THE AUTUMN CENTRE
Charity Number: 1066579
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2025

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees Annual Report
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the financial statements
Page
1
2-6
7
8
9
10-13

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees
G Scott,
W Bates
M Silk
S Huggins
M Bath
S Wright
© Wagland
Contact Address & clo
Charity Registration Number
Independent Examiner
1 Osbournes Court
Bight pace
Essex
CO7 0EB
The charity is incorporated in England and Wales
1066579
Community360
Winsley's House
High Street
Colchester
Essex, CO1 1UG

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Chairs report
We can look back on 2024-25 as a good year for The Autumn Centre. We
consolidated our financial base, collected significant funds towards the
replacement of our older mini bus and were able to maintain our lunch club
prices at current levels for another year.
There was one change in the Trustees during the year as Malcolm Bath
replaced Janet Bathwho resigned during the 12 months.
Attendances at the lunch dubs increased again and although food and energy
pricescontinued to rise faster than expected we were able to continue to provide
a two course, hot meal and a hot drink at a price of just £7.00. In addition, we
were able to keep ourtransport charges down to £4.00 for a further period. A
subsidy of about £10,700 was needed to cover the shortfall between lunch dub
income and expenditure.
The shop saw income at almost £11,000 against costs of £7,500. This surplus of
£3,500, of course, supported the lunch clubs. We aim to open the shop six days
a week from 9.00am to 3.00pm but we are dependent on volunteers in this
regard and it is not always possible to achieve these hours. The volunteers,
more often than not includ'ing trustees, do a sterling job and the surplus funds
achieved this year is down to their efforts.
On the fundraising front we saw income of more than £9,000, mainly through the
raffles at the lunch clubs which raised over £5,000 before costs. In addition, our
collection tins raised almost £1,400 with the Tesco store and petrol station at
The Hythe providing over £570 of this and The One Stop in Wivenhoe a further f
186. Again, we are extremely grateful for their efforts and those of other outlets
who contributed.
Our Bingo evenings are proving popular, raising £850 from just two events
during the year and we aim to hold these quarterly in 2025-26 instead of half
yearly. The sale of books, DVDs and CDs outside the shop on two Saturdays
each month (weather permitting) and Christmas sales through November and
December raised £1,500 and other books DVDs and CDs sent to World of
Books (Ziffit) and Music Magpie raised a further £380. The collection and sale of
donated foreign currency added £223.
We received a legacy of £1,000 during the year and were also very grateful to
receive a number of donations, in particular £455 from Town and Country, £200
from Community Voluntary Services Tendring {CYST), £250 from Mr M
Channing and £250 from The Wenlock Trust.

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
I noted in my report fast year that we would have to investigate additional sources
of grant finance in 2024-25 and we did that successfully. Grants were received from
local (Essex) providers including Essex Community Foundation £6,000, Grassroots
£1,000 and The Tudwick Foundation £3,000. We also, of course, received our
customary grants from Alresford Parish Council £2,000 and £2,215 from
Brightlingsea Town Council. From further afield we were given £2,500 by The East
of England Co-op and £750 from The Woodroffe Benton Foundation. Finally, and
back closer to home, Brightlingsea Winterfest, a small local provider was kind
enough to provide us with 10 strong plastic storage crates at a cost of
£300. We are very grateful to all of these charitable sources for their help. As a
small charity we could not survive without this source of funding.
Turning now to expenditure, we are pleased to report that our rent again remained
at £6,000 per annum, paid quarterly. This has not increased for many years and we
are grateful for the continued support of our landlords, The GK Parker Pension
Fund. Our food costs rose by almost £2,000 although this was partly because of the
additional meals we provided.
Overall, we achieved a surplus of income over expenditure of about £11,400,
mainly through the additional grants obtained. Income stood at £80,759 and
expenditure £69,349 for the year.
We have, therefore, gathered a solid financial base towards the replacement of our
older mini bus which is almost 15 years of age and, under current legislation, has
now to be replaced. These funds, together with our £7,000 reserve, have been put
into a new account with the Saffron Building Society where it gathers a better rate
of interest than with Barclays Bank.
As always, we are in great need of volunteers to help in the lunch clubs and, in
particular, the shop. As mentioned above we have had to close the shop on a few
occasions in the absence of a volunteer to run it for the charity. This is very much
the exception rather than the rule but one day is one day too many.
Looking forward, in 2025-26 we will have to replace the older of our mini buses; as
required by current legislation, and also start to give some thought to raising funds
to replace the other bus within a further year or two. This will throw up further
challenges; particularly with regard to fundraising but we are confident that we witl
continue to move forward as we have this year.
In conclusion, therefore, 2024-25 has been a very successful year and we must
continue to build on that in the future to ensure that we can continue to provide the
best service to our members
insant
G Scott Chairman
-
10th January 2026
3

