REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03142604 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1051753

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

for

Cinderford Area Neighbourhood

Development Initiative (C.A.N.D.I.)

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

7

Independent Examiner's Report

8

Statement of Financial Activities

9

Balance Sheet

10

to

11

Notes to the Financial Statements

12

to

16

The Board of Trustees of CINDERFORD AREA NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (CANDI) present their Annual Report.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Mission statement

CANDI responds to the needs of the Cinderford area residents, young and old, by providing a safe venue and supportive environment, through which they can feel empowered and inspired to develop beneficial activities and opportunities for themselves and their local community.

Values

Our work as a local charity is underpinned by the following values:

* we respect and value all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, culture, age or

disability

* we focus on the positive and challenge the negative

* we listen to the needs of the community, including under-represented groups, and learn from them

* we are supportive of our team members - with their activities, role and their development of skills

Aims and Objectives

Aims

CANDI aspires to be know in the Cinderford and surrounding area as an independent, well run, organisation which provides support and facilities for local residents to be happy, aspirational, confident and to achieve their potential. In pursuit of this goal, we review our working aims periodically to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Updated aims are:

* to maintain a welcoming café and safe warm space in Cinderford, offering a base - CANDI Unlimited - for

individuals and groups to meet

* to establish groups through which participants can gain support, learn new skills, have fun and develop

friendships

* to be prepared to grow ideas with our group members and local residents

* to provide people with non-judgemental support and guidance when they are facing difficulties in their

lives

* to be attentive to local issues, flexible and proactive and to be brave in trying new activities

* to provide participants with the space to learn from each other, to talk or sign post them to specialist

organisations for expert advice, when appropriate

* to help young people to be healthy, confident, responsible, resilient and successful

* to provide volunteering opportunities to group members and residents of the local community

* to provide relevant training opportunities for all members of CANDI - group members, volunteers, staff

and trustees

* to give people a voice, not only in the running and management of CANDI but with other issues that affect

their community and their lives.

Objectives

In its Memorandum and Articles of Association, CANDI's charitable objectives are 'To promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the communities of Cinderford and surrounding area in order to relieve poverty and sickness and to encourage initiatives and developments within those communities in the interest of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said community'.

Our organisational aims for 2026/27 are:

* to have a focus on consolidating our offer and improving the quality of delivery

* to develop a clear organisational and funding strategy, based on consultations with participants,

volunteers and trustees

Public benefits

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing CANDI's aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, they have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Activities

In pursuit of its aims for the public benefit, CANDI have identified the following activities to further these ambitions:

* YouthSpace Cinderford

CANDI YouthSpace offers young people age 11 to 18 a safe, warm and non-judgemental drop in to

meet on two evenings per week as an alternative to hanging around on the streets and getting involved

in anti-social behaviour. The YouthSpace sessions attract between 30 and 40 young people per

session. They can take part in a range of activities that are beneficial to their development. In the last

year the young people have work with Artist in Residence at the Dean Heritage Centre and have

contributed to art installations at the Heritage Centre. Another example of partnership working has been

our anti-bullying project with Kidscape which has led to young people producing 3 murals in CANDI

* YouthSpace Drybrook

Problems in Drybrook are different and there is a need to cater for a younger group. Relocation to the

church hall last year opened up greater opportunities for activities for younger children and the group is

now open to Years 5 and 6. YouthSpace Drybrook offers access to traditional youth club with a range of

indoor and outdoor activities. The club attracts between 15 and 20 young people per session

* Women's Space

This is not a formal support group but a community coming together, attracting women from diverse

backgrounds and characteristics and offering friendship and a listening ear. Some women bring their

own ideas for activities to share whilst others chat over coffee and cake.

During the year, the group raised funds both in CANDI and in the local church from tabletop sales of

second-hand goods and craft items made by themselves. Mother Claus se up her grotto for the second

year and once again proved popular with everyone.

The group has a working agreement with Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service who

support with referrals and running courses for women in need.

Many women have acknowledged the impact that Women's Space has had on their wellbeing and

mental health. It has given them the confidence to seek employment, become involved in volunteering

support other women in similar circumstances.

* Gardening Club

Progress has been slow this year with a couple of abortive offers of work from volunteers. Materials are

in place, however, to make the garden a pleasant repose for all of our groups.

