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← Families United Network

2025-03-31-accounts

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

Registered Charity Number: 1091474

ACCOUNTS 31st March 2025

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

CONTENTS PAGE
Report of the Trustees 1
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Accounts 12
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees 17
Income & Expenditure Account 18

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

The trustees present their annual report together with the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. They are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Registered Charity Number 1091474

Trustees Chairperson Mr S Kite Mrs J Tompkins Ms M Titmus Resigned 22/07/2024 Mrs H Dunn Mr S Chakrabarty

Charity Development Manager Miss C Fonseca

Business Manager Mrs A Collinson Principal Address Unit 5 Britannia Trading Estate Leagrave Road Luton Bedfordshire LU3 1RJ

Bankers

Caf Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 47Q

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The charity operates under a Constitution adopted in 2011 and amended in 2013. The Constitution June 2013. It is a membership organisation run by a Board of Trustees elected by members at the Annual General Meeting.

Appointment of trustees

Trustees are appointed at the AGM, with one-third retiring each year and eligible for re-election as per the Constitution. Trustees must be over 18 and must not be disqualified under charity law.

Board Structure & Operation

Risk Management

The Board undertakes an annual risk review and has systems in place to mitigate organisational, financial, safeguarding and operational risks, including:

OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

FUN exists to improve the lives of children, young people and adults with disabilities, and to support their families. The charity’s purposes, as set out in the Constitution, include: •Providing recreational activities, personal development and mentoring for disabled children and young people.

The trustees confirm that all activities deliver public benefit, in accordance with Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Main Activities Delivered in 2024–25

Across the year, FUN provided:

Activities are designed to reduce isolation, build confidence, provide safe and accessible play and

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Chair of Trustees Statement

During 2024–25 Families United Network (FUN) delivered a wide-ranging and high-quality programme of specialist services for children, young people and adults with disabilities across Bedfordshire. Demand for services remained extremely high, reinforcing FUN’s role as a key provider of inclusive, accessible respite, recreation and personal development in the county.

In total, the charity delivered over 230 sessions and more than 20,000 hours of direct support, engaging 260+ disabled children and young people, 84 disabled adults, 87 siblings, and approximately 190 parents/carers.

FUN’s impact spans early childhood through to adulthood, ensuring continuity of support at every stage of life.

Junior & Senior Respite Clubs (Ages 4–18

Our Saturday respite clubs remain one of the most vital parts of FUN’s offer, providing both specialist care for children with complex needs and essential breaks for parent/carers.

Senior Respite Club (Ages 12–18)

games and confidence-building activities.

Junior Respite Club (Ages 4–11)

Service model improvements:

Following rising demand, FUN introduced an allocation-based booking system allowing staff resources to be matched more effectively to children’s individual needs. This resulted in 15 additional respite places being made available across the year.

Impact:

School Holiday Activity Clubs (SEND Family Sessions)

As well as providing its regular Holiday Schemes. FUN continued to also be a recognised provider within the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme across Easter, Summer and Christmas. These clubs provide inclusive recreational sessions for disabled children and their siblings, along with free healthy meals.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

Chair of Trustees Statement (Cont.)

Key achievements:

A standout feature this year was FUN’s imaginative transformation of the centre into a summer seaside experience, complete with sand play, water features, ice-cream sessions, games and beach-themed activities.

Impact:

Youth Club (Ages 11–17)

The Youth Club continues to provide a vital bridge between childhood and adulthood for young people navigating social, emotional and developmental challenges.

This year’s outcomes included:

Young people developed confidence, reduced anxiety around social situations, and formed new friendships in a safe, supportive space.

Young Adults Club & Adults Social Clubs (Ages 18–40)

FUN runs two alternating weekday clubs for adults with learning disabilities, autism and additional needs. These are often the only social groups available to adults requiring specialist support in Bedfordshire.

Clubs operate as both social and developmental environments, helping adults maintain routines, build confidence and reduce isolation.

Impact:

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

Chair of Trustees Statement (Cont.)

Adult Skills Workshops (Ages 18–30)

These structured 6-week programmes focus on developing independent living and employability skills.

Topics included:

Workshops also support emotional regulation, personal presentation, communication and selfadvocacy.

Outcomes:

Parent/Carer Wellbeing Group

This group provides a safe, welcoming space for parents to receive emotional support, information and friendship.

Programme details:

Impact:

Accessible Swimming (Keech Hydrotherapy Pool)

FUN provided fully supported sessions at the Keech hydrotherapy pool, one of the only warmwater facilities accessible to SEND children in the region.

Why this service is critical:

Feedback highlighted enormous benefits in muscle relaxation, emotional regulation, sleep and overall wellbeing.

Additional Services and Community Use

FUN’s large activity centre — 15,000 sq ft of fully accessible indoor space — also supports:

This contributes to sustainability and strengthens community partnerships.

We are proud to be the only organisation with an adapted building within the Luton and Central Bedfordshire locality.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

Chair of Trustees Statement (Cont.)

Overall Measured Impact

Across FUN’s services:

FUN continues to provide a lifeline for families who often have no alternative accessible provision locally.

