REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 03390138 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1063319 Report of the Trustees and Una udited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 For Oswestry Community Action M ike Griffiths & Pa rtners Ltd The Yew Tree Inn High Street Gresford Wrexham LL12 8RF
Oswestry Communlty Actlon Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Chairman's Report Report of the Trustees 4t014 Independent Examinerfs Report 20 Statement of Financial Activities 21to23 Balance Sheet 24 to 225 Cash flow statement 26 Notes to the Financial Statements 27to33 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 34to36
Oswestry Community Action Chalrman's Report ft)r the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Report from the Chalr of Trustees As we reflect on the twelve months to April 2025, it's clear that Oswestry Community Action lQube} continues to be a vital, responslve, and creative force in our community-adapting to challenges, deepenlng partnerships, and expanding our reach across Oswestry and beyond. Financially the sector remains stretched and money ever harder to come by. We have started to test the water In terms of fund raising and response has been positive particularly at Christmas. We are learning as we go with thls Initiative but hope to build on those small wins as we progress. This year saw continued engagement across our core programmes. From arts and wellbeing to transport and volunteering. We welcomed new participants, forged new collaborations, and continued to deliver high-quality, inclusive experiences that reflect the diverse needs of our community. Arts & Creatlvlty: Our exhibitions, workshop5, and outreach projects brought colour and connection local resldents and In particular new initiatlves with younger members of our community. . We're proud to have 5UPPOrted emerging artists and hosted events that celebrated local talent and herltage. Health & Wellbelng: Our social prescrlblng work and wellbeing activities provided essential Èupport to those facing isolation, mental health challenges, and long-term conditions. Feedback from participant5 continuesto aff irm the life-changing impact of these services. Our workwith Lingen Davies Cancersupport a Iso continues. Communlty Transport: Demand for our transport SeiceS remained stron& with our dedicated team of drivers and volunteers ensuring that mobility and independence remain accessible to all. Volunteering & Support: We've seen a rise in volunteer engagemenl, with new roles created and more people stepping fornard to contribute their time and skills. Our volunteer celebration events were a reminder of the generosity that fuels Oswestry Community Action (Qubel. Governance and Strategv As Chair, I've been privileged to work alonEside a committed Board of Trustees and a passionate staff team, This year, we undertook a strategic review to ensure our governance remains robust and future- focused. We've strengthened our policies, refreshed our vision, and continue laying the groundwork for new initiatives that will we hope will come on board in 2026 and beyond. We also welcomed new trustees and said farewell to long-standing members whose contributions have shaped Qube's journey. I thank each of them for their wisdom, time, and unwavering belief in our mission. Looking Ahead The year ahead will be challenglng but also holds exciting possibilities. We're exploring new funding streams, expanding our digital capabilities, and deepening our commitment to inclusion and acce55ibility. As always, our work will be guided by the voices of those we serve-listenin& learning, and adapting with
empathy and creatlvity, With further focus on recruiting new trusl'ees we hope to Stngthen the board with addltlonal skllls which will stand us in good stead for future challenges and obstacles that we may face. Heather Noble, Chair Oswestry Communlty Action, (Qube)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees, who are also Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 applicable to charities preparing their accounts In accorda n with the Financial Reportlng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irela nd (FRS102). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 03390138 Reglstered Charity number 1063319 Reglstered offlce Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry, Shropshlre, SYII IRB Trustees Heather Noble- Chair Richard Amos Charles Brotherton John Duffus Stephen Drinnan (joined Aprll 20251 Stephen Wilcox (joined Aprll 20251 Hilary Rees (joined June 20251 Company Secretary and Chief Officer Kim Wootton Independent Examiner Mlke Griffiths & Partners The Yew Tree Inn High Street Gresford Wrexham LL12 8RF Bankers The Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Delf House Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
I. STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT a) Governlng document The company is reglstered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 20th June 1997, and amended on 12th March 2002. b) Recrultment and appointment of new Trustees Trustees are recruited by personal approach from another Trustee or staff member, or by advertising. Those interested in becomSng a Trustee are then a51<ed to apply In writlng, matching their slcills and experlence against a job descriptlon, The applicants are assessed by the Trustees and those sultable are invited to an Interview with the Chair. The successful applicants are nominated to the Board and given a full induction to the organlsatlon which includes ensuring they are aware of the responsibilities of being a Trustee and all the role entails. The recruited Trustees then participate in service activities across the organisation to learn first-hand how they operate, meet our users and experience what it is like to be a customer of Oswestry Community Action (Qubel. They are introduced to staff and volunteers to learn their roles and given past Board papers to read including forecast budgets, cash flow and annual accounts to help them understand the current issues and financlal position of the organisation. The Board holds an Strategic review meeting each year in order to discu55 the strategic objectives, policies and procedures of Oswestry Community Actlon (Qubeland to ensure they continue to meet our charitable objects and are operating within the scope and ethos of the Memorandum and Articles. c) Risk management The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance agalnst fraud and error. The organisation has a risk register which is reviewed at each Flnance and Risk Committee meeting and key elements drawn to the Trustee Board. The risk register is subject to an annual Board review. d} Objectlves and aims of Oswestry Community Action During the year, the Board of Trustees has reviewed its strategic objectives and aims. Work is now underway to to create a three year strategic plan which will provide a focus for the charitv. Our vision is - Empowering local and rural communltles to Ilve thelr best lives. All activities align wlth Oswestry Community Action (Qubel's vision namely Community Transport, Wellbeing and Independence, Volunteering and Community Development, Arts and Creative Health, Social Prescribing, Shopmobillty and Lea rning. e) Significant activities The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidanLe on public benefit and consider public beneflt to be at the heart of the activities of the Charity. A summary of the significant activities of the charity Is given below under the headings. Communlty Transport and Shopmoblllty- accessible door to door transport and scooter and wheelchalr hire;
Volunteer Centre - supportive volunteer brokerage servlce and Infrastructure support for voluntary community sector IVCS} organisations; Arts- A contemporary gallery wlth a full arts programme of exhibitions, worl(shops and project. The arts has been proven to help individuals expre55 themselves more freelyi Improve mental hea Ith, and interpersonal relationship5; Wellbelng and Independence - provides friendship opportunities and support to people who are socially isolated,. Soclal Prescrfbln8 Communlty Development- county wide project includes Community Connectors Networks, peer support and signing up VCS services as Social Prescribing Interven'tions; Room Hlreforthe communlty-two rooms available for external hire,. and Learnlng-digital skills programme to help people in our community get online and enerEY awareness support. 2. OSWE5TRY COMMUNITY AcfioN 2024125 SERVICES AcfiviTIES a) Transport and shopmobility Dlal A Rlde At Oswestry Community Action lQubel we provide community transport ICTI services to reduce loneliness, isolation, prevent exclusion and address the needs of our rural communities. Our members do not have access to a vehicle (often due to affordability issues), 'traditional' bu5 services are reducing with service frequency falling by 50.2¥0 since 2015 and many passengers do not have friends or family to rely cn. CT provides a safety net for those that fall through I'he gaps. We operate demand responsive, door to door, transport services for individuals from Monday to Friday. Journeys enable access to health appointmenls including hospital and GP appointments, dentists, opticians etc. that without CT wouldn't be possible. We also run trip5 to supermarlcets, hairdressers, local Social and activity groups. Dial A Ride has a membership of over 930 {718 last year) and it continues to increase. Oswestry Community Action {Qubel Transport ha5 undertaken 5,991 journeys- 15.8¥0 of these were for health, 13.3Yo for shopping and 40.90h for social visits. The current fleet remains at four minibuses and three smaller specialist cars lowned by Qube)- all the vehicles are f(Jlly accessible. We were delighted to be awarded a grant from the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, which enabled us to purchase an electric vehicle. This investment has already made a significant impact, as the vehicle has been in active use throughout the current financial year. It has not only supported our day-to-day operatlons but has also contributed to our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustalnable practices within our community. Dlal A Ride has 23 volunteers, 4 new volunteers have joined during the year and 4 have left us.
