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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity Number: 1037072

Company Number: 02673624 (England & Wales)

The nia project (A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Audited Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025

the nia project

Charity Information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Management Committee A Terry S Antoniazzi R Tweedale M E Buxton A F Garner J Suissa - appointed 09/01/2025 A Korfel - appointed 09/01/2025 Chief Executive Officer J L Woodward – Secretary Registered Office Wenlock Studios 50 – 52 Wharf Road London N1 7EU Auditors Simpson Wreford LLP Wellesley House Duke of Wellington Avenue Royal Arsenal London SE18 6SS Bankers Co-operative Bank 1 Islington High Street London N1 9TR Company Number 02673624 (England & Wales) Charity Number 1037072

the nia project

Annual Report and Accounts

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents

1-11. Trustees’ report
12-14. Independent Auditors’ report
Accounts comprising
15. Statement of financial activities
16. Balance sheet
17. Statement of cashflows
18-30. Notes to the accounts

Page 1

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006/Charities Act 2011.

The Trustees

The Trustees (who were also the directors for the purpose of company law), who served the charity as the Management Committee during the period were :

A Terry S Antoniazzi R Tweedale M E Buxton A F Garner J Suissa - appointed 09/01/2025 A Korfel - appointed 09/01/2025

There have been no changes in the objectives since the last annual report. Day to day management is the responsibility of the chief executive officer, J L Woodward.

Objectives and activities

Charitable objectives:

nia’s aims are to prevent and reduce men’s violence against women and girls

In planning activities and delivering services the Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Our mission delivering cutting edge services to end men’s violence against women and children.

Page 2

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Key themes of our work are

Our strategic aims are:

Our services

nia has been delivering services to women and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, including prostitution, since 1975. The organisation has three main aims, which are to provide services for women, children and young people who have experienced male violence, working to end male violence against women and girls, and to inform and influence policy and public awareness.

Presently, nia is delivering a range of services across London, primarily in the East and North of the city, the majority of which are delivered primarily in an outreach capacity. Our services are continually evolving in order to respond to the needs of women who face multiple disadvantage and barriers to accessing services, they currently include:

Page 3

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

nia is part of ASCENT which is a partnership of 22 specialist organisations within the London Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Consortium, delivering a range of services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

nia holds the following Quality Standards

Achievements and performance

Our Achievements

In the year between April 2024 and March 2025 , our incredible all-woman staff team provided one-to-one support to 1,623 women, girls and children subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution. This breaks down to:

Page 4

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

In addition

Looking ahead

In 2025, nia marks its 50th anniversary of delivering vital services to women, girls, and children affected by men’s violence, including sexual and domestic abuse and exploitation. This milestone offers an opportunity for celebration, reflection, and strategic focus, despite the challenges posed by an increasingly constrained funding environment.

We retain our values and our commitment to:

Significant Projects

East London Rape Crisis, one of our key contracts, was retendered under an Alliance-based commissioning model. Throughout the year, we collaborated with partners to develop a coordinated pan-London sexual violence service.

Anti-Racism

nia recognises that it is not sufficient to not be racist, but that we must be anti-racist. That is, actively challenge racism and racist structures both operationally and strategically. We are determined to embed anti-racist best practice at every level of the organisation. In order to meet our goal to become anti-racist our work must recognise historical legacies of racism as well as its nuances within a national and also a globalised context. We understand the difference between equality and equity in anti-racism work. Equality means giving people the same resources or opportunities, while an approach favouring equity recognises that people have different circumstances, and therefore different resources and opportunities must be afforded to different people to reach equal outcomes. Our Anti-Racism work is a strategic priority, and our work is on-going. In 2025 we employed our first Anti-Racism Development Officer, building on the work we started with our Anti-Racism Working Group in 2020.

Page 5

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027

We will be launching our new strategic plan in the coming year. We will be re- affirming our values and our commitment to reflecting them in our practice, which, we believe, set us apart from most of our peers:

Our goals over the next five years, include to grow our influence, to increase our unrestricted income, to continue to take a clear and vocal feminist and rights-based approach ant to put anti-racism at the heart of what we do.

