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← Improving Lives Plymouth

2025-03-31-accounts

Company registration number: 02610208 Charity registration number: 1066776

Improving Lives Plymouth

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Improving Lives Plymouth

Contents

Trustees' Report 1 to 8
Independent Auditors' Report 9 to 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Statement of Cash Flows 14
Notes to the Financial Statements 15 to 29

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Registration Number 1066776
Company Registration Number 02610208
Principal office and Head Ernest English House
Quarters Buckwell Street
Plymouth
PL1 2DA
Mannamead Wellbeing Hub
156 Mannamead Road
Hartley
Plymouth
Devon
PL3 5QL
The trustees S Waite
TA Lea (resigned 1 August 2024)
EM Latham
JM Prichard
EJ Steed
SM Keaty
K Meredith, (appointed 24 August 2023)
CEO & Company secretary Robert Smith
Auditor Westcotts (SW) LLP
Plym House
3 Longbridge Road
Plymouth
Marsh Mills
Devon
PL6 8LT
Bankers Handelsbanken
Ground Floor, Salt Quay House
4 Norther East Quay
Sutton Harbour
Plymouth
PL4 0BN

Page 1

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

Strategic report

The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.

Structure, governance and management

Governance

Improving Lives Plymouth is a Registered charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. This means it is accountable to the Charity Commission and Companies House. All filings to these regulatory bodies are made each year within the required time frames.

The area of benefit is Plymouth.

The Board of Trustees comprises company directors and honorary officers The trustees set the pay of key personnel in line with the local market. The Chief Executive Officer is also the Company Secretary. The board has responsibility for implementing the aims and objectives of the charity through the development of appropriate policies and strategies. Regular board meetings are held throughout the year to monitor and review the work of the charity. Once a year the trustees and the charity senior staff meet for a day to look at the strategic issues affecting the charity and its development.

All trustees have an induction programme which involves them visiting the Improving Lives Plymouth services and projects. They are also given all relevant documents, including the Articles, Business Plan, Annual Risk Assessment Plan, and other key documents and policies. The Charity Commission document 'The Essential Trustee CC3' is also included.

Improving Lives Plymouth uses the Governance Code of Good Practice as a benchmark for its Trustee Board.

Risk Assessment

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

• so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and

• they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.

We will support our new Senior Management Team with a remit for change to ensure the organisation is resilient and able to meet the increasing demands of our local communities.

Page 2

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

Recruitment of Trustees

The board has, and regularly considers (at least annually), the skills, knowledge, and experience it needs to govern, lead, and deliver the charity's purposes effectively. It reflects this mix in its trustee appointments, balancing the need for continuity with the need to refresh the board.

There is a transparent procedure to appoint new trustees to the board, which includes advertising vacancies on our social media and our website. Appointments or nominations for election are made based on the skills, knowledge, and experience the board needs and with full consideration of the benefits, including service user representation. We target recruitment to achieve both a balance of skills and representation.

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' 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 charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Objectives and activities

Our Purpose

The objects for which Improving Lives Plymouth was established in 1907, and amended in June 2019, are:

a) to assist, comfort and guide any person who may be in distress by reason of poverty, ill health, loneliness or any other cause.

b) to promote and protect the health and wellbeing and to relieve need, suffering and distress among persons within Plymouth and the surrounding area, who are currently or have previously served in the armed forces and their dependents, through the provision of services, advice and facilities to assist in their rehabilitation and integration into the community.

c) to promote, encourage and foster any objects which may be for the common good of the community within Plymouth and the surrounding area; and,

d) to encourage, initiate and co-operate in the work of other voluntary or statutory bodies for the advancement of education, the furtherance of health, the relief of poverty, distress or sickness or for any other work of a charitable nature or which may hereafter be deemed by law to be charitable.

Our 3-Year Strategic Plan 2025-28

We will support our Senior Management Team and Core Business Support Team with a remit for change to ensure the organisation is resilient and able to meet the increasing demands of our local communities. Below are the main aims and objectives of the plan.

VISION

A healthy, happy, sustainable and thriving society for all people.

MISSION

To support people and communities across Plymouth and surrounding areas to thrive by leading healthier, happier and sustainable lives.

Page 3

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

STRAP-LINE

Improving Lives - Your local health and well-being charity.

VALUES - Our organisational values guide all of our behaviours, decisions and planning. These are embedded through a wider organisational values framework but at their core consist of the following.

Respect - We treat everyone with respect and dignity . We will respect peoples beliefs, values and choices when identifying the right support for making positive changes.

Kindness – We avoid judgement, we are sensitive and seek connection with people.

Listening - We listen and respond to people’s needs. We will actively listen to what we are being told, engaging in meaningful conversations and responding to people’s needs in a solution focused way.

Honesty - We treat everyone with honesty and compassion . We will be honest and compassionate in everything we do, working to resolve problems that people face to make informed choices about their lives.

