REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03258327 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1061569

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

FOR

PORTSMOUTH MEDIATION SERVICE

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Balance Sheet

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

16

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 March 2026. 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

Public benefit

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. The trustees refer to public benefit throughout this report.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Achievement and Performance

As Chair of Portsmouth Mediation Service, it's a privilege to share an overview from the trustees of our activities over the past year. This has been a year of consolidation and growing external recognition, with our efforts focused on maintaining a strong organisational foundation while extending the reach and influence of restorative practice across Portsmouth and the wider region.

Trustees have remained focused on supporting high quality service delivery, sustaining financial stability, and strengthening partnerships, while responding to a changing external environment affecting referral patterns and funding structures.

Strategic Planning and Governance

The trustees continued to work within the strategic framework agreed in the previous year, shaped around the four pillars of our strategic vision: Finance & Operational Stability; Partnerships; Widening Our Impact; and Training, Development, Health & Wellbeing. This framework has provided a clear and consistent foundation for governance, planning, and priority setting throughout the year.

Trustees received regular and detailed service manager reports, enabling effective oversight of performance, staffing, financial position, risks, and opportunities. Our restorative approach to governance continues to inform the way trustees engage with strategy, challenge, and collective responsibility, strengthening both decision making and trustee cohesion.

Service Delivery and Staff Development

Throughout the year, Portsmouth Mediation Service continued to deliver a wide range of mediation, assessment, restorative and training services in response to conflict affecting individuals, families and communities. Our Assessment Service remained a core operational activity and a significant contributor to income, despite fluctuations in referral levels linked to structural changes within partner organisations.

During the year staffing changes were managed carefully, with trustees supporting a flexible and proportionate approach to deployment and costs, while maintaining service continuity and capacity. Trustees remain grateful for the commitment and adaptability shown by staff and self employed practitioners during this period.

Our regional work through the Solent Restorative Partnership continued to develop positively, with growing volunteer engagement, training delivery, and networking activity in Winchester and surrounding areas, strengthening our presence beyond Portsmouth.

Financial Stability and Sustainability

The trustees are pleased to report that the charity remained financially stable throughout the year, maintaining reserves at appropriate levels and managing expenditure prudently. While some income streams experienced short term pressure due to external factors, these were balanced by earned income from training, contract income, and grant funded activity.

The charity continues to be funded through a mix of contracts, grants, and earned income, supporting both resilience and independence. Trustees have continued to monitor financial risk, particularly in relation to contract dependency and upcoming tender cycles and are confident that the organisation is well positioned to manage future challenges.

Training and Development

Training remained a key area of activity during the year, generating income while embedding restorative skills and values across communities and partner organisations. The charity delivered further community mediation training programmes, along with bespoke restorative and mediation training for external partners.

Trustees recognise training as both a core charitable activity and a strategic investment in long term impact. The continued development of training resources, including online and blended approaches, supports the organisation's aim to widen access to restorative learning while maintaining quality and consistency.

Community Partnerships and Impact

Partnership working continued to be central to the charity's impact. Portsmouth Mediation Service maintained strong collaborative relationships with local authorities, housing providers, police services, NHS partners, the University of Portsmouth, and a wide range of voluntary and community organisations.

The charity continued to play a leading role in the Waterfront Restorative Approaches Partnership (WRAP), supporting youth engagement, community safety, and preventative approaches to conflict. Collaborative research and learning initiatives, including work arising from the Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) project, have further strengthened the organisation's profile and evidence base.

Looking Forward

As we move into 2026-27, the trustees remain firmly committed to our vision of promoting restorative approaches as a foundation for healthier, more connected communities. Key areas of focus include preparing for future contract renewals, strengthening partnerships within housing, health and education, and continuing to embed learning from research and evaluation into practice.

The trustees are confident that the charity's strong values, skilled team, and trusted partnerships provide a solid platform for continued development and impact, while maintaining the high quality, relational approach that defines Portsmouth Mediation Service.

Acknowledgements

The trustees would like to acknowledge and thank the dedication and professionalism of Steve Rolls, Service Manager, together with the staff team, volunteers, partners, and supporters of Portsmouth Mediation Service. Their commitment continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities affected by conflict.