Community Cars Community Cars are used for longer lourneys and provide an essential service to our members. In particular, we transport Individuals to medical appointments that otherwise they would find difficult to attend. Trlps During the period we have used our Dial a Ride service to tran5POrt to varlous locations, including Lake Vyrnwy, Powys Castle, Barmouth, Heulwen Trust Canal Boat, Welshpool and Llanfalr Rallwayi Theatre Severn Shrew5bury, Attingham Park Home Farm Shrewsbury and the Exotic Zoo, Telford. iv. School contracts and B82 The B82 bus route from Lake Vyrnwy to Oswestry funded through Powys Council continues to be provided. The Shropshire Council X25995 l<innerley to Oswe5try, X211304 Knockin to Oswestry and X62129 Ellesmere to Walford school routes were undertaken during the year. Oswestry Communlty Actlon (Qube) Shopmobility Oswestry Community Action (Qube) has two scooters, which have be@n hired 146 times and six wheelchairs, three self-propelled and three pushed. They were hired 42 times, mostly for a day d uring thls period. They a re an essential Service to improve acce55ibility for individuals that would otherwise f ind it diff icult to visit the town. b) Volunteering The volunteer brokerage service is run through Oswestry Community Action lQubel in conjunction with Community Resource and serves a wide range of VSC organisations by putting them in contact with members of the public looking forvolunteering role5. Organisations can register their volunteering opportunities which are approved and then advertised on the Vol Plus website. Once a volunteerinE enquiry has been raised, initial interview and screening takes place to match the potential volunteer to the most appropriate role Isl. Once a decision is made on a specific role a referral takes place, and a volunteer starts a placement which involves quarterly revlews to ensure an enjoyable and productive volunteer experience. In the period covered in this report, Oswestry Community Action (Qubel employed a volunteer coordinator (with particular focus on volunteer roles at Qube) based at Qube and another based at Community Resource (with a wider remit of placements within Oswestry Community Action (Qube) and also other organisations registered. Roles were advertised on Vol Plus, the charity organisations, websites and, where the role was exclusively a Qube opportunity, on our website. There were 194 registrations in this period; 15 were registered on the Volunteer Centre and 179 were registered on Vol Plus portal off Oswestry Community Action (Qubel's website. Of the 194 registrations 132 were female whilst only 50 were male and the highest number166) of volunteers were in the 26 - 49 years age range whilst retirement age people in the age range over 65 were much lower with 21 registrations. One reason for this might be the raised pension age. We have seen an increase in requests for volunteering in the younger age groups during university and college holidays and this period also shows increased activity around Christmas and Easter and summer holidays. The majority of registrations came from applicants without a disability with 31 registrations from people with a physical disabilities and 12 with a mental hea Ith disability. This would be dependent on the nature
of the volunteering role and how physlcally demanding it would be but also perhaps Is reflectlve of accessibility issues. The increased prevalence in mental health in society means some people are out cf work for some-time and could see volunteering as a good way to refresh skills and build confidence in readiness for a return to paid work. 35 of the 194 were unemp5oyed whlch relates to the opportunity for vocational training within a volunteer setting. There have been productive collaboratlons with job centres across Sh ropshire to place clients in volunteering roles. When asked why they consldered volunteerin& most people {931 said they were looking to give somethin8 back, 87 wanted community involvement and 75 wanted to make new friends and meet new people. 42 wanted to gain vocational experlence from the volunteering role. Since the isolation of COVID and the increased awareness of the importance of social interaction and community, more people are looking to volunteerfing as a way to make interpersonal connectlons and get out of their houses and make a meanlngful contribution. Oswestry Community Action (Qube) had nine active volunteering roles during this period: Social group helper; Passenger support helper; DAR driver; Community car drivers; Telephone Befriender; Digital Skills champion; Nordic Walking Helper; Cancer champions,, and Blood Pressure Champions. There were 67 enquiries for the above roles and 18 were placed following interview and a taster session. 37 were not placed in a volunteering role due to health conditions, finding employment, role not suitable or a change in personal circumstances. c) Social prescrlblng and health inequalitie5 Oswestry Community Action (Qube) has continued to deliver community engagement for Social Prescribing across the county. Working in partnership with Community Resource, four Community Engagement Officers {CEOs} have worked with each of the Shropshire Primary Care Networks, The team has developed effective partnerships between the Healthy Lives Advisors, who see those with a social prescription, and refer to local services, GP practices and other areas of hea Ith. The Community Connectors, network is a key part of the role and this peer support networ1( continues to bulld and goes from strength to strength. Meetings are held both in person and virtually in each area across the county and this blended approach means that larger organisations such as SATH and the Mental Health Team can attend. The virtual Community Connector Informatlon bulletins have continued to develop with over 730 members1615 last year) now receiving fortnightly updates from organisations around the county. Small groups see these updates as a useful way to raise awareness of their work too. Peer support has been a particular focus during the year with groups beinE set up to help and encourage people who share similar experiences, offering mutual understanding, empathy, and
practica I support outside of traditional professional services. This project creates links with community organisations which grow stron8er each year with con5iStency, regular meetings and chances to dlscuss gaps In provision in increasing detail. d) Wellbeing Funded through the National Lottery Community Fund and the Shropshire Wellbeing and Independence Partnership, our wellbeing and befriending offerings are designed to reduce loneliness and isolation wlthln our local communlty and encourage independence amongst our members. Tuesday & Thursday Social Groups We run two regular social groups that meet every Tuesday and Thursday, wlth members signing up in advance to Joln these groups. The sessions have been well attended durlng the past year and we have seen interest In these groups remain high. For some of our more Isolated members, these sessions can be the only chance they will get to chat and socialise and therefore it is important to us to offer a friendly and open environment for all. Due to accessible transport being a challenge in the local area, we have continued to worl< closely with our transport colleague to support the running of these sessions. Some of the recent activities have included of the year- Day trip on the narrowboats along the canal in Welshpool Trip to the Cambrlan Herltage Railway Summer Picnic & Games Seated Dance Barclay5 Bank- Scam Awareness An introduction to reflexology Hectorfs Greyhound Rescue Midlands Air Ambulance Local crime author- Dave