PRINCIPLES - Our services are underpinned by five core principles. Everything we do is designed and delivered with these in mind.

Services (Information, Advice and Support) that are trauma informed and co-produced that follow lifestyle medicine and asset-based community development (ABCD) principles in-line with a relevant quality assured standard (AQS – Advice Quality Standard).

Developing services that are preventative and sit between the Public and Local Authority care and Primary care and in between Primary Care, Secondary Care and Local Authority services.

Improve the understanding of our impact and our ability to evidence needs. By harnessing our management information, research and qualitative feedback to inform our service delivery and also to inform policy initiatives across Plymouth and Devon, to better design and deliver person-centred activities, support website content to communicate our learnings and success stories with our stakeholders and the wider public.

Our core service delivery area priorities are listed below clustered into 11 areas. Each delivery area will develop its own service delivery and business development plans. There are more than 20 additional sub-projects under these service areas.

In addition, ILP will constantly seek to develop new service areas that meet the population health and well-being needs of Plymouth and surrounding areas. In particular focusing on developing families, parenting support and women’s health needs.

1.1 Advice Plymouth

Our Information and Advice service drop-in at Ernest English House with additional Hospital outreach service. This service has a key focus on welfare and benefits advice for income maximisation combined with support around the wider social determinates that impact people’s lives. (Mental Health needs, Housing, Energy, Food access, Legal access, Employment Support, Financial management, etc.)

1.2 ILP Well-being Hun model . Including Age Positive, Active for All, Long-Term Conditions Self-Management (LCSM) and Well-Being Hub advisors.

Page 4

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

Our blended offer aimed at supporting people with long term physical and/or mental health conditions. Building on our foundational Long-Term Conditions course this service has an evolving range of workshops, courses, peer support and physical activities underpinned by the ILP Lifestyle Medicine approach. These services are for adults aged 18 plus, although it does include specific services for older people experiencing frailty, young adults, parents and families, women, men, veterans, carers, those with sensory impairments, people experiencing mental health issues, people with learning difficulties, people with physical difficulties and people with autism as well.

1.3 Caring for Carers

Carers statutory assessments (aged 18 plus), peer support services, groups/activities, policy development and administrating the personal carers grants and the house-hold support funds (with Advice Plymouth). Also, a specialist Young Adult Carers service for those in ‘transition 2 adulthood’. (aged 17-25 Years).

1.4 Sensory Solutions

A specialist ‘resource and support centre’ for people with visual and hearing impairments. Supplying specialist equipment, repairs, drop-in services, courses, advocacy and activities to help people who have a sensory impairment.

Originally established by ILP in 1975. An activities day service for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities aimed at promoting positive and healthy lifestyles with integration into wider society.

1.6 Veterans and Family Hub

An information, advice and support service for any veteran and their close family members. The new Hub was established through a co-production approach with local veterans in 2019. However, ILP has been delivering targeted support to Veterans and their families since the first world war and in 2018 amended our constitution to reflect that we are also an armed forces community charity.

1.7 Changing Futures

A leading city-wide programme of trauma informed co-production, peer research and appreciative enquiry aimed at influencing policy and service design for people with complex needs and multiple disadvantage. Providing ‘sheltered employment opportunities’ for Peer Researchers. Plus, developing volunteer recruitment and employment recruitment pathways into health, care vcse and private sectors.

1.8 Devon Mental Health Alliance

A partnership between ILP, 4 further VCSE agencies, the Devon ICB (integrated Care Board – NHS), LiveWell South-West CIC and the Devon Mental Health Partnership Trust (DPT). Providing system leadership and innovative service delivery across mental health services for those with Severe and Enduring Mental Health issues. ILP takes a lead on Co-production for the Alliance and a lead for community development in Plymouth and West including the Plymouth Mental Health Network.

1.9 Plymouth Well Being Hubs Network

ILP was a founding partner of the 5 original Well-being Hubs in Plymouth during 2018-19 and then the Well-Being Hubs Network in 2022 working with Plymouth City Council Public Health Team. The Network has now grown to a partnership of 12 hubs and 10 organisations.

The Network aims to create an integrated web of health and well-being Hubs that provide a walk-in and or telephone service Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, for members of the public to discuss any aspect of their health, well-being and the wider social determinates that impact health. To be supported to access services at any of the hubs or the wider VCSE across the city. The network is also developing strategic alignments with LiveWell, University Hospitals Plymouth, Primary Care, Community Pharmacy and Plymouth Community Homes.

ILP currently chairs the Network Executive group and employs the Well-Being Hubs Programme Lead who is responsible for co-ordination of the network and curating a broad offer of services between the partners and talking a lead on the annual Hubs Network business plan.

1.10 Well-Being Hub Buildings and Service Offer

Refurbishing and redeveloping both ILP Well Being Hubs at 156 Mannamead Road and Ernest English House respectively. Maximising capacity to deliver services by both ILP and partner agencies. Also exploring the development of ‘satellite’ Hubs based in Mutley Plain and the City Pannier market areas to increase accessibility, capacity and visibility with the wider public and targeted groups at risk of health inequality outcomes.