* CANDI Community Café

Monday Lunch Club continues to be active, and it has been decided to rename it as the Community

Café. The Monday slot will continue, but the Café will expand its offering to support other users of the

building. In order to enable the Café to be operated more frequently it is hoped to recruit new

volunteers who will be trained and will obtain a Food Hygiene Certificate. The basic premise of

providing a warm space with simple food at affordable prices, enabling anyone to pop in for

refreshment and company has not changed.

* Senior Lunch Club

The club continues to be poplar with elderly members of the community. There is no restriction on

attendance, but it is advisable to book in advance both to make sure there is room and to arrange

transport for those with mobility issues. A second monthly session has been opened with a simpler

menu offering - soup and sandwiches. This enables our small team of volunteers to maintain a good

service without burnout. So far, we have not had to make a charge for lunch. A combination of good

housekeeping and voluntary contributions has enabled the initial funding to be stretched further than

anticipated.

* Mental Health Peer Support

The group began at the start of the year with the employment of a Group Facilitator, and the funding has

been extended for a second year. The group initially met every Tuesday evening and now also meets

on Friday mornings. The Facilitator has trained a small volunteer group who assist in running the

sessions and developed materials for the use of members. There is no requirement for any member to

join in prepared activities - they are free to join in, chat with other members or volunteers or simply sit

quietly with a coffee.

Partnerships

CANDI works with other bodies to jointly provide services for the benefit of the community.

* Drybrook Methodist Church provide a room for a YouthSpace drop-in.

* Gloucestershire Carers offer support and signposting.

* Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service offer face to face drop-in sessions. We have a Rural

Domestic Abuse champion in our team.

* Rethink support residents into employment whilst working with their mental health.

* Club Connect is a chronic pain support group and are now meeting at CANDI fortnightly.

* Trussell Trust - we are now registered as a referral agency to the food bank and support older residents

accessing the food bank.

* The artist in residence at the Dean Heritage Centre has helped us with activities both for children and

Women's Space.

* Local artist Tom Cousins has worked with YouthSpace in painting a mural as part of their anti-bullying

project.

* Speech House Hotel staff nominated CANDI as their charity of the year and have raised funds from a

cake sale and sponsorship for a half marathon run. The hotel has made their resources available to us

and held a collection tin in their reception.

* CCP support housing and activities in the community and meet in CANDI monthly.

* NHS Colliers Court have worked with the development of the Mental Health Peer Support group and

refer clients to us.

* Wotton Lawn Mental Health Hospital discharge team refer clients to the Mental Health Peer Support

group and other CANDI activities as appropriate.

* Gloucestershire College SEND unit have one of their students working in the Community Café every

Monday.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

What have we achieved this year?

We continue to build on the foundations set over the last couple of years and, whilst not spectacular, we have enjoyed steady growth.

* Governance

As the year progress, the Board of Trustees recognised that CANDI's main issue holding us back was

the lack of volunteers, not only to spread the load in existing activities but also to generate new

projects. The trustees also acknowledged the lack of a succession plan for the Board.

In an initial strategy review meeting, it was decided to discontinue the Management Team and invite

participants to bi-monthly Board meetings who had specific contributions to make. The first of these

participants has offered to look at all aspects of volunteering from recruiting for specific needs,

following through to training. Strategy will continue to be reviewed throughout the year.

* Funding

CANDI's fundraising team has been successful in raising £26,000 this year. Obtaining funds from

charitable trusts has been difficult - the common outcome is that although we have a good proposition,

there are too many charities seeking too few funds. Local public bodies, however, appear to recognise

the value that CANDI brings to the community and continue to support us.

* Premises

The café has been improved in the year with the laying of new flooring and new kitchen sink and

cupboard doors. A local maintenance man is supporting us with general upkeep.

The ongoing strategy review will guide us with the possibility of extending the premises at the rear.

* YouthSpace

The support program for the wellbing of the young people developed with the aid of a grant from BBC

Children in Need was delayed due to lack of support from schools but is now underway.

Attendance numbers at Cinderford are stretching our capability both in terms of premises and volunteers

but are manageable for the time being. It is hoped to open a third session, but the nature of this group

has not yet been decided.

