REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01604168 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 287732

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

for

Voluntary Action Swindon

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

13

Independent Examiner's Report

14

Statement of Financial Activities

15

Balance Sheet

16

to

17

Cash Flow Statement

18

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

19

Notes to the Financial Statements

20

to

30

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

The Board is pleased to report that the charity continued to deliver a good quality service to our stakeholders during the 2025/2026 financial year, making the best use of limited funding and resources. VAS is proud to have been a valued Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) in Swindon since 1932, 94 years.

Our local authority infrastructure contract was extended by a further 15 months now ends on 31st March 2027. It will go out to tender in the next financial year. We are aiming to secure core funding to continue our vital services in the coming years, both from the Local Authority and our other funding sources, including the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other funders.

Following a Conditions Survey on Sanford House, a decision was made by the Local Authority to decommission the building with the charities within being relocated to alternative accommodation. In the meantime, the plan is to put the Management Lease out to a full tendering process for a new 6-month rolling contract for up to 2 years. This is due to commence on 1st July 2026. We intent to bid for this contract and hope to continue to support the tenants during this process and with the move out of the building whilst continuing to offer the same level of service to those using the building to access services.

Demand on the voluntary sector is increasing, and it is becoming harder to secure core funding due to higher demand. Despite this VAS continues to grow. Staff, volunteers and trustees have worked well during 2025/2026 to deliver a challenging and diverse set of objectives, and the trustees would like to extend their thanks to everyone for the part they each played in our successful delivery.

We achieved a Trusted Charity Kite Mark at Level 1 in May 2025 and are due for a mid-way conversation with Trusted Charity in May 2026 to ensure that we are still meeting all the criteria. We are looking to work towards a Level 2 accreditation.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The charity's purpose and its principal activity continue to be that of promoting any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in the Borough of Swindon.

As the CVS in Swindon, we fulfil our role by offering funding and governance guidance, acting as a responsible landlord to 13 charities and 2 statutory teams across two sites, and provide signposting, training, and a range of other support services. We represent the voice of Swindon's voluntary sector across strategic platforms and actively promote collaboration both within the sector and with statutory services.

In addition, we work alongside Swindon Borough Council to help deliver its equality commitments-ensuring the community's equality voice is heard. Like other CVS's, we also play a vital role in engaging and representing the voluntary sector within the local Integrated Care System, including representation at ICB meetings to represent the sector.

Our direct delivery includes:

- The Swindon Shopmobility Service; helping people with mobility issues to continue to access town centre shops and facilities independently. We had an average of 196 bookings per month during 2025 - 2026. This is an improvement on the 2024 - 2025 figures where there was an average of 163 monthly bookings, reflecting a 20% increase in monthly usage. This reflects what we expected to happen with the opening of the new bus station/stops in the town centre although we did not expect the increase in usage to be as high as it was.

- Since 2022, we have delivered a valuable navigation role for Swindon Veterans, supported by a grant from the Veterans Foundation, with further activities supported by additional funding from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and The Zurich Community Trust. We were successful in securing funding to support this service for an additional 2 more years until March 2028. This funding allows us to run a regular monthly drop-in attended by approx. 20 veterans and to provide supporting services. In addition to this, we pulled together a consortium bid in January 2026 to provide a Veteran Support Hub. Although we weren't successful at stage 1, we have just completed an EOI for the second round of funding and hope to know the outcome of this is July.

- Thanks to a grant from the National Lottery, we are the lead partner delivering a four-year collaborative project to develop a stronger Youth Voice in Swindon. The project also aims to help bring together youth services in Swindon and make sure that young people can access the help and support they need. In partnership with Young Swindon and Wiltshire, Prime Theatre and Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind we are running workshops, discussion groups, creative activities and a programme of visits and guest speakers designed to help young people grow in confidence and be able to make a difference to the world around them. We are currently in our 3rd year of this four-year project.

