cost

988,310

992,007

264,006

988,310

916,979

264,006

Plant and

Activity

Office

machinery

construction

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

£

Valuation in 2020

-

-

-

(75,028

)

Cost

272,084

22,416

17,083

2,555,906

272,084

22,416

17,083

2,480,878

The land and buildings were valued on 24th November 2020 by Whyte and Barrie, Chartered Surveyors. The valuation was on an open market basis. The value of land and buildings at cost was £1,975,027.

9.

DEBTORS

2025

2024

£

£

Amounts falling due within one year:

Trade debtors

8,442

97,259

Other debtors

44,797

51,971

Prepayments

1,100

-

54,339

149,230

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

Other debtors

-

23,594

Aggregate amounts

54,339

172,824

10.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12)

15,542

14,951

Other loans (see note 12)

89,925

24,566

Trade creditors

14,133

27,835

Social security and other taxes

6,904

5,773

VAT

16,669

36,238

Deferred income

50,431

100,968

Accrued expenses

21,972

30,431

215,576

240,762

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

£

Other loans (see note 12)

163,251

196,250

12.

LOANS

An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:

2025

2024

£

£

Amounts falling due within one year on demand:

Bank overdrafts

15,542

14,951

Energy Savings Trust loan

6,314

14,666

RBS Bounceback loan

8,611

9,900

SIS loan

75,000

-

105,467

39,517

Amounts falling between one and two years:

JCO Russell loan

10,000

-

Energy Savings Trust loan

-

2,516

RBS Bounceback loan

10,572

10,800

SIS loan

-

75,000

20,572

88,316

Amounts falling due between two and five years:

JCO Russell loan

30,000

30,600

RBS Bounceback loan

2,679

7,934

32,679

38,534

Amounts falling due in more than five years:

Repayable by instalments:

JCO Russell loan

110,000

69,400

13.	SECURED DEBTS

The following secured debts are included within creditors:

2025

2024

£

£

Bank overdrafts

15,542

14,951

SIS loan

75,000

75,000

90,542

89,951

The bank overdraft facility of £45,000 is secured upon one of the properties in the grounds of Wiston Lodge, known as Kennels Cottage, which has a valuation of £95,000.

SIS (Community Finance) Limited hold a Standard Security over the property at Wiston Lodge dated 28th June 2024 in respect of loan finance provided. The loan has been fully repaid post year end, in October 2025.