Changing Lives Together - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07400060 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1139983

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

6

Report of the Independent Auditors

7

to

9

Statement of Financial Activities

10

Balance Sheet

11

Cash Flow Statement

12

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14

to

25

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 31 December 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Overview

We are a social enterprise committed to delivering a creative and meaningful environmental, social and community impact and to making a difference to the people of Cheshire. Structured as a charitable company, we aim to be financially sustainable through enterprise but our social impacts are at the core of what we do.

We work extensively within our community to support people through a variety of work, training and volunteering programmes. One of our core values is that we support people in a way that maintains their personal dignity. Our mission is to create a better life for local people and improve their environment and wellbeing.

Operational and retail:

Affordable furniture, paint and appliances

Our warehouse team continued throughout the year to help the environment by collecting domestic bulky waste to reuse and recycle items that would otherwise be sent to landfill or other waste destinations. We work with our membership organisation, the Reuse Network, in providing take back schemes for a number of national retailers where we help reduce waste as well as bringing damaged and orphan items back into use. These activities of repair and up cycling provide work placement opportunities for the individuals we support.

In 2025, 7,000 items were prepared for retail, and customers saved £260,000 on homeware goods through reuse.

Emergency assistance

We operate contracts with local authorities and housing associations to provide their welfare assistance schemes. We supply starter packs, furniture and white goods to hundreds of people and families in need every year. These schemes ensure those in need gain access to essential household items and receive an efficient delivery and installation process.

In 2025, we supported 1,500 families with essential household items.

Bulky waste

We are proud to support Cheshire West Recycling Limited and Warrington Borough Council in collecting bulky domestic waste - and we repair, reuse and recycle as much as we can. In 2025, 1,300 items were saved through reuse, and our activities contributed to 2.5K tonnes of CO2 saved.

Community support

Our Buddying and Befriending scheme continued to secure grant support, enabling us to help those across Cheshire West, Warrington and Cheshire East who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. The service delivered 270 matches in 2025, and our Warm Welcome community groups supported residents for 7,000 volunteer hours, with 700 hours delivered specifically through Warm Welcome meetings.

Our Family Support team continued their exceptional work in school placements to help improve attendance, behaviour and achievement. They focus on early intervention, helping parents to develop coping skills and access a broad range of services. In 2025, 86 new families and 124 children were supported.

The Very Green Grocery

Since starting out in 2020, the community groceries have continued to grow in their provision and distribution of surplus food across Cheshire West. In 2025:

-

57,600 bags of shopping were distributed

-

Customers saved over £1,000,000

-

72,300 individuals were supported

-

1.2K tonnes of carbon were saved through food redistribution

Our shoppers continue to pay a small donation to receive goods worth considerably more, helping them stretch their budgets while reducing food waste. Demand remained high throughout the year.

Our volunteering programme also continued to thrive, with volunteers supporting warehousing, distribution, box projects, shop support, café service, gardening projects and building maintenance.

Our Christmas Food Box Project on behalf of Cheshire West and Cheshire East supported 3,800 families over the holiday period.

Community transport

We operate our community transport minibus services (Your Bus), which are contracted by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC). The services we provide are Home to School, Adult Social Care, Dial-A-Ride and other contracts as required. In 2025 these services provided either free or subsidised access to schools, care centres, the high street, leisure and other services for members of the community who might otherwise miss out.

In 2025, the team delivered 19,400 trips, undertaking 9,711 passenger journeys and covering 86,000 miles.

This service will change substantially in 2026 after CLT was awarded a new contract in March 2026.

Reuse Warehouse

In 2025 we expanded our retail footprint with the opening of a new store in Crewe, strengthening our ability to provide affordable, good quality reused furniture, appliances and household items to residents across a wider area. The store has been designed to offer the same dignified, welcoming customer experience as our existing sites and increases our capacity to divert more items from landfill through reuse and refurbishment. The Crewe location also provides new volunteering and work placement opportunities, supporting skills development and community engagement. Early demand has been strong, and the store is already becoming an important local resource for individuals and families seeking affordable essentials.

Growing our retail stores remains an opportunity the Board are keen to explore and develop.

Systems

In 2025 we continued investing in IT hardware and developing systems to maintain Cyber Essentials accreditation. We worked with health and safety consultants to ensure our internal processes are efficient and meet our obligations to provide a safe environment for visitors, customers, volunteers and staff.

