Company registrdtion number: 02982252
Charity registration number. 1045782
Reading Voluntary Action
(A company limited by guaTantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
David Jones & Co 2018 Limited
The Centre
Reading Road
Eversley Centre
Hampshire
RG27 ONB

Reading Voluntary Action
Contents
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees, Report
2to9
Independent Examinevs Report
Iotoll
Statement of Financial Activities
12to 13
Balance Sheet
14
Notes to the Financial Statements
15to28

Reading Voluntary Action
Reference and Administrative Details
Chairman
Ms S E Stevens
Chief Exeeutive Officer
Mrs R L Spenc¢r
Charity Registration Number
1045782
Company Regtstration Number
02982252
The charity is incorporated in Enoland.
3rd Floor Reading cer￿al Library
Abbey Square
Reading
Berkshire
RGI 3BQ
David Jones & Co 2018 Limited
The Centre
Reading Road
Eversley Centre
Harnpshire
R027 ONB
Registered Office
Independent Examiner
Page I

Reading Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law. present the aDnual report together with the
financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Objeetive5 and activitie5
Objects and alms
Reading Voluntary Action exists to promote and support a diverse voluntary and commutiity sector to flourish
locally. eDhaDciJJg th¢ quality of life for people living in Reading.
Statement of Values
The way we work:
l. EtThpowerment - RVA recognises that empowering people lead5 to suslainable change for cornmunities and
individuals, and we seek to w'ork in Viay5 that illcre&se the capability of local organisations.
2. Inclusiveness - RVA embrdce5 the diversity of the local community. We believe that all people have the right
to be heard in decision-making fonllns and to have equal acce&8 to the public services they need. We support
oiganisations that promote these rights.
3. Accountability - RVA supports organisations to manage their affaiTS in an open and transparent way. and we
seek to rnanage our own activities and decision-making in ways that enable external scrutiny and accountability.
4. Independellce
RVA is an independent organisation and we support organisations in their Tight to
independence of thought and action in pursuit of their aims.
We bave 4 key aims:
The third sector is influential as a forc¢ for positive change in Reading.
Empowered residents have opportunities to participate in activity to a difference to the lives of others
and to enrich their own.
Strong, flexible and Collaborative third sector organisatioLs have tbe skills, knowledge aT]d Tesources to
achieve thetr aims,
. RVA is an independenL effective, inclusive and sustainable organisation.
Fundralsthg dlsclosur
An overview of aehievements and challenges during the year
l. Promoting and developing YoluDteering
RVA continues lo build on the stakeholder engagement work completed in 2022 that led to the development of
th¢ Reading Vision for Volunteering lauacbed in June 2023.
Reading is a place where th¢ difference made by volunteering and social aclion IJ recognised, valued and
celebrated We wonl everybo£ts. lo have the opporlunity £0 make a Meanin￿￿1 conlribution to ihe goal of maknng
Reading a ihrzving community. improving and gnT¥ching the ofall.
Our Reading Volunteer Connect platfonn is now fully embedded and providing data on people looktng to
volunteer as well as data on the opporLunities available. The platforni has introduced a range of new features for
both organisations seeking volunteers and individuals looking for an opportunity to get involved. Contrary to
anecdotal evidence, the data has shown strong enthu5i&sm for siTUCtured volunteering acmss ages and
communities.
Page 2

Reading Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
With 873 potential volunteers re￿tered otL Volunteer Connect during the period. the new platforni will provide
detail on those interested in volunteering inoluding age, gender, etlmicity, enwloyment status and disability or
communication needs. We plan to use thi5 information to support the development of fvture volunteering
opportunities to meet the needs of Voluntee￿ and the voluntary sector.
The number of volunteering opportunities remains consisteot, but the diversity of roles has shrunk, with largeT
charities looking to fill a nutnber of the same role. RVA carried out a State of the Sector survey in the SUn￿ller
of 2024 to gather insight into why small and Medium charities aTe recruiting leis volunteers.
2. Supporting voluntary organisatlOll5 to survive and thrive
The RVA Safe and Sound framework and quality award continues to be a popular and effective capacity
building tool.
Safe and Sound is an aid to giv¢ Reading's charities the confidence that they have re￿h¢d a basic level of good
governance. It can be used to highh'ght any gaps in composition and procedures. The process highlights key
considerations for tn￿teeS to consider and irnprove.
The process enables tn￿teeS to feel confident that they have relevant safeguards in place to protect themselves,
the charity and beneficiaries. Whilst it Is the duty of tr￿teeS to make the fmal decisions a5 to how to implernent
work, RVA can provide guidance and support in maklng those decisions.
RVA Safe and Sound is free of clwge and covers:
The governing dwument (e.g. constitution or Articles)
The governino document (e.g. constitution or Articles)
Your management
Finances
Employnlent
Managing volunteers
Reporting a￿d Monitoring
Safeguarding
Health and Safety
Equality. diversity and inclusion
A First Steps process was introduced this year for srnaller groups and to encourage new tsijstees. The First Step
framework provides a seIf-audit and peer support groups facilitated by the RVA Advice MaDager.
The Advice Service continued to see a Considerable amount of uptske from the voluntary and community sector
in Reading with advice given to charity Man￿￿eTS and trustees of small and medium sized charities.
The main area5 of advice requested were for governance. employmenL funding and policies and procedures.
There is no similar service in the area that gives local orgaDisatioDS shor¢ medium and long-tenn support and
assistance with legal and practical aspe¢ts of ru[￿Ing an organisation. The service therefore directly helps
organisations to gain clarity and Teduce risk of harn).
322 organisations received specific 51]pport from the Advice Setvice over the year. The wider voluntary sector
has also benefitted froTn a series of forums to 5UPPOrt fi￿draiSI￿(T and managing con)munity buildings
attending the training programme.
Page 3

