REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04312967 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1091423

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

FOR

COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE BEDFORDSHIRE

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

10

Independent Examiner's Report

11

Statement of Financial Activities

12

Balance Sheet

13

to

14

Notes to the Financial Statements

15

to

22

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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objectives of the organisation are:

"...to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the public in Bedfordshire by the provision of assistance and training to charities or for the furtherance of exclusively charitable purposes, in: the formulation of applications for funding or other assistance, the identification of potential funders or partners, information about sources of funding or collaborators and by such other means as the trustees shall decide."

The key activities for the year are set out in the strategic review, focusing on 6 areas of work:

- Funding and Financial Sustainability - ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

- People - supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

- Communities - enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

- Partnerships - the VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

- Environment - catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutrality.

- Impact - ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

Significant activities

The key activities carried out to achieve these objectives included:

- funding and development support to local voluntary and community sector organisations, including charities and social enterprises;

- volunteering guidance and signposting for local people who are interested in volunteering, matching them with local volunteer-involving organisations;

- training courses and workshops aimed at trustees, staff and volunteers of voluntary and community sector organisations, providing them with the skills and knowledge required to become more effective and efficient;

- regular mailings, newsletters, social media posts and a website providing advice and information pertinent to the local voluntary and community sector;

- affordable meeting rooms, office space and equipment hire for the local voluntary and community sector.

The organisation is indebted to a number of volunteers who provided administrative and management support throughout the year. The cost of employing staff to undertake these duties would be in excess of £5,000.

Public benefit

In carrying out the activities, which are explained in more detail on the following pages of this annual report, the organisation provided public benefit by enabling the local voluntary sector to contribute to people and society through improved:

- governance and public trust; meeting high standards of conduct and behaviour

- participation in local communities and their ability to connect with, and establish links between local people

- expertise they provide in their area and in how to deliver for the public

- ability to speak out and provide a voice for the most vulnerable

- access to volunteers and funding which in turn improves the sustainability of the services they provide.

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance in setting the charity's objectives and planning its aims, objectives and future activities and when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of the Year

This report has been set out using the main themes of the new strategic plan, which was agreed by the trustees in the summer of 2023, following a series of meetings and discussions with beneficiaries, stakeholders and staff. Many of the actions are interdependent of each other.

Funding and Financial Sustainability

Ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

The Funding and Development Service responded to over 320 requests for advice and support from local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, on a range of issues including funding sources and strategies, charity and social enterprise registrations, legal structures, safeguarding and volunteer management.

'We were successful with the lottery funding!! I just wanted to say how grateful we are for your input into the application. We are over the moon that we can breathe a little now we have that 5-year security.'

'Thank you very much again for all your help and advice when we were seeking grants. Your help has enabled us to complete the construction of our new changing rooms in time for this year's bowls season.'

'Just writing to thank you very much for your help. My bid for the community lottery fund was successful.'

'Thank you...for facilitating the Fit for Funding Starting Right workshop. We truly appreciate the time, care, and support that went into the session. It was informative, encouraging, and very much appreciated. Thank you also for forwarding the certificates so promptly.'

'It was really helpful to hear your thoughts on partnership working, quality assurance standards, and how we come across as an organisation at the moment. It helps to hear an outsider's objective viewpoint, and I think we both left feeling encouraged.'

Staff organised numerous opportunities for organisations to meet potential funders. The Online Funding Fayre in March 2026 saw 199 attendees across 8 local funders, plus a day of sessions from national funders.

4 'Meet the Funder' events were also organised or supported during the year, giving organisations the opportunity to discuss potential applications.

This year staff have also developed specific information on Full Cost recovery, including templates and examples, which are now available on the CVS website.

CVS operates 43 Bromham Road as a shared building, offering office space and meeting space for the local VCSE sector, thanks to the support of The Harpur Trust. 10 organisations have office space in the building, and the meeting rooms were used by a wide range of organisations.

The building provides a practical solution to the issue of office and meeting space, but is also a facility that allows different VCSE organisations to network, share, develop better working partnerships, creating a sense of 'community' between organisations working for the benefit of local communities.

People

Supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

Staff delivered a Volunteering Brokerage and Outreach Service during the year. A public list of volunteering opportunities is maintained, to provide potential volunteers with a broad range of volunteering opportunities (approximately 300).