* Community

CANDI is known in Cinderford as a result of being present at local activities. The café is open for events

like Cindy Fest, the Pride March and Christmas lights; Women's Space place a Christmas tree in St.

Stephen's Church; sell home-made products at other local events and, in conjunction with Youth Space,

stage the Mother Claus event at Christmas.

* Mental Health and Wellbeing Peer Support Group

From its inception, the group has been well received and some of the members have been trained to

assist the Facilitator when necessary. This has enabled us to set up a second group and offer activities

in support of member's wellbeing such as cookery and gardening.

* Volunteer Team

As already mentioned, although progress in building our team is slow in terms of numbers, we now have

some key people in place, particularly in the café. The danger is that these excellent people cannot

keep providing of themselves without suffering from burnout. CANDI could do so much more with willing

volunteers.

* Future

The future continues to be bright. We have a great, hardworking team and we will continue to build it.

We will continue to provide consistently warm and welcoming safe space to everyone in Cinderford

and Drybrook. We have a lot of support in the community and within local support organisations. There

is plenty more to do but there always will be.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial review

Gross income from all sources amounted to £37,668 (2025 - £52,567) with total expenditure of £33,835

(2025 - £42,205) leaving a surplus of £3,834 (2025 - surplus £10,362).

Restricted funds accounted for a surplus of £575 (2025 - surplus £15,629) and £90,750 of the restricted funds is held in fixed assets. £24,961 is held as net current assets which are available for ongoing projects.

Unrestricted funds were £22,549 for the year (2025 - £14,103). £8,866 of net current assets were held at the end of the year.

Financial stability

Unrestricted income has been higher than last year largely from an increase in donations. Expenditure of these funds has decreased mainly from payroll and property costs being covered by restricted funding, resulting in a surplus for the year. The deficit from restricted funds arose from grants received towards the end of the previous year covering the cost of a number of projects in this year. Applications for funding are, as always, ongoing.

Investment powers and policy

CANDI must always ensure that it has sufficient cash to meet its operational needs but will also obtain the best possible return on all funds deposited with its bankers should the opportunity arise. Currently there are no surplus funds.

Reserves policy

The Board has identified the following reasons to hold reserves:

* to provide financial stability to enable CANDI to continue to achieve its objectives during challenging

trading periods

* To allow CANDI to take advantage of strategic development opportunities and plan for future growth

* To enable CANDI to make investment decisions in accordance with the investment policy and enable

CANDI to consider opportunistic investments which may not be within the strategic plan.

The Trustees have identified the reliance upon external donors as the principal source of funding as a potential risk. CANDI would be in financial financial difficulty if this funding were to be reduced or withdrawn. To address this risk, the Trustees are continually developing and implementing plans to generate new sources of income.

With the current level of net current assets of £33,828 (2025 - £27,373), the Board believes that sufficient funds exist to allow the continued operation of CANDI in the coming year in the event of a significant drop in funding, but, without new sources of income, there is little scope to take advantage of any other opportunities for strategic development. The Board will continue to review this policy regularly.

FUTURE AIMS

* To ensure that CANDI, by use of innovative means of engagement, continue to be in touch with young

people and the community, listening to their concerns, aspirations and thinking.

* To facilitate CANDI Unlimited becoming a centre where local people, organisations and agencies can

interact , cooperate and benefit from each others ideas and activities

* To offer a wide range of flexible opportunities to volunteer in CANDI and in community organisations

* To increase the level of support and resources to nurture the development of young people's activities

* To provide a wide range of opportunities for young people and other members of the community to

make friends and have fun

* To work with and monitor the 3 year business plan to support the achievement of CANDI's objectives

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

As far as the Trustees are aware:

* there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's independent examiner is unaware

* the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any

relevant information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

03142604 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1051753

Registered office

31 Market Street

Cinderford

Gloucestershire

GL14 2RT

Trustees

P Radley Trustee and director. Vice chair

G Spearman Trustee and director, Chair

J Abolins Trustee and director

R Abolins Trustee and Director, Treasurer.

