REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03361902 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1062150

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

FOR

SAFER MERTHYR TYDFIL LIMITED

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

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Report of the Trustees

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Report of the Independent Auditors

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Statement of Financial Activities

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Balance Sheet

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Cash Flow Statement

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Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

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Notes to the Financial Statements

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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 Trustee Report includes the Report of the Directors' as required by company law.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The charity's objects are:

- Promoting, for the public benefit and in partnership with others, the protection of people and property and the

prevention of criminal acts.

- Advancing the education of the public in crime prevention.

- Providing recreational facilities in the interests of social welfare for young persons with the objectives of improving

their conditions of life.

The charity has the general aim of enhancing the quality of life of the people of Merthyr Tydfil, and elsewhere in Wales, by reducing crime and fear of crime. However, since the advent of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, crime prevention activities now have core status on the agendas of statutory and voluntary organisations locally and nationally. Therefore, the charity's business objectives are to:

- Continue to play a key role in reducing crime and the fear of crime by accessing National and local resources to develop crime prevention initiatives across Wales.

- Assist local and national organisations to deliver effective single agency and multi-agency crime prevention measures in order to create a safer environment where economic enterprise and community life can flourish.

- Continue to share good practice with Community Safety Partners locally, regionally, and nationally.

The strategy employed by the charity to achieve its aims and objectives is to develop suitable programmes of work for delivery. In line with its strategic intent, SMT has chosen to specialise in the provision of support to families affected by domestic abuse which equates to 95% of all business activity.

Public benefit

The Trustees are aware that the Charity has a responsibility under the Charities Act to demonstrate that it has charitable aims that meet the public benefit requirement and are therefore charitable. The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when considering, planning and implementing the activities of the charity and comply with the duty under S17 Charities Act 2011. As Trustees, we believe that the aims of our organisation are charitable and for the public benefit. Furthermore, in our view, no detriment or harm arises from our Charity carrying out its work and we are not aware of any widespread views among others that such detriment or harm might arise.

Volunteers

Volunteer Time

The value of volunteer time is not quantified in terms of money, but the time contributed by volunteers is an invaluable resource in terms of the outstanding contribution made by them.

STRATEGIC REPORT

Achievements and performance

Charitable activities

During 2025/26, Safer Merthyr Tydfil continued to deliver a wide range of specialist services across South Wales, working with adults, children, young people, families, partners and communities. The year's achievements reflect the day-to-day work of staff and volunteers, the support of trustees and funders, and the contribution of partners who work with SMT to improve safety, wellbeing and opportunity.

Charitable activities

Through a grant from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the charity continued to play a strategic role in the coordination of domestic abuse services during 2025/26.

The grant is reviewed annually and makes an essential contribution towards core costs, including the strategic and operational administration of the organisation. The value of the MTCBC grant for 2025/26 was £37,000. Its value to the charity was wider than the amount itself, as this contribution to core funds helped SMT to generate a turnover of £2,957,051 and to deliver activity aligned with local, regional, national and UK-wide priorities.

On behalf of the Community Safety Partnership and the Regional VAWDASV Steering Group, the charity employs and manages the strategic Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Regional Advisor for Cwm Taf Morgannwg. SMT also supports Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in discharging its statutory duties through the maintenance and delivery of high-quality domestic abuse programmes.

Throughout the year, SMT worked alongside thousands of people through its interconnected services. The figures below give a headline overview of activity and outcomes, with accumulated totals across service areas.

Collectively, these figures show the breadth of SMT's work and the different ways people engage with our services. They also reflect the consistency of our teams, the strength of our partnerships, and the importance of support that is practical, specialist and shaped by the needs of those using it.

