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← Bexley Centre For The Unemployed Limited

2025-03-31-accounts

BCU LIFE SKILLS CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025

Bexley Centre for the Unemployed trading as BCU Life Skills Centre Trinity Baptist Church Trinity Place Broadway Bexleyheath Kent DA6 7AY Company Number 3871023 Charity Reg Number 1082691 Website www.bculifeskills.org.ukEmail bculife@btconnect.com Tel 020 8301 3187

CONTENTS
Page 3 Legal and Administrative Information
Pages 4 - 8 Directors’ Report
Page 9 Statement of Financial Activities
Pages 10 – 16 Notes to the Financial Statements
CHARITY NUMBER 1082691
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 3871023
START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1stApril 2024
END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31stMarch 2025
DIRECTORS AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024 Revd Trevor
Wyatt
Patricia Anne
Giles		 Alan Eaton
Revd Andy
Banks
Lisa Vickery Charles Roberts
Maureen Kelly Bernadette Roberts
GOVERNING DOCUMENT Memorandum and Articles of Association
Incorporated 3rdNovember 1999.

AIMS

BCU aims to address the basic needs of people to be valued, respected and active members of society by providing support, advice and training for the unemployed, ethnic minorities, women returners, disabled and the socially disadvantaged. We aim to enable adults to

cope with their individual circumstances and equip them in the longer term with the skills and confidence necessary to either return to the work-force or to go back into education.

CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS

Trinity Baptist Church Trinity Place Broadway Bexleyheath Kent DA6 7AY

BANKERS

HSBC Plc 39 High St Dartford Kent DA1 1DG

The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting statement of responsibilities as set out in the notes to the financial statements pages 11-17 and comply with the organisation’s governance document, the memorandum and articles of association.

Structure, Governance and Management

The general control, strategic oversight and management of the Centre’s activities are the responsibility of the Management Committee/Board of Directors which is made up of 5 individual members and 2 Church representatives.

Nominations are invited annually to the Management Committee and are drawn from the membership base of the organisation. The membership is open to individuals and groups in the London Borough of Bexley. The Management Committee usually meet bi-monthly and the Executive Sub-Committee, monthly.

Risk Management and strategic planning

The risk management policy will form part of the strategic planning process. The trustees are careful to establish and review policies, procedures and systems which comply with applicable legislation and ensure that risk is managed satisfactorily. A strategic development working group has been established and an ongoing programme of risk assessment continues.

Management

During the period April 2024 to March 2025 Management consisted of the Coordinator, Centre Administrator, Group Therapy Facilitator and a Drop-In Coordinator

Two student counsellors who gained their diplomas Two accredited counsellors who are also qualified supervisors Two listeners who went on to become student counsellors with us 1 volunteer offering a mentoring/befriending/outreach service 2 meeters and greeters

Charitable objects

The charitable objects set out in the memorandum and articles of association are to relieve poverty and advance education among the inhabitants of Bexley and its neighbourhood, and in particular those who are unemployed and to provide facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life of said inhabitants.

Aims for 2024/2025

How our activities deliver public benefit

The charity’s main purpose is to provide services free of charge to those with multiple disadvantage and those who are experiencing financial hardship in Bexley Borough. We have a person-centred approach and an open door policy.

Current and proposed fundraising plan

Funding from the Yapp Charitable Trust was used to continue providing our services throughout the year. We were successful with funding applications from Awards for All and City Bridge Trust which meant we were able to commence the next financial year in a healthy position. The Annual Sponsored Walk did not take place in April 2024. We will continue with our fundraising efforts to various trusts and continue requesting donations from local businesses and churches. We will continue to work with Bexley Voluntary Services Council to identify grant makers.

Activity Reports

Coordinator’s Report

With the continued support of our qualified volunteers we were able to offer our counselling provision by telephone, zoom and in person.

Supervision continued throughout the year by our qualified counselling supervisors to ensure safe practice and in accordance with the British Association of Counselling Psychotherapists.

The Women’s Therapy Group also continued.

