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← St Lukes Advice Service

2025-03-31-accounts

St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894

Trustees report for the year ending 31 March 2025

St Lukes Advice Service is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales, charity number 1094894. Its principal oCice is located in the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD.

It was constituted on 7 November 2002, with an amended constitution adopted on 13 April 2018.

The trustees who held oCice during the year were:

New trustees are appointed by the existing board following interviews. All new trustees undergo an induction in the charity and its works. The trustee board met 10 times during the year for board meetings with the Director of Operations and Fundraising in attendance.

The object of the charity is the provision of an advice service for the relief of persons who are in need, distress or hardship in Brighton and Hove and nearby districts. This is done by providing practical, compassionate support and advice to help overcome financial hardship by accessing the benefits they need and managing debt.

The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011.

Achievements and future plans

During the year we assisted 878 clients with 974 welfare benefit and debt cases, this is up 26% and 29% retrospectively on the previous year. We also handled 3,060 telephone and online enquiries from new clients up 13% on the previous year.

We see multiple positive changes as a result of using our service, many of which are measurable; for example, in 2024/2025 we:

  1. Increased client income: Combined annualised total of over £1.8M of unclaimed benefits.

  2. Reduced client debt: £1,318,252 of debt written off / managed for 93 clients.

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  1. Improved client understanding: 95% of clients believe we improved their understanding of their rights, options, and next steps.

  2. Improved client confidence: 57% of clients felt more confident about their situation after receiving assistance from the service.

  3. Reduced client anxiety: 62% of clients reported a reduction in anxiety surrounding their financial situation after receiving help.

  4. Increased client support: 82% of clients felt supported with their benefit and debt issues, reflecting the service's commitment to providing comprehensive & tailored support.

  5. Reduced client stress: 68% of clients experienced less stress and worry following their appointment with the service.

  6. Enhanced client well-being: The service contributes to improving overall well-being, as evident in client satisfaction: 100% of clients would recommend the service to others and 100% felt they were treated fairly.

We were able to achieve this by the additional support we have from 8 dedicated volunteers during the year who assisted with welfare benefit, money advice and administration.

We plan to continue to support as many people as possible in the coming year by maintaining our ‘open door’ policy.

The trustees are grateful for to all of the staff and volunteers for their contribution to the Service’s achievements in 2024/25

Financial review & reserves

After some successful fundraising and careful control of costs, year-end reserves stood at £63,904 (2024 - £26,891), which is around 4 months of expenses. Trustees consider that this is the suCicient for the ongoing operation of the charity.

Work will continue to grow and to diversify income in the coming year to ensure that our work can continue.

Signed on behalf of the board on 15 June 2025

Rev Martin Poole

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Independent Examiners Report to the trustees of St Lukes Advice Servlce (Charity no 1094894) on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in 8ccord8nce with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materi81 m8tters have come to my attention in connection with the 8xamination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with saction 130 of the Charities the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerningthe form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than 8ny requirement that the accounts give a'true and fair, view which is not 8 matter considered as part of an independent examin8tion. 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 underst8nding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date Name Jane Smith Address 16 Windlesham Gardens, Brighton BN13AJ

St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including Income and Expenditure Account) YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
2
Investments
3
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
4
Reserves at 31 March 2025
TOTAL INCOME
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Reserves at 1 April 2024		 £
£
192,799
372
193,171
156,158
156,158
37,013
26,891
63,904
Unrestricted &
Total funds
2025		 £
£
134,028
229
134,257
130,583
130,583
3,674
23,217
26,891
Unrestricted &
Total funds
2024		 £
£
134,028
229
134,257
130,583
130,583
3,674
23,217
26,891
Unrestricted &
Total funds
2024
3,674
23,217
26,891

The notes form part of these financial statements.

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St Lukos Athrt¢• S•r¥l¢• Re8lsteredCharltyNo 1094894 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Note FIXED ASSErs Tangible fixed gssets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank8nd Sn han 22.327 43,858 66,185 27.576 27,576 CAEDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2,282 16861 NEfcuRAENT ASSErs 63,903 26,890 NEfASSErs 63,904 26,891 CHARITYFVNDS: Genefol. unrestrlcte¢J ￿ndS 10 63.904 26,891 TOTALFUNDS 63.904 26,891 The accounts were 8pprovad by tha Board on IS 20 Si8ned on behall otthe t)08rd of trustee3 Rev MBrtin Poolo Chalrman The notes form part ofth8$8 Ilnancl&l st&t8m&nt$.

St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared

in accordance with 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Practice

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charitable group and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

1.3 Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.

1.4 Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. All of the charity's funds are unrestricted.

1.5 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Donations and legacies

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of receipt.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Charitable activities

Income from service contracts is recognised when the service has taken place.

1.6 Expenditure

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

Expenditure on charitable activities includes costs all costs incurred by the charity, including management costs.

1.7 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

All equipment is fully depreciated in the year of purchase

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St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Donations
Grants
Gift aid
Total
3
INVESTMENTS
Interest receivable
4
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Staff costs
Interpreting costs
Print post and stationery
Training
Volunteer and staff sundry expenses
Depreciation
Insurance, quality and other professional fees
Rent and premises
Software licences
Subscriptions
Sundry other costs
Telephony and Comms
Website and IT Support
Total		 Total
2025
£
44,855
144,305
3,639
192,799
2025
£
372
Total
2025
£
120,658
5,084
3,056
682
870
3,288
2,324
10,858
124
6,553
58
1,130
1,473
156,158		 Total
2024
£
25,425
104,391
4,212
134,028
2024
£
229
Total
2024
£
102,044
8,609
839
316
729
10,031
4,600
2,105
1,309
130,583

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St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5 EMPLOYEES AND TRUSTEES

Number of employees

The average monthly number employees during the year was:

Direct employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
Number
5
2025
£
113,647
4,617
2,394
120,658		 2024
Number
5
2024
£
91,252
3,802
5,964
101,018

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was above £60,000 (2024 - Nil).

6 TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

No trustees were paid remuneration (2024: £nil).

During the year, one trustee, Funmilayo Yusseff was reimbursed travel expenses of £49 (2024: £nil).

7 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 disposal
At 31 March 2025
Net book amount:
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
DEBTORS
Prepayments and accrued income
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other creditors
Other taxation and social security		 2025
£
22,327
2025
£
272
2,010
2,282		 IT Equip
£
1
3,289
-
3,290
-
3,289
-
3,289
1
1
2024
£
-
2024
£
686
-
686

8 DEBTORS

8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

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St Lukes Advice Service Registered Charity No 1094894 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

9 RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES

Defined contribution schemes

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

The charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £2,394 (2024: £5,964).

10 RESERVES

All funds of the charity are unrestricted.

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