The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The principal objective of the charity is to provide facilities for young people to undertake gymnastic activities in order to promote their physical education and development.
In setting the aims and objectives the Trustees have given consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and have complied with their duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011. All the charitable activities are to offer public access to high quality gymnastics training in West Cornwall. This objective is delivered through various levels from recreational, amateur and advanced level classes. The aim is to allow interested individuals to develop their potential as well as promote their physical well-being. The charity also works closely with schools to promote gymnastics and physical exercise.
Significant activities
The objectives of the charity are delivered through a comprehensive programme of gymnastic training classes covering a multitude of age groups and abilities. Classes are also geared towards gymnastics as a recreational activity as well as a competitive sport.
Volunteers
One thing is still very clear and that is without volunteers (both coaches and Trustees), the charity would have difficulty in delivering a low-cost activity for the community and schools, and our thanks goes to those providing this service. Thanks also goes to those parents that contribute regular financial support by allowing their children to participate.
How our activities deliver Public Benefit
The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The Trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide benefit to those who train with the club and the wider community.
Gymnastic Activities
The charity operates a number of different classes in order to give access to young people of all ages and abilities.
All classes are fully inclusive with additional coaching support available to meet individual member’s needs.
Toddlers classes - these are held as a drop in session for those aged up to 3 years old. The sessions are not structured and allow those attending free play to engage with the sport; parents are encouraged to join in. These sessions then feed into the pre school classes when they are 3 years old.
Pre School Training - the charity offers training sessions for children from when they start walking, up until they attend school full time. These sessions introduce them to the soft play equipment and teach them basic coordination, improve confidence and help general development in a specialised safe environment with their parents.
Recreational classes - these are held for both boys and girls of school age with a wide range of abilities and they combine fitness and fun. They are held to encourage children to attend and develop their basic gymnastic skills. There is no pressure of competition although the charity rewards the children's improvements with Proficiency badges and awards. The sessions provide a good grounding for other sporting activities. The club holds annual recreational competitions for those children to take part, giving them a focus for their training.
Competitive - the charity has three levels of competition; Novice, Intermediate and County + level. Those who have gymnastic potential are invited to participate in competitive training which requires a commitment of between 1 and 25 hours per week depending on the level at which they are competing. The charity regularly holds competitions at the gym in Helston but also encourages the gymnasts to take part in competitions throughout the UK. The difficulty that the charity faces is the cost that the families face in their children attending competitions throughout the region and nationally as travel costs can be significant.
Adult and teenage classes - adult and teenage classes are included within the timetable which cater for everyone over the age of 16. Many participants in these classes have never had the opportunity to participate in gymnastics training while at school. All members are encouraged to develop at their own pace and within their levels of fitness and flexibility.
Parent training- sessions are offered termly to allow parents to attend sessions with their children to learn the basics of gymnastic coaching and to build an understanding of the sport. Some parents have chosen to become volunteers at the club based on their enjoyment of attending these sessions.
Disability classes - the club's recent Makaton Friendly status and further disability training for staff has allowed the club to offer an inclusion program to all disability members from toddler to adult age, within the current training time table. 1:2:1 sub sized sessions are also available to cater for individual disability needs.
Community Activities
In addition to the gymnastic training for their members, the charity also plays a greater role throughout the local region in order to promote physical health and fitness to members of the public.
Schools - the club has an active role in promoting the charity and its facilities to local schools and to improve relationships with them. The schools programme is designed to deliver the National Curriculum to children of primary school age. The coaches deliver a 6-week National Key Steps programme to the schools either in school or in the Swallows gym. Many rural schools choose to come to the gym where the students are able to benefit from the use of specialised equipment. The programme gives access to qualified coaches to all children including those who might otherwise not be able to benefit. Although the charity charges a fee to the schools to help cover costs, on many occasions these services are provided at a loss to the charity as the Trustees are aware of the additional benefits that it brings which are in line with its objectives.
The staff at the gym continue to work hard to improve the safety and experiences of the children (and adults). We were offered some foam pieces from another gym which one of the coaches kindly collected on her day off. This has been used in the bottom of the pit, with our foam then on top. This has provided a deeper, safer landing for the gymnasts.
Summer Fun classes were open to members and non members in school summer holidays. We find this a successful way of providing an introduction, taster session for children. Many come with a friend who already attends. The 'Bring a Friend' sessions have also been very beneficial.
New decking and safer walkway in front of the gym was installed.
The raffle at the annual in house development and recreation competition (December) raised £533.
The annual Halloween Sleepover was, as usual, a huge success!
2025 also saw the following achievements:
Alice has passed more Level Three Coaching modules.
Under 12 boys won National Champions in November 2024.
Cornwall Classic Competition – November 2024 and July 2025 - Girls groups Mercury (6-7 and 8-10 years) and Titanium (7-8 years) and Seniors – all earning a significant number of medals.
South West Festival in Barnstaple February 2025 – all boys performed well, resulting in medals on most apparatus.
WAG grades – March 2025 - significant success, most girls working “working above the level” or “working beyond the level” distinction.
MAG Cornwall Championships 13th April – multiple medals for the whole team and individuals!
Pirates and Princesses 15th June – medals all round for the boys and the girls.
Three of four boys qualified to represent the South West at National Finals 2025, one of whom went on to win a Bronze Medal and the other two contributed to their team bronze medal.
Summary
Despite the number of clubs within the county and available choice for parents of clubs within a 20 minute radius of Helston, the club has continued to sustain its reputation as an excellent facility within the county. There is still a real family atmosphere about the charity which is very pleasing to see and will help recruit and retain new members over the coming years.
