The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
The Carrick Centre building opened in 2012 and is at the heart of making North Carrick a better place to live, play, work and raise a family. The Carrick Centre is a registered charity Number: SC041794 and a Company limited by guarantee, registered at Companies House in Scotland, Number SC334701. There are three key components to the charity, a purpose-built Community Centre (2012) incorporating North Carrick Parish Church, the KA19 Youth Hub building (2023) and the first UK accredited green transport Community Mobility Hub (2024).
The Charitable purposes of the charity are to advance the citizenship, community development and educational needs of the community of North Carrick through:
the provision, maintenance and repair of community buildings and green transport facilities
creating and delivering a range of community and education projects across all age groups
providing play and recreational facilities for local families and visitors.
The charity operates for the benefit of all in North Carrick across their lifespan and the community services provided are rooted in values of inclusiveness, kindness, sustainability, and partnership.
Objectives and Activities: The Carrick Centre Trustees, Staff and Volunteer team, work with children, young people, adults and the elderly, partners, funders and key organisations to
create and deliver innovative projects to alleviate the impact of poverty, including food poverty
build capacity and engagement through volunteering opportunities and support for individuals and groups in the community
operate the Carrick Centre accredited green transport Community Mobility Hub
generate health benefits by providing care services
alleviate hardship caused through health, disability, isolation or other disadvantages
help build a sustainable North Carrick community through environmental, economic and social protections and improvements
provide training and employment opportunities with a particular emphasis on training and work experience for those with additional support needs, including providing a training kitchen
deliver play, arts, science, heritage, and culture projects for all.
The Carrick Centre provides a safe, warm, and fully accessible space where families can connect, play, learn, and receive support in times of need.
Income is generated from the Community Café, room hires, fundraising activities and Grant Aid applications for running costs, salaries and projects.
The Carrick Centre is a Real Living Wage Employer and employs around 20 people and has over 20 people in the team of volunteers.
First Minister John Swinney visited The Carrick Centre in May 2026. During his visit, he met with Trustees, staff, volunteers, and residents to observe the community hub's wrap-around services, including its café, support groups, and efforts to reduce isolation.
Who benefits from the Carrick Centre Each week, around 2,000 people of all ages come through the doors of the Carrick Centre and KA19 Youth Hub to access activities, affordable meals, crisis support, youth activities, adult learning, and wellbeing opportunities. A wide range of projects are run from the buildings, and arts and cultural organisations like ‘The Gaiety on Tour’ perform, with visitors coming from Glasgow and beyond to take part in advertised activities. Cyclists from all over Ayrshire and tourists from all over the world come to use the facilities. The Centre also provides EV charging points, transportation services and Motorhome overnight parking.
The community café, open six days a week, is more than just a place to eat. It provides nutritious, low-cost meals and free soft play for children. Local childminders gather to build support networks and use the free soft play area.
Alongside the café, the food pantry and food bank ensure that no family goes hungry. In 2025 the Food Pantry supported 780 registered members, delivered 3,899 shops, provided the equivalent of 15,596 meals, generated estimated household savings of £95,525. Additional support included: Food Bank referrals, hygiene essentials, school uniform bank, Winter coat bank, Information and Advice services.
Working with local schools, health services, and charities, families can receive wraparound support. The Centre is a place where people feel they belong, reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, and strengthening resilience.
A new pilot project - the Culzean Community Bar - has been opened to raise funds and create a welcoming social space.
The KA19 Youth Hub aims to build the confidence of young people, reduce their isolation, and create enjoyable pathways into education, volunteering, and work. The KA19 Youth Hub helps local young people thrive. There is a Youth Board, and programmes align with Scotland’s National Youth Work Outcomes and Skills Framework, ensuring that all activities, from drop-ins to structured groups, contribute to long-term positive change and opportunities for fun experiences.
In 2025 the youth services were expanded and the number of youth-focused events increased. Weekly attendance of 140 young people, across 8 Groups, with 6 Active partnerships. Provisions included, Wellbeing Support, Educational Attainment Support, P7+ Drop Ins, Sensory Session, Children’s Parties.
We are committed to employee development, including fostering leadership skills among our younger staff members. Going forward, we plan to establish new groups led by both our paid staff and youth volunteers from our Youth Board.
There are strong connections with local schools, council groups, and third-sector organisations, both locally and nationally. We collaborate with organisations like Place2Be, which offers 1:1 counselling services, Family First, and the Nurture Group, which supports small groups of young people to improve educational outcomes. Working closely with the local employability team helps us to connect young people with opportunities in their community and beyond, helping them realize their aspirations. A partnership has been forged with the local Community Garden and Project Search, a group that provides work placements for young adults to gain new skills and experience. We are excited to combine these efforts to develop a youth garden space with sensory areas and accessible planters, giving young people the chance to engage with outdoors skills in a welcoming, barrier-free environment.