We continued to evolve and measure Social Impact through our bespoke online dashboard, allowing us to measure over 80 key performance metrics. This allows us to demonstrate and improve our impact to the Cheshire community.

People

Without our dedicated volunteers and staff, our mission would be impossible to achieve. In 2025, 8,000 volunteering hours were donated across the organisation across 600 plus volunteers.

We remained committed to building an open and engaging culture, with regular Grass Roots meetings led by the CEO to ensure staff voices are heard and operational issues are resolved quickly.

Costs

We have worked hard to renegotiate supplier contracts and eliminate spend wherever possible, consolidating our operation, removing and reducing spend. During a period of high inflation our total outgoings did not increase in the year due to this cost cutting. We remain focussed on watching all spend to ensure monies are directed at helping the community.

Management Structure

The organisation is operationally led by a CEO reporting into the Board of Trustees. The CEO leads an experienced Head of Department flat hierarchy team.

-

CEO

-

Head of Retail and Grocery

-

Head of Development

-

Head of Community Support

-

Head of Community Transport

-

Head of Finance

-

Head of HR

-

Head of Operations

Operational management is the remit of the leadership team, with the CEO presenting progress updates weekly and at bi-monthly board meetings.

Future planning

The Board of Trustees holds regular meetings with the CEO to discuss strategy and future planning of Changing Lives Together, to collaborate with stakeholders and to become involved in a diverse range of issues affecting the community. All new opportunities go through a detailed planning process to ensure:

1.

Compliance with our Articles

2.

Integration and enhancement of social impact

3.

Financial sustainability

4.

Achievability

Any future change is then put into our growth and change strategy document which is discussed at each Strategy Meeting with the Board and Leadership Team.

Our key Headline Objectives

1.

Growth which is sustainable

2.

Health and safety and risk management

3.

Cost reduction as appropriate

4.

Internal and external communications

5.

Environmental and social governance

6.

Continuous improvement

Impact Summary

In 2025, Changing Lives Together delivered significant environmental, social and community impact across Cheshire, Warrington and the wider region. Key achievements included:

-

7,000 items prepared for retail

-

£260,000 saved by customers purchasing reused homeware

-

1,500 families supported through emergency assistance

-

1,300 items saved through bulky waste reuse

-

2.5K tonnes of CO2 saved through reuse and recycling

-

270 befriending matches supporting socially isolated residents

-

7,000 volunteer hours delivered through community support

-

86 new families and 124 children supported in schools

-

57,600 bags of surplus food distributed

-

Over £1,000,000 saved by grocery customers

-

72,300 individuals supported through food redistribution

-

1.2K tonnes of carbon saved through food rescue

-

19,400 community transport trips

-

9,711 passenger journeys

-

86,000 miles covered by Your Bus services

-

8,000 volunteering hours donated across the organisation

These outcomes demonstrate our continued commitment to reducing waste, supporting vulnerable residents, and strengthening communities through practical, dignified and accessible services.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Our long-term policy has been to stand on our own feet with sustainable results and without excessive dependence on grant income. We reinvest when we can in our people and we are slowly building our reserves to a normal level for a charity of our size and complexity.

Total income in 2025 was £2,775,473 (2024 £2,444,931) and the excess income over expenditure resulted in a surplus of £15,340 (2024 a deficit of £83,611).

Investment policy

Available funds are transfered to interest bearing bank or building society accounts to maximise returns.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have agreed that the appropriate level of unrestricted liquid reserves should be sufficient to cover 3 months of routine expenditure i.e. to provide working capital to cover delays in the receipt of payments and grants and to provide a cushion for unexpected emergencies.

We have achieved this, our unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2025 were £404,511.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Changing Lives Together (charity 1139983 and company 07400060) was incorporated on 7 October 2010 and commenced trading on the same date. The principal governing document is the Articles of Association adopted on 21 March 2019.

The objects of the charity are:

1

The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other

disadvantage, particularly through the provision of affordable furniture, recycled and reused items, and

opportunities for training, volunteering and work experience.

2

The protection and preservation of the environment, especially through the promotion of sustainable waste

management practices.

3

The provision of transport facilities for people who have special need of such facilities because they are elderly,

disabled, living in isolated areas, or otherwise disadvantaged.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The charity has a formal policy for the recruitment and induction of new trustees. Candidates are invited to observe the organisation in practice, meet the leadership team, and understand the governance responsibilities before appointment. This ensures trustees bring the appropriate skills, experience and commitment to support the charity's work.