- Our Volunteering Swindon brokerage service was temporarily paused following the departure of our previous Co-ordinator while we recruited a replacement. Despite this interruption, the service has continued to grow. Our new volunteering platform, Team Kinetic, has been part-funded by the National Lottery, Zurich Community Trust, North and South Swindon Parishes. The platform currently hosts 312 registered volunteers, 70 volunteer-involving organisations, and 80 live volunteering opportunities. We are now seeking sustainable funding to secure the long-term future of this role and ensure the continued growth and development of the service.

- The People Like Me project was funded by the National Lottery during its first year. From April this year, we secured further funding through Sport England as part of a consortium led by Wiltshire and Swindon Sport (WASP).

As part of this funding, VAS successfully secured support to employ locally based Community Connectors, building on the original project model but with a stronger focus on helping people become more active by addressing the wider determinants of what the barriers are to them taking the first steps to becoming active. A key requirement of the role is that Community Connectors live within the communities they serve, enabling them to build trusted local networks, recruit volunteers who want to make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods, and act as a vital grassroots link between residents and statutory services.

The project has expanded significantly, with the number of communities covered increasing from four to seven. To support this growth, funding has also been secured for a Team Leader to oversee the Community Connectors.

In addition, we have secured ICB funding to recruit a dedicated Community Connector specialising in health research engagement. All Community Connectors are employed on part-time contracts of 12-15 hours per week.

Strategies

Our key strategies for achieving our aims and objectives are reviewed annually, and we developed a 4-year plan in September 2024 which is reviewed and refreshed each year.

Board and Team

We aim for both the VAS team and Board to reflect the community we support by bringing together a diverse range of skills, experience, and perspectives. We are committed to maintaining a team of staff and volunteers that reflects the diversity of Swindon and is well resourced, experienced, and respected.

This year, we have successfully increased the size and diversity of our Board, making it more representative of the Swindon community. Previously comprising five White British men, the Board now consists of nine members: six men (five White British and one of mixed heritage) and three women (two White British and one Nigerian). One of our female trustees is a former member of staff and is under the age of 25, bringing valuable lived experience and a younger perspective to the Board.

The VAS staff team also reflects the diversity of the community we serve, with a good balance of men and women and colleagues from a range of ethnic backgrounds. This diversity strengthens our organisation by bringing a breadth of perspectives, experiences, and skills to our work.

Sanford House

Over the past few months, we have completed the Invitation to Tender (ITT) process to retain the head lease for Sanford House. We were successful in our tender submission and have secured a six-month rolling contract for up to two years, while the building undergoes its decommissioning process. The new contract is due to commence on 1 July 2026.

Throughout the decommissioning period, VAS will work closely with tenants to support their relocation from Sanford House to suitable alternative premises, helping to ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption to their services.

John Street

John Street is fully utilised. We lease offices to two charities within the building and rent rooms for Swindon Borough Council's Adult Learning team and provide advice and support to the local community. The conference room is also available for external bookings.

Connected and Valued

VAS is a well-known, respected and valued partner and voice for the Swindon Community Sector working to ensure that the sector is understood, connected and a valued partner in integrated health and wellbeing service provision in Swindon. This year we were successful in achieving a Level 1 Kite Mark. We hope to sustain this award in the coming year, and work towards Level 2. Our sector survey endorses and is available to view on our website.

Income

VAS has diversified income streams but remains a valued and funded Swindon Borough Council service for the Community Sector. Our infrastructure contract with Swindon Borough Council is due to be up for tender this summer.

Equality and Diversity

VAS' equality work continues to raise awareness, support the voluntary sector in breaking down barriers, and helping make Swindon become a more inclusive town.

Quality of Delivery

We measure the success of our delivery through feedback, surveys and the level of awareness the sector has of VAS.

Our quarterly reports to Swindon Borough Council provide feedback from those using our services, including:

"Thank you very much for sharing this helpful and well-curated list of rolling funding opportunities. We really appreciate you think of us and bringing these to your attention. We will take some time to carefully review the opportunities an explore those that align with our organisation's services and mission."

"Many thanks for an excellent information session. I always find these events are really valuable, as it gives the opportunity to speak to funders directly (pre-submission) to strengthen the application."

Shopmobility

Feedback from customers illustrates customer's satisfaction with this service.

"Shopmobility has changed my life because I can get around."

