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← Backup North West

2025-03-31-accounts

Company number:03399617 Charity Number: 1064698

BACKUP NORTHWEST

Report and financial statements Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025 For the year ended 2021

Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Contents

Page
Key Organisational Information 1
Annual Report of Trustees 2 – 13
Independent Auditors Report 14 – 17
Statement of Financial Activities 18
Balance Sheet 19
Statement of Cashflows 20
Notes to the Financial Statements 21 - 39

Backup Northwest

Key Organisational Information

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Company number 03399617 Charity number 1064698 Registered office and operational address Bridgeman House, 77 Bridgeman Street, Bolton, BL3 6BY

Charity Trustees and Company Directors (as at 31[st] March 2025)

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 Dr Steve Sharples Chair
 Lisa Tulip (was Charles) Vice Chair
 Joan Wyatt Treasurer
 Paul Pritchard Secretary
 Gail Hounslea
 Ian Bell (resigned 10 October 2024)
 Maggie Bruce
 David Morgan (resigned 10 October 2024)
 Mark Turnbull
 Gabrielle Turton McBride (resigned 1 May 2024)
 Resma Patel (appointed 1 May 2024)
 Tracy Boylin (appointed 10 October 2024)
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Councillor E Mort is a Bolton MBC representative nominated to sit on the Board of Trustees.

No Trustees have held title to property belonging to the charity during the reporting period or at the date of approval.

Current Key Maura Jackson - Chief Executive
Management Personnel Paulette Campbell - Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Hockey - Director of Business (from February 2025)
Laura Pendlebury - Director of Income and Partnerships
Janes Haigh - Director of Services (until January 2025)
Bankers Co-operative Bank plc, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester
Solicitors Aspinall & Co, 15 Wood Street, Bolton
Auditors Barlow Andrews, 78 Chorley New Road, Bolton

1

Backup Northwest

Annual Report of The Board of Trustees

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025. Included within the Trustees’ report is the directors’ report as required by company law.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

The Board of Trustees and Backup colleagues launched the long-term business plan in 2023, reviewed it at the start of 2025 and still have 4 key areas identified as priority.

  1. Place 2. People 3. Partnerships 4. Profile

The overall aim of the organisation remains the same however we see our primary function to support young people. We do this by addressing issues caused by homelessness and work to stop repeat homelessness for young people by intervening and supporting them into a positive alternative. The objects of the charity are to “ relieve poverty and the distress causes thereby, and in particular to provide single young people without settled housing accommodation (“the client group”) with short term accommodation and help educate and counsel such young people.“

The main activities include:-

The new Business Plan 2023-2026 was launched in April 2023 and revised in April 2025.

2

Vision and Values

BACKUP believes no young person should experience homelessness. For the young people that do, we aim to be an outstanding provider of high quality, holistic housing and support services.

Mission statement

BACKUP aims to prevent homelessness among 16-25 year olds by providing supported housing consisting of furnished accommodation and tailored packages of support which include emotional and practical help with all areas of independent living.

Aims

Values

The Trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The Trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the Trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Organisational Governance

Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme was established in 1992 and changed its name to BACKUP Northwest in 2018.

BACKUP is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were signed on 24 June 1997 and the company was incorporated on 7 July 1997. These were amended on 8[th] March 2018 to reflect the new charity name and articles.

3

All the Trustees sit as members of BACKUP Board. Bolton MBC nominates a Trustee to the Board and currently this is Councillor Emily Mort. The Trustees meet every other month plus twice to administer the charity (8 meetings a year). The CEO is appointed by the Board and is responsible for the day to day operation of the charity. In 2015/16 a sub-group was established to support financial matters and reports back to the Board quarterly. 3 board members attend this along with the CEO and Director of Business. In 2023 an additional sub-group for people was established. They meet quarterly.

We recruit new Trustees who live, study or work in Bolton, who share our aims and support the work of the charity. Prospective Trustees go through a formal safer recruitment process and provide references before a formal invitation is made for them to become a Trustee. The prospective trustee attends 3 meetings before formally joining the Board and then this is confirmed at the next AGM. Induction training is available for all new Trustees and other training is available to all Trustees as required. In 2023/24 Trustees completed accredited Health and Safety for Leaders training. 6 Trustees and the CEO also completed accredited Safeguarding for Leaders training. 4 Trustees also attended Trustee training through CVS.

