The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The Directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law, and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the board of trustees. The board’s responsibilities include all the responsibilities of directors under the Companies Act and of trustees under the Charities Act.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts, and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)’ (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
Objectives and Public Benefit
Staying Put’s charitable objective is to preserve and protect the safety of all people regardless of their gender or age suffering domestic violence, by offering a service through the provision of advice, support, and security measures. It does this by protecting and supporting individuals and children affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation across Bradford and West Yorkshire.
Public benefits are central to our work. We support survivors to achieve safety, recovery and independence, while strengthening their ability to engage in their communities.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring services are accessible and responsive to the needs of all communities.
Vision: To live in a world free from domestic abuse and sexual violence, to be the change and inspire others to follow our example.
Mission: We listen to the voices of survivors, believe in them and act to protect them.
Values: Our values underpin ethical, inclusive and survivor-centred practice.
Philosophy: At Staying Put, we follow a simple philosophy, to dedicate our capacity in delivering excellent services that contribute to empowering disadvantaged individuals and communities in Bradford and West Yorkshire.
Service objectives
Provide timely, accessible and trauma-informed support
Improve safety and recovery outcomes for survivors and children
Deliver safe accommodation and housing pathways
Support children and young people affected by abuse
Prevent abuse through education and early intervention
Ensure survivor voice informs service development
Strengthen partnership working across systems
Partnerships and System Change
Staying Put works in close partnership across Bradford and West Yorkshire to improve coordinated responses to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
Key partnerships include Survive and Thrive (delivered with Family Action and WomenCentre), Hope and Light (led by Bradford District and Craven Mind with 10 VCSE partners) and the West Yorkshire Partnership with Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS), WomenCentre and Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership (PDAP), which delivers the Child Focused Courts, Raneem's Law and Safer Steps programmes. Together, these partnerships bring statutory, health and VCSE organisations together to strengthen safeguarding, improve consistency of response and ensure survivors receive timely, trauma-informed and holistic support.
Through these partnerships, Staying Put contributes to system-wide improvement activities including enhanced multi-agency working, improved risk identification and more coordinated responses for high-risk victims. This work also supports earlier intervention, reducing escalation and improving outcomes for survivors and their children.
The organisation continues to play an active role in shaping regional approaches to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking, ensuring survivor experience and frontline learning inform service design and policy development across West Yorkshire.
Safeguarding and Accountability
Safeguarding underpins all areas of Staying Put’s work and remains a core organisational priority. We are committed to a culture of “listen, believe and act”, ensuring that concerns are responded to promptly, appropriately and with the safety of survivors and children at the centre of all decision-making. The Board and Senior Leadership Team maintain strong oversight, ensuring that services are safe, accountable and responsive to risk, with a shared commitment to protecting survivors, children and families. Robust safeguarding frameworks, clear escalation pathways and strong multi-agency working ensure effective identification and management of risk across all services.
Performance, Workforce and Quality
Staying Put is committed to delivering high-quality, survivor-centred services and operates within recognised quality assurance frameworks. The organisation is working towards reaccreditation under the Women’s Aid National Quality Standards and progressing towards the Helpline Standard to further strengthen consistency, safety and service quality.
Service user feedback continues to play a central role in performance and service development. Survivors report positive outcomes, including improved safety, timely access to support and the ability to make informed choices. Listening meetings with survivors, including those chaired by the Chief Executive and Chair, have provided valuable insight and directly informed service improvements.
The organisation continues to operate in a challenging environment of rising demand and resource pressures. Despite this, Staying Put remains resilient, with a continued focus on quality, safeguarding and service delivery.
Workforce stability remains strong, with staff retention at 82%, exceeding the 80% target. Employee engagement is positive, with high levels of satisfaction in communication, support, recognition and professional development.
Overall, results reflect a committed and well-supported workforce delivering high-quality services.
Annual Overview by the Chair and Deputy Chair - Ruth Houghton and Rizwana Ahmed
This annual overview reflects the work of the Staying Put Group, comprising Staying Put and its subsidiary, Solace Housing Association.