"Without the scooter, my wife and I would not be able to go to the shops in town and would probably not have lunch away from our flat."

"As I can walk very short distances it is my lifesaver. Without it I would be housebound."

Significant activities

From its premises at 1 John Street and through its landlord responsibilities for Sanford House Community Hub, Voluntary Action Swindon provides a wide range of services to voluntary and community organisations in the Borough of Swindon. These include:

- Funding and governance advice service.

- Veteran navigation service, drop-in, support services and social activities.

- Trustee network: including training, advice and guidance.

- Volunteer brokerage.

- Shopmobility service.

- Swindon Youth Voice.

- Community hypertension case finding project.

- Championing equality, diversity and inclusion in Swindon.

- Providing a voice on behalf of the voluntary sector.

- Representing the sector and ensuring its role as a valued partner in the Integrated Care System.

- Encouraging and supporting collaboration between the sector and the statutory services.

- Facilities Management.

- Meeting room hire/facilitation of training space.

- Support services including DBS check facilitation and a printing/copying service.

- Weekly e-newsletter.

- Key information dissemination through our website and social media, utilising our extensive CRM to target information to specific sectors of the VCSE.

- Community feedback and consultations through surveys and focus groups funded by our National Lottery funded 'People Like Me' project.

- Sector Survey.

- Community research and feedback.

Public benefit

By achieving our aims VAS delivers public benefit:

- indirectly by helping the broad range of charities and other voluntary organisations within the Borough of Swindon. Our range of help informs these charities, builds their capacity and maximises their resources to deliver their valuable services within the community.

- Directly through our Shopmobility, Veteran Support, Youth Voice, Community Hypertension Case Finding project and 'People Like Me' programmes.

The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's Guidance on Public Benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The Trustees consider that they have acted in the public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Funding and Governance Support

Over the year we have dealt with 618 requests for help, across 251 organisations from the Swindon Voluntary and Community Sector. This includes funding and governance help and engagement with a wide range of other issues. We send out weekly funding information to Voluntary Sector organisations using our database to target those that are actively looking for funding. This year we sent out 1967 funding information emails with links to funders.

We also continue to share important information with and between the sector through our weekly newsletter VAS-ID, with subscribers reaching 969, through our website and our social media feeds.

Directory of Services

We have created a new directory of services along with an interactive map for Swindon to asset map locally available services. This is live on our website, is interactive and will be continually updated and developed as the Community Connectors asset map the areas they are working and living in.

Research Engagement Network (REN) Project

We are continuing to work with the ICB to encourage residents to sign onto the health research register. This funded position is likely to continue into 2025/26.

Swindon Crisis Fund with Kennet Furniture Refurbiz (ICB Health Inequalities Funding)

The VAS Swindon Crisis Fund, working in partnership with Kennet Furniture Refurbiz and Citizens Advice, continues to provide a much-needed service for those experiencing poverty and related health challenges in Swindon until alternative funding sources can be found. The Swindon Borough Council Live Well Hub identified alternative internal funding sources in late 2025 to help the project run for a longer time period. Since the launch in April 2023, it has responded to 404 (to March 2026) referrals from residents with 54% living in the most 10% deprived Local Super Output Areas (LSOA's) nationally and 77% in the 6 most deprived LSOA's in Swindon.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI)

Equality work during the year included:

- Developing the Inclusivity Network Swindon and merged with the Equality Coalition to better reflect its proactive approach to the EDI agenda. The Inclusion Network isn't so much about raising issues regarding equality but looks to be proactive in supporting engagement and coproduction activities in an inclusive manner and also to upskill the sector with training opportunities.

- Black South West Network supporting development of dynamic, independent black and minoritised communities.

- The 'People Like Me' project continued to reach communities and gather feedback. The 4 Community Connectors continued to work in 4 of Swindon's most deprived areas. The idea being that they represent the areas where they live and have a vested interest in seeing improvements at grass roots level. Three were funded by National Lottery and one through REN funding. It was agreed that the health research could be split across 4 Community Connector roles, giving us 4 Community Connectors in 4 of the most deprived areas of Swindon.