In 2024 it was mandated that all Trustees are to complete a minimum of Level 3 Safeguarding for Leaders, which will be completed in 2025.

The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31/3/25 was 10. The Trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 11 to the accounts.

Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

The Trustees (who are also directors of Backup Northwest for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

4

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

Related Parties

BACKUP has close working relationships with Bolton MBC across various departments. Community Housing Services, Leaving Care Team, Youth Offending Team, Council Tax and Housing Benefits, Commissioners for Adults, Commissioners for Children, Licencing and Events and more. Bolton MBC council nominates an elected member annually as a Trustee to the BACKUP Board.

Backup also works in partnership with Bolton at Home, Irwell Valley Homes, Mosscare St Vincents, Places for People and Onward. We lease properties for our portfolios through those registered providers. In terms of service delivery, we have partnerships spanning all sectors to benefit young people. These include the NHS, specialist domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health and gambling support services. A 32 year track record means we have long established referral protocols with education providers, support services, housing providers and agencies across the region.

Our operation is supported by a number of local and regional individuals, grant givers, trusts, churches and businesses. These include Children in Need, St James Place, Provincial Walsh, Nandos, Carrs Pasties, Tesco and CVS; Bolton Fund. The full lists of funders, sponsors, donors and Guardians are detailed in our annual report.

In order to achieve our aims and objectives we work and collaborate strategically with other partners both locally and nationally. BACKUP are active members of the local Interagency Forum working with local providers of homeless and support services to benefit the organisation and our clients and Bolton CVS. Nationally we are members of Homeless Link Charity. We work alongside and are members of the Institute of Directors, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Foyer Federation.

5

Organisational Structure Board of Trustees Chief Executive Supported Housing comes Loft House Income and Partnerships Fundraising & bid writing Social Enterprise Lucas Project Outreach Project Front Door Redds Place 6 Central Services Business Support

Review of Activities

Our objectives for this year were to

  1. Seek an alternative site to replace Greenbank (Lucas Project and Project Front Door)

  2. Work towards the 4 elements of the Business Plan i.e. Profile, Place, Partnerships and People

  3. Financial stability for ongoing services inc increasing reserves and

  4. Successfully complete Ofsted Registration

  5. Continue to deliver high quality services to young people and to continuously develop as a first class employer.

The young people we support are only defined by age, 16 – 25 years, but no other characteristic other than they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and are in insecure situations or are at risk. In the main the young people require support around domestic abuse, addictions, self-harm, exploitation, neglect, safeguarding, mental ill health, poverty, lack of employment or education and many more.

KEY CHALLENGES

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Some of the main issues colleagues have supported young people with this year have included:-

7

Unemployment, job readiness and mental health (especially hoarding) continue to be growing areas of work for BACKUP.

Services Available

Impact

8

Referrals have decreased slightly, from 441 last year to 399 this year. Given that they were 291 two years ago they’re still very high. We have accommodated 160 of those, an increase from 116 the year before. The waiting list was 130 in May 2024 following the all-time high of 147 in March 2024.

Turnover has improved this year, allowing us to accommodate and move on more young people than the year before. The complexity of issues faced by young people supported by Backup remains as high as the last 2 years. Growing numbers of mental health issues, gender transitions, religious and cultural factors, high risk domestic abuse and sexual exploitation and financial exploitation continue. This means that to support them effectively it takes longer. Addictions, hoarding, poor hygiene and poor standards of living are on the increase and linked to mental health so not quick or easy to resolve but necessary to be able to move on.

We meet our charitable objects by empowering young people, increasing their confidence to live independently and be economically active. To this end we offer a variety of services designed to meet the diverse needs of young homeless people. These are: -

Outcomes

The overall outcomes of work with young people has been amazing and the successes of young people continue to be outstanding and a credit to their resilience and strengths.