Challenges and Successes
It is critical to build on self- generated unrestricted income to make the charity more sustainable.
Currently the balance is 56.5 % grant income and 43.5% self- generated unrestricted income, up from 2021 when it was 65% grant income-35% self-generated unrestricted income. The target is to reach 50%-50% by 2030.
The grant income for projects has been relatively stable for the past five years so for growth it is essential to secure new sources of income.
2025 was a record year for the Carrick Centre: with £276,412 raised from grant project funding and £195,985 self-generated unrestricted funding for staff and running costs.
The annual Cafe turnover represented a 40% increase from 2024.
Energy efficiency is key. There is a biomass (woodpellet) boiler under the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme which heats the Carrick Centre building, and there is energy efficient lighting, fridges and freezers.
There are new plans being formed to make the Youth Hub more energy efficient.
To reduce energy costs, grants were secured for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Carrick Centre together with battery storage. These were installed in March 2026. There was an immediate reduction in the electricity bill of £400 for April and £600 in May.
In July 2026, because of significant discussions for the past two years, the Carrick Centre was awarded a Facilities Support Scheme grant from NCCBC (who administer grant funding from Scottish Power Renewables Dersalloch Windfarm) of £20,000 per year for three years.
Impact of funding the Carrick Centre In 2023 The Trustees commissioned Social Value Lab to undertake a Social Return on Investment Evaluation of its Activities and its Theory of Change to get a better understanding of the wider Social Impact of the Carrick Centre. This was before the KA19 Hub and Community Mobility Hub.
Key findings were-
Carrick Centre SROI ratio of £3.77: £1; for every pound of investment in the Carrick Centre £3.77 of social value is created
The ratio of return on the Public Purse alone is £2.09 for every £1 invested
When looking at value created per individual stakeholder, the greatest value is created for an individual young person, followed by a volunteer, a person with ASN, an older person, a community group and a parent/carer.
The Carrick Centre is the number one Award winning community facility in North Carrick. To date the Carrick Centre has raised more than £2 million pounds in grants since 2012 which means that £7.54 million pounds of social value has been created and £4.14 million pounds return to the public purse has been generated.
Whilst the Centre has a number of high, fixed cost items such as Insurance, Energy and staff costs, while unrestricted income is variable and the Centre relies on Room Lets, Cafe/catering sales, donations and funding to stay solvent.
Actual unrestricted income from donations, operations and fundraising, was £353k with restricted grants and donations £136K.
At the year end, The Carrick Centre had unrestricted net current liabilities of £54,959. The acquisition of the second building by asset transfer for the Carrick Centre KA19 Youth Hub had financial implications of not only the additional running costs, this contributed to the deficit incurred in this financial year.
This has led to the Trustee’s implementing a number of changes to ensure the sustainability of the charity.
Our unrestricted reserves are approximately 5.5 months of unrestricted operating costs, but after removing fixed assets of £245k this is not the case with unrestricted net current liabilities as noted above. Our target has been to try and retain 3 months of average operating costs which the trustees are hoping to achieve in future.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 30th November 2007. Planning and fundraising began on that date and the company was granted charitable status with effect from 23rd September 2010.
The Carrick Centre leases its premises from the Trustees of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh for an annual rent of ONE POUND (£1.00) STERLING if asked in advance on the Date of Entry and each subsequent anniversary thereof.
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:
There is a board of Trustees of up to 12 people drawn from the North Carrick area of benefit, which meets monthly. There is a finance committee, which meets every two weeks, overseeing the annual budget, fundraising, financial projections and cash flow. The staff team are managed by a Community Development Manager. There is also a Marketing and Media group who with the Manager have produced and circulated a ‘What’s ON at the Carrick Centre” publication twice a year. This is distributed to households via the schools and volunteers.
The staff team includes a bookkeeper (who is a qualified accountant) and an administrator. There is a Catering Manager and a Youth Hub Manager.
Volunteers assist and lead in various roles including our projects, the gardens, the cafe and at functions, and in maintaining the building.
The main related party at present is The Maybole Parish Church. This is related by virtue of the partnership created due to common objectives and control through a number of common trustees. The related party transactions note details the transactions occurring.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On behalf of the board of trustees
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 21.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn 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.
The Carrick Centre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Culzean Road, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA19 7DE.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
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.