Andrews Games sessions with a local boardgame expert Information session5 from Marches Energy, Oswestry Library & Sight Loss Shropshire Thursday Lunch Club During the summer of 2024, we launched a weekly lunch club in partnership wSth OsNosh, a local food provider whose aim is to create sustainable meals within the local community. The club runs every Thursday and we have had a regular attendance of around 25 to 30 people each week with our members enjoying a two-course, home cooked meal with refreshment5. In additlon, there is access to a shared produce table where people are able to take donated items from local food suppliers to use at home. The lunch club runs directly after one of our social group sessions meaning that members are able to easily access this service and we continue to market this to the wider public too. Befriending Group We have regularly organised smaller befriendinB group sessions for those members who may struggle with confidence and could find our larger groups overwhelming. The idea of these sessions is for individuals to meet in a smaller group to connett with others and we usually invite between 4 and 8 people to each session with the coordinator using this time'to facilitate conversations between the members. We often receive referrals for local people who are experiencing isolation and loneliness and therefore we use this group to introduce people to our services With the view that they will then progress to our larger Social group or lunch club. On occasion, we have invited established soclal group members along to these se55ions so they can get to know these individuals and provide some peer support should they wish to try out the weekly social groups.
Iv. Telephone Befrlendlng We offer a telephone befriending service for people who may find it difficult to leave their home and through this offering, we are able to provide a weekly call with one of our trusted volunteers. We have made several successful matches in recent months and we are pleased to be able to offer thls service to those members whose circumstances have changed which has resulted in them no longer being able to attend our in-person groups. The project lead continues to work closely with our volunteer coordlnator to ensure that the process is stralghtforward for both the recipient and volunteer, and matches are made based on slmilar interests and hobbies when possible. Newsletter A quarterly newsletter wlth information about local activities and events, as well as recipes, quizzes and puzzles is handed out to our group members and posted to the homes of people using our other wellbeing services. Wellbeing Support A significant aspect of the coordinator role are the wellbeing phone calls that they undertake every week. Our aim is to make regular contact with all members, in partlcular those who are unable to attend our in-person services due to poor health or mobility issues. We also regularly communicate with family members and support workers (where appropriate and with consent) as this helps to ensure that the information and support is effectively communicated. In addition to this, we celebrate all members blrthdays elther by sendlng a card to their home address or arranging a cake at the weekly groups. We also send cards to any of our members who are unwell or in hospital. vii. Home Vlslts Our coordinators will organise home or hospital visits as and when is appropriate and this year, we have continued to support members who have had periods of poor health as well as those who have suffered a bereavement by organising regular vlsits. As part of the National Community Lottery funding, we have launched- vill. My Money Matters We partnered with the Shropshire Citizens Advice in 2023 to have one of their trained advisors offering free and impartlal advice to the local community, in and around Oswestry. The advisor holds weekly sessions at Oswestry Community Action (Qubel and people are able to self-refer for financial advice and support via face-to-face appointments or over the telephone. There has been a pause in this servlce slnce January due to the previous advisor leaving their role, however, since the Service restarted in July, we have received over 40 requests for appointment's. Ex. Nordic Walking We have continued our Nordlc walking sessions over the past 12 months and have been able to run three courses, each of which comprised of 8 weekly sessions. The activity is led by a local Nordic walking professional with the support of a Oswestry Community Action (Qubel volunteer, and we provided the poles for members to use. We have 10 places on each course with spaces being free of charge and we have seen demand for these places continue to grow. The group enjoy a warm drink together at a local
coffee shop after each session and thls provides the group the opportunity to create friendships and connections with one another. Mental Health support The Mental Health VCS Support Project was designed to enhance the capacity of the volunteer and community sector in Shropshire to Identify, manage, and respond to mental health challenges. A key component of the project was the strong collaboration with the Shropshlre Mental Health Forum, a partnership that will continue beyond the completion of the project to ensure sustained impact. During the project: 16 training sesslons were dellvered, focusing on early identification of trauma, burnout, and stre55, as well as equipping staff, volunteers, and community members wlth strategies to support mental health and prevent suicide. 229 delegate5 succe55fully attended, demonstrating strong engagement across the sector. In addition, six Trauma Risk Management ITRIMI sesslons were facilitated, offering targeted support to volunteers and staff who had experienced or managed traumatic situations. This initiative has significantly s'trengthened local networks, improved awareness, and developed practical skills to support mental health resllience across Shropshire's community and voluntary sector. xi. Partnership with Designs in Mind lor Suicide Prevention in Men In Shropshlre We have been working in partnership wlth Designs in Mind to address the critical issue of suicide prevention among men in Shropshire. This collaboration almed to provide practical support within community settings, reduce stigma around mental health, and improve access to resources for those at risk. We are recrulting 10 Mental Health Community Champions to support De5ign5 in Mind sessions and to raise awareness in the local communities. Among them are individuals from minority ethnic groups and Armed Forces veterans, bringing valuable lived experience to the project. "rhis partnership between Oswestry Community Acticn lQube) and Designs in Mind demonstrates the effectiveness of community-driven approaches to suicide prevention. By recruiting and empowering local champions, the project has created a sustainable network of mental health advocates who continue to raise awareness and offer support across Shropshire. xil. Energy Savlng Project- North Shropshlre In February 2025, Oswestry Community Action launched an Energy Saving Project in North Shropshire in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust. The project aims to provide residents with practical advice and support on reducing energy consumption, lowering bills. and promoting sustainable living practices. Although the project is still in its early stages, we have made encouraging progress toward our targets. To date, the team has: Attended three events, including Community Connectors meetings. Provided energy-saving advice to DWP service users, helping them adopt simple measures that can make a real difference at home.