All required administrative work was carried out by staff and submissions, as required, were duly made to Companies House and the Charities Commission.

Several volunteers supported service users living locally with their distressing situations supporting them to access services, meals and help with finances and a range of health issues.

Our most grateful thanks again go to David Ault who kindly prepares our accounts and to Trinity Baptist Church for their continued support.

Financial Policy

Our financial policy sets out the financial controls for managing the organisation and during this period we commenced internet banking.

Reserves

Restricted and designated fund requirements are strictly adhered to as set out in our funders’ guidelines.

Accounts

Accounts were prepared by David Ault, Independent Examiner

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of BCU Life Skills Centre Limited 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 trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which is a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees are required to:-

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

Small company’s exemption

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was prepared by the trustees and signed on their behalf.

Patricia Giles Chair

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

(Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account)

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming Resources from Generated Funds
Voluntary Income
3a
Activities for Generating Funds
3b
Other Incoming Resources
3c
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Cost of Generated Funds
Costs of Charitable Activities
4a
Activities for Generating Funds
4b
Governance Costs
4c
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
Total Funds Brought Forward
Transfers of Funds
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
£
£
2,620
31,000
33,620
27,585
2,217
-
2,217
2,140
-
-
-
228
4,837
31,000
35,837
29,953
223
27,578
27,801
13,282
964
964
1,928
1,021
-
643
643
644
1,187
29,185
30,372
14,947
3,650
1,815
5,465
15,006
3,501
22,018
25,519
10,513
-
-
-
-
7,151
23,833
30,984
25,519

Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the charity's operations are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

9

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
2
Current Assets
Cash at Bank and in Hand
6
Prepayments
7
Total Current Assets
8
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred Income
10
NET ASSETS
Funds of the Charity
General Funds
Restricted Funds
5
Creditors:due within one year		 Unrestricted Restricted 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24
Funds
Funds
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
510
-
510
728
7,408
23,066
30,474
24,791
-
-
-
-
7,408
23,066
30,474
24,791
-
-
-
-
7,408
23,066
30,474
24,791
7,918
23,066
30,984
25,519
-
-
-
-
7,918
23,066
30,984
25,519
7,918
-
7,918
4,269
-
23,066
23,066
21,250
7,918
23,066
30,984
25,519

For the year ended 31st March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under - section 477of the Companies Act 2006.

The director's acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

Approved by the board of Directors on ………………………………………………………….

Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors …………………………………………………….

Patricia A Giles Chair

10

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

These accounts have been prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the accounts the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP 2005), and Appendix 5 'Accounting for Smaller Charities'.

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.

Incoming Resources

Recognition of Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Grants and Donations

Grants and Donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SoFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants

This is only included in the SoFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.

Gifts in Kind

Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SoFA as incoming resources when receivable.

Donated Services and Facilities

These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.

Volunteer Help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual repor

Investment Income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Investment Gains and Losses

This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

Expenditure and Liabilities

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

11

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Expenditure and Liabilities (Continued)

Governance Costs

Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees' meeting and co any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Grants with Performance Conditions

Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SofA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.

Grants Payable without Performance Conditions

These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to b relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.

Support Costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent the use of resources, eg. allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets for use by the Charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. They are valued at cos if donated, at a reasonable value on receipt.

Investments

Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investme assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value.

12

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Cost at 1st April 2024
Additions
Disposals
Cost at 31st March 2025
Depreciation at 1st April 2024
Depreciation Charge for the year
Depreciation on Disposals
Depreciation at 31st March 2025
Net Book Value at 31st March 2025
Net Book Value at 31st March 2024		 Fixtures
Plant and
Fittings and
2024/25
Machinery
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
-
10,527
10,527
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,527
10,527
-
9,799
9,799
-
218
218
-
-
-
-
10,017
10,017
-
510
510
-
728
728

Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets on a Reducing Balance over their estimated useful lives. The rate applied is 30% per annum.

