2025-03-01-accounts

The Starting Out Charity Charity Registration Number: 1064064 Registered Address: 5–7 Buck Street, Camden, London, NW1 1BN

Annual Charity Commission Report

Year End 28 February 2025

Charity Purpose

SORP Ref: Para 1.17

The Starting Out Charity (SOC) exists to relieve hardship within communities through the distribution of goods and services via volunteering initiatives delivered under our Kindness Offensive project.

1. To relieve those in need—particularly individuals experiencing homelessness or threatened with homelessness—by providing essential items, helping them access accommodation or workspace, and supporting them in securing employment suited to their needs. We also provide or facilitate emergency accommodation and workspace.

2. To advance the education of such individuals, particularly in arts and crafts, while offering facilities for work, recreation, and leisure activities. This aims to promote social welfare, develop individuals’ mental, physical, and spiritual capacities, and improve their overall quality of life.

3. To support those facing social and economic obstacles by helping establish new businesses, including social enterprises—businesses that prioritise social objectives and reinvest their surpluses to further their mission.

Summary of main activities in relation to those proposed for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts

SORP Ref: Para 1.17 & 1.19

Introduction

Between March 2024 and February 2025, SOC significantly advanced its mission to support people in need—especially those experiencing homelessness or lacking access to safe, productive workspace. We expanded our operational capacity and deepened our commitment to collaborative, community-led solutions.

Partnering with Hasbro UK Ltd, small businesses, and delivery partner Food for All (FFA), we delivered a year-long programme rooted in innovation and community impact.

The Redbridge Charity Hub: A Year of Transformation

SOC secured a 55,000 sq ft facility in Redbridge and transformed it into a vibrant charitable hub. This space enabled multiple high-impact programmes benefiting individuals, families, and emerging businesses.

Key achievements:

• Hosted several concurrent charity-led initiatives under one roof.

• Enabled shared use by third-party organisations through flexible time and space-sharing arrangements.

• Engaged local council members, homeless support groups, migrant organisations, and businesses to identify and serve the community effectively.

“Having a Hub like this here [in Redbridge] is massive for us, our whole community is very blessed.”

• Cllr Pushpita Gupta, Redbridge

“Starting Out is doing some fantastic work utilising space to support the local community; I think it's brilliant.”

• Cllr Nav Kaur Johal, Seven Kings Ward

Education & Skills Development: One-Year Training Programme

In collaboration with Food for All, SOC launched a year-long practical course for individuals affected by homelessness.

● Participants: 5

• Focus areas: Project management, event coordination, logistics, and fundraising.

• Employment outcome: 1 student secured full-time employment.

Case Study: [Name Withheld]

Contributed 20 hours/week coordinating logistics, leading volunteer initiatives, fundraising, and teaching community classes.

“The SOC-FFA course has been a real game-changer for me. Being directly involved in so many practical aspects of third-sector project delivery has leapfrogged me forward. I’m excited about what I can now do with my new skills.”

Community Classes & Engagement

The Hub hosted regular classes, including ESOL, arts & crafts, and yoga.

• Monthly attendance: 12–40 people (variable with highs during school holiday periods)

• Total community hours delivered: 288

Case Study: Yogesh Sharma

“It’s been wonderful to take part in the arts classes and bring my family. It’s a warm and friendly environment. We’re truly grateful.”

Vehicle Maintenance & Refurbishment Training

In partnership with FFA and British Ukrainian Aid (with support from the Mayor of London’s Office), the Hub processed over 300 vehicles for disabled individuals and humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

• Training opportunities: 2 part-time positions for SOC beneficiaries

• Key skills developed:

• Vehicle maintenance and bodywork

• Refurbishment of shells into serviceable vehicles

• Procurement and sourcing experience

Supporting Enterprise: Business Incubation

SOC supported three small businesses by providing:

• 6,000 sq ft of internal space

• 7,000 sq ft of external parking

• No cost for rent, rates, or utilities

Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Achievements and Societal Impact

SORP Ref: Para 1.20

• Transformed a previously unused building into a productive community resource.

• Enabled meaningful personal and professional development for beneficiaries.

• Enhanced local cohesion and engagement through collaborative programming.

• Supported economic development by fostering new business ventures.

• Contributed to global humanitarian efforts.

Financial Review

Review of the charity's financial position at he end of the period:

The Starting Out Charity is solvent and without any debts with adequate funding to deliver initiatives for beneficiaries into 2025.

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves, stating why they held.