Staff attended numerous events across the county, promoting volunteering and raising awareness of volunteering. Almost 700 people formally registered to volunteer, with many more being inspired to contact an organisation directly, and at least 195 accepted a volunteering role.

Staff also find some volunteers need more intensive support, often because of their lack of confidence. This support can often last a number of months, with staff working closely with organisations with the opportunities to ensure the volunteer is properly supported.

'I assisted X in gaining a volunteer kitchen role at Keech Day Centre. Keech require their potential volunteers for this role to undertake online training which applicants are tested on. X did not have access to the online training as he was without a laptop. He therefore came in often once a week to tackle the training on one of our laptops. In July he had successfully completed the necessary and required online learning allowing him to take up the kitchen volunteer role.'

A monthly volunteering newsletter is also produced, keeping potential volunteers in contact with the service, and highlighting other volunteering opportunities. Opportunities are also promoted online, and via other newsletters where possible.

A Volunteer Co-ordinators Network is now well established, with meetings across the county, providing a forum to discuss volunteering issues, including recruitment and ongoing management.

Volunteers Week (1-7 June) remains a key promotional opportunity, with a number of events and activities held during the week to promote volunteering opportunities and to thank existing volunteers. Sessions in the Luton shopping centre are held all year to promote volunteering, in addition to stalls at various events across the county.

Staff also delivered 15 workshops to 99 delegates on Safeguarding Awareness, Fit for Funding Starting Right and Outcomes and Impact, and Board Development and Leadership. These courses provide an opportunity for trustees / directors, staff and volunteers to learn new skills, network with each other, and develop an effective working relationship with CVS staff. CVS has also partnered with a local company to offer affordable first aid at work courses.

Communities

Enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

Ensuring that local communities are more aware of the support that CVS can offer, should they wish to volunteer or start a local group, is a priority. Social media is playing a major part in promoting the work of CVS, and the work of the wider sector. Local newspapers and online sites have been used to promote the work of CVS, especially volunteering opportunities. Meeting with organisations face-to-face continues to be a very effective method of promoting our service, and enhancing our reputation.

The weekly Email Update is a major part of our plan to reach as many organisations and communities as possible. We continue to gradually increase the circulation list, with over 1,600 local organisations and contacts now receiving useful information on funding opportunities, local vacancies, networking opportunities, and other relevant news and updates. Work will continue to extend the reach of the newsletter, which receives great feedback from readers. A monthly volunteering newsletter also ensures that new and existing volunteers are aware of our services and the various opportunities available to them.

We have continued to take steps to refresh the data we hold on local VCSE organisations. A new directory has taken longer than expected to set up, but it is hoped that during 2026 the number of entries can be significantly improved. One of the most frequent requests received by staff is for a list of VCSE organisations and the services they provide.

CVS also hosted for the final year the Big Local initiative for the Cauldwell and Kingsbrook area of Bedford. The project was closed in March 2026, after over a decade of supporting a partnership of local people to invest over £1 million in the local area.

Partnerships

The VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

A key role of CVS is to facilitate partnership working within the sector, and with other sectors. A number of partnerships are either hosted or attended by CVS staff, across Bedfordshire and Luton.

Bedford Borough Community Network is organised in partnership with Bedford Borough Council, bringing together local VCSE organisations and local public sector colleagues to network and share information. This past year, the network discussed the need and viability for an anti-poverty network.

Central Bedfordshire VCSE Network is organised in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council and Beds Rural Communities Charity. The first meeting was in June 2025, and is now meeting 3-4 times a year.

CVS staff also attend the Luton Fairness Taskforce, which brings a wide range of local partners together on a regular basis.

A Food Providers Network in the Borough of Bedford continues to meet, to improve partnership working and reduce duplication across the Food banks, community larders, social supermarkets and other agencies involved in food provision. Over 17 organisations are now working closer together to improve the impact they have.

A directory of partnerships is in place, to assist organisations to link up with relevant networks and meetings, and is updated when new partnerships are identified..

A Comms Network brings together those organisations with a communications lead to share information and co-ordinate publicity about the work of the local VCS sector. A Volunteer Co-ordinators Network meets regularly to share good practice on recruiting and managing volunteers.

CVS has also continued to be involved with the Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, which in 2026 will expand to include Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, and will require forming better working relationships with VCSE infrastructure organisations operating in those areas. The VCSE sector can also play a key role in the development of 'neighbourhood' based provision, but this will require more resources.

