Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

	Page
Trustees' Report	1—14
Independent Examiner's Report	15
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)	17
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)	18
Balance Sheet	19—20
Notes to the Financial Statements	21—26

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.

Objectives and Activities

Aims and Objectives

Objects

The charitable objects of the Charity, as set out in its governing document, are:

- to safeguard, protect and preserve the good health, both mental and physical, of children and parents/carers of children;

- to prevent cruelty to or maltreatment of children;

- to relieve sickness, poverty and need amongst children and parents/carers of children;

- to promote the education of the public in better standards of child care;

within the area of southern Oxfordshire and its environs.

Vision

Our vision is to play our part in shaping a country where all children have the best possible start in life. We want to make sure that no parent or family feels alone in the critical task of raising children.

Mission

Our mission is to support families with young children in Southern Oxfordshire to navigate their challenging times. We achieve this through a network of trained volunteers and a team of expert staff.

Values

• Humanity: We see each other as individual people and our approach is based on the fundamental human qualities of relationship, inclusion, kindness and compassion.

• Humility: We know that it takes a village to raise a child. We seek to work in partnership as peers to build on the inherent strengths and capabilities in people, families, communities and organisations.

• Humour: In the face of challenges in life, we approach our relationships with an aim to find joy, playfulness and fulfilment from our connected journey.

Activities

We work with families who are experiencing challenging times, and who have a child/children aged five years or under. We achieve our mission through the following main activities:

• We recruit and train volunteers to work alongside families, offering friendship, support and practical assistance, with a flexible approach to take account of different needs. This 1-to-1 support, typically offered once a week for up to a year, strengthens parents’ emotional wellbeing and parenting skills. This ultimately benefits their children and encourages families to widen their support networks and to effectively use services within the local community.

• We run local parent and child support groups which provide safe and welcoming spaces for parents to meet other local parents, sharing experiences, and for their children to play and socialise with other children. Attendees also have the opportunity to gain support and signposting from our skilled Group Worker.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when planning the year’s activities. This report demonstrates how Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire fulfils its charitable objectives.

Achievements and Performance

Main Achievements

The plans that we set out in our report last year were:

• to assist increasing numbers of families through home-visits in the coming period, undertaken by our network of trained volunteers. In addition, we aim to help families access groups and resources in their local communities, either providing these ourselves or through close links with other like-minded organisations.

• to make contingency plans to cover projected funding shortfalls, in the knowledge that some current multi-year funding grants will come to an end from 2026/27 onwards.

Our achievements specifically in relation to the above targets were as follows:

• We succeeded in supporting increased numbers of families through home-visits. In the year, 118 families were supported in this way (2025: 91).

• In total 223 families were supported across our various services (2025: 213).

• 371 children were supported in these families (2025: 350), of whom 301 were aged 0-5 years (2025: 291).

• In order to achieve the above we increased our numbers of volunteers to 55 (2025: 51).

• 3,059 hours of time were given freely by our brilliant volunteers (2025: 2,362), supporting families week in week out, and steering the Charity as trustees;

• We succeeded in helping families access groups and resources in their local communities. Of these, 105 families attended our own Home-Start groups (2025: 122), and an increasing number were helped to access groups run by other like-minded organisations in their local communities across Southern Oxfordshire. A concerted effort was made to re-energise links with these organisations, for the benefit of the families we support.

• A start was made on broadening our sources of income, to replace those multi-year funding grants that are due to end in the coming years. This included launching a Friends of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire scheme, to encourage regular monthly donations; buying places in challenge events; securing a major fundraising partnership with a local Golf Club (we will have more news on this in next year’s report). We also invested in the acquisition of Donorfy CRM to assist us in our fundraising plans, and Xero accounting software to assist in financial reporting.

Additional activities in pursuit of our Mission:

• Groups. We re-launched our referral-only Best Starts group in September 2025, for families needing more 1-to-1 input and a quieter environment than open-access groups. This takes place on a weekly basis throughout the year, at the Health Visitors’ ‘Bluebell Centre’ in Didcot. We ran our weekly Baby & Me group throughout the year, at the District Community Centre, in Great Western Park.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

• Volunteer training and development. We ran three Volunteer Preparation Courses in order to increase our network of trained home-visiting volunteers. We instigated a programme of on-going training and development of our existing volunteers, with most sessions delivered online to maximise attendance at the live sessions as well as access to recordings after the event. Topics covered included paediatric first aid; fuel poverty; autism and a presentation on the new Dad Pad resource. We also value the input on our Preparation Courses from Sylvia Woolley on perinatal mental health, and the team from Reducing the Risk, on domestic abuse.