These outcomes reinforce FUN’s role as a vital lifeline for families who have little or no alternative accessible provision locally.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Key risks identified include:

Mitigation includes:

Plans for Future Periods

Trustees have identified several priorities for 2025–26 and beyond:

Public Benefit Statement

The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. All activities are designed to improve the wellbeing, inclusion, independence and quality of life of disabled children, young people, adults and their families.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

As per the Charities Act 2011, trustees are responsible for:

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

Financial Review

The results of the charity for the year are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 10. Overall the Charity had a deficit for the year of £18,777.

Principal Funding Sources

Grant Income for the year totalled £355,941 and was made up as follows:

Unrestricted / Restricted:
Edward Gostling
110,000
The Sobell Foundation
20,000
Lottery Community Fund
15,000
The King Charles III Charitable Fund
2,000
Whitbread Plc. Chairman Fund – Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
4,000
Others grants and trusts
207,749
Movement in Deferred Income in the year		 £
358,749
-2,808
355,941

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

Reserves policy

The trustees review the level of reserves periodically to ensure that the charity is able to be managed efficiently and to provide a buffer for uninterrupted services. It is their policy to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which covers three to nine months expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover manangement, administration and support costs.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Our future plans include:

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing those accounts, 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 to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, Statements of Recommended Practice and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

Approved by the trustees on and signed on behalf of the board by:

Type text here

………………………… Mr S Kite CHAIRPERSON

Unit 5 Britannia Trading Estate Leagrave Road Luton Bedfordshire LU3 1RJ

………………………………………….

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Total 2024 Total
Note Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £
Incoming Resources
Incoming Resources from gerenated funds:
Voluntary income- donations and gift
aid 175 175 1,672
Activities for generating funds:
Fundraising events 15,457 15,457 10,225
Coffee shop income 2,983 2,983 2,400
Investment Income:
Deposit account interest 385 385 338
Rent received 2,880 - 2,880 2,505
Incoming Resources from charitable
activities:
Grants received 150,155 205,786 355,941 407,678
Other income 47,676 47,676 39,022
Total Incoming Resources 219,711 205,786 425,497 463,840
Resources Expended
Costs of generating funds 2 435 435 405
Charitable activities 2 242,436 198,196 440,632 418,800
Governance costs 2 3,208 3,208 3,067
Total Resources Expended 2 246,079 198,196 444,275 422,273
Net Incoming/ (Outgoing) Resources
for the year (26,367) 7,590 (18,777) 41,568
-
Balance at 1st April 2024 238,777 238,777 197,210
Balance at 31st March 2025 212,410 7,590 220,000 238,777
----- End of picture text -----

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31st MARCH 2025

Note
FIXED ASSETS
3
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
4
Cash at bank and in hand		 2025
23,485
157,886		 £
54,695		 2024
23,562
167,028		 £
59,958
LESS: CURRENT LIABILITIES
5
Creditors:amounts falling due within one year		 181,371
16,066		 190,591
11,771
NET CURRENT ASSETS 165,305 178,819
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILIIES 220,000 238,777
NET ASSETS 220,000 238,777
FUNDS
Unrestricted:
Designated
General
Restricted
6		 0
204,152
15,848		 0
222,261
16,516
220,000 238,777

The accounts on pages 7 to 12 were approved by the trustees on

……………………………………… and were signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………………………… Mr S Kite CHAIRPERSON

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011.

(b) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. This includes grant funds which are given for specific purposes.

(c) Incoming resources

Grant income is accounted for in the period in which it is to be used.

All other incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be qualified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.

Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Donated facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. No amounts are included in the accounts for services donated by volunteers.

Investment income is included when receivable.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(d) Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income; mainly in relation to fund raising, marketing and PR.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Items of small equipment purchased are taken to expenditure in the year in which the expenditure is incurred.

Governanace costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the professional fees and costs linked to the strategic manangement of the charity.

All costs are allocated between expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor areas, per capita or estimated usage as set out in Note 2.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

2 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED

Basis of
Allocation
Actual
Staff Costs
Fundraising
Direct Activity Costs
Equipment Hire/Purchases
Other Staff Costs and Expenses
Volunteer Expenses
Trustee Expenses
Training
Publicity Materials
Consultancy
Professional
Legal Fees
Accountancy
Bank Charges
Sundries
Premises
Floor
Area
General Office Costs
Useage
Communications
Useage
Depreciation
Useage
Total resources expended
Staff Costs
Wages and Salaries
Social Security Costs
Stakeholder Pension Costs
Recruitment Costs
Charitable Activities
Fundraising
Management and Administration
Costs directly allocated to
activities
Support Costs Allocated to
Activities
The number of employees,
analysed by function was:
No employee earned £60,000 per annum or m		 Generating
Funds
Charitable
activities
Governance
Costs
2025 Total
£
0
257,246
0
257,246
435
0
0
435
0
16,771
0
16,771
0
938
0
938
0
4,274
0
4,274
0
0
0
0
0
0
95
95
0
5,235
0
5,235
0
16
0
16
0
6,888
0
6,888
0
5,095
0
5,095
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,113
3,113
0
230
0
230
0
0
0
0
435
296,693
3,208
300,336
0
101,956
0
101,956
0
23,987
0
23,987
0
2,916
0
2,916
0
15,079
0
15,079
0
143,938
0
143,938
435
440,632
3,208
444,275
254,059
1,801
1,387
0
257,246
Number
75
1
5
ore.		 2024 Total
£
241,133
405
18,660
113
3,948
35
0
5,252
0
5,575
5,095
0
3,067
183
0
283,466
97,796
23,222
2,501
15,287
138,806
422,273
236,412
2,952
1,768
0
241,133
Number
75
1
5