The project contlnues to build strong community connections and raise awareness about energy efficiency across the region. Further outreach activities, volunteer engagement, and informatlon sessions are planned in the coming months to expand our reach and impact. Blood pressure project The Blood Pressure Project, launched officially in August 2023. The aim is to bring blood pressure testin8 in the community to marginalised 8roups who face barriers to engaging with primary care services {lan8uage, rurality, economic deprivation among others). In the second year, the target demographic was extended to encompass Incluslon groups such as: military veterans; refugees. people with learning difficulties and Autism. sex workers,. People living with substance abuse; rough sleepers; travelling communlty; domestic abuse victims; and physically disabled people. It Is our most recent objective to forge links with organisatioris currently engaging with these groups where the specialised skill-set needed to approach a conversation about health with these groups are already in place. We have worl<ed with refugees at The Zone in Market Drayton and the RES team who health check rough sleeper5 around the county. It is noted by Mike Parry at Shropshire Council, that reaching the current inclusion groups is more difficult in Shropshire than in Te5ford & Wrelcin because it is not an urban location. We continue to recrui't volunteer blood pressure champions from various communities around Shropshire to meet the requirements of a countywide project. To date, over 60 people have been trained. At present, there are between 30 and 45 regular popups held each month In a range of locations in market towns and small villages in all 5 PCNS around Shropshire. New venues are constantly sought and the core team are very involved in actively seeking out new opportunities in their local areas and forging good links with the community, We are working with Shropshire Council to help establish the Community & Family Hubs in the five market t'owns and in Ludlow have trained staff at the hub there, Footfall, at POPUPS generally, can be low due to several factors (time of day, very rural locations, trying not to test the same people every time). The volunteers and the operational group members acknowledge this challenge and still think that the project makes a significant difference in these communities. When a member of the public is identified as having a high blood pressure reading (over 140/90), the volunteer signposts them for further monitoring at their GP surgery and we have also Introduced a new pathway, Signposting to community pharmacles for ambulatory monitoring. The relationship with community pharmacies has been challenging, but the volunteers are reporting that they have started to be recognised as credible by the pharmacy staff and are improving the relationship. The project branding, designed by Oswestry Community Action lQube} at the start, has facilitated this and is helping to make the project visible and well-known In the communities it serves. Retention of volunteers is a priority ft)r the coordinator. The current cohort of volunteers mostly come from a medical background and so have a vested interest in the succe55 of the project. A bi-monthly newsletter, a WhatsApp group and coffee-catch ups (ln person and virtuall are a means to draw the
volunteers together as a team and aid retention. Reasons for leaving the project are largely personal and positive feedback has been given by volunteers who have stepped down. Public perception of the project contlnues to be very posltive and volunteers are engaging in conversations Making Every Conversation Count and are able to use thelr local knowledge and the trust they have built to sign-post onto other services, like smoking cessatlon. Volunteers find this rewarding and motivating. Over 1,500 BPS have now been taken. Around 20% of these are in the hlgh range and are signposted for further medlcal Intervention. xlv. Cancer Champlons The Cancer Champion project has continued to grow and develop this year. The number of people who have attended Cancer Champion awareness sessions has now increased to 497 and is expected to reach 500 at the beginning of September 2025. 313 of these have attended training in Shropshire, This year, as the number of Champions has increased, a larger proportion of time has been dedicated to providing ongolng support to Cancer Champions. Thls has been achieved in a number of different ways. There have been Coffee Catch ups organised in various locations across Shropshire includlng Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow. Cancer Champions in Ludlow now meet on a more regular basis in the south of the county to make a real difference In their area. The catch ups provide a perfect opportunity for Champions to share news ideas, resources and keep up to date with project developments. A mont'hly newsletter has been designed and distributed to all Cancer Champlons sharing the latest news, research studies and project updates. Cancer Champion5 are also able to contact each other through a WhatsApp group. The Cancer Champion project focuses on reaching people who experience health inequalities and looks at ways to make a real difference to these groups of people and supporting organisations. This year in Shropshire there has been a particula r focus on prisoners, adults with learning d isabilities a nd the farming communttv, All new Health and Wellbeing Champions at HMP Stoke Heath have attended Cancer Champion training sessions with regular catch ups organised with the priscner5 to support them in their role. In order to provide ad ults with learriing disabilities the support they need in spotting early signs and symptoms of cancer and to best support them with cancer screening, we began a consultation process with staff and families a't Working Together Ludlow, and the Breast and Bowel Screening Health 5mprovement Practitioners at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. We have designed a series of workshops to begin this year and then to be rolled out across other organisations worl<ing with adults with learning disa bilities and health conditions in Shrop5hire. We have also provided Cancer Champion training for the Shropshire Rural Support volunteers who provide vital support for the farming community with information on early signs and symptoms of cancer and cancer screening being made available at all livestock markets across Shropshire. d) Art Oswestry Community Action (Qubel is a diverse and contemporary art venue in our community. Our ongoing goal is to provide a warm and nurturing creative space which can be enjoyed by everyone. The main ways that we do this are; offering a gallery space with regularly changing exhibition5, courses and workshops led by talented artists, art events, and community projects. Our exhibltion programme showcases worl< from some of the best local artists, as well as offering a space for emerging artists. We provide opportunities tc artists and encourage their development- through exhibitions, selling in our cabinets, or sharing their skllls in workshops. We also work with other institutions in the community to