Management and governance

We continue to develop our Management and Governance structures.

Risk management

The trustees maintain a robust approach to risk management. Key risks are reviewed at each Board meeting, including:

-

Health and safety

-

Safeguarding

-

Operational delivery

-

Compliance with contracts and legislation

-

Organisational capacity and workforce resilience

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

07400060 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1139983

Registered office

Unit 12 Road Two

Winsford Industrial Estate

Winsford

Cheshire

CW7 3QL

Trustees

B M Clarke

H E L Dilliway-Nickson

B G Dunn

H C Kinsey (resigned 16.4.26)

P Price

C F Lees-Jones

M McBride

R Blackhurst (appointed 28.3.25)

G Edwards (appointed 21.1.25)

Auditors

Murray Smith LLP

Chartered Accountants

Statutory Auditors

Darland House

44 Winnington Hill

Northwich

Cheshire

CW8 1AU

Solicitors

Browne Jacobson LLP

Mowbray House

Castle Meadow Road

Nottingham

NG2 1BJ

Bankers

Santander UK plc

Bridle Road

Merseyside

L30 4GB

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Changing Lives Together for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees 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. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 those 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;

-	prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They 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.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

-	there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

-	the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, Murray Smith LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 22 June 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

B G Dunn - Trustee

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Changing Lives Together (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

-	give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-	have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

-	have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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 charitable company'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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

-	the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-	the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-	adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-	the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-	certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

-	we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-	the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes 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 charitable company'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.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 a Report of the Independent Auditors 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

The audit procedures designed to identify irregularities included:

-

Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims

-

Enquiry of company staff with responsibilities for compliance matters to identify any instances of

non-compliance with laws and regulations

-

Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with

applicable laws and regulations

-

Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other

adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the

normal course of business.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, intentional misrepresentations or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' 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 charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicola Tucker FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Murray Smith LLP

Chartered Accountants

Statutory Auditors

Darland House

44 Winnington Hill

Northwich

Cheshire

CW8 1AU

24 June 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

3

47,136

-

47,136

18,741

Charitable activities

6

Charitable activities

484,422

296,252

780,674

828,003

Other trading activities

4

1,920,419

-

1,920,419

1,570,339

Investment income

5

26,572

-

26,572

24,541

Other income

672

-

672

3,307

Total

2,479,221

296,252

2,775,473

2,444,931

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

7

1,309,250

-

1,309,250

1,283,615

Charitable activities

8

Charitable activities

1,172,203

278,680

1,450,883

1,244,927

Total

2,481,453

278,680

2,760,133

2,528,542

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(2,232

)

17,572

15,340

(83,611

)

Transfers between funds

21

(8,240

)

8,240

-

Net movement in funds

(10,472

)

25,812

15,340

(83,611

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

414,983

6,632

421,615

505,226

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

404,511

32,444

436,955

421,615

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

14

99,960

21,869

121,829

117,297

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

15

160,922

-

160,922

81,227

Debtors

16

202,883

-

202,883

275,532

Cash at bank

250,958

10,575

261,533

268,896

614,763

10,575

625,338

625,655

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

17

(310,212

)

-

(310,212

)

(306,424

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

304,551

10,575

315,126

319,231

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT

LIABILITIES

404,511

32,444

436,955

436,528

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due after more than one year

18

-

(14,913

)

NET ASSETS

404,511

32,444

436,955

421,615

FUNDS

21

Unrestricted funds

404,511

414,983

Restricted funds

32,444

6,632

TOTAL FUNDS

436,955

421,615

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 22 June 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

B G Dunn - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

59,196

(95,839

)

Interest paid

(2,117

)

(4,695

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

57,079

(100,534

)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(29,831

)

(23,867

)

Interest received

5,379

11,291

Net cash used in investing activities

(24,452

)

(12,576

)

Cash flows from financing activities

Loan repayments in year

(39,990

)

(36,120

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(39,990

)

(36,120

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents in

the reporting period

(7,363

)

(149,230

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the

beginning of the reporting period

268,896

418,126

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of

the reporting period

261,533

268,896

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the

Statement of Financial Activities)

15,340

(83,611

)

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

25,069

18,839

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

230

590

Interest received

(5,379

)

(11,291

)