Backup increased its successful outcomes rate from 72% last year to 80% this year. The results of being able to offer stable and secure temporary accommodation also enables young people to achieve improved mental health and well being, financial status, job readiness, relationships and reduced abuse and exploitation, debts, ill health, offending and addictions.

In addition to this:

9

Reserves Policy and Risk Management

We ended the year with a surplus of £180,886 (2024: £270,698). This has been transferred into reserves in order to fulfil the organisation’s reserves policy. Our total reserves now amount to £871,817 (2024: £690,931). This comprises £16,399 of restricted funds (2024: £62,063) and £855,418 of unrestricted funds (2024: £628,868). Our free reserves at 31 March 2025, taking into account amounts earmarked for expenditure on projects including renovating, decorating and equipping our new property, Campbell House, stand at just above the target level of £700,000 outlined below.

Please refer to the Reserves Policy document, agreed at Board in January 2025, in full to see a breakdown of winding up parts or all of the charity and what that would cost. This is based on financial commitments and contractual obligations to colleagues, properties leased and services delivered. The policy shows amounts required based on 100% shut down or loss of parts of the organisation. This policy is reviewed annually by the Board in line with the Risk Register. Target free reserves per the 2025 review was £700,000.

The Trustee Board examines the major financial and other risks that face BACKUP each year. The charity has developed systems to monitor and control these risks to mitigate any impact that they may have on the Scheme in the future. Risks are managed and monitored at each Board meeting. There is a risk register which is reviewed annually.

The Trustees are confident that BACKUP as a going concern and have future financial projections of at least 36 months.

10

Financial Review

We received our annual contract income of £481,000 from Bolton MBC, other grants from Big Lottery, Henry Smith, Garfield Weston as well as individual and personal donations and fundraising. This year’s fundraising income has increased as we have grown the team, resulting in almost £93,000 income from fundraising and donations. This includes the financial support from our growing number of Guardians.

A Guardian is a local business or individual who sponsors our organisation for £500 or £1,000 a year to help directly assist young people experiencing crisis and hardship.

The organisation is monitored against a variety of contracts or grants with conditional targets attached. Formal reports are submitted against these either quarterly or annually depending on the funder/commissioner. With the local authority contract, we meet the contract and monitoring officer quarterly to go through the reports. In ALL reports this year we have exceeded contractual targets.

Future Plans

In the next 12 months the aims include:-

There are no plans to change the charity objectives but simply to look at options of providing more of the same outside of Bolton with some extras inside Bolton. The organisation has potential to expand into other Greater Manchester Areas. Move on accommodation is an issue as stock is depleted and demand outweighs demand nationally. Backup plan to explore delivery of its own move on stock.

Remuneration Policy

BACKUP is a living wage employer. We are committed to paying our staff fairly. We had a pay and grade review in 2021 and (re)assessments of all roles were undertaken agreeing skills, knowledge and competencies required for reach role. The entire staff team are paid within a transparent pay scale framework. This framework was completed by an external consultant and discussed and accepted at Board without the CEO being present. There has been no change to this except a cost of living increase.

Front line salaries were reviewed and increased in June 2025.

Linked to this is an appraisal and increment policy.

11

Public Benefit

All our activities are undertaken to further our charitable purpose for the public benefit. We focus on the provision of accommodation and support for single, homeless young people. We provide 106 units of accommodation across the organisation. There are no rigid exclusions: we conduct a risk assessment to ascertain whether the service is best suited to a young person’s needs. There are no fees charged to the recipients of this service.

Fundraising Policy

BACKUP has a fundraising policy which highlights the procedures and approaches we will and won’t take to raise funds. We are registered with the Funding Regulator.

In 2023 we restructured the fundraising team to create a new Director of Income and Partnerships role who oversees income, grants, events and social enterprise. Alongside a fundraising officer they manage charity events, campaigns, promote the charity at corporate events and support other people raising money with literature, marketing products etc. A second fundraising officer is to be recruited in August 2025 to assist with growth and profile raising.

We are GDPR compliant and only communicate our events and fundraising activities to those who have agreed to remain on the circulation lists and we advertise on social media.