2,705 Adult victims and survivors directly supported

1,434 Children and young people reached across all services

443 Perpetrators engaged across all programmes

Key outcomes during 2025/26

-Increased feelings of safety or reduced risk reported by DART service users 96%

-Increased resilience and empowerment reported by DART service users 98%

-Positive recovery outcomes reported across Recovery Programme measures 84-100%

-Final court order experienced as safe and sustainable through Child Focused Court IDVA support 93%

-IRIS patients reporting that support was helpful and that they were pleased to be asked by their clinician 100%

-Children and young people reporting increased feelings of safety through Comets and Rockets 99.5%

-CLEAR participants showing improvement across all wellness wheel areas 100%

-Reduced risk to victim-survivors and children and young people at DRIVE case closure 88% of cases

-IRIS patients reporting improved physical or mental health 93%

-Young people reporting improved confidence through Snakes 'N' Ladders Evidenced by independent evaluation

Service-user and participant feedback is an important part of how SMT understands the difference its services make. The comments below offer a small insight into people's experiences of support and involvement during the year.

"I was at my lowest and didn't know where to turn. I was really struggling to get through the day and felt desperate. My support worker listened to me for a long time and kept listening until I was ready to move forward. I'm doing so much better; I'm even thinking of volunteering, which I would never have done before. Thank you, IRIS." - IRIS patient

"Everything DRIVE has done has worked - my family have noticed a difference in me. The support has been brilliant and I couldn't have asked for more." - DRIVE service user

"It has given me so many opportunities I would not have had. I feel more confident now, and it has been the best five years of my life." - Youth Participation member

"I would never have had the confidence or skills to give presentations and speak at conferences if it had not been for this project." - Snakes 'N' Ladders Youth Advisory Panel member

SMT is proud of what has been achieved during 2025/26. Demand for services has remained high, and the outcomes above reflect the commitment of staff, volunteers, trustees and partners in delivering practical, specialist support across our communities.

The sections that follow set out the main activity delivered by each service area during 2025/26, alongside the outcomes and learning that shaped the year.

Victim and Survivor Services

Safer Merthyr Tydfil's victim and survivor services provide a comprehensive, multi-strand response to domestic abuse across Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, and wider South Wales. Services are delivered through four specialist teams: the Domestic Abuse Resource Team (DART), Recovery Programmes, the Child Focused Court IDVA Service, and the Comets and Rockets Children and Young People's Service.

Accumulated totals - Victim and Survivor Services 2025/26

Adults directly supported

DART - community-based support 618

DART - criminal court proceedings 146

Recovery Programmes (Freedom Programme, Own My Life, Recovery Toolkit) 168

Child Focused Court IDVA - South-East Wales 805

Child Focused Court IDVA - Mid and West Wales 749

IRIS (primary care patients) 219

TOTAL adult victims and survivors directly supported 2,705

Children and young people reached

Therapeutic support (children, young people and family members) 307

Child IDVA 314

Recovery and Prevention 546

Educational programmes 267

TOTAL children and young people reached 1,434

Referrals received across victim services

DART 1,156

Recovery Programmes 406

Child Focused Court - SE Wales 855

Child Focused Court - Mid & West Wales 788

IRIS 268

TOTAL referrals received 3,473

Perpetrator Services

Safer Merthyr Tydfil delivers a tiered suite of perpetrator intervention programmes: DRIVE, Driving Change and CLEAR across Cardiff and the Vale, Cwm Taf Morgannwg, and Swansea Neath Port Talbot regions. In addition, the CARA programme is delivered across South Wales and Gwent. The integrated model enables a step-up/step-down approach matched to risk level, with victim and child safety central at every stage.

Perpetrator Services 2025/26

Perpetrators engaged across all programmes

DRIVE (high-risk community cases) 213

HMP Swansea Pilot (high-risk custodial cases) 9

CLEAR (CTM) 54

CLEAR (Cardiff and the Vale) 40

Driving Change (CTM) 54

Driving Change (Cardiff and the Vale) 14

CARA (conditional caution programme) 59

TOTAL perpetrators engaged 443

Victims and children protected through perpetrator programmes

Victim survivors associated with DRIVE 228

Victim survivors associated with HMP Pilot 9

Associated children - DRIVE 424

Associated children - HMP Pilot 24

TOTAL victims associated (DRIVE + HMP) 237

TOTAL children associated (DRIVE + HMP) 448

Referrals received across perpetrator services

DRIVE 1,156

Driving Change (CTM & C&V) 125

CLEAR (CTM & C&V) 128

CARA 59

TOTAL referrals received 1,488

Youth Participation

The Participation project empowers young people aged 11-25 in Merthyr Tydfil to influence local decision-making, supported by Safer Merthyr Tydfil and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Through roles including Youth Cabinet member and Youth Mayor, participants represent their peers, advocate on key issues and contribute to consultations with local decision-makers.