We are pleased to present the Trustees’ Report for the year ending 31 March 2026, which marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s 25th anniversary year. Over the past quarter of a century, Staying Put has grown from a local support service into a leading specialist provider across Bradford and West Yorkshire, supporting survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation to achieve safety, recovery and independence.
This year’s work reflects both the continued demand for specialist services and the organisation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening responses locally and regionally. We have supported over 16,000 survivors during 2025/26, contributing to more than 100,000 people supported over the past six years. Behind these figures are individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by violence and abuse and whose recovery journeys remain at the centre of our work.
Violence Against Women and Girls continues to present a significant public health and social justice challenge. We remain actively engaged in regional and national work to improve responses, strengthen prevention and support long-term system change. This includes contributing to West Yorkshire’s strategic agenda and supporting coordinated, multi-agency approaches to safeguarding and risk reduction.
Our work is grounded in survivor voice and lived experience. We continue to ensure that feedback directly informs service design, delivery and improvement, alongside a commitment to feminist, intersectional and trauma-informed principles. This approach ensures that services remain responsive, accessible and effective.
A key focus this year has been strengthening early intervention, improving access to support, and reducing repeat victimisation through more coordinated pathways. We have also continued to invest in partnership working across statutory and voluntary agencies, helping to improve consistency and effectiveness in responses to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
We continue to develop and expand safe accommodation through Solace Housing Association. The organisation achieved Registered Provider status with the Regulator of Social Housing in 2025 and is progressing further housing development to meet increasing demand for safe, supported accommodation.
As we move into the next phase of our development, we are embedding our new strategic plan and continuing to focus on sustainability, resilience and long-term impact. We remain ambitious for the future and committed to strengthening our contribution to system change, while ensuring survivors remain at the heart of everything we do.
We would like to extend our thanks to survivors who have shared their experiences and placed their trust in us and to our staff, volunteers, trustees, commissioners and partners whose dedication and collaboration make our work possible.
Service Performance and Impact 2025/26
During 2025/26, Staying Put continued to provide high-quality, trauma-informed support across crisis response, accommodation, community-based domestic abuse and sexual abuse services, specialist advocacy, child-focused court support, mental health provision and services for children and young people. Our services continued to respond to increasing demand whilst delivering positive outcomes for survivors and their families.
One Front Door
16,045 enquiries received through One Front Door.
1,436 clients had their needs met by the Helpline Team.
Repeat referral rate of 6.7%.
Accommodation Services
549 referrals received.
Average occupancy of 89%.
100% of residents reported that the service made a positive difference to their lives.
Community Services
3,214 referrals received into Community Services.
1,183 onward referrals, signposting, advice and guidance interventions provided.
1,249 clients received specialist IDVA/ISVA support.
West Yorkshire IDVA Partnership – Child Focused Courts
726 referrals received through the Child Focused Courts service.
597 individuals received specialist IDVA support.
80 individuals were supported at court.
978 children were associated with adults receiving support.
Average of 1.98 days to make first contact following referral.
Average of 2.42 days to allocate a case to an IDVA.
Average of 8.9 days to submit an IDVA report.
Average of 11.2 days from referral to report completion.
Hope & Light – Domestic Abuse Mental Health Service
86 referrals received, achieving 143% of the annual target.
Five culturally adapted recovery groups delivered or commenced, exceeding the annual target by 25%.
Four domestic abuse and mental health awareness sessions delivered for professionals and partners.
Three new referral pathways established with statutory and community organisations.
Four community awareness events delivered, doubling the annual target and increasing access to culturally responsive support.
Hope & Light – Community Engagement
More than 30 new partnerships and community networks established, strengthening referral pathways and engagement with underserved communities.
Ten community events attended or supported, raising awareness of domestic abuse and mental health whilst building trust within local communities.
Stories of Resilience peer support group launched through co-production, helping reduce isolation and build confidence.
Strengthened partnerships with colleges, universities, youth services and community organisations to improve access to support for young people.
Lived experience and community consultation directly informed service development and future programme design.
