The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's deed of trust, 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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The Object of the Charity is to promote the welfare of older and disabled people living within the town of Tavistock and neighboring parishes.
In furtherance of these Objectives, we aim:
- To provide welfare services for those with a social or financial need.
- To provide activities, social events, advice and information in appropriate locations within the "area of benefit".
- To provide community transport for people with physical disabilities or restricted mobility to enable access to the community.
- To provide community transport services for those living in isolated areas to enable social inclusion and access to the community.
The main activities listed above are undertaken for public benefit and the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance for public benefit.
The Charity continues to be a local flagship supporting those who have needs arising from age, sickness, disability, social isolation and vulnerability and are resident in Tavistock and the surrounding areas. The Anchorage Centre in Tavistock is the hub of Tavistock Area Support Services activities, supported by the Community Café in the perimeter of the Pannier Market and outreach centres in Horrabridge and Milton Abbot.
In May 2025 our clients joined with us to celebrate VE day and in June we celebrated TASS’s 40 years providing services to the local community with a Gala Dinner Dance and Auction at the Bedford Hotel and a Garden Party; we are grateful to Tavistock Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club for allowing us to use their facilities.
We were pleased to be able to provide our activities and services to the local community throughout the year supported by our loyal staff and volunteers. Recruitment of volunteers continues to be more difficult than in previous years and more are needed throughout the Charity. Training is provided enhancing the volunteers’ experience and that of the clients.
The village Outreach centres continue to be enjoyed by those who attend their weekly get-togethers. We are grateful to Horrabridge Cavaliers for their generous donation toward the outreach centre.
The community car transport service taking people to medical appointments is much in demand but still suffers from a lack of voluntary drivers. Through the generosity of our drivers we manage to help most service users who contact us. The mobility loan scheme operated at the Anchorage Centre continues to provide a lifeline to those needing aids. Sadly, our minibus transport service is no longer available as it proved too expensive to keep our old minibus on the road, however we are now actively fundraising for a replacement. We were sorry to see Brian leave and welcomed Ian to continue the maintenance/vehicle tasks.
The Anchorage Centre hosts many events, activities and services and we have been delighted to continue to welcome new groups and to see the existing groups thrive. The Veteran’s Hub, our re-instated Lunch Club and the Digital Lives Cyber Security group are very popular.
The Life Stories Projects record and document the stories of the lives and memories of many in the local community. We continue to recruit and train more volunteers for the project ‘Precious Memories’ which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund until early 2027.
We were sad that our Pop-up Charity Shop in West Street ceased trading in July 2026 and we had to say goodbye to Debbie and Tracey but we were so grateful to the local landlord who allowed us to use his premises whilst it was empty. We appreciated our volunteers, staff and customers who supported the shop over many years.
TASS Community Café, formerly known as Rest a While, our in-town café within the perimeter of the Pannier Market, continues to be financially supported by Tavistock Town Council. The cafe continues to be popular with visitors and the local community and is supported by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, during the year we were pleased to welcome Andrea as its coordinator.
As the main provider of support for older and disabled people living in our area we were pleased to continue working with other agencies, building links with voluntary, private, and statutory providers in the provision of services for older people and those with disabilities, vulnerability, and social isolation in our locality.
We have built stronger relations with Devon County Council particularly via Learn Devon who provide adult community learning course, the University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School providing first year medical students with community-based work experience placements and bespoke community learning programmes for students from, Mount Kelly, Quay View and Tor View schools. We have also strengthened links with Tavistock College and City College by providing year 10 students work experience placements and DofE voluntary placements. We continue to work with Livewell Southwest and Devon Partnership Trust and One Devon Integrated Care Board. We have also partnered with the Police CEIT Team Community Engagement Initial Training Team, taking police students in training on Community placements. We are working with the local Tavistock Police to set up a regular ‘Chat with Cops’ drop-in session at our Community Café and Digital Lives workshops.
We value partnership work and as a local Charity also work with West Devon CVS, Tavistock Area Wellbeing, Abbey Rise (Devon County Council) – Health and Social Care, Westbank Community Care and Healthy Living Centres, Tavistock Dementia Alliance and Tavistock Memory Café, local health support groups such as Parkinson’s Group, Home Instead, Tavistock Locals Help, Devon Carers, Yelvercare, the Fire Brigade and the Police as well as other statutory, private and voluntary sector organizations in providing a complete service for older and disabled people living in Tavistock and surrounding areas. We are used as a referral point by Health and Social Services, local GP’s, Tavistock and Derriford Hospitals, the Mental Health Team (Devon Partnership Trust) and other voluntary sector groups – we are a “Community Hub” making a difference to the lives of others. As part of this partnership TASS is the Voluntary Sector Representative on the Tavistock Health & Social Care Teams; a partner organization of the Citizens Advice Bureau; a member of the Devon Community Transport Group and the Southern Area Car Forum.
The charity is dependent on fund raising and the receipt of grants and donations. Online donations are received via Just Giving which includes Gift Aid and also via PayPal and Love2Donate.
Funding and support continue from various sources including Private Donors, Corporate and Professional donors, local Groups and Organizations some of whom have made TASS their charity of the year, Legacies, Tavistock Town Council, Devon County Council, Devon Car Forum, Devon Community Foundation, Claire Milne Trust, the National Lottery and the Garfield Weston Foundation; funding from the latter three having been received in the previous year.