FUTURE PLANS
2025/26 will continue to be a challenge in the current financial climate but the trustees are confident that the charity has consolidated its position, and remains an effective business model.
In terms of numbers, the charity maintains its place within the County and is well positioned to remain a strategic centre for gymnastics. This strategic role is vital if the charity is to attract substantial funding for any development or new build. The trustees will continue to look carefully and thoughtfully at the range of activities that the charity provides (both within the gym and in terms of outreach work); new partnerships; marketing and publicity (both within the gym and beyond); grant funding opportunities; and customer care. This last issue continues to be vital as the charity has to provide a quality service for all its young gymnasts their parents and all its other users.
Total funds of the charity are £153,620 (2024: £160,331). Unrestricted funds total £152,614 (2024: £159,123) and restricted funds total £1,006 (2024: £1,208).
The net deficit for the year as set out on the Statement of Financial Activities was £-6,711 (2024 net surplus: £20,802).
It is the trustees' aim to retain sufficient liquid funds to affect the smooth winding down of the charity and settlement of outstanding debts and commitments. To put this into monetary terms the target is that free reserves are maintained at approximately £40,000, being at least one quarter's overheads. This level of reserves should provide enough of a cushion to administer a potential winding down of the charity. This is a minimum and ideally free reserves will accumulate to higher levels.
At 30 September 2025 the free reserves of the charity are £136,693 (2024: £134,261). This is above target and the trustees will continue to make efforts in boost incoming funds and fundraising activities.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee (No: 1088122) and was incorporated on 19 June 2001.
Swallows of Helston Gymnastics Club is a registered charity (No: 1088122). Its objects and powers and other constitutional matters are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It is run by a Board of Directors who act as Trustees of the Charity.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Memorandum and Articles of Association govern the basics on appointment of trustees and terms of office. Within the charity the following procedures are in place:
a) Trustees must be nominated using the appropriate nomination form SW-No1. The form must be signed by the proposer and prospective trustee, both must be members.
b) Trustees - can be co-opted but should be endorsed at an Executive Meeting before they take office.
c) Trustees are normally sourced from within the membership but may be invited from other institutions such as the Town & County Councillors or organisations that are members of Swallows under their membership rules.
The members of the charity elect trustees of the charity for a term of three years.
The charity employs a Head Coach and an Administrator to implement and manage the policies of the charity as determined by the Trustees.
Staff have control over the immediate day to day running of the Coaching and gymnastic element as well as cleaning, stationery and purchasing of relevant materials/training courses within a budget. All cheques are signed by two trustees and fiscal matters are monitored by the treasurer.
Emergency situations are managed on a needs basis but usually result in the Head Coach or Administrator telephoning one of the trustees.
Once elected, trustees receive an induction from the Chairman or nominated trustee. They are given the "Trustees' Manual" to look through which covers all aspects of being a trustee including the "Trustee Terms of Reference" document. They are also invited to comment on the usefulness of the Trustees' manual. In addition they are given a copy of the Charity Commission booklet CC3 "The essential trustee: what you need to know and what you need to do". For the most part trustees are not given a key role until they have settled in.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Swallows Of Helston Gymnastics Club (the charity) for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Swallows Of Helston Gymnastics Club is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Gunsmiths, Water Ma Trout, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0LW, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Donation and legacy income consists of small donations and gift aid.
Income from charitable activities consists of training fees, membership fees and competition fees.
Income from other trading activities consists of sale of gymnastic goods, fundraising events, refreshments and hire of the gymnasium.
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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.
Costs of generating funds include those items of expenditure directly related to ancillary trading such as goods for resale.
Charitable activity costs include those items of expenditure incurred in delivering the charity's main objective of gymnastic training and coaching. This category also includes support costs such as governance costs, premises expenses and the administrative function.
Support costs have been allocated between management, finance, information technology and governance costs. Governance costs are those items of expenditure incurred in the course of the charity's statutory obligations and include the cost of independent examination and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Support costs are wholly allocated to training activities, being the main charitable activity undertaken by the charity. These costs form part of the overall cost of training activities disclosed under Charitable activities on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
During the previous year, trustee C Osborne received a cash donation on behalf of the charity of £460, in addition to being transferred £500 to hold as cash from the charity's bank account. £250 of this was spent on charity purchases during the year and £100 was placed back into petty cash, leaving £610 being held with C Osborne and owed to the charity. This is still outstanding at 30 September 2025.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
During 2021 the charitable company took out a bank loan for which the Government provided a 100% guarantee in respect of the outstanding balance. Interest became payable after 12 months at 2.5% per annum. The balance outstanding at the balance sheet date is £9,954 (2024: £16,385).
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income relates to income relating to October gymnastic sessions in the following financial year.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The amount owing to the scheme at the balance sheet date is £524 (2024: £347).
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The JX3 donation was received in 2012 for the purchase of new gym equipment. During the previous year £1,000 of expenditure was transferred from unrestricted funds to the JX3 restricted fund. This was due to a historical error and these funds being spent in previous years on gym equipment and being fully depreciated.
The Helstonbury grant was received during 2016 for the purchase of specific gym equipment. In 2023 an additional amount of £1,154 was received for a spotting platform. This was fully utilised.
The Rotary Club donations were received during 2016 and 2018 for the purchase of new computer equipment and gym equipment, respectively.
The Sport for England grant was received during 2021 for the Return to Play project following Covid-19. The fund was spent on IT equipment, cleaning and equipment and coaches fees and expenses, as required by the grant.
The related expenditure on all the above funds during the year ended 30 September 2025 is the depreciation on the capitalised costs.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none) other than those disclosed in note 10.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee, and has no share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.