Children and Young People
114 children and young people supported within accommodation services.
50 children and young people moved into more permanent housing.
62 young people attended healthy relationships workshops or received one-to-one support in schools.
Volunteering
Volunteers contributed 3,084 hours of support.
Estimated value of volunteer contribution: £37,655.
Three volunteers progressed into employment.
Who We Supported
Accommodation services supported predominantly women (98.8%), with 1.2% of service users identifying as male. Community services supported a diverse range of survivors aged 16 to 90 years, with 94.5% identifying as female and 4.8% as male.
Service Delivery and Impact
Staying Put delivers integrated services across crisis response, advocacy, housing, prevention and recovery.
Access and First Response
The One Front Door helpline provides a single point of access, offering advice, assessment and referral into specialist services via telephone and webchat. It ensures survivors receive timely support and clear pathways into appropriate internal or external provision.
Crisis Response and Risk Management
Joint working with West Yorkshire Police includes the Domestic Abuse Car and Daily Risk Assessment Meetings, supporting immediate safeguarding, risk assessment and coordinated responses to high-risk survivors.
Staying Put contributes to MARAC processes and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews strengthening multi-agency safeguarding and ensuring learning from serious cases informs practice.
Specialist Advocacy Services
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs) provide risk management, safety planning and support through justice and recovery pathways.
Health-based and community IDVA services, including maternity and GP-linked pilots, support early intervention and improved access for underserved groups. The maternity IDVA role is currently funded until 31/03/2027 and the GP IDVA through Five Parks Primary Care Network until 30/09/2026.
Ongoing Support, Outreach and Early Intervention
Outreach and early intervention services provide structured support for medium and standard risk survivors, focusing on recovery, safety planning, prevention of repeat harm and improved wellbeing.
These services aim to reduce intergenerational cycles of abuse, improve long-term outcomes for survivors and children and strengthen community resilience.
Accommodation and Housing
Staying Put provides 4 refuges and dispersed accommodation for survivors fleeing abuse, offering safe, supported housing alongside specialist recovery support.
Through Solace Housing Association, the organisation continues to expand its housing provision following achievement of Registered Provider status with the Regulator of Social Housing in 2025, strengthening long-term pathways to safety and independence.
Inclusion and Specialist Support
Services are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all communities, including men, LGBT+ people and minoritised ethnic groups.
The Sanctuary Scheme enables survivors to remain safely in their own homes through the installation of additional security measures.
West Yorkshire System-Wide Services
Alongside direct service delivery, Staying Put plays a key role in West Yorkshire system-wide responses to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
This includes partnership working with West Yorkshire Police, local authorities, health services and specialist agencies across the region to strengthen coordinated safeguarding and improve consistency of response.
Key areas of work include:
leadership of Child Focused Courts and Raneem’s Law, where Staying Put is the lead partner, supporting survivors and children in family court proceedings and embedding specialist domestic abuse expertise within police control room responses
delivery of the Safer Steps stalking support service in partnership with the West Yorkshire Stalking Support Hub
active participation in MARAC and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews processes
wider system improvement works to enhance early identification of risk and multi-agency coordination
These initiatives strengthen early intervention, improve risk management, and ensure survivors receive timely, trauma-informed support across the West Yorkshire system.
Leadership and Organisational Development
Investment in leadership and organisational development continues to strengthen organisational capacity, support effective governance and ensure long-term sustainability. This includes targeted development for managers and leaders at all levels, enabling consistent practice, improved performance and alignment with strategic priorities.
Conclusion
Staying Put remains firmly committed to supporting survivors and driving meaningful system change across Bradford and West Yorkshire.
As we reflect on 25 years of impact, we are proud of the progress made during the year. We will continue to build on this legacy, guided by survivor voice, strong partnerships and a clear commitment to improving safety, recovery and long-term outcomes for those affected by abuse.
Key priorities identified for 2026/27
Implement our refreshed Strategic Plan, maintaining a focus on prevention, early intervention and survivor-led practice.