Feedback from Service Users

“My IDVA made me İ feel heard and supported and I was given best advise how to deal with my worries".

"Thank you from bottom of my heart for everything you have done in supporting me. I know I will get back on my feet now I am safe in refuge. My daughter has someone to play with and all the families are lovely. I will remember you forever".

“My support workers helped me through an extremely difficult two years. They helped me so much throughout this time providing amazing support, always making sure I was ok. It felt like whenever I faced something that seemed impossible, they would find a way to get me through it. It is honestly the best support I have ever received.”

“I am so glad I went to my Dr and told them about the abuse that was happening. I faced many barriers try to get help before but the support you provided has been like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

“I'm the happiest I've ever been and you don't know how much you've helped me. I'd never have been able to get this far without the staff at the Emma Project. I'm so determined to stay sober and be a support for my daughter and my grandson."

she went above and beyond I’m so sad she couldn’t continue to support me because I had to move boroughs I strongly recommend her, she’s understanding, friendly and very professional, went above and beyond always there for me, never felt alone in this hard journey of my life ! I strongly recommend her 100% very grateful and forever thankful to her !"

On women only spaces : “ Women can understand and relate to the pain of another woman’s suffering. In many ways it’s often a shared experience, and due to the fact that a lot of abuse and trauma are as a result of a man’s behaviour and action, it reinforces why support from women is that much more important”

Before I was referred for your ISVA service I felt so helpless and not believed and confused on where to go. Once I was out in touch with [Advocate] she took action straight away and provided so much help and support. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to cope with life if it wasn’t for [Advocate]. She’s honestly a credit to your team and I will always remember her and how much she helpt my healing journey and changed my life for the better.”

“[Advocate] has been extremely helpful, always very empathetic and understanding. She’s accomodating for my autism and learning disability- flexible meeting for when I’m struggling with really bad anxiety. I’m so lucky to have been able to learn so much from her already and really look up to her.”

Feedback from Professionals Training

Finding out about more signs of domestic abuse risk factors in society such as the impact of pornography. I was not aware of many of these risk factors before the training”

Page 6

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Case outcomes

A small selection of positive case outcomes are provided to demonstrate the st rength and breadth of our work this year

Page 7

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Thank you

We would like to say thank you to our partners, funders and to individuals and organisations who have supported nia including:

Ashiana Network Making Herstory Barclay Primary School MOPAC BBC Children in Need Ocean Children and Family Centre Centre for Women’s Justice Onjali Rauf Comet at Thomas Fairchild Children’s Centre Public Health City & Hackney CWASU at London Met Queensbridge & Mapledene Children’s Deloitte Rape Crisis England and Wales Edith Eligator Rape Crisis South London EVAW Redbridge Engagement Hubs FiLiA Respond Freshfields, Brickhaus, Deringer Samworth Foundation GALOP Sisters Trust Garfield Weston Solace Women’s Aid GLA Southall Black Sisters Hackney Herbal Survivors UK Hadley Trust Tower hamlets Family Hubs (SW) Indigo Trust Treebeard IRISi Waltham Forest Disability Centre LB Brent Women’s Aid LB Haringey Women and Girls Network Linc Community Centre Women’s Resource Centre London Councils Zonta

Financial review and reserves

The Trustees aim to have unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (‘the free reserves’) held by the charity between 3 and 6 months of resources expended. At this level, the Trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. At the 31 March 2025 the free reserves amount to a surplus of £569,425. Whilst 3 to 6 months of resources expanded is the desired level of free reserves, the Trustees recognise that this is often difficult as the majority of income the charity receives is restricted. Restricted reserves at 31 March 2025 total £989,046 these are not available for general purposes. Designated funds at 31 March 2025 total £235,873.

The trading results for the year and the charity’s financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements. The net surplus for the year is £51,149.

Page 8

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Risk review

The Trustees monitor the major risks to which the company is exposed through their own risk register, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the company, these are reviewed annually by members of the Board of Trustees and staff.