Readlng Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
132 individuals participated in the training programme with a range of topics including..
Volunteer Ma￿ageMent
Trustee Training
Small Groups Fonuns
Cornmunity Buildings Forums
Introduction to First St¢ps
Safeguarding - children and adults
Meet the FundeT Forums
Treasurer Training
RVA is grateful to the Earley Charity for their longstanding support of the Advice Service.
3. Leadership and partnersbips
RVA has W0￿ed in partnership to ensure the voice of the VCS sector is captured and has influence.
Reading VCS Leaders
brinJoF together voluntrdry sector leaders who provide geneTOUS leadership for the
benefit of social action across Reading. The leaders meet every 8 weeks to discuss issues impacting the
voluntary sector and residents. Attendance is open to allyone providing a leader role in Reading or anyone
representing the voluntary sector OD cross sector partnerships or fonm.
Reading Compaet - RVA worked in parthership with ReadiDg Borough Council and the VCS Leaders over 6
tnonths to develop a new Compact for Readlng. The aim of the Compact is to create and embed mechanistns
that ensure work to improve th¢ lives of our residents and coTK]munities is effectively joined up, that our
complementary efforts are targeted where they can add most vaIue and that each pattner Suppo￿ the other as
much as it can.
The Compact Action Plan - tbe success of the Compact and the delivery of the shared Compact Action Plan
will be reviewed jointly each year by the Council and the VCS Leaders Group, with the results and successes
comlnunicated across the borough.
BOB VCSE Health Alliance - RVA works in pathership with infrastructure parthers across Berkshire,
Oxfordshire and Buckingban)shire in a steering group to deliver the VCSE Alliance to improv¢ understallding
and p￿rShipS with BOB ICB.
Developing a connected Social Prescribing network
RVA employs a team of 8 Social Prescribino LiDk Wi)rkers (SPLW) working in neighbourhoods across the
town. The team supported more than 1003 people across the year. The SPLWS work alo]wide people to enable
them to improve the social challenge5 iinpacting on their mental and physical healtb.
The referrals come from 5 Prinwy Care Networks with the most common reasons for referral: a￿Xiety and
isolatioo debt and other financial bardship issues, housin& and barriers to accessing support.
IOOO/o of respondents thought the first appointEnent was very helpfvl or helpful
950/0 of respondents thought that the follow-up inforniation was very belpful or helpfiLI
The success of the SPLW service is entirely dependent on the existence of a thriving and diverse voluntary
s¢ctor, and RVA takes every opportunity to evidence this &8 well as higbIighting gaps in provision or capacity.
RVA has continued to work wtth the team from JOY. The JOY platfornl provides a case roanagement system
for the SPLWS and a wellbeing Market Place.
P￿(re 4