Bedfordshire Advice Forum and the VOCypf network (for those working with children, young people and families), continue to be facilitated by CVS staff. CVS also continues to support Bedford Homeless Partnership and Luton Homeless Partnership.

Staff are involved in a number of other networks and partnerships, including the Luton Fairness Taskforce, Central Bedfordshire's Cost of Living Network, the Bedford Borough Health and Wellbeing Board, and a number of other opportunities where it is important for the VCSE voice and experience to be heard.

Environment

Catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutral.

The past year has been spent understanding how CVS should best respond to the climate change agenda, developing better links with other agencies working in this field, and establishing how to best support the wider VCSE sector.

It is clear that all VCSE organisations will not be able to achieve their objectives if they do not also act to respond to the climate crisis.

Some environmental improvements to 43 Bromham Road were undertaken, following an external Energy Efficiency Assessment, thanks to a grant from the VCSE Energy Efficiency fund.

CVS staff have also continued to develop links with other organisations offering support relating to climate change, so we better understand what is available, and what gaps might exist, but additional capacity is required to take this work further.

Impact

Ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

The trustees are determined to demonstrate the impact that the charity has, and support other VCSE organisations to do the same. The development of a new strategic plan, the progress of which is reported on at every board meeting, has provided a greater focus, and has assisted with the conversation on how best to evidence our impact.

Staff have improved the evidence collecting methods during the year, with an emphasis on capturing feedback and quotes from organisations and volunteers that have been supported. More work has also been undertaken to demonstrate how many people end up volunteering. This has allowed for better quality reports to funders, improved case studies for promotion via social media, and greater reassurance to trustees.

In Luton, following three pilot drop-in sessions in 2024, a six-month pilot was commenced in June 2025, using space at the LETSHUB. Weekly drop-ins were offered, which proved to be very useful in meeting potential volunteers, and VCSE organisations at a very early stage of development. It is hoped to continue the drop-in's during 2026, following a rebranding of the LETSHUB to the 'Thrivehub' and a relocation to an even more central location in Luton town centre.

This year, staff and trustees have also been considering the impact and possible actions relating to four significant developments in Bedfordshire. Luton Airport expansion, East-West Rail, Tempsford New Town and Universal Resort United Kingdom have the potential to bring benefits to local communities, should they be supported properly to access them. CVS will continue to seek funds for additional capacity to support local VCSE organisations and the communities that they serve.

Plans for Future Periods

The key activities for the future are set out in the strategic review, focusing on 6 areas of work:

- Funding and Financial Sustainability - ensuring the VCSE sector has access to appropriate funding, and is more resilient in the face of changing circumstances.

- People - supporting the people - whether they are volunteers, employees or trustees - across the VCSE sector.

- Communities - enabling local communities to effect social action, both individually and collectively.

- Partnerships - the VCSE sector working together effectively, and with statutory and private sector partners.

- Environment - catalyse the VCSE sector in delivering measurable progress to carbon neutrality.

- Impact - ensuring that the VCSE sector is able to demonstrate the difference it makes to local communities and the county.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The organisation remains in a healthy financial position. Total incoming resources for the year were £394,917 (2025 - £418,194) and total resources expended were £451,071 (2025 - £444,749).

The organisation made a deficit for the year of £56,154 (2025 - £26,555).

The cost of staffing and utilities remain high due to the cost of living crisis affecting the country. Whilst income from meeting room and office space usage remained high, other sources of funding have not increased in line with the increase in costs, and this remains a concern for trustees. The cost of repairs to 43 Bromham Road remains a challenge, with funds being released from reserves as required.

The organisation has a number of principal sources of funding, as outlined in the accounts. The trustees are keen to hold a portfolio of funders, rather than build dependency on one or two, in order to reduce the risk to the organisation's existence should a funder withdraw or fail to renew its support. The vast majority of the funding that the organisation receives is of a short-term nature, sometimes for projects lasting less than six months, providing little long-term security for the staff team.

Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council continued to provide essential support to allow the

organisation to offer funding advice, development support and provide some representation for the sector at key

meetings. CVS successfully campaigned to reverse proposals from Bedford Borough Council to not support CVS in 2026-27. A wide range of organisations and partner agencies advocated for CVS, which was greatly appreciated by the staff and trustees. A great deal of time was spent to get the decision changed, and the trustees remain concerned that gong forward, local public sector funding is far less secure than in previous years.