1.11 Volunteer Centre

Building on the established ILP volunteer team (approx. 50 volunteers across all projects) to redevelop the original ILP Volunteer Centre (1974-2018) and the ILP Volunteer quality accreditation. Recruiting volunteers for all ILP services and partner agencies on request.

We will provide information, advice and research to help people improve their own health and well-being. Utilising digital and social media, broadcast media, public events, partnership meetings and press releases. Utilising a mix of broad messaging and targeted messages for key groups.

Page 5

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

Raising the profile and impact of ILP to ensure our local communities and partner agencies both understand our work, access our services, support our activity and receive important messages and interventions through an effective digital marketing strategy.

We will make ILP the best place to work, volunteer and learn in Plymouth, where motivated teams can provide exceptional support to local people.

We will ensure structured roles with formalised progression routes, a transparent and competitive pay-grading system, with core competencies linked to a values behavioural framework, training plans, supervision and appraisals are in place for the whole of our workforce.

We will ensure that our employment practices reflect our Health and Well-being principles to provide a healthy workplace. For example, this will include Trauma informed reflective practice opportunities, staff menopause and carers peer support groups. Plus, how we develop trauma informed recruitment pathways for staff and volunteers to specifically create opportunities for people who have recent lived experience of relevant health issues and/or complex needs. We will regularly review our Employee Assistance Programme in consultation with staff.

We will develop a volunteer engagement and management strategy, to ensure the centrally of volunteers to the services we deliver, and their wellbeing is appropriately recognised and supported. Ensuring volunteers create greater diversity to reflect the communities we serve, to enhance our capacity and develop a potential employment pool to meet workforce challenges. We will consider the Investors ion Volunteer quality assurance award or similar.

To provide ‘thought leadership’ across local health and care systems by becoming a centre for innovation and partnerships for preventative services that improve health and well-being. ILP will strive to become the ‘go to’ trusted partner.

We will continue to play a leading role in the Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Alliance, The Plymouth Mental Health Network, Devon Mental Health Alliance, Plymouth Trauma Informed Network, The Changing Futures Programme and participate across key forums, such as Devon Mental Health Provider Collaborative Executive Board, Plymouth LCP Delivery Board, Plymouth Carers Strategic Partnership Board, Plymouth Cost of Living taskforce, and the Plymouth Health and Well Being Steering Group.

We will actively seek out to join or initiate new partnerships, alliances and forums where we can play a leading role.

Building a strong and sustainable business support infrastructure that can be used to deliver and lead partnership-based services.

Diversify our income streams through increased enterprise activity, fundraising, and individual donations, resulting in over 20% of our income being generated from these three sources. Including the development of a digital web-based fundraising platform.

Review our estate infrastructure to ensure it meets the needs of people accessing services and that we maximise accessibility and use for ILP, our local communities and partner agencies. Also to reinforce our long-term fiscal and services sustainability and maximise social value by enabling partners to use our estate infrastructure.

Develop a new overarching Quality approach that covers Governance, Business Administration, I.T. Data and Management Information, Finance, Fundraising and People,

Review our Information Governance policy and the use of different Management Information Systems, ensuring we meet the Cyber Essentials Plus certification standards that will allow us to fully engage in partnership work across statutory and NHS associated bodies.

Embed robust management, finance and legal frameworks to support our partnership and Alliance activity that enables ILP to lead and manage finance flows as a lead partner with the appropriate system to award grants, manage sub-contracted services, sub-lease, purchase or rent buildings and fundraise.

Our Achievements 2024/5

At any one-time ILP employs approximately 70 - 80 staff members and between 50 and 80 volunteers delivering a wide range of information, advice and support services to meet health and well-being needs.

We retained the externally accredited Cyber Essentials Security Plus accreditation to enhance our digital and cyber security. Plus, we were whitelisted by the NHS to access the DCCR (Devon and Cornwall Care Record) system. We have started development on a new data management approach reviewing the use and capacity of our charity log database and utilising Power BI to develop live data feeds (updated 48 times per day) for a new performance information dashboard that includes demographic profiles, postcodes, type of intervention offered, sessions delivered and follow up outcomes.

We have achieved the externally accredited and nationally recognised AQS (Advice Quality Standard) award for organisations that deliver Information and Advice services.

Our Veterans have been awarded £100k over 3 years for continuing to support Veteran Carers from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust. We also secured 2.5 years (approx. £70k) funding from the national Carers Trust to support energy related advice for adult carers.

Page 6

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

We have worked with our local Well-being Hub Network partners and the Plymouth Public Health team to expand from 5 Hubs to 12 hubs across the city. This now includes both ILP buildings at Mannamead and City Centre now being designated as Well-Being Hubs. With future plans for our City Centre Hub to also become a Family Hub.