Reading Voluntary Action
Trnstees, Report
Health inequalities- RVA has continued to develop activities that promote ￿SItIve health outcomes.
Building on the partnership work established during the pandemic, RVA continues to work with MEET PEET.
the community outreach team from the Royal BerkshiTe Hospital. This year has seen significant developtnent
with the launch of the Community Wellness Outreach programrne funded by the ICB through the Reading
Integration Board.
RVA has worked in partnership with many charities and community groups including ACRE, Whitley
Comjnunity Development Association, Reading Conununity LEarning Centre and Forgotten British Gurkbas to
provide health checks and ongoing holisti¢ support for people who are at risk of poor health outcomes or not
engaging with universal services. The partnership has a target of engaging 5,200 residents before the end of June
2025, with priority groups including carers, ex-offenders, the homelws, people with disabilities, and eX-se￿ICes.
Promoting actiyities and eapacity building to overcome lonelinus and iqolation
The RVA Ready Fri￿dS project is all about supporting local people. conununities and voluntary Sector groups
to reduce loneliness and Social isolation in Readtng. A number of Ready Friends activities (like the Befriending
Forums) are held regularly and we also undertake time-limited projects in response to the changing needs of the
people who live in the town.
Ready Friends supports lots of existing local community groups and cI￿LtieS and works in partnership with
public bodies like Reading Borou￿￿ Council. Ready FrieF￿$ can help with informatioll, advice, training and
support around developing your idea" fimding. finding a venue. recruiting volunteers" publicising your event or
project and identifying potential partner organisations.
Over the year the Ready Friends programme:
delivered 4 in-person Befriendino Forums on these topics: Exploring loneliness stigyna,. The role thal
social prescribing plays in addressing lonel¥n&¥s and social isolation," The voice of the volunteer,.
LoneliKars and Mental Health
introduced a 16-Tnonth training prograrnme for frontline staff and volunteering in a range of subjects
aimed at Teducing health inequalitie5 and boostiag awareness these areas: safeguarding. rnental
bealth. ADHD/Autism' dementi4 learning disability" menopause. substance abuse. managing healthy
boundaries,. motivational conversatioDS.
Developed our hard-copy leaflet library and soft-copy service tnforniation for practitiotters and the
public. and launched a new Health aDd Wellbeillg Activities noticeboariL publicising local events, for
visitors to the library.
4. Get Online activities to overeome digital exclusion
Get Otlline is an initiative that provides infornial support in conimuTJity settings to enable people to access the
internet.
The scheme now has a team of 28 volunteers. br￿￿]ng the team back to capacity and is active across 7
community settings, supporting over 1,000 residents to access the illtemeL stay safe and keep costs low.
5. Funding advice and 511PPOrt
Our fi￿dIng page allows local charities to keep up to date with the most relevant opportunities. This can be
followed up with one-to-one support through the Advice Service.
P￿tse 5

Reading Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
Reading Community ￿ttery
Reading Cornmunity Lottery 15 a weekly lottery operated by Gathetwell. supporting good causes in the Reading
area. Lotteries are a fun and effective way for causes to raise much-needed fund8 in these difficult times. By
getting more people on board, they don't just raise fimds, they also raise awareness. Reading Community
Lottery was launched in January 2020. and now supports over 80 good causes.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 201 I to
have due regard to the public benefit guidance published b> the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Finaneial review
Poliey on raferves
The trustees have recognised that the organisatiott May incur potential liabilities for ll￿ternity pay. redundallcy
pay and other statutory amounts and ILave therefore resolved a) to ty to Tetain its exi5t7ng investments to go
towards settling these rf necessary and b) to tsy to build up furtber reserves to meet their fiLII obligation and
other unforeseen needs. A designated Pension Liability Reserve has also been put in place to manage reserves,
targeted at covering the Fell5ion deficit. The investment policy of the Tn￿ee Board is to maintain the bulk of
reserves in casb in order to provide safe and liquid resetves.
FundF in deficll
The f￿ancial statements show an overall operating surplus for the year of £4,830 (2023: £50,37J deficit) and the
totaI fijllds position is now in surplus by £149,352 (2023.. £71.522 surplus). The pension SChe￿e deficit has
decreased for the year 202312024 by £65.000. and now stands at £148.000. The majority of tbis decrease has
been due to material changes in parameters and a&sumptions and these changes are predominandy due to
flucthations in life expectancy, demowhics and world finallcials.
To give assurances to RVA for the ￿ture, a Cbange was Euade in 2021 in Tespect of the status of the fmnd itself.
Consequently there will no longer be a significant impact on the fund and organisation due to the possible lack
of working members within RVA. To cover any possible deficits on the fijnd. the Local Government Pension
Scheme administrators have fornially agreed to continue accepting monies solely from RVA itself beyond the
period when there may be no RVA employed members. This re￿0VeS the wory of the causative demise of
RVA.
Going eoncern
The chartty has improved its fmancial position and bad overall net assets at 31 March 2024 of £149,352 (2023=
£71,522 nel liabilities).
The pensiou liability of £148,000 at 31 March 2024 (2023.. £213,000) is recogoised under Internationa]
AGcounting Standard 19 (IAS19) 'Employee Benefits,. It represents the best estitnate of the current value of
pension benefits that will have to be ftmded by RVA. The liability relates to benefits earned by existing or
previous employees up to 31 March 2024. These benefits are expressed in current value ternis rather than the
cash amount that will actually be paid out.
RVA is able to meet the agreed pension contnbutions a5 they fall due. The trustees have accordingly considered
it appropirate to adopt a going concem basis for the preparation of these fmancial statements.
Page 6