Interest paid

2,117

4,695

(Increase)/decrease in stocks

(79,695

)

9,349

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

72,649

(118,867

)

Increase in creditors

28,865

84,457

Net cash provided by/(used in) operations

59,196

(95,839

)

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.1.25

Cash flow

At 31.12.25

£

Net cash

Cash at bank

268,896

(7,363

)

261,533

268,896

(7,363

)

261,533

Debt

Debts falling due within 1 year

(38,161

)

25,077

(13,084

)

Debts falling due after 1 year

(14,913

)

14,913

-

(53,074

)

39,990

(13,084

)

Total

215,822

32,627

248,449

1.	STATUTORY INFORMATION

Changing Lives Together is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number, registered charity number and registered office can be found in the Reference and Administrative Details section of the Trustees' Report.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is in Pounds Sterling (£).

2.	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) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Changing Lives Together meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Going concern

The charitable company meets its day to day working capital requirements through its cash resources and available loan facilities. The trustees have reviewed current and forecast activity and cash requirements for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the signing of the financial statements which show, taking into account reasonably possible changes in performance, that the charitable company should be able to operate within its available cash resources. After making enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Income

The policies adopted for the recognition of income are as follows:

Sale of goods

Income from the sale of goods is recognised when significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer, the amount of income can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. This is usually on dispatch of the goods.

Rendering of services

When the outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably, income is recognised by reference to the stage of completion at the balance sheet date. Stage of completion is measured by reference to a notable milestone.

Where the outcome cannot be measured reliably, income is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable.

Grants

Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, and performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Short leasehold

- 10% on cost

Plant and machinery

- 20% on cost

Fixtures and fittings

- 25% on cost

Computer equipment

- 33% on cost

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method and includes all purchase, transport, and handling costs in bringing stocks to their present location and condition. Stocks of unsold donated goods are valued only at the cost of bringing the items to their present location as it is not considered practical to estimate the fair value due to their cost being nil and their value is uncertain until sold.

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.

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

Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts or finance leases are capitalised in the balance sheet. Those held under hire purchase contracts are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Those held under finance leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is the shorter.

The interest element of these obligations is charged to the Statement of Financial Activities over the relevant period. The capital element of the future payments is treated as a liability.

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

Short term debtors and creditors

Short term debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the profit and loss account.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, cash held with banks and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company makes contribution to employees' pension schemes. Contributions payable are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the transaction price including transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment.

3.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

Donations

47,136

18,741

4.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Shop income

1,538,162

1,197,499

Waste credits, recycling, scrap and waste collection

382,257

372,840

1,920,419

1,570,339

5.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

Rents received

21,193

13,250

Interest receivable

5,379

11,291

26,572

24,541

6.	INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

Activity

£

Transport

Charitable activities

482,892

482,251

Grants

Charitable activities

297,782

345,752

780,674

828,003

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

2025

2024

£

Buddying & befriending

33,536

45,603

Family support

40,115

46,525

National lottery community fund

-

18,572

Winter Box Project

85,000

160,772

VGG Container Rental

-

2,559

VGG Food and Collection

9,188

5,613

Mental Health Grant

-

3,000

Flourish fund

9,000

1,000

Moulding foundation

39,430

1,100

CWAC - UKSPF BGP

21,459

5,460

Re-Cycle Project

-

4,000

General restricted fund

656

6,453

Warmth grants programme

4,000

-

Carried forward

242,384

300,657

2025

2024

£

Brought forward

242,384

300,657

Crewe retail shop set up

53,868

-

296,252

300,657

7.	RAISING FUNDS

Other trading activities

2025

2024

£

Opening stock

81,227

90,576

Purchases

595,545

436,913

Closing stock

(160,922

)

(81,227

)

Staff costs

654,249

531,644

Hire of plant and machinery

27,212

30,037

Licensing

6,877

7,268

Bad debts

338

-

Vehicle hire

67,791

83,313

Motor expenses

11,306

36,518

Other direct costs

25,627

148,573

1,309,250

1,283,615

8.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Support

Direct

costs (see

Costs

note 9)