Youth Mayor Hustings: candidates 14 (14% rise in votes)

Inauguration guests 71 (Civic Centre) + 77 (Gala at Morlais Castle Golf Club)

Academy of Success: nominations / awards / guests 38 nominations, 29 awards, 165 guests

Strategic meetings attended by young people 16

Borough-wide forums 4

Youth Cabinet meetings 7

Consultations contributed to 4

Organisations awarded youth-led funding 5

Adults trained in young people's rights (Young People Say) 4

Total voluntary hours contributed 558 hours

"I wanted to help bridge the gap between young people and adults. I've met so many different people by being involved in MTBWYF." "It has given me so many opportunities I would not have had. I feel more confident now, and it has been the best five years of my life." "We know how lucky we are to have MTBWYF, Youth Cabinet and a Youth Mayor in Merthyr. Most other boroughs do not have as much as we do. I like seeing that what we do really makes a difference for others." "I've enjoyed getting to know councillors and other adults who are passionate about helping and listening to young people." - Youth Participation members

Snakes & Ladders: The Other Pandemic

The Snakes & Ladders programme improves young people's mental health, wellbeing and access to support through a co-produced, youth-led approach. Working with young people aged 11-25 in Merthyr Tydfil, the programme responds to the lasting impact of the pandemic on youth mental health and social connectedness.

High schools engaged 3

Feeder primary schools engaged 2

Pupils in transition cohort 90

Young people reached overall 111

Youth-led community videos produced 4 (+ 8 in development)

Snakes 'N' Ladders Conference 2025 Unanimous positive feedback and strong appetite for wider rollout

- Delivery of a Transition Pilot supporting Year 6 pupils moving to secondary school, with bilingual transition

resources created and embedded.

- Open Access pilot implemented at Cyfarthfa High School.

- Innovative social media consultations using pop-up engagement methods.

- Youth Advisory Panel members delivered presentations to two Scrutiny panels, drawing praise from local

councillors.

- Youth Advisory Panel members accessed training in media, mental health, safeguarding, and co-production,

enhancing skills and confidence.

Councillor feedback following Scrutiny panel presentations: "The work the young people do is really inspiring, and it shows the impact that having their voices heard can make." "What an amazing job the young people are doing." Youth Advisory Panel member: "I would never have had the confidence or skills to give presentations and speak at conferences if it had not been for this project."

Fundraising activities

The charity does not carry out significant fundraising activities.

Financial review

Financial position

SMT remained financially stable during 2025/26, with income continuing to be generated primarily through grant-funded activity and commissioned services. The Trustees continue to monitor the organisation's financial position carefully, particularly in relation to annual funding dependency, increasing operating costs and the need to maintain an appropriate level of unrestricted reserves. While the charity enters 2026/27 with its funding secured for the year ahead, longer-term sustainability remains dependent on continued funding, effective cost control, strong performance evidence and the development of a balanced funding mix where possible.

Principal funding sources

Trustees recognise that a significant proportion of the charity's activity continues to rely on annual grant funding. This affects longer-term planning and remains an important part of SMT's risk management. The wider funding environment remains challenging, with limited annual uplifts, increasing staff and operating costs, and continued competition for commissioned and grant-funded opportunities. Trustees therefore continue to work with funders and commissioners to promote the benefits of longer-term funding and to evidence the value, impact and strategic fit of SMT's services.

The charity's principal funding sources are grant income and commissioned activity. Trustees remain committed to developing a varied and sustainable funding mix where this is achievable and consistent with SMT's aims, values and charitable objects.