The main risks identified at the last review were:

Risk identified Controlled measures
Unable to successfully forward plan in long-term due to
the uncertainty of income streams.
The Trustees try to forecast financial planning for at least
2 years. There is also an annual board strategy away-day
to ensure focus is on the direction and future plans.
Insufficient project funding achieved. There will be an increased focus on core costs and full
cost recovery in fundraising.
CE has the authority to decline projects/tenders on
grounds of unrealistic costings.
Loss of key staff and board members. Succession planning is carried out and information of
systems, plans and projects is documented. Policies for
recruitment and retention of staff are in place.
Overstretched management structure could result in key
tasks/services not being delivered to target levels.
The Trustees regularly review the structure and
organisation chart, which details roles and duties of each
member of staff. The use of volunteers to provide
additional support.
Loss/turnover/long-term absence of frontline staff and
direct line management leading to service delivery, case
management and staff management gaps
The organisation has efficient recruitment practices,
robust staff absence procedures, staff retention practices
and has addressed communication issues.
Agency staff are used where there are vacancies which
must befilled urgently.
Inability to compete for contracts with larger
organisations.
Regular monitoring of our performance and service
delivery to maintain a quality service. Strong emphasis is
placed on maintaining good relationships with funders
and increasing public awareness of profile.
Change in government policy affects our service
delivery.
Regular monitoring of legal and regulatory changes.

Volunteers

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who gave 70 hours of their time to help women and girls through the East London Rape Crisis Information & Support Services.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The company is a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 02673624) and was set up by a Memorandum of Association which is its constitution on 20 December 1991, amended on 1 May 2013. The full name of the registered charity is ‘the nia project’, the charity also refers to itself as just ‘nia’.

Page 9

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The registered office is Wenlock Studios, 50 – 52 Wharf Road, London, N1 7EU which is the principal office. The company is a registered charity, number 1037072.

Organisational structure and decision making

The Board of Trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of the Charity and delegates this responsibility on a day to day basis to the Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive is supported by a Senior Management Team of four who are responsible for projects, finances and central services.

The Chief Executive and Senior Management Team are supported by a staff team of over 70 paid (full and part time) staff.

A strategic plan is prepared every three periods. The plan is developed by the Chief Executive with input from service users, staff members, the Management Team and the Board. Final approval of the plan rests with the Board. Once approved, the plan is executed with any deviations being subsequently approved. Strategic decisions are routed through the Chief Executive.

Appointment of trustees

The management of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association.

the nia project is committed to having a Board of Trustees that reflects both the service users and the community in which it provides a service. It is also committed to attracting Board members with a wide variety of skills and attributes.

The board is also required to have at least one ex-service user member.

The Chair of the Board, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, is responsible for developing a recruitment strategy for the board. This includes identifying skills and representational gaps on the Board and then inviting appropriate people to join the Board in order to meet those gaps.

Induction and training of new trustees

All new board members are inducted into the company during their first three months on the nia project . Current board members taking on new roles within the board (e.g. Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) will also be inducted into these positions

The aim of the induction is to assist the new board member in understanding both the role and tasks of their position and the company itself. This is achieved by providing essential information relevant to the position and by giving the

The company has developed a standardised package for induction of new board members. This package includes:

Page 10

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Induction includes the following elements:

New board members are also provided with information on relevant training courses and are encouraged to attend these within the first twelve months of their membership of the board. the nia project will cover the cost of board members attending training courses.

After six months, the board member will meet with the Chair and the Chief Executive in order to review the induction process. This is an opportunity for the new board member to ask questions regarding their role and to gain further information about both their role and the charity itself.

the nia project is committed to supporting Trustees in their development. The company recognises that an effective board is essential for the functioning and development of the Charity. To this end the company invests in on-going training for Trustees which includes governance-specific issues (e.g. charity and employment law) as well as other relevant areas e.g. domestic violence awareness, general gender violence awareness and public-speaking.