Reading Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
Trustees and orricers
The trustees and officers 5ervtng during the year and since the year end were a5 follows:
Trustees:
Mr S Leitch (Treasurer)
Ms K J Morton (resigned 31 March 2024)
Mr P M Brierley
Ms K Forster
Ms S J Illger
Ms J C Roberts
Ms S E Stevens
Ms G B Thomas
Mrs R M Westbrook (appointed 22 October 2024 and resigned 30
October 2024)
Chairman..
Ms S E Stevens
Chief Executive Officer:
Mr5 R L Spencer
Structure? governance aud management
ature ofgovernlng documenl
The organisation was registered as a charity on 12th April 1985, incorpordted as a ckntable company limited
by guarantee on 24th October 1994, and amended by special resolutions in October 2008 and October 2011. The
company was established under a me￿orandum of Associatio￿ wbicb e5trdblished the objects and powers of the
charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.
Recruilmenl optd appolniment oflrustees
Truste¢s are appointed based on nomination from member organi5ations or co-optiou by the Board. The
niernbers of the Trustee Board are listed above. All members of the Board are director5 of the company and
t￿SteeS of the charity. Reading Voluntary Actioll indemnifies member5 against liability in relation to the
company. In accordance with the Memorandum of Association eacb present director has undertaken to
contribute to it a sum llot exceeding £1 O in the evellt of it being wound up while they are members and within
one year if they cease to be members. One third of Board members retire c￿b year but can offer themselves for
re-election at the Annllal Generdl Meeting.
At ow AGM, our long Serving Chair, Karen Mort0￿ stood dovffl after seveD years. During her tenure, RVA and
the wider VCS in Keadillg has faced many challenges including COVID-19. Her empathy and dedication
enabled us to chart a course through these difficult times. Reading Voluntary Action thanks Karen for
everything she has done.
Indudion ond training oflrustee
New Board members are inducted by the Chair and Chief Executive and are given opportunities to meet
members of the management and staff tearns. New trustees are given gutdance on the obli.trations of B08rd
embers and the cU￿ellt fjnancial position contained ID the latest published accoullts.
11 Board members are able ttj attend RVA trdining at no cost.
Page 7

Reading Voluntary Action
Trustees, Report
Organisartonal structure
The Trustee Board is $L￿ported by the Chief Executive and the Company Secretsry (cuTrently the CEO). The
Trusfre Board establishes sub-groups as required to etTectively manage areas of work - these presently coveT
fllw]ce, risk and accommodation. SuI￿groups are led by members of the Board with executive support from
RVA management and staff.
Major rLFks and th￿nagement ollhose rKsks
Risk management
The Trustee Board has conducted a review of the major risks to wbich the Charity is exposed. Where
appropriate, systerns ancl procedures have been establisbed to mitigate the risks the charity faces. This has led to
the development of a strategic plan which will enable the chartty to secure the resources necessary to deliver its
strategic aims. Internal control risks are minitnised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of
expenditure and new projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety for staff,
volunteers. clients and visitors to the charity. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they
continue to meet the needs of the charity. The Board will continue to cary out periodic reviews of risks and
mitigation measures.
Along with many other charities. RVA has experienced significallt changes in fuThdinty
arrangements in recent
years. This includes a change from grant funding to contracts. The RVA ffi￿teeS continue to review the use of
the available reserves to achieve best Possible outcomes for the beneficiaries and to generate future income.
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
The tNstees (who are also the directors of Reading VoLuntary Action for the pu￿OSe$ of company law) are
responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial slatemeDts in accordance with applicable law and
United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdorn Generally Accq)ted Accounting PractÈce), including
FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
Company law requires the trustse5 to prepare ￿anCIal statements for each fU￿nCIal year. Under cornpany law
the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are sattsfied that they give a true and fair view
of the State of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources.
including its incorne and expenditure. of the charitable company for that peri￿ In preparing these f￿ancI
statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the ￿etho(l￿ and principles ID the Charities SORP:
make judgen]ents and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
sfate whether applicable accounting standards. compristDg FRS 102 have been followe¢ subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the finallcial staternents" and
prepare the financial statements on the going collcern basis ullle&8 it is inappropriate to presume that the
charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are r¢spoDsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any time the fuwlcial posttion of the charitsble company and enable them to ensure that the fmancial statelnents
comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable
company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The tn￿5 are responsible for the maInte[L￿Ce and integrity of the corporate and fmancial inforniation
included on the charitable compally's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of
financial Statements may differ from legislation in other jurtsdictions.
Page 8

Reading Voluntary Action
Trnstees, Report
Disclosure of information to indepelldent examiner
Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any
relevant independeut examination infonnation and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware
of that information. The trustees confllrn that there is no relevant infornlation that they know of and of which
they know the independent exatniner is unaware.
The annual
ort was approved by the trustees of the clmrity on .. ...
. and signed on its behalf by:
trh
reasure
te
Page 9