Our policy is a non-aggressive approach. We will never outsource fundraising to an external company or use professional fundraisers, street-based collectors or others to approach any members of the public. Our approach also prevents any direct requests for money. The CRM on which our supporters are registered sends out flyers and posters for events and newsletters but never direct appeals for cash.

When planning events, we even consider timing so as not to appear to be asking the same people for sponsorship or support. Those involved with fundraising meet monthly and discuss previous and planned fundraising activity, promotion and marketing. The reputation of the organisation is very important to us so we have opted for a lower number of high quality events and ensure people who support those are valued and appreciated.

We pride ourselves on an ethical and value based approach to fundraising; we do not cold call, we do not ask for repeated donations or support, and every contact we have is on a consensual basis.

We have never received any complaints, only compliments about our approach to fundraising.

12

Auditors

Barlow Andrews LLP were reappointed as the charitable company's auditors during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity (under their new name of AAB next time).

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees’ annual report has been approved by the Trustees on 26 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Joan Wyatt

Treasurer and Trustee

13

Independent Auditor’s Report To The Members of Backup Northwest For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Backup Northwest for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis of opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

14

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Members of Backup Northwest

(Continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities, the trustees (who are also directors of Backup North West for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

15

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Members of Backup Northwest

(Continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities including fraud. Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

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

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

16

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Members of Backup Northwest (Continued)

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

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

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of noncompliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect that those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed.

David Kay FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Barlow Andrews LLP Statutory Auditors Carlyle House, 78 Chorley New Road, Bolton

26 January 2026

17

Backup Northwest

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Income from:
Donations, legacies and
fundraising
3
Charitable activities:
Homeless young people
support
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities:
Homeless young people
support
7
Total expenditure
Net income before losses
on defined benefit pension
scheme
9
Transfers between funds
Actuarial gains on defined
benefit pension scheme
Net movement in funds for
the year
Fund balances brought
forward
Fund balances carried
forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
Restricted
funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Unrestricted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
110,651
-
110,651
136,674
-
136,674
3,410,194
89,000
3,499,194
3,147,058
213,310
3,360,368
1,987
-
1,987
645
-
645
3,522,832
89,000
3,611,832
3,284,377
213,310
3,497,687
45,745
-
45,745
29,216
-
29,216
3,256,005
134,664
3,390,669
2,968,728
205,668
3,174,396
3,301,750
134,664
3,436,414
2,997,944
205,668
3,203,612
221,082
(45,664)
175,418
286,433
7,642
294,075
-
-
-
(1,477)
1,477
-
5,468
-
5,468
(23,377)
-
(23,377)
226,550
(45,664)
180,886
261,579
9,119
270,698
628,868
62,063
690,931
367,289
52,944
420,233
855,418
16,399
871,817
628,868
62,063
690,931

18

Backup Northwest Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Current assets
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
15
Total current assets
Creditors:Amounts falling due within one year
16
Net current assets
Creditors:Amount falling due after more than one year
Net assets excluding defined benefit pension liability
Defined benefit pension liability
17
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
19
Total charity funds		 2025
£
13,885
13,885
341,741
795,922
1,137,663
(228,731)
908,932
-
922,817
(51,000)
871,817
16,399
855,418
871,817		 2024
£
27,889
27,889
515,172
376,138
891,310
(152,268)
739,042
-
766,931
(76,000)
690,931
62,063
628,868
690,931

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.

The financial statements on pages 18 to 39 were approved by the Board of Trustees on 26 January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Joan Wyatt (Trustee)

19

Backup Northwest Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash generated by/(used in) operating activities
22
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Cash used in investing activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		 2025
£
419,960
1,987
(2,163)
(176)
419,784
376,138
795,922		 2024
£
(112,793)
645
(5,802)
(5,157)
(117,950)
494,088
376,138

20

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Policies

Charity information

Backup Northwest is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 7 July 1997 in England and Wales. The registered office is Bridgeman House, 77 Bridgeman Street, Bolton.

a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and the Companies Act 2006.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

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

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

b) Preparation of financial statements on a going concern basis

At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees are not aware of any material uncertainties which could impact the charitable company’s ability to continue. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measure reliably.

