Company No. 3379478 (England and Wales) Charity Registration No. 1071831
THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
UNAUDITED DIRECTORS’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | |
| (Including Income and Expenditure Account) | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 9 |
THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
(Co No - 3379478)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Constitution
The Otherwise Club is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The registered numbers are as follows:
Company Number: 3379478 (England and Wales) Charity Registration Number: 1071831
Directors and Trustees
The directors of the charitable company ("the charity") are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. As set out in the Articles of Association the charity shall have not less than three and not more than six trustees. At each Annual General Meeting one-third of the trustees shall retire by rotation, and will be eligible for re-appointment. The trustees have the power to co-opt up to two further members to fill specialist roles.
The trustees serving during the year were as follows:
L Barson S E Fletcher J Alcaraz K E Al-Mohain
Secretary: L Barson Registered Office: 1 Croxley Road, London W9 3HH Bankers: National Westminster Bank Plc 22 King's Mall Hammersmith London W6 0QD CCLA Investment Management Limited St Alphage House 2 Fore Street London EC2Y 5AQ
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
(Co No - 3379478)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Legal 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.
Objects of the Charity
The objects of the charity are to advance the education of children whose families choose to educate their children out of school and who remain responsible for their children's education at all times without distinction of race, sex, political, religious or other opinion, through the provision of facilities. The memorandum of association states that the company may do anything lawful, necessary to promote its objectives.
Organisation
A board of trustees of up to six members, who meet annually, administers the charity.
Trustee recruitment, induction and training
As a result of the selection process of the trustees, the trustees will already be aware of the charity and its objectives. Additionally, new trustees are encouraged to meet senior trustees to discuss any questions they may have in respect of their obligations under both UK Charity and Company Law. Trustees are recruited from the existing membership via nomination at the AGM or co-opted for specialist skills. These arrangements will be reviewed as and when the trustees decide to recruit new trustees.
Investment powers
Under the memorandum and articles of association, the charity has the power to make any investment that the trustees see fit.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to operations and finances, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the charity’s exposure to the major risks.
Activities and achievements of the Charity
In 2024-25, our Thursday meet-ups at the Otherwise Club have continued in The Vale Community Centre. It is a relaxed, welcoming place for families to learn, play, and spend time together. Each week offers a mix of activities and free play, giving children plenty of space to socialise and try new things. We meet and offer a mix of structured sessions and free play, allowing children of all ages to explore and develop new skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. Activities have included art and craft projects, board games, Lego, group games, quizzes, workshops and trips. This year, we explored photography, its history as well as different techniques, and put those into practice. We would experiment with cameras and creative ideas.
We continue to run climbing Wednesdays at Westway Sports centre with two classes now.
We place a strong emphasis on community and collaboration, with children encouraged to work together, share ideas, and support one another’s learning. Parents and carers also contribute by leading sessions or sharing their own knowledge. The club continues to be a valued part of our home-education journey, fostering friendships, creativity, and a love of learning.
We went to Paddington Farm twice this year in our usual February half term spot and had a full house with old members and current meeting again for their annual reunion, going for walks and watching the Starling murmurations. We also took a cancelation week in August. It’s so different going in the summer to the winter. There is more room for spontaneous walks and activities at the farm itself enjoying the farm and countryside.
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
(Co No - 3379478)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 202 5
We enjoyed several outings as well, including Kew Gardens during Community Week, as well as three Jack Petchey Foundation outings: ice-skating and bowling; and a fabulous day out at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for about 30 members of the club. We received an Education travel grant from Jack Petchey Foundation to help us get there. While there we had a great workshop about the history of the Mary Rose and how the sailors lived on board and why it sank, and how it was pulled up from the water and restored. There were several new exhibitions since we had last been there some 5 years before including a film about how they raised the boat and keep it preserved. In the summer we went to Eastbourne for the day and had a fantastic time.
We also were able to go the theatre several times through the year and saw Lion King, Mrs Doubtfire and Phantom of the Opera.