Reading Voluntary Action
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Reading Voluntary Action ('the
Company,)
I report to the ¢haTity trustees on rny examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March
2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006
('the 2006 Act,).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the
2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of tny examination of your charity's
accounts as carrted out UtLdeT section 145 of the Cbarities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In caryino out my
examination I have followed tbe Directions given by the Clwity comm￿10n under section 145(5Xb) of the
2011 Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and
consequently does not cover all the matters an auditor consider5 in giving their opinion on the accouuts. The
planning and Collduct of an audit goes beyond the Iimited aSSUn￿e¢ that an independent examination can
provide. Consequently I express no opinion &s to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and my
report 15 limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner's statement.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Companys gross income exoeeded £250,000 your examiner M￿st be a merober of a body listed in
section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirni that l am qualified to undertake the examination beCa￿e l am a member
of FCCA, whicll is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confinn that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe:
l. accounting records were not kept in respect of Reading Voluntary Action as required by section 386 of the
2006 Act. or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; OT
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting Tequirements of sectton 396 of the 2006 Act other than
any requirernent that the accounts give a 'tnEe and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an
independent examination" or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of
RecOrnn￿nded Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charitie5 preparing their
accounts in accordance ¥vith the Fil￿1claI Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of
treland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns attd have come across no other matteTS in connection with tbe examination to which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to b¢ reached.
Page IQ

Reading Voluntary Action
Illdepen
t Examiner's Report to the trustees of Reading Voluntary Action ('tbe
Compally,)
Antony Weller
FCCA
David Jones & Co 2018 Limited
The Centre
Reading Road
Eversley Centre
Hampshire
RG27 ONB
Date..
d,:(k24.
Pagell

Reading Voluntary Action
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
ncluding Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains
and Losses)
Unre5trleted
fund5
Restricted
funds
Total
2024
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
299
9.698
299
696,662
686,964
Total income
9,997
686,964
696,961
Expenditure on:
Charitable activitie5
(4,825)
(689,644)
(694,469)
Total expenditure
Gainsllosse5 on investment &S5ets
(4.825)
2.338
(689,644)
(694,469)
2,338
Net incomel(expenditure)
Trdnsfers between funds
7.510
(32,215)
(2,680)
i2215
4,830
Other recognised galns and losses
Actuarial gains on defmed benefit pension
schemes
73.IKiO
73,000
Net movement in fimds
48,295
29,535
77,830
Reconciliation of furtds
Total funds brought foNard
Total funds carried forward
(6.863)
71,522
16
41,432
Unrestricted
funds
107,920
Restricted
runds
149,352
Total
2023
Note
Income and Endowmeuts from:
Charitable activities
19.900
711,603
731,503
Total income
19,900
711,603
7i1,503
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
(27.615)
(753,270)
(780,885)
Total expendiMTe
Gains/losses on investtnent a&sets
(27.615)
(991)
(753,270)
(780,885)
(991)
Net expenditure
Transfers between funds
(8.706)
(6,529)
(41,66D
6,529
(50,373)
Other reeognised gains and Iosses
Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension
schemes
642,OCK)
642.000
Net movement in fimds
626.765
{J5,138)
591.627
The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these fmancial statements.
Paoe l2

Reading Voluntary Action
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
(Including Illeome and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains
and Losses)
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
2023
Note
Reconciliatioll of funds
Total funds brought forward
(633,628)
l li.523
(520,105)
71,522
Total funds carried fonvard
78,385
All of the charity's activitie5 derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 16.
The notes on pages 15 to 28 ftirm an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 13

Reading Voluntary Action
(Registration number: 02982252)
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
2024
2023
Note
Fixed assets
Investrnents
27.788
25,450
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
12
13
21,691
332,372
354,063
37,035
292,751
329,786
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Net curreDt assets
14
(84,499)
269,564
(70,714)
259,072
Net assets excluding pension liability
Pension scheme liability
Net assets ineluding pension li2bility
Funds ofthe charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted fijnds
297.352
284.522
15
(148,000)
149.352
(213.000)
71,522
107,920
78,385
Uorestrieted income lunds
Unrestricted ￿llds
41,432
(6,863)
71,522
Total funds
l6
149.352
Foi the financial year ending ) I March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477
of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors, responsilyilities:
The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in
accordaD¢e with section 476- and
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect
to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
cial statements on pages 12 to 28 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on
. and signed on their behalf by:
itcb
Trus
The notes on pages 15 to 28 forni an integral part of these f￿anCIal statements.
Page 14

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the FAnaneial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
I Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee. incorporated in England, and consequentty does not have share capital. Each
of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £N'il towards the assets of the charity in the event
of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is:
3rd FIooT Reading Central Library
Abbey Square
Reading
Berksbire
RGI 3BQ
These fmancial statements wer¢ authorised for issue by the trustees on l2 November 2024.
2 Accounting polieies
Summary ofsignifieant accounting policiu and key accounting estimatts
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these fitMncial statements are set out below.
These policies have been consistendy appliedtA) all the Yea￿ presenteQ unless otherwise Stated.
Staternent of compliance
Ihe financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities:
Statement of Recommended Practice (app]icable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of freland {FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019)
- (Cbariti¢s SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
(FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
Reading Voluntary Action meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities
are inttially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting
policy Dotes.
Ineome and endowments
All income is reCO￿lSed once the charity h&$ entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be
received and the aThou￿t of the income receivable can be rn￿ured reliably.
Doiiations andlegacies
Donations are recoglli5ed when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date.
In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of perforn]3nce by the charity before the
charity is entitled to the fund5, the incovne is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully
meL or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these
conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting perio(L
Page 15