Totals

£

Charitable activities

1,405,231

45,652

1,450,883

9.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Finance

costs

Totals

£

Charitable activities

6,844

38,808

45,652

10.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

2025

2024

£

Auditors' remuneration - current year

9,401

8,916

Auditors' remuneration - assurance services

1,182

999

Depreciation - owned assets

25,069

18,839

Hire of plant and machinery

27,212

30,037

Other operating leases

58,652

48,964

Deficit on disposal of fixed assets

230

590

Operating leases - rent

67,450

11.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

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

Trustees' expenses

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

12.	STAFF COSTS

2025

2024

£

Wages and salaries

1,364,314

1,251,589

Social security costs

135,822

90,878

Other pension costs

22,502

19,878

1,522,638

1,362,345

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

2025

2024

Management team

8

7

Warehouse/reuse

25

Administrative

5

6

Retail

6

4

Community hubs

5

6

Community engagement

6

Community transport

12

22

67

76

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

2025

2024

£80,001 - £90,000

1

Total emoluments for key management personnel totalled £245,698 (2024: £258,387).

13.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

18,741

-

18,741

Charitable activities

527,346

300,657

828,003

Other trading activities

1,570,339

-

1,570,339

Investment income

24,541

-

24,541

Other income

3,307

-

3,307

Total

2,144,274

300,657

2,444,931

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

1,141,916

141,699

1,283,615

Charitable activities

1,087,601

157,326

1,244,927

Total

2,229,517

299,025

2,528,542

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(85,243

)

1,632

(83,611

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

500,226

5,000

505,226

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

414,983

6,632

421,615

14.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Short

Plant and

and

Computer

leasehold

machinery

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 January 2025

98,706

69,523

11,305

50,760

230,294

Additions

-

12,740

13,185

3,906

29,831

Disposals

-

(395

)

(395

)

At 31 December 2025

98,706

82,263

24,490

54,271

259,730

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2025

11,607

52,501

8,790

40,099

112,997

Charge for year

11,384

3,337

4,458

5,890

25,069

Eliminated on disposal

-

(165

)

(165

)

At 31 December 2025

22,991

55,838

13,248

45,824

137,901

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2025

75,715

26,425

11,242

8,447

121,829

At 31 December 2024

87,099

17,022

2,515

10,661

117,297

15.

STOCKS

2025

2024

£

Stocks

160,922

81,227

16.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade debtors

171,638

239,446

Other debtors

9,590

13,921

Prepayments and accrued income

21,655

22,165

202,883

275,532

17.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Other loans (see note 19)

13,084

38,161

Trade creditors

67,362

80,616

Social security and other taxes

25,808

23,185

VAT

14,616

9,554

Other creditors

5,021

4,586

Accruals and deferred income

184,321

150,322

310,212

306,424

2025

2024

£

Deferred income at 31 December 2024

116,384

49,978

Released from previous years

(89,417

)

(47,471

)

Income deferred in the year

139,839

113,877

Deferred income at 31 December 2025

166,806

116,384

At the balance sheet date the Charity was holding the following income received in advance:

2025

2024

£

CWaC Furniture Scheme

23,347

18,465

Family Support Invoicing

13,171

13,379

Morrisons Foundation

8,046

Cheshire East Cost of Living - VGG Crewe

43

10,000

All other small grants

7,535

3,781

Julia Rausing Trust

20,000

-

Winter Box Project - Cheshire East

85,000

-

Small Buddy & Befriending Grants

9,664

-

Earl of Chester funding

-

4,500

Cheshire East - The Flourish Fund BB

-

9,000

Moulding Foundation

-

38,900

Tarporley War Memorial Hospital Dementia Support

-

8,663

John Lewis Partnership

-

1,650

166,806

116,384

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

2025

2024

£

Other loans (see note 19)

-

14,913

19.

LOANS

An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:

2025

2024

£

Amounts falling due within one year on demand:

Other loans

13,084

38,161

Amounts falling between one and two years:

Other loans - 1-2 years

-

14,913

20.	LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

2025

2024

£

Within one year

135,479

131,830

Between one and five years

87,182

179,229

222,661

311,059

21.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.1.25

in funds

funds

31.12.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

414,983

(2,232

)

(8,240

)

404,511

Restricted funds

Family support

1,769

3,346

-

5,115

Buddying & befriending

1,113

(1,113

)

-

Restricted fixed assets fund

3,750

15,339

8,240

27,329

6,632

17,572

8,240

32,444

TOTAL FUNDS

421,615

15,340

-

436,955

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

2,479,221

(2,481,453

)

(2,232

)

Restricted funds

Family support

40,115

(36,769

)