Mobilise Raneem's Law, strengthening coordinated, trauma-informed responses for survivors of domestic abuse.
Strengthen financial sustainability, through income diversification, corporate partnerships and strategic funding opportunities.
Expand Solace Housing Association’s housing offer, increasing the supply of safe, specialist accommodation for survivors.
Maintain and embed quality standards, including WAFE accreditation, ensuring consistently high-quality, survivor-centred services and continuous improvement.
Invest in our workforce and volunteers, building capacity, leadership and resilience to meet growing demand and sustain impact.
Financial review
Charity
The charity's income for the year amounted £3,626,051 (2025: £3,373,688) and total resources expended of £3,534,844 (2025:£3,219,999), being a net surplus on movement of funds of £91,207 (2025: £153,689)
The trustees aim to have between three and six months running costs in the charity's reserves, with 3 months costs being £882,723.
The total reserves at the year end are £1,507,088 (2025: £1,415,881). Unrestricted reserves at the year end total £1,459,375 (2025: £1,338,440) including designated funds of £175,000 (2025: £274,744), and restricted funds are £47,713 (2025: £77,441)
Group
The group's income for the year amounted £3,631,536 (2025: £3,385,083) and total resources expended of £3,545,697(2025: £3,229,846) , being a net surplus on movement of funds of £85,839 (2025: £155,237).
The trustees aim to have between three and six months running costs in the charity's reserves, with 3 months costs being £885,429.
The total reserves at the year end are £1,645,548 (2025:£1,559,709). Unrestricted reserves at the year end total £1,597,838 (2025: £1,482,271), including designated funds of £175,000 (2025: £274,744), and restricted funds are £47,710 (2025: £77,441).
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 11 May 2004 and registered as a charity on 21 September 2006.
The Trustees of Staying Put, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year, were:
Senior Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer Yasmin Khan
Head of Operations and Client Care Anita Pluckwell
Head of Finance and Corporate Services Adrian Byrne
Trustees are appointed through an open and transparent recruitment process, with one-third retiring by rotation at each AGM and eligible for reappointment. Recruitment is based on skills, experience and commitment to the organisation’s values, ensuring the Board collectively reflects the communities it serves.
Trustees are responsible for setting strategic direction, ensuring good governance, safeguarding compliance and holding the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to account. Operational management is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team.
Governance Responsibilities
The Board ensures that Staying Put:
delivers its charitable objectives
maintains effective governance and compliance
uses resources prudently and transparently
manages risk effectively while enabling innovation
acts ethically and in the best interests of beneficiaries
monitors performance and strategic delivery
The Board also oversees Solace Housing Association, ensuring compliance with housing regulation and alignment with its social purpose.
Induction and Development
New trustees receive a structured induction including governance frameworks, strategic plans, risk registers, service information and organisational policies. A two-day induction covers governance responsibilities, safeguarding, organisational values and decision-making processes.
Ongoing development includes training, strategic planning involvement and participation in organisational events to support effective oversight and continuous improvement.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM is held annually, with accounts presented to the Board and members in advance. The September 2025 AGM reflected on organisational achievements and priorities for the year ahead.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that BK Plus Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of STAYING PUT for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of STAYING PUT (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the group) for the year ended 31 March 2026 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the company and group balance sheet, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
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 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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.
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 charity’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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 our audit:
the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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 prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 charity’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 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 an auditor's report 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.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Other matters
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the group through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the industry sector;
We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the group, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation;
We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
Ensured laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
Making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was a susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
Understanding the design of the group’s remuneration policies.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we;
Performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
Tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions
Assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and
Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risks of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
Agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
Reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
Reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the group’s legal advisors.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from the financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable group’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 group’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 group and the charitable group’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Staying Put is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 11 May 2004 and registered as a charity on 21 September 2006.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, . The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Group |
2026 |
2025 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Housing Benefit | 471,635 | 510,641 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Personal Service Charge | 46,772 | 50,235 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Out of Area Support Charge | 3,000 | - |
Other Income: Other Income | 6,221 | 3,240 |
| 527,628 | 564,116 |
Charity |
2026 |
2025 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Housing Benefit | 466,150 | 499,246 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Personal Service Charge | 46,772 | 50,235 |
Refuge/Housing Income: Out of Area Support Charge | 3,000 | - |
Other Income: Other Income | 6,221 | 3,240 |
| 522,143 | 552,721 |
Support and governance costs are allocated in full to the only charitable activity.
