The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note to the financial statements and comply with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
An introduction to Imagine If Trust
Imagine If Trust was launched in September 2012 as the umbrella organisation for a number of social transformation projects.
Our vision is to ‘equip passionate people to work collaboratively in providing practical and emotional support’. In this we recognise the priority of working with people as holistically as possible, either by providing a range of projects under the Imagine If Trust umbrella or by partnering with other providers.
While the majority of our work is focussed on the Liverpool City Region, we also have the privilege of making a significant contribution to the lives of people abroad. To date this has primarily focussed on our Love Congo project – working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
The primary aims of Imagine If Trust are:
The relief of those in need, financial hardship, sickness or distress.
To advance education.
To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare.
The trustees confirm that they have referred 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.
Objectives reflecting the stated aims above are translated into our core activities, as outlined below.
The relief of those in need, financial hardship, sickness or distress
All of the projects that we undertake look to address this objective. Whether providing affordable food for those in food poverty or attending a court hearing with one of our tenants through our Genesis Housing project, all our activities have some element of bringing relief to those in distress.
To advance education
We believe in the power of learning both to empower individuals and to bolster their sense of self-esteem. A number of our projects contribute to this objective including Sticky Fingers Nursery which provides nursery education to children aged 2 to 4, our after school project and our Love Congo project supporting a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare
As part of our desire to help people out of homelessness we provide supported accommodation through our Genesis Housing project. We currently have 3 properties providing a total of 11 bed spaces in the Wavertree area of Liverpool.
Our partners
We would like to offer our thanks to all the organisations and individuals who have supported us in this and recent years work, including all of our volunteers, donors and sponsors. Everything Imagine If Trust has achieved has been reliant on your valuable contributions, in all their various forms. Thank you specifically to the following donors:
Acts 435
Benefact Trust
CAF Foundation
Feeding Liverpool
Freyson Consulting
Frontline Trust
Green Pastures
Kids Matter
LCVS
Liverpool City Council
Michael and Betty Little Trust
National Lottery Community Fund
Radio City Cash for Kids
Safe Families UK
Steve Morgan Foundation
Together Liverpool
Here is a quick summary of each of the projects:
Acts 435
Acts 435 provides a platform for one off needs to be listed on a website anonymously and individual donors match those needs. This direct giving provides fast, financial help to the people in need.
Family Matters
In partnership with the national charity Safe Families for Children, Family Matters provides intensive volunteer support to vulnerable families who are referred to us by social workers.
Food Hub
The Food Hub is a community food store open each week whereby local residents can join up as members and access a whole range of discounted foods for a subscription of £10 per month.
Genesis Housing
Genesis Housing offers supported accommodation to those who would otherwise be homeless or in hostel accommodation. We operate a total of four properties, housing 11 tenants who receive weekly support, coaching and signposting into education, employment or training.
Forever Young
A weekly coffee morning that offers companionship to lonely and isolated older people in our community. Our team of staff and volunteers provide space for a chat, to share in an interest or hobby with occasional day trips throughout the year.
Love Congo
Our Love Congo project works alongside partner organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we provide practical and financial support in a number of areas to help bring about change to these people. The main projects we support are based in the North East of the country where thousands of people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers is a parent/carer and toddler group aimed at providing support to parents of young children. These sessions provide a quality environment for the parent and child to explore the art of playing together. We provide refreshments and toast for parents and children, as well as craft activities, song time and a huge amount of space to run around!
Sticky Fingers Day Nursery
Sticky Fingers Day Nursery offers an excellent environment for learning and development, for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. The Nursery was launched in 2015 with assistance from Liverpool City Council who had identified a specific need for nursery provision in the L15 postcode area. The priority for the nursery is to offer places to local parents who qualify for free nursery provision.
The Zone
The Zone is our after-school club, started in September 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic and many local families needing extra provision. We now run a weekly session for school years 3-8.
Total income for the year amounted to £474,953 (2024: £502,152). Total expenditure amounted to £488,300 (2024: £465,144). Overall, this has resulted in a deficit for the year of £13,347 (Surplus 2024: £37,008). This resulted in a total of available unrestricted funds of £48.178 at the year end (2024: £68,882).