ILP co-chaired an NHS sponsored 100-day challenge event in late 2023 to develop innovative ways of supporting people in the community with Long Term Conditions accessing Hospital Outpatients Departments, LiveWell Community services and Primary Care to bespoke access health and well-being support through the wider voluntary and community sector. This work continued into 24-25 with the anticipation of leading into the new NHS long term plan for 25 – 26 and the development of Neighbourhood Integrated Health Teams.

We further developed a new a’ Lifestyle Medicine’ approach and 2 ILP managers qualified as non-clinical lifestyle medicine practitioners with the national lead body.

Social Impact Statement

In 2024/25 ILP provided support to over approx. 13,000 local people directly through information, advice, emotional and practical support. With a further 7,000 unpaid Carers registered to receive updates from the organisation.

We delivered over 4,000 support sessions for over 100 members of our community who have a mild to moderate learning disability.

Our Active for All project delivers over 50 different accessible activities and sports supports, promotes inclusive physical activity for adults with disabilities and long-term health conditions, severe and enduring mental health and autism. Over 600 people attended over 550 sessions of psychological and trauma informed activity sessions, including boccia, football, walking, basketball, gardening, conservation work, golf, tennis, cycling, swimming and much more besides.

Information and Advice support was provided to approx. 10,000 people, and we helped obtain approx £7 million in welfare benefits, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals.

ILP undertook over 600 new statutory carers assessments in the year and awarded approx £225,000 in personal grants and household support funds to unpaid carers. We supported unpaid carers involvement in the new Plymouth Carers strategy through numerous co-production and codesign sessions.

We supported over 200 people to access our Long-Term Conditions Self-Management - My Health, My Way course. This course empowers people living with any long-term physical or low-level mental health condition, to better manage their condition and to achieve a better quality of life.

Our Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub supported over 1,000 veterans, and their carers, with social activities, peer support, and casework. We also work with a range of organisations in the city to shape better pathways to employment, mental wellbeing, welfare, housing advice and financial information. An interim social return on investment report has indicated that for every £1 spent on the Veterans Hub it saves the public purse in excess of £8. With a cost benefit analysis ratio of over 2.25 :1 with both figures reflecting high value by DLUHC (Department Levelling Up, Housing and Communities).

We estimate we have received in excess of 4,500 hours of voluntary support over the year.

We continue to facilitate the Plymouth Mental Health Collective. A trauma informed, co-developed self-managing community group of people, professionals and organisations to better understand the needs of people with mental health issues and to improve the response of the local system to meet peoples needs. The collective now regularly attracts up to 100 people every quarter (at 100% capacity at present) and develops its own agenda, direction and development.

ILP continues to host the Trauma Informed Plymouth Network (TIPN) by employing a dedicated Co-ordinating and a Business Support Officer on behalf of the Network which now has over 1,000 members.

Financial Review

Total income for the year was £2,404,613 (2024: £2,393,402) and total expenditure was £2,395,427 (2024: £2,366,833). There was a loss on the value of investments of £305 (2024: gain £24,625), which all had led to a net movement in funds of £8,881 (2024: £51,194).

Income has been mostly earned through the charitable activities of the charity, with Note 7 showing most of this is due to grants and contracts, a large value of which is from local authorities. Note 6 shows how income is received by area of activity.

Expenditure has increased in the year mostly in line with rises in income, with expenditure per activity shown within note 10. The trustees use a discretionary management service, with a risk classification of 'cautious with risk', with Brewin Dolphin as investment advisors. At the year-end the market value of the portfolio stands at £377,206 (2024: £391,652). A withdrawal was made during the year for £25,000 to support on-going operations of the charity. Income has also been earnt from investments of £10,859 (2024: £7,105) and was reinvested into the portfolio during the year. The small loss on the value of investments of £305 followed global fluctuations in markets from external conditions.

As stated, the net movement in funds was £8,881 (2024: £51,194), with total net funds at the year-end being £1,519,102 (2024: £1,510,221). The distribution of funds is shown in note 25.

Fund-raising Standards Information

Page 7

Improving Lives Plymouth

Trustees' Report

Improving Lives Plymouth is registered with the independent national Fundraising Regulator of charitable fund-raising ‘The Fundraising Regulator’. We appointed a professional fundraiser to primarily raise funds from institutions, and we have policies and procedures in place to ensure commitment to good fund-raising practice including the protection of vulnerable people. We have not received any complaints from our fund-raising activities. The charity has a range of policies and procedures to respect a person's privacy.

Plans for Future Periods

Our plans for the short and medium term have been impacted, as many charities and organisations, by rising inflation, increased employer NI, living wage increases, real term reductions in government funding for organisations delivering preventative community health and well-being services. By national government taxation changes, climate change, greater competition for fundraising, increasing social needs exacerbated since the covid pandemic, an NHS and Adult Social Care system that is under significant duress and a Plymouth wide issue around large-scale work-force shortfalls for new applications to join ILP and the wider health and care sector.

