The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 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).
Introduction
The trustees confirm that they had due regard to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities. When considering potential projects to support, Just1Life applies criteria which have been agreed on by the trustees, namely that it is educational in nature and has a transformational impact on those who are participating.
We work primarily on projects that are administered by organisations which have provided their safeguarding policies, and who also provide reports and financial accounts to the trustees for review. Just1Life maintains contact with the projects and their administrators. The Oxford Music project is specifically organised in conjunction with the relevant primary schools and is administered and supervised by the schools and is subject to their own safeguarding policies.
The trustees communicate on a regular basis, and maintain contact, for the purpose of reviewing the projects being funded.
The charity has low administrative costs as a majority of the work is done on a volunteer basis.
In October 2023, a decision was taken by the current board of trustees to bring Just 1 Life’s main charitable project in Kenya to a close and to wind down the projects undertaken by Just 1 Life, in particular in light of the fact that Just 1 Life’s projects were largely focussed overseas and the administration and oversight of those projects was increasingly onerous. Having had primary responsibility for managing the charity for many years, Andrew Green and Jennifer Hirschl indicated a wish to resign from the board. The initial intention was to close Just 1 Life. However, in early 2024, Leona Powell indicated a wish to continue with Just 1 Life’s work, but with a view to focussing on domestic projects rather than working on so many projects overseas. Further information is given below. As a result, the composition of the board of trustees was changed, and the trustees are now Leona Powell and a new trustee, Thomas Baker. Whilst the objects of the charity remain the same, the geographical focus is now on the UK and overseas projects have been reduced.
Just1Life's principal objective is to have an immediate and transformative positive impact on the lives of those people it supports. The current focus is on (1) providing access to education to those who would otherwise be deprived of that opportunity, and (2) supporting local projects that tangibly improve the lives of vulnerable and disenfranchised young people within their communities. This purpose remains the same.
Oxford Outreach Music
For the academic year 2024-2025, Just1Life embarked on a new project in Oxford, in cooperation with the Castalian Quartet, the string quartet in residence at the University of Oxford. The object of the project is to introduce primary school age children in state education to classical music, to give them real experience of hearing world class musicians playing live and interacting with them, and to work together to produce a piece of music to be given in a performance at the end of the school year. The Castalian Quartet delivered interactive classes each term, together with an animateur, Lucy Drever. The project was conducted across two schools, Wolvercote Primary and Cutteslow Primary, and across two year groups (years 3 and 4). Over 90 children were engaged with the project, and the final performances were delivered at St Andrew’s Church hall in Cutteslowe.
David O Mahoney Endeavour
Just1Life supported David O Mahoney by providing a total payment of £20,000 to enable David to deliver his Endeavour Programme to students at St Ignatius school in London. The project provides an ex military serviceperson to deliver a rolling 8-week programme supporting students most in need of an intervention. The Endeavour Programme provides a combination of physical based sessions, group based workshops, specialist one to one support, school trips and award presentations. The purpose of the programme is to empower participants to enact positive changes in their behaviours, attitudes, and mindset.
Getting Court
During the year, Just1Life provided the funding for Getting Court to run its annual programme. Getting Court is an established charity whose purpose is to offer school age pupils in Oxfordshire an informal insight into the workings of the criminal justice system through accompanied visits to Crown Courts and prisons. The students come from the mainstream system, Pupil Referral Units (PRU), Adult Training units, social services, local councils and the police. The conceptual foundation of the programme is that going to court and visiting prisons provides a very clear lesson in citizenship and helps students navigate some of the very troubling issues with which they are faced today. The aim is to deter them from making bad choices and encourage a better understanding of how crime affects their lives. Those who are vulnerable can be reassured by witnessing the justice system at work supporting victims of crime.
In summary, over the last financial year, Just1Life has funded multiple scholarships in Tanzania, it has funded an entirely new music project in Oxford, and it has provided support to two established programmes delivering transformational educational opportunities to children in London and Oxford. The charity has thereby had a transformational impact on the lives of multiple young people.