Starting Out aims to hold up to £20,000 in reserve to ensure project delivery continuity.

Amount held in reserve

£20,000

Please see the attached accounts for a full breakdown.

In summary: Total receipts £161,361 Cash Funds at year end: £25,733

Looking Ahead

The successes of 2024/25 show the power of combining compassion with strategic collaboration. With this strong foundation, Starting Out will continue to innovate and expand its impact, guided by the belief that everyone deserves a space to thrive .

Structure, Governance & Management

Type of Governing Document : Para 1.25 - Trust Deed

Type of governing document : Para 1.25 Unincorporated

Trustee selection methods : Existing Trustees can appoint new Trustees. There are no new Trustee allocations currently pending.

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name: The Starting Out Charity Other name the charity uses : Harrow Starting Out Charity Registered Numbe r: 1064064

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Anton Roche : Chair Maxine Write-Moore Torsten Ellison

Declarations

The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity trustees

Anton John Fernand Roche

Chair of the Board of Trustees - 13/05/2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FIMt tNGLAND AM) WAikS Th• Startlng Out Charfty Recelpts and payments accounts CC16a jr￿ dai IIWJ24 212￿025 Sectlon A R8colpts and Unr•¥tri¢t•d R•strict•d funds Endowm•nt fund• Total funds List y•ar IM•41 1•4.•41 I￿941 Sub tot•l(Grnss Imyne fi)rAR) A2 AM•t and Inv••lm•nt 8•1••. Sub Tot1 IM•41 Sub tof•l A4 A••t •nd Inv••lm•Nt Pu￿h•••. (••• l•bl• 2•.JlJ 2•.313 18.524 00 Sub totsl .J13 a•.JlJ 19P,174 .lJ4 N•t 0frnc￿P￿PaYMtttsJ . AS Tr*n•f•rs b•tw••n funds A6 Cah fvnd• l••¢ ymr •nd C•¥h lunds y•v an) 24nJ

S•ctlon B Statemenl of assets and Ilabllltl•s at the fvnd• B1 C•¥h lund• CAgh ¥ Prf* Tot•1 c••h fvndj 25.n3 lund• B2 Oth•r mon•t•ry 83 Inv••tm•nt ••••l• B5 U•blllll••

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examlnerfs Report Report to Ihe tru8tMs THE STARTING OUT CHARITY On acwints for thg y•ar ended 2025 Charfty no (If any) 1064064 Sot out on pages 1&2 I repK)rt to Ihe trustees on my examinalion of ihe a¢counls of the above charity Ilhe TnJst-) for the year end Rosponslbllitl•s and Is of report As the charitys trustees, you are resrA)nsible for the preparalion of the accounts in accrKdance wilh the requlrements ol the Charits'es Act 2011 ("the Act-). I report in respect of my examination of Ihe Trust's accounts carried out under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have fdlowed all the appluble Directions given by the Charity Commission Under $8cl*)n 14q5Xbl of thg Acl. Independent tThe tharity's gross In(xxne exceeded £250.0(Kl and l am qualtfied lo •xamlnerfs statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed Lodyll. Del8t8 L l rf nol applicable. I have completed my &x2mination. I confirm that no malerial matters hav8 c(￿e lo my attentTr￿ in cx)nnection with the examination lolher than that disdosed below ") gives me cause lo believe that in, any material the acc￿nting recx)nls were not kept in accordance with secuon 130 of the Charities Act.. ar Ihe accounts did nol accor(I wilh the accounbng records", the accounts did not com￿Y with the appliCa￿e requirements conceming the form and C(￿tent of accounts sel out in the Charilies (Accounts and Reports) Regulat￿nS 2008 other than any requ1￿ment that the accounts give a 'lrue and fairf view vthich is not a matter considered as part of an independent exarninalion. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinati￿ to wh￿h attention should be drawn in this report in order to enab￿ a proper undorstanding of the al￿OUn1$ lo be reached. ' Please delete the in the ￿￿ckel$ rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Dale: 0411112024 Namo: AMANDA T￿0HEy Relevant profosslon41 qualificallonls) or body IER Oct 2018

(If any): Address: 72 HIGH STREET, GREAT MISSENDEN. HP1 OAN Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner nee(is lo highlight material matters of concem {see CC32. Independent examinatson of charity accounts: direclions and guidanc* for examiners). Glve hero brlef detall6 01 any Itams that th• oxamlner wlshes to dl8close. IER Oct 2018