None of the trustees received any remuneration from the charity during the year (2024-nil).

The trustees claimed no expenses during the year (2024 - NIL)

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

3 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Leasehold
Improvements
Motor
Vehicles
Equipment
Office
Equipment
COST
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 April 2024
143,694
45,792
50,335
25,191
Additions
-
-
8,928
888
Disposals
-
-
-
-
Balance at 31 March 2025
143,694
45,792
59,263
26,079
DEPRECIATION
Balance at 1 April 2024
120,013
39,510
28,559
19,002
Charge for the period
5,536
1,571
5,918
1,547
Disposals
-
-
-
-
Balance at 31 March 2025
125,549
41,080
34,477
20,550
NET BOOK VALUE
As at 31 March 2025
18,146
4,712
24,785
5,530
As at 31 March 2024
23,681
6,282
21,776
6,189
4
DEBTORS
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
5
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade Creditors
Accruals
Taxation and Social Security
Other Creditors
Deferred Income		 Fixtures &
Fittings
Total
£
£
19,865
284,877
-
9,816
-
-
19,865
294,693
17,835
224,919
507
15,079
-
-
18,343
239,998
1,522
54,695
2,030
59,958
2025
2024
£
£
1,251
2,270
22,234
21,292
23,485
23,562
3,739
2,298
2,700
2,700
521
491
15
0
9,091
6,282
16,066
11,771

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

6
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Holiday Club
Senior Respite Club
Junior Respite Club
Youth Club
Young Adult Club
Adult Club
Adult Skills Workshops
Trips & Parties		 Balance at
31st March
2024
£
8,258
0
0
0
0
0
0
0		 Balance at
31st March
Incoming
Outgoing
2025
£
52,321
44,731)
(
15,848
62,271
62,271)
(
0
35,748
35,748)
(
0
10,182
10,182)
(
0
9,186
9,186)
(
0
9,993
9,993)
(
0
23,805
23,805)
(
0
2,280
2,280)
(
0
Movement in Resources
8,258 205,786
198,196)
(
15,848
These funds represend grants received by the charity for particular
7
DESIGNATED FUNDS
2025
£
At 1st April 2024
0
Movement in year
0		 purposes and projects.
2024
£
0
0
At 31st March 2025 0 0

These funds were being held for a new building and development. The funds were released during 2015/16 into general funding for projects and services.

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preperation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to 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 review 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 diclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nto 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 matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Victoria Moulds FFA FIPA MOULDS & CO LIMITED Chartered Accountants

Ground Floor Concept House 2 Cromwell Park York Road Estate Wetherby West Yorkshire LS22 7SU

………………………………

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2025
£ £
Income
Donations 175 1,672
Grants 355,941 407,678
User Fees 45,634 37,035
Trips/Tickets 2,033 1,952
Fundraising Events 15,457 10,225
Coffee shop Income 2,983 2,400
Deposit Account Interest 385 338
Rent Received 2,880 2,505
Other Income 10 36
Total Income 425,497 463,840
Expenses
Fundraising, Marketing & PR 435 405
Wages 257,246 241,133
Motor Expenses 4,087 3,333
Other Staff Expenses 187 615
Volunteer Expenses 0 35
Trustees Expenses 95 0
Hire of Equipment 0 0
Office Rent 79,543 78,669
Rates 3,127 0
Heat & Light 9,585 12,432
Cleaning 2,293 1,786
Premises Expenses 7,409 4,910
Insurance 9,228 8,019
Telephone 2,916 2,501
Printing, Postage and Stationary 4,525 3,595
Computer Costs 10,234 11,608
Publicity Material 16 0
Sundries 0 0
Equipment purchases 938 113
Entertainers/Workshops 1,663 1,969
Transport/Coaches 0 0
Ticket Costs 4,095 6,764
Activity Costs- Other/Materials 5,451 4,687
Food 5,213 4,365
Venue Hire/Costs 350 874
Staff Training 5,235 5,252
Accountancy 3,113 3,067
Legal Fees 0 0
Professional Fees 5,095 5,095
Consultancy Fees 6,888 5,575
Depreciation 15,079 15,287
Bank Charges 230 183
Loss/(Profit) of sale of Fixed Asset 0 0
444,275 422,273
Surplus / (Deficit) for the year -18,777 41,568
----- End of picture text -----