• Outreach. We participated in several public-facing ‘community events’ across our region, including those organised by Oxfordshire Play Association, and Didcot Railway Centre (specifically for disadvantaged families) as well as Volunteer Fairs and Community Larders. We also presented to the Abingdon Partnership of Schools, as a way of reaching as many local schools as possible, to make them aware of the services we provide locally.

• Playing our part in keeping children safe. At Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire we take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously, ‘doing our bit’ to keep children safe. Of the 118 families that we supported through home-visiting, 32% were on social care plans, requiring input from our team of Home-Start staff/volunteers at meetings with relevant agencies. The involvement of Home-Start is particularly valued, as we are often the only organisation to see the family at home, on a weekly basis over a prolonged period of time.

• Quality. We are proud to be part of the national Home-Start network. As well as giving us wider publicity and access to specialist support, our membership ensures we are assessed under the Home-Start Quality Assurance Standard. This encompasses ten areas of work:

Protecting Families;

Governance & Leadership;

Family Support;

Operating a Home-Start;

Money & Funding;

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion;

Quality & Impact;

Staff & Volunteers;

Brand, Communication & Digital;

Partnership & Influence.

We have submitted self-assessments of our practice in the above areas, for monitoring by Home-Start UK, and all ten have been approved. This year, the following areas were quality assured: ‘Operating a Home-Start’; ‘Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion’; ‘Money & Funding’; ‘Quality & Impact’.

• Events. We hosted our annual event for all stakeholders, in October 2025. This is the last year that this event will also include an AGM as our members passed a resolution to change the membership structure to only include current trustees. The annual event will continue under a different name, as a celebration of our progress and achievements each year, as well as our plans for the future. We also hosted a Christmas event for all our volunteers (‘Jingle & Mingle’) as our way of saying thank you for their immense efforts.

• Royal Visit. We participated in a special visit to Didcot Powerhouse Fund by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, who enjoyed learning about the work of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire.

• Christmas campaigns. We were delighted to take up the opportunity of a pre-Christmas collection day, at Tesco’s in Didcot. We also benefitted from Christmas campaigns run by Newbury Building Society (Abingdon and Didcot branches), and ‘Sleigh to Give’, providing much-needed resources for our families’ children at Christmas.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

• Collaborating with like-minded organisations. We reignited collaborations with community-based groups and other organisations working with families across our region, including The Place in Faringdon, The Red Kite Centre in Thame, The Berin Centre in Berinsfield, and SOFEA. We also worked closely with like-minded charities in neighbouring regions, including Home-Start Oxford, and Home-Start Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton (the three charities collaborate frequently as ‘ the Home-Start Oxfordshire consortium’ whenever this benefits our respective beneficiaries). Beyond Oxfordshire we also forged links with Home-Start West Berkshire, and Nest Aylesbury Vale. We were proud to be active members of the Healthy Didcot group of organisations, as well as the Berinsfield Health & Wellbeing group.

• Fundraising. We are indebted to the generosity of more funders than could possibly be mentioned individually here, including grant-giving trusts and foundations; town and parish councils; local businesses; and individual donors - you know who you are! Having said that, it is only right that this year we make special mention of Active Oxfordshire, BBC Children in Need, Didcot Town Council, Henry Smith Foundation, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire Community Foundation, HSUK/SGN, South Oxfordshire District Council, Step Change Fund, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you also to all the families, volunteers past and present, and supporters who donate their expenses, make donations in lieu of birthdays, fundraise and/or make regular donations to the Charity often boosted by Gift Aid. We wouldn’t be able to support and help struggling families without people like you!

•Special Resolution regarding the Charity’s Articles of Association. At the Charity’s AGM on 1 October 2025 a special resolution was proposed, and unanimously passed, which included three fundamental changes:

i) to widen the definition of beneficiaries in the Charity’s objects from ‘children and parents of children’ to ‘children and parents/carers of children’ to reflect the fact that the Charity now works with a more diverse cohort of families, which may often comprise care-givers who are not necessarily the children’s biological parents;

ii) to limit the definition of ‘members’ to current trustees only, rather than a wider membership structure;

iii) to limit terms of office of trustees to a maximum of three consecutive terms of office, each lasting a maximum of four years. The updated Articles of Association have been officially logged with all relevant authorities.