The charity meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through income generated from charitable activities, fundraising and grant funding. Whilst unrestricted net current liabilities existed at the year end, this position was primarily influenced by the timing of grant income, capital commitments and related creditor balances.
The trustees have reviewed cash flow forecasts and funding expectations for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Since the year end, the charity has continued to trade, has secured additional funding and has implemented measures aimed at improving long‑term financial sustainability and increasing unrestricted income generation.
Having considered the charity's forecast cash flows, expected funding streams and available resources, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will be able to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis.
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.
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.
Grants receivable are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) in the year in which they are awarded, providing entitlement, certainty and measurement can be confirmed.
Expenditure other than that which has been capitalised is included on an accruals basis, net of recoverable VAT and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay the expenditure.
Expenditure on raising funds is deemed expenditure of the development office and fundraising events.
Expenditure on charitable activities is deemed expenditure of the centre itself and support costs for the charity generally.
Governance costs comprise expenditure for statutory responsibilities and other consultancy fees.
All costs have been directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the SOFA.
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.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
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 has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Sales within charitable activities comprises café, catering, food pantry and charity shop.
Charitable rental income comprises hall lets, nursery rent and church rent.
The heat, light and power cost is net of Ofgem renewable heat incentives totalling £9,545 (2024 - £8,742).
£1,500 of audit fees in 2024 represent an under accrual in 2023.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year. No trustees received any expenses (2024 - No trustees received any expenses).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Land and buildings represents the property at 8-10 Whitehall, The Big Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland all hold standard security over the property.
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 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 Fixed Asset Fund represents several previous restricted funds where all cash has been spent and the balance represents the net book value of assets purchased.
ARIA Lighting Upgrade - This was funding from South Ayrshire Council to upgrade to energy efficient lighting in the Centre. This work was completed post year end in 2025.
Food Pantry - This was funding received from South Ayrshire Council through Voluntary Action South Ayrshire to setup a Food Pantry, a membership scheme aimed at helping people make their money go further by reducing their food shopping bills and providing advice and support. £9,072 was transferred in to cover an overspend to April 2025.
SCP 2022 - This was funding from the Scottish Government to cover core salary costs and the recruitment of a new General Manager. The balance remaining was transferred to the Fixed Asset Fund and represents the net book value of the remaining assets.
Assel Valley ICF- This was funding received for the Food Pantry project and Youth Hub. £4,188 was transferred to unrestricted to cover expenditure from a prior year not allocated to this fund.
Church Youth Fund - This was funding received from Maybole Parish Church to fund sessional staff for Youth Work.
National Lottery Community Led - This was funding from the National Lottery for a period of three years for the Community Development Manager's post
National Lottery Young Start - This was two-year funding for a Lead Youth Worker, sessional staff and capital expenditure. The balance of the capital expenditure fund was transferred to the Fixed Asset Fund and represents the net book value of the remaining assets.
Sensory Fundraising - This was funds raised for the Carrick Sensory's weekly and one Sunday a month sessions
Solar Panels - This was funding received from the Energy Savings Trust and NCCBC to purchase and install solar panels and batteries for the Carrick Centre.
Church Sound System - This was funding received to replace and upgrade components in the sound system within the church and auditorium.
ERI Community - This was funding received from Thriving Communities Employment Recruitment Incentive to pay the salary of a janitor position.
HSCP Pantomime - This was funding provided by South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to pay for a Christmas pantomime.
Scottish Children's Lottery Trust - This was funding given to purchase equipment for the Youth Hub.
YouthHub - This was funding received from BBC Children in Need to run an emotional support youth group.
VASA Evolve - This was funding provided by Voluntary Action South Ayrshire to pay the salary of a janitorial position.
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.
Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:
At the balance sheet date, the charity had capital commitments totalling £66,383 in relation to solar panels being installed on the Carrick Centre. This commitment was fully funded at the date of acceptance as shown at note 16, a deposit was paid and the balance of the works is included in creditors and the balance of the grant is included in debtors. Work commenced post year end.
The Carrick Centre occupies premises built and owned by The Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN and has use of the premises at a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum.
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The Carrick Centre received rent from North Carrick Parish Church of Scotland of £9,556 (2024 - £6,000). This is in respect of use of the Carrick Centre for Church activities. North Carrick Parish Church of Scotland is a registered charity and is related by virtue of the partnership created due to common objectives and control through a number of common trustees.
Electro Installations (Scotland) Ltd, a company controlled by Mr James Cooper, trustee/director who resigned on 1st January 2025, provided electrical services to the charity during the year amounting to £nil (including VAT) (2024 - £3,689), at an arm's length price.