Legacy projects
1) Kenya - University Scholars
Between 2016 and 2023, Just1Life awarded scholarships (covering tuition and living expenses) to students at a number of Keying universities. The university scholars were selected on the basis of academic ability. Over its course, the Programme in Kenya has funded approximately 60 university students through a range of degrees. The last remaining Kenyan scholar finished their studies in December 2023.
2) Tanzania - Mvumi
Just1Life's Tanzanian University scholarship programme began in 2016. Since the programme started, Just1Life has provided over 44 scholarships (including to seven blind or visually impaired students) and over 24 students have now graduated from Tanzanian universities so far.
We provided scholars with tuition fees and living expenses and, in the case of the blind students, the costs of specialist equipment needed to enable them to complete their studies.
The Just1Life scholars are selected on the basis of academic ability. They were selected from a pool of candidates referred to Just1Life by the Mvumi School Trust in Tanzania, with whom Just1Life has an ongoing relationship. Without the scholarship, the students would be unable to attend university. Their courses have included Medicine, Accounting, Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Finance, Pharmacology, Law, Nursing, and Engineering.
During the 2023-24 financial year a further 6 scholars were funded privately by Leona Powell as a result of the uncertainty as to the future of Just1Life, as indicated above. The Mvumi project is very efficient and effective, in particular as a result of the excellent partnership between Just1Life and the Mvumi School Trust, another UK based charity, which takes on the primary responsibility for putting forward a pool of potential candidates as scholars (who are then selected on the basis of ability and need by Just1Life) and distributing scholarship funds to students. Leona again continued to give financial support to Mvumi during the 2024-25 financial year. 4 new students are undertaking courses in Veterinary Medicine, Telecommunications Engineering, Education and Art and Business Innovation. She continues to fund the previously appointed scholars as they continue their studies. There are currently 15 scholars receiving support.
3) Sari Hati in Bali, Indonesia
As a result of the changes to Just1Life indicated above, the charity no longer funds Sari Hati. It is understood that the home still receives direct funding from some of the previous trustees.
The charity had a surplus for the year of £10,024 (2024: £27,016) and made charitable donations in the furtherance of its objectives of £124,590 (2024: £36,810). At 30 June 2025 the charity had unrestricted reserves of £39,514 (2024: £29,490). The trustees are satisfied that the objectives of the charity continue to be achieved. Post year end the charity has continued to receive funding enabling the trustees to make donations in accordance with the charity's objectives including the long-term support and development of our education projects.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Looking ahead to the next financial year, Just 1 Life intends to carry on its charitable objects in line with those identified above, until the end of the financial year to June 2026. However, in Summer 2026 the Trustees intend to formally review whether or not to continue with Just1Life. In particular, although the Oxford Outreach music project has been very successful, it has also been very costly. Just1Life’s other projects are considered to deliver excellent value relative to the funds required to support them, but they are predominantly administered by other existing charitable structures. Consequently it would be possible for the trustees to fund almost all of those charitable projects on a personal basis. No decision has been finally made at the time of this report, and the position will be reviewed following the conclusion of this year’s music project.
The charity is run by a board of trustees and constituted as a company limited by guarantee. The governing document is the company's articles of association.
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 trustees of Just1Life Ltd are based in London. The trustees raise funds and manage the charity. New trustee appointments may be made by ordinary resolution.
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
The trustees (who are also the directors of Just 1 Life Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. 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 accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustee's report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Just 1 Life Limited (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Just 1 Life Limited is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9BQ.
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” (“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 charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, However, the trustees intend to formally review the future of Just1Life and no decision has been finally made at the time of this report. The trustees are aware of this uncertainties which may cause doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Gift Aid reclaimable
Funding of Scholarship to centers in Kenya, Tanzania and Bali
Funding of Oxford Outreach Music
Funding of David O Mahoney Endeavour
Funding of Getting Court
Analysis of donations made
Scholarship and other funding include funds to Centres in Kenya, Tanzania and Bali £Nil (2024: £14,810) and three projects in the UK £124,590 (2024: £22,000).
The average monthly number of employees, including the trustees, during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The company is limited by guarantee. The liability of members is limited by the company's Memorandum of Association to a sum not exceeding £10 per member.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).