COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER : 04147006
CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 AUGUST 2025
Charity Number : 1088283
Edmund Carr LLP
Chartered Accountants 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW
CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
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CONTENTS PAGE
Trustees' Annual Report 1
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and 7
expenditure account)
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name Chelmsford Counselling Foundation Charity registration number 1088283 Company registration number 04147006 Registered office 42 Cedar Avenue Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2QH THE TRUSTEES Caroline Travis Chair Alison Cowen (Resigned 30/01/2025) Arvinder Mudhar Jagjeet Panesar (Treasurer) Dimitra Theodoropoulou
Company Secretary
Kellie Willis (Resigned 11/06/2025) Julie Maxfield (Appointed 11/06/2025) Management Team Andrew Harvey Head of Counselling and Head of Centre Sara Von Sommaruga Head of Training
Advisory Council
Robert Aldrich Valerie Potter
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr. Alex Lita
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
REPORT OF CHAIR OF TRUSTEES (covering period 01/09/2024 to 31/08/2025)
It has been a challenging but successful year against a background of increasing awareness of mental health issues. Limited availability of counselling resources and absence of regulation has led to new entrants entering the profession and intense competition for clients, counsellors, students and fundraisers. This, together with difficult economic conditions has put pressure on all sources of income and has seen several counselling centres in the not-for-profit sector struggling to survive in recent years. Nevertheless, we have undertaken regular comparison exercises on both counselling and training providers in the region and this coupled with changes underway and initiatives planned for the future make us confident that our offer in both counselling and training is competitive and sustainable.
Objectives and Activities
Foundation or CCF means Chelmsford Counselling Foundation, CCF’s activities are governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 24[th] January 2001.
Mission Statement: It is the purpose of the Foundation to offer a professional and affordable psychodynamic counselling service and to train counsellors to nationally accredited standards.
Statement of Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit during the year.
The Foundation’s purpose of existence, as outlined in our Mission Statement, is to provide counselling to the general public and to train psychodynamic counsellors. We achieve this through:
1) Offering a counselling service to the general public organisations and to the NHS. 2) By providing training for prospective counsellors up to a professional and Accredited standard.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredits our courses. The IAPT scheme has been accounted for separately as it is a fixed contract and not part of CCF core work.
Our counsellors are trained to explore with clients how much they can afford depending on their income. The fee is regularly reviewed.
The foundation offers a wide range of counselling courses: an introductory course, a Certificate in Counselling Skills, a Diploma in Counselling Skills and a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling. The latter is a recognised professional qualification that leads to registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a pathway to full BACP accreditation with additional experience.
To summarise, the public benefits of our work are:
1) To offer counselling to all members of this community.
2) To offer counselling to clients who are unable to afford the full recommended fee. 3) To offer training that leads to a professional qualification in psychodynamic counselling and registration with the BACP.
It is important to state that no private benefits result from the activities of our organisation, and to the best of our knowledge, no detriment or harm arises in any way as a consequence of our work.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
To carry out these roles the Foundation relies on the service of paid and unpaid staff. They are:
Trustees
The Board of Trustees are those with legal and financial responsibilities for the Foundation. It is the role of the Trustees to plan and initiate strategic thinking and plans for the future which ensure that the Foundation will remain a viable business. Trustees aim to support the Management team in their task of running the Foundation. They offer a considerable amount of unpaid time and expertise to achieve this. Potential Trustees are identified using advertising or recommendation from current members of the Foundation. Any names put forward are first discussed by the Trustees and are then passed on to the Head of Centre & Clinical Service to establish any potential conflict of interest or boundary issues. Suitability regarding expertise required at the given time will be taken into consideration. We welcome applications on an ongoing basis. This year we said goodbye to Alison Cowen from the Board of Trustees and we thank her for her time and commitment and wish her the very best for the future.
The Foundation has a regular bi-monthly Board meeting that includes the Trustees, the Head of Centre & Clinical Service and other members of the management team.
The Trustees meet separately most months in order to facilitate timely decision making. The Chair of Trustees and the Head of Centre & Clinical Service meet monthly and the Finance Trustee meets with the Head of Centre & Clinical Service on a bi-monthly basis. The Head of Centre & Clinical Service and the Managers and meet weekly.
Management Team
Our Management team are responsible for the day to day business and running of the Centre. They are responsible for existing and new projects, appointing, line managing and appraising staff and ensuring that our counselling and training run smoothly. We are fortunate to have a strong team in place who are committed to their responsibilities and the Charity.
Andrew Harvey continues to hold the post of Head of Centre & Clinical Service and Sara von Sommaruga continued to hold the post of Head of Training.
Counselling
Counselling is at the heart of the foundation. Our counsellors are all, as a minimum, registered members of BACP and were trained at CCF.