provide projects- a particular focus has been engaging youn8 people to ensure the future of Oswestry Community Action (Qube) and art in the local area. Exhlbltlons The programme of exhibitions at Oswestry Community Action (Qubel showcase work from local and national artists, both established and emerging, as well as community exhibitions and the results of projett work. The aim for our exhibition space is to show high quality, contemporary work in our rural town, allowlng loral people access to the types of art that they might not typically see. It is part of our ongoing arts strategy that we introduce different materials and media to the gallery, beyond the hlstorical trend for 2d palntin8 and photography. We are also actlvely supportlng women artists, people of colour, members of. the LGBTQ+ community and people wlth disabilities as a way for groups who are generally underrepresented in the arts to be seen more widely. In total there were seven exhibltions in 2024125, with work by over 100 artists. We started the year with a solo exhibition from the 2023 People's Choice Open winner Nlchola Ethelston. We then moved onto the 2024 Arts Open, the theme was"5how Your Colours" and the exhibition featured forty artists and just under eighty artwork5. We ran our second "One Gallery, Four Exhibitions", where the gallery space was split between five artlsts. Each artist rented a wall in the gallery (two shared a space). The idea behind this exhibition is that It is a perfect opportunity for up-coming artists to share their work, or established artists to show new collections at a reasonable price, The artists were encouraged to sell work during the exhibition. The exhibition was very successful and will be part of the annual programme again in the autumn of 2025. In collabora'tion with the Social Prescribing team, we ran a group exhibition in the Autumn, with submissions from the Wildlife Trust, Designs in Mind, Get Out Get Arty, and around fifteen artists. The purpose of ihe exhibition was to demonstrate the importance of art and creativity to both physical and mental health and wellbeing, and for the benefit of our Social Prescribing team, we offered VTSltors the opportunity to express their opinions in the form of post-it notes. The Christmas gift exhibition featured work from twenty-five artists, some that we had exhibited before but lots of new artists thanks to a successful uptake of our marketing on social media. The offering wa5 very varied and we felt that there was 'something for everyone,. The jewel of the 2024125 exhibition programme was"Archipelagogo" an exhibition by Wrexham-based artists Louise Evans (Felt Mistress) and Jonathan Edwards. Their worl(, commissioned by the Finnish Institute of London and inspired by Moomin creator Tove Jansson, gave us an exhibition of soft sculpture and illustration which we were able to use successfully to promote the gallery in the press, including on Radio Shropshire. We had high visitor numbers, good soclal media interaction, and tied In events, competitions, workshops, school visits and a display of the worl< by young people inspired by the exhibitlon. The artists have given us positive feedback and are keen to work with us again in the future. We rounded out the year with an exhibition from two local artists that make up The Landing Project called 'Yhe Fields" an Arts Council funded project ft)cussed on farming, ecology, sustainability and art. This featured a 'pod' made from raw wool that could be entered, with an interactive soundscape. We uti11sed the wall in our warm space for a photography exhibition from LGBT group SAND (Safe Aging, No Discrimination) during Oswestry Pride. The Wave Project featured photographs of older members of
the community sharing their experiences of being gay in Shropshire. As always, artists are encouraged to sell their work during exhibitions, or use the available cabinet space/browser racks, helping us to bring additional value to the exhibitions. Cabinets and sales Oswestry Communlty Action (Qubel continues to have a dedicated Space used all year round by local artists and craft-mal<ers to sell their work. The work in the cabinets is carefully ch05eni prloritlslng quality but also considerlng varied price points. The commisslon rates for exhibltion sales remained at 25% (plus VAT on that commission). In April we provided cabinet space In the gallery to local Ukrainian refugees, marklng the second anniversary of the invasion. We exhlblted some of their traditional beadwork and textiles, and gave the artists the opportunity to thank the people of Oswestry for making them welcome. They also ran free drop-in workshops which were well attended. In May we started offering one of our cablnets as a rentable exhibition/selling opportunlty, Thls led to the exhibition of ceramics, textile and needle felt over a three-month period. In December we introduced a Youth Cabinet, in conjunction with SYA, Oswestry Youth Forum and Oswe5try Town Councll. The Council have paid for the use of the cabinet over twelve months, providing an opport'unity for young people to sell their artwork arid crafts, and get a taste of running a small business. Workshops. Courses and Projects Over the year there were approximately 30 individual courses/workshops at Oswestry Community Action (Qube). This included our two regular Art History blocks (eight sessions each) all completely sold out with a regular core of attendees of approximately 65 per week. We have arranged to run gallery trips starting in the summer of 2025 and a social art group "Let's Talk About Arv, as additional elements of our art history offering, Our ongoing weekly Paintable groups have continued with artist Joseph Schneider, as well as U3A and social art groups. Our life drawing session5 take place monthly dependant on numbers. As in previous years, the focus has mainly been on one-off worl(shops, as attempts at longer courses have generally been unsuccessful-feedback has been that the cost of living prevents up-front booking fees. In line with our evolving strategy for exhibitions we have varied the offering of workshops to include textiles, ceramics, wellbeing and guided art workshops for professionals in education, all of which have proved popular. We hosted a ceramic portrait sculpture session {wil'h live model) and local artist George Trigg5, the winner of our 2024 Arts Open, which was fully booked. We have had some success with several longer courses through funded projects for young people. This included our "Get Crafty with Words. literacy project, where ouryoung artists created characters, illustrated and wrote stories over six months culminating in an event at Booka bookshop where our budding authors read their stories out-loud to Eathered friends and family. We also branched out beyond Oswestry Community Action (Qubel into local schools for a project tied in wlth Oswestry In Bloom, visiting several groups to make work inspired by nature, includlng a digltal element where groups of young people used iPad's to take photographs of the local surroundings to inspire or incorporate into their artwork. We hosted a colouring competition and held an exhibition on our balcony gallery space, and hosted an art workshop on Oswestry's"Green Day We took Oswestry Communlty Action lQubel Arts beyond Oswestry to Market Drayton and Wem for