Plans for the future period

The Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire team

• Our volunteers. At Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire we simply could not operate without the immense contribution from our volunteers, who are at the forefront of delivery of our services. Between you, you have freely given over 3,000 hours of volunteering time this year, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This charity runs on the goodwill and hard work of dedicated, trained volunteers, and is immensely appreciated by the families that you support, week in week out, both through home-visiting and assisting at groups – thank you! An equally big thank you should also go to our dedicated unpaid trustees, who also give their time freely as volunteers in support of the Charity’s aims.

• Chair. This year we make special mention of Doreen McNulty, Chair of trustees, who stood down from the Board after 33 years of involvement with the Charity. Doreen adapted to many challenges and changes over the years, that impacted on Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire – changes in trustees’ responsibilities, in the national HSUK body, in rules and regulations, in society and in the local and national political scene. Through her leadership, the core Home-Start work of home-visiting by volunteers, and provision of groups for young families remains unchanged. Doreen always believed strongly in the value of volunteering, the importance of the early years of a child’s life, and in the difference that Home-Start can make when a family needs support. Thankfully, Doreen has not said Goodbye – she is now volunteering her services as a helper at our Best Starts group. So, thank you Doreen! Doreen has handed over the baton of Chair to fellow trustee Jan Rimmer, who has served on the Board since December 2024, and brings a wealth of experience in working with children and families affected by SEN, as well as experience of being a Home-Start volunteer, directly supporting families through home-visiting. Jan has the unanimous support of all the trustees, as she offers to hold the position of Chair on an interim basis.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

• Treasurer. Likewise, after an extensive tenure as Treasurer, we pay tribute to Colin Campbell, who calmly guided the Charity through the financial highs and lows that inevitably face charities of our size, particularly when surprises await around the corner, such as the challenges presented by Covid-19. Colin joined the Charity at a time when its very future was at risk, and he worked tirelessly to put us on the sound financial footing that we see today. Colin, we cannot thank you enough! The role of Treasurer has been taken up by Rob Fraser, who joined the Charity in May 2025. Rob brings extensive experience from the corporate world, particularly in strategy, finance, and senior operational leadership within the technology environment. Rob will oversee the governance of the Charity’s finances, going forward.

• Trustees’ terms of office. The above changes are in part due to a recent amendment to the Charity’s Articles of Association (see above), whereby trustees are now limited to a maximum of 12 continuous years’ service as trustees. We shall see further rotation of trustees in the coming period, as other trustees reach the 12-year limit.

• Our staff. We thank our amazing staff for their dedication, expertise, hard work and good humour, living our values of humanity, humility and humour. It is through our staff and volunteers, working effectively together, that we fulfil our mission each and every day, supporting struggling local families in their most challenging times.

• Manager. This year we make special mention of Linda Cheong, who has entered well-deserved retirement after five years as Manager of the Charity. We thank you for everything you’ve achieved during this time, Linda, as well as all those years that you previously dedicated as a trustee. We are proud of the fact that your first involvement with the Charity was as a supported-family yourself, and your rise to become trustee, and then manager, embodies the Charity’s determination in put benefitting families at the heart of everything we do, and all the decisions that we make. We count ourselves extremely fortunate that, in your retirement, you have chosen to offer your services as a home-visiting volunteer, and we had no hesitation in taking you up on your offer, with several families already benefitting from your extensive knowledge and experience. Thank you, Linda! The role of Manager passed to Andy Cook in June 2025. Andy has spent all his career in the charity sector, most recently having headed up Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, and Canine Partners for Independence.

• Our families. Last but by no means least, we thank all those 223 families who came to us for help this year. It is you who give us the inspiration to fulfil our mission. We are proud to help you through the challenging times, and we aim to be here for you when you need us most.

Referrals

We received 162 referrals during the year, as follows:

- Health Visitors: 32%

- Educational Professionals: 17%

- Self Referrals: 15%

- Social/Family Services: 14%

- Midwifery: 6%

- Other Health Services: 6%

- Perinatal/Mental Health Services: 3%

- Social Prescribers: 1%

- Other/Community orgs: 6%

Referrals to us have risen by 27% over the last two years.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

Our Impact

We supported 138 families in South Oxfordshire district, and 85 families in the Vale of White Horse.