We are very grateful to all our funders; we do however have concerns on continued funding from some of our long-time supporters due to the current economic climate. This year has proved to be very difficult for TASS, despite much effort our grant funding has greatly diminished. The Trustees are very concerned that TASS has incurred a substantial deficit in the year to March 2026 and it has been a regular discussion item at Trustees meetings .In the last year the Trustees have implemented cost savings (most notably through disposal of the minibus and a program of managed redundancy in February and March 2026, we were sad to say goodbye to Ali, Emma and Becky) as well as recently appointing a professional fundraiser to lead on securing material and sustainable increase in funding. The Trustees are hopeful that the finances can be put on a more sustainable footing but will consider further steps should additional sources of funding not be forthcoming.
We are so appreciative of all our volunteers and supporters for organizing many fund-raising events. Our core of volunteers are truly ‘the unsung heroes of our community’ without their commitment TASS would be unable to operate such a wide range of quality services; they give their time so willingly and are dedicated to making a positive difference to people’s lives. Similarly, we are very fortunate to have a small and very dedicated team of staff led by our General Manager, Deb Morris. We are immensely grateful to our Staff, Volunteers and Clients for their continued support in so many ways and look forward to continue working with them in the years to come.
We thank all those who support, donate and give their time to Tavistock Area Support Services.
For the year ended 31 March 2026, Tavistock Area Support Services had an income of £139,287 (2025: £194,232). The net outgoing resources for the year amounted to £75,783 (2025: £17,408). Total funds decreased from £529,028 to £453,245 (2025: decrease from £546,436 to £529,028). This included unrestricted funds of £427,628 (2025: £166,225) following a reclassification of the Anchorage Centre fund to designated funds during the period.
Included within unrestricted funds are designated funds of £373,612 (2025: £62,045) and general unrestricted tangible fixed assets of £12,588 (2025: £14,157). After deducting these items, the free reserves at the end of the year amounted to £41,428 (2025: £90,023).
The Trustees consider that due to the uncertain nature of their grant funding the charity should endeavor to maintain reserves sufficient to cover at least 12 months of anticipated expenditure. Sufficient provision is also required for capital replacements and maintenance of the Anchorage Centre.
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.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New Trustees with the required skill set are co-opted after interview and discussion with the members of the Board. Trustees stand for re-election annually at the AGM.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Tavistock Area Support Services 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Tavistock Area Support Services (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Donations
TASS activities income
Transport income
Investments
Raising funds
TASS activities
Transport expenses
Other
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
Tavistock Area Support Services is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Anchorage Centre, Chapel Street, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8AG, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, 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 (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
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. There are no material uncertainties which may create significant doubt over the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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.
Activity income and room hire are recognised in the period to which the service is provided.
Shop and cafe income is recognised when the sale takes place.
Investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable. Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Capital grants are released to the SOFA in the year of receipt. Fixed assets relating to capital grants are capitalised, and depreciation charged is offset against the grant income, in a restricted fund.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.
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 on raising funds relates to the costs in relation to generating income such as fundraising activities.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs relating to the furtherance of the charity's objectives as stated in the trustees report and their associated support costs.
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.
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, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost 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.
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.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
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 costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
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.
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.
Raising funds
TASS activities
Transport expenses
Other
TASS activities
Transport expenses
Other
Charitable activities
Transport
Administrative expenses
Governance costs includes payments of £3,950 (2025: £3,495) for fees relating to the accounts preparation and independent examination.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration, benefits or reimbursements of expenses from the charity during the current or prior year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
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.
Included in cost of land and buildings is freehold land of £80,000 (2025: £80,000) which is not depreciated.
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 following restricted funds represent grants and donations received, net of expenditure for the furtherence of the Charity's main objectives:
- Community care & healthy living centre
- Drop-in support, lunch clubs, outreach & wellbeing
- Transportation
- Claire Milne
- Kerswella Care
- Life Stories - Precious Memories
Further details in respect of these activities can be found within the Trustees' Report.
Capital expenditure
This represents monies received for the specific investment towards equipment or other capital purchases to further the Charity's aims.
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
TASS Community Cafe
In 2014 the Trustees voted unanimously to designate funds to provide a facility within the town centre of Tavistock when the opportunity arose. It was agreed that this facility 'TASS Community Cafe' (formally 'Rest a While') would be subsidised for the first 3 years by the designated fund. Furthermore the trustees voted unanimously to continue to financially support the project on a rolling one-year basis.
Within the year ended 31 March 2026, a net loss of £12,494 (2025: £5,661) was realised in relation to the TASS Community Cafe. As at 31 March 2026 the designated fund stood at £48,772 (2025: £61,266).
Life Stories Administration
During the year donations & funds were received to fund the administration of Life Stories. As at 31 March 2026, the designated balance stood at £nil (2025: £779).
Anchorage Centre
The Anchorage Centre in Tavistock is the hub of the Charity's activities. This fund represents the building where events, activities and services are provided throughout the year.
Minibus - Fundraising for a new accessible minibus with a tail lid continues thanks to the generosity of our many supporters with the money received being held in a ring fenced account; applications have also been submitted to grant funders. At the 31.3.26 the Minibus fund stood at £6,838.
Unrestricted
Restricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
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:
There were no related party transactions in the current or comparative period.