We have therefore developed our new strategy and business plan for 2025-28 to address these issues as far as possible. ILP will develop new services that support people with both acute and long-term health conditions that supports greater self-agency and we will continue to seek more innovative alliances and partnerships with community organisations, charities and statutory agencies to improve health outcomes for all. To underpin this activity, we will be investing more resources for our core business support infrastructure with a focus on telephony, digital, and AI applications to achieve transformative change. Whilst at the same time further embedding our new values and behaviour framework and focusing on our identified 5 key principles to guide our approach.

We will review our organisational structure and service delivery arrangements to better meet needs through demand and journey mapping for people accessing our services allied to cross organisational ‘test and learn’ approaches to develop a new ‘One ILP’ with a reduced focus on organisational delivery silos and the ability to meet peoples needs more quickly and impactfully

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on 1st December 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Chair of Trustees ………………………………………………… Date …………………

(Jeremy Prichard)

Vice Chair of Trustees ………………………………………………… Date …………………

(Elaine Latham)

Page 8

Improving Lives Plymouth

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Improving Lives Plymouth

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Improving Lives Plymouth (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, 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 United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

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

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

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

Page 9

Improving Lives Plymouth

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Improving Lives Plymouth

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement (set out on page 3), the trustees 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 charity'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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Page 10

Improving Lives Plymouth

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Improving Lives Plymouth

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees 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 its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Adam Croney (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Westcotts (SW) LLP Plym House 3 Longbridge Road Plymouth Marsh Mills Devon PL6 8LT

Date:.............................

Page 11

Improving Lives Plymouth

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
5
Charitable activities
6
Investment income
8
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
9
Charitable activities
10
Total expenditure
Gains/(losses) on investment
assets
13
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
25		 Unrestricted
funds
£
26,911
1,939,142
10,859
1,976,912
(20,390)
(2,029,970)
(2,050,360)
(305)
(73,753)
82,634
8,881
1,510,221
1,519,102		 Restricted
funds
£
-
427,701
-
427,701
-
(345,067)
(345,067)
-
82,634
(82,634)
-
-
-		 Total
2025
£
26,911
2,366,843
10,859
2,404,613
(20,390)
(2,375,037)
(2,395,427)
(305)
8,881
-
8,881
1,510,221
1,519,102		 Total
2024
£
20,175
2,366,122
7,105
2,393,402
(21,890)
(2,344,943)
(2,366,833)
24,625
51,194
-
51,194
1,459,027
1,510,221

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12

Improving Lives Plymouth

(Registration number: 02610208) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
18
Investments
19
Current assets
Stocks
20
Debtors
21
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
22
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
24
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds
Designated Funds
General Funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
25		 2025
£
851,817
377,206
1,229,023
3,217
62,350
528,963
594,530
(284,417)
310,113
1,539,136
(20,034)
1,519,102
577,206
941,896
1,519,102
1,519,102		 2024
£
858,036
391,652
1,249,688
3,699
55,623
664,244
723,566
(429,699)
293,867
1,543,555
(33,334)
1,510,221
591,652
918,569
1,510,221
1,510,221

The financial statements on pages 12 to 29 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... EM Latham Trustee

......................................... JM Prichard Trustee

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13

Improving Lives Plymouth

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash income
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation
18
Investment income
8
Revaluation
19
Working capital adjustments
Decrease/(increase) in stocks
20
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
21
Decrease in creditors
22
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
18
Purchase of investments
19
Sale of investments
19
Investment income
8
Net cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of loans and borrowings
22
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March		 2025
£
8,881
16,949
(10,859)
(4,503)
10,468
482
(6,727)
(145,282)
(141,059)
(10,730)
(44,790)
63,739
10,859
19,078
(13,300)
(135,281)
664,244
528,963		 2024
£
51,194
16,021
(7,105)
(17,227)
42,883
(366)
172,174
(138,332)
76,359
(32,944)
(42,209)
34,811
7,105
(33,237)
(13,333)
29,789
634,455
664,244

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 14

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA.

The nature of the charity's operation and principle activities are:

a) To assist, comfort and guide any person who may be in distress by reason of poverty, ill health, loneliness or any other cause;

b) To promote and protect the health and wellbeing and to relieve need, suffering and distress among persons within Plymouth and the surrounding area, who currently or have previously served in the armed forces and their dependants, through the provision of services, advice and facilities to assist in their rehabilitation and integration into the community;

c) To promote, encourage and foster any objects which may be for common good of the community within Plymouth and the surrounding area; and

d) To encourage, initiate and co-operate in the work of other voluntary or statutory bodies for the advancement of education, the furtherance of health, the relief of poverty, distress or sickness or any other work of a charitable nature or which may hereafter be deemed by law to be charitable.

2 Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Page 15

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Judgements and Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Critical judgements in applying the Charity's accounting policies.