Governance costs include payments to the auditors of £13,860 (2025: £13,200) for audit fees for the group.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but a total of £366 travelling expenses (2025 £87).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost for the year amounted to £41,939 (£2025 - £41,015)
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost for the year amounted to £41,939 (£2025 - £41,015)
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The Sharma fund is provided to support women with no recourse to public funds.
The Edith Murphy Foundation fund is to provide IT equipment for clients.
The Noel Buxton Trust fund is to furnish sensory spaces in our refuges.
Donations for clients are to provide direct support to clients.
The Welfare fund is to provide support for women in financial difficulty.
The MoJ Local Victims service grant (via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority) supports staff salaries and core costs.
The Evan Cornish Foundation fund is to provide fitness classes for clients.
The Mayor's Safer Communities fund is for delivery of domestic abuse and sexual violence information and awareness sessions.
The Refuge Refurbishment fund is to improve the quality of our refuge accommodation for clients.
The BBC Children In Need fund covers the salary cost of a children’s worker in our refuges.
The Accommodation Move-On fund consists of donations from individuals which have been used to support clients moving on from our temporary accommodation to a home of their own. In 2025/26 this has been reclassified as unrestricted income to reflect the fact that no restrictions on its use have been placed by the donors.
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust fund is to set-up a choir for survivors of domestic abuse.
The Land Aid fund is to support young clients aged 16-25 in moving on to new accommodation.
The Souter Charitable Trust fund, the Shears Foundation fund and the Hays Travel Foundation fund are all for children’s activities.
The Women's Aid Emergency fund provides support to clients through either the flee fund or the future fund.
The Bradford Council New Burdens funding supports staff salaries for specific roles which enable us to broaden our support offer to clients.
The Glasspool Charitable Trust provides flexible grants and personalised support for our clients.
The Access Foundation funds the salary cost of our IT Tutor based in our refuges.
The Mental Wellbeing Grant from Bradford Council is for gardening projects in our refuges.
The Highway One Trust provides funding for administration costs.
The Five Parks Primary Care Network funds staff salaries for IDVAs working in local GP surgeries.
The Charles Hayward Foundation funds the salary of our maternity IDVA at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
The Greggs Foundation funds client events in our refuges.
The West Yorkshire Pathfinder project, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is to provide child focused support for survivors of domestic abuse going through the family courts process.
The Greenhall Foundation funds target hardening measures for clients.
The Digital Inclusion Programme, funded by Bradford Council, provides IT equipment for clients.
The VCS Alliance funds the Healthy Minds: Untold Stories programme, providing an opportunity for clients to tell their own stories using creative means.
The Buddy Bag Foundation funds essential items to support families transitioning from refuge accommodation into their own homes.
Reclaim the Night, funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, was an event held in October 2025 bringing together women, girls, families, and allies to stand in solidarity against violence against women and girls, calling for safer streets, stronger communities, and collective action.
Skipton Building Society funds home starter packs for clients moving on from our temporary accommodation to a home of their own.
St Margaret’s Church kindly made a donation to be used for accommodation group resources and activities.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The Solace Housing Association designation is to enable Solace to purchase and refurbish further properties. The Staying Put Board decided to reduce the amount designated from £274,744 in the previous year to £175,000.
The Solace Housing Association designation is to enable Solace to purchase and refurbish further properties. The Staying Put Board decided to reduce the amount designated from £274,744 in the previous year to £175,000.
In July 2026 Solace Housing Association purchased a large property in Bradford for approximately £350,000 to £400,000 to increase the availability of temporary accommodation for Staying Put clients fleeing domestic abuse.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2025 - none).
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2026 are as follows:
The charity had no material debt during the year.