SMT remains grateful for the continued support of its funders, commissioners and donors. This support is essential in enabling the charity to maintain services, respond to need and continue making a difference for individuals, families and communities.

Investment policy and objectives

Under the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Trustees have the power to invest funds in a way considered beneficial to the charity. Having regard to the liquidity requirements of maintaining key programmes of work, the Trustees operate a low-risk investment approach focused on capital preservation, ready access to funds and interest-bearing deposit accounts. The Trustees seek to achieve a rate of deposit interest that is appropriate to prevailing market conditions while ensuring that funds remain available to meet operational commitments.

During 2025/26, higher interest rates had a positive effect on returns from bank savings and interest-bearing deposit accounts. The Trustees will continue to monitor the position and, where appropriate, review Safer Merthyr Tydfil's investment policy as part of its annual governance and financial review for 2026/27.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have established a policy that unrestricted funds not designated for specific purposes should equate to at least six months of planned expenditure. This target is intended to provide sufficient working capital, protect against short-term funding disruption and support the orderly management of any future changes to service funding.

General reserves are held in an interest-bearing deposit account, in line with the charity's investment policy, and are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity. At 31 March 2026, SMT held £919,943 in general reserves. Based on planned expenditure of £2,928,640 for 2026/27, the Trustees' six-month reserves target is £1,464,320. General reserves therefore represent approximately 63% of the intended target. This provides an important level of financial resilience; however, reserves remain below the Trustees' target level. The Trustees will therefore continue to prioritise reserves management alongside income generation, cost control and regular financial monitoring.

Going concern and Financial Sustrainability

The Trustees have reviewed the charity's financial position, current funding arrangements, reserves and forecast commitments. Based on this review, the Trustees consider that SMT has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. This assessment is made in the context of the charity's continued reliance on annual and project-based funding, and Trustees will continue to monitor financial sustainability through regular management accounts, budget review, risk management processes and active engagement with funders and commissioners.

Future plans

SMT's current strategic plan runs to 2028 and is reviewed annually to ensure it remains responsive to changing priorities, emerging need and opportunities that align with the organisation's aims and objectives. Delivery during 2026/27 will continue to be shaped by this plan, with a focus on sustainability, impact, partnership and responsiveness to need. SMT's priority will be to maintain and strengthen its core domestic abuse, community safety and youth participation services, while continuing to develop provision where this responds to identified need and can be supported by appropriate funding.

SMT remained stable throughout 2025/26 and enters 2026/27 with current project funding secured for the year ahead. Trustees remain mindful of the wider financial pressures affecting the voluntary sector, including increasing operating and employment costs, limited annual funding uplifts and continued reliance on annual or project-based funding. Building on work already underway, a key focus for 2026/27 will be to continue strengthening fundraising, further develop organisational data and reporting, and use outcome evidence consistently to support learning, service quality and funding discussions. As SMT develops, Trustees will continue to ensure that decisions about growth, funding and service development remain grounded in the charity's values, commitment to quality, safeguarding responsibilities and the needs of the people and communities it supports.

SMT will continue to work closely with funders, commissioners and partners to promote collaborative, person-centred and evidence-informed approaches. Trustees will also continue to support workforce stability and organisational resilience, recognising that skilled and experienced staff are central to safe, effective and trauma-informed service delivery.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Safer Merthyr Tydfil is a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 16 April 1997, as amended on 12 May 2006 to reflect current governance arrangements.

Safer Merthyr Tydfil was incorporated on 29th April 1997 and in the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Board of Trustees.

Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years, after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.

One third of the trustees retire by rotation at each year's Annual General Meeting. Those making themselves available for re-appointment and any new nomination (under the terms of governing documents) are then seconded and appointed by a simple majority of those remaining members present at the meeting.

Due to the diversity of the charity an effort is made to maintain representation of our communities. In addition, we also seek to attain a broad skill mix of trustees. In the event of skills being lost due to retirement, suitable individuals are approached to offer themselves for election to the Board. To enhance the scope of recruitment for key positions the charity will also recruit through open advertisement when necessary.