The judgements (apart from those involving estimations) that management has made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are as follows:

i) Deferred Income

Income is recognised in the statement of financial activities when the following criteria are met: the charity is entitled to the income, it is considered probable that the income will be received, and the income can be reliably measured. Where terms and conditions (Including performance related conditions) have not been met or uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet the terms and conditions otherwise within its control, the income is not recognised but deferred as a liability until it is is probable that the terms and conditions imposed can be met.

Key accounting estimates and assumptions

Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:

i) Deferred Income

The charity is commissioned to deliver projects and services which often straddle the financial year end. Annually, the charity reviews the terms and conditions to assess whether the criteria for recognising the income have been met. Where some of the conditions have been met, the charity estimates the proportion of income to which the charity is entitled and the balance of income received in advance is deferred as a liability on the Balance Sheet. This requires estimation of the delivery of any performance related conditions or compliance with certain terms attached to the income.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

• income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.

• legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.

• income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.

• income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised when requirements of contracts are met such that charity is entitled to the funds on a case by case basis. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

Investment income

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.

Page 16

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

• expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.

• expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

• other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Operating Leases

Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation and amortisation

Expenditure less than £1k is not capitalised except for assets gifted in kind where the value of equipment is deemed to be more than £1k.

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

life of that asset as follows:
Asset Class Depreciation method and rate
Long Leasehold Property Amortised over life of lease
Fixtures and Fittings 4 years to 15 years straight line
Freehold Property Not Depreciated

Investments

Unlisted equity investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently measured at fair value. If fair value cannot be reliably measured, assets are measured at cost less impairment.

Listed investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in income or expenditure.

Pensions

The charity operates a group personal pension scheme on behalf of its employees. This is a defined contribution scheme. The costs are charged to the income and expenditure account and statement of financial activities as they fall due.

Page 17

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Stocks

Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the stock to its present location and condition.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.

4 Limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee of members and does not have a share capital. The liability of members is limited to £1.

5 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Donations		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
17,806
17,806		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
26,911
26,911
Restricted
funds
£
2,369
2,369		 Total
2025
£
26,911
26,911
Total
2024
£
20,175
20,175

Page 18

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

6 Charitable income by activity

Rent income
Grants and contracts
Other income
Rent income
Grants and contracts
Other income
7
Charitable income from
Rent Income
Grants and Contracts
Other Income
Rent Income
Grants and Contracts
Other Income		 Core
£
79,466
292,948
2,665
375,079
Core
£
77,830
123,326
1,763
202,919
restriction		 Information
and advice
£
-
435,329
4,871
440,200
Information
and advice
£
-
448,455
2,787
451,242		 Disability
and long
Plymouth
term health
Caring for
Veterans and
conditions
carers
Family Hub
£
£
£
160
-
-
902,738
495,002
87,490
45,876
9,508
10,790
948,774
504,510
98,280
Disability
and long
Plymouth
term health
Caring for
Veterans and
conditions
carers
Family Hub
£
£
£
-
-
-
888,876
639,637
115,513
47,319
3,850
16,766
936,195
643,487
132,279
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
General
£
funds
£
79,626
-
1,788,360
425,147
73,710
-
1,941,696
425,147
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
General
£
funds
£
77,830
-
1,785,096
430,711
72,451
34
1,935,377
430,745		 Disability
and long
Plymouth
term health
Caring for
Veterans and
conditions
carers
Family Hub
£
£
£
160
-
-
902,738
495,002
87,490
45,876
9,508
10,790
948,774
504,510
98,280
Disability
and long
Plymouth
term health
Caring for
Veterans and
conditions
carers
Family Hub
£
£
£
-
-
-
888,876
639,637
115,513
47,319
3,850
16,766
936,195
643,487
132,279
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
General
£
funds
£
79,626
-
1,788,360
425,147
73,710
-
1,941,696
425,147
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
General
£
funds
£
77,830
-
1,785,096
430,711
72,451
34
1,935,377
430,745		 Total
Funds
2025
£
79,626
2,213,507
73,710
2,366,843
Total
Funds
2024
£
77,830
2,215,807
72,485
2,366,122
Total
2025
£
79,626
2,213,507
73,710
2,366,843
Total
2024
£
77,830
2,215,807
72,485
2,366,122

8 Investment income

Income from listed investments Designated
£
10,859
10,859		 Total
2025
£
10,859
10,859		 Total
2024
£
7,105
7,105

Page 19

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

9 Cost of raising donations

Cost of raising funds
Cost of raising funds
10 Expenditure on charitable activities by Fund type
Core
Information and advice
Disability and Long Term Health Conditions
Caring For Carers
Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub
Allocated support costs
Core
Information and advice
Disability and Long Term Health Conditions
Caring For Carers
Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub
Support Cost		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
92,460
358,739
613,801
332,288
10,563
622,119
2,029,970
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
1,506
344,300
669,771
282,343
87,798
554,059
1,939,777		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
20,390
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
21,890
Restricted
funds
£
164,871
-
121,796
-
58,400
-
345,067
Restricted
funds
£
-
35,959
110,000
237,919
21,288
-
405,166		 Total
2025
£
20,390
Total
2024
£
21,890
Total
2025
£
257,331
358,739
735,597
332,288
68,963
622,119
2,375,037
Total
2024
£
1,506
380,259
779,771
520,262
109,086
554,059
2,344,943