our Vibrant Shropshlre "Get Arty wlth Nature" proJect, led by local art15t Nichola Ethelston. Wem was fully booked with people from all ages and backgrounds, and we are hoping that this group will continue, albeit with a small booking fee. We worked wlth the Cultural Consortium ART-efact project in summer 2024 to host two art15ts In residence, running free workshop5 On collage/fold out bool(s and radio production, whlch were well attended. As part of the Love 05we.stry Festival {run by the cultural consortium) we were able to provide funded workshop with Louise Evans (Felt Mistress) making felt monsters which was very popular- Louise has kindly given us access to her templates and artwork to allow us to run these sessions agaln In the future. Our Sketchbook Club for young people continues to be popular, wlth every session fully booked. The increase in confidence of our regular attendees is very pleasing! We have had several sessions taking place in the gallery, as well as vlsits from school groups, giving the young people the opportunity to draw from life and Interact wlth the artists themselves, Our funding from the Rotary Club of 05westry saw us through to July, this allowed us to invite six local artists to run workshops at our Sketchbook Club and was a huge success, with every session fully booked. As part of the grant application, we also held an exhibitlon of the worl< produced on our balcony gallery, a source of pride for our young art15ts1 We havp been working with Shropshire Council and SYA to provide free school holiday workshops for young people aged 11-16, which have continued to be well attended. We have offered a variety of workshops, including drawing in the Anime style, artist inspired Zlne Maklng, Halloween themed crafts, nature collage and textiles. During the first ever Oswestry Pride we invited three artists from the LGBTQ4. community to run workshops for us, including learning to use a drop-spindle (yarn spinning), poetry and knitting. While these worl(shops were sadly under attended, we still feel it is important to offer opportunities to members of the community and will do so again in the future. Iv. On-golng strategy for Oswestry Community Action (Qubel Arts The direction of progress of Qube Arts is positive, there are now solid foundations for future-proofing the art department in terms of numbers of people accessing our offering, particularly our youth provision. It has been a priority to diversify our offering and provide something different to the people of Oswestry and beyond. While the financial situation of Qube Arts has improved, there is still work to be done. Grants a5 a source of income have been very useful, allowing us to offer the quality of courses that we aspire to without the heavy cost to our customers, taking into consideration the general cost of living issues. e) Learning Digital skills programme This year, Oswestry Community Action lQube) has continued to deliver digital skills support in partnership with Shropshire County Council, helping local residents build confidence online. The programme is open to anyone over the age of 18 who feels digitally excluded, but the main demographic we see are people aged 60 and above. In total, 14 learners successfully completed the programme this year. While this number is lower than last year, the project remains an important lifeline for those who do attend. Attendance has been noticeably affected by seasonal factors: during the summer months many of our learners take on caring responsibllitles for grandchildren, whlle in the winter we see more cancellations due to poor weather a nd health challenge5.
Despite these challenges, those who have taken part have made meanlngful progress. Learners have galned confidence in using smartphones, tablets, and computers for everyday needs such as online shopping, booking GP appointments, and staying in touch with family. For many, these small steps towards digital independence make a significant dlfference to their daily lives. '1 recently completed the digital skills programme at the Qube in Oswestry which was held by Blllle Morris. I found the course enormously helpful in not only Improving my digital ski115 but also in giving me the confidence to use different types of media." 'Billie was an excellent teacher, being enormously patient and very clea r in her instruction whllst at the same time making the lessons stimulatln8 and fun. She helped me learn my way around the functions of my computer, teaching me how to make the most of Word and to arrange my files in the appropriate way. She helped me to better organise my emails, download Apps, rearrange photographs, and transfer them between phone and laptop. Most importantly she explained the ways to protect my cyber security to avoid being scammed. I cannot recommend the course hi8hly enough and my only regret is that it was fcr such a limited time. The project continues to demonstrate that even when numbers fluctuate, the individual Impact is both imniediate and long-lasting. For many of our learners most commonly in thelr 60s, 70s, and 805 gaining digital skills not only reduces isolation but also supports independence, resilience, and confidence in an increasingly online world. 3. OSWESTRY COMMUNITY AcfioN (QUBE)'S STRATEGIC WORK Oswestry Community Action, trading as Qube in its rDle as a community anchor organisation continues to be a brldge between the voluntary sector and the public sector and during 2024/25 represented the sector at the Shropshire Voluntary Sector Assembly, the Shropshire Infrastructure Parlnership, The Community Transport Consortium, Social Prescribing and the Shropshire Cultural Consortium. Qube considers it important that we are able to use our experience of working with our communities to represent them at a strategic level and influence policy for future development. 4. FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves Policy General Reserve The Trustees a re aware of their responsibilitles to the beneficiaries of the services and the needs of the community and therefore aim for unrestricted (Generall reserves which equate to 3 months of all seNice expenditure, to enable the maintenance of servlces when grants are dlfficult to obtain. This requires £167,000 in unrestricted reserves based on the 2025 Budget. The total of all unrestricted reserves is £173,000, Deslgnated Reserves Vehicle Replacement Reserve This reserve is earmarked for the funds to replace the minibuses at the end of their useful Ilves. OCA was successful in obtalnlng a grant from Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations to purchase an electric
minibus; replacing an older minibus. This enables the funds In the deslgnated fund to be transferred back tothe General Fund. Development Reserve This fund is to enable the charity to pursue fundin8 opportunities that require some match funding or other support. Restrlcted Reserves In addition to the General Reserve, there are a number of Restricted Reserves where funding has been provided to Qswestry Community Action IOCAI for specific purposes. This policy outlines each of those Reserves. Arts Fund/Re5erve OCA receives speclfic funding for arts based activities and these are credlted to the Arts Fund. Property Fund/Reserve OCA received a substantial grant towards the provislon and adaptatlon of a property that would be suitable for OCA to provide its services, especially an arts Eallery and rooms for arts workshops. This Fund/Reserve exists to enable the charlty to have premises from which to provide sewices. Soclal Presc.ribing Fund/Reserve OCA receives Specific funding from Shropshire Council to provide this service. The funds are credited to a separate Fund/Reserve. Transport FundlReserve OCA receives specific funding from Shropshire Council to provide the Community Cars service. This funding can only be used for this service and is maintained in a separate Transport Fund/Reserve. Volunteerlng Fund/Reserve OCA receives specific funding from Community Resource for this service and the funds are credited to a specific Fund/Reserve. Wellbeing Fund/Reserve OCA received a substantial grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support the wellbeing and befriending services. These funds are credited to a separate Fund/Reserve. Significant events Pressure on budgets have presented challenges for Oswestry Community Action lQubelduring the year. The services provided by Qube are essential, however, operational costs have increased with little or no rise in funding and grants are more competitive to secure, This has introduced greater financial demands and in response Qube has focused on effectively managing expenditure whilst maximising opportunities to generate income. Looklng to the Future