- Swindon Based Placed Project led by WASP (Wiltshire and Swindon Sport). A collaborative bid was submitted to Sport England and was successful. This funding will continue to support the Community Connectors, and expand the project into 7 areas, a Team Leader will be recruited to manage this team. This will have the specific outcome of getting people closer to activity.

- Swindon Sports Forum - this funding will also provide a manager for Swindon Sports Forum. The Board of the forum have decided to merge the charity under VAS for a more sustainable model. This needs to be taken to their next AGM. Funding from Sport England will enable to us employ a manager to reinvigorate the forum.

- Camerados, Public Living Rooms - VAS introduced this scheme locally, which is an initiative to enable conversations out in the community by setting up non-judgemental spaces known as 'public living rooms.' People are welcomed to have a cup of tea and join in a conversation, no agenda or pressure. These are proving to be successful and giving us insight at grassroot level. Donations from the family of the late Joe Backshell have contributed to the equipment for this project.

- VAS' on-going collaboration work includes facilitating several networks for the local voluntary sector including when newly commissioned providers move into Swindon to ease this transition within the VCSE.

COLLABORATION

Swindon Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Leadership Alliance / Forum

VAS has continued to lead the Swindon VCSE Leadership Alliance network, made up of over 65 leaders from VCSE groups in Swindon.

- Relevant Integrated Care System activities include:

- Intro of key staff: Amanda Davies & Phil Walters, HCRG

- Rachel Potter, Work and Health Partnership Specialist.

- Harriett Rose, Bath University Mental Health Research,

- Proposal accepted to run Swindon VCSE Forum (commissioned contract) with VCSE Alliance (wider partners).

- Swindon Wellbeing Network.

- Health Inequalities Funding.

- Collaboration Opportunities, Dom Hall, ICB Communities and Engagement Specialist.

- Get Swindon Active Strategy.

- Introduction to new VCSE organisations, including:

- Roxi Foundation

- Wiltshire Centre for Living Independently

- Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy

- Planned Sport England investment into disadvantaged wards in Swindon.

- Swindon Crisis Provision Fund.

- ICA hypertension work and role of the VCSE in prevention.

- HCRG presentation on new Community Services contract in Swindon.

- VCSE Forum (commissioned VCSE organisation) covered:

- Quality Assurance Framework

- Provider Relationship and Oversight Team Structure

- CRCC re their new carer's contract.

- Working together - community hubs (SBC).

- BSW Integrated Care System (ICS) VCSE Alliance

Our Strategic Lead for Integrated Care attends the BSW VCSE Alliance of the four infrastructure organisations regularly. The types of areas discussed are:

- Integrated Care Board restructuring/development days.

- VCSE Commissioning.

- Future Funding for CVS's.

- VCSE representation on various sub groups.

- Future Place Board Development.

- Health Inequalities Funding.

- Integrated Neighbourhood workshops.

- Community Hypertension case finding.

- Local Commissioning Groups - and involvement of CVS's.

- Co-production and community feedback.

- Good examples of partnership working.

- 'Keep It Local' approach.

VAS Trustee Network

From a Trustee Network survey, we ascertained most members would like to have meetings on a quarterly basis, for in-person workshop and skills development. There are currently over 80 members of the Trustee Network.

VAS continues to have support pages on our website, and to proactively send out governance updates and relevant information on training and development.

Events/Workshops

VAS hosted a range of workshops through Swindon Trustee Network including:

- Young Trustees.

- Funding landscape/Resilience.

- Martyn's Law.

- Impact Measurement.

- The Roles and Duties of Trustees

- Safe and Aware Spring Training Programme covering:

- Event security.

- Conflict management.

- Hate crime awareness.

- Risk awareness.

Our 'Meet the Funder' event planned for 24th June.