As usual new members just starting their home-education journey find helpful advice and encouragement from more experienced members.
Future events
We are looking forward to 2026. We will continue being a D of E Centre with a new cohort of young people starting their bronze level award. Paddington Farm is booked for winter and summer again as well as planning our trips to the theatre and from our Jack Petechey winners. We also have our new legacy fund and are thinking about how best to make the best use of this gift. Most of all we are looking forward to being together and deepening friendships.
Financial review
During the year under review the charity made a surplus of £253,167, of which £253,267 was a surplus on unrestricted funds and £100 was a deficit on restricted funds. £250,110 of the unrestricted surplus was transferred to the designated fund, the balance of £3,157 has been transferred to reserves. The total reserves at 31 August 2025 was £257,344, of which £6,734 was unrestricted, £250,110 was designated and £500 was restricted.
Financial management
All income and expenditure is controlled by the Company Secretary.
Reserves policy
The trustees have reviewed the charity’s current needs for reserves and will maintain a reserve that will enable them to meet their contractual obligations in any one financial year.
The directors hereby submit the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Directors of the company during the year were:Karina Ewa Al-Mohsin Jose Alcaraz Leslie Barson Sian Fletcher
All of the directors were trustees of the charity.
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB
(Co No - 3379478)
(A company limited by guarantee)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 202 5
Responsibilities of directors and trustees
Company Law requires trustees, as directors of the company, to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those accounts, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue to operate.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts 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.
Accountants and independent examiner
The directors and trustees consider that an independent examination is not required for this year as the charity is exempt under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993.
A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting appointing accountants or independent examiners to the charitable company for the ensuing year, if required.
The report of the trustees has been prepared in accordance with the Special Provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 and was approved on 30 May 2026.
Signed: Date: 30 May 2026 LESLIE BARSON
Signed: Date: 30 May 2026 SIAN FLETCHER
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB {A company limited by guarantee) (Co No - 3379478) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES OF THE OTHERWISE CLUB I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 9. Respgctivg rgsponsibilities of dirgctors and trustees and gxaminer The Iruslees, who are also the directors of The Otherwise Club Limited (by Guaranteel for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The d1ClorS and trustees consider that an audit is not qUired for this year under section 43121 of the Charities Act 1993, the 1993 Act. and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself Ihal the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. lil examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act", lill to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43{7llb) of the 1993 Act,. and (iiil to stale whether particular mallers have come lo my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a revew of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matter5 set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my exarnination, no matter has come lo my attention.. lal which gives me reasonable cause to believe 1hat in any materi81 respect the requirements-. lil) The directors present their rewrt and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025. lill to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles ol the Statement of Recommended Practice". Accounting and Reporting by Charities", have not been met", or Ib} to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Signed-. Dale.. 30 May 2026 Sandra Aldworth
THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee) (Co No - 3379478) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
(Co No - 3379478)
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|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Total|Total|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|
|2025|2025|2025|2025|2024|
|Income from:|£|£|£|£|£|
|Donations|5,412|250,110|-|255,522|2,135|
|Charitable activities|
|-|-|
|Membership and visitors' fees|1,228|1,228|1,996|
|-|-|
|Activities, workshops, visits and outings|9,789|9,789|8,552|
|Grants received:|
|-|-|
|Jack Petchey Award|1,200|1,200|1,900|
|Fundraising and promotion|291|-|-|291|249|
|Investments – bank interest|2,493|-|2,493|11|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|Total income|19,213|250,110|1,200|270,523|14,843|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|Expenditure on:|
|Charitable activities|
|Activities, workshops, visits and outings|10,177|-|100|10,277|10,145|
|-|-|
|Jack Petchey Award – activities|1,200|1,200|1,714|
|Duke of Edinburgh|443|-|-|443|-|
|Co-ordinator|3,372|-|-|3,372|1,782|
|Rent|1,600|-|-|1,600|500|
|Subscriptions|20|-|-|20|20|
|Insurance|159|-|-|159|879|
|Governance and administration|34|-|-|34|106|
|Fundraising expenses|52|-|-|52|52|