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2024
Expenditure
All expenditure 15 recognised Once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable
settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs aTe allocated to the applicable
expenditure heading that wgate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to
particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff
costs all￿ated on the basis of time spenL and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use.
Other support costs are allocated bas¢d on the spread of staff costs.
Chffrilable actiwties
Charitable expendithre con]prises thos¢ costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its aGtivities and services
for its b¢neficiaries. It include5 both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an
indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance Costs
These include the costs attnTr)utable to the charity's Co￿pIlanCe with constitutional and Sta￿tOry requirements,
including audit. strategic management and trustees rneetinos and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Para￿aph I Schedule 6 of the Ftnance Act 2010 and
therefore it meets the defmition of a charitable company for UK cotpofdtion tsx purposes. Accordingly, the
charity is potentially exempt from tsxation in respect of income or Capital gains Teceived within categories
covered by Chapter 3 Part I l of the Corporation l'ax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable
Gains Act 1992. to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to ¢I￿ltable purposes.
Depreciation and amortisation
Dep￿ciatiOn is provided on tangible f￿¢d assets so as to write off the cost or valuation. less any estimated
residual value. over their expected usefill ecollomic lifr a5 follows:
Asset class
Office equipment
Depreciatiou method and rate
Straight line method over estinlated lif¢
Fixed asset investnlents
Fixed asset investments. other than programme relafrd iDvestrllents, are included at market value at the balance
sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investTnents are calculated as the difference between S￿eS proceeds and
their market value at the start of the year. or their sub5equellt COSL and are charged or credited to the Statement
of Financial Activities in the period of dtSFrf)sal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in llla￿et values durints the year and are credited or
charged to the Statement of Financial ActivÉties based on the market value at the year end.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are a]nounts due from customers for merchandise sold or Services perfornied in the Ordinary
course of business.
Trade debtors are reco.(vnis¢d initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at arnortised c05t
using the effective interest Method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impainnent of trade
debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due
accordinTr to the original terms of the receivables.

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024
Casb and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid
investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of
change in vaIue.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acqllired in the ordinary course of
business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the chartty does not have an
unconditiona] righl at the end of the reporting perio(L to defer settlelnent of the creditor for at least twelve
months after the reporting date. If there is an Un￿nditiOnal right to defer settlement for at least twelve rnonths
after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are TecognÈsed tnitially at the transaction price and subsequentIy m¢asured at atnortised cost
using the effective interest method.
Fund strueture
Unrestricted income fimds are generaI fi]nds tbat are available for use at the tn￿teeS discretion in furthernnce of
the objectives of the charity.
Designated fxmds are unrestricted fun(L5 Set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trLL5tees.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific pwposes. the use of which
is restricted to tbat area or pury)ose.
PeDsions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a der￿ed contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed
Contributions are paid into a pensÈon fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further
contributions even tf the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to
employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defjned contnbution plans are recognised in the Statemenl of Financial Activities when they are
due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a PTepayment.
3 Income from dollations and legacies
Unrestricted
funds
General
Total
funds
Donations and legacies.
Donations fron individuals
299
299
Total for 2024
299
299
Page 17

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for tbe Year Ended 31 March 2024
4 Income frolll charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
GeDer21
Restricted
funds
Total
2024
Total
2023
Contract income
Contract income
Tratning event income
Project fees
Project fees
Manaryement fees
Mallagemellt fees
Rental incorne
Other income
Income from listed investments
Interest on cash deposits
Grants receivable
Grants receivable
532.699
532.699
402,862
555
555
331
2,668
2,668
16,945
3,300
21,499
130
570
300
742
1.521
286,710
13,005
16.945
882
30
741
4,822
882
30
741
4,822
137.320
137.320
9,698
686.964
696,662
731,503
S Expenditure on charitable activiti
Unrestricted funds
Designated
General
Restricted
runds
Total
funds
Note
Charity ru[￿Ing costs
Depreciation,
amortisation and
other sirnilar costs
Staff costs
Governance costs
I 1,000
(26,003)
2J6,374
221,371
6)8
17,309
4,881
825
452,445
1,463
466.754
4.881
(3.000)
Total for 2024
8,000
(3,175)
689,644
694.469
Total for 2023
29.000
(1.385)
753.270
780,885
Included in the £221,37l Charity nll)ning costs above are amounts paid for PartThers]]ip Transfers and GTant
Awards (£100.400), Digital Solutions (£37.484) and Project Activities and Events (£10.296).
Page 18

Reading Voluntary AetioD
Notes to the Finaneial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
6 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
General
Totsl
funds
Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
Total for 2024
4,881
4.881
4,881
4.881
Total for 2023
4,224
4,224
7 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees. nor any persons connected with have received any remuneration frotn the charity during the
year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year.
Staff costs
The monthly average nU￿ber of persons (including senior management I leadership team) employed by the
charity during the year expressed ￿ full time equivalents was as follows".
2024
2023
Total
20
25
No employee received emoluments ofmore than £60,000 during the year.
Page 19