We are pleased that our help clearly had a positive impact on the families we supported, with respondents to our survey to all families telling us that:

- 100% of parents felt less isolated

- 100% of parents felt better able to cope with the day-today running of the home

- 94% of parents experienced improved mental health

- 87% of parents felt better able to cope with parenting in the earliest years

- 80% of parents felt more involved in their children’s learning and development

- 79% of parents experienced improved self-esteem.

Who we supported

Families come to us at different points in their lives and with a wide range of circumstances. The families we supported this year were often navigating several challenges at once, including mental or physical health needs, financial insecurity, social care involvement, neurodiversity, disability and isolation. These figures give an insight into the diverse experiences of the families we support and the complexity of the circumstances in which they are raising their children:

Family Circumstances

50% were experiencing financial hardship/insecurity

38% were single parent families

33% were on Social Care plans

17% had experience of domestic abuse

5% had experience of substance misuse

Health/Wellbeing

64% of parents cited mental health difficulties

36% included at least one child with neurodivergence

20% included at least one child with disability/health issues

17% of parents were neurodivergent

15% of parents experienced disability/health issues

Diversity/Background

30% described their ethnicity as something other than White British

5% were refugees/migrants

3% were from the armed services community, either serving or veterans

3% of families had been affected by a family member/partner’s prison sentence

Every family is different, and behind these figures are parents and children doing their best in challenging times. Our hope is that everyone will see themselves represented in the diverse breadth of families we support, and will feel that Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is there to support them, whatever their circumstances.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

Case Study 1 (anonymised) – supported through home-visits

Mum had become very anxious and did not like to leave the house; this isolation had led to Child 2 being anxious of people and very clingy to Mum and Dad.

Mum initially felt anxious about meeting our Home-Start Co-ordinator, but this was lessened by the visits, including introducing our trained volunteer. Mum said that she just ‘clicked’ straight away with her matched volunteer. Child 2 was not used to having people in the home and Mum said he was having a meltdown when our volunteer visited for the first time. She said our volunteer was calm, quiet, and reassuring and by visit three, Child 2 was happy and engaging, and both Mum and Child 2 were looking forward to the weekly visit.

Mum says she feels less anxious and Child 2 is much more sociable and less clingy. The volunteer goes along with Mum and Child 2 to a Rhyme Time at the local library, Child 2 plays with his peers at groups and they often go to the local farm shop and pet the animals. Mum has felt confident enough to register him to start a pre-school in September.

Mum feels that without her Home-Start volunteer, Child 2 would not be ready and would have been too anxious to even consider registering him to attend a pre-school.

Mum says that their volunteer visit is a highlight in their week and they love their volunteer and the positive impact on Child 2 has been amazing.

“I went from feeling like I was drowning daily, to feeling like I can cope again. My volunteer is so lovely, empathetic, kind and understanding. She knows just how to help me, in ways I wouldn't have even thought myself. She is brilliant with my children and it's amazing having someone to talk to who understands and has no judgement.”

- Family supported with a home-visiting volunteer

Case Study 2 (anonymised) – supported through home-visits

Mum arrived in the UK through an arranged marriage, which unfortunately became abusive. Demonstrating great courage, she fled the situation with her three-year-old child and was relocated to a different area for safety.

As a result, the family was referred to Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire. Mum was highly vulnerable and lacked essential life skills due to the prolonged abuse and control she had experienced. Our Family Co-ordinator provided immediate practical support, including a care package of toiletries, clothing and toys, as the family had been unable to bring many belongings with them.

Once a trusting relationship was established, Mum was supported by our Family Co-ordinator in reporting the abuse she had suffered to the police. This was a significant step for her, as she initially had little trust in the police. A safety plan is now in place.

Mum and child were then introduced to one of our trained home-visiting volunteers, who quickly began offering practical and emotional support. This included helping Mum update her address with the bank, benefits services and utility providers. The volunteer also supported the family in registering with a GP and dentist and provided an orientation of the local area, including essential amenities such as shops and the library.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Main Achievements - continued

The child was not used to being around other adults, so was slightly cautious at first, but has since developed a lovely relationship with our volunteer and has enjoyed their walks to the park to play. Mum feels less overwhelmed by having support while she has been navigating a tricky time with financial and housing issues - we have obtained funding for carpets, wardrobes and support towards an existing energy debt. Mum now really enjoys playing with and reading with her child and they go to the library regularly.