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Our purpose and activities
Our purpose remains that of running two lunch dubs in Brightlingsea and
Alresford for the benefit of the local communities in those towns and surrounding
areas. The intention is to provide the opportunity for local elderly or infirm
residents to meet and socialise with their peers in order to combat social
Isolation among the elderly and those with limited mobility. We continued to
provide transport in our two mini buses for those members who could not
otherwise attend the lunches.
Our fund raising efforts included Bingo evenings at Alresford village hall and
hese were so popular that we hope to hold them a, uarterf'v from mid-2025
Sales of donated books, DVDs and CDs produced we Icome and much neede
funds to the charity and we were also glad to receive foreign currency which was
sold on to obtain further income. We hold a weekly raffle at both lunches at a
cost of £1 a ticket and this is very popular. Finally, we raised just under £1,400
from our collection tins in local shops and other retail outlets. Total fundraising
income increased to a total of £9,029 for the year, an increase of £1,600 on last
Our shop in Victoria Place, Brightlingsea sells disability aids and equipment at
low cost, providing essential and affordable support, and the surplus 'income
raised helped us to subsidise the lunch clubs.
As artined of the Shairman report, underaisin are to maintain our era charges,
at E7 for this year and the cost of transport at £4 for a round trip.
Achievements and performance
The lunch clubs continued to be well attended and we provided approximately
3,800 meals to our clients over the year. In addition, we provided transport to
assist with about 1200 attendances at the lunches. Both figures were a
significant increase on 2023-24.
We were able to reverse the decline in shop sales shown in the previous year
vith sales this year showing an increase of about £700. This gave us a surplu
f iust under £5.000 to support the lunch clubs
Financial review
As at 1 April 2024 our total funds were:
• Cash £1,116.84
• No 1 account £1,273.39
• Transport account £1,538.86
• Reserve account £18,887.55
• Spare account £5.00
4

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
As at 31 March 2025 our total funds were:
• Cash £541.27
• No 1 account £1,662.44
• Transport account £801.41
• Reserve account £9,489.72
• Spare account £4.00
• Saffron Building Society account £23,050.00
• Total £35,548.84
Reserve policy and going concern
Our policy with regard to Reserves remains unchanged for this year at a figure
of £7,000 although we will review this in 2025-26 with a view to increasing the
sum held
The charity is in a sound financial position and can continue as a going concern
to a'id our members.
Future plans
To continue to run the lunch clubs in Brightlingsea and Alresford and to
endeavour to keep the cost at £7 for a meat and £4 for transport for as long as
possible.
To increase our shop sales to assist in subsidising the lunch clubs and to make
every effort to further increase the amount from fundraising.
To continue our efforts to raise further grant income which will be needed in the
foreseeable future to replace the second mini bus.
Risk management
Our mini bus drivers are fully trained in the use of tail lifts and side doors and in
helping the escorts handing clients on and off the mini buses. Escorts are fully
trained in the care of clients and in helping them safety on and off the buses
and into and out of wheelchairs.
A fully qualified carer is responsible for the care of our clients, helping clients in
and out of outdoor clothing, seating at the meal tables, toileting and cutting of
food. The carer is also qualified in First Aid.
5

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Our cooks are fully qualified in all aspects of catering, 'in cluding healt'n and
hygiene and the management of the kitchen volunteers.
In the charity shop and office the Administrator and trustees ensure that there
is safe entry and adequate space for the manouevrability of the staff.
We are fully insured for trustee, employee and public liability.
By order of the board of trustees.
Gingers
10th January 2026
6

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
I report on the accounts of The Autumn Centre for the year ended 31 March 2025 which
are set out on pages 8 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's
Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the
Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the
Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept
by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also
includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking
explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures
undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and
consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which
gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the
Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the
form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and
Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a
true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent
examination.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts
to be reached.
David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of:
Community360
Winsley's House, High Street, Colchester, Essex
Date
21.01.2026
7

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
2025
€
2025
Total Funds
2025
Period
2024
Incoming resources
Charitable activities
Fundraising income
Investment income
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Costs of charitable activities
Total resources expended
Net income/(expense) for the year
Total Funds B/Fwd
Total Funds C/Fwd
6
10,445
60,985
9,029
299
80,759
69,349
69,349
11,410
37,577
48,987
8,500
:
8,500
2,500
2,500
6,000
-
6,000
10,445
69,485
9,029
299
89,259
71,849
71,849
17,410
37,577
54,987
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
3,736
54,779
7,402
202
66,119
73,532
73,532
(7,413)
44,990
37,577