11 Expenditure on charitable activity by activity type

General
Information and advice
Disability and Long Term Health
Conditions
Caring for Carers
Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub
Governance costs		 Activity
undertaken
directly
£
257,331
358,739
693,467
332,288
111,093
-
1,752,918		 Activity support
costs
£
133,649
111,383
180,326
105,307
21,264
70,190
622,119		 2025
£
390,980
470,122
873,793
437,595
132,357
70,190
2,375,037		 2024
£
175,709
468,587
859,242
642,956
133,275
65,174
2,344,943

Page 20

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12 Analysis of support costs

Premises
General office
Staff costs
Finance costs
Governance costs
Depreciation		 Total
2025
£
129,173
66,089
329,642
9,626
70,640
16,949
622,119		 Total
2024
£
121,894
58,956
284,894
7,120
65,174
16,021
554,059

13 Net (losses)/gains on investments

Note
Gain/(losses) on listed investments
14 Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
Audit fees
Depreciation of fixed assets
Gains/(Losses) on Listed investments
15 Auditors' remuneration
Audit of the financial statements
Other services		 Unrestricted
funds
Designated
£
(305)		 Total
2025
£
(305)
2025
£
11,400
16,949
10,554
2025
£
8,550
2,850
11,400		 Total
2024
£
24,625
2024
£
9,500
16,021
24,625
2024
£
8,100
1,400
9,500

Page 21

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

16 Staff costs

16 Staff costs
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2025
£
1,487,056
115,924
64,152		 2024
£
1,423,889
98,856
62,861
1,667,132 1,585,606

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

Information and Advice
Disability and Long Term Health Conditions
Caring for Carers
Plymouth Veterans & Family hub
Support		 2025
No.
FTE.
16
13
32
24
11
10
3
2
11
8
72
56		 2024
No.
FTE.
16
13
33
24
12
10
4
3
11
8
76
58		 2024
No.
FTE.
16
13
33
24
12
10
4
3
11
8
76
58
58

1 employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

Key Management Personnel

Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £192,926 (2024:£190,187).

17 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.

Page 22

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

18 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Freehold
Property
£
650,333
-
-
650,333
-
-
-
-
650,333
650,333		 Long leasehold
property
£
352,291
7,111
(1,219)
358,183
192,456
8,864
(1,219)
200,101
158,082
159,835		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
181,622
3,619
(99,032)
86,209
133,754
8,085
(99,032)
42,807
43,402
47,868		 Total
£
1,184,246
10,730
(100,251)
1,094,725
326,210
16,949
(100,251)
242,908
851,817
858,036

Tangible fixed assets with a net book value of £851,817 (2024: £858,036) are used as security for liabilities of the charity. The charity has a long leasehold interest for the use of the Ernest English House.

Freehold land and buildings is 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL.

Page 23

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

19 Investments

Cost or Valuation
At 1 April 2024
Revaluation
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Net book value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Listed
investments
£
391,652
4,503
44,790
(63,739)
377,206
377,206
391,652

All investments shown above are held at valuation.

20 Stocks

20 Stocks
Raw material and consumables
21 Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
22 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Bank loans
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
3,217
2025
£
45,960
15,349
1,041
62,350
2025
£
13,333
23,914
27,866
170
219,134
284,417		 2024
£
3,699
2024
£
27,058
27,365
1,200
55,623
2024
£
13,333
15,547
21,840
9,013
369,966
429,699

The bank loans and overdrafts is a mortgage which is secured with a fixed charge against the property at 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL, together with a floating charge over all other charity assets.

Page 24

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

23 Deferred income
At 1 April 2024
Amount released to income
Amount deferred in year
Deferred income at year end
24 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
Bank loans		 2025
£
347,925
(315,535)
151,071
183,461
2025
£
20,034		 2024
£
511,980
(511,980)
347,925
347,925
2024
£
33,334

Creditors amounts falling due after more than one year includes the following liabilities, on which security has been given by the charity:

The bank loans and overdrafts is a mortgage which is secured with a fixed charge against the property at 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5QL, together with a floating charge over all other charity assets.