The trustees have reviewed the financial status of the Trust. Overall, the picture at the close of the year is a positive one. With generous support from funders, we finished the financial year in a healthy position, albeit with known challenges in the coming years. With a recognition that the current economic climate remains challenging for all organisations in the charity sector, as well as ongoing transition of projects and key personnel, close monitoring of expenditure and cashflow management are required.
Looking ahead into 2026 and beyond, we continue to be confident in our ability to deliver high quality services which will enable us to achieve our primary objectives.
Investment policy
There are no restrictions on the investment powers of the trustees. Our liquid funds are held in our current and savings accounts.
Reserves policy
Our reserves policy reflects our desire to maintain a liquid reserve to draw on in the event of any reduction in our donated income and to provide a measure of protection to the delivery our core objectives. We continue to aim to have a fund of free and liquid reserves equivalent to £60k. This represents 3 months running costs and meets the criteria of our loan agreement with Kingdom Bank.
As at the financial year end, the value of unrestricted reserves fell below policy, however our closing bank balance remained healthy, and having stabilised the charity's finances we are seeking to increase the charities reserves to the amount as stated in the policy.
Net unrestricted current assets at the year-end were £33,281 (2024 £53,870). See note 22.
Risk policy
The trustees have identified the following main risks to our organisation and responses to these risks are outlined below.
1. Health and Safety
A Health and Safety policy has been adopted. Work has been carried out on risk assessments of all existing and new activities and new risk assessments are undertaken as required. Health and Safety induction and training is provided for all involved in project work.
2. Child Protection & Vulnerable Adults
Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Policies are in place. The Trustees take seriously their responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to Imagine If’s care, and have all undertaken (or in the case of new trustees have been booked onto) Trustee safeguarding training. One Trustee has also been assigned as the Trustee Safeguarding lead.
All those involved (not just those who have access to children, young people and vulnerable adults) are briefed on their responsibilities and are made fully aware of the organisation’s child protection and vulnerable adults' policy and procedures. Those involved in activities where they may have contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults are required to undergo DBS checks. A Safeguarding Team has been appointed and meets regularly to ensure that the policy is being implemented and to ensure that the policy remains both effective and up to date. Effective processes are in place to escalate any safeguarding issues from the Safeguarding Team to the Trustee Safeguarding Lead to the Trustee Board where appropriate.
3. Financial Risks
Guidelines are issued to all on proper cash handling procedures and are updated at least once a year. Instructions are issued to avoid making purchases in cash unless it is unavoidable. Internal departmental procedures have been standardised. Departmental records and central accounts are monitored regularly and all departmental budget holders receive monthly budget performance reports.
We receive regular guidance on financial risks from our accountant, the Charity Commission, HMRC and various third sector agencies. This keeps us up to date with newer areas of risk. Our accountant also advises us of any specific areas of weakness that may be identified during the annual independent examination, so that we can take steps to correct or protect against them. The Trustees have also appointed a lead Trustee for finance to ensure the Trustee Board are appropriately sighted on any significant financial risks.
Plans for the future
Our three key success factors for the year ahead are:
Stories of changed lives – all our activities are about people and so stories of lives that have been supported to change are key to our success.
Building partnerships – we recognise that supporting people will often take a range of services and so whether it is strengthening links between projects within the Imagine If Trust portfolio, or effective signposting to other agencies, building partnerships is a core requirement.
Sustainability – whether it is excellent financial management, good charity governance, or effective fundraising, we recognise the need to strengthen sustainability to ensure that we can continue to serve in the years ahead.
Imagine If Trust is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 15 May 2012.
Management of Imagine If Trust The Trustees oversee the legal and financial responsibilities of the Trust, and they meet formally as a board on a regular basis. The trustees also have responsibility for the overall direction and vision of the charity. Day to day responsibility for the running of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and the management team working in conjunction with the various project leaders.
Trustees The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and in recent years were:
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None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
New Trustees are appointed following interviews and unanimous approval of the existing board. Careful attention is paid to individual skills, experience and organisational needs. Diversity, potential contribution, and conflicts of interest are also key considerations. The overall balance and functioning of the board are also considered.
Management Team
James Sloan (CEO) until December 2024, Jemma Orange (Development Manager and from January 2025 Interim CEO to January 2026) , Helen Ann Atkins (Operations Manager), Jon McCowen (Early Years Manager) Emma Cope (Family Support Manager & Nursery SENCo), Rachel Marshall (Family Support Manager) until October 2025.