CCF’s clients numbers are slowly increasing year-on-year but remain significantly lower than prepandemic years. CCF has observed a greater proportion of more complex clients who are often lower fee paying. As a result, many CCF counselling sessions have been delivered at a loss although this has been mitigated by changes to the fee negotiation process, and an Affordable Counselling Fund, introduced from 1 May 2025. These changes are showing early signs of improvement in the weekly deficit from counselling.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued) YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
Financial Review
In the financial year, the Foundation generated total income of £268,063 (2024: £252,590) and incurred expenditure of £285,397 (2024: £281,951), resulting in a deficit of £17,334 (2024: £29,361). This represents a year-on-year reduction in the deficit of £12,027.
The improvement is primarily attributed to increased income from training fees, driven by a rise in student enrolment. However, this was offset on the training side by a reduction in counselling income from trainees. There was an overall increase in counselling income from our qualified counsellors that brought the overall year on year deficit down. The post-Covid landscape has seen heightened demand for both counselling services and counsellor training, alongside rapid growth in online offerings with minimal barriers to entry. This has intensified competition in what was previously a stable market. In response, the new management team is actively implementing a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing income generation and strengthening the Foundation’s competitive position.
Expenditure rose by £3,446, reflecting standard operational costs including staff salaries and premises maintenance. During the year, the Foundation introduced a new management structure to better align with the evolving and challenging operating environment.
As of 31 August 2025, the Foundation’s balance sheet reports total Net Assets of £854,347 (2024: £871,681). The principal asset remains the property on Cedar Avenue, valued at £712,576 (2024: £712,576). Cash reserves held in savings and deposit accounts total £248,055 (2024: £268,355). To ensure financial security, the Foundation continues to limit the amount of funds held in individual accounts.
Reserves Policy
The Foundation's free reserves at 31 August 2025, being unrestricted funds not represented by fixed assets or designated for a particular purpose, totalled £48,329 (see note 16). This represents just below the target of 2 to 3 months of annual expenditure (£50,000 - £75,000) which the Trustees consider to be satisfactory. In addition, the Foundation has a designated operational contingency reserve of £90,675 to ensure the continuity of counselling services.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
This report has been prepared having taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the trustees on 30th January 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
................................... C Travis Chair
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 15.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Sandra Morrell FCCA Edmund Carr LLP 146 New London Road Chelmsford CM2 0AW 5th March 2026
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
| Note INCOME from: Donations 2 Investments 3 Charitable activities 4 Other 5 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE on: Charitable activities 6 TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) / NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Total Funds Total Funds 2025 2024 £ £ 10,807 8,039 6,972 6,516 249,064 235,030 1,220 3,005 268,063 252,590 285,397 281,951 285,397 281,951 (17,334) (29,361) 871,681 901,042 854,347 871,681 |
|---|---|
All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities All funds are unrestricted.
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31st AUGUST 2025
| AS AT 31st AUGUST 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 12 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand |
£ £ 715,343 40,331 248,055 2025 |
£ £ 714,691 33,872 268,355 2024 |
|
| CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 14 |
288,386 (149,382) |
302,227 (145,237) |
|
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 139,004 | 156,990 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 854,347 | 871,681 | |
| NET ASSETS | 854,347 | 871,681 | |
| FUNDS OF THE CHARITY 15 Unrestricted funds Revaluation Reserve |
600,442 253,905 |
617,776 253,905 |
|
| TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS | 854,347 | 871,681 |
For the year ending 31 August 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Trustees' responsibilities:
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements were approved by the trustees on 30th January 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:
...................................
C TRAVIS (Trustee)
Company Registration Number: 04147006
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Legal Status
Chelmsford Counselling Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It is incorporated in England and Wales and its registered address is 42 Cedar Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2QH. The company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds - these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.
Restricted funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.
Income
All incoming resources are accounted for when the charity is legally entitled to the income. Fees and deposits received for courses commencing after the period end are recognised as deferred income and included under creditors.
Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes VAT as the charity is not VAT registered.
Support costs relate to expenditure to support the charitable activities of the charity which cannot be directly attributed to either counselling or training.
Governance costs are those costs incurred in connection with the administration of the charity including compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Fixed assets
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost or deemed cost under FRS102.
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £250 are capitalised in the accounts.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment 25% straight line Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line
The trustees do not wish to depreciate the freehold property as it is revalued regularly.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount.