VOICE FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

VAS has continued to provide input at and provide a voice for the Swindon local Voluntary Sector at a variety of Boards and Forums:

- Health and Wellbeing Board

- Swindon Safeguarding Board and Partnerships for Children and Adults

- Shared Comms Forum

- LD Partnership Board Meeting

- Swindon and Wiltshire Get Britain Working Consultation

- Swindon Leadership Forum

- Broad Green Action Community Group (Clear, Hold, Build)

- Corporate Parenting Board

- VAS/SBC Partnership meeting with CEO of SBC

- Let's Talk Swindon Events

- Swindon Place-Based Strategic Steering Group

- Swindon Rough Sleepers Forum

- Feeding Swindon Partnership

- Get Swindon Active

- Improving Mental Health

- Mental Health Alliance

- Improving Community Voice

- Various strategic interview stakeholder panels

Voice for the Voluntary Sector in the Integrated Care System

VAS, along with most of the other Council for Voluntary Services (CVS's) across England, has been heavily involved with making sure that the VCSE voice is represented at Integrated Care Systems, specifically for Swindon on the Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW). We have continued to be part of the BSW VCSE Leadership Alliance at system level with CVS colleagues from BaNES and Wiltshire.

We have engaged other members of the sector with this work with representation on groups, together with over 60 organisations who form the Swindon VCSE Leadership Alliance.

We are also working regionally with other CVS colleagues involved in the Integrated Care Systems in the South West and nationally with other CVS colleagues and our umbrella organisation NAVCA (National Association of Voluntary and Community Action) and a dedicated team within NHS England to ensure that the VCSE is a valued partner in integrated care.

Voice at Integrated Care Meetings

With the restructuring of the ICBs, the VCSE voting member position at Board level had initially been removed but has now been reinstated. We are working closely with the ICB to shape the future role of the VCSE sector, and particularly the Local Infrastructure Organisations (CVS's), as representative partners within place-based and local commissioning as these arrangements continue to develop across BSW.

We continue to support system reform and to champion opportunities for the VCSE sector within this evolving landscape, including strengthening the sector's role in communities, neighbourhood health, prevention, co-production, and decision-making.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Sanford House - Post Year End

We successfully completed a competitive tendering process for the management of Sanford House following the expiry of the previous management agreement. Although we had managed Sanford House under a management agreement since 2014, legal requirements meant that the procurement had to be undertaken through a full Invitation to Tender (ITT) process.

The tendering process took place during April and May 2026, with the new contract awarded to commence on 1 July 2026. As part of this transition, the Livewell team vacated Sanford House on 30 June and relocated to the new neighbourhood hub at Swindon Central Library.

John Street

We have also continued to manage our own building in John Street with a further 2 charity tenants and a long-term booking from SBC's Adult Learning team.

Conference and meeting room hire

We continue to accommodate a wide range of meetings and training sessions across our John Street and Sanford House venues, such as adult learning courses, First Aid courses and events to support our Trustee Network.

CHAMPIONING APPRENTICESHIPS

We continue to send relevant information out to the sector and give advice and support to the sector when taking on an apprentice. We still employ an apprentice who is completing a level 4 Marketing Apprenticeship. Funding permitted, we would like to continue to offer apprenticeships within VAS and encourage take up in the VCSE.

Our Volunteer Co-ordinator is looking how we can support work-placements in the future.

VETERAN SIGNPOSTING

Our new Veteran Support Navigator joined us in June 2025, with the core aim of the project to be offering a support service to veterans in Swindon from a wide range of representatives, including RAF Benevolent Fund, Army Welfare Service and SSAFA.

A new project was introduced 'Serve2Serve', building on work over the past 4 years, we added an intention to encourage veterans to take part in acts of community service.

We successfully secured a bid for the next 3 years (until April 2029) for the Veteran Navigator. An additional grant was secured from VIVO and Clutterbuck Trust for a trip to visit Royal Chelsea Hospital in London during March 2026.

During mid-December, the OVA's announced funding opportunities to open a Valour Recognised Centre, with a deadline in January. We formed a collaboration and completed a £1m bid. This was unfortunately unsuccessful, but the feedback was very positive. There is a second round in late spring, which we intend to apply for.

We continued to provide support and help organise Swindon Armed Forces day. This year was 80th commemorative WW2 anniversary of VE day. This took place on 28th June 2025. VAS committed to support again in 2026.