Small company provisions
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On behalf of the board of trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors of Imagine If Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Imagine If Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Having satisfied myself that the accounts 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 accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
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 Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
Imagine If Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Frontline Centre, 147 Lawrence Road, Liverpool, L15 3HA.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the accounts 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 accounts.
Funds held by the charity are:
Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds - these are funds that 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 accounts.
Donation and legacy income is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions is recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided). Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
On occasions where the charity received assistance in the form of donated goods and facilities, and the benefit is quantifiable and material, an appropriate amount is included in income and an equivalent amount as expenditure under the relevant heading. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
Income from donated services and facilities is included in income at a valuation which is an estimate of the financial cost borne by the donor where such a cost is quantifiable and measurable. No income is recognised when there is no financial cost borne by a third party.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. The irrecoverable element of VAT is included with the item of expenses to which it relates as this cannot be recovered by the charitable company.
Raising funds comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of fundraising events.
Charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. Also included is Governance costs which are associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity.
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost and, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised at cost.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Freehold land is not depreciated.
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 net income/(expenditure) for the year.
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.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.
Taxation
The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. Recovery is made of tax deducted from qualifying income and from receipts under Gift Aid. The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.
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.
When preparing the accounts there were no critical accounting estimates applied.
Services provided under contract
Charitable income
A former trustee received remuneration during the year £14,894 (2024 one trustee £37,795) . One trustee was reimbursed expenses during the period for amounts totalling £nil (2024 – one trustee was reimbursed expenses totalling £718).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Kingdom Bank holds a legal charge over 160 Lawrence Road, Liverpool. Kingdom Bank also hold a floating charge over all the furniture used in the property of the charity. At 31 August 2025 the amount owed to Kingdom Bank was £85,320 (2024 - £88,645).
The bank loan is secured by a legal charge over the charity's property as detailed in the fixed asset and borrowing notes.
The bank loan is secured by legal charge over the charity's property in Lawrence Road, Liverpool.
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.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due 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.
Income
Expenditure
Income
Expenditure
Food Hub is a project offering those on low income an opportunity to buy weekly groceries at discounted prices.
Love Congo is a project providing support to our partners working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This funding includes the Medical Centre which is an aspect of our Love Congo work specifically aimed at developing a medical centre in Kasindi – near the Ugandan border. This fund also includes Child Support which supports pupils and teachers in a school in DR Congo.
Christmas Meal is a project providing a meal on Christmas Day each year for those who would otherwise be alone or unable to have one.
Genesis Housing is a project that provides supported accommodation for those who would otherwise be homeless. Included in the funds balance is a donation of £60,000 from the Steve Morgan Foundation towards the purchase of a property to be used for the project. These funds are restricted to being used for this project for a period of seven years from April 2021 at which point they will become unrestricted. If the property is sold prior to the end of this seven year period then the monies will need to be returned to the donor.
Linking Lives, Forever young is a project that matches isolated individuals with those who have some time to befriend and support them.
Family Matters is a project that provides support to families who would otherwise require more significant intervention from Social Care.
Acts 435 is a partner project that connects to those able to make donations with one off financial assistance.
Sticky Fingers Nursery income is provided by Liverpool City Council which represent the fees for early years education to pre-school children.
Catalyst relates to an internal allocation for staff support and wellbeing.
After school club started in September 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic and many local families needing extra provision. We now run a weekly session for school years 3-8 with an average of 60 children each week.
Other funds relates to smaller projects that are generally short term and meet a specific need.
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 remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
During the year the company entered into the following transactions with related parties:
Frontline Trust is an independent charitable company. During the year Frontline Trust has assisted Imagine If Trust by providing grants.
Until 31 December 2024 James Sloan was a trustee and was also employed as CEO of the charity. He is also a trustee of New Hope Trust who are partnering with Imagine If Trust in developing a medical centre in the DRC. Imagine If Trust provided grants (see note 7).
Trustees donated a total of £Nil (2024: £1,240) during the year.
There were no other related party transactions in the year.
Imagine If Trust is incorporated under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee. The liability of the members is limited to £1.