Page 25

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

25 Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Fixed Asset Fund
Designated
Revenue Reserve
Investment Valuation fund
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Carers Fund
Veterans and Family Hub
PCC - Household Support Fund
Rough Sleepers
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2024
£
107,200
811,369
918,569
200,000
391,652
591,652
1,510,221
-
-
-
-
-
1,510,221		 Incoming
resources
£
1,966,053
-
1,966,053
-
10,859
10,859
1,976,912
247,505
58,400
100,000
21,796
427,701
2,404,613		 Resources
expended
£
(2,033,411)
(16,949)
(2,050,360)
-
-
-
(2,050,360)
(164,871)
(58,400)
(100,000)
(21,796)
(345,067)
(2,395,427)		 Transfers
£
83,604
24,030
107,634
-
(25,000)
(25,000)
82,634
(82,634)
-
-
-
(82,634)
-		 Other
recognised
gains/(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
(305)
(305)
(305)
-
-
-
-
-
(305)		 Balance at 31
March 2025
£
123,446
818,450
941,896
200,000
377,206
577,206
1,519,102
-
-
-
-
-
1,519,102

Page 26

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Fixed Asset Fund
Designated
Revenue Reserve
Investment Valuation fund
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted
Carers Fund
Veterans and Family Hub
Carers Trust
PCC - Household Support Fund
Helping Hands
Rough Sleepers
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
April 2023
£
103,296
781,113
884,409
200,000
367,027
567,027
1,451,436
-
7,591
-
-
-
-
7,591
1,459,027		 Incoming
resources
£
1,960,288
-
1,960,288
-
-
-
1,960,288
195,475
-
80,353
110,000
11,327
35,959
433,114
2,393,402		 Resources
expended
£
(1,945,646)
(16,021)
(1,961,667)
-
-
-
(1,961,667)
(175,475)
(7,591)
(64,814)
(110,000)
(11,327)
(35,959)
(405,166)
(2,366,833)		 Transfers
£
(10,738)
46,277
35,539
-
-
-
35,539
(20,000)
-
(15,539)
-
-
-
(35,539)
-		 Other
recognised
gains/(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
24,625
24,625
24,625
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24,625		 Balance at 31
March 2024
£
107,200
811,369
918,569
200,000
391,652
591,652
1,510,221
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,510,221

Page 27

Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Description of funds

The General Fund represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes or represented by fixed assets.

The Fixed Asset Fund represents the value of funds tied up in tangible fixed assets less the mortgage, which enable the charity to deliver services.

The Revaluation Reserve represented the difference between the year-end market value of the investment portfolio and the original cost of those investments. During the year it was decided the total value of the investment portfolio should be separated from the general funds, and so the Investment Valuation Fund has replaced this.

The Investment Valuation Fund represents the total value of the investments held under fixed asset investments in the statement of financial position. This is now held separately as the charity intends to hold these funds and utilise income made towards charitable goals.

The Revenue Reserve is a designated fund which represents the reserves policy of the charity to hold three to four months of core running costs.

The Carers Fund is income from Plymouth City Council (PCC) to be distributed to carers over the age of 18 in the city of Plymouth, to provide them with respite. Income received and not spent is included in other creditors as it is repayable to the council if not used for this purpose.

The carers trust fund is other income received to assist carers in Plymouth which is restricted for this purpose but does not fall into the above classification.

The Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub fund is from funding to work with local health service partners to help veterans get the support they are entitled to under the military covenant.

The PCC household support fund is made up of amounts received which is restricted for assistance to struggling households within Plymouth.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Helping Hands fund is made up of restricted grants and contracts to support veterans in the Plymouth area.

26 Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors over 1 year
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors over 1 year
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
858,036
391,652
608,461
(360,687)
(33,334)
1,464,128		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
851,817
377,206
594,530
(284,417)
(20,034)
1,519,102
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
115,105
(69,012)
-
46,093		 Total funds at
31 March
2025
£
851,817
377,206
594,530
(284,417)
(20,034)
1,519,102
Total funds at
31 March
2024
£
858,036
391,652
723,566
(429,699)
(33,334)
1,510,221

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Improving Lives Plymouth

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

27 Interest in freehold property

Improving Lives Plymouth has an equal interest as tenants in common in a property in Plymouth with another charity and that property cannot be sold without Improving Lives Plymouth's consent. Improving Lives Plymouth has no control over the use of the property and no legal interest in any revenue it may generate other than on sale. Improving Lives Plymouth has a covenant to receive half of the proceeds of sale if the property is sold. The legal interest was acquired by deed in 1973 with no value being attributed at that point in time and prior to the Charities SORP (FRS 102). Henceforth this asset was valued at a cost of £nil in these financial statements.

28 Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Debt due after more than one year
Net debt		 At 1 April 2024
£
528,963
(13,333)
(33,334)
482,296		 Financing cash
flows
£
(136,966)
-
13,300
(123,666)		 At 31 March
2025
£
391,997
(13,333)
(20,034)
358,630

29 Operating lease commitments

The total value of future minimum lease payments was as follows:

The total value of future minimum lease payments was as follows:
Within one year
In two to five years
In over five years		 2025
£
6,563
10,332
11,600
28,495		 2024
£
6,563
16,495
12,000
35,058

30 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year (2024: Nil).

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