The Harpur Trust's on-going support in providing a full-repairing peppercorn lease for 43 Bromham Road is crucial to the organisation's financial position, and during the past year the Trust once again agreed to match-fund the award from Bedford Borough Council, providing significant additional resources for CVS.

Luton Rising (London Luton Airport Ltd) provide funding relating to CVS's work in Luton (via Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation).

CVS acted as the accountable body for a BIG Local partnership in the Kingsbrook and Cauldwell area of Bedford.

Funding relating to the BIG Local initiative has been received from the BIG Lottery Fund and subsequently BIG Local Trust and held under restricted funds. These funds were fully spent at the end of March 2026.

CVS is also the accountable body for the Bedford Homeless Partnership. Funding raised by the Partnership can be distributed as small grants. Funds are held as restricted funds.

CVS also acts as the accountable body for the Voluntary Organisations Consortium for Children, Young People and Families (VOCypf). Funds from the two local authorities are held on behalf of VOC under restricted funds.

Funding for Bedfordshire Advice Forum and Luton Homeless Partnership are also held.

Reserves policy

The CVS reserves policy includes provision for holding a long-term, full-repairing lease for 43 Bromham Road, and is kept under review on an annual basis.

At the year end, unrestricted reserves amounted to £265,728 (2025 - £288,984). These reserves are designated as detailed below and in note 10 of the accounts.

General Purpose Reserves

The trustees have set a level equivalent to two months of full operating costs for the organisation as a desired level of reserve. This fund is a contingency in the event of a sudden reduction in income, in order to protect the future operation of the organisation from the effects of any unforeseen variation in its income and expenditure. It also provides a cash flow for grants and contracts that are paid in arrears.

Designated Reserves

The trustees have designated reserves where there are planned commitments that cannot be met by anticipated future income alone. These reserves are broken down into a number of funds that mainly relate to:

- The organisation's responsibilities as an employer to hold sufficient funds to provide proper notice and redundancy costs in the event of closure

- The organisation's responsibilities as a tenant. Whilst CVS pays a peppercorn rent for use of 43 Bromham Road until 2032, CVS also has full-repairing responsibilities until 2032, during which period the building will require major refurbishment and repair. It is the trustees' intention to build a capital improvement fund over the next few years to meet future repair and refurbishment commitments

- The organisation's responsibilities as a head landlord, leasing offices to other charities and voluntary organisations at 43 Bromham Road. In the event of closure or near closure, funds are held to keep the building running for twelve months until other arrangements can be made and the lease surrendered

The reserves policy and the levels of reserves required are reviewed yearly as part of the annual budgetary process.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire was established under Memorandum and Articles of Association on 30th October 2001. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended on 15th June 2006 and 25th June 2016 due to name changes. The organisation is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (registered charity number 1091423) and as a Company Limited by Guarantee with Companies House (registered company number 04312967).

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The trustees of the organisation are either connected with local voluntary organisations in a paid, voluntary or trustee capacity, and/or they provide the organisation with specialist knowledge and skills relating to accounting, legal issues, human resources, local government or similar.

The organisation actively seeks local people with an interest in and connection with the local voluntary and community sector to become a trustee throughout the year. The trustees have the power to co-opt new trustees throughout the year.

Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council are each entitled to nominate a non-voting representative to attend and participate in trustees' meetings.

Induction and training of new trustees

There is no formal trustee induction programme but each new trustee undergoes a half-day induction session to brief them on the structure and operation of the organisation, to provide them with and explain key documents and policies, to meet key staff and to discuss any training requirements.

Wider network

The organisation works closely with a number of other charities in Bedfordshire. We continue to work closely with Community Action Milton Keynes, supporting the sector to engage with the Integrated Care System (ICS) that covers both our respective areas of benefit. CVS also maintains a close working relationship with Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, particularly regarding work in Central Bedfordshire.

Risk management

The financial risks to the organisation are considered by the trustees and the Chief Officer on a regular basis through strenuous budgeting and regular management accounts. The trustees have considered the risks faced by the charity and have taken steps to mitigate those risks. A key component of this is the reserves policy which was reviewed last year, and continues to provide a sensible platform for all financial planning for the organisation.

The Finance and Premises sub-committee, meeting at least quarterly, provides additional oversight and scrutiny to the finances of the organisation, especially regarding the lease of 43 Bromham Road and the associated costs of running a building.