Accommodation income is recognised in relation to the period of rent. Income that is invoiced in advance or arrears is apportioned so that only that relating to the period of the financial statements is included within income.

Income from government and other grants, whether capital gains or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income from fundraising activities is recognised once the event has taken place and the monies have been collected.

Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

21

Backup Northwest

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1.

2. Accounting Polices (continued)

e) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

f) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs directly incurred by the charity in the delivery to beneficiaries of its core activities and services, including grants administration. The support costs associated with delivery of these activities and services is also included.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Support costs include those central functions which assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. They are allocated to the activity cost categories on bases consistent with the use of the resources, as set out in note 8.

g) Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity’s programmes and activities. The charity has only one material activity and therefore these costs are not apportioned.

h) Operating leases

Operating leases are leases in which the title to the assets, and the risks and rewards of ownership, remain with the lessor. Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

i) Tangible fixed assets

Individual assets which are expected to last more than 12 months are capitalised and included at cost.

Depreciation is provided to write off each asset over its estimated useful life, taking into account estimated residual value, as follows:

Plant & machinery 33% Straight line Office equipment 33% Straight line Motor vehicles 25% Reducing balance

j) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due.

k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid bank deposits.

22

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Polices (continued)

l) Creditors and provisions

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

Deferred income is income which is included in the year in creditors or has been received into the bank, but which relates to a subsequent period, such as a grant relating specifically to a future period, is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities of that period.

m) Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial liabilities classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

n) Pensions

The Charity participates in the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS); which is a multi-employer scheme, which provides benefits to some 500 non-associated employers. It is run by The Pension Trust (TPT).

The disclosures in the accounts follow the requirements of Section 28 of FRS102 in relation to multi-employer funded schemes in which the Charity has a participating interest.

The schemes are classified as last man standing arrangements. Therefore, each employer is potentially liable for other participating employers’ obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme.

Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity.

23

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Polices (continued)

o) Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charitable company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2. Key Judgements

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3. Income from donations, fundraising and legacies

Donations &
fundraising
Legacies
Total		 Unrestricted
2025
£
Restricted
2025
£
Total
2025
£
Unrestricted
2024
£
Restricted
2024
£
Total
2024
£
92,651
-
92,651
86,674
-
86,674
18,000
-
18,000
50,000
-
50,000
110,651
-
110,651
136,674
-
136,674

24

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

4. Income relating to charitable activities

Homeless young people support:
YPT local authority contract
Big Lottery
Henry Smith
Bolton CVS
St James’ Place Charitable Foundation
The Van
Hays Travel
BBC Children in Need
Garfield Weston
Other grants & contracts
Accommodation income from houses		 Unrestricted
2025
£
Restricted
2025
£
Total
2025
£
Unrestricted
2024
£
Restricted
2024
£
Total
2024
£
481,000
-
481,000
481,000
-
481,000
-
-
-
-
97,360
97,360
60,000
30,000
90,000
-
60,000
60,000

-
25,000
25,000
-
-
-
-
10,000
10,000
-
10,000
10,000
21,380
-
21,380
16,397
-
16,397
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
-
-
9,000
9,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30,000
30,000
20,136
5,000
25,136
23,723
15,950
39,673
2,827,679
-
2,827,679
2,625,938
-
2,625,938
3,410,194
89,000
3,499,194
3,147,058
213,310
3,360,368

25

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

5. Investment income

All of the charity’s investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts.

All investment income is unrestricted.

6. Cost of raising funds

Fundraising costs 2025
£
45,745
45,745		 2024
£
29,216
29,216

All expenditure on raising funds is unrestricted.