The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases, capital commitments, contingent liabilities are follows:

31st March 2025: Nil 31st March 2024: Nil

3. INCOMING RESOURCES

3. INCOMING RESOURCES
Note
a) Voluntary Income
Gifts & Donations
Grants Received
b) Activities for Generating Funds
Sponsored Walk
Gift Aid - Tax reclaimed on Sponsored Walk
Canteen
c) Other incoming resources
Sundry Income (including course fees)
Monies received under Government Furlough Scheme		 Unrestricted Restricted
2024/25
2023/24
Funds
Funds
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
2,620
-
2,620
1,585
-
31,000
31,000
26,000
2,620
31,000
33,620
27,585
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,217
-
2,217
2,140
2,217
-
2,217
2,140
-
-
-
228
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
228

13

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

4. RESOURCES EXPENDED
4. RESOURCES EXPENDED
Note
a) Costs of Charitable Activities
Depreciation Expense
Printing, Postage & Stationery
Inland Revenue
Net Staff Costs
Rent
Volunteers Expenses
Sundry Expenses
Equipment under £500 ( see Note 1 - Assets)
Telephone & Broadband Costs
b) Costs of Generating Funds
Canteen Supplies
c) Governance Costs
Insurance Costs
DBS Check		 Unrestricted Restricted
2024/25
2023/24
Funds
Funds
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
218
-
218
308
134
134
89
3,296
3,296
1,081
18,053
18,053
8,064
4,792
4,792
2,500
5
-
5
-
142
142
260
-
-
-
40
1,161
1,161
940
223
27,578
27,801
13,282
964
964
1,928
1,021
964
964
1,928
1,021
643
643
644
-
-
-
-
-
643
643
644

5. RESTRICTED FUNDS

5. RESTRICTED FUNDS
National Lottery Awards For All
National Lottery - Warm Space, Warm Welcome
City Bridge Trust
National Lottery Awards For All		 Balance
Balance
1-Apr-24
Income Expenditure31-Mar-25
£
£
£
£
1,250
-
1,250
-
20,000
-
16,934
3,066
11,000
11,000
-
-
20,000
-
20,000
21,250
31,000
29,184
23,066

Any Restricted Funds held by the charity are wholly represented by cash reserves and will be expended as spe in each Grant.

14

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

6. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
31-Mar-25
£
Current Account
30,441
Petty Cash
33
30,474
7. DEBTORS
31-Mar-25
£
Preypayments
-
-
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31-Mar-25
£
Accruals
-
-
9. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
31-Mar-25
£
Gross Wages and Salaries
21,349
Employer's National Insurance Costs
-
21,349
Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
31-Mar-25
TOTAL
Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects
2
Management and administration
2
4		 31-Mar-24
£
24,457
334
24,791
31-Mar-24
£
-
-
31-Mar-24
£
-
-
31-Mar-24
£
9,145
-
9,145
31-Mar-24
TOTAL
2
2
4

The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to pay all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments of over £50,000 (2023/24: None)

15

BEXLEY CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED LTD (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

10. DEFERRED INCOME

10. DEFERRED INCOME
No Deferred Income in year 31-Mar-25
£
-		 31-Mar-24
£
-

11. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT ON CAPITAL AND RESERVES

The Company is Limited by Guarantee (3871023) and is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission (1082691) and does not have a share capital and has no income subject to Corporation Tax.

Surplus / Deficit for the financial year
Other Recognised Gains
Balance Brought Forward
Closing Funds		 2024/25
£
5,465
-
5,465
25,519
30,984		 2023/24
£
15,006
-
15,006
10,513
25,519

12. PAYMENTS TO DIRECTORS AND RELATED PARTIES

No payments were made to directors or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No mate transaction took place between the charity and a trustee or any person connected with them. (2023/24: None)

13. RISK ASSESSSMENT

The directors actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that mainta the free reserves stated combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried ou annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The directors have also exam other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitiga significant risks.

14. RESERVES POLICY

The directors have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The directors aim to ensure the charity be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpecte expenditure. The directors will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.

15. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or 'aims are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Directors' Report. The Directors confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

16

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