Our collective efforts over the past year have strengthened both the organisation and its impact. With a stable financial position, a clear strategic framework, and a strong network of partnerships, Portsmouth Mediation Service is well placed to continue advancing restorative practice across Portsmouth and beyond.

As we look ahead, we remain confident that our shared vision and values will continue to guide our work and support positive change in our communities.

Should you be inspired to become part of our work as a volunteer or trustee, we would be very happy to provide further information.

Paul Hutchings

Chair of the Board of Trustees

On behalf of the Board of Trustees

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The surplus for the year is £20,787 compared to a deficit of £5,206 in 2025. Current assets held are £112,409 compared to £91,747 in 2025.

Reserves policy

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 months' 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, or expenditure reduced.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Organisational structure

The charity is a company limited by guarantee.

Trustees are recruited from interested individuals, volunteer mediators and representatives of the community.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute a sum not exceeding £10 for payment of the company's debts and liabilities in the event of winding up.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The charity is managed by the trustees who may exercise all the powers of the charity. For the past year, the day-to-day operation of the charity has been carried out by the Service Manager who reports to the trustees. All policy and strategy are decided by the trustees sitting as a group on a regular basis.

The Portsmouth Mediation Service (PMS) operates for the benefit of residents in Portsmouth and for the benefit of social housing residents in the wider Portsmouth area. A substantial proportion of the work of PMS is with Portsmouth City Council.

The trustees have and continue to assess the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

03258327 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1061569

Registered office

The HIVE Portsmouth Hub

Aggie Weston House

22 Edinburgh Road

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO1 1DH

Trustees

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law and who served during the year

were:

Gregory Bruce (Appointed 23 March 2026)

Philip Winchester

Alan Davis

Paul Hutchings

Wendy May Jacobs

Lisa Wills

Independent Examiner

S Mackie FCA

Morris Crocker

Chartered Accountants

Lake House

2 Port Way

Port Solent

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO6 4TY

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 13 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

P Winchester - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Portsmouth Mediation Service ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2026.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your 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.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts 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

4.

the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

S Mackie FCA

Morris Crocker

Chartered Accountants

Lake House

2 Port Way

Port Solent

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO6 4TY

13 July 2026

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

as restated

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

18,878

-

18,878

2,311

Charitable activities

4

Assessment & Mediation

203,552

-

203,552

206,525

Investment income

3

1,044

-

1,044

282

Total

223,474

-

223,474

209,118

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

5

Assessment & Mediation

202,687

-

202,687

214,324

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

20,787

-

20,787

(5,206

)

Other recognised gains/(losses)

Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit schemes

-

-

-

(394

)

Net movement in funds

20,787

-

20,787

(5,600

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

As previously reported

132,860

-

132,860

96,952

Prior year adjustment

11

(41,508

)

-

(41,508

)

-

As restated

91,352

-

91,352

96,952

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

112,139

-

112,139

91,352

2026

2025

as restated

Notes

£

£

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

13

15,958

13,283

Cash at bank

99,198

89,345

115,156

102,628

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

14

(2,747

)

(10,881

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

112,409

91,747

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

112,409

91,747

PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES

15

(270

)

(395

)

NET ASSETS

112,139

91,352

FUNDS

17

Unrestricted funds

112,139

91,352

TOTAL FUNDS

112,139

91,352

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2026.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

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

(b)

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

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 13 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

P Winchester - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

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

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertanties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

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

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

Fixtures and fittings

-

25% on cost

Computer equipment

-

25% on cost

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost.

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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

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

Financial instruments

The charity only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable investments in stocks and shares. The measurement basis used for these instruments is detailed below.

Debtors and cash at bank

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Cash at bank and in hand included cash held on deposit or in a current account.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Donations

2,878

2,311

Legacies

16,000

-

18,878

2,311

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Deposit account interest

1,044

282

All investment income is derived from assets held in the United Kingdom.