26

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Costs
Staff
Travel & subsistence
Training
Recruitment
Rent, rates & insurance
Housing rents & householder fees
Property maintenance
Light & heat
Resettlements/residents costs
Telephone, postage & stationery
Computer & software
Office & sundry
Professional fees
Depreciation
Bank charges
Social investment interest
Bad debts
Governance costs (see note 8)
Support costs (see note 8)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure		 Homeless young
people support
Total
2025
£
£
1,881,357
1,881,357
13,727
13,727
41,236
41,236
13,918
13,918
170,542
170,542
213,499
213,499
124,277
124,277
87,094
87,094
47,239
47,239
25,862
25,862
26,754
26,754
88,639
88,639
28,582
28,582
16,168
16,168
2,444
2,444
-
-
16,862
16,862		 Homeless young
people support
Total
2025
£
£
1,881,357
1,881,357
13,727
13,727
41,236
41,236
13,918
13,918
170,542
170,542
213,499
213,499
124,277
124,277
87,094
87,094
47,239
47,239
25,862
25,862
26,754
26,754
88,639
88,639
28,582
28,582
16,168
16,168
2,444
2,444
-
-
16,862
16,862		 Total
2024
£

1,789,033

3,359

33,863

10,835

157,084

176,894

124,696

87,461

45,949

29,138

30,647

76,812

16,586

27,369

2,575
1,539

88
2,798,200
2,798,200		 2,613,928
89,247
89,247
503,222
503,222		 92,073

468,395
3,174,396
3,390,669
3,390,669
2025
£
134,664
3,256,005
3,390,669		 2024
£
205,668
2,968,728
3,174,396

27

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8. Analysis of governance and support costs

9. Net income for the year
2025
£
2024
£
Net income for the year is stated after charging:
Auditors’ remuneration:
Audit fee
10,910
9,972
Accountancy
3,636
3,324
Depreciation
16,168
27,369
10. Analysis of staff costs, trustee expenses and key management
personnel remuneration
2025
£
2024
£
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
2,096,215
1,989,715
Social security costs
193,694
178,615
Employer pension costs
71,930
63,375
2,361,839
2,231,705
Allocated as follows:
Charitable activities
1,881,357
1,789,033
Support costs
480,482
442,672
2,361,839
2,231,705
Basis of
allocation
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
Staff costs Time spent
480,482
-
442,672
-
Staff support Support
22,740
-
25,723
-
Audit and accountancy fees Governance
-
85,966
-
82,388
Trustee meetings and Governance
AGM costs
-
3,281
-
9,685
503,222
89,247
468,395
92,073
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
480,482
-
442,672
-
22,740
-
25,723
-
-
85,966
-
82,388
-
3,281
-
9,685
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
480,482
-
442,672
-
22,740
-
25,723
-
-
85,966
-
82,388
-
3,281
-
9,685
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
480,482
-
442,672
-
22,740
-
25,723
-
-
85,966
-
82,388
-
3,281
-
9,685
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
480,482
-
442,672
-
22,740
-
25,723
-
-
85,966
-
82,388
-
3,281
-
9,685
Support
2025
£
Governance
2025
£
Support
2024
£
Governance
2024
£
480,482
-
442,672
-
22,740
-
25,723
-
-
85,966
-
82,388
-
3,281
-
9,685
503,222 89,247
468,395
92,073
2025
£
10,910
3,636
16,168
2025
£
2,096,215
193,694
71,930
2,361,839
1,881,357
480,482
2,361,839		 2024
£
9,972
3,324
27,369
2024
£
1,989,715
178,615
63,375
2,231,705
1,789,033
442,672
2,231,705

28

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Staff costs (continued)

One employee received emoluments between £70,001 and £80,000 (2024: 1 between £80,001 and £90,000).

The average number of staff employed during the period was 82 (2024: 81).

The key management personnel of the charity in 2025 comprise the trustees and senior management team. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £301,914 (2024: £289,226).

11. Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions

No trustees were reimbursed for travel or subsistence expenditure during the year (2024: Nil).

Due to the nature of the charity’s transactions, there are numerous transactions with other charities and organisations with which some of the trustees have an association. These are undertaken on an arm’s length basis, which the charity is able to demonstrate.

There have been no donations received from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties.

No trustees or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2024: Nil).

12. Government grants

The government grants recognised in the accounts were as follows:

YPT local authority contract 2025
£
481,000
481,000		 2024
£
481,000
481,000

There are no unfulfilled conditions and contingencies attaching to the grants.