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Stock
Greditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Net total assets
Funds of the charity:
Represented by:
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total funds
Notes
10
12
13
2025
6,285
365
35,347
14,830
50,542
1,840
48,702
54,987
48,987
6,000
54,987
The financial statements on pages 7 to 13 were approved by the trustees and signed on their
their behalf by:
2024
€
8,381
60
22,822
6,655
29,537
340
29,197
37,577
37,577
37,577
G Scott, Chair
Gingents
Date: 19th January 2026
9

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting
by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and
Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)),
the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.
1.2 Outgoing resources
Expenditure is included in the accounts on an accruals basis, irrecoverable VAT is
included as incurred.
1.3 Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to
continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the
carrying value of assets held by the charity.
1.4 Cash flow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a
small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under
Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".
1.5 Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is
probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable
can be measured reliably. Investment income is recorded when receivable.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
I assets costing more than £100 are capitalised. Depreciation is charged on a reducil
lance basis at 20% per annum for equipment and 25% per annum for vehicle
1.7 Taxation
Family Support Brightlingsea TA The Autumn Centre is a registered charity and accordingly
is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable
purposes.
1.8 Fund accountin
Unrestricted Funds are funds received which have no restrictions placed on their use an
are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity
Restricted Funds are funds which are to be used for purposes as specified by the funder.
10

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2. Income from donations and legacies
Donations receivable
Donated goods (stock value)
2025
2025
Unrestricted Restricted
2,270
8,175
10,445
-
3. Income from charitable activities
2025
2025
Unrestricted Restricted
Grants receivable
14,295
8,500
Luncheon clubs & tea
35,581
Transport
150
Sales
10,959
Other income
60,985
8,500
4. Fundraising income
Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
2025
Fundraising
9,029
5. Investment income
Unrestricted Restricted
2025
2025
Interest receivable
299
€
6. Expenditure on charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted
Luncheon club & teas
27,980
Cooks and carers
24,300
Transport
Fundraising costs
Shop purchases
Support costs (note 7)
17,080
69,349
2,500
2025
Total
2,270
10,44
2025
Total
22.795
35,581
150
10,959
69,485
Total
2025
9,029
Total
2025
299
Total
2025
21,980
24,300
5,740
772
1,977
17,080
71,849
2024
Total
3,736
3,736
2024
Total
10,715
28,198
4,342
11,524
54,779
Total
2024
7,402
Total
2024
202
Total
2024
18,416
24,443
8,049
1,294
2,604
18,725
73,532
/

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7. Support Costs
Unrestricted Restricted
2025
2025
€
Total
2025
Total
2024
Other wages
Premises expenses
Insurance
Office costs
Professional fees
Donations
Repairs
Trustee expenses
Fines
Depreciation
7,250
1,399
3,567
686
200
65
1,820
2,095
17,080
:
-
-
-
-
7,250
1,399
3,567
686
200
65
1,820
2,095
17,080
8,137
1,345
2,807
1,764
100
1,478
300
2,794
18,724
8. Staff Costs
The number of staff employed by the organisation is as follows:
Total
2025
No.
Total
2024
No.
Members of staff employed
4
9. Key management personnel
There were Nil members of paid staff classed as key management personnel. Trustees acted as
key management personnel but received no remuneration for their work.
10. Tangible fixed assets
4
Vehicles
€
Office
Equipment Equipment
Total
Cost
As at 1 April 2024
Additions
As at 31 March 2025
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2024
Depreciation charge for year
As at 31 March 2025
Net Book Value
As at 31 March 2025
As at 31 March 2024
58,588
58,588
50,208
2,095
52,303
2,082
2,082
2,082
2,082
507
50T
507
507
61,177
61,177
52,797
2,095
54,892
=
=
6,285
8,380
6,285
8,380
12

THE AUTUMN CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
11. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
Prepayments
Debtors
12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
13. Analysis of funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Co-op
Essex Community Foundation
Total
Total
2025
Total
€
365
2025
Total
1,840
1,840
2024
Total
€
-
60
60
2024
Total
340
340
Balance as Incoming Outgoing
Balance as
at 01/04/24
resources
resources
Transfers at 31/03/25
37,577
80,759
(69,349)
48,987
:
2,500
6,000
8,500
(2,500)
(2,500)
:
6,000
6,000
37,577
89,259
(71,849)
54,987
13