Reading Voluntary Aetion
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
9 TaxatÉon
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
10 Tangible fixed assets
Furniture and
equipmellt
Total
Cost
At l April 2023
Additions
28,443
1,464
1.464
At 3 1 March 2024
29,907
29,907
Depreeiation
At l April 2023
Charge for th¢ year
At 31 March 2024
28,443
1,464
28,443
1.464
29,907
29,907
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
Page 20

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
11 Fixed a55et investments
Other investments
Listed
invest]nents
Total
Cost or ValuatÉon
At l April 2023
Revaluation
25,451
2.337
25,451
2,337
At 31 March 2024
27,788
27.788
Net book value
At 31 MarGh 2024
27,788
27.788
At 31 March 2023
25.451
25,451
The market value of the listed investments at 31 March 2024 was £27,788 (2023 - £25,451).
This investment relates to 1,360 ullits held tn the Charities Official Invesknent Fund (COIF). It is prtrnarily held
to provide an investment retttm to the charity.
12 Debtor5
2024
2023
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Accrned income
14,962
4,696
2.033
30,325
5.599
21,691
37,035
13 Cash and cash equivalents
2024
2023
Cash on hand
Cash atbank
loo
332,272
148
292,603
332,372
292,751
Page21

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals
22.737
57,262
4,500
3,355
63,359
4,000
84,499
70,714
IS Pension and other schemes
Defined benefit pension scheme
Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a defined benefit statutory scheme adtninistered in
accordance wtth the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 and cutrelldy provides benefits based
on career average revalued earninJ. Full details of the benefits being valued are as set out in the Regulations a5
amended and summarlsed on the LGPS web51te.
The administering authority for the Fund is the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The Pension Fund
Committee Oversees the managen]ent of the Fund whilst the day to day fund adtninistration is undertaken by a
team wÉthill the administering autbority. whe￿ appropriate some function5 are delegated to tbe Fund's
professional advisers.
As adtninisterÉng authority to the Fund, the Royal Borough of Windsor and MaideTtheal after consultation with
the Fund Actuary and other relevant parties, is Tesponsible for the preparation and maintenance of the Funding
Strategy StateTnent and tbe Investment Strategy StatemenL These should be amended when appropriate b&sed on
the Fund's perfo￿￿￿ee and fijndinty
Contributions are set every three years a5 a result of the actuari￿ valuation of the Fund required by the
Regulations. The next actuarial valuation of the Fund will be carrÈed out as at 31 March 2025 and will set
contributions for the period from l April 2025 to 31 March 2028. There are no minimum funding requirements
in the LGPS but the contributions are gelleralty set to target a funding level of IOOO/D using the actuarial
valuation assumptions.
The date of the most recent comprehensive aCti￿ial valuation Iwas 31 Mareh 2024. In completing the
calculations for pension accounting pu￿OseS the following item5 of data from the Royal Borough of WtndsoT
and Maidenhead have been used:
O The results of tbe latest fimding valuation as at 31 March 2024 which was carried out for funding purposes
and the results of the J l March 2024 IAS19 report which was prepared for accounting purposes.
Fund asset statement at 31 March 2024.
E Fund income and expenditure items for the period to 31 March 2024.
D Employer incon)e and expenditure items for the period to 31 March 2024.
Q Details of any new early retirements for the period to 31 March 2024 that have been paid out on an unreduced
b8sis. which are not anticipated in the nomial employer service cost: and
tJ Details of any settlements tolfrom the Employer for the period to 31 March 2024.
Page 22

Reading Voluntary ActAOII
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareb 2024
Reeonclllotion ofscheme &￿elS and liabili11￿ to assets and liabiltsies recognised
The amounts recognised in the statement of financial position are &$ follows:
2024
2023
Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of defined IKnefit obligation
Defined benefIt pension scheme deficit
1,290.000
(1.438,000)
(148,000)
1,218,000
(1,431,000)
(213,000)
Dejtned benefil obligaliort
Change5 in the defined benefit obligation are as follows:
2024
Present vallle at start of year
Current service cost
InteTest cost
Change in fllwicial &5SLllnptions
Chantse in demographic assumptions
Benefits paid
Contributions by scheme participants
Experience lossl(gain) on defitLed benefit obli(vation
Present value at end of year
1,431,000
8,000
68,000
(11,000)
(19,000)
(46,000)
2,000
5,000
1.438,000
Page 23