The gendered nature of domestic abuse means that, where practicable, SMT actively seeks to recruit female Trustees to support a balanced gender mix. Similarly, the organisation's policy supports female representation in at least one of the officer roles of Chair or Vice Chair.

Furthermore, Trustees are supported by Advisers, who bring specific skills and knowledge to Board meetings but have no voting rights or legal responsibility for the charity. Advisers are nominated annually at the Annual General Meeting and during 2025/26 the Board benefited from the support of 1 Adviser.

Organisational structure

As set out in the Articles of Association Safer Merthyr Tydfil's Board of Trustees consists of not less than three members with (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution), no maximum number.

The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly and is responsible for the governance, strategic direction and policy of the charity. The Trustees have a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. A Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board of Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive Officer has delegated authority, within the terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and project-related activity. The Chief Executive Officer is supported by a Management Team comprising a Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Business Support Officer and three Service Managers.

Induction and training of new trustees

Some Trustees may already be familiar with the work of the charity. However, the induction process for any newly appointed trustees comprises initial meetings with the Chair and Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer followed by an orientation meeting to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the contents of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the decision-making process, the business strategy, and recent financial performance of the charity (all within a Trustee Handbook). During induction new trustees meet with key employees and familiarise themselves with projects. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Key management remuneration

Within the general trustee board meetings, Safer Merthyr Tydfil review the remuneration framework, terms of employment and any changes, including remuneration, policy and scope for pension arrangements, basis of bonus and bonus awards, incentive and benefit plans etc. as and when it is required.

Related parties

In so far as it complements the charity's objects, the charity is guided by both local and national policy (devolved and non-devolved). At a national level, community safety is governed by the Crime & Disorder Act 1998, at a local level the Public Service Board and delegated strategic fora have responsibility for its implementation. The local partnerships include representatives from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council, South Wales Police, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, National Probation Service, County Voluntary Councils, and others.

Specialising in Domestic Abuse, SMT ensures its priorities are aligned to that of UK and Welsh Government, Local Authorities and The South Wales and other Police and Crime Commissioner key priorities. SMT is an accredited member of the national organisation Respect and delivers its services in line with their recognised Standards; the organisation is also a member of Welsh Women's Aid the umbrella organisation in Wales for VAWDASV.

Partnership working is fundamental to the work of SMT, and we deliver our services collaboratively with many likeminded organisations who share SMT's values and vice versa. SMT is represented on a number of fora across Wales, and these fora are aligned to the strategic priorities both locally and nationally.

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.

Internal financial risks are minimised by robust policy and procedure, including operating 'dual control' systems, and all transactions are authorised accordingly. Periodic completion of the Charity Commission checklist for internal financial controls is undertaken to ensure there is no deviation from best practice, and the charity is externally audited on an annual basis.

Safer Merthyr Tydfil employs the services of an Insurance Broker whose advice and support is sought in ensuring that the charity is appropriately and adequately insured. Similarly, the charity contracts the services of a national organisation who advise on employment and health and safety related matters.

Systematic procedures are in place for compliance of Health and Safety legislation with annual inspections and risk assessments undertaken at operational level with appropriate action taken, to minimise any identified risk. This is also supported by a comprehensive Health & Safety Policy and Training Programme.

Annual cyclical funding and dependence on grant funding continue to pose the greatest risks to the charity's project work. The charity's strategy is to work with commissioners and funders to promote the benefits of multi-year funding, develop projects with a balanced funding mix where possible, and explore suitable procurement opportunities where they align with the organisation's key aims and objectives.

The Board of Trustees recognises that employment-related issues are an inherent risk. With an average of 59 members of staff throughout the year, the charity commits approximately 57% of its incoming resources as expenditure against staff-related costs. Given the charity's dependency on grant funding, redundancy situations become a high-risk but managed risk factor.

SMT's Core Funding is received via a grant to voluntary organisations from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The Trustees have been informed by MTCBC that this grant will be awarded for the financial year 2026/2027 but continues to be subject to annual review beyond that period. However, SMT continue to work with MTCBC to re-assess this position and embed the grant as a core priority and offer it on a multi-annual basis.