Employees

Employees have been consulted on issues of concern to them through team meetings and focused away sessions. The recognised union within the company is Unite. The union negotiates on behalf of staff on issues relating to terms and conditions.

The Charity carries out exit reviews for all staff resigning from the company.

In accordance with the Charity’s equalities and diversity strategy, the nia project has long established fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of all staff. Full details of these policies are available from the Charity’s offices.

Remuneration is ultimately set by the board; the charity uses the London living wage rate and bandings set by local councils as benchmarks.

Related parties

the nia project is a member of Rape Crisis England and Wales and Women’s Aid Federation, England. The company is also a member of a range of local and wider partnerships that contribute to the furtherance of its aims and objectives.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The trustees (who are also the directors of the nia project for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK GAAP).

Page 11

the nia project

Trustees’ Report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Statement of disclosure to our auditors

In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:

Auditors

A resolution to reappoint Simpson Wreford LLP for the ensuing year will be proposed at the annual general meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small company regime (section 419 (2)) of the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

The Trustees have complied with their duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Approved by the board of trustees/directors on 23 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

R Tweedale - Trustee

Page 12

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the nia project (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Statement of Cashflows, Balance Sheet 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 the 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.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

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 auditor’s report 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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:

Page 13

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual 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:

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 9 - 10, the trustees 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 they 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 Charity 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 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.

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 auditor’s report.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Audit response to risks identified

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

Page 14

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of the nia project

For the year ended 31 March 2025

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from 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 Charityʼs 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 Charityʼs members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs 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 Charityʼs members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Kate Taylor FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Simpson Wreford LLP, Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants

Wellesley House Duke of Wellington Avenue Royal Arsenal London SE18 6SS Dated: 24 December 2025

Page 15

the nia project

Statement of Financial Activities

(Including Income and Expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes
INCOME
Donations and legacies
5.1
Charitable activities
5.2
Investments
TOTAL
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
98,052
-
98,052
115,093
484,028
3,077,725
3,561,753
3,410,935
2,121
-
2,121
944
584,200
3,077,725
3,661,926
3,526,973
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Other
TOTAL
6
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
161
401
562
562
303,937
3,295,560
3,599,497
3,586,223
3,071
7,647
10,718
10,128
307,169
3,303,608
3,610,777
3,596,913
277,032
(225,883)
51,149
(69,940)
(127,183)
127,183
-
-
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
13
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
149,849
(98,700)
51,149
(69,940)
655,450
1,087,746
1,743,196
1,813,137
805,299
989,046
1,794,345
1,743,196

The results for the year derive from continuing activities, and there are no other gains or losses other than those shown above.

The notes on pages 17 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

Page 16

the nia project

Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
10
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS:amounts falling due
within one year
12
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted income funds
£
£
£
£
19,236
28,815
1,002,292
1,105,719
1,190,710
1,096,371
2,193,002
2,202,090
(417,893)
(487,709)
1,775,109
1,714,381
1,794,345
1,743,196
805,299

655,450
989,046
1,087,746
1,794,345
1,743,196
2024
2025
£
£
£
£
19,236
28,815
1,002,292
1,105,719
1,190,710
1,096,371
2,193,002
2,202,090
(417,893)
(487,709)
1,775,109
1,714,381
1,794,345
1,743,196
805,299

655,450
989,046
1,087,746
1,794,345
1,743,196
2024
2025
2,193,002
(417,893)
1,743,196
655,450
1,087,746
1,743,196

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on 23 December 2025

R Tweedale - Trustee

Approved on behalf of the board on

Company number - 02673624 (England & Wales)

Page 17

the nia project

Statement of cashflows

For the year ended 31 March 2025

==> picture [522 x 303] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Notes 2025 2024
£ £
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash (used in) operating activities 19 92,218 440,789
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest income 2,121 944
Disposal proceeds received - 800
Cash provided (used)/by investing activities 2,121 1,744
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year 94,339 442,533
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 1,096,371 653,838
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 1,190,710 1,096,371
----- End of picture text -----

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.