Reading Voluntary Actioll
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Foir value ofscheme assets
Changes in the fair value of scheme &ssets are as follows..
2024
Fair value at start of year
Interest on assets
R¢lMrn on assets less interest
Contributions by ernployer
Contributlons by scheme participants
Benefits paid
Administration expenses
Fair value at end of yeaT
1,218,000
58,000
48.000
i 1,000
2.000
(46.000)
{I,000)
1,290.000
Analysis of ossets
The major categories of scherne assets are as follows:
2024
2023
Public equities
Private equities
Infrastructure
Real Estate
Credit
Cash
Longevity Insurance
7i7,000
151,000
162,000
117.000
169,000
12,000
(58.000)
1,290.000
613,000
ISI,ODO
168.000
154.000
177,000
18,000
(63,000)
1218,000
The pension scFLeme bas not invested in any of the cbarity's OWD f￿￿￿Cial instruments or in properties OT Other
assets used by the charity,
Principul acluarldl QSSilnlPlio
The PTiJ)cipal actuarial a&sutnptions at the ststement of f￿ancIal position date are as follows..
2024
2023
Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increLses
4.90
3.95
2.95
4.80
3.90
2.90
Page 24

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Post retlrement Mortality assumptions
2024
Year5
21.00
24.00
2023
Years
21.00
24.00
22.00
25.00
Cu￿ent UK pensioners at rtirement age - male
Cutrent UK pensioners at retirement age - female
Future UK pensioners at retirement age - n)ale
Future UK pensKoners at retirement age - female
22.00
25.00
16 FuDds
Balance
2tl
April
2023
Other
Balance at
cO￿l￿g Resources
recognised 31 March
resources expended Transfers gainsl(losses)
2024
Unrestricted funds
General
Generdl Fund
40,687
78.147
(64.975)
(32215)
21.644
lJesi¥nftled
COIF Investment
PeD%iOTL Re5eTve
Pension Liability Reserve
Contintrency Reserve
25,450
{213,000)
80,000
60,000
2,338
73,000
27,788
(148,000)
80,000
60,000
(8,000)
(47,550)
(8.000)
75,338
19,788
Total unrestrictcd funds
(6,86J)
78.147
(72,975)
(32,215)
75,338
41,432
Restrlcted funds
Restricted Funds (see
below)
78,385
686.964 (689.644)
32,215
107.920
Total fund5
71.522
765.111 (762,619)
75,338
149,352
Page 25

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Marcb 2024
Balance at
31 March
2024
Balance at I
April 2023
Incoming
resources
Re50uree5
expended
Transfers
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Advice Seryice (Earley
Charity)
NHS Berkshire Oxfordshire
Buckinghamshire tntegrdted
CaTe Board Partnership
Ready Friends (Earley
Charity)
PCN Link Workers
ICB Me]rtal Healtb Grants
Faith Forum
Client Grants
Public Health Management
Project
Volunteering Development
British Science Association
Re&5earch
CTG2 Social Prescribing
CTG3 Infrastructure
BSA Communtty
Researchers
Health thequalities
BHFf Eng￿ement
Research Engagelnent
Network
CoM￿￿nity Wellness
Outreach
RIB Wellbeing Training
Totsl restricted funds
5,786
42,545
(45,381)
2,950
12,0(Ki
(12,000)
636
1,441
11.650
200,485
30,000
(10,812)
(200,484}
(30,000)
1.474
1.442
8.974
234
8,974
663
2205
(1,776)
2,926
13,865
30.000
(32,926)
(8,047)
5,818
4,866
5,635
i0.000
158.000
(10.501)
(62.2 15)
(152.458)
32215
5,725
11,267
3.497
30,435
12.508
18.915
l.429
(16.005)
(29.992)
(1,429)
19.358
40,000
(31,272)
8,728
80.172
11,420
{43,746)
(600)
(689,644)
36,426
10.820
78,385
686,964
32,215
107,920
Page 26

Reading Voluntary AcÉion
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Balauce at
l April
2022
Other
Balance at
Incoming Resources
recognised 31 IVIarch
resources
expended Transfers gains/(losses)
2023
Unrestricted funds
Generdl
25.931
95,619
(74.334)
29.000
(6,529)
40,687
Designated
659,559
641.009
(47,550)
Totsl unrestricted lunds
(633,628)
113,523
95,619
(103,334)
(753,270)
(6.529)
641,009
(6,863)
Restricted lunds
711.603
6.529
78,385
Total funds
(520.105)
807.222
{856,604)
641,009
71,522
Page 27

Reading Voluntary Action
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
17 Analysis of net a55ets between funds
Total funds at
31 March
2024
Unrestrleted funds
General
Designated
Restricted
funds
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Pension scheme liability
27.788
27,788
354.063
(84,499)
(148.000)
149.352
188,879
(27.235)
165.184
(57264)
(148,000)
(120212)
Total net assets
161,644
107,920
Total funds at
31 March
2023
Unrestricted funds
Ceneral
Designated
Restricted
funds
Fixed asset investtnents
Cu￿ent assets
Current liabilities
Pension scheme liability
Total net assets
25,450
140,OIM)
25,450
329,786
(70,714)
213,000)
48,042
(7.355)
141,744
{63,359)
(213,000)
(47,550)
40.687
78.385
71,522
18 Related party transactions
There were no related paty tratlsactions in the year.
Page 28