Through its risk register and management procedures, the key aim of the Board of Trustees is to ensure sustainability, provide stability and mitigate any associated risk to the charity. The trustees foresee no material funding issues for the forthcoming financial year 2026/2027.

However, the Trustees will as always continue to assess organisational needs and where practicable make adequate provision for contingencies and any future funding shortfalls through the charity's reserves policy which is reviewed regularly.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

03361902 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1062150

Registered office

89 -90 High Street

Merthyr Tydfil

Mid Glamorgan

CF47 8UH

Trustees

P Flynn (Chair)

M Jehu

W Smith (resigned 1.5.26)

Mrs M Thomas (Vice Chair)

Ms V Slade

C B Jones (Treasurer)

C Jones

J Williams (appointed 16.5.25)

D M Evans (appointed 6.3.26)

The Advisors who served during the year are as follows:

Sharon Richards (VAMT)

Chief Executive Officer

Nicola Mahoney

Auditors

Baker Knoyle Audit Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

Orbit Business Centre

Rhydycar Business Park

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1DL

Bankers

HSBC

127 - 128 High Street

Merthyr Tydfil

Mid Glamorgan

CF47 8DN

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The trustees (who are also the directors of Safer Merthyr Tydfil Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

-	select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

-	observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

-	make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

-	prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

-	there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

-	the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, Baker Knoyle Audit Limited, have expressed their willingness to be re-appointed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 14 August 2026 and signed on the board's behalf by:

Mrs M Thomas - Trustee

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Safer Merthyr Tydfil Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2026 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

In our opinion the financial statements:

-	give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2026 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-	have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and

-	have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

-	the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-	the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-	adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-	the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-	certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

-	we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-	the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

- We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our sector experience through discussion with the Officers and other management (as required by auditing standards).

- We had regard to laws and regulations in areas that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting (including related trade union legislation) and taxation legislation. We considered that extent of compliance with those laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

- With the exception of any known or possible non-compliance, and as required by auditing standards, our work in respect of these was limited to enquiry of the Officers.

- We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.

- We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls, by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Phillips FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Baker Knoyle Audit Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

Orbit Business Centre

Rhydycar Business Park

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1DL

1 September 2026

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

39,750

-

39,750

72,750

Charitable activities

4

Victim/Survivor Domestic Abuse Services

-

615,318

615,318

594,382

GP based domestic violence and abuse training, support and referral project

-

111,567

111,567

116,737

Perpetrators Services

-

1,005,429

1,005,429

1,145,585

CYP Participation and Engagement

-

135,560

135,560

130,722

Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Services

-

173,797

173,797

224,102

Children & Young People and Adult Recovery DA Services

-

862,386

862,386

467,349

Family Domestic Abuse Support

-

-

-

12,932

Investment income

3

10,944

-

10,944

12,139

Other income

2,300

-

2,300

11,777

Total

52,994

2,904,057

2,957,051

2,788,475

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

5

3,168

-

3,168

3,225

Charitable activities

6

Victim/Survivor Domestic Abuse Services

36,532

610,744

647,276

618,828

Mentoring and Befriending support for individuals 50+ and socially isolated

-

-

-

3,109

GP based domestic violence and abuse training, support and referral project

6,455

103,295

109,750

114,506

Perpetrators Services

58,171

852,874

911,045

1,069,841

CYP Participation and Engagement

7,843

124,152

131,995

125,137

Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Services

10,055

155,288

165,343

245,164

Children & Young People and Adult Recovery DA Services

49,895

735,830

785,725

402,485

Family Domestic Abuse Support

-

-

-

18,593

Total

172,119

2,582,183

2,754,302

2,600,888

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(119,125

)

321,874

202,749

187,587

Transfers between funds

18

205,844

(205,844

)