4.	INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2026

2025

as

restated

Activity

£

£

Training & courses

Assessment & Mediation

41,689

41,249

Grants

Assessment & Mediation

161,863

165,276

203,552

206,525

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

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

General

20,936

45,500

PCC grant

119,127

91,671

Restorative solutions

14,000

12,505

The Scottish Community Development Centre

7,800

15,600

161,863

165,276

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Support

Direct

costs (see

Costs

note 6)

Totals

£

£

£

Assessment & Mediation

200,398

2,289

202,687

6.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Finance

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Assessment & Mediation

399

1,890

2,289

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Finance

2026

2025

as

restated

Assessment

Total

& Mediation

activities

£

£

Bank charges

399

200

Governance costs

2026

2025

as

restated

Assessment

Total

& Mediation

activities

£

£

Independent examiners fees

1,843

1,748

Legal fees

47

35

1,890

1,783

7.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

-

203

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Trustees' expenses

During the year no trustees (2025:nil) were reimbursed out of pocket expenses totalling £nil (2025:£nil).

9.	STAFF COSTS

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Wages and salaries

94,654

94,381

Social security costs

-

5,775

Other pension costs

2,972

4,114

97,626

104,270

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

2026

2025

as

restated

Management and administration

1

1

Direct support staff

4

5

5

6

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

The charity paid contributions to pension scheme for none (2025: nil) of those employees with emoluments in excess of £60,000.

10.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

fund

funds

as restated

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2,311

-

2,311

Charitable activities

Assessment & Mediation

206,525

-

206,525

Investment income

282

-

282

Total

209,118

-

209,118

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Assessment & Mediation

214,324

-

214,324

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(5,206

)

-

(5,206

)

Other recognised gains/(losses)

Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit schemes

(394

)

-

(394

)

Net movement in funds

(5,600

)

-

(5,600

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

96,952

-

96,952

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

91,352

-

91,352

11.	PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT

During the year, an error was identified in the prior year's accounting records whereby a number of income invoices had been duplicated in the bookkeeping system. The comparative figures have been restated to remove the duplicated income and correct the prior year balances.

12.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

and

Computer

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026

5,917

814

6,731

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026

5,917

814

6,731

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2026

-

-

-

At 31 March 2025

-

-

-

13.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Trade debtors

5,846

3,084

Prepayments and accrued income

10,112

10,199

15,958

13,283

14.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Trade creditors

-

493

Other creditors

603

8,326

Accruals and deferred income

2,144

2,062

2,747

10,881

2026

2025

£

£

Brought forward

190

170

Amount released to incoming resources

(190

)

(170

)

Amount deferred in year

320

190

Carried forward

320

190

15.	PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES

2026

2025

as

restated

£

£

Provisions

270

395

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme.

Portsmouth Mediation Services share of this deficit is £270 as at 31 March 2026 as indicated below. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustees and the participating employers have agreed that additional contributions will be paid.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the company has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions

Period Ending

Period Ending

31 March 2026

31 March 2025

£

£

Provision at start of period

395

168

Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense)

16

4

Deficit contribution paid

(141)

(171)

Remeasurements - impact of any change in assumptions

-

3

Remeasurements - amendments to the contribution schedule

-

391

Provision at the end of period

270

395

Income and expenditure impact

Period Ending

Period Ending

31 March 2026

31 March 2025

£

£

Interest expense

16

4

Remeasurements - impact of any change in assumptions

-

-

Remeasurements - amendments to the contribution schedule

-

-

Assumptions

31 March 2026per annum

31 March 2025per annum

31 March 2024per annum

Rate of discount

4.92%

4.84%

5.31%

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

16.	ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

2026

2025

as

restated

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

£

Current assets

115,156

-

115,156

102,628

Current liabilities

(2,747

)

-

(2,747

)

(10,881

)

Provision for liabilities

(270

)

-

(270

)

(395

)

112,139

-

112,139

91,352

17.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Prior

Net

year

movement

At

At 1.4.25

adjustment

in funds

31.3.26

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

132,860

(41,508

)

20,787

112,139

TOTAL FUNDS

132,860

(41,508

)

20,787

112,139

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

223,474

(202,687

)

20,787

TOTAL FUNDS

223,474

(202,687

)

20,787