3,346

Buddying & befriending

42,536

(43,649

)

(1,113

)

Restricted fixed assets fund

21,459

(6,120

)

15,339

Winter box project

85,000

(85,000

)

-

VGG food and collection

9,188

(9,188

)

-

Small restricted fund

656

(656

)

-

Cheshire West Voluntary Action fund

4,000

(4,000

)

-

Crewe retail shop fund

93,298

(93,298

)

-

296,252

(278,680

)

17,572

TOTAL FUNDS

2,775,473

(2,760,133

)

15,340

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

500,226

(85,243

)

414,983

Restricted funds

Family support

-

1,769

Buddying & befriending

-

1,113

Restricted fixed assets fund

5,000

(1,250

)

3,750

5,000

1,632

6,632

TOTAL FUNDS

505,226

(83,611

)

421,615

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

2,144,274

(2,229,517

)

(85,243

)

Restricted funds

Re-Cycle project

4,000

(4,000

)

-

Family support

46,525

(44,756

)

1,769

National lottery community fund

18,572

(18,572

)

-

Buddying & befriending

45,603

(44,490

)

1,113

Restricted fixed assets fund

-

(1,250

)

(1,250

)

Mental health

3,000

(3,000

)

-

Winter box project

160,772

(160,772

)

-

VGG container rental

2,559

(2,559

)

-

VGG food and collection

5,613

(5,613

)

-

Small restricted fund

6,453

(6,453

)

-

Flourish fund

1,000

(1,000

)

-

Moulding foundation

1,100

(1,100

)

-

Wood burner

5,460

(5,460

)

-

300,657

(299,025

)

1,632

TOTAL FUNDS

2,444,931

(2,528,542

)

(83,611

)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

funds

31.12.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

500,226

(87,475

)

(8,240

)

404,511

Restricted funds

Family support

-

5,115

-

5,115

Restricted fixed assets fund

5,000

14,089

8,240

27,329

5,000

19,204

8,240

32,444

TOTAL FUNDS

505,226

(68,271

)

-

436,955

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

4,623,495

(4,710,970

)

(87,475

)

Restricted funds

Re-Cycle project

4,000

(4,000

)

-

Family support

86,640

(81,525

)

5,115

National lottery community fund

18,572

(18,572

)

-

Buddying & befriending

88,139

(88,139

)

-

Restricted fixed assets fund

21,459

(7,370

)

14,089

Mental health

3,000

(3,000

)

-

Winter box project

245,772

(245,772

)

-

VGG container rental

2,559

(2,559

)

-

VGG food and collection

14,801

(14,801

)

-

Small restricted fund

7,109

(7,109

)

-

Flourish fund

1,000

(1,000

)

-

Moulding foundation

1,100

(1,100

)

-

Wood burner

5,460

(5,460

)

-

Cheshire West Voluntary Action fund

4,000

(4,000

)

-

Crewe retail shop fund

93,298

(93,298

)

-

596,909

(577,705

)

19,204

TOTAL FUNDS

5,220,404

(5,288,675

)

(68,271

)

Family support - Schools invoiced by Terms for Support provided to primary schools by CLT - Funds cover wages of Support staff, management costs and admin fees.

National lottery community fund - Funds received from the National Lottery Community fund - covers Buddy & Befriending wages, management costs and admin fees.

Buddying & Befriending - Support towards activities for the Buddy & Befriending team, admin and management costs.

Restricted fixed assets - Funds for the purchase of tangible assets.

Mental health - Funds cover wages of Support staff, management costs and admin fees for the Mental Health section of Buddy & Befriending.

Winter box project - Funds to cover the costs of Christmas Food Boxes supplied by CLT, includes management and admin costs.

VGG container rental - Funds to help towards the cost of Refridgerated container hire sited at Northwich Community Hub.

VGG food and collection - Funds towards staple food provided for the Very Green Groceries and collections.

Flourish fund - Funds to establish and maintain the existing befriending service.

Moulding foundation - Up-front lump sum contribution for the fit out costs of the new Crewe retail store.

Wood burner - Funds for the purchase of a new heating applicance at the Winsford warehouse.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action - Funds to support community based warm spaces and services for vulnerable individuals experiencing fuel poverty and cost of living challenges.

Crewe retail shop - Funds for the set up and fit out costs of the new Crewe retail store.

Small restricted fund - All other restricted small grants and donations.

22.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.