Company information

The nia project is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The registered office is Wenlock Studio, 50 – 52 Wharf Road, London, N1 7EU.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The effects of events relating to the year ended 31 March 2025 which occurred before the date of approval of the financial statements by the Trustees has been included in the financial statements to the extent required to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at 31 March 2025 and the results for the year ended on that date.

The nia project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The charity is considered a going concern. Adequate funding has been achieved to facilitate the charities objectives and activities for the next 12 months. There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of Financial Activities when receivable. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of volunteers is not recognised please refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

Page 19

the nia project

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Accounting Policies (continued)

vi. Resources expended

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT, which cannot be recovered.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

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

Other costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly; others are apportioned as disclosed in (vii.) below.

viii. Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Office equipment - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 33.3% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance

All purchased fixed assets over £500 are capitalised at cost. There are no internally generated fixed assets.

ix. Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds - are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Designated unrestricted funds – are unrestricted funds designated by the Trustees for a particular project or asset in the future. They may be undesignated at any time.

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Rentals payable under operating leases, where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership remain with the lessor, are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an actual basis.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Accounting Policies (continued)

xii. Creditors and provisions

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

xiii. Pension contributions

The charity provides a defined contribution pension scheme for employees, the assets of which are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. Contributions to this scheme are charged to the income and expenditure account as they become payable. The cost is allocated across the charity’s activities based upon the ratio of staff time spent servicing a particular activity.

xiv. Cash at bank and in hand

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

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered.

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. Net outgoing resources

Net outgoing resources
Year to Year to
This is stated after charging: 31 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2024
Depreciation 9,579 9,605
Auditors’ remuneration 10,200 9,300

3. Related party transactions

No remuneration was paid to any of the trustees. No trustee received reimbursement of expenses or benefits in kind during the year.

Finance bookkeeping services totalling £2,000 was paid to a member of key management during the year.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

4. Staff costs

Year to Year to Staff costs for the year were as follows: 31 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2024 Wages and salaries 2,303,440 2,284,171 National Insurance costs 216,622 203,138 Employer pension contributions 64,583 78,116 (Defined contribution scheme) 2,584,645 2,565,425

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

Year to Year to
31 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2024
Projects 79 72
Administration 3 3
82 75

The number of higher paid employees was: In the band £70,001 to £80,000 – 1 (2024: £70,001 to £80,000 - 1) In the band £60,001 to £70,000 – 1 (2024: £60,001 to £70,000) – 2)

5.1 Income

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Other donations
Grants received
Garfield Weston
Samworth Foundation
The Indigo Trust
The Hadley Trust
TOTAL
Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total Year to
31 Mar 25
Total Year
to 31 Mar 24
£
£
£
£
-
58,052
58,052
40,093
-
58,052
58,052
40,093
-
-
-
25,000
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
-
-
50,000
-
30,000
30,000
-
-
40,000
40,000
75,000
-
98,052
98,052
115,093