Oswestry Community Action (Qubele Is determined to ensure that It continues to support those most In need and make a positive difference to people's lives. The Trustees, staff and volunteers are all commltted to helping Qube thrive and evolve, Thls report has been prepared having taken advantage of the small Companies exemption In the Companles Act 2006. Slgned on behalf of the Board Mrs H Noble, Chalr
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of Oswestry Communlty Actlon I report to the charity trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025 Set out on pages 21-34. Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity trustees of the Company land also its the directors for the purposes of company lawl vou are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (The 2006 Act'l. 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 my examination of your Company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {'the 2011 ACV). In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the 2011 Act. Independent examlnerfs statement Since the Compan¢s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertal(e the examlnation because l am a member of the Assoclatlon of Chartered Certified Accountants, whlch is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination; I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. l. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2.The accounts do not accord with those records; or 3.The accounts do not complywith the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirements that the accounts give a 'true and fairview, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination,. Dr 4.The accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the statement of Recommended Prclctice 2019 for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard a pplicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)J I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shou5d be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, James Denton The Association of Chartered CerLified Accountants Mike Griffiths & Partners Ltd The Yew Tree Inn, High Street, Gresford,Wrexham, LL12 8RF
Oswestry Communlty Actlon Statement of Financial Activitles (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure kcount) For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 31.03.25 31.03.24 Total Total funds funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incomlng resources from generated funds Voluntary income Investment income 151,409 10,693 152,102 7,164 158,573 10,693 7,164 169,266 29,117 4,969 34,086 Incomlng resources from charitable actlvltles Art Wellbeing Services (Formerly Care) Transport & Shopmobllity Volunteering Shopmobility (Now with Transport) Core Qube Big Loca I Qube Learning 6QO 17,931 18,531 35,360 364,826 364,826 495,666 138,122 139,703 134,491 24,637 24,637 34,662 1,581 20,925 20,925 17,666 5,305 23,106 545,516 568,622 723,150 Total Incomlng resources 185,208 552,680 737,888 757,236 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable actlvltles Art Wellbeing Services (Formerly Care} Transport & Shopmobility Volunteering Shopmobility {now with Transport) Core Qube 8,371 50,121 53,714 36,388 378,614 135,444 37,525 44,759 42,788 428,735 317,872 189,158 152,318 37,525 37,525 94,400 Qube Learning 4,875 112,206 587,971 700,177 649,778 Governance costs 3,809 3.809 13,644 Total resources expended 112,206 591,780 703.986 663,422 NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 73,002 139,100) 33,902 93,814
RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 124,329 305,481 429,810 335,996 Transfers of funds {25,0221 25,022 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 172,308 291,404 463,712 429,810
Oswestry Comrnunlty Actlon Balance Sheet At 31 March 2025 31.3.25 Total funds 31.3.24 Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tanglble assets 1,634 66,244 67,878 52,298 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Debtors Cash at Bank 300 13,682 172,975 186,957 300 57,467 380,357 438,124 300 127,152 294,217 421,669 43,785 207,382 251,167 CREDITORS Amountsfalllng due within one year 116,2831 (26,0071 (42,2901 144,1571 NEf CURRENT ASSErs 170,674 225,160 395,834 377,512 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 172,308 291,404 463,712 429,810 NEf ASSETS 172,308 291,404 463,712 429,810 FUNDS Unrestrictpd funds Restricted f unds 172,308 291,404 124,329 305,4.81 'roTAL FUNDS 463,712 429,810
Oswestry Community Action Balance Sheet - continued At 31 March 2025 For the year ending 31 March 2025 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibilities: l. The members have not required the Company to obtaln an audit of its accoun'ts for the year in question in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. 2. The dlrectors acknowledge thelr responsibilitie5 for complying with the requirements of the Act wlth respect to accountinE records and the preparation of accounts. th The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 17 November 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: Mrs H Noble- Chair ,.rfIL£IIS Registered Company Number: 03390138
Oswestry Community Action Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Reconcillation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operatlng actlvltles Net movements in funds Add back net dèpreciation charge 33,902 26,019 93,814 47,367 Loss on sale of Assets Deduct Investment income shown in investing activities Decrease {increasel in debtors Increase (decrease) in creditor5 110,693) 69,686 11,867) (4,969) 142,012) (141,747) Cash used In operatlng actlvities 117,047 {47,547) Cash flows from investing activities Investment income 10,693 4,969 Purchase of tangible fixed assets 141,600) Dispo.sals of tanglble fixed assets Cash provlded by (used In) Investlng actlvltles (30,907) 4,969 increase (decrease) in cash and cash equlvalents in the year 86,140 142,5781 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 294,217 336,795 Total cash and cash equlvalents at the end of the year 380,357 294,217 Cash flows 01-Apr-24 31-Mar-25 Analysis of changes in Net Debt Cash and cash equivalents 294,217 86,140 380,357