R Bardo Trustee and Director (resigned 10.12.25)

A Davies Trustee and director (resigned 11.8.25)

J Sheppard Trustee and director (resigned 8.7.25)

K Jones Trustee and Director (appointed 10.6.25)

J Palmer Trustee and Director (appointed 10.12.25)

Company Secretary

R Abolins

Independent Examiner

Mrs S F Anderson FMAAT

SA Accountancy

5 Victoria Street

Cinderford

Gloucestershire

GL14 2ET

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

R Abolins - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Cinderford Area Neighbourhood Development Initiative (C.A.N.D.I.) ('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.

Mrs S F Anderson FMAAT

SA Accountancy

5 Victoria Street

Cinderford

Gloucestershire

GL14 2ET

22 July 2026

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

6,567

25,938

32,505

44,885

Charitable activities

Cafe

2,253

-

2,253

1,815

Youth activities

138

-

138

994

Community activities

1,289

-

1,289

485

Other trading activities

2

1,302

-

1,302

4,158

Investment income

3

182

-

182

230

Total

11,731

25,938

37,669

52,567

EXPENDITURE ON

Cost of trading activities

350

-

350

-

Charitable activities

Cafe

1,327

1,960

3,287

1,444

Youth activities

161

6,053

6,214

10,374

Community activities

394

869

1,263

1,379

Support costs

6,239

7,016

13,255

29,008

Mental health and wellbeing

-

9,466

9,466

-

Total

8,471

25,364

33,835

42,205

NET INCOME

3,260

574

3,834

10,362

Transfers between funds

10

5,185

(5,185

)

-

-

Net movement in funds

8,445

(4,611

)

3,834

10,362

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

14,104

120,322

134,426

124,064

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

22,549

115,711

138,260

134,426

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

13,683

90,750

104,433

107,053

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

431

-

431

436

Cash at bank and in hand

9,562

24,961

34,523

27,720

9,993

24,961

34,954

28,156

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(1,127

)

-

(1,127

)

(783

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

8,866

24,961

33,827

27,373

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

22,549

115,711

138,260

134,426

NET ASSETS

22,549

115,711

138,260

134,426

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

22,549

14,104

Restricted funds

115,711

120,322

TOTAL FUNDS

138,260

134,426

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 22 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

R Abolins - 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.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

•

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

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 on all tangible fixed assets at rates estimated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value evenly over the expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold property - over 50 years

Equipment - over 4 years

Computer equipment - over 3 years

Furniture, fixtures and fittings - over 5 years

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.

2.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Property letting

792

3,618

Sale of goods

510

540

1,302

4,158

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Bank interest received

182

230

4.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

6,831

4,824

5.	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

Trustee's expenses of £119 were paid for the year ended 31 March 2026. (31 March 2025 - £nil)

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

fund

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

3,841

41,044

44,885

Charitable activities

Cafe

1,815

-

1,815

Youth activities

994

-

994

Community activities

485

-

485

Other trading activities

4,158

-

4,158

Investment income

230

-

230

Total

11,523

41,044

52,567

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Cafe

1,179

265

1,444

Youth activities

3,898

6,476

10,374

Community activities

218

1,161

1,379

Support costs

11,494

17,514

29,008

Total

16,789

25,416

42,205

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(5,266

)

15,628

10,362

Transfers between funds

13,147

(13,147

)

-

Net movement in funds

7,881

2,481

10,362

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

6,223

117,841

124,064

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

14,104

120,322

134,426

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Freehold

and

Computer

property

Equipment

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

£

£

COST

At 1 April 2025

110,700

1,190

13,034

3,525

128,449

Additions

-

363

3,348

500

4,211

At 31 March 2026

110,700

1,553

16,382

4,025

132,660

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2025

17,730

248

2,166

1,252

21,396

Charge for year

2,220

370

2,962

1,279

6,831

At 31 March 2026

19,950

618

5,128

2,531

28,227

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2026

90,750

935

11,254

1,494

104,433

At 31 March 2025

92,970

942

10,868

2,273

107,053

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Trade debtors

-

96

Prepayments

431

340

431

436

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Social security and other taxes

43

315

Other creditors

271

-

Accrued expenses

813

468

1,127

783

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.4.25

in funds

funds

31.3.26

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

14,104

3,260

5,185

22,549

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

120,322

574

(5,185

)

115,711

TOTAL FUNDS

134,426

3,834

-

138,260

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

11,731

(8,471

)

3,260

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

25,938

(25,364

)

574

TOTAL FUNDS

37,669

(33,835

)

3,834