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

5.2 Income (continued)

Income (continued)
Grants and contract income
Refuge Provision
London Councils, Ascent (via Ashiana Project) - Emma Project & Daria House
Solace women's aid (CASA Project)
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation - Refuge development
IDVA
DCLG Camden Partnership
LB Haringey - IDVA
MOPAC - Older Women Fund
ADVISE
LB Brent - ISVA
Young Women's advocate
LB Haringey - YWA KIDVA
MOPAC - MoJ National IDVA
ELRC
MOPAC
London Councils, Ascent (via Solace Women's Aid) - Advice
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network) - ISVA
WGN Mopac community engagement
ELRC - Prostitution services
WGN NHS England
Solace Women's aid Non Crisis Support
IRIS
SBS MOPAC NRPF
LB Hackney - IRIS Hackney
LB Haringey - Haringey IRIS Programme
Play Therapy
BBC Children In Need - Child Therapist
Volunteer Programme
Barking & Dagenham NCIL
Femicide Research Project
E D Eligator
Housing benefits received -
Designated - Refuge Provision
Housing rents
Service charges
TOTAL
Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
Total Year
to 31 Mar
25
Total Year to
31 Mar 24
£
£
£
£
277,411
-
277,411
277,411
32,938
-
32,938
30,702
463,125
-
463,125
373,326
-
-
-
100,000
45,634
-
45,634
53,351
147,000
-
147,000
147,001
87,004
-
87,004
96,427
62,500
-
62,500
50,676
45,000
-
45,000
45,000
70,000
-
70,000
51,748
-
-
-
38,180
1,180,936
-
1,180,936
1,095,616
38,333
-
38,333
37,581
-
252,592
252,592
213,518
77,947
-
77,947
68,909
79,555
-
79,555
107,263
47,834
-
47,834
44,448
140,151
-
140,151
129,540
89,915
-
89,915
89,840
59,551
-
59,551
50,676
39,891
-
39,891
38,850
10,000
-
10,000
-
83,000
-
83,000
61,695
-
223,866
223,866
223,866
-
7,570
7,570
7,570
3,077,725
484,028
3,561,753
3,433,195

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

6. Expenditure

==> picture [500 x 511] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Support Management & Year to 31 Year to 31
Cost of Activities Costs Admin Mar 2025 Mar 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Raising funds
Fundraising expenses - 562 - 562 562
Charitable activities
Rent and rates 179,576 8,125 - 187,702 208,185
Premises maintenance 64,891 69 - 64,960 68,534
-
Repairs and renewals 41,964 (611) 41,353 17,370
Salaries and national insurance 2,301,661 282,984 - 2,584,645 2,565,425
Legal and professional 68 - - 68 219
Recruitment expenses 11,670 318 - 11,989 31,584
- -
Computer maintenance 53,700 53,700 25,590
- - - -
Website update (4,750)
-
Equipment hire 6,582 1,234 7,815 6,350
- -
Security costs 2,279 2,279 9,551
Light and heat 36,091 165 - 36,256 47,076
-
Telephone 68,687 5,002 73,689 69,449
Travel and subsistence 20,897 4,583 - 25,481 19,476
-
Printing, postage and stationery 19,327 2,217 21,544 26,309
- -
Cleaning 2,153 2,153 2,452
Training - - - - 907
-
Subscriptions 1,503 7,927 9,430 8,729
Welfare 25,350 300 - 25,650 37,343
Client welfare 110,220 - - 110,220 56,890
-
Consultancy fees 170,681 25,904 196,585 200,477
Sundry 501 4,891 - 5,392 684
Insurance 1,710 3,441 - 5,150 282
- - - -
Motor expenses 3,020
Bad debts - (35) - (35) 10,262
- -
Depreciation 9,579 9,579 9,605
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - - - - 134
- - -
Fine and penalties 12,500 12,500
- - - -
Grants repaid 165,072
Grants payable 111,392 - - 111,392 -
3,228,750 370,746 - 3,599,497 3,586,222
Other
Bank charges - - 518 518 828
Audit fees - - 10,200 10,200 9,300
- - 10,718 10,718 10,128
TOTAL 3,228,750 371,307 10,718 3,610,777 3,596,913
----- End of picture text -----

7. Section 37 Statement

The following grant aid was received from London Councils in regard to the following projects.

London Councils – Ascent (via Ashiana Project), £277,411 for the Emma Project. London Councils – Ascent (via Solace Womens Aid), £38,333 for Advice.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

  1. Allocation of support costs, management & administration (refer Note 6)

The basis of allocation is set out in accounting policy vii.