29

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13. Tangible Fixed Assets

gible Fixed Assets
Plant &
Machinery
£
Motor
Vehicles
£
Computer
Equipment
£
Total
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024
114,007
20,274
72,659
206,940
Additions
854
-
1,309
2,163
At 31 March 2025
114,861
20,274
73,968
209,103
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
98,629
15,463
64,959
179,051
Charge for the year
10,432
1,203
4,533
16,168
At 31 March 2025
109,061
16,666
69,492
195,219
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
5,800
3,608
4,476
13,885
At 1 April 2024
15,378
4,811
7,700
27,889
tors
2025
£
2024
£
Trade debtors
234,553
376,747
Prepayments and accrued income
107,188
138,425
341,741
515,172		 Plant &
Machinery
£
Motor
Vehicles
£
Computer
Equipment
£
Total
£
114,007
20,274
72,659
206,940
854
-
1,309
2,163
114,861
20,274
73,968
209,103
98,629
15,463
64,959
10,432
1,203
4,533
179,051

16,168
109,061
16,666
69,492
195,219
5,800
3,608
4,476
13,885
15,378
4,811
7,700
27,889
2025
£
234,553
107,188
341,741		 2024
£
376,747
138,425
515,172

14. Debtors

30

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

15. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand
16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Taxation and social security costs
Pension		 2025
£
795,922
795,922
2025
£
33,796
125,722
51,121
18,092
228,731		 2024
£
376,138
376,138
2024
£
22,350
77,403
40,746
11,769
152,268

Included in other creditors and accruals is deferred income of £55,696 (2024 - £2,300), being the element of income received in the year for expenditure which will occur in a later period.

31

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

17. Pension fund

The charity provides pensions for employees through a scheme classified as a ‘last man standing arrangement’, which is administered by TPT Retirement Solutions. This means that the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers’ obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase withdrawal from the scheme.

The major assumptions used by the actuary were:

or assumptions used by the actuary were:
2025 2024
% p.a. % p.a.
Discount rate 5.90 4.92
Inflation (RPI) 3.06 3.11
Inflation (CPI) 2.80 2.79
Salary growth 3.80 3.79
Allowance for commutation of pension for cash at 75% of 75% of
retirement maximum maximum
allowance allowance

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Defined benefit obligation at start of period
Expenses
Interest expense
Actuarial losses due to scheme experience
Actuarial gains due to changes in demographic assumptions
Actuarial gains due to changes in financial assumptions
Benefits paid and expenses
Defined benefit obligation at end of period		 2025
£
404,000
2,000
20,000
21,000
-
(59,000)
(13,000)
375,000		 2024
£
401,000
2,000
19,000
5,000
(4,000)
(6,000)
(13,000)
404,000

32

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Pension fund (continued)

The fair values of the scheme assets and expected rates of return, the present value of the scheme liabilities and the resulting deficit are:

Global equity
Absolute return
Distressed opportunities
Credit relative value
Alternative risk premia
Liquid alternatives
Emerging markets debt
Risk sharing
Insurance-linked securities
Property
Infrastructure
Real assets
Private debt
Opportunistic illiquid credit
Private credit
Credit
Investment grade credit
Cash
Long lease property
Secured income
Liability driven investment
Currency hedging
Net current assets
Total market value of assets
Present value of scheme liabilities
Defined benefit liability to be recognised		 31 March 2025
31 March 2024
£’000
£’000
36
33
-
13
-
12
-
11
-
10
60
-
-
4
-
19
1
2
16
13
-
33
39
-
-
13
-
13
40
-
12
-
10
-
4
6
-
2
5
10
99
133
1
-
1
1
324
328
(375)
(404)
(51)
(76)

33

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

18. Analysis of movements in restricted funds

Homeless young people support:
Big Lottery
Henry Smith
Duchy of Lancaster benevolent fund
St James Place
Screwfix
Bolton Community Homes
St Martins School Trust
Bolton GP Federation
Bolton’s Fund
Children in Need
Hays Foundation
AXA Community Fund
Bolton MBC
Total restricted funds		 1 April
2024
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
31 March
2025
£
44,759
-
(44,759)
-
-
-
30,000
(30,000)
-
-
1,354
-
(1,354)
-
-
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
4,950
-
-
-
4,950
1,000
-
(1,000)
-
-
10,000
-
(10,000)
-
-
-
2,000
(2,000)
-
-
-
25,000
(23,967)
-
1,033
-
9,000
(7,799)
-
1,201
-
10,000
(3,785)
-
6,215
-
2,000
-
-
2,000
-
1,000
-
-
1,000
62,063
89,000
(134,664)
-
16,399