OTHER PROJECTS AND SERVICES

Disclosure and Barring Service Umbrella body

We continue to support charities and volunteers by providing a DBS umbrella service, processing 135 DBS checks, also attracting 7 new organisations during this financial year.

Sector Survey

Voluntary Action Swindon is commissioned by Swindon Borough Council to provide support the voluntary and community sector of Swindon. For us to capture the most relevant data and ensure we are providing a quality service, we carry out a sector survey every two years. The sector survey was carried out in Q1 2025 -2026. The results can be found on our website here.

Printing and Copying Service

We have continued to offer our competitive printing and copying service to smaller organisations when needed, which is completed by volunteers and overseen by staff.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Total funds on 31 March 2026 were £506,650 of which £162,975 were restricted. Funds held as fixed assets were £78,655. Designated funds total £213,000. The free reserves are £52,020, part of which have been dedicated to a particular project until we are able to secure sustainable funding.

Principal funding sources

Our principal funding sources are:

- Commissioned grant income from Swindon Borough Council to deliver our core infrastructure support to the sector.

- Commissioned grant income to manage Sanford House, this is on a 6 month rolling contract for up to 2 years. This is identified as a significant risk in future income planning.

- National Lottery grant to provide additional capacity for three years from November 2024 - December 2027. This is a decreasing contract. We are now in the final year.

- National Lottery grant to support the new Youth Voice Project 2023-2027, was extended by one year.

- Sport England grant for two years from 1st April 2026 to support 7 x Community Connectors (12 hours per week), Community Connector Team Leader and a Sports Forum Manager, with the specific aim of getting people closer to activity.

- Grant from the BSW ICB for our VCSE representation in the system.

- Veterans Foundation and Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust provides funding for the salary of our Veteran Support Navigator and funds activities for the veterans.

- Other small grant income.

- Trading Income, including room hire and tenant income.

Investment policy and objectives

The investment policy and objectives are agreed by the Board to minimise risk by spreading the investment of reserves to maximise the protection through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protecting the first £120,000 of any savings. This also maximises return whilst ensuring available cash flow to meet liabilities and to be able to respond to emergency building repair issues.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Board review the principal risks for the charity on a regular basis and put strategies in place to manage these risks. Our top risks at this point are:

Contract on Sanford House ending - this is a difficult contract to manage with the contract offered on a 6-month rolling contract for up to 2 years. We are working with Monarch Consultancy to look for additional funding to mitigate this loss.

Infrastructure Contact - this is due to be advertised for full tender during the summer of 2026. This loss of this contract would be a major issue for VAS, again Monarch will support us with this bid.

Shopmobility - We have continued to sustain the valuable Swindon Shopmobility Service, which operates for public benefit, since statutory funding ceased at the end of 2021. The service does not generate sufficient income through rental and scooter servicing alone to cover its core operating costs.

We have explored expanding the service to provide off-site servicing for privately owned mobility scooters. However, this has proved challenging with our current staffing levels, as staff need to balance off-site work with maintaining the existing Shopmobility service.

We are also reviewing our pricing model and plan to increase prices in summer 2026 to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the service.

We are working with Monarch Consultancy to look for additional funding to mitigate these potential losses.

Business Continuity - we refresh the current Business Continuity Plan annually. A key risk is the development of John Street as a residential area, and the potential impact this will have on our building. We continue to monitor the building work within the area; we have funding in reserves to pay for legal advice if necessary.

We also have an old heating system, and we have kept reserves in place to manage this should the current heating system break down or need replacing.

Our team continues to grow, which means we are diversifying our income streams, it also puts additional pressures on the team's capacity. We will continue to monitor our funding applications and ensure that our core needs are met sufficiently to enable to run the project and organisations successfully in the future and to ensure that we are paying staff a fair salary within the sector.

Reserves policy

Factors likely to affect future financial performance or position are mitigated by an adequate reserves policy:

A large portion of VAS's income comes from the local authority, supplemented by grant income and trading income through room hire, car park space rental, training and Shopmobility custom. Should circumstances in the future mean that this income reduces or is impacted, VAS would have to seek new funding sources at a sufficient level to enable it to continue to deliver its charitable aims. The Trustees feel it is necessary to keep a minimum of six months and ideally twelve months operational costs in reserve as well as financial provision to cover any necessary restructuring. In addition, any restricted funds are held in reserve to enable us to fulfil our funding obligations. Currently restrictive funds stand at £162,975 and an operational reserve at £138,000. The operational reserves currently amount to 6 months running costs.