Our Family Co-ordinator helped Mum to secure a place for the child at a local pre-school. The child is now thriving in this setting and Mum says the child feels settled and safe.

“I volunteer for Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire as I enjoy being with families and young children and seeing how they change and grow.”

- Home-Visiting Volunteer

Case Study 3 (anonymised) – supported through Home-Start groups

Mum was referred to our Best-Starts group by her Health Visitor. She was anxious about attending local baby groups with her youngest child as she was worried about germs that could aggravate her poorly chest. As our Best-Starts group is a smaller, more nurturing space, Mum felt encouraged to start attending with all three of her children. She has been coming regularly and the whole family has grown in confidence and enjoyment of the group. Her youngest child is thriving, and Mum enjoys chatting to the parents she sees there regularly and has got to know well. Recently, the children’s father took the day off work so he could come along with the family to see the group in action for himself as he had heard so much about it from the children!

“The group has allowed my son to get out of his comfort zone and not feel overwhelmed about too many people around him; he’s been able to be himself and play happily, alone and alongside other children.”

– Family who attended our Baby & Me group

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Financial Review

Financial Position

I am delighted to present my first report as Treasurer of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire. I must formally thank Colin Campbell for all his efforts as the previous Treasurer for many years; his are certainly big shoes for me to fill.

Total income for the year was £299,465 (2025 re-stated: £271,066). A change of accounting policy was adopted on 1 April 2025, whereby income is fully recognised in the year of receipt, unless exceptional circumstances apply, rather than deferred and released across the subsequent 12 months in which the work takes place (the previous policy).

This new policy is in accordance with the charities SORP.

This results in an adjustment to the 2025 income, increasing it by £16,855 from the amount originally reported. It also increases total funds brought forward at 1 April 2024 by £26,428. Total reserves carried forward at 31 March 2025 show a restated value of £236,945 compared to £193,662 previously reported.

Total expenditure totalled £212,083 (2025 re-stated: £196,210 ). Increase in expenditure reflects the fact that we supported more families this year, within an inflationary environment in the world at large.

The Charity reported a net surplus of £87,382 in the year (2025 re-stated: £74,856). We anticipate that costs will increase further in the coming period, as we continue to grow the numbers of families we support, whereas income is forecast to reduce, with the loss of certain multi-year grants. For this reason, the Trustees have designated £160,000 of reserves to cover future short- to medium-term shortfalls.

At year-end overall cash resources were £348,859 (2025: £244,842). This year the trustees took action to ensure good investment returns on its reserves by using a cash management platform. This is a low-risk approach, using a variety of interest-earning cash funds, all of which are covered by the FSCS deposit protection scheme. Also this year, we transitioned our accounting software from Sage to Xero.

Whilst it is reassuring that the Charity is in a strong financial position, it should be noted again, as above, that we foresee a funding gap in the coming years, as various multi-year grants reach a natural end. We are working hard to develop a broader range of fundraising income streams to mitigate the effects of the above, but in the meantime, we expect to draw down on the reserves that we have designated specifically towards bridging this gap. We remain committed to exercising sensible cost control, without reducing the support we deliver to families.

A budget deficit for the forthcoming year has been approved by the Trustees, and funds have been designated towards any funding gap that may materialise. This budget allows for the continued growth in services that are to be provided to families-in-need in the coming year, through home visiting and provision of groups.

As always, we offer our sincere thanks to all the organisations, individuals and Trusts & Foundations who have supported us during the year, enabling us to support increasing numbers of young families across Southern Oxfordshire.

Rob Fraser

Treasurer

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For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Reserves Policy

Our reserves policy is to hold sufficient unrestricted reserves to cover potential liabilities if the Charity were to close, plus anticipated funding requirements for the coming year/s, plus a general ‘free reserve’ of no more than 12 months of annual income. Restricted reserves are kept separate and are ear-marked for specific projects or activities set out by the donor. The calculation of the required level of reserves is an integral part of the Charity’s planning, budget and forecast cycle and takes into account:

• risks associated with each stream of income and expenditure varying from the budget

• the planned activity level and commitments.