Oswestry Communlty Action Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Accounting The flnanclal statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charlty's governing document, the Companies Att 2006 and "Accountlng and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practlce 2019 applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS102)" (as amended for accounting periods commencing from l January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The accounts are prepared in sterlin8, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair va lue. The principal accounting policie5 adopted are set out below. Incoming resources All incom ing resources are included on the Statement of Financia5 Activities when the charity is lega Ily entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Resources expended Expenditure is accounted for on accruals basis and has been classified under headings that have aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activitie5 on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Allocation and apportionment of costs Wages not directly allocated to an activity are apportioned pro rata between unrestricted and restricted funds based on fund Income. thls method of allocation also applies to unallocated vehicle running expenses and volunteer expenses, Tangible flxed assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Land and buildings Plant and machinery, etc - 4Yo on cost 2510 on cost and 25% on reducing balance Stocks Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. Taxatron The charity Is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. Hire purchase and leaslng commitments Rentals paid under operational leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. Pension costs and other post-retirement beneflts 05westry Community Action operates a defined contribution pension scheme through The Peoples Penslon for Its staff. The pens5on charge In the accounts represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year. 2. INVESTMENT INCOME 31.3.25 31.3.24 Deposit account interest 10,693 10,693 4,969 4,969 3. NET INCOMING/{OUTGOING) RESOURCES Net resources are stated after charging/lcrediting)'. 31.3.25 31.3.24 Depreciatlon- owned assets Governance- Assurance services Governance- Independent examination 26,019 1,909 1,900 29,828 47,367 11,744 1,900 61,011 4. TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
- STAFF COSTS 31.3.25 31.3.24 Wages and salaries Ilncl. Employers N.11 Social Security costs Other pension costs 354,234 16,276 4,940 375,450 324,154 17,072 5,567 346,793 The average monthly number of full time employees durlng the year was as follows 31.3.25 31.3.24 Qube Art Qube Wellbeing Qube Volunteerlng Qube Transport Qube Administration Qube Learning 14.0 13.0 No employee5 received emoluments in excess of £60,000, Key personnel remuneration in the year amounted to E45,000. Trustees, expenses totalling £185.19 were paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 and £34.40 expenses for the year ended 31 March 2024. 6.TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Land and Bulldlngs Plant and Machinery including Vehlcles Unrestrlcted Totals Unrestricted Restricted Restrlcted Unrestrlrted Restrlcted COST At l April 2024 Additions Disposals 508,424 57,262 233,947 41,600 57,261 742,371 41,600 At 31 March 2025 508,424 57,262 275,547 57,261 783,971 DEPRECIATION At l April 2024 Charge for year on disposals 475,785 54,645 216,905 54,645 692,690 20,335 982 4,702 982 25,037 At 31 March 2025 496,120 55,627 221,607 55,627 717,727 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 12,304 1,634 53,940 1,634 66,244 At 31 March 2024 32,639 2,617 17,042 2,617 49,681
Land and Bulldlngs. The lease on the current bullding ends August 2026. The depreciation charge will reduce the NBV to nil at this point.
Oswestry Community Action Note5 to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.3.25 31.3.24 Trade Debtors Other Debtors 50,331 7,135 57,466 112,102 15,050 127,152 The decrease in Debtors relates to grant income we are expecting to receive. 8. CREDITORS. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.3.25 31.3.24 Trade creditors Taxation and soclal securlty Accruals and deferred income 28,850 42,688 13,440 42,290 1,469 44,157
o) o) sy ¢9 rD u) o U) (O (N CJ (N co
ro Q (N Ln ¢Q (D
- MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (CONTINUED} The undesignated general fund represents various type5 of Income received and expended in accordance with the charitable objectives of the charity. The detalls of the various service areas are given in the Report of the Trustees attached to these accounts. The fund balance is for replaLement of information technology equipment and to enable the charity to have a Structured shutdown period should Oswestry Communlty Actlon need to cease operating. The fixed assets of the restricted funds are mainly represented by the leasehold property granted to the charity, value at year end was £12,304 and the motor vehicle5 & Equipment, net book value at year end wa5 £53,940. The balance of restrlcted funds represents the residue of the various grants and donations that enable the charity to continue and that remained unspent as at the year end
- REIATED PARTY TRANSAcfioNS Klm Wootton, Chlef Offlcer Is a Director of the Shropshire Conimunity Transport Consortium which is made up of seven likeminded partners. Contributions of £7,798 were received in the financial yea r.
- DEFERRED INCOME 2025 2024 Total deferred income at start of year 78 154,363 Amounts received in year Amounts credited to statement of financlal actlvities 7,456 (154,2851 Total deferred income at end of year 7,534 78 The deferred income shown in 2025 has been deferred at the year-end in order to reflect the expected future costs to complete the relevant projects. All income received in the year to 31 March 2025 wa5 credited to the 2025 Accounts in line with the Accounting requirements of the Charities SORP.
- GOING CONCERN The Trustees assess the risks identified as presenting the greatest challenges to the charity. These include, but are not limited to increased competition to secure funding, reduced ava ilability of grants, contracts not offered with annual uplifts and the continued inflationary growth across the Ul<
leading to additional costs. A detailed analysls of Income and expenditure Is revlewed by the Board as part of this exercise. The Board receive the annual Budget for review in January and for approval in March. In support, the Board determine resilience and mitigation plans for the strategic r15ks. These measures provide the assurance that the Board can confidently consider the charity a going concern In the medium term. The Board confirms that the charity is viable as a going concern
Oswestry Communlty Actlon Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 31.3.25 31.3.24 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income Donations 10,469 29,117 Investment income Deposit account interest 10,693 10,693 4,969 4,969 Incoming resources from charitable activities Rents recelved Sa le of exhibits Fares Project management Other Income Grants 5,979 16,648 70,587 54,583 306 568,622 716,725 3,634 31,888 69,146 4,380 614,102 723,150 Total incoming resources 737,887 757,236
RESOURCES EXPENDED Charltable actlvltles Wages Pensions Advertising and promotion Exhibitions and events Project costs Subscriptions Volunteer expenses Staff expenses Refreshments Vehicle running costs Professional fees Consultancy Rent, rates and water Insurance Light and heat Telephone Printlng postage and stationery Repalrs and renewals Bank charges Sundry expenses Computer and website Other expenditijre Partner payments Depreciation Bad debt IProfitl/Loss on disposal 370,510 4,940 9,330 24,266 24,900 5,988 12,995 9,499 634 38,068 6,965 16,581 10,773 3,382 15,190 6,436 4,595 9,011 791 2,117 4,525 947 90,058 26,019 1,657 341,226 5,567 2,570 12,048 30,671 5,309 1,603 7,219 1,305 40,534 10,684 30 5,669 2,910 9,698 3,501 3,386 12,977 839 4,954 7,455 47,373 1,836 700,177 649,778 Governance costs Assurance services 1,909 11,744 Independent Examination 1,900 1,900 3,809 13,644 Total resources expended 703,986 663,422