Property Maintenance Fund

The Trustees recognise the age of 1 John Street and its deteriorating infrastructure where most of the VAS team and some tenants are based. They feel that it is appropriate to hold some reserve in anticipation of urgent repair of the cost of temporary facilities should the repair work render the current office environment uninhabitable during renovation to ensure continuity of service. Current reserves held for this £50,000.

New Property Fund

In the longer term, given that 1 John Street is in area earmarked for redevelopment, any sale and purchase of new premises will require legal and surveyor costs and/or temporary office accommodation during any renovations. The Trustees have decided to make a provision of £25,000 for this to ensure continuity of service.

FUTURE PLANS

Our key objectives for the next year include continuing:

- To secure additional funding to grow and sustain the organisation.

- Continue to develop our 'People Like Me' and Community Connector model to support Swindon's Communities.

- To continue to develop our Youth Voice Project.

- To provide responsive and proactive funding and governance advice.

- To champion equality and diversity and inclusion.

- To ensure that the Swindon VCSE is a valued partner in the Swindon Integrated Care Alliance.

- To ensure that the VCSE is a valued partner in the broader BSW Integrated Care System and in the new ICB Cluster arrangement.

- To be a representative voice for the Swindon VCSE on Boards and Forums.

- To signpost veterans to services in Swindon and develop the requested activities for veterans and to seek ongoing sustainability for this work.

- To continue working with Wiltshire and Swindon Sport (WASP) to support additional funding coming into Swindon via Sport England to encourage people to becoming more active via our 'People Like Me' Community Connector programme.

- To develop our Corporate Volunteering offer to generate and sustain our Volunteer Co-ordinator and volunteering brokerage service.

- To seek funding to develop our community work for co-production with the people of Swindon, which forms part of our new strategic plan.

- To continue to review the financial viability of the Swindon Shopmobility Service.

- To support the tenants within Sanford House as it is decommissioned.

- To sustain and grow existing and build new collaboration networks.

- To explore and develop our 'paid for' services as a way of generating additional income.

- To champion apprenticeships in the Voluntary Sector.

- To invest in training and developing the VAS team.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Voluntary Action Swindon is a charitable company, limited by guarantee. The charitable company was established under Memorandum of Association, which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Members support the aims of the organisation and are invited to the Annual General Meeting. Members elect the trustees, and these individuals are also company directors. The members of the Board are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. They can sit for a maximum of 5 terms. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Voluntary Action Swindon can have a Board of up to 12 members who meet on a regular basis and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present there are 9 members of the Board not only from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity but also a good mix of male / female, a wide age range and from diverse backgrounds.

Organisational structure

The CEO also attends Board meetings but has no voting rights.

The Board and the CEO work to an agreed delegation document.

Induction and training of new trustees

An induction pack has been prepared, drawing information from the various Charity Commission publications. This is distributed to all new trustees along with the Memorandum and Articles, and the latest financial statements, as part of a planned Trustee Induction training programme. Training is made available to trustees throughout the year, and they are encouraged to attend external events.

Key management remuneration

The Chief Executive Officer undertakes annual external benchmarking of salaries and shares the source data output from this with the Board of Trustees. Each employees' salary is benchmarked to a market rate, and, within affordability, the Trustees strive to adjust salaries annually with the aim of moving competent and experienced staff to as close to the middle market rate as possible.