==> picture [493 x 231] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Other Management & Fundraising 2025
Staff Costs
Overheads administration expenses Total
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted
IDVA & Community 24,858 7,709 942 49 33,558
ELRC 110,013 34,118 4,167 218 148,517
ELRC - Prostitution Services 7,416 2,300 281 15 10,012
IRIS 2,201 683 83 4 2,972
Refuge 55,766 17,295 2,112 111 75,283
Play Therapy 1,651 512 63 3 2,229
201,906 62,617 7,647 401 272,571
Designated
ELRC 17,005 5,274 644 34 22,956
Unrestricted
Unrestricted projects 64,074 19,871 2,427 127 86,499
Total 282,984 87,762 10,718 562 382,026
----- End of picture text -----

  1. Breakdown of expenditure by activity (refer Note 6)
Restricted
Emma Project
IDVA & Community
ELRC
ELRC - Prostitution Services
IRIS
Refuge
Play Therapy
Volunteer programme
Femicide
Designated
ELRC (MOPAC)
Unrestricted
Unretsricetd projects
Total
Direct staff costs
Other direct
costs
Allocated
support costs
2025
Total
£
£
£
£
258,396
132,763
-
391,159
389,576
66,274
33,558
489,408
851,954
311,495
148,517
1,311,967
108,926
28,693
10,012
147,631
152,368
141,938
2,972
297,277
324,542
106,585
75,283
506,410
28,803
9,978
2,229
41,010
-
7,354
-
7,354
-
111,392
-
111,392
2,114,564
916,473
272,571
3,303,608
187,096
26,715
22,956
236,767
-
(16,097)
86,499
70,402
187,096
10,617
109,455
307,169
2,301,661
927,090
382,026
3,610,777

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

10. Tangible fixed assets

==> picture [456 x 262] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Computer Leasehold Office
Equipment Improvements Equipment Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2024 24,881 47,504 74,403 146,788
At 31 March 2025 24,881 47,504 74,403 146,788
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 24,881 19,002 74,092 117,975
Charge for year - 9,501 78 9,579
At 31 March 2025 24,881 28,503 74,170 127,554
Net book value
31 March 2025 - 19,002 234 19,236
Net book value
31 March 2024 - 28,503 312 28,815
----- End of picture text -----

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

11. Debtors

==> picture [477 x 137] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 20,138 27,887
Other debtors 124,150 25,532
Accrued income and grants 796,635 1,012,757
Prepayments 61,368 39,543
1,002,292 1,105,719
----- End of picture text -----

12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Deferred income
Accruals
2025
£
112,372
75,133

192,799
32,669
4,920
417,893
2024
£
104,727
89,690
236,355
52,017
4,920
487,709

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

13. Reconciliation of funds

Incoming Resources Balance
Balance B/Fwd Resources Expended Transfers C/Fwd
£ £ £ £ £
Refuge Provision
London Councils, Ascent (via Ashiana Project) 313 277,411 404,907 127,183 -
Solace women's aid (CASA Project) 15,866 32,938 25,360 - 23,444
MOPAC - Safer London Accommodation Fund 46,988 463,125 467,112 - 43,001
MOPAC - Safer Accommodation - Refuge development 72,291 - 191 - 72,100
IDVA
Hackney MOPAC 11,574 - - - 11,574
DCLG Camden Partnership 25,176 45,634 58,827 - 11,983
LB Haringey 16,406 147,000 155,942 - 7,464
MOJ - London Community Fund 3,056 - - - 3,056
ADVISE 675 62,500 62,833 - 342
MOPAC - Older Women Fund 72,752 87,004 102,894 - 56,862
MOPAC - DA Caseworker & call handler 15,170 - - - 15,170
Young Women's Advocate
LB Haringey- YWA KIDVA (132) 70,000 67,311 - 2,557
ELRC
MOPAC - ELRC 323,815 1,180,936 1,200,212 - 304,539
Home Office 55,894 - - - 55,894
London Councils, Ascent (via Advice) 60,853 38,333 37,430 - 61,756
OPCNN- Info and support worker 17,559 - - - 17,559
Matrix 1,070 - 722 - 348
Violence reduction unit 5,444 - - - 5,444
WGN Mopac community engagement - CouRAGEus project 16,698 77,947 74,324 - 20,321
ELRC - Prostitution services
LB Brent 12,475 - - - 12,475
WGN NHS England 98,561 79,555 102,873 - 75,243
Solace Women's aid Non Crisis Support - Ascent Plus - 47,834 44,758 - 3,076
MOPAC - Anita Project 22,128 - - - 22,128
Brent ISVA (662) 45,000 41,601 - 2,737
IRIS
Health Foundation (via Next Link) 395 - - - 395
SBS MOPAC NRPF 50,371 140,151 152,313 - 38,209
LB Hackney - IRIS Hackney - 89,915 85,500 - 4,415
LB Haringey - IRIS Haringey - 59,551 59,464 - 87
Huggetts Womens Centre
Big Lottery 40,065 - - - 40,065
Problematic Substance Abuse
LB Hackney 767 - - - 767
Family Support
Hackney Community Partnership 4,657 - - - 4,657
Volunteer Programme
Barking & Dagenham NCIL - 10,000 6,632 - 3,368