With regards to the non-financial risks, a detailed health and safety policy is in place with a nominated lead, and a business continuity plan exists should it be necessary. Key staff also undertake relevant training relating to first aid and fire safety as required.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04312967 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1091423

Registered office

43 Bromham Road

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK40 2AA

Trustees

Mrs P Olney

Ms A Nevinson

B Shah

A Spurrell (resigned 24.9.25)

M Young

Mrs H Hendrickx

G Moore (appointed 28.1.26)

Company Secretary

Ms A Nevinson

Independent Examiner

Gerald Bygraves

GB Accounting Solutions Limited

Building 115

Bedford Technology Park

Thurleigh

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK44 2YA

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

M Young - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire ('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 Association of Accounting Technicians, 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.

Gerald Bygraves

GB Accounting Solutions Limited

Building 115

Bedford Technology Park

Thurleigh

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK44 2YA

30 September 2026

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and other income

14,665

3,079

17,744

7,608

Charitable activities

VOC

-

15,000

15,000

20,000

Central Bedfordshire Council

-

46,765

46,765

48,348

Big Local

-

69,834

69,834

89,843

Bedford Charity

47,500

-

47,500

33,750

LLAL

-

69,180

69,180

79,880

Bedford Borough Council

40,000

-

40,000

45,000

Other activities

2

80,537

-

80,537

83,579

Investment income

3

8,357

-

8,357

10,186

Total

191,059

203,858

394,917

418,194

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,285

-

5,285

5,285

Charitable activities

Support costs

209,030

236,756

445,786

439,464

Total

214,315

236,756

451,071

444,749

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(23,256

)

(32,898

)

(56,154

)

(26,555

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

288,984

52,865

341,849

368,404

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

265,728

19,967

285,695

341,849

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

1

-

1

1

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

20,757

-

20,757

9,448

Cash at bank and in hand

266,370

19,967

286,337

341,878

287,127

19,967

307,094

351,326

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(21,400

)

-

(21,400

)

(9,478

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

265,727

19,967

285,694

341,848

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

265,728

19,967

285,695

341,849

NET ASSETS

265,728

19,967

285,695

341,849

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

265,728

288,984

Restricted funds

19,967

52,865

TOTAL FUNDS

285,695

341,849

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 30 September 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Young - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

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

Income

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

Expenditure

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

Tangible fixed assets

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

Fixtures and fittings

-

20% on cost

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

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

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

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

2.	OTHER ACTIVITIES

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

£

Office and meeting room hire

80,537

-

80,537

83,579

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.26

31.3.25

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

£

Deposit account interest

8,357

-

8,357

10,186

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

31.3.26

31.3.25

Administration

2

2

Support

7

7

9

9

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and other income

3,587

4,021

7,608

Charitable activities

VOC

-

20,000

20,000

Central Bedfordshire Council

-

48,348

48,348

Big Local

-

89,843

89,843

Bedford Charity

33,750

-

33,750

LLAL

-

79,880

79,880

Bedford Borough Council

45,000

-

45,000

Other activities

83,579

-

83,579

Investment income

10,186

-

10,186

Total

176,102

242,092

418,194

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5,285

-

5,285

Charitable activities

Support costs

194,553

244,911

439,464

Total

199,838

244,911

444,749

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(23,736

)

(2,819

)

(26,555

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

312,720

55,684

368,404

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

288,984

52,865

341,849

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

and

fittings

£

COST

At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026

7,485

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026

7,484

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2026

1

At 31 March 2025

1

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Trade debtors

19,791

8,482

Prepayments

966

966

20,757

9,448

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.26

31.3.25

£

£

Trade creditors

4,891

6,538

Accruals and deferred income

13,169

-

Accrued expenses

3,340

2,940

21,400

9,478

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1/4/25

in funds

funds

31/3/26

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

53,253

(22,609

)

4,500

35,144

Designated Funds

215,951

-

(4,500

)

211,451

Big Change Luton

19,073

(647

)

-

18,426

Coffee Pot

707

-

-

707

288,984

(23,256

)

-

265,728

Restricted funds

Big Local

24,340

(24,341

)

-

(1

)

VOC

16,895

(6,416

)

-

10,479

Bedfordshire Advice Forum

913

(542

)

-

371

Central Bedfordshire Council

11

-

-

11

LLAL

1,754

(32

)

-

1,722

Bedford Homeless

6,763

(1,355

)

-

5,408

BBO Storage

2,189

(212

)

-

1,977

52,865

(32,898

)

-

19,967

TOTAL FUNDS

341,849

(56,154

)

-

285,695