Fundraising Standards

As a charity we do not carry out significant fundraising activities but are aware of the Fundraising Standard requirements and would seek to always adhere to them.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

01604168 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

287732

Registered office

1 John Street

Swindon

Wiltshire

SN1 1RT

Trustees

R Barrett (Chair)

S Henderson (Vice Chair)

D Bell

S Barnes

M A Flay

N O'Reilly Meredith - appointed 22/10/2025

P Webb - appointed 22/10/2025

R Hobbs - co-opted 21/01/2026

E Okorocha - co-opted 25/03/2026

Chief Executive Officer - C Willis

Independent Examiner

James Gare FCA DChA

Monahans

Chartered Accountants

Hermes House

Fire Fly Avenue

Swindon

Wiltshire

SN2 2GA

Bankers

Lloyds TSB Bank PLC

5 High Street

Swindon

Wiltshire

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 23 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

R Barrett - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Voluntary Action Swindon ('the Company')

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

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can 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:

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

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

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

James Gare FCA DChA

Monahans

Chartered Accountants

Hermes House

Fire Fly Avenue

Swindon

Wiltshire

SN2 2GA

14 October 2026

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

3

116,487

359,466

475,953

469,628

Charitable activities

5

Funding Advice and Sector Support

27,273

70,541

97,814

81,387

Direct Community Support

20,128

-

20,128

21,198

Investment income

4

14,322

-

14,322

12,357

Other income

8,383

250

8,633

25,206

Total

186,593

430,257

616,850

609,776

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

6

Funding Advice and Sector Support

181,347

345,262

526,609

506,148

Direct Community Support

-

5,109

5,109

46,458

Total

181,347

350,371

531,718

552,606

NET INCOME

5,246

79,886

85,132

57,170

Transfers between funds

21

35,758

(35,758

)

-

-

Net movement in funds

41,004

44,128

85,132

57,170

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

302,671

118,847

421,518

364,349

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

343,675

162,975

506,650

421,519

2026

2025

Notes

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

15

78,655

80,924

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

16

500

500

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

17

9,902

16,113

Cash at bank and in hand

475,694

382,884

486,096

399,497

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

18

(58,101

)

(58,902

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

427,995

340,595

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

506,650

421,519

NET ASSETS

506,650

421,519

FUNDS

21

Unrestricted funds

343,675

302,672

Restricted funds

162,975

118,847

TOTAL FUNDS

506,650

421,519

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

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

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

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

(b)

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

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 23 September 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

R Barrett - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

78,488

(96,513

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

78,488

(96,513

)

Cash flows from investing activities

Sale of tangible fixed assets

-

12,000

Interest received

14,322

12,357

Net cash provided by investing activities

14,322

24,357

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period

92,810

(72,156

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period

382,884

455,040

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period

475,694

382,884

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2026

2025

£

£

Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities)

85,132

57,170

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

2,268

2,269

Profit on disposal of fixed assets

-

(6,567

)

Interest received

(14,322

)

(12,357

)

Decrease in stocks

-

479

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

6,211

(7,105

)

Decrease in creditors

(801

)

(130,402

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operations

78,488

(96,513

)

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.4.25

Cash flow

At 31.3.26

£

£

£

Net cash

Cash at bank and in hand

382,884

92,810

475,694

382,884

92,810

475,694

Total

382,884

92,810

475,694

1.	GENERAL INFORMATION

Voluntary Action Swindon is a charitable company limited by guarantee, without share capital, incorporated in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The registered office address is 1 John Street, Swindon SN1 1RT. The principal activities can be found in the Trustees' Report.

2.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

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

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.

Going concern

The majority of the charity's income comes from contracts with the local authority which are due to end in March 2027 and the charity will be required to retender for it. Should the organisation fail to win the bids, or the local authority decide not commission an Infrastructure organisation, or the contracts are awarded at a lower value to their current value, this may have a detrimental impact on the organisation's operations and cash flows. However the charity has unrestricted reserves (excluding fixed assets) of some £265k and the balance sheet is strong. On this basis, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis. This assumes that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment the trustees have reviewed the balance sheet, the likely future cash flows of the charity and have considered the funds available at this point in time.

Income

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

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Donations are recognised on a receivable basis where there is certainty of receipt and the amount can be reliably measured.

Where material, donated goods and services are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, where material, donated goods and services are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the trustees' annual report for more information about their contribution.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Freehold property

-

2% on straight line basis

Fixtures and fittings

-

25% on straight line basis

Expenditure on tangible fixed assets amounting to less than £1000 per item is not capitalised

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

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

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors and provisions

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