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

13. Reconciliation of funds continued

14. Analysis of net assets between fund
Funding & Development
The Henry Smith Charity
London Community Foundation - Survivor
London Borough of Hackney - Survivor Involvment
Sisters Trust
Play Therapy
Children in Need
Femicide Research Project
E D Eligator
Treebeard Trust
Other
Restricted
Designated
Emma Project
MOPAC (via Women & Girls Network)
Samworth Foundation
Unrestricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Balance B/Fwd
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended Transfers
Balance
C/Fwd
£
£
£
£
£
6,912
-
-
-

6,912
351
-
-
-
351
1,391
-
-
-

1,391
-
-
-

-
-
42,051
39,891
41,010
-

40,932
83,000
-
18,424
-
-

-
18,424
1,087,746
3,077,725
3,303,608
127,183
989,046
76,967
231,436
-
(127,183)
181,220
5,834
252,592
236,767
-
21,659
22,994

10,000
-
-
32,994
105,795
494,028
236,767
(127,183)
235,873
549,655
90,172
70,402
-
569,425
-
28,392
111,392
-
1,743,196
3,661,926
3,610,777
-
1,794,345
Tangible
assets
Current
assets/(liabilities)
Total
£
£
£
-
989,046
989,046
19,236
786,061
805,297
19,236
1,775,108
1,794,344

14. Analysis of net assets between fund

Emma Project

The Emma Project provides refuge and outreach services to women with problematic substance use who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, including prostitution.

IDVA & Community

The Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service supports women who have been identified as "high risk" of domestic violence through risk assessment and referral from the Police or any other agency referring into the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).

East London Rape Crisis

MOPAC is to provide advocacy, support and counselling after rape and sexual assault.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

IRIS

The IRIS Project improves the quality of care given by GP surgeries to women experiencing domestic violence through a national implementation programme and also local delivery in Hackney.

Play therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic service for children and young people affected by domestic violence to help them understand and deal with confusing and/or powerful feelings and painful events.

15. Deferred income

Deferred income relates to money received in advance for services which have yet to be delivered at the year end. Income is deferred based on the length of the contract.

==> picture [358 x 138] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Deferred
Grants
£
Balance as at 1 April 2024 52,017
Amount released to income earned from charitable activities (19,348)
-
Amount deferred in the year
Balance as at 31 March 2025 32,669
----- End of picture text -----

16.Limited liability

The Trustees of the company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up.

17. Leasing commitments

Operating leases

The charity’s total commitments for rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 March 2025 were set out as below:

2025 2024

Total commitments £49,841 £97,309

18.Fund transfers

Transfers have been made from designated funds to restricted projects to make up for the shortfall in income for certain projects. This ensures that the restricted funds are not in deficit. These have been authorised by the management committee.

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Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

19. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities.

Net movements in funds
Add back: Depreciation
Add back: Loss on disposal of tangible fixed asset
Deduct: Interest shown in investing activities
Decrease in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
2025
2024
£
£
51,149
(69,940)
9,579
9,605
-
133.0
(2,121)
(944)
103,428
270,770
(69,816)
231,166
92,218
440,789

20. Corporation tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects

21. Remuneration of key management personnel

Aggregate total 2025
2024
£
£
214,587
219,847