At year-end our unrestricted reserves comprised:

• Free reserves of £105,520, which complies with the above reserves policy (2025 re-stated: £195,945).

• A designated reserve of £41,000 to cover costs in the event that the Charity were ever to wind-up. (2025: £41,000)

• A designated reserve of £160,000 to cover anticipated funding requirements for the coming year/s (2025: £0).

• Restricted reserves of £17,807 (2025: £0), all of which is earmarked for expenditure in the coming year, in accordance with the donors’ wishes.

Going Concern

The trustees confirm that, having considered our expectations and intentions for the next twelve months, our track record of delivery, including an approved budget and the availability of reserves and working capital, the Charity is a going-concern.

Risk Management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is exposed, in particular those relating to finances and operations, and believe that arrangements are in place to mitigate those risks. A Risk Register is maintained, which is reviewed and updated by trustees and management on a regular basis.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and we expect all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Our policies on safeguarding children and adults are available on our website.

Plans for the future period

In line with our mission, our goals for the coming period are to build upon the support that we provide to struggling local families, through home-visiting and provision of groups, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Charity by diversifying our sources of income. In particular we have set ourselves the following targets for the year ending 31 March 2027:

Target 1: we aim to continue to support a diverse mix of families across Southern Oxfordshire, and in particular to support families who have few other options open to them;

Target 2: we aim to commence a project to increase our support of military families, both serving, and veterans, subject to specific funding becoming available;

Target 3: we aim to instigate a third group for parents/carers and young children in 2026/27, building upon our successful instigation of a second group in 2025/26;

Target 4: we aim to further develop our links with other like-minded community organisations across Southern Oxfordshire so that we can work together in the support of families who are struggling;

Target 5: we aim to enrich the support of families at our groups by incorporating aspects of the Peep Learning Together programme;

Target 6: we aim to explore, and pilot additional ways of helping families, including online support where appropriate, and new initiatives to support male partners within families, where applicable;

Target 7: we aim to further develop plans to diversify our income streams in the knowledge that several large multi-year grants are due to come to a natural end in the coming years.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

J Rimmer - Chair

R Fraser - Treasurer (appointed 19/05/2025)

D McNulty - Chair (resigned 19/12/2025)

J Bodey - Vice Chair

H Conway

C Couldrick

C Grandison

L Greatrex (appointed 11/06/2025)

A Reynolds

Other Personnel

Linda Cheong - retired 18 June 2025 - Manager

Andy Cook - appointed 24 June 2025 - Manager

Charity Number

1113941

Company Number

05443274

Principal Address

197 Broadway

Didcot

Oxfordshire

OX11 8RU

Registered Office

197 Broadway

Didcot

Oxfordshire

OX11 8RU

Independent Examiner

Anna Chapman FCA

Chapman Worth Limited

Chartered Accountants

2 The Old Estate Yard
High Street
East Hendred
Oxfordshire
OX12 8JY

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Bankers

CAF Bank Limited

25 Kings Hill Avenue

West Malling

Kent

ME19 4QJ

Website

homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Reference and Administrative Details - continued

Chair’s Summary

I am delighted to present my first report as Chair of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire, having taken over the reins from Doreen McNulty. I cannot thank Doreen enough for her outstanding contribution to this charity over the course of so many years, and I am indebted to her for all her help and support during my handover. It is also reassuring to know that Doreen is still on hand to provide advice and useful background information, as we continue to see her every week at our Best Starts group where she assists as a volunteer.

This was certainly a year of transition as our long-standing treasurer Colin handed over the baton to Rob Fraser, and our Manager, Linda, entered retirement and handed over to Andy Cook. As with Doreen, I would like to thank Colin and Linda for their wonderful and dedicated service to the work of this charity. We wish you both all the very best for the future. Meanwhile we were delighted to welcome Laura Greatrex onto the Board, bringing invaluable experience in the local and political arena.

A contributory factor in this being a year of change was that, as Doreen mentioned in her report last year, the Charity has adopted minor amendments to its governing document, adopted at the AGM in October 2025, which limit the terms of office of trustees to a maximum of 12 years. We will see a few more changes in the coming period, as other trustees reach the 12-year limit.