|Other expenses|199|199|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|-|
|Total expenditure|16,056|1,300|17,356|15,198|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|Net income/(expenditure)|3,157|250,110|(100)|253,167|(355)|
|Funds|
|Funds brought forward at 1.9.24|3,577|-|600|4,177|4,532|
|Transfers between funds|-|-|-|-|-|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|Funds carried forward at 31.8.25|6,734|250,110|500|257,344|4,177|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|──────|
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The Statement of Financial Activities has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. There are no recognised gains and losses other than those passing through the Statement of Financial Activities. The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
(Co No - 3379478)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
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|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Notes|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Fixed assets|
|Tangible assets:|
|Equipment|5|-|194|
|────|────|
|-|194|
|────|────|
|Current assets|
|Debtors|-|-|
|Cash at bank and in hand:|
|Current account|4,756|3,913|
|Business reserve account|300|296|
|COIF Charities Deposit Fund|252,708|109|
|Petty cash|-|5|
|──────|────|
|257,764|4,323|
|Creditors: amounts falling due within one year|6|(420)|(340)|
|──────|────|
|Net current assets|257,344|3,983|
|──────|────|
|──────|────|
|Total assets less current liabilities|257,344|4,177|
|──────|────|
|Funds|
|Unrestricted funds|6,734|3,577|
|Designated funds|250,110|
|Restricted funds|500|600|
|──────|────|
|257,344|4,177|
|──────|────|
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In preparing these financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2025:
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 August 2025. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
The financial statements were approved by the Committee of management on 30 May 2026
Signed by: Print Name: Leslie Barson Director/Trustee
Signed by: Print Name: Sian Fletcher Director/Trustee
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis for preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRSSE, effective 1.January 2015), applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.
The charitable company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No. 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small company.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", effective 1 January 2015 and the Companies Act 2006.
1.2 Income
Donations
Donations are included in incoming resources in the period in which they are received.
Membership subscriptions
Income from membership subscriptions is included in incoming resources within the period it is received.
Grants
Income from grants is included in incoming resources in the period in which they are received.
Interest received
Interest is included when receivable by the charity.
Summary
All income is included gross, without the netting off of expenditure.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis. Hence, where necessary, an accrual is provided for within creditors.
All expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and has been included in those cost categories.
1.4 Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets were of immaterial value and have been fully written off during the year.
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THE OTHERWISE CLUB
(Co No - 3379478)
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1.5 Funds
Unrestricted funds are held for the fulfilling of the charitable company's objectives. The funds have arisen through the activities of the charitable company as shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. Restricted funds have been given for specific purposes. Designated funds have been set aside by the trustees for a specific purpose. Other transfers between funds are to make good funding shortfalls and eliminate negative restricted fund balances; there were none in the year.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Analysis of funds|Balance b/f|2024-2025|Balance c/f|
|1.9.24|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|31.8.25|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|-|-|-|
|Jack Petchey|1,200|(1,200)|
|National Foundation|600|-|(100)|-|500|
|for Youth Music|
|Total restricted funds|600|1,200|(1,300)|-|500|
|-|-|-|
|Designated funds|250,110|250,110|
|Unrestricted funds|3,577|269,323|(16,056)|(250,110)|6,734|
|Total funds|4,177|270,523|(17,356)|-|257,344|
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2. Trustees remuneration and expenses
No payments were made to the trustees during the year for remuneration or for reimbursement of expenses.
3. Employees
The charitable company has no employees. Most administration and other duties are performed by the trustees and volunteers. In addition the charitable company paid for the services of a self-employed coordinator, a total of £3,372 in the year.
4. Taxation
There is no tax liability as the company is a charity.
5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
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||||
|---|---|---|
|EQUIPMENT|
|£|
|Cost|
|At 1 September 2024|194|
|Write off|(194)|
|-|
|At 31 August 2025|
|═════|
|CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Other creditors and accruals|420|340|
|════|════|
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7. CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
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