Tax status
The company is a registered charity and is not subject to corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
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2. DONATIONS Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
General donations 10,807 8,039
10,807 8,039
3. INVESTMENT INCOME Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Bank interest receivable 6,972 6,516
4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Counselling income 121,691 104,449
Training income 127,373 130,581
249,064 235,030
5. OTHER INCOME Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Room hire 1,220 3,005
6. COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Total Funds Total Funds
2025 2024
£ £
Counselling - direct costs 58,597 70,786
Training - direct costs 84,073 68,939
Support costs (note 7) 133,801 137,303
Governance costs (note 8) 8,926 4,923
285,397 281,951
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
| 7. SUPPORT COSTS Staff wages/costs Other 8. GOVERNANCE COSTS Independent Examination fee Accounts preparation and payroll Fees payable to Independent Examiner Other fees and expenses Training and travel 9. NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR This is stated after charging: Depreciation 10. STAFF COSTS AND EMOLUMENTS Total staff costs were as follows: Wages and salaries Social security costs Employer pension contributions Particulars of employees: The average number of staff employed during the year (head count) was as follows: Number of administrative staff Number of management staff Number of counsellors |
Total Funds 2025 £ 94,815 38,986 133,801 Total Funds 2025 £ 1,210 7,264 8,474 452 - 8,926 Total Funds 2025 £ 2,687 Total Funds 2025 £ 219,843 3,336 4,234 227,413 2025 No 3 2 25 30 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 97,760 39,543 137,303 Total Funds 2024 £ 1,160 3,380 4,540 383 - 4,923 Total Funds 2024 £ 4,132 Total Funds 2024 £ 213,774 3,771 4,280 221,825 2024 No 3 3 24 30 |
|---|---|---|
No employees received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the year (2024 - None). Total key management personnel remuneration benefits during the year amounted to £35,841. (2024 - £36,232).
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION
No emoluments were received or waived by trustees during the year.
During the year no trustees were reimbursed for travel expenses (2024 - £46).
12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST OR VALUATION At 1st September 2024 Additions Disposals At 31st August 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1st September 2024 Charge for the year On disposals At 31st August 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st August 2025 At 31st August 2024 |
Freehold property £ 712,576 - - 712,576 - - - - 712,576 712,576 |
Equipment £ 27,414 3,339 (10,972) 19,781 25,743 2,243 (10,972) 17,014 2,767 1,671 |
Fixtures & Fittings £ 26,417 - (12,472) 13,945 25,973 444 (12,472) 13,945 - 444 |
Total £ 766,407 3,339 (23,444) 746,302 51,716 2,687 (23,444) 30,959 715,343 714,691 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The freehold property (42 Cedar Avenue) was revalued at 28th April 2017 at £700,000. The valuation was carried out on the basis of vacant possession (comparative and investment) market value. The valuation was carried out by Chartered Surveyors. A review of the valuation in March 2023 by estate agents concluded there had been no significant change in the valuation.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
| 13. DEBTORS Trade debtors Prepayments Sundry debtors 14. CREDITORS Trade creditors PAYE and social security Deferred income Accruals Other creditors |
2025 £ 36,523 3,105 703 40,331 2025 £ 3,869 3,140 120,438 20,597 1,338 149,382 |
2024 £ 28,828 3,770 1,274 33,872 2024 £ 3,258 4,829 106,447 23,830 6,873 145,237 |
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Deferred income relates mainly to fees and deposits received in advance for training courses commencing in September 2025. Deferred income at 31 August 2024 of £106,447 has been released in the year. Income of £115,755 relating to training fees has been deferred at 31 August 2025.
15. UNRESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Balance at 01/09/2024 £ General unrestricted funds 68,430 Designated funds: Freehold property 458,671 Revaluation reserve 253,905 Operational contingency 90,675 871,681 |
Incoming resources £ 268,063 - - - 268,063 |
Outgoing resources £ (285,397) - - - (285,397) |
Gains/losses & transfers £ - - - - - |
Balance at 31/08/2025 £ 51,096 458,671 253,905 90,675 854,347 |
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The freehold property fund and revaluation reserve represent the value of the freehold property held by the charity but not immediately available as free funds.
The operational contingency reserve fund is allocated to ensure continuity of counselling services.
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CHELMSFORD COUNSELLING FOUNDATION COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025
16. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS (between restricted and unrestricted funds)
| Unrestricted income funds: Designated funds General funds Total funds |
Tangible fixed assets £ 712,576 2,767 715,343 |
Other net assets £ 90,675 48,329 139,004 |
Total £ 803,251 51,096 854,347 |
|---|---|---|---|
17. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the charity are the trustees. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.
18. RELATED PARTIES
There were no related party transactions that require disclosure during the year.
19. PRIOR YEAR FUNDS NOTE
| UNRESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS Balance at 01/09/2023 £ General unrestricted funds 97,791 Designated funds: Freehold property 458,671 Revaluation reserve 253,905 Operational contingency 90,675 901,042 |
Incoming resources £ 252,590 - - - 252,590 |
Outgoing resources £ (281,951) - - - (281,951) |
Gains/losses & transfers £ - - - - - |
Balance at 31/08/2024 £ 68,430 - 458,671 253,905 90,675 871,681 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The freehold property fund and revaluation reserve represent the value of the freehold property held by the charity but not immediately available as free funds.
The operational contingency reserve fund is allocated to ensure continuity of counselling services.
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