Notwithstanding the above, our focus remained very clearly on the fulfilment of our mission, and the support of struggling local families through home-visiting and provision of groups. The preceding pages describe our many achievements through the course of the year, in line with our 3-year Strategic Plan. Some highlights were:

• We helped increasing numbers of families; (223 to be exact).

• Of these, 118 families received home visits from our network of volunteers.

• We instigated a second weekly group, in September 2025, called Best-Starts.

• 105 families were supported at our groups.

• 100% of parents felt less isolated because of the home visits they received.

• 94% of the parents said they experienced improved mental health.

• Our volunteers provided more than 3,000 hours of support, which is simply amazing! (Having previously been a home-visiting volunteer myself, for many years, I know how deeply rewarding this role can be).

• The quality of our work has been recognised by the national body, Home-Start UK.

I would like to say a big Thank You to our wonderful team of staff, volunteers, trustees, funders and supporters. This is a big team effort, and between us, we make a real difference to the lives of young families across our region.

Jan Rimmer

Chair of Trustees

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Trustees' Report (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Small Company Rules

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:

J Rimmer

Trustee

25 September 2026

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

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 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

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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
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.

Anna Chapman FCA

25 September 2026

Chapman Worth Limited

Chartered Accountants

2 The Old Estate Yard
High Street
East Hendred
Oxfordshire
OX12 8JY

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

				2026	2025
		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
	Notes	£	£	£	£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies	3	86,893	146,189	233,082	232,592
Charitable activities:
Government Grants		64,624	-	64,624	38,086
Investments		1,759	-	1,759	388

		153,276	146,189	299,465	271,066

EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds	4	(26,439 )	-	(26,439 )	(749 )
Charitable activities:	4
Home Visiting		(9,053 )	(68,745 )	(77,798 )	(85,203 )
Volunteer Support		(1,323 )	(10,040 )	(11,363 )	(477 )
Groups		(3,166 )	(24,044 )	(27,210 )	(2,449 )
General support		(3,365 )	(25,553 )	(28,918 )	(71,130 )
Governance		(1,137 )	-	(1,137 )	(394 )
Overhead		(32,608 )	-	(32,608 )	(30,782 )
Communications		(6,610 )	-	(6,610 )	(5,026 )

		(83,701 )	(128,382 )	(212,083 )	(196,210 )

NET INCOME		69,575	17,807	87,382	74,856


NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		69,575	17,807	87,382	74,856
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward		236,945	-	236,945	162,089

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	11	306,520	17,807	324,327	236,945

The notes on pages 21 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)

				2025
		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds
	Notes	£	£	£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies	3	208,592	24,000	232,592
Charitable activities:
Government Grants		38,086	-	38,086
Investments		388	-	388

		247,066	24,000	271,066

EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds	4	(88 )	(661 )	(749 )
Charitable activities:	4
Home Visiting		(84,781 )	(422 )	(85,203 )
Volunteer Support		(181 )	(296 )	(477 )
Groups		(2,180 )	(269 )	(2,449 )
General support		(52,123 )	(19,007 )	(71,130 )
Governance		(361 )	(33 )	(394 )
Overhead		(27,470 )	(3,312 )	(30,782 )
Communications		(5,026 )	-	(5,026 )

		(172,210 )	(24,000 )	(196,210 )

NET INCOME		74,856	-	74,856


NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		74,856	-	74,856
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward		162,089	-	162,089

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	11	236,945	-	236,945

The notes on pages 21 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Balance Sheet

As At 31 March 2026

Balance Sheet

				2026	2025
		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
	Notes	£	£	£	£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors	9	-	-	-	848
Cash at bank and in hand		331,052	17,807	348,859	244,842

		331,052	17,807	348,859	245,690
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year	10	(24,532 )	-	(24,532 )	(8,745 )

NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES)		306,520	17,807	324,327	236,945

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES		306,520	17,807	324,327	236,945

NET ASSETS		306,520	17,807	324,327	236,945

FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Restricted Funds				17,807	-
Unrestricted Funds				306,520	236,945

TOTAL FUNDS	11			324,327	236,945

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Balance Sheet (continued)

As At 31 March 2026

For the year ending 31 March 2026 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

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

On behalf of the board

J Rimmer

Trustee

25 September 2026

The notes on pages 21 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. General Information

Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, registered number 05443274 and registered charity number 1113941 . The registered office is 197 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 8RU.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The financial statements 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 charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

2.2. Incoming Resources

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 (such as legacies), 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 on a receivable basis.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

2.3. Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity.

Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent.

Charitable activities include expenditure associated with meeting its charitable objectives. This includes the cost of direct provision of charitable services. Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

2.4. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.

2.5. Prior year revision

A change of accounting policy was adopted on 1 April 2025, whereby income is fully recognised in the year of receipt, unless exceptional circumstances apply, rather than deferred and released across the subsequent 12 months in which the work takes place (the previous policy).

This new policy is in accordance with the charities SORP.

3. Income from Donations and Legacies

			2026
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	funds	funds	funds
	£	£	£
Donations and gifts	86,893	146,189	233,082

			2025
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	funds	funds	funds
	£	£	£
Donations and gifts	208,592	24,000	232,592

The following donations and legacies are included within the total income from donations and legacies above:

			2026
	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	Total funds £
Trusts & foundations	70,252	123,174	193,426
Individual giving	4,557	-	4,557
Community	12,084	23,015	35,099

	86,893	146,189	233,082

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

			2025
	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	Total funds £
Trusts & foundations	168,995	24,000	192,995
Individual giving	10,440	-	10,440
Community	29,157	-	29,157

	208,592	24,000	232,592

4. Analysis of Expenditure

			2026
	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs (see note 5 )	Total
	£	£	£
Raising funds	26,439	-	26,439
Home Visiting	77,798	-	77,798
Volunteer Support	11,363	-	11,363
Groups	27,210	-	27,210
General support	28,918	-	28,918
Governance	-	1,137	1,137
Overhead	-	32,608	32,608
Communications	6,610	-	6,610

	178,338	33,745	212,083

			2025
	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs (see note 5 )	Total
	£	£	£
Raising funds	749	-	749
Home Visiting	85,203	-	85,203
Volunteer Support	477	-	477
Groups	2,449	-	2,449
General support	52,164	18,966	71,130
Governance	-	394	394
Overhead	-	30,782	30,782
Communications	5,026	-	5,026

	146,068	50,142	196,210

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

5. Support Costs

			2026
	Governance	Overhead	Total
	£	£	£
Premises expenses	-	13,147	13,147
General administration	-	19,461	19,461
Governance costs	1,137	-	1,137

	1,137	32,608	33,745

				2025
	General support	Governance	Overhead	Total
	£	£	£	£
Employee costs	18,966	-	-	18,966
Premises expenses	-	-	12,499	12,499
General administration	-	-	18,283	18,283
Governance costs	-	394	-	394

	18,966	394	30,782	50,142

6. Independent Examiner's Remuneration

	2026	2025 as restated
	£	£
Independent examination of the financial statements	1,020	50

7. Staff Costs

Staff costs were as follows:

	2026	2025 as restated
	£	£
Wages and salaries	156,872	152,836

No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000.

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

8. Average Number of Employees

All employees were part-time. The full time equivalent of employees was 5 (2025: 5).

Average number of employees during the year was:

7 (2025: 7)

9. Debtors

	2026	2025 as restated
	£	£
Due within one year
Other debtors	-	848

10. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

	2026	2025 as restated
	£	£
Payments on account	12,804	-
Accruals and deferred income	11,728	8,745

	24,532	8,745

11. Movement in Funds

	As at 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	As at 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General:
General unrestricted fund	236,945	153,276	(83,701 )	306,520
Restricted funds
Restricted fund	-	146,189	(128,382 )	17,807


Total funds	236,945	299,465	(212,083 )	324,327

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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

For The Year Ended 31 March 2026

	As at 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	As at 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General:
General unrestricted fund	162,089	247,066	(172,210 )	236,945
Restricted funds
Restricted fund	-	24,000	(24,000 )	-


Total funds	162,089	271,066	(196,210 )	236,945

Restricted reserves of £17,807 (2025: £0), all of which is earmarked for expenditure in the coming year, in accordance with the donors’ wishes.

12. Transactions with Trustees

During the year the expenses reimbursed to the trustees or paid directly to third parties were as follows:

	2026	2025
	£	£
Other Expenses	829	193

13. Related Party Disclosures

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.

14. Company limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company, in the event of a winding up, such an amount as may be required not exceeding £1.

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