34

Prior year
Homeless young people support:
Big Lottery
Henry Smith
Sport England
GM Walking Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
Garfield Weston
St James’ Place
Screwfix
Bolton Community Homes
St Martins School Trust
Total restricted funds		 1 April
2023
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
31 March
2024
£
39,658
97,360
(92,259)
-
44,759
-
60,000
(60,000)
-
-
6,286
-
(6,263)
(23)
-
2,000
-
(2,000)
-
-
5,000
-
(5,000)
-
-
-
-
(146)
1,500
1,354
-
30,000
(30,000)
-
-
-
10,000
(10,000)
-
-
-
4,950
-
-
4,950
-
1,000
-
-
1,000
-
10,000
-
-
10,000
52,944
213,310
(205,668)
1,477
62,063

35

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Name of restricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund

Big Lottery Funding towards mental health projects Henry Smith Funding for a Child Sexual Exploitation Worker and Care Leaving Support Worker Sport England Funding towards sport activities for Backup residents GM Walking Fund Funding towards walking projects National Lottery Community Fund Funding for the Positive Activities Project Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund Funding for the Cooking and Eating Together Project Garfield Weston Funding for salary costs on the Chances Project St James’ Place Funding for salary costs on the REDDS Project Screwfix Funding to renovate the communal room at Greenbank Bolton Community Homes Funding to train young people to operate The Van St Martins School Trust Funding for salary costs on the Chances Project Bolton GP Federation Funding for salary costs on the Chances Project Bolton CVS Funding to provide a homelessness prevention service Children in Need Funding for business support to manage referrals Hays Foundation Funding for enhancing Chances Project drop-in sessions AXA Community Fund Funding for Chances Project drop-in sessions Bolton MBC Funding enrichment activities

36

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

19. Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

General fund
Defined benefit pension deficit
Total unrestricted funds
Prior year
General fund
Defined benefit pension deficit
Total unrestricted funds		 1 April
2024
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Actuarial
gain/(loss)
£
Transfers
£
31 March
2025
£
704,868
3,522,832
(3,321,282)
-
-
906,418
(76,000)
-
19,532
5,468
-
(51,000)
628,868
3,522,832
(3,301,750)
5,468
-
855,418
1 April
2023
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Actuarial
gain/(loss)
£
Transfers
£
31 March
2024
£
438,289
3,284,377
(3,016,321)
-
-
704,868
(71,000)
-
18,377
(23,377)
-
(76,000)
367,289
3,284,377
(2,997,944)
(23,377)
-
628,868

37

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

Current year
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets
Defined benefit pension liability
Total funds
Previous year
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets
Defined benefit pension liability
Total funds		 General funds
Restricted funds
Total
£
£
£
13,885
-
13,885
892,533
16,399
908,932
(51,000)
-
(51,000)
855,418
16,399
871,817
General funds
Restricted funds
Total
£
£
£
27,889
-
27,889
676,979
62,063
739,042
(76,000)
-
(76,000)
628,868
62,063
690,931

21. Operating lease commitments

At the financial year end the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between two and five years		 2025
£
63,000
-
63,000		 2024
£
63,000
63,000
126,000

38

Backup Northwest Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

22. Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the year
Depreciation
Defined benefit pension adjustment
Interest from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash (used in)/generated by operating activities		 2025
2024
£
£
180,886
270,698
16,168
27,369
(25,000)
5,000
(1,987)
(645)
173,431
(282,134)
76,462
(133,081)
419,960
(112,793)

23. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Borrowings excluding overdrafts		 1 April 2024
Cash flows
31 March 2025
£
£
£
376,138
419,784
795,922
-
-
-
376,138
419,784
795,922

39