-

-

Net movement in funds

86,719

116,030

202,749

187,587

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

851,704

595,733

1,447,437

1,259,850

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

938,423

711,763

1,650,186

1,447,437

2026

2025

Notes

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

13

100,698

102,730

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

14

588,265

746,459

Cash at bank and in hand

1,030,306

852,988

1,618,571

1,599,447

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

15

(69,083

)

(254,740

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

1,549,488

1,344,707

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

1,650,186

1,447,437

NET ASSETS

1,650,186

1,447,437

FUNDS

18

Unrestricted funds

938,423

851,704

Restricted funds

711,763

595,733

TOTAL FUNDS

1,650,186

1,447,437

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 14 August 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Thomas - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

166,374

98,725

Net cash provided by operating activities

166,374

98,725

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

10,944

12,139

Net cash provided by investing activities

10,944

12,139

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period

177,318

110,864

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period

852,988

742,124

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period

1,030,306

852,988

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)

202,749

187,587

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

2,032

2,342

Interest received

(10,944

)

(12,139

)

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

158,194

(140,776

)

(Decrease)/increase in creditors

(185,657

)

61,711

Net cash provided by operations

166,374

98,725

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

852,988

177,318

1,030,306

852,988

177,318

1,030,306

Total

852,988

177,318

1,030,306

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.

The following specific policies are applied:

Voluntary Income received by way of grants, gifts or donation is included in full on receipt unless it is subject to a condition when it is treated as deferred income.

Government Grant Income is included in full on receipt unless it is subject to a condition when it is treated as deferred income.

Deferred Income Income or grants received in advance are held as deferred income and carried forward to future accounting periods to be released when the defined purpose of the work or project have been completed, approved or certified.

Gifts in kind are included in the income and expenditure account where they are applied in carrying out charitable activities, where the company would otherwise have to purchase the donated facility and the benefit is both quantifiable and material. The quantifiable benefit is shown as both incoming and expended resources within the appropriate funds. Where the gift is an asset it is treated as income and taken to stock or fixed assets as appropriate.

The value of services provided by volunteers is not quantified.

Investment Income is included when receivable.

Trading Income is recognised when earned.

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.

Expenditure includes VAT which cannot be fully recoverable.

Costs of raising funds include the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes the costs that can be attributed directly to those activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Pension costs are contributions made by the charitable company to both employees own personal pension schemes together with contributions made to the employees government work place pension scheme.

Support costs Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with 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.

Freehold property

-

2% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

25% on reducing balance

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributed to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

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.

Designated funds are those unrestricted funds set aside for a specific purpose by the Board.

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

Leased assets

Fixed assets acquired under finance leases are included in the balance sheet at historic cost less accumulated depreciation. The present value of future rentals is shown as a liability. Interest payable in each period is charged as an expended resource in proportion to the amount outstanding under the lease. Operating lease rentals are charged as expended resources as incurred.

Legal Status of the Charity

The Charity is a private company, incorporated in England & Wales, limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2026

2025

£

£

Donations

2,750

20,500

Grants

-

15,250

Service Level Agreement

37,000

37,000

39,750

72,750

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

2026

2025

£

£

Leathersellers

-

15,250

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2026

2025

£

£

Deposit account interest

10,944

12,139

4.	INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2026

2025

Activity

£

£

DART/DAC/IDVA/CIDVA

Victim/Survivor Domestic Abuse Services

615,318

594,382

Identification and Referral to Increase Safety

GP based domestic violence and abuse training, support and referral project

111,567

116,737

DART/DAC/IDVA/CIDVA

Perpetrators Services

-

48,107

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes

Perpetrators Services

1,005,429

1,097,478

Youth Participation and Engagement

CYP Participation and Engagement

135,560

130,722

DART/DAC/IDVA/CIDVA

Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Services

108,934

108,934

CYP DA Services

Children and Young People Domestic Abuse Services

64,863

115,168

DART/DAC/IDVA/CIDVA

Children & Young People and Adult Recovery DA Services

598,155

258,295

CYP DA Services

Children & Young People and Adult Recovery DA Services

264,231

209,054

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes

Family Domestic Abuse Support

-

12,932

2,904,057

2,691,809